ÆT. 35.]

CORRESPONDENCE.

517

been calculated to induce the Legislature to call a convention to revise the decision of the canvassers. So far as I am able to form an opinion, a majority of the Assembly are Clintonians, and, if so, will not agree to call a convention. Should this be the case, the business will there terminate.

I have only a few loose notes concerning the questions decided by the canvassers-by turning up Bohuns, or Comins, you will find under the word sheriff, the English cases referred to which respect the appointment and discharge of that office. The liability of holding the office beyond the term for which sheriffs, constables, and other annual officers are appointed, must have arisen from the inconvenience to which the administration of justice would have been exposed by vacancies in any of those offices. The law on that point cannot be doubted. The practice is common in this country, as well as in England, and property to a great amount, in both countries, is held under decisions of juries, returned by sheriffs exercising their office beyond their year.

Yours sincerely,

HAMILTON TO BOUDINOT.

RUFUS KING.

30th July, 1792.

DEAR SIR:

I expected to have set out to-day to join the Committee tomorrow at Newark, but it is not possible. To-morrow morning I shall embark in the Early Stage, and hope to reach you in the afternoon; but I pray that no business may be deferred on my

account.

Truly yours,

ALEXR. HAMILTON.

Before I left Philadelphia I had notice of a cause to be tried on the 10th instant, at this place, of the business of which I had some knowledge. It has lasted till this day, and the counsel think my staying may prove very important to the just decision of the cause. It is with great pain I remain, because I doubt not the arrangement of the compensations now requires to be acted upon. I shall hasten to Philadelphia in five minutes after I am dismissed.

There has been a most respectable assemblage of persons from various parts of this State, attending the courts of nisi priusand oyer and terminer-and I have felt infinite satisfaction in manifestations from every description of them, that they equally love the General and State governments; and that they think the great objects of public happiness committed to the former have been faithfully and most beneficially managed.

They are full of a firm and generous confidence in the future intentions of the general government.

I have the honor to be, with the most respectful attachment, &c.

HAMILTON TO BOUDINOT.

PHILADELPHIA, August 18th, 1792.

MY DEAR SIR:

Some skirmishing having begun in the Gazette of the United States respecting Mr. Freneau's receiving a salary from government, I mentioned in conversation with a friend all that I knew of the matter, and among other things, but without naming you, the information you had given me concerning Mr. Madison's

ET. 35.]

CORRESPONDENCE.

519

negotiation with Freneau. Upon this he founded a very pointed attack upon Mr. Freneau and Mr. Jefferson, which I dare say you have seen, as also Mr. Freneau's affidavit denying all negoti ation with "Thomas Jefferson, Esq., Secretary of State," &c. &c. The gentleman has since applied to me to obtain, if possible, an authentication of the fact of the negotiation.

If I recollect right, you told me that this, if necessary, could be done; and if practicable, it is of real importance that it should be done. It will confound and put down a man who is continually machinating against the public happiness.

You will oblige me in the most particular manner, by obtaining and forwarding to me without delay, the particulars of all the steps taken by Mr. Madison-the when and where, and with liberty to use the name of the informant. His affidavit to the facts, if obtainable, would be of infinite value. Care ought to be taken that nothing is asserted which is not unquestionable.

Truly and affectionately yours, &c.

}

DEAR SIR:

BOUDINOT TO HAMILTON.

NEW-YORK, August 16th, 1792.

I had just returned from the Circuit when I received your letter by yesterday's post, and had not then read the pieces you alluded to. Judge Bradford was with me, and relating the affair -especially the affidavit-he said he was very much mistaken, if he had not the relation from Freneau's own mouth. "This I know," says he, "that at the time I was in New-York, and was informed of Mr. J.'s writing him a letter, which he took in dudgeon, as striking at his independence, &c., and wrote a very insulting answer, which he showed to Mr. Childs, who prevented his sending it, &c.; and in fact related the whole story as I had it. I have no doubt, if you fall in company with him, and bring on the conversation with him, as soon as he returns, he will give you

520

HAMILTON'S WORKS.

satisfaction on the subject. Converse with him as if ceived no information on the head.

Soon after I had the first conversation with you on that subject, I saw the gentleman I referred to, but I found him more attached to F. than I supposed—and he refused allowing me to say any thing from him. I am still in hopes, through another channel, to ascertain the facts, which I will endeavor to do in the course of the week, if possible, though I doubt not Judge Bradford will, on reflection, be able to mention the authority from which he had the story; and if he had it immediately from F. himself, it will be the best evidence that can be procured, and he appears to have no reserve on the subject.

Have you received my letter inclosing Hall and Mort's proposals; if so, will you write your sentiments on the subject? May we expect to see you on the 20th instant? I see by the papers a Mr. Nesbit has arrived from Scotland, and is with General Schuyler. Would it be worth while to wait to have his opinion?

Your letter inclosing the money I have received and forwarded.

I am, with esteem, dear Sir,

Yours sincerely,

ELISHA BOUDINOT.

HAMILTON TO SETON.

August 17th, 1792.

MY DEAR SIR:

Your letter, mentioning certain particulars respecting the two banks, has been received, and will be duly attended to. I trust, however, that certain appearances have in no degree proceeded from any unkind disposition. The solution, I believe, is to be found in the necessity of sending here a considerable sum in specie. Large payments into the Bank of North America on

account of the State of Pennsylvania, subscriptions to canals, &c., and large calls upon the Bank of the United States for the service of government, joined to liberal discounts, had produced a considerable balance in favor of the Bank of North America, which rendered it expedient to draw a sum of specie from New-York, not to leave the National Bank in any degree in the power of the Bank of North America, which once manifested a very mischievous disposition, that was afterwards repaid by acts of kindness and generosity. The tide is now changing, and must speedily reverse the balance, and I mention it in confidence, because I wish, by explaining, to cherish confidence between the two institutions at New-York, so necessary to their mutual interest.

Inclosed, my dear sir, is a letter to Mr. Donald of St. Vincents, which I beg your most particular care in forwarding. I presume he is a merchant there; but a gentleman lately mentioned to me, that he thought the name of the governor of St. Vincents was Donald. If so, he is probably the person intended. I received a letter from him, giving me some information of my father. The letter to Mr. Donald covers one to my father, who, from a series of misfortunes, was reduced to great distress. You will perceive from this, that I must be anxious for the safe conveyance of my letter. If there is any person of whom you can make previous inquiry concerning Mr. Donald, you will oblige me by doing it, as a guide in forwarding the letter. I mean to send a duplicate from this place.

Affectionately, and with sincere esteem,

Yours,

A. HAMILTON.

DAYTON TO HAMILTON.

ELIZABETHTOWN, August 26th, 1792.

DEAR SIR:

Having been absent with my family on a visit to Staten Island, and to the sea-shore, I did not receive, so soon as I other