To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 17 September 1794
From John Jay
London 17 Septr. 1794
Dear Sir
There is something very pleasant in the Reflection that while war discord and oppression triump in so many parts of Europe, their Domination does not extend to our Country. I sometimes flatter myself that Providence in Compassion to the afflicted in these countries, will continue to leave america in a proper state to be an azylum to them.
Among those who have suffered severely from these Evils, is Monsr. De Rochefoucauld Liancourt,1 formerly President of the national assembly of France. His Rank and Character are known to you. He will be the Bearer of this Letter, and I am persuaded that his Expectations from it will be realized.
Yours Sincerely
John Jay
The Honble Col. Hamilton
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. François Alexandre Frédéric, Duc de La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt, was a French social reformer who had established a model farm at Liancourt and founded a school of arts and crafts, which became known in 1788 as Ecole des Enfants de la Patrie. He was elected to the Estates-General in 1789 and became president on July 18. He fled to England and then to America after the royal palace was captured on August 10, 1792. He arrived at Philadelphia on November 26, 1794, and returned to Europe in 1797, arriving finally in Paris in 1799. He was the author of Voyages dans les Etats-Unis d’Amérique, fait en 1795, 1796 et 1797 (8 Vols., Paris, 1799; Translated, 2 Vols., London, 1799).