HAMILTON, Alexander (1755 or 1757–1804). Letter from Alexander Hamilton, Concerning the Public Conduct and Characters of John Adams, Esq. President of the United States. New York: John Furman for John Lane, 1800.
8vo (216 x 140 mm). Woodcut tailpiece. Printed pamphlet removed, uncut (title–page soiled, some marginal spotting, remnants of old spine, pp. 51–54 with partial closed tear near gutter; these two leaves also partially detached from joint).
SECOND EDITION of “the great betrayal, which may have cost Adams the election of 1800. Hamilton originally issued this work with the hope of giving Pinckney a majority over Adams, but later gave the copyright to John Lang. Hamilton writes of Adams: ‘…He does not possess the talents adapted to the administration of this Government, and that there are great and intrinsic defects in his character which unfit him for office of Chief Magistrate’. Very popular in its time, the work was reprinted four times during the 1800 election” (Reese, Celebration of My Country). Evans 37566; Howes H116; Reese, Celebration of My Country 144 (first edition); Reese, Federal Hundred 81; Sabin 29959.