31New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of June 23, [23 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton . I recollect well the alteration which the gentleman alludes to; but, it by no means militates against my idea of the principles on which the convention acted at the time the report of the committee was under deliberation. This alteration did not take place till the convention was near rising, and the business compleated; when his excellency the president expressing a wish that...
32New York Ratifying Convention. Notes on Debates, [24 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Lansing … mode of appointment duration in office means of controul— Chancellor— Senators equally interested in preserving the residuary powers— Senate intended as representation of the sovereignties of the states— Therefore ought to be dependent. { States have never exercised power of rotation— Rotation in Congress has been valuable— Parties have been extinguished— Will not have less...
33New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (Francis Childs’s Version), [24 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Honorable Mr. Hamilton . I am persuaded, Mr. Chairman, that I in my turn, shall be indulged, in addressing the committee. We all, with equal sincerity, profess to be anxious for the establishment of a republican government, on a safe and solid basis. It is the object of the wishes of every honest man in the United States, and I presume I shall not be disbelieved, when I declare, that it is an...
34New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (John McKesson’s Version), [24 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
We all Aim at the best Govt. We should mix the Happy Ingredients, and not go into Extremes or we shall build Utopia upon Utopia— It was a time of Jealo[u]sy—We seemed to have attended only to tie the Representat Another Prin. To have in our Govt. some Stable Body that will pursue a System— Guard agt. Innovations and know and direct public Affairs— The People of every Country desire the...
35New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (Melancton Smith’s Version), [24 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The mind at ye Revolution run into extremes—the extreme was, we consulted nothing but to tie the Representative to ye people. A Stable body wh. oppurtunty. to know guard ags. instability The people of every country desire its prosperity but want information. Frequently misled by artful Men. Concilliate two objects. One Body who shall be closely united to the people, this in the Representative....
36From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [25 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I am very sorry to find by your letter of the 13th that your prospects are so critical. Our chance of success here is infinitely slender, and none at all if you go wrong. The leaders of the Antifederalists finding their part seems somewhat squeamish about rejection, are obliged at present to recur to the project of conditional amendments. We are going on very deliberately in the discussion and...
37New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of June 25 (Francis Childs’s Version), [25 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The Hon. Mr. Hamilton . Mr. Chairman, in debates of this kind it is extremely easy, on either side, to say a great number of plausible things. It is to be acknowledged, that there is even a certain degree of truth in the reasonings on both sides. In this situation, it is the province of judgment and good sense to determine their force and application, and how far the arguments advanced on one...
38New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of June 25 (John McKesson’s Version), [25 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The Principles laid down on both Sides may be true to a certain Extent— Each appears plausible and have a certain degree of force We must then determine where one principle must give way to another— We Should combine the Principles which will [give] Stability on one Side—and Safety to the Interests of the People on the other Side The Argumts. applied here to the Senate should be applied to the...
39New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of June 25, [25 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton—The Genl. Intent of the Clause is Suppose what is expressed in the Resolution proposed— Mr. Hamilton If that is the opinion of the Committee—there will be no debate on the Question— John McKesson MS Notes, New-York Historical Society, New York City. There is no record of these statements by H in any of the other accounts of the debates of June 25. H’s statements followed these...
40New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks, [26 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Hamilton—This matter was fully debated in the Convention and left ⟨–⟩. It will not be strenuously insisted on either side. John McKesson MS Notes, New-York Historical Society, New York City. There is no record of this statement by H in any of the other accounts of the debates of June 26. H’s statement followed these remarks by John Lansing, Jr.: “It appears that this Clause was intended to...
41From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [27 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
A day or two ago General Schuyler at my request sent forward to you an express with an account of the adoption of the Constitution by New Hampshire. We eagerly wait for further intelligence from you, as our only chance of success depends on you. There are some slight symptoms of relaxation in some of the leaders; which authorises a gleam of hope, if you do well; but certainly I think not...
42To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, 27 June [1788] (Hamilton Papers)
This day put an end to the existence of our Convention. The inclosed is a copy of the Act of Ratification. It has been followed by a number of recomendatory alterations; many of them highly objectionable. One of the most so is an article prohibiting direct taxes where effectual laws shall be passed by the States for the purpose. It was impossible to prevent this error. The minority will sign...
43New York Ratifying Convention. Notes on Debates, [27 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mel Smith Powers ought to be precisely defined— Peculiarly so in a government of the particular kind. Ought to rest as well for operation as organisation— Harmony . Money necessary to existence of both— Interference or clashing of power— And one must fall a sacrifice to the other. No limitation to discretion of legislature— State Governments & G Government have concurrent jurisdiction in all...
44New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (Francis Childs’s Version), [27 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The hon. Mr. Hamilton . This is one of those subjects, Mr. Chairman, on which objections very naturally arise, and assume the most plausible shape. Its address is to the passions, and its first impressions create a prejudice, before cool examination has an opportunity for exertion. It is more easy for the human mind to calculate the evils, than the advantages of a measure; and vastly more...
45New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (John McKesson’s Version), [27 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
It is more natural to the Mind of man to examine the Powers by which money is to be taken from him—than the necessity or reasons of those powers— In Regard to the Safety and Liberty of the People you are to constitute it to preserve Liberty with Power to preserve it self and with sufficient Checks— 1. This Govt. has represents elected only for two years—this the peoples Govt. 2d. A Senate for...
46New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (Melancton Smith’s Version), [27 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
It is natural to suspect such a power—of money—more than necessity of govt. Men predjudiced. Have read govt.—wrong Ideas—his Ideas to give a safe and equal repr—no danger to entrust rulers in Republics. Owes it origin to the present times. This a Republic Govt— One part to be chosen by ye. people for two years. The next chosen for 6 years by peoples Repre. The presid. chosen imediately by ye...
47New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of June 28 (Francis Childs’s Version), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The hon. Mr. Hamilton . Mr. Chairman, in the course of these debates, it has been suggested, that the state of New-York has sustained peculiar misfortunes, from the mode of raising revenues by requisitions. I believe we shall now be able to prove, that this state, in the course of the late revolution, suffered the extremes of distress on account of this delusive system. To establish these...
48New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of June 28 (John McKesson’s Version), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton—Requests several Resolutions & reports from the Journal of the Senate be read— 7 Septr. 1780—part of the Governors message— 9 Septr. part of the Answer of the Senate 10 Octr. Resolution of assembly page 33 5th Feby 1781—and a Letter from Rivingtons Paper 19 March 29 March 1781 21 Novr 1781 20 July 1782 Resolutions John McKesson MS Notes, New-York Historical Society, New York City....
49New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of June 28, [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton . We shall make the same reservation. By the indisputable construction of these resolutions, we shall prove that this state was once on the verge of destruction, for want of an energetic government. To this point we shall confine ourselves. Childs, Debates and Proceedings of the Convention of the State of New-York The Debates and Proceedings of the State of New-York, Assembled at...
50New York Ratifying Convention. Third Speech of June 28 (Francis Childs’s Version), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton . The honorable gentleman from Ulster has given a turn to the introduction of those papers, which was never in our contemplation. He seems to insinuate that they were brought forward, with a view of shewing an inconsistency in the conduct of some gentlemen—perhaps of himself. Sir, the exhibition of them had a very different object. It was to prove that this state once experienced...
51New York Ratifying Convention. Third Speech of June 28 (John McKesson’s Version), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
These Resolutions were introduced to shew that it was the settled opinion of the Legislature as well before as after the Confederation that the Powers of Congress were inadequate— Mentioning the Subject of a Dictator was not necessary— The Gent. says he is for an energetic fœderal Govt —what is it If what we Contend for by this System A Measure of Impost was once passed in this State—but...
52New York Ratifying Convention. Third Speech of June 28 (Melancton Smith’s Version), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The Gent. of Ulster seems to suspect ⟨ags.⟩ were intrd. to shew inconsisty. The papers read, to prove the distress ys. State suffered. The inefficacy of Requisn.—the sentt. of ye Legislar—Dictator ye ebullition of ardent What is energetic fedl. govt—one operatg. on States or individs. Impost once passed—then repeald, afterwds. defeated—his opn. always for it—takes it for granted—but opposed in...
53New York Ratifying Convention. Fourth Speech of June 28 (Newspaper Account), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
A letter of the 1st inst. says, “That on Saturday the 28th ult. the Convention were still discussing the 1st clause of the 8th section of the 1st article, respecting the powers of Congress. Objections were at large stated, and amendments proposed by Mr. Williams, Mr. Smith and Mr. Lansing, who were answered by Mr. Hamilton in a most animated and powerful defence of the clause. Mr. Lansing in...
54New York Ratifying Convention. Fourth Speech of June 28 (John McKesson’s Version), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton—There would be a rivalship of Power—That the danger was that the State Govts. would Subvert the National Government It was not the prevailing opinion that the State Govts would be subverted. —He says that I tho’t the Subversion of the State Govt necessary— I wished to have an Extensive State Govt. but advanced as a reason Reason that the State Governmts. should carry Govts. Home...
55To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, [30 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is the final result of our conventional deliberations. The intended address of the minority proved to be of a nature apprehended by me. It was rejected by the party themselves when proposed to them, and produced an auspicious conclusion to the business. As I shall set out in a few days for N. York, I postpone further explanations. I have this instant the communications from N....
56New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (Newspaper Account), [30 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
On Monday Mr. Yates was again called upon by Mr. Lansing for his evidence; to which Mr. Hamilton freely submitted. Mr. Yates made an apology for the possible mistakes of his minutes, and said that in the General Convention, Mr. Hamilton had urged strongly for giving the most compleat sovereignty to Congress, and that in order to prevent the encroachments which he feared the State governments...
57New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (John McKesson’s Version), [30 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Lansing stated the differences between him & Mr. Hamilton on Saturday— Mr. Hamilton stated the sentimts. he had held forth— And denied that he ever was for Subverting the State Govts. or reducing them to the State of Corporations— Mr. Lansing—The Question is what were the Sentimts. the Honoble. Gent maintained. The Idea he held up was it necessary to reduce the State Govts. to the...
58From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [2 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 20th. came to hand two days since. I regret that your prospects were not yet reduced to greater certainty. There is more and more reason to believe that our conduct will be influenced by yours. Our discussions have not yet travelled beyond the power of taxation. To day we shall probably quit this ground to pass to another. Our arguments confound, but do not convince. Some of...
59New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of July 2 (John McKesson’s Version), [2 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Loans in Time of Peace peculiar to our Govt. because made thro Necessity— The Inconvenience of being in Debt is a sufficient restriction— If I was reason I would The Only Method of preventing Loans to an improper Degree [is to] give them all the Resources of the Country that they may be able by their Own Efforts to avoid the Necessity of Loans— Neither should their Power be restrained— When...
60New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of July 2 (Melancton Smith’s Version), [2 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton—The Gentn. states, the danger of making Loans in extreme—no Instances to prove. A nation will seldom make them unless necessary. Rarely happens that Nations in peace ours ⟨–⟩ singular instance— To prevent Loans, is to give them ye commd. of all their resources. The Gentn. think it necessary to lay checks—he reasons diff—no Checks should be laid, in order to guard against foreign...