To Alexander Hamilton from John Ripley, 8 December 1799
From John Ripley, 8 December 1799
Union Camp Decr. 8th 1799
Sir
I had the honor to receive your favor of the 26th Novr. & have to observe—that my letter of the 19th was wrote by the direction of Colo Smith with an assurance from him, that he would at the same time write you on the subject, recommending the measures propos’d, if unfortunate in my expressions in not stating it was wrote by direction of Colo. Smith, cannot in this instance conceive myself a fit subject of censure
I am Sir with great respect your Obedient Servant
John Ripley
(ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). On the cover H wrote a draft of his reply: "X It was not my intention to censure but merely to point out the regular channel of communication." There are two "X" marks in the left margin of the letter, one beside the line beginning "write you on the subject..." and the other next to "in this instance conceive myself...."