1To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 1 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my letter of the 24th. I have recd. yrs. of the same date; and after maturely reflecting upon the subject, and consulting one or two of our friends here I am confirmed in the Sentiment that I ought not to consent to be a candidate for the Govr. shd. the federalists think of offering me. This being my determination, it is right that I shd apprize you of it, in order that our friends may...
2To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 24 February 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. D. Ogdon called upon me a few minutes past, and as I understood from him that he purposes writing to you by the mail of this Evening, I think it proper, in order to avoid any misconception of the tenour of our conversation to repeat to you the purport of what I said to him. viz. “Whether it will be expedient to offer a federal candidate for the Govr. is a point upon wh, from the want of...
3To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 6 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you two days ago by a private ship, as the Packet goes in a day or two I avail myself of the Opportunity to inform you that I have sent to the Secy of State my Resignation, and requested to be relieved in time to return home in April next. As there is reason to apprehend that we may be at war with all the barbary powers, as well as morocco I have asked for a Passage home in a...
4To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 6 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
After further enquiry, I annex little credit to the notice posted at Loyds’, that two american vessels had been carried into Algiers. Two vessels the Franklin morris master, and the Rose (master not known) said to be of Philadelphia, are reported to have been taken by the cruisers of morocco or some other of the Barbary Powers. These are also the vessels which are mentioned at Loyds as having...
5To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 5 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your obliging letter in duplicate of June —enclosed I have now the pleasure to send you a copy of my letter to the Secretary of State resigning my mission, and requesting to be relieved in season to return home in may next. In a few days I purpose to avail my self of the leave of temporary absence which I have received to visit the continent. My plan is to go to Holland, and...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 23 July 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, July 23, 1802. King’s description of this letter reads: “General Hamilton. Determination to return home &c.” Letter not found. ] Rufus King’s “Memorandum of private Letters, &c., dates & persons from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
7To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 7 May 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
As I know of no measure from abroad, which is capable of such extensive and injurious effects as the cession of Louisiana and the Floridas to France, it has been a subject of my unremitted solicitude and attention from the moment of our first suspicions concerning it. Its importance was fully and repeatedly developed to the Ministers of this Country before the conclusion of the Preliminaries,...
8To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 8 April 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
By Dr. Romayne I send you a pamphlet lately written upon the interesting subject of the public credit of this Country. The author is a member of parliament an old & practical Banker, Brother to the president of the Bank of England, and for many years much conversant with the great money operations of the Country. When you have read it I wish the favour of you to send it together with the other...
9To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 12 January 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
Both as a friend and a father I do most unfeignibly participate and condole with you in the heavy affliction that has fallen upon your family. It would be altogether vain for me to have recourse to the usual Topics of consolation, in so severe a Calamity: it must be sought for among the treasures of your own Mind, which nature has so eminently endowed; and after a while, it will likewise be...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, [26 February 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, February 26, 1800. Letter not found. ] Letter listed in Rufus King’s “Memorandum of Private Letters, &c., dates & persons, from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
11To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 18 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, December 18, 1799. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from … Mr. King” to H, Columbia University Libraries.
12To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 8 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, November 8, 1799. Encloses letter from Francisco de Miranda. Letter not found. ] King was United States Minister Plenipotentiary to Great Britain. Letter listed in Rufus King’s “Memorandum of Private Letters, &c., dates & persons, from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City. This is presumably a reference to Miranda to H, October 4, 1799 .
13To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 20 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, October 20, 1799. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from … Mr. King” to H, Columbia University Libraries.
14To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 15 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The french still maintain themselves in switzerland tho’ unless soon and strongly reinforced they will be driven out of it. The success of the Allies has been almost uninterupted in Italy, from whence according to present appearances the Enemy must be in a short time be totally expelled. Thus far the Coalition has performed Prodigies—but the confederates are not without mutual Jealousies,...
15To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, June 21, 1799. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from … Mr. King” to H, Columbia University Libraries.
16To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, April 29, 1799. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from … Mr. King” to H, Columbia University Libraries.
17To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 19 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, April 19, 1799. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from … Mr. King” to H, Columbia University Libraries.
18To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 22 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War is again declared by france agt. the temporising cabinet of vienna, and this has been the signal for Prussia to resume her former System of insecure neutrality. We may every hour expect the Result of a Battle between Jourdan & the arch duke who according to our last accounts were respectively advancing upon each other —the first Blow has been unfortunate for the allies, the whole of the...
19To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 9 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
By Mr. Erskine whom I have introduced to you, I send you a Copy of the famous Map of So. america that Fayden has lately engraved: it is a fac simile of the Spanish Map so carefully concealed at Madrid. Fayden is employed in another Map upon the same scale of the Spanish Territories north of the Isthmus; it will be less accurate and authentic; but such as it is it will supply a desideratum. I...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 4 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Our opinions do not differ upon a very important subject, that has more than once been mentioned in our correspondence: I am intirely ignorant of the Sentiments of the Pr. tho’ I have again and again treated of it, and sometimes with earnestness, in my Dispatches This silence gives me some inquietude. Mr. G. will send you the Reflections that have occurred to him, and will also explain the...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, [27 January 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, January 27, 1799. Letter not found. ] Letter listed in “Memorandum of Private Letters, &c., dates & persons, from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
22To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 21 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
We have the new york Papers to the 15. ult. These contain the Speech as well as the answers of the two Houses. All seems intended for the best, but it gives an ill Idea abroad of our Zeal, to find that our Army decreed so many months since remained to be raised. The difficulty and time necessary to find suitable Officers, reminds one of the like impediments which preceded the appointment of...
23To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, [19 January 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, January 19, 1799 . Letter not found. ] Letter listed in “Memorandum of Private Letters, &c., dates & persons, from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
24To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 19 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The same uncertainty continues to perplex us concerning the Recommencement of the war. One day we are told that Naples has really begun & that Austria is on the way to support her; the next, that Naples is kept back by Austria to whom the Directory have made the most Advantageous offers. It is certain that france feels the change that has within the last six months taken place in Europe and is...
25To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, [8 December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, December 8, 1798. Letter not found. ] Letter listed in Rufus King’s “Memorandum of Private Letters, &c., dates & persons, from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
26To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 9 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The same uncertainty continues respecting the recommencement of the war. Both austria & Prussia are bolder than before the late naval success of this Country, but the conduct of the Emperor is rather calculated to shew that he may be purchased by further acquisitions in Italy. Naples will not decline a war; her existence perhaps depends upon his provoking it. The Casus fœderis with austria is...
27To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, [5 November 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, November 5, 1798. Letter not found. ] Letter listed in Rufus King’s “Memorandum of Private Letters, &c., dates & persons, from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
28To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 20 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 22. of august with an inclosure that has been delivered as directed. On that subject, things are here, as we could desire: there will be precisely such a cooperation as we wish, the moment we are ready. The Secretary of State will shew you my communications on this Subject, tho’ I have not a word from him respecting it; your outline corresponds with what had...
29To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, [19 October 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, October 19, 1798. Letter not found. ] Letter listed in Rufus King’s “Memorandum of Private Letters, &c., dates & persons, from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
30To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, [25 September 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, September 25, 1798. Letter not found. ] Letter listed in Rufus King’s “Memorandum of Private Letters, &c., dates & persons, from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
31To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 23 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
You will have no war! France will propose to renew the negotiation upon the Basis laid down in the Presidents Instructions to the Envoys —at least so I conjecture. If the negotiation is recommenced the most obvious precaution suggests the expediency of confiding it to hands above all suspicion. We see that we have nothing to fear from the arms of France; all her skill, and energy, &...
32To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 17 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I am charmed with the military appointments; in the main they are quite what they should be—such chiefs ought to give Glory as well as Security to their Country, and they will do both, if the occasions offer. You see that I relapse into my former strain. I know not what you and others whose Sentiments I respect may think, but I must unsettle all that is best settled in my opinions of the...
33To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, [13 September 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Margate, England, September 13, 1798. Letter not found. ] Letter listed in Rufus King’s “Memorandum of Private Letters, &c., dates & persons, from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
34To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 18 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, August 18, 1798. King’s notation of this letter reads: “Hamilton & President. Letters from Miranda forwarded.” Letter not found. ] Letter listed in Rufus King’s “Memorandum of Private Letters, &c., dates & persons, from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City. Francisco de Miranda to H, August 17, 1798 . For Miranda’s letter to John Adams, also dated August 17,...
35To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 15 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Tho’ I have very great confidence in the integrity of my Agent Mr Low, I Consider it to be a measure of prudence to be attentive to the Security of my property in his hands: I don’t know that he is much connected in any of those Speculations which too many of our friends have gone into, nor have I any reason to suppose him engaged in any business of hazard. Still I have concluded to request...
36To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, [1 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, August 1, 1798. Letter not found. ] Letter listed in Rufus King’s “Memorandum of Private Letters, &c., dates & persons, from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
37To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, [31 July 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
You will believe that I have been much gratified with the late intelligence from home. France has calculated all her plans on our decisions, and the expectation that her friends if not more numerous, would be more active, and possess greater energy, than the friends of our Government—or rather she has believed that our Government like that of every country, that she has succeeded to overturn...
38To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 21 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, July 21, 1798. Kings notation of this letter reads: “Hamilton. Duplicates of address Gallatin.” Letter not found. ] Letter listed in Rufus King’s “Memorandum of Private Letters, &c., dates & persons, from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City. See King to H, July 14, 1798 .
39To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 14 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you inclosed an interesting little piece addressed to Gallatin by a former Citizen of Geneva—if translated and published it may do good. We have no news from the mediterranean since the Capture of Malta, nor can we do more than conjecture the future destination of Buonaparte. Turin with its arsenals is possessed by a french army, so that Sardignia is at the feet of the Directory. The...
40To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 7 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Buena parte has made the Debut of the campaigne by the easy tho important conquest of Malta. This Island has been supposed impregnable and therefore was the Depositary of great wealth removed there from Italy. It contained likewise an excellent arensal, two or three ships of the Line, and as many as 6.000 excellent Seamen. It was the maltese Seamen who made the fine campaign under Suffrein in...
41To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 2 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
France will pursue with us the Plan that she has elsewhere found successful. She will endeavour to overthrow us by the Divisions among ourselves which she will excite and support by all the means of which she is mistress. The Paris Papers of the 18. ulto. say le Citoyen Roziers est nommé Consul Genl. aux Etats unis. Gamier (en convenl. de Saintes) consul, & Boscq vice consul à Wilmington,...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, [27 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, June 27, 1798. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from … Mr. King” to H, Columbia University Libraries.
43To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 8 June 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Since writing you a day or two past, I have had the pleasure to receive your Letter by the Packet, and am rejoiced to find my hopes confirmed by your Opinion that we shall not be wanting to ourselves in our Conduct towards France. Immediately on hearing of the proceedings of the Admiralty Judge of st. Domingo, I remonstrated to the Government against them, and was without delay answered that...
44To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 8 June 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, June 8, 1798. Second letter of June 8 not found. ] In the “List of Letters from … Mr. King” to H, Columbia University Libraries, two letters from King for June 8, 1798, are listed.
45To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 6 June 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
We have certain intelligence that the Toulon expedition has sailed. The number of Troops, of Transports, and of men of war are variously stated, but it is known that Buona parte commands and that the fleet is a very great one—its Destination is the subject of inquietude and of conjecture. A few Days will bring us more perfect accounts, and from the Force and Position of the Br. fleet under Ld....
46To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 26 May 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, May 26, 1798. King’s notation for this letter reads: “Hamilton. Politicks.” Letter not found. ] Letter listed in Rufus King’s “Memorandum of Private Letters, &c., dates & persons, from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
47To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 12 May 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
It will not surprise you to hear that an open Scism, accompanied by mutual reproaches took place between our Envoys before they separated. Mr. Gerry remains at Paris; and there is a strong opinion that great pains will be taken to persuade him to consent to a public reception, in order to deceive and mock his Country with overtures of an insidious negociation. Marshall & Pinckney left Paris...
48To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 13 November 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, November 13, 1797. Letter not found. ] Letter listed in Rufus King’s “Memorandum of Private Letters, &c. dates & persons from 1796 to Augt. 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
49To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 9 September 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
We have this day accounts from Paris, which tho~ very important and interesting, are not unexpected. The Breach between the Councils and the directory has for some time destroyed all Prospect of a reconciliation between them; and either an organized civil war, in consequence of the different sides adopted by the several armies, or a Measure like that which has happened, had become...
50To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 6[–10] August 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
No satisfactory Opinion can yet be formed concerning the termination of the negotiations for Peace. Even those who are supposed to have the best information are without confidence—on the one Hand peace may be concluded sooner than any one thinks probable, on the other the negotiations at Lisle and montebello may be suddenly broken off, and France again engaged with austria as well as England....