From Alexander Hamilton to John Laurens, 4 February, 1781

I had finished my letter when I received a respite of another quarter of an hour which I shall improve in writing you another letter.

The Marquis thinks the Generals letter will have more weight if the Ministry see it, as it were undesignedly by you, than if you formally communicate it to them; and with a view to this he has mentioned the letter to them and advised them to ask for a sight of it. He observes that in this way we shall avoid the suspicion of the letters having been calculated for their inspection and of course they will have less reserve in giving faith to its contents. There is weight in this observation and it is worthy to be considered by you. At all events however, The Ministry ought to see the letter.

I have sincerely told you My Dear Laurens that I was happy the commission has been entrusted to you. I have implicit confidence in your talents and integrity; but in the frankness of friendship allow me to suggest to you one apprehension. It is of the honest warmth of your temper. A politician My Dear friend must be at all times supple—he must often dissemble ⟨– –⟩ and resentments. I suspect the French Ministry will try your temper; but you must not suffer them to provoke it. When Congress is spoken of, you must justify and extenuate with the dignity and coolness of a politician, not with the susceptibility of a republican—sometimes even you must acknowlege errors and ascribe them to inexperience, and if you hear animadversions perhaps not over delicate you must affect to receive them as the confident – freedoms of allies concerned for ⟨– –⟩. When you wish to show the deficiency of the French Administration, do it indirectly by exposing the advantages of measures not taken rather than by a direct criticism of those taken. When you express your fears of consequences have the tone of lamentation rather than of menace.

In the nature of things, the French Court must consider us as the obliged party, and I do not see the policy of rejecting this idea, though I would take every proper occasion of showing the advantages of the revolution to France without however seeming to insist upon them. One good way of doing this will be by showing the immense advantages which England would have derived from a continuance of the union.

I believe in fine My friend the French Court is jealous and susceptible. You will not give food to this disposition.

These cautions I am sure you will receive as proofs of My friendship & confidence. Betsy sends her love and best wishes

Adieu

A H