To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [12 April 1797]
From Oliver Wolcott, Junior
Phila. Apl. 12. 1797.
Dear Sir
I thank you for your Letter of April 5th. & enclose Mr. Kings Letter.1 I presume that the British Comrs. under the 6th. Article (for Debts)2 will contend for a similar construction3 respecting cases determined in our Courts. Is there any ground on which the principle can be opposed?
Are we to consider the British Credit as at an end,4 if so what effects, will it probably produce here?
Your further opinions respecting the course to be pursued by France, will be very acceptable.
Sincerely yours
Oliv Wolcott Jr
A Hamilton Esq
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
2. In Article 6 of the Jay Treaty, the United States guaranteed the payment to Great Britain of bona fide private debts contracted before the peace treaty of 1783. The amount of the debts was to be determined by a mixed commission of five members ( , 249–51). The British commissioners were delayed in leaving England, and the first meeting of the commission, held in Philadelphia, did not take place until May, 1797.
3. This is a reference to the British interpretation of Article 7 of the Jay Treaty. See King to H, February 6, 1797.
4. This is a reference to the suspension of specie payments by the Bank of England. See King to H, March 8, 1797, note 1.