To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 13 November 1790
From Alexander Hamilton
[Philadelphia], [Novr. 13, 1790]
My Dear Sir
I inclose you copies of two resolutions which have passed the house of representatives of Virginia. Others had been proposed and disagreed to. But the war was still going on. A spirited remonstrance to Congress is talked of.
This is the first symptom of a spirit which must either be killed or will kill the constitution of the United States. I send the resolutions to you that it may be considered what ought to be done.1
Ought not the collective weight of the different parts of the Government to be employed in exploding the principles they contain? This question arises out a Sudden & indigested thought.2 I remain D Sir Your Affectionate & Obedient hum Servant
A Hamilton
Chief Justice of the U States
ALS, NNC (EJ: 05619). Addressed: “The Honorable John Jay Esquire / Chief Justice of the United States. ^New York^ Boston”. Boston is in the hand of SLJ, forwarding the letter to JJ on circuit. , 7: 149–50.
1. The enclosures (not found) are the two resolutions of the Virginia legislature condemning AH’s plan for the assumption of the state debts that was included in the Funding Act of 1790, passed 4 Aug. 1790. See Virginia House of Delegates resolution, 3 Nov. 1790: “That so much of the act of Congress, entitled ‘an act making provision for the debt of the United States,’ as assumes the payment of the State debts, is repugnant to the Constitution of the United States, as it goes to the exercise of a power not expressly granted to the General Government;” and Resolution of 5 Nov.: “That so much of the act, entitled ‘an act making provision for the debt of the United States,’ as limits the right of the United States in their redemption of the public debt, is dangerous to the rights and subversive of the interest of the people, and demands the marked disapprobation of the General Assembly.” Journal of the House of Delegates of Virginia, 1790: 35–36, 38.
2. For JJ’s response, see JJ to AH of 28 Nov. 1790, below.