thoughts arranged themselves rapidly, and
before midnight he had finished his letter. Fortunately it has been
preserved, for it is of as vital an interest as anything he ever wrote,
not only because it was the determining factor in Washington's
acceptance of an office toward which he looked with reluctance and
dread, but because of its consummate sagacity and of its peremptory
tone, which no man but Hamilton would have dared to assume to
Washington.

It ran:--

NEW YORK, September, 1788.

... I should be deeply pained, my dear sir, if your scruples in
regard to a certain station should be matured into a resolution to
decline it; though I am neither surprised at their existence, nor
can I but agree in opinion, that the caution you observe in
deferring an ultimate determination, is prudent. I have, however,
reflected maturely on the subject, and have come to a conclusion
(in which I feel no hesitation), that every public and personal
consideration will demand from you an acquiescence in what will
_certainly_ be the unanimous wish of your country. The absolute
retreat which you meditated at the close of the late war was
natural, and proper. Had the Government produced by the Revolution
gone on in a _tolerable_ train, it would have been most advisable
to have persisted in that retreat. But I am clearly of opinion that
the crisis which brought you again into public view, left you no
alternative but to comply; and I am equally clear in the opinion,
that you are by that act _pledged_ to take a part in the execution
of the Government. I am not less convinced, that the impression of
this necessity of your filling the station in question is so
universal, that you run no risk of any uncandid imputation by
submitting to it. But even if this were not the case, a regard to
your own reputation, as well as to the public good, calls upon you
in the strongest manner, to run that risk.

It cannot be considered as a compliment to say, that on your
acceptance of the office of President, the success of the new
Government, in its commencement, may materially depend. Your agency
and influence will be not less important in preserving it from the
future attacks of its enemies, than they have been in recommending
it, in the first instance, to the adoption of the people.
Independent of all consi