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réf. 3730409 — Philadelphia: Likely published by William Duane 1800. 8vo. 8pp. Caption title. Self-wrappers as issued; once sewn. Near fine housed in a custom cloth clamshell box with gilt-lettered leather spine label. Webster’s Federalist Riposte to Hamilton’s Political Betrayal Pseudonymously authored by Noah Webster as “Aristides” this pamphlet delivers a searing rebuke of Alexander Hamilton for his public denouncement of President John Adams and his behind-the-scenes intrigues within the Federalist Party. Issued in response to Hamilton’s Letter. Concerning the Public Conduct and Character of John Adams Webster defends Adams—particularly his support for naval defenses—and accuses Hamilton of undermining constitutional authority for personal ambition. A key moment in the bitter internal collapse of the Federalists the pamphlet reflects Webster’s political alignment with Adams but also his alarm at Hamilton’s ambitions. “Think not sir” writes Webster “that all the monstrous schemes of daring ambitious men to overawe and controul sic the constitutional powers of our government are either hidden or approved by federal men.” Hamilton’s letter issued late in the 1800 campaign proved a catastrophic miscalculation accelerating the Federalist defeat and Adams’s loss to Jefferson. Though unsigned Webster’s authorship was swiftly exposed. In November of 1800 the New York Gazette mocked the pamphlet: “A more puerile catch penny production never blotted paper” declaring the author “appears from his work about as well qualified for the task as a Billingsgate oyster is to contemplate the principles of Newtonian philosophy.” Sabin 29960; see also 102361. Skeel-Carpenter 729. Not in Ford but see 61–62. Evans 39045 incorrectly suggesting New York as place of publication. ESTC W41582. Sheidley 44. Skeel records six variant printings all from 1800; only one bears an imprint and no priority has been established. Ours is the only printing Skeel attributes to Philadelphia which in 1800 was giving way to the District of Columbia as the nation’s capital. Skeel pointedly refuted Wilberforce Eames’s claim that it was published in New York. unknown