reparing
for war; and finally, near the close of May, Hamilton, in a confidential
and highly interesting letter, wrote to him, saying:--

"At the present dangerous crisis of public affairs, I make no
apology for troubling you with a political letter. Your impressions
of our situation, I am persuaded, are not different from mine.
There is certainly great probability that we may have to enter into
a very serious struggle with France; and it is more and more
evident that the powerful faction which has for years opposed the
government is determined to go every length with France. I am
sincere in declaring my full conviction, as the result of a long
course of observation, that they are ready to _new model_ our
constitution, under the _influence_ or _coercion_ of France; to
form with her a perpetual alliance, _offensive_ and _defensive_;
and to give her a monopoly of our trade, by _peculiar_ and
_exclusive_ privileges. This would be in substance, whatever it
might be in name, to make this country a province of France.
Neither do I doubt that her standard, displayed in this country,
would be directly or indirectly seconded by them, in pursuance of
the project I have mentioned.

"It is painful and alarming to remark that the opposition faction
assumes so much a geographical complexion. As yet, from the south
of Maryland, nothing has been heard but accounts of disapprobation
of our government, and approbation of our apology for France. This
is a most portentous symptom, and demands every human effort to
change it.

"In such a state of public affairs, it is impossible not to look up
to you, and to wish that your influence could in some proper mode
be brought into direct action." Hamilton then suggested the
propriety of Washington's taking a tour southward, which would call
out the people in public demonstrations, and would give him an
opportunity of expressing sentiments which would throw the weight
of his character into the scale of the government, and revive an
enthusiasm for his person that might be turned into a right
channel. He concluded by saying: "You ought to be aware, my dear
sir, that in the event of an open rupture with France, the public
voice will again call you to command the armies of your country;
and, though all who are attached to you w