541From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [12 October 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you two days since My Dear Betsey, but as I am informed by one of the Gentlemen at Head Quarters that there is an opportunity for Philadelphia, I embrace it with that pleasure which I always feel in communicating with you. You complain of me my love, for not writing to you more frequently, but have I not greater reason to complain of you? Since I left Kings ferry, I have received three...
542From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Lafayette, [15 October 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to render you an account of the corps under my command in your attack of last night, upon the redoubt on the left of the enemy’s lines. Agreeable to your orders we advanced in two columns with unloaded arms, the right composed of Lt. Col Gimat’s batalion and my own commanded by Major Fish, the left of a detachment commanded by Lt Col Laurens, destined to take the enemy in...
543Enclosure: To Marquis de Lafayette, [15 October 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
Lt Col Majors Capts Subalterns Serjeants Rank & file Killed Wounded Killed Wounded Killed Wounded Killed Wounded Killed Wounded Killed Wounded Lt Col Hamiltons batalion
544From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [16 October 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
Two nights ago, my Eliza, my duty and my honor obliged me to take a step in which your happiness was too much risked. I commanded an attack upon one of the enemy’s redoubts; we carried it in an instant, and with little loss. You will see the particulars in the Philadelphia papers. There will be, certainly, nothing more of this kind; all the rest will be by approach; and if there should be...
545From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [18 October 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 3d. of September my angel never reached me till to day. My uneasiness at not hearing from you is abated by the sweet prospect of soon taking you in my arms. Your father will tell you the news. Tomorrow Cornwallis and his army are ours. In two days after I shall in all probability set out for Albany, and I hope to embrace you in three weeks from this time. Conceive my love by...
546From Alexander Hamilton to Major Nicholas Fish, [29 December 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you, My Dear Friend, for your letter by Gamber and for your attention in forwarding the articles which fell to my share. I was unlucky in their conveyance. Mr. Gamber, through hurry, forgot them at New Windsor. When he recollected them and returned, he found the bundles had been opened and pilfered. As he had had no list he could not tell me what articles had been taken. He delivered...
547Receipt to Jacob Cuyler, 5 February 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
Albany, February 5, 1782. On behalf of Philip Schuyler, acknowledges receipt of twenty pounds and six shillings from Jacob Cuyler. ADS , Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, Mount Vernon, Virginia. Jacob Cuyler, who represented Albany County in the New York legislature in 1777, was engaged during the Revolution in supplying the American army.
548From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [26 February 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the papers you transmitted me on the subject of Mr. C——e. Nothing gives me greater pleasure on all occasions, than to see suspected and injured innocence vindicated, nor would any person more chearfully retract an ill-founded accusation, on conviction of its error, than myself. You know the motives and the grounds of my charges against Mr. C——e, at a period fertile...
549From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [1 March 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I need not observe to yr Excellency that, Respect for the opinion of Congress will not permit me to be indifferent to the impressions they may receive of my conduct. On this principle, though I do not think the subject of the inclosed letter of sufficient importance to request an official communication of it, yet I should be happy it might in some way be known to the members of that honorable...
550From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [1 March 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
Your Excellency will, I am persuaded, readily admit the force of this sentiment, that though it is the duty of a good citizen to devote his services to the public, when it has occasion for them, he cannot with propriety, or delicacy to himself, obtrude them, when it either has, or appears to have none. The difficuties I experienced last campaign in obtaining a command will not suffer me to...
551Cash Book, [1 March 1782–1791] (Hamilton Papers)
1) Dr. Pierre Van Cortlandt Cr. £ 1784 Feby To this sum due for the Clerkship of his son P. V. Cortlandt commenced 150 Dr. Jacob LeRoy & Sons Cr. 1784 To this sum due for the Clerkship of his son Jas. LeRoy commenced this day 150 this sum given up as Mr. LeRoy did not continue his Clerkship 150 May To opinion given in the case of Kelly & Lot 1.10.0
552From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 2 March 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 2, 1782. In July 1782, Laurens wrote to Hamilton : “I am indebted to you, my dear Hamilton, for two letters; the first from Albany, as masterly a piece of cynicism as ever was penned: the other from Philadelphia, dated the 2d March.” Letter of March 2 not found. ]
553From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 8 March 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 8, 1782. “Dr. Mac. I write the above in a form which being copied I wish to appear before the personages concerned.… Whatever may be my general opinion of Mr. Chase, if I find good reason to think him innocent in the present case I shall with great pleasure declare it. You know my informants.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries, October 30–31, 1944,...
554From Alexander Hamilton to Major Nicholas Fish, [March 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I am sorry that for want of a person to send them with, I have been obliged to detain your horses till now. The articles I shall want from Duychinks are: four pint decanters if to be had, if not two Quart do. a dozen wine glasses two ale-glasses to hold about a pint each, if not to be had, two tumblers. You will oblige me by procuring these articles as soon as possible, having them carefully...
555From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Kidder Meade, March 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
An half hour since brought me the pleasure of your letter of December last. It went to Albany and came from thence to this place. I heartily felicitate you on the birth of your daughter. I can well conceive your happiness upon that occasion, by that which I feel in a similar one. Indeed the sensations of a tender father of the child, of a beloved mother can only be conceived by those who have...
556The Continentalist No. V, [18 April 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
The vesting Congress with the power of regulating trade ought to have been a principal object of the confederation for a variety of reasons. It is as necessary for the purposes of commerce as of revenue. There are some, who maintain, that trade will regulate itself, and is not to be benefitted by the encouragements, or restraints of government. Such persons will imagine, that there is no need...
557Army Agreement Certified by Alexander Hamilton, 30 April 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany ] April 30, 1782. Certifies a contract made by Philip Schuyler, on behalf of the United States, and William Duer, contractor for the posts “north of Poughkeepsie in the State of NewYork,” for supplying the Army with meat. Copy, RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives.
558From Alexander Hamilton to Vicomte de Noailles, [April–June 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
Esteem for your talents and acquirements, is a sentiment which from my earliest acquaintance with you, my dear viscount, I have shared in common with all those who have the happiness of knowing you; but a better knowledge of your character has given it in my eyes a more intrinsic merit, and has attached me to you by a friendship founded upon qualities as rare as they are estimable. Averse as I...
559From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 4 May 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, May 4, 1782. On May 20, 1782, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “I have received your Letter of the fourth Instant.” Letter not found. ]
560From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 18 May 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
I had this day the honor of receiving your letter of the 2d. instant and am much obliged by the mark of your confidence, which it contains; and to Col Stewart for his friendly intentions upon the occasion. My military situation has indeed become so negative that I have no motive to continue in it; and if my services could be of importance to the public in any civil line I should chearfully...
561From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Henry Knox, [7 June 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
We are told here that there is a British officer coming on from Cornwallis’s army to be executed by way of retaliation for the murder of Capt Huddy. As this appears to me clearly to be an ill-timed proceeding, and if persisted in will be derogatory to the national character I cannot forbear communicating to you my ideas upon the subject. A sacrifice of this sort is intirely repugnant to the...
562From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, [17 June 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
The letter, which you did me the honor to write me of the 4th. instant came to my hands too late to permit me to answer it by the return of the same post. The explanation you give of your intention in your late offer makes it an object that will fully compensate for the time it will deduct from my other occupations. In accepting it I have only one scruple, arising from a doubt whether the...
563From Alexander Hamilton to Comfort Sands, [23 June 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Morris having lately offered me the appointment of Receiver of Continental taxes for this state, I wish to collect as much and as accurate information as possible of the situation of its money-concerns. It will be among other things of great importance that I should form an idea of the money brought into the state and carried out of it; and with a view to this I take the liberty to request...
564The Continentalist No. VI, [4 July 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
Let us see what will be the consequences of not authorising the Fœderal Government to regulate the trade of these states. Besides the want of revenue and of power, besides the immediate risk to our independence, the danger of all the future evils of a precarious union, besides the deficiency of a wholesome concert and provident superintendence to advance the general prosperity of trade, the...
565From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 13 July 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment received your letter of the 2d. instant and as the post will set out on its return in half an hour I have little more than time to acknowlege the receipt of it. I shall tomorrow morning commence a journey to Poughkepsie, where the Legislature are assembled; and I will endeavour by every step in my power to second your views; though I am sorry to add without very sanguine...
566From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 16 July 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Your Excellency the copy of a warrant from The Honorable Robert Morris Esqr. Superintendant of the Finances of the United States; by which you will perceive that agreeable to the resolution of Congress of the 2d. of November last, he has appointed me Receiver of the Continental Taxes for this state. I am therefore to request that the Legislature will be pleased to...
567Resolution of the New York Legislature Calling for a Convention of the States to Revise and Amend the Articles of … (Hamilton Papers)
The Senate again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into Consideration the State of the Nation; and after some considerable Time spent therein, the President resumed the Chair, and Mr. Ten Broeck from the said Committee, delivered in a Report; which he read in his Place, and delivered in at the Table, where it was again read, considered by Paragraphs, and agreed to....
568From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 22 July 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeable to my letter to you from Albany I came to this place and had an interview with a Committee of the Legislature in which I urged the several matters contained in your instructions. I strongly represented the necessity of solid arrangements of Finance, and, by way of argument, pointed out all the defects of the present system. I found every man convinced that something was wrong, but...
569From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 27 July 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, July 27, 1782. On August 28, 1782, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “I have duly received your several Favors of the Twenty second & twenty Seventh of July, and tenth and thirteenth of August.” Letter of July 27 not found. ]
570From Alexander Hamilton to Gerard Bancker, [31 July 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you a copy of a warrant to me from The Superintendant of Finance on the Treasury of this State for the sum due the 1st day of April last as the first quarte[r]ly payment of the quota of the present year. I shall be obliged to you to inform me what appropriations have been made by the Legislature of the State on this account; and I am at the same time to request the payment of such...
571From Alexander Hamilton to The New-York Packet, [1 August 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
THE SUBSCRIBER has received nothing on account of the quota of this state for the present year. Published agreeable to the instructions of the Superintendant of Finance. The New-York Packet, and the American Advertiser , August 22, 1782. Robert Morris, Superintendent of Finance, had instructed the several receivers of continental taxes to make use of newspapers to advertise delinquencies in...
572From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 3 August 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
I have lately received a letter from the Superintendant of Finance inclosing a copy of a circular letter from him to the several states dated 25th of July 81 in which he requests information upon the following important points: “What supplies of every kind money provisions forage transportation &c. have been furnished by this State to the United States since the 18th. of March 1780.” “The...
573From Alexander Hamilton to Udny Hay, 3 August 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Morris, some time since, in a circular letter to the states, among other things, requested to have an account of all the money, provisions, transportation, &c., furnished by this state to the United States, since the 18th. of March, 1780. I have been very happy to hear, that this business has been intrusted to your hands, for I am sure, feeling its importance, you will give it all the...
574From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 3 August 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, August 3, 1782. On the back of a letter which Robert Morris wrote to H on July 22, 1782 , H wrote: “Ansd. Aug 3d.” Letter not found. ]
575From Alexander Hamilton to the County Treasurers of the State of New York, 5 August 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
It will be of great utility to the state and is essential to the execution of my instructions from the Superintendant of Finance, that I should be able to ascertain as speedily as possible, the expense attending the collection of taxes within this state. In order to this I shall be much obliged to you to send me without delay an account of what you have received in your county since the...
576From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 10 August 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, August 10, 1782. On August 28, 1782, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “I have duly received your several Favors of the Twenty second & twenty Seventh of July, and tenth and thirteenth of August.” Letter of August 10 not found. ]
577From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 13 August 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
I promised you in former letters to give you a full view of the situation and temper of this state: I now sit down to execute that task. You have already in your possession a pretty just picture of the 1st drawn by the Legislature in perhaps too highly coloured in some places, but in the main true. It is the opinion of the most sensible men, with whom I converse, who are best acquainted with...
578Enclosure: To Robert Morris, [13 August 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
To the Governor for salary £ 1600 To the Chancellor do 400 To the Secretary of State & Clerks about 300 To the Attorney General by estimation 100 To the Chief Justice salary 400 Puisne Justices each 350£ do 700 for travelling expences by estimation 40 days 100 in the year at 12/ per day each Auditor
579From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [15 August 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I received with great Pleasure, My Dear Laurens, the letter which you wrote me in last. Your wishes in one respect are gratified; this state has pretty unanimously delegated me to Congress. My time of service commences in November. It is not probable it will result in what you mention. I hope it is too late. We have great reason to flatter ourselves peace on our own terms is upon the carpet....
580From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Benson, 18 August 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to Mr. Morris’s instructions I lately wrote to His Excellency The Governor requesting information on a variety of matters, which it is of great importance to the Financier and to the public to know. The Governor in his answer tells me that the returns lately made by different public officers and on the files of the Legislature will answer most of the questions stated by me. The...
581From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 25 [August] 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
By advices from Philadelphia I find that the present is a period rather critical on the subject of money and concenters a variety of demands which it is not easy to satisfy. It becomes therefore of importance to the Financier to avail himself of every immediate resource. This induces me to request you will be so good as [to] inform me, whether there is any near prospect of obtaining the loan...
582From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 25 August 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
This letter serves only to transmit the two last papers: I wish the measures I have taken to satisfy you on the points you desire to be informed of, had been attended with so much success as to enable me now to transmit the result. But I find a singular confusion in the accounts kept by the public officers from whom I must necessarily derive my information, and a singular dilatoriness in...
583From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Kidder Meade, 27 August 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you my dear Meade for your letter of the first of this month which you will perceive has travelled much faster than has been usual with our letters. Our correspondence hitherto has been unfortunate, nor in fact can either of us compliment himself on his punctuality but you were right in concluding that however indolence or accident may interrupt our intercourse, nothing will interrupt...
584From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, [31 August 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you herewith all the acts of the Legislature of this state since the Government has been organized; on the margin of which I have numbered all the acts relative to the matters you mention in your letter of July 81 to the states agreeable to the within list. I inclose you the papers of the last week. The indolence of some and the repugnancy of others make every trifle lag so much in the...
585From Alexander Hamilton to New-York Packet, [1 September 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
The Subscriber has received nothing for the month of August, on account of the quota of this state for the present year. Published agreeable to the instructions of the Superintendant of Finance. The New-York Packet. And the American Advertiser , September 5, 1782. H wrote the same letter to the Packet on August 1, 1782 .
586From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Benson, [7 September 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
Not having had the pleasure of hearing from you in answer to my letter of the 18th. of Augt. I now send you a duplicate. I wish at least to be able to let Morris know what prospect I have of fulfilling his views and I therefore shall be indebted to you to let me hear from you on the subject by the first opportunity. I am Sir Your most Obed ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. A draft...
587From Alexander Hamilton to the County Treasurers of the State of New York, 7 September 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
The fifteenth of this month is the period fixed for the payment of the tax imposed at the last meeting of the legislature for the use of The United States. The public exigencies and the reputation of the state require that every exertion should be made to collect this tax with punctuality and dispatch; and it is therefore my duty to urge you that you employ the powers vested in you, and all...
588From Alexander Hamilton to Udny Hay, 7 September 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
Persuaded my Dear Sir of your punctuality, of your disposition to oblige me and to promote public business, I am at a loss to explain to my self the reason of your silence on the letter of which the foregoing is a triplicate. I hope the ill state of your health has not been the cause of it. The Governor informed me that returns on the files of the Legislature would answer most of the inquiries...
589From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 7 September 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
I have had the inclosed ready for some time; but in hopes of receiving the returns of the certificates mentioned in memorandum B I delayed sending the present sketch. Having even received no answers from some of the parties who live at a distance from me, I suspect they have done their business in so disorderly a manner (to say nothing worse of it) that they are at a loss how to render the...
590From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 7 September 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
I this day received your letter of the 20th. of August. Mr. Morris has advised me of the Bills you desired and directed my purchasing them together with his notes and the bank notes with what money shall come in to my hands on public account. They are now beginning to collect the tax imposed for the use of the United States though I can as yet form no judgment with what success or expedition....