New York Assembly. Remarks on the Petition of Robert Henry, Robert McClellan, and Robert Henry, Junior, [16 April 1787]
New York Assembly. Remarks on the Petition of
Robert Henry, Robert McClellan, and
Robert Henry, Junior1
[New York, April 16, 1787]
Mr. Hamilton expressed great regret that he was obliged to oppose this bill; he knew the gentlemen; he knew their peculiarly unfortunate situation, and felt as much for their distresses as any member of the committee. But his objection to the bill, arose from his aversion to any discriminations; there were others, and he was sorry for it, in equally unfortunate circumstances. But he would oppose the bill from another consideration, it held out a provision entirely ideal; the bill stated that the interest should be paid out of any unappropriated monies in the treasury, but would this ever be the case; he doubted that there ever would be any money in the treasury unappropriated.
The [New York] Daily Advertiser, April 19, 1787.
1. The three petitioners were from Albany. John Tayler of Albany County identified the petitioners and described the petition as follows:
“He informed the committee, that these gentlemen previous to the war, were merchants, respectable and opulent. That their zeal for the common cause had induced them to go into Canada, and make purchases of articles that were much wanted for the service; and for such they received continental paper money. That they had purchased those goods with hard money. He thought much credit was due to their exertions.” (The Daily Advertiser, April 19, 1787.)