Hamilton, Alexander (1757-1804) to James Duane
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03636 Author/Creator: Hamilton, Alexander (1757-1804) Place Written: Morristown, New Jersey Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 May 1780 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 31.4 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy
Hamilton, serving as General George Washington's aide, asks Duane, a member of the Continental Congress, to help expedite a congressional action supplying Washington's army in anticipation of the arrival of a French fleet in June, 1780. Indicates that Washington will gladly consult with the Committee, but the Committee's powers should be framed so that such consultations will be infrequent and the military operations "trusted to as few as possible." Also notes the whims of Lafayette, who "wishes Congress to pass some resolution of thanks" for the captain of the frigate which carried him to America.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
My Dear Sir
This will be delivered you by the Marquis who brings us very important intelligence. The General communicates the substance of it in a private letter to you-and proposes a measure which we all deem essential. For God's Sake my Dear Sir engage Congress to adopt it and come to a speedy decision. We have not a moment to lose. Were we to improve every instant of the interval we should have too little time for what we have to do. The expected succour [sic] may arrive in the beginning of June, in all probability it will not be later than the middle. In the last case we have only a Month to make our preparations in-and in this short period we must collect men, form magazines, and do a thousand things of as much difficulty as importance. The [inserted: propriety of the measure] proposed is so [struck: illegible] obvious that 1 an hour [sic] ought to decide it, and if any new members are to come, they ought to set out instantly and with all expedition for Head Quarters.
[2] Allow my Dear Sir to give you a hint-The General will often be glad to consult the Committee on particular points; but it will be inexpedient that he should do it oftener than he thinks proper or any peculiar case may require. Their powers should be framed accordingly. It is of the essence of many military operations, that they should be trusted to as few as possible.
The Marquis has a title to all the love of all America; but you know he has a thousand little whims to satisfy. One of these he will have me write to some friend in Congress abou[t]. He is desirous of serving the Captain of the frigate in which he came; and gives several pretty instances of his punctuality and desinterestedness. He wishes Congress to [struck: illegible] [inserted: pass] some resolution of thanks and to recommend him to their Minister in France to be recommended to the French Court. The last of these is practicable the late I think [struck: illegible] [inserted: might have] an officious [illegible: appearance]. The essential services the Marquis has rendered America in France give him a claim to all that can be done until propriety; but Congress must not commit themselves-
Again my Dear Sir I must entreat you to use the spur upon the present occasion. The fate of America is perhaps suspended on the issue-if we are found unprepared it must disgrace us in the eyes of all Europe, besides defeating the good intentions of our allies, and losing the happiest opportunity we have ever had to save ourselves-Adieu my
Dr Sir
Believe me to be with
the truest respect & affection
Your most Obedt
A Hamilton
May 14.t 1780
[docket]
Col. Hamilton
14: May 1780
[address leaf]
The Honorable
James Duane Esqr
Philadelphia
Honored by The
Marquis Dr Da Fayille
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