The "Papers" in this volume, were, with many others, confided to the subscriber, by Mrs. Hamilton, for the purpose of publication. It is of little moment to the public, to know all the circumstances that induced the Editor to undertake the task. Suffice it to say, that his labour is but the fulfilment of a solemn promise, made at the request of the aged and much respected proprietor of the original documents, when she was supposed to be upon the bed of death. Under the circumstances, the subscriber did not feel at liberty to refuse his assent to her earnest entreaty; accompanied, as it was, by the assurance, that his compliance would be agreeable to all the immediate descendants of General Hamilton. He was the more willing, also, to embark in the work, from his knowledge of the fact, that the papers had been, at different periods, confided to several distinguished individuals for publication; and that one and another untoward event had, in every instance, defeated the purpose. When, therefore, the Editor found that, with the assent of the family, he could at least attempt the work, he felt that, in some degree, it was a debt due to his country, to perpetuate the writings of a man, of whom it may be said, without disparagement of others, that he was second to but one in services rendered to the Republic.<br><br>The task of the Editor has been little more than that of compilation: he has but arranged the papers in chronological order, with the occasional addition of a brief note.