Lot 242
Hamilton, Alexander (1755-1804), West Indies-born soldier, lawyer and politician, Secretary and aide-de-camp to George Washington, 1st Secretary of the Treasury (1789-1795), co-wrote The Federalist Papers with James Madison and John Jay, killed in a duel by Aaron Burr. Autograph Letter Signed, one page, 5 x 8, no place, [late October, 1800]. To John Jay, then Governor of New York, in full:
"Dr Sir It is an awkward thing now to tell you that it was early my intention to send you the inclosed. But it is nevertheless true that the idea was repeatedly on my mind with the design of executing it & was as often driven out by the distractions of business— &c. Always very truly Dr Sir Yr Obedt Svt A. Hamilton"
Docketed on verso by Jay "Gen.l Hamilton, rec.d 31 Octr 1800 with pamphlet". Fine condition. Enclosed in a custom quarter-leather portfolio with historical background and an engraved portrait.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
AN EXCELLENT ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE TWO GREAT LEADERS.
The "pamphlet" originally enclosed with this letter was Hamilton’ own Concerning the Public Conduct and Character of John Adams. Among his personal correspondence was a scathing letter regarding what he felt was Adams’ unsuitability as President. He was convinced that only the election of Charles C. Pinckney of South Carolina could save the nation and his party, the Federalists. Somehow Hamilton’s long-time political nemesis, Aaron Burr, obtained a copy of the letter and published excerpts from it. Hamilton, incensed, had the letter copyrighted and published in pamphlet form. In it Hamilton attacked Adams’ foreign policy and referred to the "disgusting egotism, the distempered jealousy and the ungovernable indiscretion of Mr. Adams’s temper".
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| Realized $12,500 |
