Letter from Alexander Hamilton, Concerning the Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq. President of the United States.
Hamilton, Alexander.
Philadelphia: Re-printed pro bono publico, 1800.
Price:
$2,500.00
About the item
54pp. 8vo. Disbound, toning. Evans 37570; Howes H116; Ford 73; Sabin 29959; Reese, Federal Hundred 81.
Item #377690
Hamilton originally issued this work with the hope of giving Federalist Charles Cotesworth Pinckney a majority over Adams in the Election of 1800. Hamilton writes of Adams: "...He does not possess the talents adapted to the administration of this Government, and that there are great and intrinsic defects in his character which unfit him for the office of Chief Magistrate." "This and Adams' reply are probably the plainest talk ever indulged in, in print, between two great statesmen. It received many answers, from both Republicans and Federalists" (Ford).
Very popular in its time, Hamilton's work was reprinted four times during the 1800 election. This edition, printed "for the good of the country," was printed by William Duane, publisher of the pro-Republican newspaper, the Aurora. In the end, Adams would lose the electoral votes to Democratic-Republicans Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, with Jefferson becoming President.
