1From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 24 February 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
You will have heared, before this reaches you, of the fluctuations and changes which have taken place in the measures of the reigning party, as to a candidate for Governor; and you will probably have also been informed that pursuant to the opinions professed by our friends, before I left New York, I had taken an open part in favour of Mr. Lansing. It is a fact to be regretted, though...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [11 November 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed in a letter which I have just received from poor Fenno. It speaks for itself. If you can without delay raise 1000 Dollars in New York, I will endeavor to raise another Thousand at Philadelphia. If this cannot be done we must lose his services & he will be the victim of his honest public spirit. Yrs. truly If may either be in the form of gift or loan. ALS , New-York Historical Society,...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 2 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The failures in England will be so seriously felt in this Country as to involve a real crisis in our money concerns. I anxiously wish you could be here to assist in the operations of the Bank of the UStates —never was there a time, which required more the Union of Courage & Prudence, than the present and approaching Juncture. You can imagine all that I could add on this subject. Is it...
4From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [23–24 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
It is not yet finally determined that there shall be a publication & there has been some difference of opinion on the point. But it seems to me the publication of the letters renders it indispensable, that the whole story should be told. Yet when it appears, it will probably include only what is regularly official, so that the present question may be pursued independently. Perhaps you will not...
5From 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...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 28 July 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
You are, I believe, acquainted with The Reverend Mr. Mason who will deliver you this. I could not let him depart without placing him under the protection of your friendship. He is in every sense a man of rare merit . Yrs. Affect. ALS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. John Mitchell Mason became pastor of the Scotch Presbyterian Church on Cedar Street in New York City in 1793. It...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 27 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Desirous of examining accurately the question decided by the Canvassers —I will thank you for a minute of all the authorities which were consulted by you when you gave your opinion. Yrs. truly I shall be glad to have them as soon as may be. ALS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. This is a reference to the decision of the board of canvassers of New York State in the disputed...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 14 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
An extraordinary press of occupation has delayed an answer to your letter on the subject of Mr R . Though it may come too late, I comply with your request as soon as I can. The subject is truly a perplexing one; my mind has several times fluctuated. If there was nothing in the case but his imprudent sally upon a certain occasion I should think the reasons for letting him pass would outweigh...
9From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [17 August 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of Monday Evening has a good deal tranquillized me. I am glad to learn that the mischiefs from the over rise of scripts are not likely to be very extensive. I observe what you say respecting the quotation of my opinion. I was not unaware of the delicacy of giving any & was sufficiently reserved ’till I perceived the extreme to which Bank Script and with it other stock was tending....
10From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [23 April 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your two letters & shall this day attend to the one which requires it. I see however no objection to it as it stands & I do not now perceive how the further object you aim at could be accomplished in the manner you seem to desire. I have written to Ames this day concerning the course of things in our City. He will communicate to you as, I have not time to repeat. We are...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [15 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Geave me leave to recall to your recollection and acquaintance Mr. De Talon the bearer of this, who, as he informs me, goes to Europe on private business. I need not observe that he is an interesting man, as you know all his titles to the attention, which your situation will permit you to afford. You must not think, I forget you, because I do no write (for this is only my third letter). I am...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [22 September 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My Dr. Sir for your letter of the . A few days previously I wrote you pretty fully. I hope my letter got to hand. The inclosed paper gives you the substance of our European intelligence under the Philadelphia head. The Returns from the Western Counties of this state are just come to hand. They shew a valuable division, ranging on the side of the laws the most influential men & a...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 8 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter on a certain subject and was obliged by it. But there was nothing practicable by way of remedy. The thing, as it has turned out, though good in the main, has certainly some ill sides. There have also been faults in the detail, which are not favourable to complete satisfaction. But what shall we do? ‘Tis the lot of every thing human to mingle a portion of ill with the...
14From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 30 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Our light corps, the Jersey infantry & a brigade of cavalry are about 8½ Miles in front, beyond all the Mountains. This division which has been delayed by a somewhat worse route & the incumbrance of the public stores will be at the same place this Evening. The left wing is at a corresponding point. All is essentially well—No appearance of opposition. It is of great consequence that a law...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 6 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Mr. Isambard Brunell French by birth, but Anti-Jacobin by principle, and by necessity an Inventor of Ingenious Machines. He goes to England to endeavour to obtain a patent for one, which he has contrived for the purpose of copying. He has a passport from Mr. Liston and I believe our Secretary of State. This letter is to ask for him such patronage as in your...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [28 August 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you some days since, that to request you to inform me when there was a prospect of your finishing as I intended to be with you, for certain reasons, before the conclusion. It is whispered here that some late changes in your scheme have taken place which give it a higher tone. Is this the case? I leave town today, to attend a circuit in a neighbouring County, from which I shall...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 26 February 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter with the printed Bills. The new clause is an additional bad feature. Yet ’tis better the thing should pass as it is than not at all. Every thing should be gained that can be. So: It seems that under the present administration of the Department, Hillhouse & Goodhue are to be the Ministers in the House of Representatives & Elsworth & Strong in the Senate. Fine work we...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [15 July 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter by the last Post but one. I immediately sat about circulating an idea, that it would be injurious to the City to have Duane elected—as the probability was, that some very unfit character would be his successor. My object was to have this sentiment communicated to our members. But a stop was put to my measures, by a letter received from Burr, announcing that at a general...
19From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 1 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Mr. Bruce, son of the Widow Bruce, both of whom you will no doubt recollect and that they are connections of our family. He goes to Europe to complete his studies in Medecine. Doctors Bard & Hosack with whom he has pursued them here speak handsomely of his qualifications & progress. He visits London in the first instance. Permit me to recommend him to your...
20From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [8 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you, My Dear Sir, for your letter of the 6th. of February. The intelligence that the Directory have ordered away our Minister is every way unpleasant. It portends too much a formal Rupture as the only alternative to an ignominious submission. Much public feeling has been excited. But the Government, I trust and believe, will continue prudent and do every thing that honor permits...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 20 June 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
A considerable alarm has been spread this morning by a report that the Treaty had been disagreed to. I have assured those I have seen that I was convinced any rumour of a decision must be premature. The anxiety however about the result is extreme. The common opinion among men of business of all descriptions is that a disagreement to the Treaty would greatly shock and stagnate pecuniary plans...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 18 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your letter received to day. Our Merchants here are not less alarmed than those of Philadelphia & will do all they can. All the insurance people meet to day. The Merchants & Traders will meet tomorrow or the next day. A Petition will be prepared & circulated among the other citizens. I regret that a certain communication was not made. Indeed I think the Executive will be...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [March 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
It is a great while, My Dr. friend, since I have written to you a line. You will not I am sure impute my silence to any cause impeaching my friendship, for that must be always cordial and intire. The truth is that my professional avocations occupy me to the extent of the exertions my health permits, and I have been unwilling to sit down to write you without leisure to say something...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [20 April 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterdays Post brought me a letter from you which gave me pleasure. The papers will apprize you of the proceedings of the Merchants & Traders here on yesterday. There is among them also “unexampled unanimity” & as far as I can judge the current is in our favour throughout the City. Persons to day are going through the different wards. Yrs. sincerely P.S. Our friends in the House will do well...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [8 June 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank, you My Dear Sir, for two letters lately received from you the last by Mr. Church. I feel very guilty for my negligence. But how can I help it? The public prints will inform you of the course of public proceedings hitherto. You will perceive that the general plan is analogous to what was done in the case of Great Britain, though there are faults in the detail. Some people cannot learn...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 24 April [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I return you a certain draft, with a little substitute for the close of it proposed by Mr. J—— with an eye to your suggestion. Our Petition went yesterday by express. It had more than 3200 signers which is within about 300 of the highest poll we ever had in this City on both sides , at the most controverted election. Nothing can more clearly demonstrate our unanimity & I feel no doubt of equal...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [20 August 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Since my arrival here, I have written to my colleagues, informing them, that if either of them would come down I would accompany him to Philadelphia. So much for the sake of propriety and public opinion. In the mean time if any material alteration should happen to be made in the plan now before the Convention, I will be obliged to you for a communication of it. I will also be obliged to you to...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 16 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for letter of the . My opinion on the resolution when it first appeared was that the President should answer in substance as follows. (viz) “That it could not be admitted as a right of course in the House of Representatives to call for & have papers in the Executive department essentially those relating to foreign negociations which frequently embrace confidential matters. That...
29From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 23 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Though I had had a previous intimation of the possibility of such an event; yet the inteligence contained in your letter of the 17th surprised me. Even now I am to be convinced that the movement is any thing more than a diversion in favour of Mr. Clinton. Yet on my part it will not be neglected. My attention as far as shall be in any degree safe will be directed to every state South of New...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 2 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Thank you for yours of yesteday. I have no copy of the paper sent. The greatest part went in the original draft though considerably reformed according to joint ideas & somewhat strengthened by new thoughts. A letter I have received tells me that it came to hand after the ground which was acted upon had been formally considered & taken in Council & that it is reserved for future use in the...