A Letter to General Hamilton, Occasioned by his Letter to President Adams. By a Federalist [caption title].

Not in Ford: “A more puerile, catch penny production never blotted paper…”

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Noah Webster’s pseudonymous and “scathing attack on Alexander Hamilton for his secret maneuvers within the Adams administration and his support of a standing army.” (Skeel) 

Considered by some to be the “Father of the U.S. Navy,” President John Adams favored naval defenses and “Aristides” defended Adams’ position.

Webster’s true aim, however, was to rebuke Hamilton for his astonishing attack on Adams. The great betrayal, Hamilton’s Letter ... Concerning the Public Conduct and Character of John Adams sank Adams’s hopes for re-election.

“Aristides” sternly rebukes Hamilton, this example being but one of many: “Think not, sir, that all the monstrous schemes of daring ambitious men, to overawe and controul [sic] the constitutional powers of our government, are either hidden or approved by federal men.”

Noah Webster’s authorship was quickly realized. A November 1800 New York Gazette review sneered: “A more puerile, catch penny production never blotted paper .... The creature ... appears from his work about as well qualified for the task, as a Billingsgate oyster is to contemplate the principles of Newtonian philosophy.”

Skeel stated there were ~ six printings of this pamphlet; all likely issued in 1800. Only one is recorded as having an imprint, and no priority is given. Our copy is the only printing Skeel attributes as published in Philadelphia and she made a point to refute Wilberforce Eames’s claim that it was published in New York. The nation’s Capitol transitioned in 1800 from Philadelphia to the District of Columbia. 

A very unpleasant copy bound into modern boards brought $2250 in 2022 at Hindman.

Sabin 29960. Skeel-Carpenter 729 (Boston Ath., Clements, NYPL, LCP). Evans 39045: AAS only. (AAS 438293 says this is not in their holdings. Skeel states Evans incorrectly suggested New York as place of publication).  ESTC W41582: LCP and LOC only.  This printing not in Ford, but see 61–62. Sheidley 44: “Borrowing Republican charges he accused Hamilton of having exerted improper influence on the various branches of government, thereby threatening Constitutional safeguards against encroaching executive power. In contrast, he portrayed Adams both as a candidate with strong popular appeal and as a true statesman who had served his country faithfully and well.”

Price: $4,500.00