1The American Commissioners to William Short, 5 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
A Treaty of Amity & Commerce between the United States of America & his Majesty the King of Prussia having been arranged with the Baron de Thulemeyer his Majesty’s Envoy Extraordinary at the Hague specially empowered for this Purpose and it being inconsistent with our other Duties to repair to that Place ourselves for the Purpose of executing & exchanging the Instruments of Treaty, we hereby...
2From John Adams to William Short, 30 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 23. and I hope e’er this time the Baron has received Orders to Sign in both Languages. This is a favourite Point with me; but yet I would not make it a Sine qua non. I would urge it with decency, but give it up at last if it could not be [avoid]ed. Our Treaty with France is in English and French. That with [Ho]lland is in English and Dutch, and neither made...
I have rec d. from M r: Jefferson a copy of his letter to you of the 1 st. ins t: & agree fully with him in sentiment that we should agree to consider the french column as the Original, if the Baron thinks himself bound to insist upon it; but if the practice of his Court will admit of the execution in the two languages, each to be considered as equally original, it would be very agreable to...
4From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 7 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I think it probable you will have learnt, through other channels, before this reaches you, my appointment as Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. In this capacity the debt due from us to France will of course constitute one of the objects of my attention. Except with regard to a few laws of immediate urgency, respecting commercial imposts, and navigation, the late session of...
5From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 29 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I am honored with your letters of the 28th & 30th, which did not come to my hands ’till the 27th instant. The conduct you have prescribed to yourself in regard to the negociations concerning the Debt of the United States, appears to be very prudent and judicious, and such as will give the United States a convenient election of the measures to be pursued in future. Previously to the receipt of...
6From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 29 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
You are already apprised of the loan which was commenced in the united Netherlands, by Messrs. Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicholas & Jacob van Staphorst and Hubbard, with a view on their part to the service of the United States, and that the same has been submitted to our Government for their acceptance. On due consideration of the circumstances of that Loan and the views with which the above...
7From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 1 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Two Acts of the Legislature of the fourth and twelfth of August, of which I inclose you copies, authenticated according to law, empower the President to cause to be borrowed on their behalf Fourteen Millions of dollars; subject to certain restrictions and qualifications: to be applied in payment of such part of our foreign debt as shall have become due, and to a new modification of the...
8Enclosure: Commission to William Short, [1 September 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
To all to whom these presents shall come Whereas, by an act passed the fourth day of august in this present year entitled “An Act making provision for the Debt of the United States” it is among other things enacted, That the President of the United States be authorised to cause to be borrowed on behalf of the United States, a sum or sums not exceeding in the whole Twelve Millions of Dollars,...
9From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 10 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Benjamin Walker Esquire, Naval officer of the Port of New York who has leave of abscence for a twelvemonth. As he has thoughts of visiting Paris he has requested me to make him known to you which I do with pleasure as he is a man of worth. He was during a part of the late War Aide du Camp to General Washington. I remain with much esteem & consideration Sir,...
10Enclosure: Comte de Montmorin to William Short, 30 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Vous m’avez informé, Monsieur, que le Congrès avoit pris la résolution de faire un emprunt de 10 millions de Dollars dans la vuë de faire face à Ses dettes étrangeres; vous m’avez ajouté que vous etiez chargé de la négociation relative à cet emprunt, et que c’etoit là l’objet de votre Sejour à Amsterdam. Les Srs. Schwietzer Jeanneret and Compagnie, Banquiers à Paris, instruits de ces faits, et...
11Enclosure: James Swan to William Short, 12 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
To mine of the 27th. Novr. & 5th. Inst. I refer. I have nothing at present to trouble you with, only a Statement how things stand here concerning the debt. M. Morris & I were in dispute with the Bankers (with whom you have had some conversations here,) about their gratifications, they wishing with their Fathers & Cousins in Paris & Amstm. to absorb all. He having parted Wednesday morning for...
12Enclosure: James Swan to William Short, 12 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Fearing that my Letter of this date by the way of Antwerp may have missed, I shall only beg leave to trouble you with one or two points in it essential for you to know. I acquainted you, how I was inform’d, that a M. Jubert had made proposals to pay the whole entirely, & instantly: but I can find no foundation for it, either in the Committee of Finances or of Liquidation, that is, there has...
13Enclosure: James Swan to William Short, 14 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your desire in your Letter of the 9th. Inst., I have endeavoured all in my power to persuade Messrs. Sweizer Jeanneret & Co., from the pursuit of their plan, & have communicated your Letter to them, in which it appears you do not consider yourself as authorized to accept it, but all without effect—for I find they have determin’d to raise, as they say, every obstacle which can...
14Enclosure: Schweizer, Jeanneret and Company to William Short, [14 December 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Sur la communication qui nous a été donnée par Monsieur swan, de la lettre que vous lui avez fait l’honneur de lui écrire Le 9 de ce mois, nous avons pris la décision de surmonter tous les obstacles raisonnables qui pourront s’élever sur les propositions que nous avons eu l’honneur de vous faire Ministerielment par le canal de Monsieur Le Contrôlleur Général des finances et de Monsieur de...
15Enclosure: Comte de Montmorin to William Short, 24 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 19. du mois. Les Srs. Jeanneret et Schwietzer en me communiquant la réponse que vous leur avez faite, m’ont prié d’appuyer auprès du Président des Etats-Unis la proposition que vous vous êtes déterminé à lui transmettre. J’ai fait d’autans moins de difficulté de me prêter à leur demande, que je l’ai entierement...
16Enclosure: Antoine Bernard Caillard to William Short, 4 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Le Gouvernement de france a grand interet de Savoir Si l’emprunt que font en ce moment à Amsterdam les Etats unis de l’Amerique par votre ministere a pour objet le reboursement d’une partie des sommes qu’ils doivent à la france, et il me charge de vous demander un mot d’eclaircissement à ce Sujet. J’ose vous prier, Monsieur, le vouloir bien m’honorer d’une reponse Sur cela—et de me mettre en...
17Enclosure: Ferdinand Grand to William Short, [25 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Jaime a croire Monsieur que vous ne vous etes pas rappelle les conditions du traité passé dans le temps entre le roi & Monsieur Francklin il porte que le remboursement des Sommes pretées aux etats unis Seront faites a mon domicile pour etre ensuite versées au tresor royal, j’ai appris avec peine que cette condition na pas été observée dans le payement qui S’est effectué dernierement,...
18From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 13 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recently received your letters of the 2d. December and the 25th. of January. The others to which they refer have not yet come to hand. The manner in which you have proceeded, as detailed in your letter of the 2d. of December, is entirely satisfactory to me and I doubt not will be equally so to the President, when known to him. He is now absent on a journey through the Southern States....
19From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 9 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Since mine to you of the 13th. of April, I have received your several letters of the eighteenth and thirtieth of December, the fifteenth of January, the seventh, seventeenth and twenty second of february. Thanking you for the copious information they contain, I assure you, that the further developement of the business has increased my satisfaction with the course you have pursued. The issue of...
20From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 24 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the United States has signified to me his pleasure, that I should revoke that part of your instructions which confines you to opening loans for no greater sum, at a time, than one million of dollars and which restrains you from opening a subsequent loan till the one preceding has received his approbation; and has also instructed me to authorise you to open each future loan for...
21Enclosure: Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard to William Short, 23 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
We have the honor to inclose a Letter We received for you this Morning ⅌ the English Mail, which brought us late Intelligence from America. It is with satisfaction We inform you, that We have delivered near all the Bonds of the Loan of March, and that the actual Price for them is ¾ ⅌ Cent above Par. They will probably still rise, and We flatter ourselves sufficiently high, by postponing yet...
22Enclosure: Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard to William Short, 3 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In reply to your respected favor of 26 Ultimo, We acquaint you, that the Order You purpose giving us to pay One Million of Florins unto the Director-General of the Finances of France, shall be punctually complied with, in the Mode that Minister will desire. All the Bonds of the Loan of March last are now delivered; And We do not doubt, We should be able in the present Moment, to procure a New...
23From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 25 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received two days since your letter of the 11th. of March last. Mine to you of the 13th. of April & of the 9th & 24th of May (of which copies are herewith sent) will have informed you of my opinion, concerning the negotiation for the transfer of the debt due to France, will have removed the impediments to your progress on the business committed to you, and will have apprised you of my views...
24From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 30 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Since closing my letter, herewith transmitted, yours of the 4th. of March transmitting a copy of the contract for the last loan has been delivered to me. A ratification of that contract by the President will be forwarded as speedily as possible after his return to the seat of Government which is expected to be in the first week of the next month. There is in a late letter from Messrs. Willinks...
25Enclosure: Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard to William Short, 21 July … (Hamilton Papers)
We have your respected favor of 15 Instant, in consequence of which We have confirmed to Messr. Hogguer Grand & Co. our having received your Order to pay them f500,000.—.—. on account of the U.S. and our readiness to fulfill it. They will apply to us for the Money so soon as they shall be authorized by the Commissaries of the Treasury; When We will endeavor to fix the Exchange at a just and...
26From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 1[–2] August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last letter to you, yours of the 4th. of May has come to hand. Pursuant to instructions recently received from the President of the United States, I am at liberty to authorise you “to open at your discretion loans at such times and places and for such sums as you may find advisable within the limitations of the respective laws authorising the loans” and which have been transmitted to...
27Enclosure: Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard to William Short, 25 August … (Hamilton Papers)
We had the pleasure to address you the 22nd. Inst. and now come to reply particularly to your respected favors of 12 & 14 ditto. We must confess to you Sir, that your sticking to reduce the Charges We fixed with you for the Five per Cent Loans of the United-States, after We had placed them upon the very lowest footing, is truly surprizing to us, more especially as It is striving to recede from...
28From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 2 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last to you of the first of August I have received your several letters of the 3d. 5. 10 & 19th of June. Most of the points mentioned in those letters will find sufficient answers in my several communications of the 9th & 24th of May, June 25 & 30th & the 1st of August, all of which having gone, by duplicates at least, and some by triplicates, I take it for granted have gotten or will...
29Enclosure: Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard to William Short, 8 September … (Hamilton Papers)
We have before us your respected favors of 28 Ulto. and 3d Instant, the latter rendering that Justice to our Views, in the Conduct of the last Loan for Six Millions, which they merit, and that Circumstances are fast developing the extreme Propriety of, since the probable Acceptance of the French Constitution by the King, greatly augments the hopes and expectations of People here, in a rapid...
30From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 3 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I acknowlege the receipt of your letters of the 26th and 27 of July. The fall which you announce in the price of the effects of the United States was certainly artificial. The cause ere this will have been better ascertained to you. ’Tis open to various conjectures. I have thought it adviseable to drop a line to our Bankers in Holland (of which a copy is inclosed) merely to mark my attention...
31From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 1 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have barely time by this opportunity to inform you That I have directed the Treasurer to draw for One Million of florins on account of the last loan of six millions and towards the close of the present month shall direct him to draw for another million. I calculate that the whole amount of the loan will have been received before the second set of draughts are presented. I remain with great...
32From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 30 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letters of the 23rd. and 31st. of August and 3d of September remain unacknowledged. Mine to you of the 1st. of August 2nd. September and 3rd. of October will much abrige what is necessary to be said at this time. The prices of the public debt here rendering it questionable whether it be any longer the interest of the United States to prosecute the idea of purchases with monies borrowed at...
33From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 21 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Treasury Department, January 21, 1792. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] LS , sold by Stan V. Henkels, Jr., October 11, 1927, Lot 170.
34From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 28 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
You will find herewith duplicate of my letter of the 30th of November last—Since which I am without any of your favours. It is with sincere pleasure, I embrace the opportunity of congratulating you on your appointment to the Hague as Minister Resident. This will afford you a better opportunity of watching and appreciating the course of Circumstances. You will consequently be obliged less to...
35From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 14 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your several favours of Sept. 23d. Oct. 10th. & Dec. 1st. It appears to me probable that your movement towards Antwerp produced the appearance of a four per cent loan, and I hope from it in the result good effects. Inclosed you will find a copy of a letter of the same date with this to the Commissioners in Holland. You will easily comprehend the motives which dictated the turn...
36From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 5 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last of the 14th ultimo I have the pleasure of your two letters of the 8th & 12th of Novemer. The reimbursement of the Spanish Debt will be perfectly acceptable, but there will be matter for regret, if before this reaches you the sum claimed by the Farmer’s General has been paid to them. There is certainly a million of livres in the pecuniary transactions between the United States and...
37From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 21 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
As the discharge of the arrears of interest and instalments of principal of the French debt, which are due, may have occasioned your power to borrow for that object to be suspended, until you can obtain a loan at a rate of interest and Charges sufficiently reduced, it is my wish, that as soon as it shall be proper after the receipt of this letter you would proceed to borrow the sum of three...
38From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 2 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I am to acknowlege the receipt of your several letters of the 22d of November 23d 28th and 30th of December. The accomplishment, thus early, of a loan at 4 per Cent exceeds expectation as much as it does credit to your exertions. The intelligence of it was received with great satisfaction by the President as well as by myself, and has given no small pleasure to the public at large. You will...
39From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 10 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
My last letter to you was of the 2nd instant. It is proper that you be informed that a sum of eight thousand, three hundred and twenty five Dollars was paid here on application of Mr. de Ternant the Minister of France to himself and twenty two thousand Dollars to Mr. de la forest the Vice Consul General on the 21st. of February last, and the sum of one hundred thousand Dollars on the 12th. of...
40From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 16 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The fluctuation of the price of the Stocks in the United States is a circumstance that cannot have failed to attract your attention nor to excite a temporary feeling in the minds of foreigners. Tho’ I doubt not it will be well explained by the Agents of those Citizens of other Countries who have vested their Monies in our funds, I think it necessary that some ideas should be communicated to...
41From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 7 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The President having ratified the three last loans, namely one of six millions of florins at five per Cent interest; one of three Millions at four per Cent and that which has been negociated at Antwerp, I herewith transmit you the instrument of ratification concerning the latter. The two former I have thought best to enclose directly to the Commissioners in Amsterdam under an impression that...
42From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 14 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your two letters of the 26th of January and 24th of March have come to hand since mine to you of the 7th of May. For an answer to the first I believe I need do nothing more than refer you to former communications. On the latter some observations arise. You will consider any suggestions which you may find in my letters concerning a rule for adjusting the value of the payments to France rather...
43From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 23 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
After closing my letter to you of the 14th. instant, the Comptroller, to whom I had submitted for examination the statement of the French Treasury transmitted by you, made some communications to me on that subject, of which copies are here enclosed for your information. My own observations upon it must necessairly be reserved for another opportunity, as Mr. Pinkney who will take charge of my...
44From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 30 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have before me your letter of the 22nd. of April last. As I doubt not the details of the projected mangement will leave sufficient latitude, as to time, to avoid embarrassment to the Treasury, it cannot but be satisfactory. A bill has been drawn in favour of the Secretary of State on our Commissioners for One hundred and twenty three thousand, seven hundred and fifty Guilders, which,...
45From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 25 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letters of the 25th of April and 14th of May have duly reached me; since the receipt of that of the 22nd of April which was acknowleged in mine of the 30th of June. In consequence of your letter of the 14th of May I have directed drafts on the Commissioners for five hundred thousand Guilders, and as soon as these are sold, I shall cause further drafts to be made to the extent of [five...
46From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 4 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last to you of the 25th Ultimo, I have received a letter from our Commissioners at Amsterdam, informing me of their having recently instituted another loan for the United States, of three millions, at four per Cent interest, to be dated the first of June last. I have concluded to destine the money arising from this loan towards payment of the debt due to France, and you will...
47From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 16 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
You will herewith receive a Triplicate of my letter to you of the 25th Ultimo and a duplicate of one of the 4th instant. If the destination of the monies arising from the last loan, as mentioned in my former letter of the said 4th instant, has not already put it out of your power, it would be my wish that you reserve a sufficient sum for the purpose of discharging the debt due to foreign...
48From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 28 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been represented to me by the accounting Officers of the Treasury that a regular account of all the monies which have been received by you from our Commissioners in Europe, or which have been paid by them by your direction, would be requisite in the examination and adjustment of the accounts of the said Commissioners. I have therefore to request that you will furnish me with an account,...
49From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 13 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Having been authorised by the President to take arrangements for paying off the debt due to foreign Officers, the interest of which is payable at the House of Mr. Grand, Banker at Paris; and having concluded to commit to Governeur Morris Esquire being on the spot the management of the detail as to the payment of interest (that of the principal being to be made here) I am to request that you...
50Enclosure: Gouverneur Morris to William Short, 28 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Paris, June 28, 1792. “Yours of the eighteenth is just come to Hand & I have but an Instant to reply to it. The Changes of Administration and other Circumstances have prevented me from setling with the Commissaries. It will soon be done. I see in the Gazette that the Assembly has authorized the minister of the Marine to concert with me the Means of supplying their Colonies out of the Debt...