I have this moment received your letter of the thirteenth ultimo, and am sorry that the rules of propriety in respect to my situation, as a member of Congress, will not permit my acting in the capacity you wish.
My situation for some time past has prevented my acknowledging one or two of your favors, which have been duly handed to me. I recollect that one of them contains an inquiry concerning your son, to which you will naturally desire an answer. My public avocations, for some time past, have put it out of my power to ascertain the progress he has made; though I expect, when I shall be enough disengaged to examine, to find it a good one. It cannot fail to be so, if his diligence has been equal to his capacity. I shall shortly write you further on the subject.
With great esteem,
I remain, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
A. Hamilton.
Mr. Samuel Broome.
HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON.
New-York, August 18, 1788.
Sir:
Captain Cochran of the British navy has requested my aid in recovering a family watch in the possession of ——. In compliance with his request, I have written the letter herewith (to —— ——), which I take the liberty to convey through you, in hope that if you see no impropriety in it, you would add your influence to the endeavor to gratify Captain Cochran. It is one of those things in which the affections are apt to be interested beyond the value of the object, and in which one naturally feels an inclination to oblige.
I have delivered to Mr. Madison, to be forwarded to you, a set of the papers under the signature of Publius, neatly enough bound to be honored with a place in your library. I presume you have understood that the writers of these papers are chiefly Mr. Madison and myself, with some aid from Mr. Jay.
I take it for granted, sir, you have concluded to comply with what will no doubt be the general call of your country in relation to the new Government. You will permit me to say that it is indispensable you should lend yourself to its first operations. It is of little purpose to have introduced a system, if the weightiest influence is not given to its firm establishment in the outset.