Founding Partisans by H. W. Brands

Author:H. W. Brands [Brands, H. W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Published: 2023-11-07T00:00:00+00:00

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Edmund Randolph owed it to the dignity of his office as secretary of state to recast Hamilton’s instructions in his own words, but Hamilton’s recommendations became the basis for Jay’s mission to Britain. To these Hamilton added details in separate letters to Jay. Hamilton knew he and Jay shared a belief that improved relations with Britain were essential to American prosperity and security—which was why Hamilton had recommended Jay for the envoy job. “We are both impressed equally strongly with the great importance of a right adjustment of all matters of past controversy and future good understanding with Great Britain,” Hamilton said. Yet Jay should bargain tenaciously. “Important as this object is, it will be better to do nothing than to do anything which will not stand the test of the severest scrutiny and especially which may be construed into the relinquishment of a substantial right or interest.”

Jay should negotiate as from a position of American strength. “I see not how it can be disputed with you that this country in a commercial sense is more important to Great Britain than any other,” Hamilton said. “The articles she takes from us are certainly precious to her, important perhaps essential to the ordinary subsistence of her islands, not unimportant to her own subsistence occasionally, always very important to her manufactures, and of real consequence to her revenue.” British exports to America were no less important to Britain. “We now consume of her exports from a million to a million and a half sterling more in value than any other foreign country, and while the consumption of other countries from obvious causes is likely to be stationary, that of this country is increasing and for a long, long series of years, will increase rapidly.” Britain’s self-interest should dictate ensuring the stability of trade relations with America.

Singularities of American geography required special attention. “The navigation of the Mississippi is to us an object of immense consequence,” Hamilton reminded Jay. “Besides other considerations connected with it, if the government of the United States can procure and secure the enjoyment of it to our western country, it will be an infinitely strong link of Union between that country and the Atlantic States.” Hamilton, with Jefferson and others, worried about the trans-Appalachian territories spinning away from the eastern states. Spain currently controlled the lower Mississippi and only sporadically permitted Americans free navigation. “If anything could be done with Great Britain to increase our chances for the speedy enjoyment of this right, it would be in my judgment a very valuable ingredient in any arrangement you could make,” Hamilton said. “Nor is Britain without a great interest in the question, if the arrangement shall give to her a participation in that navigation and a treaty of commerce shall admit her advantageously into this large field of commercial adventure.”

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