A signed copy of the Rules of Neutrality that Hamilton had helped to draft and circulate, famously depicted in the Broadway musical, “Hamilton,” is for sale at Raab
The Raab Collection announced that it has acquired and is offering for sale a rare copy of President George Washington’s 1793 Rules of Neutrality signed by Alexander Hamilton, perhaps the only in private hands. The Rules are part of a letter from Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, who had helped to draft the Rules. Valued at $58,000, this document reveals the real history made famous in the Broadway musical Hamilton. Raab has found no other signed copy of the Rules having reached the market.
The Musical Hamilton
Anyone who has seen or heard the musical Hamilton will recognize the neutrality debate between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, presided over by Washington (“Cabinet Battle #2,” Act II, Song 7). It depicts a pivotal moment for the new republic and for solidifying Washington and Hamilton’s Federalist vision versus Jefferson’s Democratic-Republican ideals. Washington ultimately asks Hamilton to “draft a statement of neutrality;” the Rules were the result.
American Neutrality in the Post Revolutionary Era
Inspired by the American Revolution, revolutionaries in France initiated a similar, anti-monarchist movement in 1789, which led to war with other European nations. They hoped for support from the new United States, but President Washington wished to avoid being drawn into a European war. To clarify his position, he held a series of emergency Cabinet meetings in late July and early August 1793 to devise his Rules of Neutrality. As was often the case, Hamilton was his right hand in these discussions, helping to propose, draft, amend, and circulate the Rules.
The Neutrality Proclamation and This Surviving Historical Document: “Hamilton, Draft a Statement of Neutrality”
Here Secretary Hamilton sends an important and urgent communication with Washington’s Rules of Neutrality, drafted in part by Hamilton himself.
Philadelphia, dated August 4, 1793: “The President desires me to signify to you his most particular expectation that the instruction contained in this letter will be executed with the greatest vigilance, activity, care and impartiality. Omissions will tend to expose the government to injurious imputations and suspicions, and proportionably to commit the good faith and peace of the country; objects of too much importance not to engage every proper exertion of your zeal….”
Examples of Washington’s Neutrality Rules, Signed by Hamilton:
“The original arming and equipping of vessels in the ports of the United States by any of the belligerent parties, for military service offensive or defensive, is deemed unlawful
Equipments of merchant vessels by either of the belligerent parties in the ports of the United States, purely for the accommodation of them as such, is deemed lawful.
Equipments of every kind in the Ports of the United States, of privateers of the Powers at war with France, are deemed unlawful.”
These rare documents not only highlight the close working relationship between Washington and Hamilton, but offer insight into early American foreign relations policy.
To learn more, Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection and author of The Hunt for History, is available for interviews.
