From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 27 April 1794
To Alexander Hamilton
Philadelphia April the 27th 1794.
Sir,
I cannot, under all the circumstances of the case, satisfy myself, that I am at liberty to go contrary to my last instructions; and that I have authority to direct the money, which I have expressly directed to be applied to the purchase of the public debt, to be applied to any other object.1
Still, however, I am willing, that the embarrassments, which you .2 shall be communicated to Congress; and I have no objection to recommend to them to order the money to be reserved for the exigencies which you point out.3
Go: Washington
ALS, CtHi: Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Papers; LB, DLC:GW.
The draft of this letter appears in the body of Edmund Randolph’s first letter to GW of this date.
1. On the subject of this letter, see Hamilton to GW, 21 April, 23 April (second letter), and 25 April (first letter), and GW to Hamilton 22 April and 24 April (first letter).
2. Hamilton mentioned the possibility of “embarrassments” in his first letter to GW of 25 April.
3. Hamilton replied to this suggestion in a letter of 28 April, which reads: “I should not advise a present reference to the Legislature on the subject of the application of the loan; as under the circumstances of that body at this moment much debate would probably ensue and perhaps no decision.
“I am the less induced to advise this step; as the expedient itself will be hereafter practicable, if it shall appear to be necessary. It will be some time before the proceeds of the loan will be realised in the Treasury. When there, though the appropriation will be fixed to the sinking Fund, the actual disbursement of the monies may be accelerated or retarded as may be judged adviseable according to the developpement of circumstances” (CtHi: Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Papers).