501Subscription to the New-York Manufacturing Society, [17 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 17, 1789. ] On this date Hamilton’s name was listed as one of the subscribers to the New-York Manufacturing Society. The [New York] Daily Advertiser , March 17, 1789. The New-York Manufacturing Society had been organized on January 7, 1789. At a later meeting it was resolved to raise a fund by subscription for the establishment of a woolen factory, the shares to be £10 each....
502From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, [18 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Some short time after the evacuation of this City, on the occasion of certain irregularities committed (I think by Sears and others in regard to Rivington) The Council for the temporary government came to some resolution, or agreed upon some proclamation of a spirited nature for discountenan[c]ing such proceedings which was delivered to the Governor to publish. He kept it in his hands and did...
503H. G. to Marinus Willett, [19 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I perceive by this day’s Advertiser that you have thought proper to come forward, with an air of triumph, to contradict a fact alledged in my sixth letter respecting a proclamation of the council for the temporary government of the southern district. You have been pleased to preface it with some general observations, and among the rest to make a profession of your faith in the virtue of the...
504From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 22 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you on Wednesday evening, respecting the circumstances attending the suppression of a certain proclamation issued by the Council for the temporary Government of the Southern district, on account of the conduct of Sears Lamb and Willet in stopping Rivington’s press. It runs in my mind very strongly, that I was informed by Mr. Benson & yourself that the Governor had stayed the...
505H. G. to Marinus Willett, [24 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
H___ G___, for public reasons does not think it expedient to relinquish the character in which he appears in the newspapers; nor does he consider it as necessary to do so, for either of the purposes mentioned by Mr. Willett. Mr. W___ being a mere volunteer in the business, can at any rate have no claim to such a relinquishment. He will do well to recollect, that he did not confine himself to...
506From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Dayton, [26 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Circumstances prevented my seeing a certain Gentleman. But I have reflected more fully on the subject of our conversation. I continue strongly inclined to the opinion that the Council ought to have canvassed prior to the day appointed for the Meeting of Congress upon the returns then before them, and that the subsequent canvass has been irregular and is void. But as to the second point—the...
507From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Johnson, 27 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer of this is a Mr. Claxton, who is desirous of being a messenger or something equivalent. I feel an interest in his success, as he is a man of qualifications superior to his present aims. His memorial, which he will deliver you, is of his own drafting, by which you will perceive that he has some literary pretension. He has followed the Printing business; but from the ill effect of it...
508From Alexander Hamilton to the Electors of the State of New York, [1 April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
To the Independent and Patriotic Electors of the State of NewYork. It is not long since we addressed you on the subject of the ensuing election of a chief magistrate, and communicated to you the proceedings, which had then taken place in this city in relation to it. Within a few days past, there has appeared an address signed by Mr. Jonathan Lawrence, as the chairman of a committee, said to...
509From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [6 April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee appointed to promote the election of Judge Yates as Governor have requested Mr. John Jackson a Merchant of this City to proceed into your County for the purpose of making such communications to the inhabitants of it as may be necessary to inform them of the reasons which influence this City & County in desiring a change in the person of the Chief Magistrate. From the opinion we...
510From Alexander Hamilton to the Electors of the State of New York, [7 April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
For the New-York Journal, &c. Mr. Greenleaf, You are requested to publish this address in your Next Thursday’s paper. By order of the Committee, Alex Hamilton, Chairman. New-York, April 7, 1789. To the Independent and Patriotic Electors Of the State of NewYork. In our last address, we mentioned to you our intention of offering some remarks upon that which has been lately published by the...
511H. G. Letter XIV, 9 April 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In mine of the 25th of February last, I observed, that there were reasons to conclude that the Governor’s conduct, immediately after the evacuation of this city, had been influenced by condescentions to those who were at the time advocates for persecution, which in some measure involved him in their policy; and in confirmation of this idea I mentioned some circumstances, as they then presented...
512Account with the State of New York, [14 April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
State of N.Y. to Alexander Hamilton for services as Member of Congress from 21 Feby–5 May 73 days “ 26 May–14 June 19 “ 30 July–18 Oct 79 171 “ deduct from attendance 43 128 @ 24 £153.12 audited 14 April 1789 D , New York State Library, Albany. H was elected to the Continental Congress on January 22, 1788. He served from February 25 to October 10, 1788.
513Receipt for Money Received from New York State, 14 April 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] April 14, 1789 . Acknowledges receipt of £112 for services as counsel in a controversy between New York and Massachusetts. DS , Rosenbach Foundation, Philadelphia. For information on H’s services as counsel for New York in a controversy between that state and Massachusetts, see “Notes on the History of North and South America,” December, 1786 . Also see H to the Agents of the...
514H. G. to Marinus Willett, [15 April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
H___ G___. having been informed that Mr. Willet has received a letter from the Attorney General, stating the circumstances of the interview between them, takes occasion to express his expectation that Mr. Willett will communicate it to the public. The [New York] Daily Advertiser , April 15, 1789. For information on the controversy between “H.G.” and Willett, see “H.G. Letters. Introductory...
515From Alexander Hamilton to the Electors of the City and County of New York, [28 April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
For the New-York Daily Gazette. To the Electors of the City and County of New York. Fellow Citizens, This day commences the important Election of a Governor, for the next three years. We think it our duty to inform you, that from the account we have received from different quarters, we have the strongest grounds to believe, that a change is in your power , and that proper exertions on your...
516From Alexander Hamilton to Abel James, 4 December 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 4, 1783. Reports on the progress of James’s case involving lands in the Otsego Patent. Copy, in the handwriting of Abel James, anonymous donor. For the text of this letter and an explanation of its contents, see the discussion of the Otsego Patent of George Croghan in Goebel, Law Practice Julius Goebel, Jr., and Joseph H. Smith, eds., The Law Practice of Alexander Hamilton:...
517From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [11 December 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
As it now draws towards the time for declaring a dividend of the bank, and I am authorized by Mr. Carter to receive his share I shall wish to be informed in what manner the bank will choose to have an acknowlegement of the receipt of the money from me, when time of payment comes—whether an order from me in favour of yourself—or a bill drawn payable to myself, or a receipt from me will be...
518From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [18 April 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 18, 1784. “I take the liberty to introduce him to you, as to one who will be disposed, so far as your situation will permit and the circumstances of the State may render practicable, to patronise any just or equitable claims which he may have upon the State. What those claims are he will himself explain to you, I have assured him that he will find in you a friend to justice...
519From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Pearsall, 20 May [1784] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] May 20 [ 1784 ]. Apologizes for “a too sudden opinion … relating to confiscated property.” Sends new opinion. ALS , Columbia University Libraries. Pearsall was a partner in the firm of merchants in New York City known as Thomas Pearsall and Son. For the text of H’s opinion and a discussion of Pearsall’s case, see Goebel, Law Practice Julius Goebel, Jr., and Joseph H. Smith, eds.,...
520From Alexander Hamilton to James Bowne, 17 June 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] June 17, 1784 . “Let me know if you please Whether Philip Palmer and Joseph Palmer are both alive or not, and whether Mr. Leonard Lawrence is Executor or Administrator to his father, if the former whether there are any other Executors named in his will and now alive.…” ALS , Mr. Samuel A. Mehlman, New York City. In PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New...
521From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, 17 July 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] July 17, 1784 . “… the Defendant in the above cause intends to bring into Court at the ensuing term Twenty five pounds and Eight shillings, being the amount of what he acknowleges to be due to the Plaintiff.…” ALS , Sleepy Hollow Restorations, Inc., Tarrytown, New York. H addressed this letter to “Aaron Burr Esqr. Attorney for the Plaintiff.” On the document there is no indication...
522Receipt to John Thomas, 14 October 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
Received of John Thomas by the hands of John Laurence Twenty seven pounds for damages in the above suit and Twenty six pounds for Costs. ADS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. Thomas had served or was serving as sheriff of Westchester County, New York. After resigning as judge advocate of the Continental Army in 1782, Laurance resumed the practice of law in New York City. Peter and...
523From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, [26 November 1784–17 July 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
It is the wish of several of the Regents of the University that a Meeting should be appointed on some business of importance; and I am requested to write to you on the subject. It will be only necessary for you to write to Mr. Harpur who is secretary of the University desiring him to publish an advertisement according to mode prescribed in the act. I am Dr Sir with great respect & regard ...
524From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Varick, 13 January 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 13, 1785. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by Patrick Madigan, New York City, 1914, New Series 2.
525Petition of John Lamb, [1–9 February 1785] (Hamilton Papers)
To The Honorable The Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled. The Memorial and Petition of John Lamb of the State of Connecticut humbly sheweth That Your Memorialist believing it to be the interest of the United States to form some treaty of amity and Commerce with the States of Barbary; and inferring from the general sense of persons with whom Your Memorialist has...
526From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [2 February 1785] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 2, 1785. “I have received your letter with the state of the case enclosed. If you can make no arrangement for securing Mr. Carter without the assistance of the law, I am upon the whole of opinion it will be advisable to rely on the first bill of exchange, instituting another suit against Turnbull Marmie & Co. Though it may be a question whether they are not discharged by...
527From Alexander Hamilton to ——— Townsend, [27 December 1785] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 27, 1785. ] Instructs Townsend on how to proceed with the execution of a conveyance. AL , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter concerns the settlement of the estate of Noah Townsend, a resident of Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York. The “Mr. Townsend” to whom it is addressed was either William Townsend or Micajah Townsend, two of Noah Townsend’s four executors....
528From Alexander Hamilton to Egbert Benson, [1785–1787] (Hamilton Papers)
[ 1785–1787. ] Recounts the facts in the case of Mary Franklin, Executor of Henry Franklin v Teunis Slingerlands . LS , from a photostat in the New York State Library, Albany. Benson, a New York lawyer, was a member of the first New York State Assembly in 1777, a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1781 to 1784, and attorney general of New York from 1777 to 1787. He was a member of the...
529From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel H. Parsons, 11 January 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] January 11, 1786 . “Some time since I transmitted you a Commission issuing out of the Court of Appeals in cases of Capture the object of which was to examine you on the subject of a certain Agreement stated in your letter and affidavit that no prejudice should arise from not lodging the appeal in time in the cause of the Brig Hope.… Not having yet had the pleasure of hearing from...
530Receipt to Andrew Craig and William Cooper, 23 January 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 23, 1786. Receipt for a deed to a tract of land in George Croghan’s Otsego Patent. ADS , anonymous donor. Cooper, who later founded Cooperstown, New York, was the father of James Fenimore Cooper, the novelist. Cooper and Craig were residents of Burlington, New Jersey, and both were land speculators. For the text of this document and an explanation of its contents, see the...
531Conveyance. Isaac Moses, Nicholas Low, Daniel Ludlow, and Alexander Hamilton to Alexander Macomb, 15 February 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 15, 1786. “… Isaac Moses of the City of New York Merchant of the first part Nicholas Low and Daniel Ludlow Merchant and Alexander Hamilton Counsellor at law all of the same place assignees of the real and personal estate of the said Isaac Moses … for and in consideration of the sum of Four thousand four hundred and fifty pounds New York currency to them in hand paid by …...
532From Alexander Hamilton to Andrew Craig and William Cooper, 2 March 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 2, 1786. Advises Cooper and Craig how to secure their interest in their portions of George Croghan’s Otsego Patent. ALS , anonymous donor. For the text of this letter and an explanation of the contents, see the discussion of the Otsego Patent of George Croghan in Goebel, Law Practice Julius Goebel, Jr., and Joseph H. Smith, eds., The Law Practice of Alexander Hamilton:...
533From Alexander Hamilton to Isaac Gouverneur, Junior, [March 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Bremar last evening delivered me your Letter inclosing a Copy of your Correspondence with Mr Lewis. In a personal Altercation between two Gentlemen where their passions have evidently become pritty warmly engaged, and for both whom I always had Esteem, I should not be willing to give my Opinion on the conduct of one of them, especially when the appeal was not made to me by both. On this...
534From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, [4 April 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
ALS , Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, Michigan. This letter has not been released for publication.
535From Alexander Hamilton to Elihu Marshall and James Bingham, [19 April 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 19, 1786. Sends a notice for trial in the New York Supreme Court in the case of Robert McWilliams v Elihu Marshall and James Bingham . Document not found. ] ADS , sold by American Art Association-Anderson Galleries, New York City, February 1, 1921. Marshall was a mariner in New York City; Bingham was a gauger in New York City. McWilliams was a New York City grocer. H’s law...
536From Alexander Hamilton to John Delafield, [22 May 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton requests Mr. Delafield to send him a list of the bills negotiated for Lady Anne Polnitz on or account of the house. AL , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Delafield, who came to New York from England in 1783, was a broker in securities. Anne Stuart, baronne von Poellnitz, the wife of Frederick Charles Hans Bruno, baron von Poellnitz, had purchased twenty-two and one-half acres...
537Receipt to Robert Cambridge Livingston, [8 June 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 8, 1786. On June 17, 1796, Walter Livingston wrote to Hamilton : “In examining my fathers papers yesterday I found a receipt of yours in the following words Viz. Received New York June 8. 1786 of Robert C. Livingston Esquire Twenty five Dollars as a retainer for the Manor of Livingston. Alex Hamilton.” Receipt not found. ] Robert Cambridge Livingston, a merchant, was the...
538From Alexander Hamilton to the Corporation of Albany, 28 October 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] October 28, 1786 . Gives legal advice concerning settlers on Corporation land. ALS , Pierpont Morgan Library, New York City. For the full text of this document and for an explanation of its contents, see Goebel, Law Practice Julius Goebel, Jr., and Joseph H. Smith, eds., The Law Practice of Alexander Hamilton: Documents and Commentary (New York and London, 1964– ). , forthcoming...
539Certificate of Clerkship for Dirck Ten Broeck, 26 January 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
I hereby certify that Mr. Dirck Ten Broeck entered a Clerkship with me on the Tenth day of January in the year One thousand seven hundred and Eighty four and served as a Clerk in my office until the fifteenth day of October last past and that he is of good moral character. ADS , Pleadings, 1754–1837, T-540, Hall of Records, New York City. Ten Broeck was the son of Abraham Ten Broeck, who had...
540From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [2 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, June 2, 1787. The dealer’s catalogue description of this letter reads: “… autograph postscript in which … [Hamilton] suggests that if his correspondent breaks his journey at Elizabethtown he should go to the house either of Mr. Bondinot or Governor Livingstone.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold at Sotheby’s of London, Ltd., June 11–12, 1973, Lot 602. Elias Boudinot. William...
541From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, [June–October 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June-October, 1787. ] “As I wished the cause of Bayard vs Breese and others to be regularly at issue & as the Chancellor could not readily be come at to procure from him an order to serve subpoenas on the Clerk in Court, I sent you a request some time since to file rejoinders.… I have not, however, received any notice of its having been done. I will thank you particularly to have...
542Receipt to Philip Van Cortlandt, [5 July 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, July 5, 1787. “Received of Phil. Van Cortlandt, Treasurer to the Society of the Cincinnati for the State of New York, Five thousand Dollars in Certificates Issued by John Pierce, commonly called New York finals, being part of the Funds belonging to Said Society, and for which we are to be accountable.” Receipt not found. ] Dossier File, Van Cortlandt-Van Wyck Papers, MS Division,...
543From Alexander Hamilton to Peter Van Schaack, [October 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October, 1787. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by Robert K. Black, Upper Montclair, New Jersey, 1949, Catalogue 13, Item 182. Van Schaack was banished to England in 1778 because of his Loyalist sympathies. The New York legislature restored his citizenship in 1784, and he returned to New York in 1785.
544Subscription to the Ohio Company for Education and Worship in the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, March 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March, 1788 . Subscribes ten pounds to the Ohio Company for “the Education of Youth, and the Promotion of Public Worship, among the first Settlers.” DS , Princeton University Library. The other subscribers were Richard C. Platt, William Edgar, Alexander Macomb, William Constable, and William Duer, all New York City merchants. H owned five and one-half shares in the Ohio Company....
545From Alexander Hamilton to Nicholas Low, [6 May 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the questions answered. Yrs. ALS , Mr. Cyril Clemens, Kirkwood, Missouri. Low, a prominent New York merchant, for whom H had on various occasions served as attorney, was seeking election as a delegate to the New York State convention to ratify the Constitution of the United States. See H to Gouverneur Morris, May 19, 1788 ( PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton...
546Certificate by Ezra L’Hommedieu, Egbert Benson, and Alexander Hamilton of a Statement by Abraham Yates, Junior … (Hamilton Papers)
We do certify that Mr Yates has delivered to us a Paper subscribed by him (of which the preceeding is a Copy) as declaritive of his Principles on which he will vote in Congress in the affirmative on the final Question on the Ordinance for putting the new Constitution for the United States into Operation. DS , in the handwriting of Ezra L’Hommedieu, Abraham Yates Papers, MS Division, New York...
547John H. Livingston, Thomas Jones, Alexander Hamilton, and Brockholst Livingston to Richard Morris, 8 September 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, September 8, 1788. Petition by the administrators of Philip Livingston’s estate to Morris, Chief Justice of the State of New York, to examine and to settle a claim made by Livingston’s estate against the estate of Philip Skene, a Tory whose lands had been confiscated by New York State. DS , Columbia University Libraries. This document is listed as a “document not found” in PAH Harold...
548Receipt to Baron von Steuben, [12 December 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I certify that William Constable hath delivered me for the Baron De Steuben by way of loan One Hundred pounds December 12th 1788. ADS , anonymous donor. Constable, a native of Ireland, was a prominent New York City merchant. In 1784 he became a partner with John Rucker of New York in the firm of Constable, Rucker, and Company. Rucker died in 1788, and Constable continued the firm under the...
549Certificate of Clerkship for Joseph Strong, [20 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I certify that Joseph Strong has served a clerkship of three years in my office in the business of an Attorney and that he is of good moral character. ADS , Pleadings, 1754–1837, S-486, Hall of Records, New York City. Following his clerkship, Strong practiced law first in Cooperstown, New York, and then in Albany. See Strong to H, August 11, 1796 ( PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of...
550Certificate of Good Character for Peter Ogilvie, [13 February 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 13, 1789. The dealer’s catalogue description of this document reads: “certifying the character of Peter Ogilvie.” Document not found. ] ADS , sold at Swann Auction Galleries, October 1, 1942, Lot 28. Ogilvie was a New York attorney, a member of the New York Assembly from Orange County in 1778 and 1779, and judge of the Court of Probates of New York State from 1787 to 1799.