Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott – August 6, 1798. My dear Sir You are probably apprised, that in announcing to the Special Officers their appointments, they are told that the instruments are to be suspended until called into actual service, and that, as a consequence of this plan, they are to remain inactive. The project suits admirably my private arrange – ments, by leaving me to pursue in quiet what my profession. But I believe it accords neither with the intentions of the individuals who have accepted, nor with the good of the service. It is impossible for the Genrals to form though all that is now upon the basis in a manner honourable to himself [strikethrough: satisfactory] [strikethrough: to the] justice or proportioned to the exigency of the conjuncture. You will see by the enclosed that I have sacrificed my delicacy to my friendships and public zeal. I have written in Copy. Thought it expedient that you and Colonel Pickering should understand, in confidence, the situation of things. Without a change of plan, things will not go well, and the Government and the concerned will be discredited. Yours truly, A. Hamilton – Oliver Wolcott, Esquire. [1 WGG16]