in Hamilton's wishes." There is no evidence given of the existence of this dislike. Mr. King's being a Senator was one of the causes of the President's hesitation, as the following extract from a letter of May 15th from Washington to Hamilton indicates *:

With respect to the gentleman you have mentioned as successor to Mr. P., there can be no doubt of his abilities, nor in my mind is there any of his fitness. But you know, as well as I, what has been said of his political sentiments with respect to another form of government; and from thence can be at no loss to guess at the interpretation which would be given to the nomination of him. However, the subject shall have due consideration; but a previous resignation would, in my opinion, carry with it too much the appearance of concert, & would have a bad rather than good effect."

To this Mr. Hamilton replied,† referring, as the general index to Hamilton's works says, to Rufus King:

A. HAMILTON TO G. WASHINGTON.

"May 20, 1796.

I observe what you say on the subject of a certain diplomatic mission. Permit me to offer with frankness the reflections which have struck my mind.

"The importance of our security, and commerce, and good understanding with Great Britain, renders it very important that a man able and not disagreeable to that Government, should be there. The gentleman in question, equally with any who could go, and better than any willing to go, answers this description. The idea hinted in your letter will apply to every man fit for the mission, by his conspicuousness, talents, and dispositions. "Tis the stalking horse of a certain party, and is made use of against every man, who is not in their views and of sufficient consequence to attract their obloquy. If listened to, it will deprive *Hamilton's Works, vi., 122.

+ Ibid., vi., 125.

the government of the services of the most able and faithful agents. Is this expedient? What will be gained by it? Is it not evident that this party will pursue its hostility at all events as far as public opinion will permit? Does policy require anything more than that they shall have no real cause to complain? Will it do, in deference to their calumniating insinuations, to forbear employing the most competent men, or to entrust the great business of the country to unskilful, unfaithful, or doubtful hands? I really feel a conviction that it will be very dangerous to let party insinuations of this kind prove a serious obstacle to the employment of the best qualified characters. Mr. King is a remarkably well informed man, a very judicious one, a man of address, a man of fortune and economy, whose situation affords just ground of confidence; a man of unimpeached probity, where he is best known, a firm friend to the government, a supporter of the measures of the President-a man who cannot but feel that he has strong pretensions to confidence and trust.

"I might enlarge on these topics, but I have not leisure, neither can it be necessary. I have thrown out so much in the fulness of my heart, and too much in a hurry to fashion either the idea or the expression as it ought to be. The President, however, will, I doubt not, receive what I have said, as it is meant, as dictated by equal regard for the public interest and the honorable course of his administration.

Mr. King was soon after nominated, and confirmed by the Senate, as Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of London, and on the 23d his letter of resignation from that body was read in the Senate.* Thus closed for a time his career

*In reference to this appointment, Mr. King says in answer to questions from Mr. William Coleman in his letter of February 5, 1817: "The Mission to England I was desirous to have. I had reason to know that Genl. W. had thought of giving it to me, when Mr. Th. P. was appointed. When Mr. Py. desired to be recalled, and the mission was offered to me, I unhesitatingly accepted it.

"I lived more intimately with the public men of England, as well those of the Opposition as of the Govt., than any foreigner of my time. I frequented the society of literary men and have been in correspondence with several of the most distinguished civilians of the old world."

in that legislative body. That he had been active in the performance of his duties there, both as chairman of important committees and as a member of others, in matters relating to commercial regulations, to the various treaties negotiated, to the admission of Tennessee as a new State, which only took place after he left the Senate, and to many other important measures considered during that session, the Journal of the Senate bears abundant evidence. He had, however, for reasons which have been given, determined to retire from his position in the Legislature, and desired to seek employment elsewhere, where he thought he might do good, and in a position more congenial to his tastes. Washington thus announced to Mr. Pinckney, who had asked leave to return home, the appointment of Mr. King to take his place:

"The doubtful issue of the dispute and the real difficulty in finding a character to supply your place at the Court of London, has occasioned a longer delay than may have been convenient or agreeable to you. But, as Mr. King of the Senate, who, it seems, has resolved to quit his seat at that Board, has accepted the position, and will embark as soon as matters can be arranged, you will soon be relieved."

CHAPTER V.

Correspondence relative to the Treaty-Massachusetts Politics-Opinion of Hamilton as to Washington's Course relative to the Demand made by the House of Representatives for the Instructions to Mr. Jay-Congratulations to Mr. King on his Appointment-Some Instructions and his SuggestionsLetters from W. Smith on Affairs of S. Carolina and George Cabot on those of Massachusetts.

THEODORE SEDGWICK TO R. KING, N. York.

DEAR KING:

PHIL., Ist Jany., 1796.

I hope you have found your family happier than you expected. A copy of the treaty and its ratification is arrived, but the Prest. will not submit it to the legislature untill he receives the original. This information I have from Col. Pickering. By whom the original is to be expected is not known. I have evidence, to my mind conclusive, that it is determined to oppose the treaty and on the ground that it is unconstitutional.

The legislature, by this however I mean only the House of Representatives, of S. Carolina,* have declared agt. the treaty, but in terms more soft and mild than the original motion. The concurrence of the Senate was not requested, and because, as the friends of the measure declared, they were convinced it could not be obtained. This I learn from a letter to Wm. Smith from his cousin a member of the house. Barnwell behaved nobly. Yours affectly.

THEODORE SEDGWICK.

Smith's correspondent states about 30 as having retired

before the vote. Himself & Barnwell Stuck by the Stuff.

*The action which was taken in this as in the Legislatures of several of the other States-some sustaining the treaty and others condemning it—is here referred to, as it is also in some of the other letters.-ED.

MY DEAR SIR:

A. HAMILTON TO R. KING.

Jany., 1796.

If the News Papers tell truth it would appear that Massachusetts has anticipated New York. But it is intended by our friends in the Legislature to give some pointed discountenance to the propositions. It was expected that it would have been done to-day, but by the divergings of some men, who seek popularity with both sides, they have gotten into an unnecessary debate over the proposition in detail, which will lose time, but in the result a handsome majority will do right.

Lawrance is hurt and as far as I see not without some reason from particular circumstances at being left out of the Direction of the Bank. It will be balm to his feelings to be put into the direction of the office here, and I believe it will be an improvement of the Direction to do it. I wish you would endeavor to bring it about. Speak to Bayard of our city and to Wharton of Philadelphia. This is a suggestion of my own, for Lawrance rather rides a high horse upon the occasion.

Yrs. truly,

C. GORE TO R. KING.

A. HAMILTON.

BOSTON, 21st January, 1796.

MY DEAR FRIEND:

You did me justice in supposing that I confided in your friendship and zeal to promote my gratification. A confidence in the affection and esteem of those we love & respect is one of the choicest blessings of heaven, a distrust of a disposition in my friends to gratify wishes not in their opinion unreasonable, wou'd be the sorest mortification I could experience. Be assured I have not lost the former, or felt the latter.

A letter from Mr. Cabot by this mail requests an explicit answer by return of post whether, if invited, I woud engage as Commissioner and go very soon to England. My answer by this post is explicitly in the affirmative. I coud settle my own affairs in one week. I shoud wish, and think it probable, that the Executive might choose, that I shoud visit Philadelphia and