To Alexander Hamilton, 15 May 1796

What it is

This is a letter written by George Washington to Alexander Hamilton on 15 May 1796, from Philadelphia. In it, Washington discusses a draft document he had sent earlier and asks Hamilton to review, correct, and shorten it as needed. The letter survives in the published collection of Washington's writings drawn from original manuscript sources.

Why it matters

This letter is part of the behind-the-scenes process that produced Washington's famous Farewell Address, one of the most influential documents in American political history. It shows how Washington relied on trusted advisors like Hamilton to help refine his public statements, revealing the collaborative nature of even the most personal-seeming presidential writings.

Look closer

• What does this letter reveal about how much Washington trusted Hamilton's judgment?
• Why might a president want someone else to review and edit his important public statements?
• What does the careful, back-and-forth editing process tell us about how historic documents are really made?