ence or conformity with its general plan, that is to say, without altering the plan. Before Hamilton entered upon what he called the first draught of a certain paper, he appears to have made an "abstract of points to form an address," a copy of which is printed in the seventh volume of Hamilton's Works, page 570, and will be found in the Appendix. It places the points in the order in which they are afterwards developed in Hamilton's original draught, and must be particularly noticed hereafter. 66 It is here called the original draught of Hamilton, for the purpose of constantly distinguishing it in my future remarks. Hamilton sent a corrected and amended copy of this draught to Washington, as he promised to do. His letter says, “he shall shortly transcribe, correct, and forward it." The original draught bears an indorsement in Hamilton's handwriting, in these words: Copy of the original draught, considerably amended;" which cannot mean that the paper itself, on which the indorsement was made, was considerably amended from some other original,—for the paper itself is singularly rough, and bears many interlineations, marginal and otherwise, which in some respects deface it, and leaves also a considerable blank in it, to be, perhaps, afterwards filled up,—but it must import that the copy of that, the original draught, was considerably amended; and this amended or corrected copy, was the copy, no doubt, which Hamilton sent to Washington, the rough original which bears the indorsement remaining with Hamilton, and being now with Hamilton's papers in the Department of State. It was this corrected copy that was afterwards returned by Washington to Hamilton, at his request, for revision, and was again corrected or revised, and in one or two particulars enlarged by him, and again returned to Washington. This corrected copy, to distinguish it from the original draught, will hereafter be called Hamilton's revision. This large explanation may be thought superfluous; but, if attended to, it will be found to prevent confusion, in the many references which will occur to the different papers, and will also save the necessity of periphrase. To what extent, and in what manner the copy of the original draught which was sent to Washington, was amended or corrected, either at first, or upon a revision, cannot be known with absolute certainty; for we shall learn hereafter that this paper is the only missing link. It may be heard of again in the course of these remarks, and may, some time or other, appear; but it will not be discovered in time for the purposes of this Inquiry. We know from infallible proofs, that the amendments or corrections did not go to the extent of changing the general order, subjects, or sentiments of the paragraphs in Hamilton's original draught. He may have struck out three of them, and a part of one or two of them, and may have added two, or at most three, new ones. He may have divided a few of the original paragraphs, and consolidated two paragraphs in one, in perhaps two or three instances. The principal amendments must have been in words,―a different selection from words or turns of expression nearly synonymous, and not changing the general thought of the sentence. The comparison of Hamilton's rough original draught with Washington's printed Farewell Address, will establish the former, as continuing substantially to the end, an identity, under all the amendments or corrections that were made by Hamilton, or Washington. On the 30th July, Hamilton wrote the letter to Washington which follows: 56 HAMILTON'S LETTER TO WASHINGTON, 30TH JULY, 1796. "SIR, "NEW YORK, 30th July, 1796. "I have the pleasure to send you herewith a certain draught, "which I have endeavored to make as perfect as my time and en 66 gagements would permit. It has been my object to render this "act importantly and lastingly useful, and, avoiding all just cause "of present exception, to embrace such reflections and sentiments "as will wear well, progress in approbation with time, and redound "to future reputation. How far I have succeeded, you will judge. "I have begun the second part of the task, the digesting the "supplementary remarks to the first address, which, in a fortnight, "I hope also to send you; yet, I confess, the more I have consi"dered the matter, the less eligible this plan has appeared to me. "There seems to me to be a certain awkwardness in the thing, and "it seems to imply that there is a doubt whether the assurance, "without the evidence, would be believed. Besides that, I think "that there are some ideas that will not wear well in the former "address; and I do not see how any part can be omitted, if it is "to be given as the thing formerly prepared. Nevertheless, when you have both before you, you can judge. 66 66 "If you should incline to take the draught now sent, after perusing, and noting anything that you wish changed, and will send “it to me, I will, with pleasure, shape it as you desire. This may "also put it in my power to improve the expression, and perhaps, "in some instances, condense. "I rejoice that certain clouds have not lately thickened, and that "there is a prospect of a brighter horizon. "With affectionate and respectful "attachment, I have the honor to be, "The President of the United States." "Your very obedient servant, "A. HAMILTON. On the 10th of August, 1796, Hamilton again wrote to Washington, as follows: “SIR, 66 "About a fortnight since, I sent you a certain draught. I now "send you another, on the plan of incorporation. Whichever you may prefer, if there be any part you wish to transfer from one to "another, any part to be changed, or if there be any material idea 66 in your own draught which has happened to be omitted, and which you wish introduced,—in short, if there be anything further in "the matter in which I can be of any [service], I will, with great "pleasure, obey your commands. 66 Washington's draught in its original form, together with the other on the plan of incorporation, must have been returned at the same time with this letter, though it is not so expressed. The care and return of it were enjoined by Washington, and he had it, with the other, in his hands, when he wrote his letter of 25th August, hereafter given. On the same 10th August, Washington acknowledged Hamilton's letter of 30th July, and the draught it inclosed. "The principal design of this letter is to inform you that your "favor of the 30th ult., with its inclosure, got safe to my hands by "the last post, and that the latter shall have the most attentive "consideration I am able to give it. "A cursory reading it has had; and the sentiments therein con"tained are extremely just, and such as ought to be inculcated. "The doubt that occurs at first view, is the length of it for a news 66 66 paper publication; and how far the occasion would countenance "its appearing in any other form, without dilating more on the present state of matters, is questionable. All the columns of a "large gazette could scarcely, I conceive, contain the present draught. But, having made no accurate calculation of this "matter, I may be much mistaken. 66 "If any matters should occur to you as fit subjects of communi"cation at the opening of the next session of Congress, I would "thank you for noting and furnishing me with them. It is my "wish and my custom to provide all the materials for the speech in "time, that it may be formed at leisure. "With sincere esteem and affectionate regard, "Col. A. HAMILTON." "GEO. WASHINGTON. One fact that must strike the reader upon perusing this letter, is the great emphasis which Washington lays upon the extent or magnitude of Hamilton's draught. Washington had, no doubt, intended his draught for a newspaper, as being the best instrument of diffusive publication. Upon a cursory reading of this draught, he perceived, as he thought, that all the columns of a large gazette would scarcely contain it; and that it was questionable whether the occasion would countenance its appearing in another form, without dilating more on the present state of matters. Indeed, it is the only fact with regard to Hamilton's draught which the letter records, except that his letter and draught had been received, and that the draught had had a cursory reading: and this fact will be found to have a marked bearing on the main question to be answered, namely, the con |