1Conveyance from Alexander Hamilton, Elizabeth Hamilton, Isaac Bronson, and Ann Bronson to John B. Church, 24 May 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 24, 1798. Convey two and one-half lots of land in New York City to Church. Copy, Conveyances in the Office of the Register, City of New York, Liber 60, 176–79, Hall of Records, New York City. Bronson, a prominent New York City moneylender and land speculator, had been a surgeon’s mate in the American Revolution. For information on this conveyance, see “Receipt from Morgan Lewis,”...
2Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and Ebenezer Stevens to James McHenry, [14 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
We have carefully attended to the subjects presented to our consideration, by your note of yesterday and now offer to you the result of our reflections. The idea of a succession of batteries from the Hook, to the City, very naturally occurs in contemplating the defence of this port, and doubtless has advantages. It would present dangers in the approach which may be expected to have...
3Account with John Barker Church, [15 June 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Dr. John B Church Esquire in Account with Alexander Hamilton Cr 1796 1796 June 6 To Cash paid expences of my Clerk to Philadelphia to attend to execution of your Mortgage by Robert Morris 10. 16— April 8 By Ballance of Account rendered this day £570. 2. 8 20 To paid J Laurance your proportion of expence of surveys 113. 8— Aug 22 By this sum received of A Woodruff on account of Carney’s debt
4For the Gazette of the United States, [13 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Every day brings fresh confirmations of the truth of the prediction to our Envoys, that the French Faction in America would go all lengths with their imperious & unprincipled Masters. It is more and more evident, that as many of them as may dare will join the standard of France, if once erected in this Country. After all that has happened, there is no other solution of the indefatigable and...
5Account with Robert H. Dunkin, [30 March 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Upon an Order of R H Dunkin & Wife dated the 14 of March for £384.10 NYC—I have paid Mrs. Watkins 936 Dollars & 25 Cents this being the sum actually received by me on her account. ADS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Dunkin (or Duncan) was a Philadelphia attorney and notary public. This is a reference to the case of Elisha Lamoreux v Robert Henry Duncan and Elizabeth his wife . On...
6David Gelston’s Account of an Interview between Alexander Hamilton and James Monroe, 11 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Minutes of an Interview between Colo. Monroe and Colo. Hamilton at Colo. M’s. lodgings in the presence of Mr Church & myself. Colo. Hamilton came about 10 oClk in the morning introduced Mr Church as his brother in law. Colo. H. appeared very much agitated upon his entrance into the room, and observed the cause or motives of this meeting being he presumed pretty well understood, he went into a...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [29 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment seen a Bill brought into the Senate intitled a Bill to define more particularly the crime of Treason &c. There are provisions in this Bill which according to a cursory view appear to me highly exceptionable & such as more than any thing else may endanger civil War. I have not time to point out my objections by this post but I will do it tomorrow. I hope sincerely the thing...
8From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [1 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Our citizens are extremely anxious that some further measures for their defence should take place. Do me the favour to inform me confidentially what means are actually in the disposition of your department for this purpose when & how they will be applied. Yrs truly A Capt Hacker formerly of our Navy is desirous of being employed. One or two good men have recommended him to me. It seems however...
9For The Time Piece, [22 May 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
A most unprovoked & wanton attack upon me appeared in the Time pi[e]ce of yesterday under the signature of William Keteltas . Were this man as well known elsewhere as in his own state his attack would [be] treated with silent contempt. As it is, a very slight notice only can be taken of it. It is barely necessary to state that where he is known, the doubt is whether he is most madman or knave...
10From Alexander Hamilton to Barent Bleecker, [5 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The fourth & last installment of the purchase money of the Cosby Manor Lands has become due. It is 1655 Dollars & 50 Cents of which your ¼ is 413. Dollars & 87 Cents. I beg the favour of you to lose no time in forwarding this Sum to me. With esteem Yr very hum ser ALS , Detroit Public Library. For an explanation of the contents of this letter, see the introductory note to Philip Schuyler to...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 5 October 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 5, 1797. On October 27, 1797, Morris wrote to Hamilton and referred to “your last letter dated the 5th inst.” Letter not found. ]
12Plan for a Legion, [5–15 July 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
To determine what is proper to be done it is necessary preliminarily to contemplate a fundamental or elementary organisation the aggregate of which constitutes the army. This element ought to be a legion consisting of Four Regiments of Infantry One Squadron of Dragoons one Batalion of Artillery A Regiment of Infantry to consist of two Batalions each batalion of five companies (of which one a...
13From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 8 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I request to be informed whether the paper numbered V dated Philadelphia the 15 of December 1792 published partly in the fifth and partly in the sixth number of “The History of the United States for 1796” and having the signatures of James Monroe, Abraham Venable and F A Mughlenberg is the copy of a genuine original. I am Sir Yr. humble servt ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For...
14From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [2 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I received from you not long since a letter on the subject of a fit person for naval Agent which in the hurry of my business I forgot. I think you mentioned in it for consideration Col Stevens & Mr. Blagg. Col Stevens is an active man not wanting in intelligence who has latterly been employed in navigation & probably has some relative ideas. He is however pretty largely in other business &...
15From Alexander Hamilton to William Loughton Smith, [10 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last to you I have perused with great satisfaction your little work on our Governments. I like the execution no less than the plan. If my health & leisure should permit, I would make some notes, but you cannot depend on it, as I am not only extremely occupied but in feeble health. I send you My ideas of the course of Conduct proper in our present situation. It is unpleasant to me to...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Théophile Cazenove, 14 October 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, October 14, 1797. States: “The question of interest on the contract with Mr Morris of the 24th of December 1792 is not free from difficulty and doubt. I however think it the better opinion that interest is payable until the 24th of December 1795 and no longer .” Gives reasons for this opinion. ALS , Gemeentearchief Amsterdam, Holland Land Company. These documents were transferred in...
17From Alexander Hamilton to John Laurance, 1 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 1, 1797. On June 3, 1797, Laurance wrote to Hamilton : “I have received your letter of the first Instant.” Letter not found. ]
18From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 4 August 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
In my opinion the idea of a personal affair between us ought not to have found a place in your letters or it ought to have assumed a more positive shape. In the state to which our correspondence had brought the question, it lay with you to make the option whether such an issue should take place. If what you have said be intended as an advance towards it, it is incumbent upon me not to decline...
19Call for a Meeting, [4 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Card. The officers of the late army and navy of the United States are requested to meet at Gautier’s, on Tuesday evening, 7 o’clock, to consult on the subject of measures for the immediate security of our port and city. [New York] Argus. Greenleaf’s New Daily Advertiser , June 4, 1798. For background to this document, see the introductory note to H to James McHenry, June 1, 1798 . The report...
20From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [8 July 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I was much surprized on my arrival here to discover that your nomination had been without any previous consultation of you. Convinced of the goodness of the motives it would be useless to scan the propriety of the step. It is taken and the question is—what under the circumstances ought to be done? I use the liberty which my attachment to you and to the public authorises to offer my opinion...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [5 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you, My beloved Eliza, by the Monday’s Post. You will be glad to hear that your dear boys & myself continue in good health & that they thus far behave well. I hope they will continue to do so—for in our mutual love & in them consist all our happiness. I trust you are by this time arrived & shall impatiently look out for a letter from you. Our public affairs continue to march in a...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [20 November 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Give me leave to remind you of your promise to send me the documents and information which authenticate the situation of Mr. Beaumarchais as to the unaccounted for Million . Allow me also to mention to you another point. I hear there is a plan among the Directors of the Bank to transfer the management of their concerns from the House of Cazenove to that of Baring. When the arrangement was...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 6 June [1797] (Hamilton Papers)
You some time ago put a question to me, which through hurry, I never answered— viz whether there can be any distinction between the provision in the Treaty with Great Britain respecting British debts and that respecting spoliations , as to the power of the Commissioners to re judge the decisions of the Courts . I answer that I can discover none . I am of opinion however that in the exercise of...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [8 June 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your two letters of the 6th & 7. The last announces to me no more than I feared. Nor do I believe any sufficient external impulse can be given to save us from disgrace . This however will be thought of. I regret that you appear remote from the idea of a house tax simply without combining the land. I do not differ from your general principle. The truth is a solid one, that the...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [8 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
This is the third time I have written to my love since her departure. I continue to enjoy good health and my spirits are as good as they can be in her absence. But I find as I grow older her presence becomes more necessary to me. In proportion as I discover the worthlessness of other pursuits, the value of my Eliza and of domestic happiness rises in my estimation. Angelica & her family are all...
26Petition to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the City of New York, [24 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 24, 1797 ] “The Memorial of Sundry Inhabitants of the City of New York and the vicinity thereof Respectfully Sheweth That your Memorialists have learnt … that the Corporation of the City of New York have purchased a lot of Ground situate in the Seventh Ward … which they intend to Convert into a Potters Field for the interment of the bodies of such persons as may die of...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Condy, 22 November 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 22, 1797. Hamilton endorsed the letter Condy wrote to him on November 21, 1797 : “Ans 22 Nov.” Letter not found. ]
28From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe and Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, [17 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have your letter of this date. It gives me pleasure to receive your explanation of the ambiguous phraze in the paper No V., published with your signatures and that of Mr Venable, and your confirmation of the fact, that my explanation had been satisfactory to you. You express your surprise at the contents of a paper in the Gazette of the U. States of the 8 instant. If you will review that...
29From Alexander Hamilton to William Loughton Smith, [10 June 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the ——. Though I do not like in some respects the answer of the house to the Speech; yet I frankly own I had no objection to see it softened down. For I think there is no use in hard words & in public proceedings would almost always unite the suaviter in modo with the fortiter in re . But I much regret that there is no prospect of the fortiter in re . I perceive...
30From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 28 August 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
The receipt two days since of your letter of the 21 instant gave me sincere pleasure. The token of your regard, which it announces, is very precious to me, and will always be rememberd as it ought to be. Mrs. Hamilton has lately added another boy to our Stock. She and the Child are both well. She desires to be affectionately remembered to Mrs. Washington & yourself. We have nothing new here...