1From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [13 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
It is with pleasure I am able to inform you that you have been appointed Auditor in the Department of the Treasury. The salary of this office is 1500 Dollars. Your friends having expressed a doubt of your acceptance, I cannot forbear saying, that I shall be happy to find the doubt has been ill founded; as from the character I have received of you, I am persuaded you will be an acquisition to...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 18 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The XXXIV Section of the Collection law provides that certain rates per Cent . shall be allowed for the Tares of Coffee Pepper and Sugar, other than loaf Sugar. Upon this provision, a doubt has existed whether the per centage ought not, in certain cases to be computed on the Cwt. or long hundred; or ought in all cases to be computed on the 100 lb or short hundred. The practice at different...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 12 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson, being obliged for form’s sake to direct the inclosed to the Secretary of the Treasury, notwithstanding his known illness, puts it, open, under cover to Mr. Wolcott with his compliments, and a desire that he will do any thing in it which under present circumstances can be done. Not acquainted with the line of division between Mr. Wolcott’s and Mr. Coxe’s offices, should he have...
4From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 30 September 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I have thought it adviseable to establish during my absence a substitute for the mode of transferring Stock from Office to Office heretofore in practice at the Treasury. The inclosed letters by duplicates to the respective Commissioners of Loans from Jersey inclusively to Georgia specify it. Please to have the blanks filled with the names of those Commissioners severally and have the letters...
5From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Lest my last letter to Colo. Hamilton should have met some mischance I send a duplicate, & request your care of it; the necessity for the heads of Departments assembling by the first of next month becoming more & more apparent. Philadelphia or vicinity, is appointed for this purpose, where I shall be myself. Let me know, I pray you, whether the malady with which Philadelphia is afflicted has...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 25 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, June 25, 1794. On July 7, 1794, Wolcott wrote to Hamilton : “In obedience to your Letter of June 25.” Letter not found. ]
7From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 29 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Being about to leave the seat of Government for a few Weeks to accompany the Army on its march against the Western Insurgents of Pennsylvania, I commit to you during my absence the management of those matters which are reserved to my superintendance under the constitution and regulations of the Department, especially the receipts and expenditures of money, and I rely upon your deligence and...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 30 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] September 30, 1794 . On October 2, 1794, Wolcott wrote to Hamilton : “I have recd. your letter of Sept. 30th.” Letter not found. ]
9From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 7 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Carlisle, Pennsylvania, October 7, 1794. On October 11, 1794, Wolcott wrote to Hamilton : “I have recd. your favour dated 7: & 8: inst.” Letter of October 7 not found. ]
10From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 8 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Carlisle, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1794. On October 11, 1794, Wolcott wrote to Hamilton : “I have recd. your favour dated 7: & 8: inst.” Letter of October 8 not found. ]
11From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 10 April 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you a few lines by the last Post. I sit down to fulfil my promise then made. The fulfilment of our foreign engagements under the existing circumstances is no doubt a perplexing task—But I hope it will not be found impracticable to effect enough to preserve character and credit. Every thing must be done to this end, though with considerable sacrifices, provided you do not go so far as...
12From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 13 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
Pay to The Director of the Mint of the United States, Five thousand dollars for the purposes of that Establishment. LB , DLC:GW . That same day, Edmund Randolph sent the warrant for $5,000 from GW to David Rittenhouse, director of the U.S. Mint ( DNA : RG 59, Domestic Letters).
13From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 15 June 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 15, 1795. On June 18, 1795, Wolcott wrote to Hamilton : “I have recd. your Letters of June 13th. & 15th.” Letter of June 15 not found. ]
14From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 22 June 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 18th instant. I will reply to one or two points now and to the rest hereafter. With regard to the measure of receiving Dutch bonds here to be exchanged, as is usual, it has different sides. To do it may be in some measure necessary to effectuate the main object; as there may be many individuals who from circumstances might not think themselves safe in...
15From Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 24 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
B. Dandridge respectfully sends to Mister Wolcott a list of persons who formerly applied for the office of Commissioner of Loans in Delaware State. The President wishes Mr Wolcott to enquire of the Senators from the State & Dr Way—which of these characters is thought to be the most suitable for the appointment—in order that it may be laid before the Senate today with some others. AL , DLC:GW ....
16From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 26 June 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have direct information in confidence, that the Minister of France by a letter received yesterday has ordered a fast sailing vessel for France to be prepared at this port. No doubt this has connection with the Treaty with England. I presume with the reserves that decorum requires he is apprised of the contents of that Treaty. This ought at least to go so far as to satisfy him that there is...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 30 June 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Doctor Livingston sometime since left with me a bundle of vouchers relating to the questions between Phil Livingstons estate & the public. There was among other things a little Register or book with a marble cover doubled up. I do not find it among my papers & if my memory does not deceive me it was sent on breaking up at Philadelphia to one of the Offices of the Treasury. Mr. Jones may know...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 2 July 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, July 2, 1795. On July 10, 1795, Wolcott wrote to Hamilton : “I have recd. your several Letters dated June 22d. 26th. 30th. & the 2nd. current.” Letter of July 2 not found. ]
19[From Alexander Hamilton to William Bradford, Timothy Pickering, Edmund Randolph, and Oliver Wolcott, Junior], [28 July … (Hamilton Papers)
Hamilton, History John C. Hamilton, Life of Alexander Hamilton, a History of the Republic of the United States of America (Boston, 1879). , VI, 243. John Church Hamilton states that H wrote to members of George Washington’s cabinet on this date. No further evidence of this correspondence, however, has been found.
20From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 28 July 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
We have some cause to suspect though not enough to believe that our Jacobins medidate serious mischief to certain Individuals. It happens that the Militia of this City, from the complexion of its officers in general, cannot be depended on and it will be difficult for some time to organise a competent armed substitute. In this situation our eyes turn as a resource in a sudden emergency upon the...
21From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
I am obliged to you for the acct given, in your letter of the 27th of the meeting which was had in the State house yard, the saturday before; and such information as you may receive, & can rely upon, respecting the sentiments of the People of that city, and other places, relative to the treaty between this country & G. Britain I shall receive with satisfaction. It is an interesting subject;...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 5 August 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received yours of 3d instant. You make no mention of having received one from me inclosing another for the Attorney General in which I tell him that I will attend the cause which involves the question respecting direct taxes when notified of the time it will come on. The silence of your letter makes me fear it may have miscarried. I do not wonder at what you tell me of the author of a...
23From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., and Timothy Pickering, 12–18 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
At what time should Mr F——ts letter be made known to Mr R——? What will be the best mode of doing it? In presence of the Secs & A: Genl. If the explanations given by the latter, are not satisfactory, whether, besides removal, are any other measures proper to be taken? & what? Would an application to Mr A—— to see the paragraphs in Nos. 3 & 6, alluded to in F——ts letter, be proper? These might...
24From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 18 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
The letter herewith, will shew that I did not understand, or attend to what I was about, when I put the check on the Pennsylvania Bank into your hands. To prevent further mistakes, I give you the trouble of perusing the letter; accompanying it with a request that you will be so good as to explain, without loss of time the mistake to the Bank; lest any thing improper should be entertained of Mr...
25From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 16 September 1795 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter and Power to Mr Jones who did me the favour last year at the request of my Son to receive for me a Quarters Salary, which I beg the favour of you to deliver him and at the same time to give him a Warrant, that he may remit the Money to me by a Post Note. The Treaty opperates in Boston like the Hogsheads of Lime which I am putting under Earth and Weeds and Mud and Straw to...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 20 September 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
A slight indisposition prevented my meeting you at E Town which I should otherwise have done with great pleasure. It is wished for a particular purpose to know who are the Writers of Valerius Hancock Bellisarius Atticus . If any thing about them is known in a manner that can be depended upon I will thank you for it in confidence. The fever in this Town has become serious. The alarm however...
27From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 2 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 26th Ulto was received yesterday. It is not wonderful that Mr Randolphs late conduct, and the publication of his letter to me, should have excited an anxious curiosity to know what his explanations will be; but it is wonderful that so much time should be required to give birth to them. Embarrassed, as it is to be apprehended he is, in this business, his object, I conceive...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 3 October 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the and thank you for the information. As to Randolph, I shall be surprised at nothing—but if the facts come out, his personal influence is at all events damned. No colouring will remove unfavourable impressions. To do mischief he must work in the Dark. What you say respecting your own department disquiets me; for I think we shall for the present weather all...
29From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 7 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 1st instant with its enclosures, came to hand yesterday. As I am unacquainted with characters more fit, if any there be that would accept, I request that Commissions may issue in the names of those persons you have suggested as follow—vizt. Moses Kemp, vice John Ross resigned, as Collector of Burlington district New Jersey. Joseph Aborn, vice Zach: Rhodes resignd Surveyor of...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 13 October 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 6 instant. I am of opinion that the Commissioners to be appointed under the 7th article are competent to grant relief, in all cases of captures or condemnations of our property, during the present war and antecedent to the Treaty, which were contrary to the laws of Nations and in which there is adequate evidence (of which they are to judge bona fide ) that...
31From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 27 October 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I wish the statements requested in my letter of yesterday may contain each particular payment not aggregates for periods. It runs in my mind that once there being no appropriation I procured an informal advance for The President from the bank—if this is so let me know the time & particulars. If the Account has been wound up to an exact adjustment since the period noticed by the calm observer,...
32From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 28 October 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have seen with pleasure your reply to the calm observer. I believe it is as far as you ought to go but more particular explanation will be useful & from me now a private man intirely proper. I therefore hope to receive as soon as may be the statements I requested. Yrs. ALS , Dartmouth College Library. For background to this letter, see H to George Washington, October 26, 1795, note 1 . For...
33From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 30 October[–12 November] 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you yesterday for a statement of the advances & appropriations for the Department of State. I am very anxious that Fauchet’s whole letter should appear just as it is —strange whispers are in circulation of a nature foreign to Truth & implicating honest men with Rascals. Is it to come out? Can’t you send me a copy? I will observe any conditions you annex. The secret Journals & other...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [11 November 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
At length I am able to send you the explanation I mentioned to you. The papers upon which it is founded are returned that you may compare & if necessary correct. You may by altering the body or by a note rectify any inaccuracy . You will observe marks in the margin which will require particular attention. A Let the distance if not so now be rightly stated. B insert the most usual sum or sums....
35From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 3 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I perceive by Bache’s Paper of this Morning, that Mr Livingston has laid a Resolution on the Table, requesting the President to lay before the House a copy of the Instructions to Mr Jay “who negociated the Treaty with the King of G.B., communicated by his message of the 1st instt (Feb.) together with the corrispondence and documents relative to the said Treaty.” A request somewhat similar to...
36From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [7–10 March 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are two letters which I will thank you to hand on. I have just seen Livingston’s Motion concerning Instructions &c. My first impression is that the propriety of a compliance with the call, if made, is extremely doubtful. But much careful thought on the subject is requisite. Yrs truly PS. I hand you also a letter from Mrs. Church to Mr. Beametz —which I will thank you to send to Mr....
37From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 20 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 18th. instant. The money paid me for you shall be placed to your Credit in the Office of Discount & Deposit as you desire. The British Ministry are as great fools, or as great rascals, as our Jacobins—else our Commerce would not continue to be distressed as it is by their Cruisers, nor would the Executive be embarrassed as it now is by the new proposition....
38From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [May–August 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May–August, 1796. ] “I have been applied to for an opinion concerning the Georgia Claim.… I will thank you for the Report of the Attorney General on that subject, to Congress.…” Copy, Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford. This is a reference to the claims of the Georgia Yazoo land companies which were organized in 1795. For information on these land grants and their revocation,...
39From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 27 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
The Patterson manufactory being defunct, the persons heretofore employed are thrown out of business and among them Mr. Marshall who erected & directed the Cotton Mill. As this man has proved that he understands himself & is a discreet well-moralled man I am loth that he should be under the necessity of leaving the Country. He is a man of some education. Besides a considerable knowlege of...
40From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [30 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I perceive Congress are invading the Sinking Fund system. If this goes through & is sanctionned by the President the fabric of public Credit is prostrate & the Country & the President are disgraced. Treasury Bills & every expedient however costly to meet exigencies must be preferable in the event to such an overthrow of system. Yrs truly ALS , Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford; copy,...
41From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 June 1796 (Adams Papers)
According to an intimation I gave you at Philadelphia before I left it, I had now the Honour to request the favour of you to Send me a Quarters Salary, in a Post Note for Twelve hundred and fifty Dollars, and I hereby Authorize you to discharge the Warrant neccessary for that Purpose as fully as I could do, if I were Present. The Political World in this Quarter of it, is as Still and calm as a...
42From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 9 June 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I called at your house the morning of my departure but you was not then up. While I was in the City we had a little conversation concerning an affair of an arrangement with Swan for effecting a remittance to Holland. I intended to have resumed it for two reasons, one because it has been represented to the disadvantage of the Conduct of the Treasury, another because Swan who lodged at the same...
43From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 13 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed you have Bank Bills to the amount of Five hundred Dollars. From this fund I pray you to furnish Mr Frederick Kitt, my Household Steward with weekly sums as his occasions require—say from th[i]rty to 40 dollars according to circumstances. It will enable you also to pay the duties on two Pipes of Wine wch I understand is in the Ganges for and on my Acct. As this Wine is in dble cases—I...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [15 June 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The post of today brought me a letter from you. From some recent information which I have obtained here, I have scarcely a doubt that the plan of the French is—1 to take all enemy property in our Ships contrary to the Treaty between the two Countries 2 to seize and carry in all our vessels laden with provisions for any English Port. Among this all that they choose to think enemy property will...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 16 June 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
It appears to me material under our present prospects to complete the three frigates without delay. They may be useful with reference to the Algerines—they may be useful to convoy our vessels out of the reach of pickeroon privateers hovering on our Coast. I know you want money but could not the Merchants by secret movements be put in motion to make you a loan. I think something of this kind...
46From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 24 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
If in the opinion of Judges, it is thought best for my India wine to remain undisturbed where it now is, I am content it should remain there. I had, however, directed Mr Kitt (my household Steward) to learn when it would be ready for landing; and to have it brought up, and Stored in my own Cellar; where it would not only have been safe, but would also have remained undisturbed; which may not...
47From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [26 June 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I learn from a Gentleman of character that a prize brought into Boston by a French Privateer is about to be sold. This being in direct breach of our Treaty with G Britain how does it happen? Though no particular law passed, the Treaty being the law of the land, Our custom houses can & ought to prevent the entry & sale of prizes, upon Executive instruction. If any thing is wanting to this end...
48From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 27 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the liberty of putting two letters under cover to you; the one to Colo. Hamilton (in answer to that you forwarded to me) I pray you to put it under your cover, and send it on by the Post. The other for Mr Kitt (my household Steward) I leave open for your perusal, to save a repet[it]ion of the same sentiments, with respect to the money and Wine. With sincere esteem and regd I...
49From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 6 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
When the letter herewith enclosed, dated the 4th instant was written in answer to yours of the 28th Ulto, part of it, as you will perceive, was dictated under the impression of much hesitation & doubt; for I am not fond of rectifying Legislative mistakes by Executive Acts. I determined however to take the Attorney Generals opinion on the case: resolving, if it accorded with those which had...
50From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [7 July 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have had some conversation with some influential Members of the Bank of New York who are disposed to do all that shall be found possible. But I wish to know without exaggeration the least sum that will be a material relief to you & when & how the payments will be desired. Yrs. ALS , Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford. For an explanation of the contents of this letter, see H to Wolcott,...