The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-02-01
NEW WASHINGTON
LETTER IS FOUND
Columbia Discovers 1t in a
Collection.
TO ALEXANDER HAMILTON
Expresses Writer'S Wish to Live in
Retirement on His Viz
GINA Farm.
TO ALEXANDER HAMILTON

Lis
ginia Farm.
NEW YORK. Feb. IA collection of
unpublished letters of American states
men. recently given to Columbia. is now
on exhibition in the university library.
One letter recently discovered is from
George Washington.
The letter is written on a single folded
sheet and is in the stiff formal hand
writing characteristic OF the writer II
is addressed TO Alexander Hamilton.
and was written before Washington
first election to the Presidency:
The letter follows:
Text of Letter.
Mount Vernon, Aug. Is. I7sS
Dear Sir: ] have had the pleasure to
receive your letter dated the 13th-ac-
companied by one addressed 10 General
Morgan ] Will forward the latter 10
General Morgan by the first convey
ance, and add my particular wish that ne
would comply with the requeSt con-
tanned In 1t. although l can scarcely
imagine how the watch of a British of
ficer. killed within their lines, should
have fallen into his hands Cwho was
many miles away from the scene of ac-
tion); yet. If it so happened. 1 fiatter
myself there will be no reluctance or
delay In restoring IL to the family.
As TIE DeTuSak OF the UOlllCdl pa
pers under the signature OF Publius has
Afforded me great satisfaction. l shall
certainly consider them as claiming a
most distinguished place in my library
j have read every performance which
has been printed on one side and the
other of the great question lately agi-
tated $50 far as 1 have been able to
obtain them, and, without an un-
meaning compliment, ] will say that i
have seen no others so well calculated
Gin my judgment) to produce conviction
on an unbiased mind, as the "Produc-
ton OF your ''Triumvirate" When
the happiest circumstances and fugitive
performances which attended this crisis
shall have disappeared. that work VIII
merit the notice OF posterity. because in
II are candidly discussed the principles
of freedom & the topics Of government.
mankind so long as they shall be con-
nected in Civil Society.
The circular letter from your conVen-
ton. / presume. was the equivalent by
Which you obtained an acquiescence in
the proposed Constitution Notw1th-
standing ] am not very well satisfied
affairs have proceeded. with few excep-
lions. In so good a train that l hope
political machine may be put in mo-
ton without much EFFORT or hazard OF
On the delicate subject with which
you conclude your letter 1 can say
nothing, because the event alluded to
may never happen; and because, In case
II should occur. IL will be q point OF
prudence TO defer forming ones ulti-
mate and irrevOcable decision, so long
as new data might be offered for one TO
act with the greatest wisdom and pro-
priety. / would not wish to conceal my
prevailing sentiment from you. For you
know me well enough my good Sir, to
be persuaded that I am not guilty of
affectation. when I tell you. Il is my
great and sole desire to live and die in
peace and retirement. on my own farm.
Were 1t ever Indispensable a different
line of conduct should be adopted; while
you and some others who are acquaint-
world and posterity might probably ac-
cuse me of Inconsistency and ambition.
5 5sss a anS e,It saaii always possess lir
(what / consider-the most enviable OF
al titles) the character of an honest
10 a be s Test wna thai dese
with great sincerity. & esteem.
Dear Sir,
Your friend and
Most obedient Hble Ser
g. WASHINGTON
Alex. Hamilton. Esq.
One From Fillmore.
With this letter of Washington. the
university has also on exhibition num-
Der Of letters of other Presidents. The
following from Willard Fillmore to a
publishing house would seem TO fndi-
cate that in 1924 the Chief Executive
was not blessed with ready money:
Aurora, Nov. 49, 1924
Dear Sir: Yours OF the 1st ult came
to hand on the 18TH but the books did
not arrive until yesterday.
Il sent you my note as per request for
$500 except that they are for three In
stead OF two years. as l shall calculate
10 be ready to meet the payments at
that time, and II convenient would be
willing TO pay in two or in three years, |
but wish 70 reserve the privilege to my
self so as to be by no means embar-
raised
THE remaining part. which is to be
paid down, S16.22, Is ready; deducting
from that one years interest as pro-
fember last. it makes S15.Oe, which
knew of no safe opportunity TO send
until our member of Assembly shall go,
next month. by whom Of have no OPP
portunity to send IL sooner). shall for
ward H. 1 am yours respectfully.
m. FILLMORE.
''Messrs. William Gold & Co."