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Alexander Hamilton ALS Moving Forward on Compromise of 1790, Newly Discovered After 140 Years, Apparently Unpublished
Alexander Hamilton ALS Moving Forward on Compromise of 1790, Newly Discovered After 140 Years, Apparently Unpublished
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Hamilton Alexander



Alexander Hamilton ALS moving forward on Compromise of 1790, Newly discovered after 140 years, apparently unpublished 

 

 

Here he forwards George Washington's appointment to Edward Carrington as Supervisor of what would become the capitol city bearing our first President's name, in exchange for assuming States debts. Hamilton strongly "hints" at the importance of this position "This will retrospect as well or look forward to whatever additional calls for revenue may  out of the future exigencies  of the Union. I give you this hint in confidence to enable you the better to form an estimate of the true nature of the office."

 

Alexander Hamilton boldly signed and dated ALS on laid paper, 8" x 9.75". Boldly signed on verso as "A Hamilton" with his large flourish, and dated "March 20, 1791".  Two pages  with second blank leaf tipped in to separate sheet. Expected minor paper flaws do not disturb this strongly contrasted and well preserved letter. Near fine, with documented provenance as noted below. Accompanied by a fine engraving of Alexander Hamilton, 5.25" x 8.25" laid into a page.

 

A spectacular Alexander Hamilton signed letter with extraordinary content discussing one of the most important compromises in US history!  Hamilton's letter to Edward Carrington, was written less than a year after the famous June 20, 1790 dinner meeting between Jefferson, Hamilton, and Madison.  In his letter, he discusses some of the salient issues at hand, and offers a "hint" of the proposed negotiations.

 

Keep in mind these three men were on opposing ends of the political spectrum. Hamilton, a Federalist, wanted the Federal Government to hold the bulk of the political and economic power; Madison and Jefferson, Republicans, wanted that power to remain with the states. Nonetheless, the three men met to discuss a prolonged deadlock in Congress, and this meeting was the pivotal turning point. This compromise is recognized and regarded by historians "as one of the most important bargains in American history, ranking just below the better known Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850". If one backs up only a few months prior, Hamilton had just given his “First Report on Public Credit” to Congress. One of the most contentious issues in the report was Hamilton’s recommendation that the Federal Government assume the states’ substantial Revolutionary War debts. Hamilton believed this was necessary to establish the United States’ credit and promote investment.  Perhaps at the time Hamilton proposed a novel concept, but ultimately this "win"  ushered in the era of the  entire United States financial system,  comprising the ability to allow government borrowing, creation of debt, bonds and enabling our international money flows both at home and abroad. It is Hamilton's hint and top line overview to Carrington, who just accepted his commission as Supervisor,  that is perhaps the most revealing.   And in addition, Hamilton asserted that although at the time Carrington's position was a local state held position, it was Hamilton's belief that it was likely to be in the disposition of the Government and will increase in importance.

Alexander Hamilton's letter as shown below in full:


"Dear sir,


This is accompanied by an official letter. It serves to assure you of the pleasure which your appointment to the Office of Supervisor gave me and to express my earnest desire that it may be as agreeable to you as it has been to me.


The compensation is not at present as liberal as could have been wished but it is as great as the limits allowed by the Legislation would permit - I can however truly say that I consider it as one of the most important offices of a local aspect which has been or is likely to be in the disposition of the Government; as one particularly which will  considerably increase in importance. It is in my contemplation, to embrace many things under the general direction of the Supervisor which form no part of the present plan - This will retrospect as well or look forward to whatever additional calls for revenue may arise out of the future exigencies of the Union. I give you this hint in confidence to enable you the better to form an estimate of the true nature of the office.


Yours with sincere esteem

&
regard


A Hamilton

 


Philadelphia March 20, 1791


Ed Carrington Esq"

 


Hamilton's allusion in his letter to the 'Compromise' is indisputably evident, and the importance of the Compromise of 1790 can not be overstated. Not only was the location of the future location of the Capitol at hand, but our entire financial system of the United States debts, bonds and our international money flows were established both at home and abroad.  This momentous push by Hamilton allowed the United States to obtain "Good credit", which resulted in  Jefferson's Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin to borrow in Europe to finance the Louisiana Purchase in 1803,  borrow to finance the War of 1812 which was just the beginning.

 

A scarce and highly significant piece of history, in outstanding, well preserved and unrestored condition.

 

Provenance: This item was recently discovered in an extra illustrated volume of “History of the City of New York”  by Mary L. Booth, New York W. R. C. Clark, 1867. Originally two volumes, the monumental task of expanding the work to 21 volumes was accomplished by none other than Emery E. Childs Esquire of New York City. In volume 1 of this work exists a lovely india ink drawing of Mary L. Booth, along with a notation ”presented by her to E E C” in pencil. Next to the title page we find an original letter of Booth to Childs dated April 4, 1872, “I am in receipt of your favor of the 4th inst., and am grateful to hear that you are taking the trouble to illustrate my History of the City of New York in the manner you describe. I shall be happy to see you, should you favor me with a call as I am usually in my office during business hours and should be pleased to facilitate your Enterprise by any means in my power.”

 

It is assumed that the book took several years to assemble, at which point, assumedly through Childs, it made its way to Senator Charles B. Farwell of Chicago who took the seat of John A. Logan in 1887. Farwell had an extensive library that fortunately survived the great Chicago fire in 1871, having been housed in his Lakeside home. In the American Bibliopolist of November 1871, there is an article about the devastation to libraries caused by the tragedy. “Mr C. B. Farwell’s library is also fortunately far out from the city, at his country house, and is safe.  The same remark will also apply to the extensive collection of books and curiosities belonging to Mr. E. E. Childs.” This establishes the Chicago connection between Childs and Farwell.

 

That these letters were preserved for over 140 years and have never been on the market for that period is remarkable on many levels. It is the state of being wedged in these volumes that also account for what is mostly the pristine state of preservation. 



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