481New York Assembly. Motion that Five Delegates be Appointed to the Constitutional Convention, [16 April 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton made a motion that the House would agree to a resolution in the words following, viz . Resolved , (if the Honorable the Senate concur herein) That two Delegates be appointed, in addition to those already appointed to represent this State at the Convention proposed to be holden at Philadelphia, on the second Monday of May next; and that any three of the persons heretofore appointed...
482New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of July 3, [3 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton—The word Impair an english word and means to weaken or Injure . This gives no Light, how far shall this weakening extend—Is it practicable so to State it as to prevent Litigation hereafter. John McKesson MS Notes, New-York Historical Society, New York City. H’s remarks were made in reply to Samuel Jones, who asked: “What is the Extent of the word Impair ” in the clause of the...
483New York Assembly. Remarks on the Answer to Governor George Clinton’s Message to the Legislature, [17 January 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Several propositions were now canvassed in a desultory manner, for getting over the motion for amendment; and it was agreed, that the committee should rise and report; they had made some progress, which was agreed to; but first Mr. Hamilton said he would reserve himself on this subject until it came again properly before the house; when he hoped to be enabled to use such argument as would...
484New York Ratifying Convention. Notes for Speech of July 12, [12 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
A. I. A republic a word used in various senses. Has been applied to aristocracies and monarchies. 1. To Rome under the Kings. 2. To Sparta though a Senate for life. 3. To Carthage though the same. 4. To United Netherlands, though Stadholder, Hereditary nobles: 5. To Poland though aristocracy and monarchy 6. To Great Britain though Monarchy &c II. Again great confusion about the words....
485New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for the Relief of Persons Holding or Possessing State Agent’s Certificates, [22 … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton was against having the words struck out. The state had received the same advantage from the certificates issued by the deputies of the state agent or his assistant, as of those issued by the state agent only. There was no propriety in making the relief partial. Justice should be alike administered to all. Mr. Hamilton was of opinion, the state should give all the relief possible,...
486The Federalist No. 66, [8 March 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. A review of the principal objections that have appeared against the proposed court for the trial of impeachments, will not improbably eradicate the remains of any unfavourable impressions, which may still exist, in regard to this matter. The first of these objections is, that the provision in question confounds legislative and judiciary authorities in...
487New York Ratifying Convention. Fifth Speech of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—objects— because the Court ap[pointed] by Legislature Chan[cellor Robert R. Livingston]—these Judges or commisioners may be under the same influence as the Legislature themselves—therefore to be avoided. Ham[ilton]—of the same opinion. [Samuel] Jones—wishes security under these Courts—sees great inconveniency in having a Court totally independent—wishes some mode to remedy the evil—...
488New York Assembly. Resolution on the Appointment of Delegates to the Constitutional Convention, [26 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Resolved (If the Honorable the Senate concur herein) that Five Delegates be appointed on the part of this State, to meet such Delegates as may be appointed on the part of the other States respectively, on the second Monday in May next, at Philadelphia, for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation, and reporting to Congress and to the several Legislatures, such...
489New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of June 23 (Francis Childs’s Version), [23 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The honorable Mr. Hamilton . It is not my design, Mr. Chairman, to extend this debate by any new arguments on the general subject. I have delivered my sentiments so fully on what has been advanced by the gentlemen this morning, that any further reasonings from me will be easily dispensed with. I only rise to state a fact, with respect to the motives which operated in the general convention. I...
490New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (Francis Childs’s Version), [24 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Honorable Mr. Hamilton . I am persuaded, Mr. Chairman, that I in my turn, shall be indulged, in addressing the committee. We all, with equal sincerity, profess to be anxious for the establishment of a republican government, on a safe and solid basis. It is the object of the wishes of every honest man in the United States, and I presume I shall not be disbelieved, when I declare, that it is an...
491The Federalist No. 27, [25 December 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. IT has been urged in different shapes that a constitution of the kind proposed by the Convention, cannot operate without the aid of a military force to execute its laws. This however, like most other things that have been alledged on that side, rests on mere general assertion; unsupported by any precise or intelligible designation of the reasons upon...
492The Federalist Number 20, [11 December] 1787 (Madison Papers)
The United Netherlands are a confederacy of republics, or rather of aristocracies, of a very remarkable texture; yet confirming all the lessons derived from those which we have already reviewed. The union is composed of seven co-equal and sovereign states, and each state or province is a composition of equal and independent cities. In all important cases not only the provinces, but the cities...
493Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Term of Office for Members of the Second Branch of the Legislature, [26 June … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton. He did not mean to enter particularly into the subject. He concurred with Mr. Madison in thinking we were now to decide for ever the fate of Republican Government; and that if we did not give to that form due stability and wisdom, it would be disgraced & lost among ourselves, disgraced & lost to mankind for ever. He acknowledged himself not to think favorably of Republican...
494New York Assembly. Remarks on the Petition of Robert Henry, Robert McClellan, and Robert Henry, Junior, [16 April 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton expressed great regret that he was obliged to oppose this bill; he knew the gentlemen; he knew their peculiarly unfortunate situation, and felt as much for their distresses as any member of the committee. But his objection to the bill, arose from his aversion to any discriminations; there were others, and he was sorry for it, in equally unfortunate circumstances. But he would...
495Declination of Candidacy for Seat in the New York Legislature, [23 April 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton observing his name in several nominations thinks it his duty to inform such of his fellow citizens as might incline to honor him with their choice at the approaching election, that the adjournment of the legislature to meet at Poughkepsie, which happened on Saturday last renders it impracticable for him to serve them as a member of that body for the ensuing year. The [New York]...
496New York Assembly. First Speech on the Address of the Legislature to Governor George Clinton’s Message, [19 January … (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton’s Speech in the House of Assembly, delivered on the 19th instant, and which appeared in our paper of the 20th, being represented as not doing sufficient justice to his Arguments; we have obtained of him a revision of the same, and with the highest pleasure present it to the Public. Mr. Hamilton —This now leads us to examine the important question presented to us by the proposed...
497New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (John McKesson’s Version), [12 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I rise with Reluctance It has been industriously circulated that I am a Man of such Talents as to carry any Cause— Insinuations agt. me out of this Hous[e] to shut the Hearts of the House agt. me— John McKesson MS Notes, New-York Historical Society, New York City. See “New York Ratifying Convention. Introductory Note,” June 17–July 26, 1788 . McKesson wrote and then crossed out the word...
498Inhabitants of the City of New York to the Legislature of New York State, [January–March 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
To The Honorable The Legislature of the State of New York The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the City of New York respectfully sheweth That Your Petitioners anxious for the welfare of the community of which they are members have seen with peculiar regret the delay which has hitherto attended the adoption of the Revenue system recommended by Congress in their resolutions of the That...
499New York Assembly. Report on a Petition of William Gilbert, 24 February 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 24, 1787. On this date Hamilton, as chairman of a committee on a petition of “William Gilbert, and others, Collectors of Tax in the City and County of New-York,” reported that the request of the petitioners for an allowance of six pence in the pound on the proportion of New York City and County of the state quota for 1787 not be granted. New York Assembly Journal Journal of...
500The Federalist No. 68, [12 March 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. THE mode of appointment of the chief magistrate of the United States is almost the only part of the system, of any consequence, which has escaped without severe censure, or which has received the slightest mark of approbation from its opponents. The most plausible of these, who has appeared in print, has even deigned to admit, that the election of the...
501Notes on the History of North America, [December 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
Purchase Vol 5 Page 809 § 2 } 50. 60 —— The Map of Sebastian Cabot cut by Clement Adam relateth that John Cabot a venetian and his son Sebastian set out from Bristol and discovering the land called it Prima Vista and the Island before it St Johns. But (says Purchase) Cabot discovered all along the Coast as far as Florida. Idem 814. 815 § v In 1607 Henry Hudson discovered those parts to the...
502New York Ratifying Convention. Second Motion of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—moves an amend[men]t that a court of trial of impeachments be constituted, prout—thinks this amend[men]t will obviate many of the objections against the senate. Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. This motion is not recorded in McKesson, “Journal of the Proceedings,” “Journal of the Proceedings of the Convention of the State of NewYork. Held at the...
503New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for Raising Certain Yearly Taxes Within This State, [2 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Colonel Hamilton said, he did not believe it would be of much importance whether the word batchelor was out or not. It was known, however, that there were a great number of rich batchelors, who had no families to maintain, and as the lawyers had been taxed for the support of the judges, the house could, if they thought proper, raise a revenue from the batchelors, to give a bounty on old maids....
504Receipt to Philip Van Cortlandt, [5 July 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, July 5, 1787. “Received of Phil. Van Cortlandt, Treasurer to the Society of the Cincinnati for the State of New York, Five thousand Dollars in Certificates Issued by John Pierce, commonly called New York finals, being part of the Funds belonging to Said Society, and for which we are to be accountable.” Receipt not found. ] Dossier File, Van Cortlandt-Van Wyck Papers, MS Division,...
505The Federalist No. 71, [18 March 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. DURATION in office has been mentioned as the second requisite to the energy of the executive authority. This has relation to two objects: To the personal firmness of the Executive Magistrate in the employment of his constitutional powers; and to the stability of the system of administration which may have been adopted under his auspices. With regard to...
506Subscription to the Ohio Company for Education and Worship in the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, March 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March, 1788 . Subscribes ten pounds to the Ohio Company for “the Education of Youth, and the Promotion of Public Worship, among the first Settlers.” DS , Princeton University Library. The other subscribers were Richard C. Platt, William Edgar, Alexander Macomb, William Constable, and William Duer, all New York City merchants. H owned five and one-half shares in the Ohio Company....
507New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (Melancton Smith’s Version), [24 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The mind at ye Revolution run into extremes—the extreme was, we consulted nothing but to tie the Representative to ye people. A Stable body wh. oppurtunty. to know guard ags. instability The people of every country desire its prosperity but want information. Frequently misled by artful Men. Concilliate two objects. One Body who shall be closely united to the people, this in the Representative....
508Speech at a Political Meeting, 27 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 27, 1789. A newspaper writer who signed himself “A Spectator” reported that Hamilton stated at a political meeting in New York City: “that as the residence of Congress would doubtless be esteemed a matter of some import to the city of NewYork, and as it would certainly be contended for— Our representative should be a man well qualified in oratory to prove, that this city is...
509The Federalist No. 29, [9 January 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. THE power of regulating the militia and of commanding its services in times of insurrection and invasion are natural incidents to the duties of superintending the common defence, and of watching over the internal peace of the confederacy. It requires no skill in the science of war to discern that uniformity in the organization and discipline of the...
510The Federalist No. 33, [2 January 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. The residue of the argument against the provisions in the constitution, in respect to taxation, is ingrafted upon the following clauses; the last clause of the eighth section of the first article of the plan under consideration, authorises the national legislature “to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper , for carrying into execution the...