1To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 3 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your line with an inclosure the 24th. ultimo, wrote to the partys, and am now busey in putting forward four of the Horses requird by my new Correspondant. By the time limited, I hope to send Him a set that will compleat His Carriage. As 17 or 18 have been sent from me since the 6th of last mo., I hope a considerable part of them will answer and give a good temporary lift. A...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, [24 July 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
By His Excellys. command I am to request you will be pleased to put General Hands brigade under marching orders to move by break of day tomorrow morning. He will see General Greene and take orders from him. An impress of waggons is the object. I have the honor to be with the truest attacht. Yr Lordships Most Obedt. serv. ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library. Brigadier General Edward...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, 12 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I communicated your Lordship’s letter to his Excellency. He has desired me to send Capt Scott’s company their dismission, which you will therefore be pleased to give them, on the expiration of their time. General Green will bring you an answer to your letter respecting Mr. Willcox’s, by which you will perceive that his Excellency has approved, and that I have written to Mr. Willcox agreeable...
4From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, [14 July 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Since the giving my evidence at the Court Martial, I have been endeavouring to recollect more particularly the import of the conversation between General Lee and myself, that happened in the field the day of the action and which was the subject of discussion yesterday, before the Court. My memory will not serve me on the occasion, in so clear a manner, as I could wish; but I have been able to...
5From Alexander Hamilton to the Commanding Officer of the German Battalion at Quibbletown, 25 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency desires me to inform you, that the Congress have been pleased, to appoint Monsieur Le Baron D.’Arondhl, colonel of the regiment, to which you belong. He conceives both the honor and advantage of the regiment, to be promoted by the appointment of a Gentleman to the command of it, so respectable by birth, the honorable Station he fill’d in the service of his Prussian Majesty, and...
6Discharge of Joshua Austin, 13 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 13, 1777. “… Joshua Austin, belonging to the independent company of the State of Connecticut, … appears to be incapable of military service. He is hereby discharged from the Continental army.…” ADS , Connecticut State Library, Hartford.
7From Alexander Hamilton to Gerard Bancker, [31 July 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you a copy of a warrant to me from The Superintendant of Finance on the Treasury of this State for the sum due the 1st day of April last as the first quarte[r]ly payment of the quota of the present year. I shall be obliged to you to inform me what appropriations have been made by the Legislature of the State on this account; and I am at the same time to request the payment of such...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [18 May 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the Commanding Officer on Staten Island has agreed to the proposed exchange of papers; and the inclosed are a commencement of the plan. They contain nothing. We have several rumours from New York of accounts received there that affairs to the Southward the last of April or the beginning of May were in statu quo; the enemy had made no material progress...
9From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [31 May 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you several late papers from New York. We have not yet gotten into a right train, but I am promised for the future that if the papers are forwarded regularly on our part, the exchanges will be made with regularity. I am sorry to inform you that a Hand-bill was published at New York dated the 29th. by authority giving an account of the surrender of Charles-Town with...
10From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [7 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
The first step to reformation as well in an administration as in an individual is to be sensible of our faults. This begins to be our case; and there are several symptoms that please me at this juncture. But we are so accustomed to doing right by halves, and spoiling a good intention in the execution, that I always wait to see the end of our public arrangements before I venture to expect good...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [6 May 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The day before yesterday I had the honor of your letter of the 29th. of April, transmitting the latest Philadelphia papers. I immediately sent them to the officer commanding on the lines to be exchanged in persuance of the plan which has been preconcerted. The papers expected in return are not yet arrived, the moment they do, they shall be forwarded. ’Tis probable our first experiment may meet...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [10 May 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey, May 10, 1780. The description of this letter reads: “Giving military information.” Letter not found. ] Victor Hugo Paltsits, ed., American Book-Prices Current (New York, 1916), 812. François, marquis de Barbé-Marbois.
13From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [13 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
This would be the most dangerous stroke they could give to our cause. It would not only conciliate the greatest part of the people immediately in their power, but would prepare the minds of their neighbours to yield an early submission. This argument aided by the prevailing eloquence of a military force would become almost irresistible. I would not for the world that the tories throughout the...
14From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [17 August 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
In the present state of affairs I know of no certain mode for procuring the release of your Brothers, unless there are naval prisoners in the French department whose situations will apply to theirs. I have however directed our Commissary of Prisoners to use all his influence at least to obtain permission for them to make you a visit at Philadelphia—to ascertain in what light they are...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [12 October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
In my absence from Camp, the Commissary of prisoners has no doubt informed you, that your Brothers were not at New York. I am sorry you were so long kept in suspense about an explanation which without a determined disposition to blunder ought to have been long since obtained. I find, my Dear Sir, on the experiment in several ways, that I cannot regularly procure the New York papers in exchange...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [20 July 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I communicated My Dear Sir to the General your ideas of an union between the patriotic males and females; which he relished so well that he has taken the first opportunity to write to the Presidentess recommending it. I hope the proposal may be approved as it will be useful. You will have heard before this gets to hand of the arrival of the Counte De Rochambeau and of the Chevalier De Ternay,...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Major Sebastian Bauman, [13 April 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
You have intirely misunderstood me. I said I knew you too well not to be convinced, that you would give fair play; that is in other words my knowlege of you convinced me that you would give fair play . You seem to have taken it in a different sense. Permit me to say this was not well done; for my friendship for you as well as the whole complexion of my letter ought to have saved me from the...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Major Sebastian Bauman, [14 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Garanger has received a second order from the General to make the experiments which were before prescribed him. General Knox he tells me has given him a letter to you to furnish him with the materials and afford him the assistance of which he may stand in need. You will oblige me by facilitating his operations as much as you can; You may depend he will not be introduced into the corps of...
19From Alexander Hamilton to Major Sebastian Bauman, [13 April 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I received your note concerning Mr. Garanger. I am no further interested for him than as a stranger who has taken a great deal of pains to render himself useful & who appears to me to understand what he professes. I know you too well however not to be convinced that you will do every thing in your power to give him fair play. He ought to choose his own means and we should judge of the results....
20From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Benson, [7 September 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
Not having had the pleasure of hearing from you in answer to my letter of the 18th. of Augt. I now send you a duplicate. I wish at least to be able to let Morris know what prospect I have of fulfilling his views and I therefore shall be indebted to you to let me hear from you on the subject by the first opportunity. I am Sir Your most Obed ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. A draft...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Benson, 18 August 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to Mr. Morris’s instructions I lately wrote to His Excellency The Governor requesting information on a variety of matters, which it is of great importance to the Financier and to the public to know. The Governor in his answer tells me that the returns lately made by different public officers and on the files of the Legislature will answer most of the questions stated by me. The...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, 3 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you a letter for Mr. Writtenhouse accompanied by a Theodolite which you will be pleased carefully to forward him for The General. (Now on my own account) Gibbs informs me you were obliging enough to promise that care should be taken of my mare and her colt at your place. I leave her in charge of Mr. Wallace as my servant will be too much employed while we stay to carry her to your...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, [17 June 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
The whole army immediately to strike their tents, pack them up, and get themselves in every respect ready for an instant march. The Quarter Master General to have every thing in his department ready. Colonel Biddle will communicate the above order, to the Commissary & Pay Master General & Judge advocate. ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library. Although George Washington anticipated a...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, [20 August 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Laurence who will deliver you this, is I am informed, a character that by his attachment to the cause, his suffering, &c. has a claim to all the indulgence we can show him with consistency. All his grass is gone. He expects soon to have his hay taken away and then he says his cattle and his family in consequence must starve. If you can manage to spare him without incurring the charge of...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, [16 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
There is to be an interview at Elizabeth Town the 19th. between General Lincoln General Philips, The British & American Commissaries of Prisoners. You will endeavour to provide them, with forage, and for this purpose if you please, take the directions of General Lincoln. Yr Obed serv. ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Major General Benjamin Lincoln had been taken prisoner...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, 20 December [1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Headquarters [ Middle Brook, New Jersey ] December 20 [ 1778 ]. Requests minutes of trials of Charles Lee and Arthur St. Clair so that they can be published in general orders. ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Lee was “suspended from any command in the Armies of the United States of North America for the term of twelve months.” St. Clair was acquitted ( GW John C....
27From Alexander Hamilton to Major John Bigelow, 9 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
By His Excellency’s command, I am to request, you will immediately furnish him with an exact return of all the cloaths and materials for cloathing, you have provided in consequence of orders from Congress or the Board of War. This return must also show, what you have delivered, when and to whom, and what now remains in yr. possession. You will be pleased to be as accurate as possible. I am Sir...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Theodorick Bland, 26 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Ringwood, New Jersey, January 26, 1781. “I accompanied the General to this place on the business of the Jersey revolt. Tomorrow morning it will be brought to a decision.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by C. F. Libbie and Company, November 15, 1889, Lot 343. Bland, who had been a colonel First Continental Dragoons, resigned from the service on December 10, 1779. On June 21, 1780, he was...
29From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 21 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
The intelligence, on which the order given you to join this army was founded, proving not to be as expected, His Excellency desires you to return to your old station and there remain ’till further orders. He thinks it not improbable the enemy may take it into their heads to make some incursion into the Jerseys to plunder and distress the inhabitants, or perhaps even to endeavour to destroy our...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Elias Boudinot, 8 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
It is a long time since I have had either the pleasure of writing to you or of hearing from you. The long letter you promised me through Colonel Harrison, which was to come by Baron Steuben has not made its appearance. I imagine you must have changed your mind. You are not to expect when you see this letter, that I have anything worth your attention to say to you; I write merely to show you...
31From Alexander Hamilton to Elias Boudinot, 26 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favour of the instant. Baron Steuben will do me the honor to deliver you this. He waits upon Congress in a temper, which I very much regret—discontented with his situation—and almost resolved to quit the service. You know we have all the best opinion of this Gentleman’s military merit, and shall of course consider his leaving the army as a loss to it....
32From Alexander Hamilton to Elias Boudinot, [18 June 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
The General has received your Billet per horseman. He thanks you for your intelligence and begs you will continue to advise him of what passes. If the enemy are really gone, try to get some of the inhabitants, on whom, you can depend to pass the Delaware, to watch their motions and convey intelligence. Caution should be used by you all in entering the city, before you are very certain how...
33From Alexander Hamilton to Elias Boudinot, [5 July 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Brunswick, New Jersey, July 5, 1778. The description in the dealer’s catalogue reads: “… introducing the Marquis de Vienne, whom Hamilton had met through Lafayette. ‘Though a young man, he has been a long time in service.… I am not well acquainted with his pretensions in our service, but as I dare say they will be reasonable, I shall request you will give him your interest.’” Letter not...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Elias Boudinot, [24 June 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee appointed to confer with the Supreme Executive Council of this state, respecting the practicability of taking effectual measures for supporting the public authority, violated by the mutinous behaviour of a body of armed soldiers, who surrounded the place where Congress and the Executive Council of this state were assembled on saturday last in a hostile and menacing manner—not...
35From Alexander Hamilton to Elias Boudinot, [5 July 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
You will by this time imagine that I have forgotten my promise of writing to you, as I have been so long silent on an occasion, which most people will be fond of celebrating to their friends. The truth is, I have no passion for scribbling and I know you will be at no loss for the fullest information. But that you may not have a right to accuse me of negligence, I will impose upon myself the...
36From Alexander Hamilton to Elias Boudinot, 9 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
General Howe has just made a proposition, towards a general exchange of prisoners, or rather has acceded to our former propositions on that subject. His Excellency commands me to inform you of this and to desire your immediate attendance at Camp, which is indispensably necessary. I am with great regard Dr Sir Your most Obdt serv ADfS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress....
37From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Brooks, 6 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you the copy of a letter which I received by the last post from Mr. Dana. You will perceive, he says, he does not recollect or imagine that he threw out the observation mentioned by you respecting the probability of my having made the declaration with which I am charged; but believes it was used by some other person in company and that you had unintentionally blended the...
38From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Brooks, [10 September 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you merely by way of information the copy of a letter, of the 25th. of August, which I yesterday received from Mr. Dana. I have only to request that you will be good enough to inform me of the names of all the gentlemen that composed the company before which I had the honor of being exhibited on the occasion in question. I am D Sir Your friend & servant ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library...
39From Alexander Hamilton to Major Ichabod Burnet, [28 January 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The General considers the applicat⟨ion⟩ as unusual and does not think proper to authorise a compliance with it. Yrs. ALS , Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. Burnet was an aide to Major General Nathanael Greene. There is no record of the request by Burnet that is mentioned in this letter.
40From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General John Cadwalader, [14 March 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
Though disagreeable to appear in any manner in a personal dispute, yet I cannot in justice to you refuse to comply with the request contained in your note. I have delayed answering it to endeavour to recollect with more precision the time place and circumstances of the conversation to which you allude. I cannot however remember with certainty more than this, that sometime in the campaign of...
41From Alexander Hamilton to John Canfield, 30 August 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
Albany, August 30, 1783. Asks Canfield to sell a farm which belongs to John Carter and is located in Salisbury, Connecticut. ALS , Courtesy of the Sons of the Revolution, Headquarters, Fraunces Tavern, New York City. Canfield, a lawyer in Sharon, Connecticut, was a member of the state legislature. John B. Church.
42From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [1 May 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
Col Hamilton’s compliments to Mr. Chaloner, incloses him a note which he promised Col Wadsworth to leave with Mr Chaloner. The date is blank which Mr Chaloner will be so good as to fill up from the time Col Wadsworth left this city. AL , Mr. James H. Welch, Canton, Ohio. Chaloner, a Philadelphia merchant, was assistant commissary of purchases for the Continental Army during the American...
43From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [22 August 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
Mrs. Hamilton has requested her sister who left this a few days since on her way to Philadelphia to purchase a few articles there for her, and if she found it necessary to apply to you for the money. I will be obliged to you to advance it on my account and I will in a short time repay it. We have accounts here that induce us to believe Carleton has received final orders for the evacuation of...
44From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, 2 August 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 2, 1783. On August 14, 1783 , Chaloner wrote to Hamilton: “Your favr of the 2nd. reached me the 12th Instant.” Letter not found. ]
45From Alexander Hamilton to Captain James Christie, [4 June 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
Capt Christie dispatched by His Excellency The Commander in Chief on very important business is hereby authorised to impress horses by the way. ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Christie (also spelled Chrystie) was a captain of the Third Pennsylvania Regiment. On June 4, Washington gave the following instructions to Christie: “To proceed immediately to West-Point. To...
46From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church (John Carter), 25 April 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ De Peyster’s Point, New York, April 25, 1781. On May 18, 1781, Church wrote to Hamilton that he had received “your Favor of the 25th April.” Letter not found .] Church was an Englishman who married Elizabeth Hamilton’s sister, Angelica. During the Revolution he used the pseudonym “John Carter.” At this time, he and Jeremiah Wadsworth had a contract for supplying the French forces in America.
47From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Thomas Clark, [18] May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency received last night a letter from Lt Col Davidson written by your direction, informing him of the enemy’s being at the New Bridge. He requests you will advise him punctually of their movements and endeavour to ascertain their force and designs. You will be pleased to do the same to General McDougall. The Quarter Master General is directed to furnish you with some express riders...
48From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, [25 December 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
Perhaps before this reaches you, you will have heard that the British have impliedly acknowleged our independence—by giving a commission of the 23d. of September to Mr Oswald to treat with The thirteen United States of America . Many are sanguine in expecting that peace will be the result of the Negotiations, for my part I have hopes, but if it should not be the case I shall not be much...
49From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 29 June 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
It is proper I should inform Your Excellency that Congress have lately removed to this place. I cannot enter into a detail of the causes; but I imagine they will shortly be published for the information of the United States. You will have heared of a mutiny among the soldiers stationed in the barracks of Philadelphia, and of their having surrounded the state house where Congress was sitting....
50Alexander Hamilton and William Floyd to George Clinton, 9 December 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed we have the honor to transmit Your Excellency sundry resolutions of Congress of the 5th instant; by which you will judge of the present temper of that body, respecting the affairs of the grants. We cannot, however, absolutely rely upon the execution of the coercive part of them if the matter should require an exertion of force. Many who at a distance adopt very decisive ideas, might...