1957. “CURTIUS,” Letters of.—
I send you * * * one of the pieces, “Curtius”
* * *. It is evidently written by [Alexander]
Hamilton, giving a first and general view
of the subject, that the public mind might be
kept a little in check, till he could resume the
subject more at large from the beginning, under
his second signature of “Camillus.” The piece
called “The Features of the Treaty,” I do not
send, because you have seen it in the newspapers.
It is said to be written by Coxe, but
I should rather suspect, by Beckley. The antidote
is certainly not strong enough for the
poison of “Curtius.” If I had not been informed
the present came from Beckley, I should
have suspected it from Jay or Hamilton. I
gave a copy or two, by way of experiment, to
honest, sound-hearted men of common understanding,
and they were not able to parry the
sophistry of “Curtius.” * * * For God's
sake take up your pen, and give a fundamental
reply to “Curtius” and “Camillus.”
[116]
—
To James Madison. Washington ed. iv, 121.
Ford ed., vii, 31.
(M.
Sep. 1795)
