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A Letter from Phocion to the Considerate Citizens of New-York, on the Politics of the Times, in Consequence of the Peace |
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Currently offered only as part of the Alexander Hamilton Collection: The Story of the Revolution & Founding.
In this pamphlet, Hamilton articulates an early incarnation of the Federalist creed, including compliance with the 1783 peace treaty with Britain, an end to attacks on Tories and Tory property, and the submission of the states to the central authority of the United States. This was Hamilton’s third political tract, and the first of his mature writings on policy.
Samuel Loudon of New York first published this pamphlet in January 1784, and it soon appeared in editions published in Boston, Newport, and Philadelphia. An edition by Robert Bell in Philadelphia appeared by January 24. Hamilton followed this pamphlet with A Second Letter from Phocion to the Considerate Citizens of New-York. Containing Remarks on Mentor’s Reply, published in April 1784.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON.
Pamphlet.
A Letter from Phocion to the Considerate Citizens of New-York, on the Politics of the Times, in Consequence of the Peace. Philadelphia: Robert Bell, 1784. Modern green half morocco and cloth, spine gilt. 16 pp. Following Hamilton’s letter, this impression also contains
Letters on the stage (pp13-15), and a list of books (p16), added by Robert Bell, which may indicate this copy is a Bell second edition.
Inventory #24313
PRICE ON REQUEST
Excerpt:
“Nothing is more common than for a free people, in times of heat and violence, to gratify momentary passions, by letting into the government, principles and precedents which afterwards prove fatal to themselves.... The dangerous consequences of this power are manifest.”
“Make it the interest of those citizens, who, during the revolution, were opposed to us to be friends to the new government, by affording them not only protection, but a participation in its privileges, and they will undoubtedly become its friends.”
“Were the people of America, with one voice, to ask, What shall we do to perpetuate our liberties and secure our happiness? The answer would be, ‘govern well’ and you have nothing to fear either from internal disaffection or external hostility. Abuse not the power you possess, and you need never apprehend its diminution or loss.”
Full text of A Letter from Phocion.
