2401To Alexander Hamilton from William Constable, 13 July [1797] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] July 13 [ 1797 ]. Requests Hamilton’s opinion on whether he and his associates “are liable to the penalty of the Bond” signed as security for a deed of sale of Georgia lands. LC , MS Division, New York Public Library. This letter deals with the controversy over the Georgia Yazoo lands. For information on these land grants and their revocations, see H to James Greenleaf, October 9,...
2402To Alexander Hamilton from John B. Church, 12 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, July 12, 1797. On July 13, 1797, Church wrote to Hamilton : “I wrote you a few Lines hastily Yesterday at the Post Office.” Letter not found. ]
2403To Alexander Hamilton from James Thomson Callender, [10 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have seen your letter of the 6th inst. in Mr. Fenno’s Gazette. An answer seems requisite. It shall be as concise as possible. With regard to the anecdote of the Minerva, you affirm it to be Wholly False . Information, which I sincerely credit, states it as being strictly true. There the story may rest. As for what you say of the papers signed by Messrs. Muhlenberg, Venable, and Munroe, I...
2404To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, [10 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Monroe readily consents to an interview with Colo. Hamilton tomorrow at ten in the morning at his lodgings with Mr. Knox in Wall Street. He will bring whom he pleases. AL , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., to H, July 3, 1797 ; H to Monroe, July 10, 1797 . Thomas Knox, a New York City merchant, lived at 46...
2405To Alexander Hamilton from Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, 10 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
As I do not reside in the City at present, Your Letter of the 5th. inst did not reach me time enough to answer by Saturdays post. Whilst I lament the publication of the papers respecting the Affair of Reynolds (of which I hope I need not assure you that I had neither Knowledge or Agency, for I never saw them since the Affair took place, nor was I ever furnished with a Copy) I do not hesitate...
2406To Alexander Hamilton from Abraham B. Venable, 10 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I had written you yesterday in answer to your letter of the fifth, in which I informed you that I had no copy of the papers in question, the transaction took place at Mr Monroes, where I left the papers, since which I have not seen them. The paper alluded to as well as I can recollect was in the nature of a memorandum for our own use, to refresh our memories in case we Should ever be called...
2407To Alexander Hamilton from Abraham B. Venable, 9 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the fifth instant by the hands of Mr Wolcott. I had heard of the pamphlet you mentioned some days before, but had not read it. I am intirely ignorant of the Editor, and of the means by which he procured the papers alluded to. I have had nothing to do with the transaction since the interview with you, I do not possess a copy of the papers at present, nor have I at...
2408To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 7 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the residue of the pamph[l]et. I am astonished at the villany of Munroe—a more base, false, & malignant suggestion than is contained in his Note of Jany 2d 1793. was never uttered. I am yrs ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to Wolcott to H, July 3, 1797 . Wolcott enclosed pamphlet No. VI by James Thomson Callender....
2409To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 7 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your Letter with the enclosures. By what I last sent you, you will see the perfidy of at least Munroe. I will attend to your request as soon as possible, but all my time this day will be taken up, and perhaps tomorrow. yrs. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to Wolcott to H, July 3, 1797 . Letter not found. The...
2410To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Walker, 6 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Fort Schuyler [ New York ] July 6, 1797 . “I will thank to advise what is best to be done to bring the business with Colo Smith to a conclusion—it was referred to Judge Lewis and John Murray as Arbitrators. The former kept the papers a long time and then, Mr Murray informed me, he declined Acting. The arbitration bonds expired and Mr James Smith got a new one executed by his brother extending...
2411Théophile Cazenove to Egbert Benson and Alexander Hamilton, 5 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, July 5, 1797. States: “Mr. Benson’s absence retarding the answer upon my letter of the 29 May, which answer I have sollicited from your friendship, permit me to add to that letter some observations relative to the same Subject.” Asks if the Holland Land Company “is allowed to sell at 10 & 12 years credit;… will She be allowed to hold the mortgage upon the Land as a pledge for the...
2412To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [3 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you the pamphlet. You will see that the subject is but partially represented with a design to establish an opinion that you was concerned in speculations in the public funds. As my name is mentioned I have been repeatedly called on for explanations. What I have said is substantially as follows. That I was informed at the time, of the whole transaction, & that though Munroe...
2413To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 2 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I cannot account for your not having Answered the letter of which the preceeding is a Copy, in any other way than by supposing it did not get to your hands, it was written so long since as the 23d of May last & sent by Post, and is of so important a nature that I waited with Anxiety supposing however that the papers were preparing and that you delayed writing untill they were ready. I am...
2414To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 27 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Lord Malmesbury will leave London in three or four Days for Lille where the conferences between this Country and France are to be held. Opinions fluctuate concerning the Probability of peace. A Struggle evidently exists in France between the Directory & the Legislature, in the latter of which Bodies it is supposed there is a sincere desire of Peace. Some late proceedings in the Legislature, or...
2415To Alexander Hamilton from James Thompson, [22 June 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Neither remoteness of Situation, nor lapse of time can efface from my Recollection the Obligations which I was under to you in the earlier part of my Life. That I have not before acknowledged them you are freely at liberty to attribute to any Cause—but want of Gratitude—for whatever may be my Vices Ingratitude cannot be included in the Catalogue. You may believe me when I assure you that...
2416To Alexander Hamilton from Barbara Moland, 19 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
St. Vincent [ Windward Islands ] June 19, 1797 . “I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in addressing this to you, but … your former attention to the late M Joseph Moland in the business between Mr John Stephens and him on a Bond Sent by Sir John St Clair to Mr Moland—Induces me to hope you will let me know; if by the last treaty with Great Britain, whether I can get the lands that was...
2417To Alexander Hamilton from Elihu Chauncey Goodrich, 12 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Claverack [ New York ] June 12, 1797 . “Scarcity of Money (at this time) is such that I cannot without a very material Injury to my property and Credit raise the amount which you as attorney for Mr. James Bryson have received against Me as Endorser of a Note.… However previous to the first day of November next it will undoubtedly be in my power without much inconvenience to make the full...
2418To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 10 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I hold ten Shares in the Western Canal Navigation of new york on which there has been paid $1070, and a Call of $25 ⅌ Share was due the 1st May last & remains to be paid with 6 ⅌ Ct Interest from that time. I don’t know what State of Credit these Shares stand at present, but am confident they will be a most productive property hereafter. If you will take these Shares credit me for the amot I...
2419To Alexander Hamilton from John Williams, 7 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
We shall be this day be engaged on the Subject of Regulating the Arming of Merchantmen. A dificualty ariseth with me respecting the Construction of our Treaty with France. Our Vessels will Claim a right as the Treaty with France expresseth. The French will exact the Decree of 2d March last —hence both will be Authorized by their respective Nations and which will be diametrically Oposite each...
2420To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 7 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, June 7, 1797. On June 8, 1797, Hamilton wrote to Wolcott : “I have received your two letters of the 6th and 7.” Letter of June 7 not found. ]
2421To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 6 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, June 6, 1797. On June 8, 1797, Hamilton wrote to Wolcott : “I have received your two letters of the 6th and 7.” Letter of June 6 not found. ]
2422To Alexander Hamilton from William North, 4 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Duanesburg [ New York ] June 4, 1797 . “The necessary papers respecting our Contest with Voght, will I hope be forwarded to you.… Our situation with respect to this business is not pleasant, As it is Our firm belief that the farms in dispute are our property, it is disagreeable to see them in a situation from which we can neither derive benefit, nor prevent Waste & Spoil.… We rely on your...
2423To Alexander Hamilton from John Laurance, 3 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the first Instant, with a Copy of a Letter from J Mark & Co. We gave for the Land about one dollar and seventy eight Cents per acre, since which, we have paid for surveying it, into Lots, near 2 Cents per Acre, to these sums must be added the Interest on the Money we have paid, which, I suppose, will make the price, at present, near 2 dollars per acre. Township...
2424To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 2 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of yesterday is this moment recd and I take my pen upon the first impulse to tell you not to be uneasy, I will pay you every farthing principal & interest, have patience for my measures to operate & rely yourself with Confidence. The Nature of your debt ties me at all events & it shall be paid. As to Mr Church’s Security how can it be doubted. I told you before that Mr Marshall is...
2425Jacob Mark and Company to John B. Church, Alexander Hamilton, and John Laurance, 30 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
We are sorry to find that owing to the embarrassed situation of the Land You purchased from us last Year so great an inconvenience and loss shou’d arise to You as well as ourselves in being retarded in the settlement; and as we are particularly anxious to remove the most distant hard thought from You towards us, we think it proper to make You such proposals as are not only founded on fair and...
2426Théophile Cazenove to Egbert Benson and Alexander Hamilton, 29 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 29, 1797. “The enclosed extract of a Letter lately received from General Schuyler will create much uneasiness amongst the Dutch proprietors who have obtained the faculty to hold their Lands in the state of New York ’till the 11th. April 1803. A Law passed in the last Session extends that faculty ’till 1816. provided the Dutch Proprietors shall interest themselves as...
2427To Alexander Hamilton from John Evans, 24 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 24, 1797. “The many inconveniencies resulting from the delay and expence of my continuance in this City, strike so powerfully at the prosperity of my views and business; as to reduce me to the absolute necessity of entreeting your opinion of the Case, submitted to you by me, at as early an Hour, as you possibly and conveniently can.…” LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress....
2428To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 23 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of yesterday is arrived and the Contents are very Acceptable, I hope the business in the Chancerry Court will soon be dismissed and the Certificate returned to me with that addition. Accept my Congratulations on the arrival of Mr Church & his Family and I will thank you to present Mrs Morris’s & mine to Mr & Mrs. Church with the Assurance of the pleasure it will give us to See them...
2429To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 20 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I cannot account for the little notice that has been taken of some of my latest letters to you, but I hope the present will obtain your favourable attention. When Capt. Williamson agreed to give up the Lien which my Deed gave to Colo Smith, it was expressly mention’d by me & agreed by him that the Suit which had been Commenced in the Court of Chancerry by Colo Walker should be withdrawn & the...
2430To Alexander Hamilton from John Scott, 16 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
St. Mildred’s Court, Mansion House [ London ], May 16, 1797 . “… I beg leave to trouble you with Power of Atty from Mr. Hodgson to you accompanied with a Letter by Invoice of Goods to enable you to recover £247.15 of Mr. Bn. Bakewell of your Town who I understand is a very honest man.… I am trustee of Hodgson the Constituent who has also failed.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress....
2431To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 15 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Robert Wescott who recd the title of the Land sold Messrs. Whelen Miller & Co. has reconveyed to me 36½ tracts thereof & I have replaced with them 3200 Drs. being the difference between their retained half of 73 tracts, and what they had paid. It proves the wisest measure for Whelen & Millers Notes are under Protest at all the Banks, and they have seperated. They have sold some parcels of...
2432To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you a line yesterday acknowleging the receipt of your late letters from Albany. I expect that there will be a quorum of both branches to-day. It appears that the news of the Emp. of Germ. having signified his intention to make peace was unfounded. Had it even been so, it ought to have augmented our endeavours to meet hostility. It is probable that a new character will be given Pinckney...
2433To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 14 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letters and papers. I added to them, but changed nothing, for the train of ideas in both ran in the same channel and embraced the same objects. The speech extenuates nought—recommends proper measures—promises a fresh attempt at negotiation—and declares the principles by which administration mean to be governed, in other words that the President will follow the principles of the...
2434To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 13 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Hartford, May 13, 1797. “A Mr Johnston who holds Mr Churches Land shewed me a letter from Mr Tracy dated last April in which he says. ‘Col Hamilton says Col Wadsworth has the sole disposal of the Land in Salisbury:’ Mr Johnston came to me to finish the business.… I believe Johnston would take a quit claim & risk the Title & secure the payment according to the inclosed appraisement.” ALS ,...
2435To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Mann and Isaac Parker, 6 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, May 6, 1797. On June 28, 1797, Hamilton wrote to Mann and Parker : “Your letter of the 6th of May last by making a circuit to Albany did not reach me in due time.” Letter not found. ] Mann was a Boston physician. Parker, a lawyer in Castine, District of Maine, was a member of the House of Representatives from 1797 to 1799.
2436To Alexander Hamilton from William Constable, 3 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[New York] May 3, 1797 . “I forward to you … a Deed to Marvil Ellis for a tract of Land sold to him under a Contract (which I believe was enclosed as I cannot lay my hands on it). This Instrument was executed at the time that I was extremely ill & the mortgage & Bonds for the payment of ¾ s. the value of the Land were all perfected.… Mr Ellis expressing great anxiety to have the Writings...
2437To Alexander Hamilton from William Loughton Smith, 1 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I shod. sooner have acknowledged the receipt of your interesting communication, had I not been informed of your Journey to Albany. I coincide perfectly in opinion with you as to the expediency of measures of defence, & an extraordy. mission. But I see very considerable difficulty in the measure of a Commission, & still greater in its’ including Jefferson & Madison. From the former plan I...
2438To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 29 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Unless greater attention is given to the procuring of the requisite evidence in the Cases of Capture than has yet been done, we shall ultimately meet with serious Losses, and give occasion to much Complaint. The Sufferers depend on the Government, and the Government on the Sufferers, and thus that wh. shd. be done is omitted. I inclose to you a copy of notes wh. Mr. Gore & I made this morning...
2439To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 29 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
In contemplating the idea suggested by you, of arming the merchant vessels of the United States for Defence only , a difficulty at once presented. This measure is incompatible with the right of a belligerent power to visit and examine neutral vessels, to ascertain whether they have on board contraband goods—&, where a treaty does not alter the law of nations, whether they are laden with...
2440To Alexander Hamilton from Louis Le Guen, [24 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Les Evênements inatandue qui ont Empeschés Mr. Burr de se réndre issy à temps de Vous Seconder dans mon Affaire, ont Parue Vous désobliger, sa présance est peu m’estre favorable. Néamoints, Monsieur, Vos talens, Votre Zélle, et L’integrités de Ceux qui doivent Estre mes Juges, ne me Laisse pas le Moindre doute que Vos Efforts ne me feront Obtenir un Jugement favorable. Enconcequ’ence Sy Vous...
2441To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Hamilton, 21 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I just now received the enclosed letter from grandpapa, in answer to a letter I wrote to him, in which he has enclosed to me three receipts for shares in the Tontine Tavern, amounting to £100. I have given the receipts to mama. I delivered my speech to Dr. Johnson to examine. He has no objection to my speaking; but he has blotted out that sentence which appears to be the best and most animated...
2442To Alexander Hamilton from Elisha Boudinot, 20 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
New Ark [ New Jersey ] April 20, 1797 . “I wrote you a few days ago relative to my business with F. … and as I have not heard any thing from you on the subject, I take it for granted they have shuffled as usual, if so, please to order the writ to be issued at once—and in order to give you no further trouble of negociating with persons so little disposed to the common rules of equity—I have...
2443To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose you a further request on the subject of the paper communicated to you in my last, that you may have the whole before you and that you may aid me with your talents and experience. It strikes me that, it will be proper for the Pres. to state to Congress the species of defensive force necessary for the occasion, and consider it an essential attribute of negociations I had given him in...
2444To Alexander Hamilton from John Girard, 17 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, April 17, 1797. “As I wish to have the Suit against Armstrong & Barnwall Brought to an end, I wrote to Capn Briggs at New London to be ready for this next court. I received: Last saturday his answer was that tho’, he was just from Sea, that he was forced to Sett off immediately for Jeremie.… Pray what and how Shall I do? It is indispensable for you to take the properest means So...
2445To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 14 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
The letter you sent me has been confined to myself; but the other letters you have written on the same subject, has in your successor at least created some unpleasant feelings. Where opinions clash, and where superiority is made too apparent something a little like envy will come into play especially should a suspicion take place that pains are used to gain proselites. I have this moment...
2446To Alexander Hamilton from Nicholas Romayne, [13 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose you, my dear Sir, the letter I mentioned to you last evening that I had recd. from the other side of the Ocean on the subject of our conversation. I presume it may eventually be necessary for me to go over, but there is much reason to apprehend that I hazard more in going than most ordinary persons, and which merits some consideration on my part as well as my friends. I know what I...
2447To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [13 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 13, 1797. On April 22, 1797, Hamilton wrote to Wolcott and referred to “your letter of the 13th instant.” Letter not found. ] Printed in this volume.
2448To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [12 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your Letter of April 5th. & enclose Mr. Kings Letter. I presume that the British Comrs. under the 6th. Article (for Debts) will contend for a similar construction respecting cases determined in our Courts. Is there any ground on which the principle can be opposed? Are we to consider the British Credit as at an end, if so what effects, will it probably produce here? Your further...
2449To Alexander Hamilton from Elisha Boudinot, 10 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
New Ark [ New Jersey ] April 10, 1797 . “I have considered your propositions in the business of Col. Fays and reflected on the situation of his partner, and would rather sacrifice what is my right—then bare hard on him.… If he will take up two Notes which I have given, and are lodged in Mr. Seatons hands the one for two hundred & thirty four dollars payble 10 May—the other for seven hundred &...
2450To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 10 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
The Governor left this on the day of the date of your letter covering one for him —which as it is now useless I do not return to you. I am so much in disposed that I apprehend I shall not be able to attend Congress at the opening of the session, If it all. In the present posture of our affairs, France seems to have left us no Alternative but a mean and Ignominous submission to her despotic...