1To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 5 May 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I beg you to accept my unfeigned thanks for your friendly communications of this date—and that you will permit me to entreat a continuation of them as occasions may arise. The manner chosen for doing it, is most agreeable to me. It is my wish to act right; if I err; the head & not the heart, shall, with justice , be chargeable. With sentiments of sincere esteem & regard I am Dear Sir Your...
2To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
From a great variety of characters who have made a tender of their services for suitable Offices , I have selected the following. If Mr. Jay & you will take the further trouble of running them over to see if among them there can be found one, who, under all circumstances is more eligable for the Post Office than Col O I shall be obliged to you both for your opinion thereon by Eleven ‘Oclock....
3To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As I am uncertain of the condition & even the Office in which the papers containing accounts of our disbursments for subsistence of British prisoners remain; and as it is not improbable that some negotiations may (whenever our Union under the General Government shall be completed) take place between the United States & Great Britain, in which an accurate understanding of those Accots. will...
4To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [4 January 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I feel myself very much obliged by what you sent me yesterday. The letter from Governor Johnston I return—much pleased to find so authentic an acct. of the adoption by No Carolina of the Constitution. Yrs. sincerely & affectly Monday Morng 4th. Jany. } 1789 ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Samuel Johnston, governor of North Carolina. North Carolina ratified the Constitution on...
5To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [31 March 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorised to negotiate and agree for a Loan to the United States to an amount not exceeding one hundred thousand Dollars, bearing an Interest not exceeding six ⅌. Cent ⅌ annum to be applied towards carrying into effect the appropriation made by the Act Entitled, “An Act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven...
6To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 13 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The sessions of Congress having closed, and it being my intention to go to Virginia as soon as the public business will permit, and wishing to have my mind as free from public cares during my absence from the seat of government, as circumstances will allow, I am desirous of having such matters as may, by Law, or otherwise, require the Agency or sanction of the President of the United States,...
7To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 27 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Provided the dispute between Great Britain and Spain should come to the decision of Arms, from a variety of circumstances (individually unimportant and inconclusive, but very much the reverse when compared and combined) there is no doubt in my mind, that New Orleans and the Spanish Posts above it on the Mississippi will be among the first attempts of the former, and that the reduction of them...
8To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [28 August 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
By virtue of the several Acts, the one entitled, “An Act making provision for the Debt of the U. States.” and the other entitled, “An Act making provision for the reduction of the Public Debt.” I do hereby authorise and empower you, by yourself, or any other person or persons, to borrow on behalf of the United States, within the said States or elsewhere, a sum or sums, not exceeding in the...
9To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [28 August 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Having thought fit to commit to you the charge of borrowing on behalf of the United States a sum or sums not exceeding in the whole Fourteen Millions of Dollars pursuant to the several Acts, the one entitled, “An act making provision for the Debt of the United States,” the other entitled, “An Act making provision for the reduction of the Public Debt.” I do hereby make known to you, that in the...
10To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 18 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter dated the 3d. inst. inclosing a Copy of the instructions you have forwarded to Mr. Short, came to my hands by the mail of Wednesday. The appointment of that gentleman to negotiate the Loans in Holland, and the Instructions you have given for his government, meet my approbation. The first as no inconvenience it is conceived will result from his absence from Paris, is a measure of...
11To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 20 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 10th. instt. relative to the establishment of the boats or Cutters for the protection of the revenue, I have to observe, That, if there appears to exist a necessity for equipping the whole number therein mentioned, the arrangement for building and stationing them, seems judicious, and is to me perfectly satisfactory. It is my wish that your Enquiries, respecting...
12To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 27 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. John Cogdell having resigned his appointment as Collector of the port of George town in south Carolina, I have to request that you will make enquiry respecting a proper person to succeed him. Mr. Corbin Braxton having also resigned his appointment as Surveyor of the ports of Richmond and Manchester—Colonel Heth informs me that he has nominated Mr. Z. Rowland to do the duties of the office...
13To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 3 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letters of the 18th and 21st Ulto. and thank you for the intelligence therein communicated; of which I have not as yet received any confirmation. I shall be oblig’d by your continueing to give me such information on public affairs as you may think sufficiently interesting to be imparted. I am, Sir, Your mo: obt. Servt. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
14To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 3 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last to you, your letter dated the 15th Ulto containing your sentiments on the questions I had proposed for your opinion and advice, is come duly to hand. I feel myself much obliged by the full and able consideration you have given to the subject. From present appearances, however, it does not seam as if there would be occasion for any decision on either point which gave birth to my...
15To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 6 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 29th. ulto: The papers concerning Capt. Lyde, put into your hands by the Vice President, which you say were enclosed to me, have not been transmitted—but from the recommendations in favor of Captain Williams, I think him entitled to a preference. Not being possessed of any commissions, I have to request (unless your farther enquiry should point to more proper...
16To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 10 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 30th. Ulto came duly to hand with its enclosures. For the information contained in it I thank you, as I shall do for all others of a similar nature. The motives, however, by which the Author of the communication to you was actuated, although they may have been pure and in that case praiseworthy, do also (but it may be uncharitable to harbour the suspicion) admit of a...
17To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 12 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 5th instant. The public service requiring the arrangements, which you have made, relative to the Light Houses of Newport and Portland, they are perfectly agreeable to me, and receive my approbation. I am, Sir Your most obedient Servant LS , United States Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut; LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
18To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 13 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The enclosed letter, addressed to me by the Baron Perin, treating of a subject to which I am a stranger, and the means of information not being within my reach; I have to request that you will cause such enquiry to be made into the Circumstances therein stated as may enable you to give him an answer. And I wish you to transmit my letter to him with yours. I am sir Yr. most Obt. servt. LC ,...
19To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 15 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
You will perceive by the letter which is enclosed for your transmission of it to Mr. Woodbury Langdon, that I have appointed him Commissioner of Loans in the room of Mr. Gilman, whose resignation I received by the last post. I am, Sir, Your Obt. Servant LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Nathaniel Gilman. See H to Washington, October 6, 1790 .
20To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 26 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 8th inst. I received yesterday on my return from an excursion up the Potowmack. I acquainted you on the 15th. instant that I had appointed Mr. Woodbury Langdon Commissioner of Loans for the State of New-Hampshire; but as it is probable from his brothers letter to you, that he will decline the appointment, I have now to inform you that I have no objection to Mr. Keith Spence...
21To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 4 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 28th. ultimo. The measures which you have taken to forward the building and equipment of the revenue Cutters, and to procure information respecting proper characters to be appointed inferior Officers, meet my approbation. You will please to inform Captain Law of his appointment, and furnish him with instructions similar to those you have given to the other...
22To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 8 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letters of the 26th. Ult: & 1st. Inst. The objection stated by you to the appointment of Mr. Spence being conclusive, I now enclose a letter from Mr. Wingate to me recommendatory of another Candidate, with my answer occasioned by the previous appointment of Mr. Woodbury Langdon, but should that Gentleman finally determine not to accept, and you learn, on enquiring, that...
23To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 10 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, November 10, 1790. On November 11, 1790, Washington wrote to Hamilton : “Since writing to you yesterday.…” Letter not found. ]
24To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 11 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Since writing to you yesterday I have received your letter of the 6th. inst: enclosing the copy of one from Mr. Skinner to you, wherein he expresses his intention to continue in Office, which in conformity to your opinion, I am willing he should do. You will therefore destroy the letter, which I enclosed to you in my last, for Colo. Thomas. The person recommended by Capt. Taylor to be his...
25To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [2–6 December 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Your indisposition has prevented me from giving you as much trouble in making my communications to Congress as otherwise, I might have done. The article of your notes which respect the loan in Holland, I am somewhat at a loss to frame into a paragraph for the Speech, and therefore pray your assistance. I had got it as pr. the enclosed, but upon a revision, it does not appear right. Be so good...
26To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 31 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] January 31, 1791 . Approves contract for supplying the lighthouse at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. LS , RG 26, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records, National Archives. See Tobias Lear to H, January 31, 1791 .
27To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 16 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
“An Act to incorporate the Subscribers to the Bank of the United States” is now before me for consideration. The constitutionality of it is objected to. It therefore becomes more particularly my duty to examine the ground on wch. the objection is built. As a mean of investigation I have called upon the Attorney General of the United States in whose line it seemed more particularly to be for...
28To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 23 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment received your sentiments with respect to the constitutionality of the Bill “to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States.” This bill was presented to me by the joint Commee. of Congress at 12 o’Clock on Monday the 14th. instant. To what precise period, by legal interpretation of the constitution, can the president retain it in his possession, before it...
29To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [15 March 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
By Virtue of the several Acts, the one entitled “An Act for raising and adding another regiment to the military establishment of the United States and for making further provision for the protection of the frontiers,” and the other entitled “An Act making an appropriation for the purpose therein mentioned,” I do hereby authorise and empower you by yourself or any other person or persons to...
30To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [15 March 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Having thought fit, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Act intitled “An Act repealing after the last day of June next the duties heretofore laid upon distilled Spirits imported from abroad and laying others in their stead, & also upon spirits distilled within the United States and for appropriating the same” to divide the United States into the following fourteen districts, namely one...
31To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [19 March 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Pay or cause to be paid to the Secretary of State Forty thousand Dollars to be applied to the purposes of the Act, intitled “An Act providing the means of Intercourse between the United States and foreign Nations,” for which this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand at Philadelphia the nineteenth day of March, in the year one thousand seven hundred & ninety one. LC , George Washington...
32To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 4 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 27th. Ult. came duly to hand. For the information contained in it and for the notes which accompanied the same, I thank you. Every expedient, as I believe you know, is in operation to avert a War with the hostile Indian tribes and to keep those who are in treaty with us in good temper; but I am nearly thoroughly convinced that neither will be effected, or, if effected, will...
33George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox, 4 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
As the public service may require that communications should be made to me, during my absence from the seat of government, by the most direct conveyances and as, in the event of any very extraordinary occurrence, it will be necessary to know at what time I may be found in any particular place, I have to inform you that unless the progress of my journey to Savannah is retarded by unforeseen...
34To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 7 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letters of the 11 & 14 of last month. Concluding from Mr. Shorts statement of his negotiation in Amsterdam, and from the opinions offered in your letters of the 11th., that the loan has been obtained on the best terms practicable, and that its application in the manner you propose will be the most advantageous to the United States, I do hereby signify my approbation of...
35To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 8 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Charleston [ South Carolina ] May 8, 1791 . “Mr. Cogdell, the Collector of Georgetown appearing on enquiry a proper person to be appointed Inspector of Excise for that Survey, you will signify his appointment to that Office.… Capt. Robert Cochran seems in all respects best qualified to command the revenue Cutter on this station, and I have in consequence appointed him to that Office.…” LC ,...
36To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 20 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
While at Charleston I appointed Robert Cochran of that place to command the revenue cutter for the station of South Carolina, & empowered him, with the approbation of the Governor & general Moultrie, to appoint his mates. I have appointed John Howell Commander —Hendricks Fisher, first mate, and John Wood second mate of the revenue cutter to be stationed on the coast of Georgia. You will...
37To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 13 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am arrived at this place and just in time to acknowledge (in a hasty manner by this days post—the first opportunity that has offered of writing to Philada. since I left Savanna)—the receipt of your private letter of the 17th. of April by Mr. Smith who lodged it at Cambden, through which it was known my rout would be on my return to the seat of the Government. Mr. Wolcott may be informed that...
38To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 29 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Upon a full consideration of the reasons offered by Mr. Short, in his correspondence with you, for removing the restrictions laid upon him by his present instructions, so far as relates to his not opening a loan for more than a certain sum and not being allowed to open a new Loan until the terms of the preceding one shall have been ratified here, I have thought it expedient, & for the interest...
39To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [16 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Whilst I was in Wilmington waiting breakfast to day, I made the best enquiry time & circumstances would permit, for some fit character to fill the office lately held by Doctr. Latimer. Several persons were mentioned, but the weight of information was in favor of one Andrew Barratt. He was spoken of by Mr. Vining as a man of respectable character, of decision and temper. He now is, or lately...
40To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [24 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 22d. inst: enclosing a copy of one from the French Minister; I have to inform you, that your proceedings with respect to the request of the Minister of France, meet my entire approbation. I am Sir Your hble Servt. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Jean Baptiste de Ternant to H, September 21, 1791 .
41To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [2 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 24th. ulto., (enclosing a letter from Govr. St. Clair, and sundry papers relating to the subject of the settlements which have been made under purchases from Judge Symmes) I have duly received. The Secretary of State, as well as I recollect, has already written both to Govr. St. Clair & Judge Symmes on this subject; but whether he has or has not, it can make no material...
42To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 7 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, October 7, 1791. On October 11, 1791, Hamilton wrote to Washington : “The Post of this day has brought me your letter of the 7th. instant.” Letter not found. ]
43To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [10 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 30th. September enclosing a Contract entered into by the Collector of Wilmington in North Carolina with James McStephens & Henry Toomer for the stakage of the shoals of Cape Fear river, I have duly received. As I approve of the Contract, I have transmitted the same with my approbation to the Collector of Wilmington. I wrote to you from the head of Elk, informing you of my...
44To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 14 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
When I addressed a private letter to you a few days ago I had no more idea that Monday the 24th. instt. was the day appointed for the meeting of Congress, than I had of its being dooms-day until it was mentioned to me in a letter which I have just received from Mr. Lear (who was under the like mistake). It had taken such deep root in my mind that the last monday in the month was the time that...
45To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 17 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am thus far on my way to Philadelphia, and if the disagreeableness of the weather (for it is now raining) does not prevent it, shall proceed to Bladensburgh at least to night; but be my dispatch what it probably may, the mail which leaves this tomorrow, will arrive in Philadelphia before me. This being the case, and time pressing, I forward the enclosed suggestions of Mr. Jefferson and Mr....
46George Washington to Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, [18 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The President requests that Mr —— would give the Letter & statement herewith sent, from the Secretary of War a perusal and return it to him in the course of the day with his opinion as to the propriety of the manner of making the communication to Congress: and whether it ought not, at any rate, to be introduced in some such way as this, (if it is to pass through him to Congress) “Pursuant to...
47To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 6 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] April 6, 1792 . “… you will cause to be paid to Nicholas Ferdinand Westfall the sum of three hundred and thirty six Dollars out of the fund of Ten thousand Dollars appropriated for defraying the contingent charges of Government.…” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This letter was written in reply to H to Washington, April 5, 1792 .
48To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 6 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
You will lay before the House of Representatives such papers from your Department as are requested by the enclosed resolution. NB. The papers alluded to are such as relate to the Expedition under Genl. St. Clair. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. On April 4, 1792, the House of Representatives “ Resolved , That the President of the United States, be requested to cause the...
49To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [7 May 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
For carrying into execution the provisions in that behalf made by the Act intitled, “An Act for raising a farther sum of money for the protection of the Frontiers, and for other purposes therein mentioned,” I do hereby authorise you the said Secretary of the Treasury to agree and contract with The President Directors & Company of the Bank of the United States, with any other body politic or...
50To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [9 May 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
For carrying into execution the provisions of the Eleventh section of the Act intitled “An Act to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States,” I do hereby authorise you the said Secretary of the Treasury to subscribe by one or more subscriptions, on behalf and in the name of the United States, for such number of shares of and in the capital stock of the said Corporation as...