To Alexander Hamilton from David Ross, 8 April 1793
From David Ross1
Bladensburgh [Maryland] April
8. 1793
Dear Sir
I expected before this Copies of your and Co Mercers Communications & the Statement to the President with the Certificates respecting the Bribe2—& I need say nothing farther than that particular circumstances render me more anxious for them than ever. It is still asserted here that you attended the Coffee House on the Evenings the Purchases were made and that it was a common mode of expression that the Secretary would be in Market and that Certificates was sure to rise in consequence of it: so that you see, the Journals of the Commissioners will not convince some of Co Mercers advocates.3
By insisting on it we have at least got Co Mercers Detail which he referred to in one of his publications. It would not be sufficiently interesting to you to send a Copy of it, but if you should desire it from the nature of the enclosed answers you shall have it from
Your friend & obedt Servt
David Ross
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to H to John F. Mercer, September 26, 1792. See also H to Mercer, November 3, December 6, December, 1792, March 1, 14, 1793; Mercer to H, October 16–28, December, 1792, January 31, March 5, 26, 1793; H to Ross, September 26, November 3, 1792; Ross to H. October 5–10, November 23, 1792, March 13, 1793; Uriah Forrest to H, November 7, 1792.
3. The “Journal” of the commissioners of the sinking fund had been submitted to Congress with the “Report of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund,” February 25, 1793. It was subsequently published in the newspapers ([Philadelphia] Dunlap’s American Daily Advertiser, March 7, 1793).