[Private] Col. Hamilton New-York [Left margin, rotated: 86. [undecipherable] / Secretary of State / July 16. 1798 / [undecipherable]] [Question of relative rank with Pinckney] Philadelphia July 16, 1798 Dear Sir, I have just received from Gen^l. Washington an answer to my letter which I shewed you. The General appears to have contemplated attentively the nature of the impending war with France, and that the Southern States (if any part of the Union) will be invaded. Admitting this idea to be correct, the General says, "the inference I am going to draw from placing "Col^o. Hamilton over General Pinckney is natural "and obvious. The latter is an officer of high military "reputation, fond of the profession, spirited, active, & "judicious, and much advanced in the estimation "of the public by his late conduct as minister and "envoy at Paris. With those pretensions, and being "junior to Col^o. Hamilton, he would not, I am morally "certain, accept a junior appointment; and its in- "fluence* would spread where most to be deprecated; "as his connections are numerous, powerful, and "more influential than any other in the three "Southern States. Under this view of the subject, it "would be impolitic, and might be dangerous to sow "the seeds of discontent, at so important a crisis. To this [*88 [*to Suppose of Gen^t. Pinckney's non-acceptance]] " this may be added, that impediments to the return of Gen^t. "Pinckney, and causes unforeseen, might place" Col^o. "Hamilton in the situation you wish to see him." — " You will readily perceive, that the difficulty in my mind "arises from thorough conviction that if an invasion "is attempted, it will commence South of Maryland; "and from the importance of so influential a cha- "racter as Pinckney (if among us) being heartily "engaged in repelling it." The general concludes, with honr, from this reasoning, that the office of Inspector General, with a command in the line, will prove satisfactory to you. — I ought to have first quoted the General's preliminary observation — "Of the abilities and fitness of the Gentlemen you have "named for a high command in the provisional army, "I think as you do; and that his services ought " to be secured at [underline: almost] any price." These communications from the General to me are "in confidence" and as such you will receive them. I presume there is some understanding between you on the subject. At all events, I trust that the same genuine patriotism which determined you and some others to encounter the perils of the American revolution, and by your talents and active labours to swell another's glory, will prompt you again to come forth in a situation, if not at the height of my wishes and of those of your friend, certainly in a situation in which you can render invaluable services, and as certainly obtain a large share of honor and military fame. With great sincerity I am ever yours T. Pickering Alexander Hamilton Esq^r