31To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 1 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 29th was delivered me by Mr King yesterday afternoon. I thought I had acknowleged the Receipt of the paper inquired for in a letter written speedily after it—or in one which transmitted you a draft of a certain letter by Mr Jay. I hope this came to hand. I am almost afraid to appear officious in what I am going to say; but the matter presses so deeply on my mind that fearing...
32From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 20 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
A belief that the occasion to which they may be applicable is not likely to occur, whatever may have been once intended, or pretended in terrorem , has delayed the following observations in compliance with your desire —and which are now the result of conferences with the Gentleman you named. The precise form of any proposition or demand which may be made to or of this Government must so...
33To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 20 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
A belief that the occasion to which they may be applicable is not likely to occur, whatever may have been once intended, or pretended in terrorem , has delayed the following observations in compliance with your desire—and which are now the result of conferences with the Gentleman you named. The precise form of any proposition or demand which may be made to or of the Government must so...
34From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [10 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
When last in Philadelphia you mentioned to me your wish that I should re dress a certain paper which you had prepared. As it is important that a thing of this kind should be done with great care and much at leisure touched & retouched, I submit a wish that as soon as you have given it the body you mean it to have that it may be sent to me. A few days since I transmitted you the copy of a...
35To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 10 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
When last in Philadelphia you mentioned to me your wish that I should re dress a certain paper which you had prepared—As it is important that a thing of this kind should be done with great care and much at leisure touched & retouched, I submit a wish that as soon as you have given it the body you mean it to have that it may be sent to me. A few days since I transmitted you the copy of a letter...
36From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [5 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The letter of which the inclosed is a copy contains such extraordinary matter that I could not hesitate to send it to you. The writer is Mr. G—— M——. I trust the information it conveys cannot be true; yet in these wild times every thing is possible. Your official information may serve as a comment. Very respectfully & affectly I have the honor to be Sir Yr Obed ser ALS , George Washington...
37From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 9 April 1796 (Hamilton 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...
38To 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...
39From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [8 April 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have done something but not what I intended. The sitting of two Courts & my professional engagements there prevent the execution of my plan. I no longer withold the paper lest circumstances should render it of any use. Most Affecy & resp ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. The New York Court of Chancery met in New York City on the last Tuesday in March; the New York Supreme Court...
40From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 2 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
The express is this morning gone off with your letter to Young LaFayette. I foresaw when in Philadelphia certain machinations on this subject. I rejoice in the decision you have come to, in regard to the papers. Whatever may happen, it is right in itself—will elevate the character of the President—and inspire confidence abroad. The contrary would have encouraged a spirit of usurpation the...
41To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 2 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
The express is this morning gone off with your letter to Young La Fayette. I foresaw when in Philadelphia certain machinations on this subject. I rejoice in the decision you have come to, in regard to the papers. Whatever may happen, it is right in itself—will elevate the character of the President—and inspire confidence abroad. The contrary would have encouraged a spirit of usurpation the...
42From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 29 March [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I wish the inclosed could have been sent in a more perfect State. But it was impossible. I hope however it can be made out & may be useful. It required more time to say all that was proper in a more condensed form. In considering the course to be pursued by the President it may be well he should be reminded that the same description of men who call for the papers have heretofore maintained...
43Enclosure: [Draft of a Response to Concerns about the Jay Treaty], [29 March 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your resolution and have considered it with the attention always due to a request of the House of Representatives. I feel a consciousness (not contradicted I trust by any part of my conduct) of a sincere disposition to respect the rights privileges and authorities of Congress collectively and in its separate branches—to pay just deference to their opinions and wishes—to avoid...
44To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 29 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I wish the enclosed could have been sent in a more perfect State. But it was impossible—I hope however it can be made out & may be useful. It required more time to say all that was proper in a more condensed form. In considering the course to be pursued by the President it may be well he should be reminded that the same description of men who call for the papers have heretofore maintained that...
45From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 28 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I am mortified at not being able to send you by this post a certain draft. But the opinion that reasons ought to be given & pretty fully has extended it to considerable length & a desire to make it accurate as to idea & expression keeps it still upon the anvil. But it is so far prepared that I can assure it by tomorrow’s Post. Delay is always unpleasant. But the case is delicate & important...
46To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 28 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I am mortified at not being able to send you by this post a certain draft—But the opinion that reasons ought to be given & pretty fully has extended it to considerable length & a desire to make it accurate as to idea & expression keeps it still upon the anvil—But it is so far prepared that I can assure it by tomorrow’s Post—Delay is always unpleasant. But the case is delicate & important...
47From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 26 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I perceived by the News Paper that the resolution has been carried. I have not been idle as far a⟨s⟩ my situation would permit but ⟨it⟩ will not be in my power as I had hoped to send you what I am preparing by this day’s Post. The next will carry it. It does not however appear necessary that the Executive should be in a hurry. The final result in my mind, for reasons I shal⟨l⟩ submit in my...
48To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I perceived by the News Paper that the resolution has been carried I have not been idle as far a⟨s⟩ my situation would permit but ⟨it⟩ will not be in my power as I had hoped to send you what I am preparing by this day’s Post. The next will carry it It does not however appear necessary that the Executive should be in a hurry. The final result in my mind, for reasons I shal⟨l⟩ submit in my next...
49From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 24 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor to receive yesterday your letter of the 22. The course you suggest has some obvious advantages & merits careful consideration. I am not however without fears that there are things in the instructions to Mr. Jay which good policy, considering the matter externally as well as internally , would render it inexpedient to communicate. This I shall ascertain to day. A middle course...
50To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 24 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive yesterday your letter of the 22. The course you suggest has some obvious advantages & merits careful consideration—I am not however without fears that there are things in the instructions to Mr Jay which good policy, considering the matter externally as well as internally, would render it inexpedient to communicate. This, I shall ascertain to day—A middle course is...
51Introductory Note: To George Washington, [7 March 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
This letter contains the first references in Hamilton’s extant correspondence to what proved to be a protracted dispute over the Jay Treaty in the House of Representatives. The Senate approved the Jay Treaty on June 24, 1795, and the United States ratified it on August 14, 1795. Following British ratification on October 28, 1795, the ratifications were exchanged at London on that date....
52From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [7 March 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I found Young La Fayette here and delivered him your Letter which much relieved him. I fancy you will see him on the first day of April. Mr. Livingston’s motion in the House of Representatives, concerning the production of papers has attracted much attention. The opinion of those who think here is, that if the motion succeeds, it ought not to be complied with. Besides that in a matter of such...
53To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 7 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I found young La Fayette here and delivered him your letter, which much releived him. I fancy you will see him on the first day of April. Mr Livingston’s motion in the House of Representatives concerning the production of papers has attracted much attention —The opinion here of those who think is that if the motion succeeds, it ought not to be complied with—Besides that in a matter of such a...
54To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
The letter of which the inclosed is a copy contains such extraordinary matter that I could not hesitate to send it to you. The writer is Mr G——M——. I trust the information it conveys cannot be true; yet in these wild times every thing is possible: Your official information may serve as a comment. very respectfully & affectly I have the honor to be Sir Yr Obed. Ser. ALS , DLC:GW ; copy, DLC :...
55From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [19 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The Bearer of this letter is Doctor Bolman whom you have heared of as having made an attempt for the relief of the Marquis la Fayette which very nearly succeeded. The circumstances of this affair, as stated by Doctor Bolman & Mr. Huger, son of B Huger of St Carolina deceased, who assisted, do real credit to the prudence management and enterprise of the Doctor and shew that he is a man of sense...
56To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 19 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer of this letter is Doctor Bolman whom you have heared of as having made an attempt for the relief of the Marquis la Fayette which very nearly succeeded—The circumstances of this affair, as stated by Doctor Bolman & Mr Huger, son of B. Huger of S[out]h Carolina deceased, who assisted, do real credit to the prudence management and enterprise of the Doctor and shew that he is a man of...
57From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [27–30 December 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure to send you enclosed two letters one from Young La Fayette the other from his Preceptor. They appear reconciled to some further delay. I take the liberty to inclose copy of a letter to the Secy of State respecting Mr. Cutting. I do not know upon the whole what sort of a man Mr. Cutting is, and I have heared unfavourable whispers. But as to the particular subject of his...
58To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, c.26–29 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to send you inclosed two letters one from Young La Fayette the other from his Preceptor —They appear reconciled to some further delay. I take the liberty to inclose copy of a letter to the Secy of State respecting Mr Cutting —I do not know upon the whole what sort of a man Mr Cutting is, and I have heared unfavourable whispers—But as to the particular subject of his ⟨claim⟩...
59From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 24 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the . Young La Fayette is now with me. I had before made an offer of money in your name & have repeated it—but the answer is that they are not yet in want and will have recourse when needed Young La Fayette appears melancholy and has grown thin. A letter lately received from his mother which speaks of something which she wishes him to mention to you (as I learn...
60To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 24 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the [ ]. Young La Fayette is now with me—I had before made an offer of money in your name & have repeated it—but the answer is that they are not yet in want and will have recourse when needed. Young La Fayette appears melancholy and has grown thin—A letter lately received from his mother which speaks of something which she wishes him to mention to you (as I learn...