Alexander Hamilton, 1797

HAMILTON, Alexander (1757-1804). Observations on Certain Documents contained in No. V & VI of "The History of the United States," in which the Charge of Speculation against Alexander Hamilton, late Secretary of the Treasury, is Fully Refuted. Written by Himself. Philadelphia: for John Fenno, by John Bioren, 1797.

First edition of the notorious "Reynolds pamphlet" in which Hamilton reveals: "The charge against me is a connection with one James Reynolds for purposes of improper pecuniary speculation. My real crime is an amorous connection with his wife..." (p. 9). In 1791 Hamilton was approached by Maria Reynolds who claimed her husband had abandoned her and sought financial assistance. The pair began an illicit affair that lasted until the summer of 1792. However, Maria's husband, James was fully aware of the affair and began to use it as a means to blackmail Hamilton believing that the Secretary of the Treasury would admit to financial improprieties before revealing an extramarital affair. Reynolds revealed his accusations to James Madison, who concluded that the charges were false and assured Hamilton that he would not reveal the charge of adultery. However, Madison made the mistake of sending the information to Hamilton's nemesis, Thomas Jefferson, who used the information to spread rumors about Hamilton's private life. Those rumors finally burst into the open in the summer of 1797 with the publication of James Thomas Callender's History of the United States, in which he revealed the affair. Jefferson, who would later condemn Callender as a "poor creature," and as "drunken, penniless and unprincipled," sought out the author in July 1797, eager to purchase copies of his History, and, at the time, wrote of him as a "man of genius." (See Chernow, p. 530). To defend against the charges, Hamilton set to work on the present pamphlet, in which he exposed Reynolds's blackmail, while revealing the affair in the process (although he apologizes for the impropriety). Scandalized by the frankness of the work, Hamilton's family attempted to suppress it, thus making the present edition quite rare. Hamilton's adversaries at the Aurora reprinted it in 1800. Evans 32222; Ford, Bibliotheca Hamiltoniana 64; Howes H-120; Sabin 29969.

Octavo (208 x 111mm). With several notes in pencil in an unidentified hand (marginal wear and creasing to title page, some mild dampstaining at top margin, occasional foxing and browning, final page toned). Later gilt-stamped half calf.