To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 8 April 1793
From Alexander Hamilton
Philadelphia April 8[t]h 1793
Sir
The papers of to day, which I take it for granted are forwarded to you will inform you of a confirmation of the War between France England & Holland & of such other leading particulars, as are contained in the English Papers brought by the Packet.1
The object of this Letter is merely to apprize you—that the whole current of Commercial Intelligence, which comes down to the 11th of Februay, indicates, thus far, an unexceptionable conduct on the part of the British Government towards the Vessels of the U. States.2
This information is received here with very great satisfaction—as favourable to a continuance of peace—the desire of which may be said to be both universal & ardent. With the highest respect & the truest attachment I have the honor to be Sir Your obedt & humb. servant
A. Hamilton
P.S. Lest the papers may not be regularly transmitted I inclose the two of this morning.3
ALS, DLC:GW; copy, DLC: Hamilton Papers.
1. The British packet Roebuck had arrived in New York City on 5 April 1793 (General Advertiser [Philadelphia], 8 April). Tobias Lear forwarded the relevant Philadelphia newspapers, which confirmed France’s declaration of war against Great Britain and the Netherlands on 1 Feb., to GW who was then at Mount Vernon (Lear to GW, 10 April, and note 4).
2. For Hamilton’s knowledge of events in Europe, see Hamilton to GW, 5 April. Hamilton’s claims of friendly behavior on the part of British shipping were a precursor to the cabinet’s debate over American neutrality policy and the use of American ports by French privateers (GW to Cabinet, 18 April, and source note).
3. The enclosed newspapers have not been identified.