Third edition. The great betrayal, which may have cost Adams the election of 1800. Hamilton originally issued this work with the hope of giving Pinckney a majority over Adams, but later gave the copyright to John Lang. Hamilton writes of Adams: "...He does not possess the talents adapted to the administration of this Government, and that there are great and intrinsic defects in his character which unfit him for the office of Chief Magistrate." "This and Adams' reply are probably the plainest talk ever indulged in, in print, between two great statesmen. It received many answers, from both Republicans and Federalists" (Ford). Very popular in its time, the work was reprinted four times during the 1800 election.