1151From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 10 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been represented to me by Mr. Kearney Wharton of Philadelphia, that some hardship has fallen on him in consequence of the want of proper instruments to ascertain the strength of a parcel of Rum belonging to him and lately imported by Messrs. Oliver and Thompson from Antigua. Though I have not yet decided how far it may be proper to make these revisions, I wish that measures may be taken...
1152From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [10 December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I expected with certainty my beloved Betsey to have left this place to day. Our business has consumed more time than was necessary. But that is not my fault. I cannot make every body else as rapid as myself. This you know by experience. Tis a consolation however that we cannot be detained much longer. It is difficult for Sloth itself to spin it out beyond this day & I shall fly to you the...
1153From Alexander Hamilton to William Skinner, 15 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
As the blank draughts already in your possession, are much more than sufficient to discharge the interest which will become due the 30th. of September next on the several species of Stock standing on your books; it will supersede the necessity of making you any further remittance at this time. I have therefore to request, that upon the receipt of this letter, you will immediately proceed to...
1154From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [20 May 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Duryee has applied to The General to have a Barn of his released, taken up for the use of the hospital, representing that from its situation relatively to his dwelling house it will produce greater inconvience to him than the taking some other barn in the neighbourhood will produce to its proprietor. The General would wish to avoid every thing that would look like discrimenation without...
1155From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Cross, 18 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the fifth instant, and would thank you to send me a copy of your furlough— With consideration I am Sir yr ob. srt (L, in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). A note on the cover reads: "unsigned."
1156From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 6 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received from Nathl. Gilman Esquire the Commissioner of Loans for New-Hampshire, a letter of the 27th. September informing me, that he has transmitted his commission to you, with a resignation of his Office. I beg leave on this occasion to call to your mind the name of Woodbury Langdon Esquire, who from my recollection of circumstances, and from the result of my enquiries to day,...
1157From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, 10 January 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you, My Dear Sir, for your letter of the 5 instant. The scruples you express about the ratification of the Convention are very respectable. No well informed man can doubt that it is an exceptionable instrument; but I continue of the opinion that it is best upon the whole to ratify it unconditionally. It does not appear to me that on fair construction the existence of the old treaties...
1158Account with the State of New York, [14 April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
State of N.Y. to Alexander Hamilton for services as Member of Congress from 21 Feby–5 May 73 days “ 26 May–14 June 19 “ 30 July–18 Oct 79 171 “ deduct from attendance 43 128 @ 24 £153.12 audited 14 April 1789 D , New York State Library, Albany. H was elected to the Continental Congress on January 22, 1788. He served from February 25 to October 10, 1788.
1159From Alexander Hamilton to William Macpherson, 22 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 22, 1799. “… It will be satisfactory to me, as far as may be convenient, to receive from you, from time to time, statements of the situation & progress of the Insurrection in Pennsylvania.…” ALS , Columbia University Libraries. For background to this letter, see James McHenry to H, March 13 , 15, 1799 ; H to McHenry, March 18 , 19, 1799 .
1160To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 9 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
It gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity of announcing to you one whom I know to be so interesting to You as the bearer of this Mr Motier La Fayette. I allow myself to share by anticipation the satisfaction which the Meeting will afford to all the parties—the more, as I am persuased, that time will confirm the favourable representation I have made of the person & justify the interest...
1161To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 1 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to submit to the President of the United States the draft of a report on the subject of the Act concerning distilled Spirits. There are one or two blanks in the draft, to the filling of which some additional examination & enquiry are requisite. The suggestions however to which they relate are true, as they stand, and the sense will be apparent. The...
1162From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Hodgdon, 7 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
It is with distress I find that the troops are every where a head of their supplies. Not a shoe, blanket or ounce of ammunition destined for this place is yet arrived—except what Mr. Wright conductor for the Pensylvania division brought on with him. I begin to fear infidelity in some of your conductors of Waggons. For Heaven sake send forward a man that can be depended upon on each route to...
1163To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 26 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
I take the liberty to trouble you with some remarks on a matter which to me appears of not a little importance; doubting not that you will use your influence in Congress to procure a remedy for the evil I shall mention, if you think the considerations I shall urge are of that weight they seem in my judgment to possess. You will probably ere this reaches you have heard of the late incursion...
1164Enclosure: Remarks Upon the Proposed Regulations for the Recruiting Service, [28 July 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Article III The penalty on the officer in this article appears to be of questionable expediency. It may hurt the service more by discouraging exertion than benefit it by the œconomy which it may promote. It is believed the general responsibility of the Officer ought to be relied upon. Article IV The utility of this restriction is doubtful. There are men above the common class in qualification,...
1165From Alexander Hamilton to the President and Directors of the Bank of the United States, 26 December 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 26, 1794. The dealer’s catalogue description of this letter reads as follows: “Asking for an extension of a loan to Treasury.” Letter not found. ] AL , sold at Anderson Galleries, February 3, 1909, Lot 170. See H to Joseph Ball, December 28, 1794 .
1166From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 20 July 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, July 20, 1795. On July 29, 1795, Washington wrote to Hamilton : “Your letters of the 20th and 21st Instt. found me at this place.” Letter of July 20 not found. ]
1167From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 17 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Part of the contents of your letter of the 10 of July last (which has happened to escape a definitive attention) being connected with the subject of that the 7 of Sepr., I shall reply to them together. Previous to the receipt of the last I had drafted rules relating to extra expences which after careful revision I send for your determination. They contemplate, it will be seen, a discretion to...
1168From Alexander Hamilton to William Rawle, 25 January 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter to me officially of the 22 is received. I submit to you some observations in a private capacity. Does not the course of proceeding in Chancery provide for the case of absent parties—by allowing service of process on known agents & if the parties do not appear taking the bill pro confesso &c? It runs in my mind there are some rules of convenience in cases so situated, but I am at...
1169From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 2 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeable to a conversation which we had while you were in this city I have directed Lieutenant Walbach to repair to your Head Quarters for the purpose of assisting in preparing a system for the Tactics and police of the Cavalry. It being of importance that this object should be accomplished in the course of the ensuing winter I shall count on your obliging disposition towards me no less than...
1170Call for a Meeting, [4 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Card. The officers of the late army and navy of the United States are requested to meet at Gautier’s, on Tuesday evening, 7 o’clock, to consult on the subject of measures for the immediate security of our port and city. [New York] Argus. Greenleaf’s New Daily Advertiser , June 4, 1798. For background to this document, see the introductory note to H to James McHenry, June 1, 1798 . The report...
1171From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, [19 April 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The following are the material facts in relation to the case of Rutgers agt. Waddington, as far as they are now recollected, and a confidence is entertained, that the statement is substantially accurate. The suit was brought in the Mayor’s court of the City of New York, for the occupation and injury of a brewhouse in that City, during the possession of it by the British army founded upon an...
1172From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 2 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. R—— delivered me your letter of the 31 of July. The opinion in that and other of your letters concerning a very important point has been acted upon by me from the very moment that it became unequivocal that we must have a decisive rupture with France. In some things my efforts succeeded, in others they were disappointed—in others I have had promises of conformity to lay the foundation of...
1173From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 8 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I just take up my pen My Dear Eliza to assure you of all our health & of our continual & fervent prayers for you & those with you. Your last letter and one from Doctor Stringer have been received. The latter gave me hopes; though I shall tremble as often as I open a letter from Albany till My Darling boys situation has become more decided. God of his infinite mercy grant that he may be...
1174From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 12 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Colonel Smith states to me that Captain White, of the eleventh regiment, has acted as Judge Advocate of all the General Courts Martial which have been held since the second of November, at Union Camp, and enquires whether he is entitled to any thing for the performance of this duty. The subject of compensation to persons acting as Judge Advocates has been heretofore matter of correspondence...
1175From 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...
1176From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, 7 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
My letter of the 27th of Septr to you proceeded on the supposition that the duty of Tonnage mentioned by you under the denomination of light money was for the purpose of supporting the lighthouse establishments in your state and consequently distinct from that imposed by the Act entitled “An Act to incorporate certain persons by the name of the River machine Company in the Town of Providence...
1177From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I hasten to reply to your letter of yesterday respecting Artillery &c. for Fort Adams. By recurring to my letter, you will find that, stating the demand of General Wilkinson, I myself relinquish that for mortars and confine myself the application to two Howitzers and the Cannon & the ammunition. I understood from General Wilkinson, who is not here at this moment and will be absent for a few...
1178From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Mifflin, 18 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency that a detachment of the Troops of the United States under the command of Lieut. Daniel Bissell is to march from this City as an escort to a train of Artillery and Military Stores, intended for the Maryland and Virginia Militia called out against the Western Insurgents. This detachment will march through Lancaster and York Town and from thence to...
1179From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 20 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Not knowing certainly what may be the communication to you from the Department of War, I think it proper that you should be apprised of what is doing here towards the disbanding of the army. For this purpose, besides the general orders which will be sent you, I shall keep you advised by letter of my views. I now send you the copy of a letter which I wrote yesterday to the Secy of War, and of...
1180From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Hodgdon, 3 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the first instant has been delivered to me— I did not receive the letter of Col. Bentley as a complaint, but merely in the light of information; and it was with that view that I transmitted the extract. Your explanation of the matter is perfectly satisfactory—As however it is proper right, and tends to security that invoice s should attend parcels of Clothing to the ir final...
1181To John Adams from Alexander Hamilton, 14 February 1793 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith in further pursuance of the order of the Senate of the 23rd January past, three several statements marked A. B. C— A being a general account of Revenue and appropriation; exhibiting on one side all the Income of the United States, except from the proceeds of Loans foreign & domestic; to the end of the year 1792, on the other the respective amounts of all...
1182From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Chipman, 22 July 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
Your brother delivered me your favour which I received with pleasure as the basis of a correspondence that may be productive of public good. The accession of Vermont to the Confederacy is doubtless an object of great importance to the whole, and it appears to me that this is the favorable moment for effecting it upon the best terms for all concerned. Besides more general reasons, there are...
1183From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 1 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to submit to the President of the United States the draft of a Report on the subject of the Act concerning distilled Spirits. There are one or two blanks in the draft, to the filling of which some additional examination & enquiry are requisite. The suggestions however to which they relate are true, as they stand, and the sense will be apparent. The...
1184To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 3 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have returned to this place from Union Town. A letter from Governor Lee which goes with this probably informs you of the plan of future operations —but lest it should not I shall briefly state it—The right wing is to take a position with its left towards Budds ferry & its right towards Greensburgh—The left wing is to be posted between the Yocghagani & Monongalia with its left towards the...
1185A Full Vindication of the Measures of the Congress, &c., [15 December] 1774 (Hamilton Papers)
It was hardly to be expected that any man could be so presumptuous, as openly to controvert the equity, wisdom, and authority of the measures, adopted by the congress: an assembly truly respectable on every account! Whether we consider the characters of the men, who composed it; the number, and dignity of their constituents, or the important ends for which they were appointed. But, however...
1186From Alexander Hamilton to Abiel Foster, 2 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I duly received your letter dated December the 26th. with those inclosed from Captains Parker & Green, and have, in the arrangement of the relative Rank of the Officers of the 16 Regt., which has lately taken place; where general principles have not interfered, paid all the attention your recommendation & the pretensions of those Gentlemen justly demand. with true respect & esteem &c— ( Df ,...
1187From Alexander Hamilton to Michael Gunkle, 24 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I am very sorry that the press hurry of business in which your letter of the seventh instant found me should so long have delayed a reply caused me it to be overlooked it at the time. The tenth regiment together with Captain Elliot’s company of Artillerists had been ordered, previously to the receipt of your letter, to Winter Quarters in the vicinity on the Potowmack in the vicinity of...
1188From Alexander Hamilton to John F. Hamtramck, 4 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 4, 1799. “In your letter of the fifth of October you speak in strong terms of the ignorance of particular officers of the old regiments. It is desirable that you should point out the individuals who are incapable of writing or reading. The communication will be received in confidence as it respects the individuals.” Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers,...
1189From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Van Schaack, 20 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 1st of February shortly after its date, and have duly noticed the remarks it contained on the subject of manufactures, which will not fail to recur when the Legislature shall have time to go into the Consideration of the proposed arrangements. The business yet to be transacted will not admit of their further attention to my report than the giving such modification...
1190To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 24 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Bill supplementary to the Bank bill passed the House of Representatives Yesterday—General Schuyler informs me that the friends of the Bank proposed that it should pass to a second reading immediately, and that Mr Carroll opposed it, and moved that it should be printed—that by a rule of the House it was of necessity to comply with Mr Carroll’s objection, a departure requiring unanimous...
1191From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 8 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have analised the declaration which you have been pleased to make upon the copy of the paper of the first instant delivered by me to the committee of Inquiry into the state of the Treasury Department —and find, with regret, that the terms used are such as will enable those, who are disposed to construe every thing to my disadvantage, to affirm “That the Declaration of The President has...
1192From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Howell, Junior, [3 March 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
If you have any monies in your hands for which there is not an immediate call, I request you to pay to the Honorable Jeremiah Wadsworth five hundred Dollars on account of the apprehension of certain persons engaged in counterfieting the securities of the United States; for which you will please to take his Receipt expressing the object. The reason of this mode of doing the business is that...
1193Enclosure: [An Act Making Further Provision for the Expenses Attending the Intercourse of the United States with Foreign … (Hamilton Papers)
To all to whom these Presents shall come Whereas by an Act passed the twentieth day of March in the present Year intitled “An Act making further provision for the expenses attending the intercourse of the United States with foreign Nations; and further to continue in force the Act intitled ‘An Act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign Nations’” The President...
1194From Alexander Hamilton to Campbell Smith, 11 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 8th. instant is received. I regret extremely that such misapprehension should have taken place, as it has totally deranged my plan of procedure as to the object, and before I can find a substitute will be productive of serious inconveniencies both to Officers and men. A compensation for travelling expences would have been made agreably to the regulation on that Subject for...
1195From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 6 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The excuses made by the owners of the Lighter, as stated in your letter of the 17th. Ulto, may be true but as they are the mere allegations of the Defendants, you will percieve the impropriety of considering them as sufficient to justify them. The seizure of a Boat under such circumstances was a prudent & necessary step, and it seems proper that you consider further whether the law does not...
1196From Alexander Hamilton to Ezekiel Forman, 4 August 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 4, 1784. On October 18, 1784, Forman wrote to Hamilton : “I am favored with your Letter of the 20th past and … one written the 4th. August.” Letter of August 4 not found. ]
1197From Alexander Hamilton to John F. Hamtramck, 9 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Probably before this reaches you, you will have learned from himself, that General Wilkinson ha s been instructed directed to repair to the Seat of Government in or der to — review of the affairs of the Western Army and country and to the settlement of a future plan with the aid of his lights. In the mean time the command will naturally devolve upon you, and it is presumed you will have...
1198From Alexander Hamilton to John Langdon, 18 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, June 18, 1792. On June 28, 1792, Langdon wrote to Hamilton : “I was honor’d with your favor of the 18th. Inst. by post.” Letter not found. ] Langdon was a New Hampshire merchant and United States Senator.
1199From Alexander Hamilton to Baron von Steuben, [March–April 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Voila votre reponse mon Cher Baron! Par le camp De Bound Brook, Je suppose que vous voulez dire le Camp de Middle Brook, lequel est tres pres de Bound Brook, et nous n’avons point eu de camp la. C’est une position infiniment avantageuse a tous egards, situé sur une montagne fort escarpé, les approaches en front et par les flancs extremement difficile, couvert de bois &c. Le retraite en est...
1200From Alexander Hamilton to Caleb Swan, 9 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed are copies of letters a letter to Captain Williamson the DP General, and of instructions to him relative to certain objects of incidental expenditure—I send them to you that you may inform me whether they coincide with the general plan of your instructions. ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).