1From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [15 July 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter by the last Post but one. I immediately sat about circulating an idea, that it would be injurious to the City to have Duane elected—as the probability was, that some very unfit character would be his successor. My object was to have this sentiment communicated to our members. But a stop was put to my measures, by a letter received from Burr, announcing that at a general...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 8 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter on a certain subject and was obliged by it. But there was nothing practicable by way of remedy. The thing, as it has turned out, though good in the main, has certainly some ill sides. There have also been faults in the detail, which are not favourable to complete satisfaction. But what shall we do? ‘Tis the lot of every thing human to mingle a portion of ill with the...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [17 August 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of Monday Evening has a good deal tranquillized me. I am glad to learn that the mischiefs from the over rise of scripts are not likely to be very extensive. I observe what you say respecting the quotation of my opinion. I was not unaware of the delicacy of giving any & was sufficiently reserved ’till I perceived the extreme to which Bank Script and with it other stock was tending....
4From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 28 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have not, as you will imagine, been inattentive to your political squabble. I believe you are right (though I have not accurately examined) but I am not without apprehension that a ferment may be raised which may not be allayed when you wish it. Tis not to be forgotten that the opposers of Clinton are the real friends to order & good Government; and that it will ill become them to give an...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 25 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I received lately a letter from you in which you express sentiments according with my own on the present complexion of your party politics; as, if a letter of mine to you did not miscarry, you will have seen. I wished that Clinton & his party should be placed in a just light before the people, and that a spirit of dissatisfaction within proper bounds should be kept alive; and this for National...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 27 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Desirous of examining accurately the question decided by the Canvassers —I will thank you for a minute of all the authorities which were consulted by you when you gave your opinion. Yrs. truly I shall be glad to have them as soon as may be. ALS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. This is a reference to the decision of the board of canvassers of New York State in the disputed...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 23 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Though I had had a previous intimation of the possibility of such an event; yet the inteligence contained in your letter of the 17th surprised me. Even now I am to be convinced that the movement is any thing more than a diversion in favour of Mr. Clinton. Yet on my part it will not be neglected. My attention as far as shall be in any degree safe will be directed to every state South of New...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 2 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
When you are acquainted with all the facts, I think you will alter the opinion you appear to entertain. My application comes literally within your rule. The loan is necessary for the current expenditure independent of any new advance to France or of purchases of the Debt. This has arisen from my having been under the necessity of remitting to Holland for a payment in June of 1000,000 of...
9From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 2 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The failures in England will be so seriously felt in this Country as to involve a real crisis in our money concerns. I anxiously wish you could be here to assist in the operations of the Bank of the UStates —never was there a time, which required more the Union of Courage & Prudence, than the present and approaching Juncture. You can imagine all that I could add on this subject. Is it...
10From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [15 June 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The ideas expressed in your letter of the 14th correspond with my view of the subject, in general. I did not perceive that any process could be devised to detain the Privateer and concluded that the issue would be to leave her in military custody. Indeed I believe this was rather the expectation with all, though it was thought adviseable to make the experiment of a reference to the Civil...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King [13 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The Post of to day brought me your letter of the 10th, but I was too much engaged to reply to it by return of Post. The facts with regard to Mr Genet’s threat to appeal from the President to the People stand thus— On Saturday the 6th of July last, the warden of this Port reported to Governor Mifflin that the Brig Little Sarah since called The Petit Democrat (an English merchant vessel mounting...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [23–24 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
It is not yet finally determined that there shall be a publication & there has been some difference of opinion on the point. But it seems to me the publication of the letters renders it indispensable, that the whole story should be told. Yet when it appears, it will probably include only what is regularly official, so that the present question may be pursued independently. Perhaps you will not...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [11 November 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed in a letter which I have just received from poor Fenno. It speaks for itself. If you can without delay raise 1000 Dollars in New York, I will endeavor to raise another Thousand at Philadelphia. If this cannot be done we must lose his services & he will be the victim of his honest public spirit. Yrs. truly If may either be in the form of gift or loan. ALS , New-York Historical Society,...
14Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox to John Jay and Rufus King, 27 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
We have received your Letter of the 26th instant. We take to day to revise it and tomorrow or the day after we expect to hand it to some Printer for publication with our Certificate. We are with respect and esteem Your obedient servants John Jay } Esquires. Rufus King LS , in the handwriting of H, Columbia University Libraries. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to H to...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 17 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
When you recollect, that I have two departments on my shoulders and when I tell you that I have been out of health in the bargain You will perhaps admit an excuse for my not answering sooner your letter some time since received. Mr. Jay has given nothing conclusive. His letters to the 26 of June barely gave the idea that appearances were not unfavourable. His last letter, I forget the date,...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [22 September 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My Dr. Sir for your letter of the . A few days previously I wrote you pretty fully. I hope my letter got to hand. The inclosed paper gives you the substance of our European intelligence under the Philadelphia head. The Returns from the Western Counties of this state are just come to hand. They shew a valuable division, ranging on the side of the laws the most influential men & a...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 30 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Our light corps, the Jersey infantry & a brigade of cavalry are about 8½ Miles in front, beyond all the Mountains. This division which has been delayed by a somewhat worse route & the incumbrance of the public stores will be at the same place this Evening. The left wing is at a corresponding point. All is essentially well—No appearance of opposition. It is of great consequence that a law...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 21 February 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
The unnecessary capricious & abominable assassination of the National honor by the rejection of the propositions respecting the unsubscribed debt in the House of Representatives haunts me every step I take, and afflicts me more than I can express. To see the character of the Government and the country so sported with, exposed to so indelible a blot puts my heart to the Torture. Am I then more...
19From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 26 February 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter with the printed Bills. The new clause is an additional bad feature. Yet ’tis better the thing should pass as it is than not at all. Every thing should be gained that can be. So: It seems that under the present administration of the Department, Hillhouse & Goodhue are to be the Ministers in the House of Representatives & Elsworth & Strong in the Senate. Fine work we...
20From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 11 June 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 10th. The case has been with me as with you. Reflection has not mitigated the exceptionable point. Yet it will be to be lamented if no mode can be devised to save the main object and close the irritable questions which are provided for. Every thing besides an absolute & simple ratification will put something in jeopardy. But while on the one hand, I think it...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 20 June 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
A considerable alarm has been spread this morning by a report that the Treaty had been disagreed to. I have assured those I have seen that I was convinced any rumour of a decision must be premature. The anxiety however about the result is extreme. The common opinion among men of business of all descriptions is that a disagreement to the Treaty would greatly shock and stagnate pecuniary plans...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 14 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
An extraordinary press of occupation has delayed an answer to your letter on the subject of Mr R . Though it may come too late, I comply with your request as soon as I can. The subject is truly a perplexing one; my mind has several times fluctuated. If there was nothing in the case but his imprudent sally upon a certain occasion I should think the reasons for letting him pass would outweigh...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [29 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
If the News Papers till truth it would appear that Massachusettes has anticipated New York. But it is intended by our friends in the Legislature to give some pointed discountenance to the propositions. It was expected that it would have been done to day, but by the divergings of some men who seek popularity with both sides, they have gotten into an unnecessary debate upon the propositions in...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 16 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for letter of the . My opinion on the resolution when it first appeared was that the President should answer in substance as follows. (viz) “That it could not be admitted as a right of course in the House of Representatives to call for & have papers in the Executive department essentially those relating to foreign negociations which frequently embrace confidential matters. That...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 2 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Thank you for yours of yesteday. I have no copy of the paper sent. The greatest part went in the original draft though considerably reformed according to joint ideas & somewhat strengthened by new thoughts. A letter I have received tells me that it came to hand after the ground which was acted upon had been formally considered & taken in Council & that it is reserved for future use in the...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 15 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
A letter by yesterday’s Post from our Friend Ames informed me that the Majority (57 concurring) had resolved in a private Meeting to refuse appropriations for the Treaty. A most important crisis ensues. Great evils may result unless good men play their card well & with promptitude and decision. For we must seize and carry along with us the public opinion—& loss of time may be loss of...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 18 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your letter received to day. Our Merchants here are not less alarmed than those of Philadelphia & will do all they can. All the insurance people meet to day. The Merchants & Traders will meet tomorrow or the next day. A Petition will be prepared & circulated among the other citizens. I regret that a certain communication was not made. Indeed I think the Executive will be...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [20 April 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterdays Post brought me a letter from you which gave me pleasure. The papers will apprize you of the proceedings of the Merchants & Traders here on yesterday. There is among them also “unexampled unanimity” & as far as I can judge the current is in our favour throughout the City. Persons to day are going through the different wards. Yrs. sincerely P.S. Our friends in the House will do well...
29From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [23 April 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your two letters & shall this day attend to the one which requires it. I see however no objection to it as it stands & I do not now perceive how the further object you aim at could be accomplished in the manner you seem to desire. I have written to Ames this day concerning the course of things in our City. He will communicate to you as, I have not time to repeat. We are...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 24 April [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I return you a certain draft, with a little substitute for the close of it proposed by Mr. J—— with an eye to your suggestion. Our Petition went yesterday by express. It had more than 3200 signers which is within about 300 of the highest poll we ever had in this City on both sides , at the most controverted election. Nothing can more clearly demonstrate our unanimity & I feel no doubt of equal...