George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, August 26,1792

(Private)
Mount Vernon, August 26,1792.
My dear Sir:
Differences in political opinions are as unavoidable as, to a certain point, they may, perhaps, be necessary; but
it is exceedingly to be regretted that subjects cannot be discussed with temper on the one hand, or decisions
submitted to without having the motives which led to them improperly implicated on the other: and this
regret borders on chagrin when we find that men of abilities, zealous patriots, having the same general
objects in view, and the same upright intentions to prosecute them, will not exercise more charity in deciding
on the opinions and actions of one another. When matters get to such lengths, the natural inference is, that
both sides have strained the Cords beyond their bearing, and, that a middle course would be found the best,
until experience shall have decided on the right way, or, which is not to be expected, because it is denied to
mortals, there shall be some infallible rule by which we could fore-judge events.
Having premised these things, I would fain hope that liberal allowances will be made for the political opinions
of each other; and instead of those wounding suspicions, and irritating charges, with which some of our
Gazettes are so strongly impregnated, and cannot fail if persevered in, of pushing matters to extremity, and
thereby to tear the Machine asunder, that there might be mutual forbearances and temporizing yields on all
sides. Without these I do not see how the Reins of government are to be managed, or how the Union of the
States can be much longer preserved.
How unfortunate would it be if a fabric so goodly, erected under so many Providential circumstances, and in
its first stages, having acquired such respectability, should from diversity of sentiments or internal
obstructions to some of the acts of Government (for I cannot prevail on myself to believe that these measures
are as yet the deliberate acts of a determined party) should be harrowing our vitals in such a manner as to
have brought us to the verge of dissolution. Melancholy thought! But one at the same time that it shows the
consequences of diversified opinions, when pushed with too much tenacity, it exhibits evidence also of the
necessity of accommodation, and of the propriety of adopting such healing measures as may restore harmony
to the discordant members of the Union, and the Governing powers of it.
I do not mean to apply this advice to any measures which are passed or to any particular character; I have
given it in the same general terms to other Officers of the Government. My earnest wish is, that balsam may
be poured into all the wounds which have been given, to prevent them from gangrening and from those fatal
consequences which the community may sustain if it is with held. The friends of the Union must wish this;
those who are not, but wish to see it ended, will be disappointed, and all things I hope will go well.
Affectionate regards of yours, &c.

George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, August 23,1792

(Private)
Mount Vernon, August 23, 1792.
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My dear Sir:
How unfortunate, and how much is it to be regretted, that whilst we are encompassed on all sides with
avowed enemies and insidious friends [reference to Native Americans and Spaniards], that internal
dissensions should be harrowing and tearing our vitals. The last, to me, is the most serious, the most alarming,
and the most afflicting of the two. And without more charity for the opinions and acts of one another in
Governmental matters, or some more infallible criterion by which the truth of speculative opinions, before
they have undergone the test of experience, are to be forejudged than has yet fallen to the lot of fallibility, I
believe it will be difficult, if not impracticable, to manage the Reins of Government or to keep the parts of it
together: for if, instead of laying our shoulders to the machine after measures are decided on, one pulls this
way and another that, before the utility of the thing is fairly tried, it must, inevitably, be torn asunder. And, in
my opinion the fairest prospect of happiness and prosperity that ever was presented to man, will be lost,
perhaps forever!
My earnest wish, and my fondest hope therefore is, that instead of wounding suspicions, and irritable charges,
there may be liberal allowances, mutual forbearances, and temporizing yields on all sides. Under the exercise
of these, matters will go on smoothly, and, if possible, more prosperously. Without them everything must rub;
the Wheels of Government will clog; our enemies will triumph, and by throwing their weight into the
disaffected Scale, may accomplish the ruin of the goodly fabric we have been erecting.
I do not mean to apply these observations, or this advice to any particular person, or character. I have given
them in the same general terms to other Officers of the Government; because the disagreements which have
arisen from difference of opinions, and the Attacks which have been made upon almost all the measures of
government, and most of its Executive Officers, have, for a long time past, filled me with painful sensations;
and cannot fail I think, of producing unhappy consequences at home and abroad.
With sincere esteem and friendship I am &c.

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STANFORD HISTORY EDUCATION GROUP

READING LIKE A

Alexander Hamilton Letter to George Washington, 1792

(Modified)
Dear Sir,
I have received your letter of August 26th. I sincerely regret that you
have been made to feel uneasy in your administration. I will do
anything to smooth the path of your administration, and heal the
differences, though I consider myself the deeply injured party.
I /cflowthat I have been an object of total opposition from Mr.
Jefferson. I know from the most authentic sources, that I have been
the frequent subject of most unkind whispers by him. I have watched
a party form in the Legislature, with the single purpose of opposing
me. I believe, from all the evidence I possess, that the National
Gazette (a newspaper) was instituted by Jefferson for political
purposes, with its main purpose to oppose me and my department.
Nevertheless, I can truly say that, besides explanations to confidential
friends, I never directly or indirectly responded to these attacks, until
very recently.
But when I saw that they were determined to oppose the banking
system, which would ruin the credit and honor of the Nation, I
considered it my duty to resist their outrageous behavior.
Nevertheless, I pledge my honor to you Sir, that if you shall form a
plan to reunite the members of your administration, I will faithfully
cooperate. And I will not directly or indirectly say or do a thing to
cause a fight. I have the honor to remain
Sir, Your most Obedient and Humble servant
A Hamilton
Source: This letter was written by Alexander Hamilton to President
George Washington on September 9, 1792. Hamilton was Secretary
of the Treasury in Washington's administration.

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

STANFORD HISTORY EDUCATION GROUP

READING LIKE A

Thomas Jefferson Letter to George Washington, 1792

(Modified)
DEAR SIR,
I received your letter of August 23rd. You note that there have been
internal tensions in your administration. These tensions are of great
concern to me. I wish that you should know the whole truth.
I have never tried to convince members of the legislature to defeat
the plans of the Secretary of Treasury. I value too highly their
freedom of judgment. I admit that I have, in private conversations,
disapproved of the system of the Secretary of Treasury. However,
this is because his system stands against liberty, and is designed to
undermine and demolish the republic.
I would like for these tensions to fade away, and my respect for you is
enough motivation to wait to express my thoughts until I am again a
private citizen. At that point, however, I reserve the right to write
about the issues that concern the republic.
I will not let my retirement be ruined by the lies of a man who
historyif history stoops to notice himwill remember a person who
worked to destroy liberty. -Still, I repeat that I hope I will not have to
write such a thing.
I trust that you know that I am not an enemy to the republic, nor a
waster of the country's money, nor a traitor, as Hamilton has written
about me.
In the meantime I am with great and sincere affection and respect,
dear Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant.
Thomas Jefferson

Source: This letter was written by Thomas Jefferson to President

George Washington on September 9, 1792. Jefferson was Secretary
of State in Washington's administration.
~

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

GW to TJ (August 23, 1792)

TJ to GW (September 9, 1792)

2) Describe something from each letter that stood out or caught your attention.
GW to TJ (August 23, 1792)

TJ to GW (September 9, 1792)

3) Choose a quote (1-2 sentences max.) from one of the letters and explain how and
why it captures the essence of the conflict in the cabinet.

GW to AH (August 26, 1792)

AH to GW (September 9, 1792)

2) Describe something from each letter that stood out or caught your attention.

GW to AH (August 26, 1792)

AH to GW (September 9, 1792)

3) Choose a quote (1-2 sentences max.) from one of the letters and explain how and
why it captures the essence of the conflict in the cabinet.

In one sentence, and in your own words, describe how the conflict between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson embodies one of our four enduring themes of U.S.
History (Nationalism vs. Sectionalism; Federal power vs. States' Rights; Pursuit of Liberty and Equality; People Respond to Incentives). Or, you may create a "bumper
sticker" slogan that does the same thing. If you choose the latter, be creative and concise! Please write your answer on the back of this graphic organizer worksheet.

1) What is the purpose of each letter, i.e. why is one man writing to the other?

Correspondence: George Washington (GW) & Thomas Jefferson (TJ)

1) What is the purpose of each letter, i.e. why is one man writiriR to the other?

Correspondence: George Washington (GW) & Alexander Hamilton (AH)

Conflict in the Cabinet, 1792: Examining Primary Source Documents