From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [2 April 1794]
To George Washington
[Philadelphia, April 2, 1794]
Sir,
Two persons have been mentioned to me as qualified & probably willing to go—one Mr. Ralston, merchant;1 the other Mr. Higginson, Lawyer.2 The latter is supposed to be the most competent, & would probably be in all respects acceptable. I mentioned them half an hour ago to the Secy. of State. Upon an enquiry of his he prefers the latter.
Respectfully &c.
A. Hamilton
LC, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Robert Ralston was a Philadelphia merchant.
2. After the receipt of this letter, Washington appointed Nathaniel C. Higginson as a special agent of the Department of State to enter appeals in the admiralty courts of the British West Indies in some of the cases of prizes condemned under authority of the British order in council of November 8, 1793. See the introductory note to H to Washington, March 8, 1794; “Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on a Request for a Passport,” April 2, 1794, note 4.