1101Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Abolition of the States, [19 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton coincided with the proposition as it stood in the Report. He had not been understood yesterday. By an abolition of the States, he meant that no boundary could be drawn between the National & State Legislatures; that the former must therefore have indefinite authority. If it were limited at all, the rivalship of the States would gradually subvert it. Even as Corporations the...
1102Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Necessity for a National Government, [19 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton , assented to the doctrine of Mr. Wilson. He denied the doctrine that the States were thrown into a State of Nature. He was not yet prepared to admit the doctrine that the Confederacy, could be dissolved by partial infractions of it. He admitted that the States met now on an equal footing but could see no inference from that against concerting a change of the system in this...
1103Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Organization of the House of Representatives, [21 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton considered the motion as intended manifestly to transfer the election from the people to the State Legislatures, which would essentially vitiate the plan. It would increase that State influence which could not be too watchfully guarded agst. All too must admit the possibility, in case the Genl. Govt. shd. maintain itself, that the State Govts. might gradually dwindle into...
1104Constitutional Convention. Remarks in Support of a Three-Year Term for Members of the House of Representatives, [21 June … (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton urged the necessity of 3 years. There ought to be neither too much nor too little dependence, on the popular sentiments. The checks in the other branches of Governt. would be but feeble, and would need every auxiliary principle that could be interwoven. The British House of Commons were elected septennially, yet the democratic spirit of ye. Constitution had not ceased. Frequency...
1105Constitutional Convention. Remarks on Wages to Be Paid Members of the National Legislature, [22 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton apprehended inconveniency from fixing the wages. He was strenuous agst. making the National Council dependent on the Legislative rewards of the States. Those who pay are the masters of those who are paid. Payment by the States would be unequal as the distant States would have to pay for the same term of attendance and more days in travelling to & from the seat of the Govt. He...
1106Constitutional Convention. Remarks in Opposition to the Payment of Members of the National Legislature by the States … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton renewed his opposition to it. He pressed the distinction between State Govts. & the people. The former wd. be the rivals of the Genl. Govt. The State legislatures ought not therefore to be the paymasters of the latter. Hunt and Scott, Debates Gaillard Hunt and James Brown Scott, eds., The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Which Framed the Constitution of the United States...
1107Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Ineligibility of Members of the House of Representatives for Other Offices … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton. In all general questions which become the subjects of discussion, there are always some truths mixed with falsehoods. I confess there is danger where men are capable of holding two offices. Take mankind in general, they are vicious—their passions may be operated upon. We have been taught to reprobate the danger of influence in the British government, without duly reflecting how...
1108Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Ineligibility of Members of the House of Representatives for Other Offices … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton. Evasions cd. not be prevented—as by proxies—by friends holding for a year, & them opening the way &c. Hunt and Scott, Debates Gaillard Hunt and James Brown Scott, eds., The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America. Reported by James Madison (New York, 1920). , 155. Robert Yates’s version of H’s speech reads: “The...
1109Constitutional Convention. Notes Taken in the Federal Convention, [1–26 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Notes for June 1, 1787] [Madison] 1— The way to prevent a majority from having an interest to oppress the minority is to enlarge the sphere. Madison 2— Elective Monarchies turbulent and unhappy— Men unwilling to admit so decided a superiority of merit in an individual as to accede to his appointment to so preeminent a station. If several are admitted as there will be many competitors of...
1110Constitutional 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...
1111Constitutional Convention. Remarks on Equality of Representation of the States in the Congress, [29 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton observed the individuals forming political Societies modify their rights differently, with regard to suffrage. Examples of it are found in all the States. In all of them some individuals are deprived of the right altogether, not having the requisite qualifications of property. In some of the States the right of suffrage is allowed in some cases and refused in others. To vote for a...
1112From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, [June–October 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June-October, 1787. ] “As I wished the cause of Bayard vs Breese and others to be regularly at issue & as the Chancellor could not readily be come at to procure from him an order to serve subpoenas on the Clerk in Court, I sent you a request some time since to file rejoinders.… I have not, however, received any notice of its having been done. I will thank you particularly to have...
1113From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [3 July 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
In my passage through the Jerseys and since my arrival here I have taken particular pains to discover the public sentiment and I am more and more convinced that this is the critical opportunity for establishing the prosperity of this country on a solid foundation. I have conversed with men of information not only of this City but from different parts of the state; and they agree that there has...
1114To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 3 July 1787 (Washington Papers)
In my passage through the Jerseys and since my arrival here I have taken particular pains to discover the public sentiment and I am more and more convinced that this is the critical opportunity for establishing the prosperity of this country on a solid foundation—I have conversed with men of information not only of this City but from different parts of the state; and they agree that there has...
1115Receipt 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,...
1116From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Mitchell, [20 July 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to what passed between us I have had an interview with Mr. Auldjo, and I flatter myself, if there is (as I doubt not there will be) as much moderation on the part of Major Peirce as there appears to be on that of Mr. Auldjo, that the affair between them may yet be amicably terminated. But Mr. Auldjo observes, I confess in my opinion with propriety, that he ought to know with some...
1117From Alexander Hamilton to The Daily Advertiser, [21 July 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
It is currently reported and believed, that his Excellency Governor CLINTON has, in public company, without reserve, reprobated the appointment of the Convention, and predicted a mischievous issue of that measure. His observations are said to be to this effect:—That the present confederation is, in itself, equal to the purposes of the union: That the appointment of a Convention is calculated...
1118From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Mullett, 23 July 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] July 23, 1787 . “The want of Some original papers which Mr. Brailsford was to have Sent me, puts it out of my power to proceed to a trial of his Cause with Wooldridge.… Mr. Wooldridge is willing, if I will let him out on Common bail, to give me a Bond in any Sum … that he will not go out of this State … and that he will not give any impedment or delay to the attachments now...
1119From Alexander Hamilton to William Pierce, [20–26 July 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
As the inclosed contains details relating to your private affairs it is judged most delicate to put it under cover to you. Permit me to use the privilege of a friend to say that ⟨whatever⟩ appeared to you offensive in the conduct of Mr. Auldjo seems to have been a verry natural result of disappointments on his side, to which your disappointments gave birth, influenced too, perhaps, in some...
1120From Alexander Hamilton to John Auldjo, [26 July 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
I have delivered the paper you committed to me as it stood altered to Major Peirce from whose conduct I am to conclude the affair between you is at an end. He informs me that he is shortly to set out on a jaunt up the North River. As you intimate a wish to have my sentiments in writing on the transaction I shall with pleasure declare that the steps you have taken in consequence of Mr. Pearces...
1121From Alexander Hamilton to ———, 6 August 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 6, 1787. Introduces “a son of Mr. Israel, who is going to Philadelphia to endeavour to effect the settlement of his fathers demand upon the Administrator of Barnard Levi.” ALS , Charles Roberts Autograph Collection of the Haverford College Library, Haverford, Pennsylvania.
1122Constitutional Convention. Motion on Citizenship Requirement for Membership in the House of Representatives, [13 August … (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton was in general agst. embarrassing the Govt. with minute restrictions. There was on one side the possible danger that had been suggested On the other side, the advantage of encouraging foreigners was obvious & admitted. Persons in Europe of moderate fortunes will be fond of coming here where they will be on a level with the first Citizens. He moved that the section be so altered...
1123From 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...
1124From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, [20 August 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed is said to be the Copy of a letter circulating in your state. The history of its appearance among us is that it was sent by one Whitmore of Stratford, formerly in the Pay Master Generals Office to a James Reynold of this City. I am at a loss clearly to understand its object—and have some suspicion that it has been fabricated to excite jealousy against the Convention with a view to...
1125From 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...
1126Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Election of the President, [6 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton said that he had been restrained from entering into the discussions by his dislike of the Scheme of Govt. in General; but as he meant to support the plan to be recommended, as better than nothing, he wished in this place to offer a few remarks. He liked the new modification, on the whole, better than that in the printed Report. In this the President was a Monster elected for seven...
1127Constitutional Convention. Remarks in Favor of a Motion Increasing the Number in the House of Representatives, [8 … (Hamilton Papers)
Col: Hamilton expressed himself with great earnestness and anxiety in favor of the motion. He avowed himself a friend to a vigorous Government, but would declare at the same time, that he held it essential that the popular branch of it should be on a broad foundation. He was seriously of opinion that the House of Representatives was on so narrow a scale as to be really dangerous, and to...
1128Constitutional Convention. Remarks on Amending the Constitution, [10 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton 2ded. the motion, but he said with a different view from Mr. Gerry. He did not object to the consequence stated by Mr. Gerry. There was no greater evil in subjecting the people of the U.S. to the major voice than the people of a particular State. It had been wished by many and was much to have been desired that an easier mode for introducing amendments had been provided by the...
1129Constitutional Convention. Second to James Madison’s Motion on Amending the Constitution, 10 September 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 10, 1787. On this date, Hamilton seconded the following motion made by James Madison: “The Legislature of the U.S. whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem necessary, or on the application of two thirds of the Legislatures of the several States, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part thereof, when the...
1130Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Manner of Ratifying the Constitution, [10 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton concurred with Mr. Gerry as to the indecorum of not requiring the approbation of Congress. He considered this as a necessary ingredient in the transaction. He thought it wrong also to allow nine States as provided by art XXI. to institute a new Government on the ruins of the existing one. He wd. propose as a better modification of the two articles (XXI & XXII) that the plan should...