Hamilton, Alexander | One of the great political scandals

Hamilton, Alexander

Observations on Certain Documents Contained in No. V & VI of ''The History of the United States for the Year 1796,'' in which the Charge of Speculation against Alexander Hamilton, Late Secretary of the Treasury, is Fully Refuted. Philadelphia: John Bioren for John Fenno, 1797 [but likely William Duane, 1800]

8vo (212 x 134 mm). Title with numerous inked notations and loss, some general browning. Modern half calf.

Alexander Hamilton resigned as Secretary of the Treasury in 1795; two years later "a baseless accusation against his honesty as secretary of the treasury, brought by Monroe and others, forced him to make public confession of his intrigue some years previous with a Mrs. Reynolds … [his confession] had the merit of a proud bravery, for it showed him willing to endure any personal humiliation rather than a slur on his public integrity" (DAB).

Mrs. Hamilton tried to buy up all copies of the 1797 pamphlet, not least of because of the absolute frankness of her husband's confession, "My real crime," as he bluntly put it, "is an amorous connection with his (Reynolds) wife for a considerable time, with his privity and connivance." 

In 1800, in the midst of the Jefferson-burr election, anti-Federalists such as William Duane reprinted Hamilton's admission of infidelity. The present would seem to be one of these later facsimiles as it varies from the original of 1797 by having the correct numbering of letters 18 and 20 on page xxiv-xxv and the roman type "July" on letter 33. Yet it also doesn't match exactly the 1800 edition, having a different typesetting on pg xl.

REFERENCE

Evans 37571; Howes H-120; Sabin 29970