Alexander Hamilton Papers

From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [1 March 1782]

To George Washington

[Philadelphia, March 1, 1782]

Sir

I need not observe to yr Excellency that, Respect for the opinion of Congress will not permit me to be indifferent to the impressions they may receive of my conduct. On this principle, though I do not think the subject of the inclosed letter1 of sufficient importance to request an official communication of it, yet I should be happy it might in some way be known to the members of that honorable body. Should they hereafter learn that though retained on the list of their officers I am not in the execution of the duties of my station, I wish them to be sensible that it is not a diminution of zeal which induces me voluntarily to withdraw my services, but that I only refrain from intruding them when circumstances seem to have made them either not necessary or not desired, and that I shall not receive emoluments without performing the conditions to which they were annexed. I also wish them to be apprised upon what footing my future continuance in the army is placed that they may judge how far it is expedient to permit it. I therefore take the liberty to request the favour of your Excellency to impart the knowlege of my situation in such manner as you think most convenient.2

I have the honor to be    With perfect respect    Yr. Excellency’s Most Obed & humb.

ADf, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. In JCHW description begins John C. Hamilton, ed., The Works of Alexander Hamilton (New York, 1851). description ends , I, 273–74, this letter is dated 1782.

1The enclosure was H’s letter to Washington of March 1, 1782, which follows this letter. Presumably the first letter of March 1 was a private one, and the second was public or official. As there is only a draft of the private letter, it is not certain that H sent it.

2For information on H’s army status, see the notes to his second letter to Washington on this date.

Index Entries