Hamilton, Alexander

A Letter from Phocion to the Considerate Citizens of New York, on the Politics of the Times, in Consequence of the Peace. Philadelphia: Robert Bell, 1784

8vo in half-sheet imposition (7 3/4 x 4 3/4 in.; 197 x 121 mm). Title-page and terminal leaf browned and spotted. Disbound. Blue cloth chemise, blue morocco-backed slipcase.

Acquisition: William Reese

Evans 18515; Ford, Bibliotheca Hamiltoniana 10; Hildeburn 4486

8vo in half-sheet imposition (7 3/4 x 4 3/4 in.; 197 x 121 mm). Title-page and terminal leaf browned and spotted. Disbound. Blue cloth chemise, blue morocco-backed slipcase.
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The Philadelphia edition of Hamilton's influential tract on the politics of peace, preceded by the printing in the New York Packet the same year. By early 1784, New York City had erupted in a wave of brutal reprisals against Tories, and Hamilton had complex and manifold reasons for defending them. First he believed America's character and reputation would be made manifest by its treatment of its vanquished enemies, especially in Europe. "Anti-Tory legislation in New York flouted the peace treaty with Britain, which stipulated that Congress should 'earnestly recommend' to state legislatures that they make restitution for seized Tory property" (Chernow, Alexander Hamilton, p. 195).  By ignoring the tenets of the treaty, New York brashly challenged the authority of the national government.  And lastly, banishing the Tories would hemmorhage capital necessary for the nation's economic vitality and survival.

In adopting the pen name "Phocion" from Plutarch, Hamilton subtlety alluded to his own life as well as purpose in this letter: Phocion was an Athenian soldier of "murky parentage" (Chernow) who came from another country and became an aide to a great general. Later a general himself, Phocion urged reconciliation with the defeated enemies of Athens.