751From Alexander Hamilton to Nathan Rice and William S. Smith, [23 April 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
It appears by a Report of the Dy P M G that no return has come from the 12 Regiment of the Cloathing on hand as required by the general order of the 11th of March. Considering the time which has elapsed since the issuing of that order if there are any articles of Cloathing in the possession of the Pay Master of that Regiment he has been guilty of very great neglect for which he ought to be...
752From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [12 August 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
You cannot imagine My beloved Betsey how much I am afflicted at learning by your letter of the 6th instant, that you had not received one from me. It is wholly inconceivable. I wrote you from New York before my departure from that place which was the Sunday after you left it, and sent the letter to the Post Office by Charles. I write by this opportunity to him to Endeavour to trace it. On my...
753From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Taylor, 10 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received your letter of the first instant. As Captain Meigs stands first on the list of Captains he it will take the place of Major Huntingdon in the Regular Course of military promotion be regular that he should take the place of Major Huntingdon. I have written on the subject to the Secretary of War to urge his appointment accordingly. With great considn ( Df , in the handwriting...
754From Alexander Hamilton to Edmund Randolph, [1–12 December 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
Remarks on Lord Grenvilles project of a Commercial Treaty made at the request of E Randolph Esquire Secty of States A Inasmuch as the light house duties, which are excepted , constitute an additional charge on Vessels of the UStates beyond those of G. Britain in British Ports, this article, which puts British vessels in our ports exactly upon the same footing with ours wants reciprocity....
755From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Brock, 3 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to inform you for your future Government that Major Bradley is Charged to superintend the recruiting service for the 4th. Regiment and that he is you are hereafter to make all your reports and returns to him. With consideration &c (Copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
756To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Hamilton, 24 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of your two notes of yesterday and today , respecting a proposed Meeting of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund . The first came to hand only within a half hour. As you mention, that the Attorney General has informed you, that “ on a conversation with me , it has been found convenient ” that a Meeting should take place—I cannot help inferring, there has been some...
757From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [December–March 1779–1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The present conjuncture is by all allowed to be peculiarly critical. Every man of reflexion employs his thoughts about the remedies proper to be applied to the national disorders; and every one from a partiality to his own ideas wishes to convey them to those who are charged with the management of affairs. The channel of the public papers commonly made use of for the purpose appears to me...
758Report on a Plan for the Further Support of Public Credit, [16 January 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate] The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully makes the following report to the House of Representatives The President of the United States, with that provident concern for the public welfare which characterises all his conduct, was pleased in his speech to the two Houses of Congress, at the opening of the present...
759From Alexander Hamilton to Elias B. Dayton, 2 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will be pleased to procure for with an immediately a baggage waggon for the use of General Pinckney. With consn. ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
760Oath for the Faithful Execution of Office, 20 October 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
Albany, October 20, 1783. On this date Hamilton signed an oath for the faithful execution of his office. The oath, signed by five other lawyers, reads as follows: “I AB. chosen or appointed [as the Case may be] to the office of [here insert the officer’s Title of Office] Do solemnly in the presence of almighty God before whom I expect to answer for my conduct promise and swear, that I will in...
761Constitutional Convention. Remarks on Signing the Constitution, [17 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton expressed his anxiety that every member should sign. A few characters of consequence, by opposing or even refusing to sign the Constitution, might do infinite mischief by kindling the latent sparks which lurk under an enthusiasm in favor of the Convention which may soon subside. No man’s ideas were more remote from the plan than his were known to be; but is it possible to...
762From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel R. Gerry, 28 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 5th instant has been received at the Treasury. It will be impossible for me to give any opinion on the disatisfaction expressed by some of the Owners ⟨-⟩ing at your port respecting the former admeasurement ⟨of the⟩ir Vessels, until I am informed of the particular causes which have induced them to solicit a readmeasurement. I am with consideration Sir, your most humble...
763From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Horatio Gates, 5 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
By inquiry, I have learned that General Patterson’s brigade, which is the one you propose to send is, by far, the weakest of the three now here, and does not consist of more than about 600 rank and file fit for duty. It is true there is a militia regiment with it of about 200, but the term of service for which this regiment is engaged is so near expiring, that it would be past by the time the...
764From Alexander Hamilton to Harrison Gray Otis, 27 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I did not receive ’till yesterday your letter dated 21st instant. No apology was necessary for so gratifying a mark of your good opinion, upon which I set the high value it so justly deserves. In the inclosed extract of a letter to another of the Government, you will find my ideas generally on the subject of your letter. I adopt this method of communication as equally effectual and best...
765From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 23 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, August 23, 1791. On August 26, 1791, Pickering wrote to Hamilton : “I have received … your letter of the 23d instant.” Letter not found. ] Pickering had been appointed Postmaster General on August 12, 1791.
766From Alexander Hamilton to the Executors of the Estate of David Cay, 1 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I conceive it to be my duty to apprize you that the Attorney General of the United States has communicated it as his opinion that the Stock of the United States standing in the names of Individuals on the Books of the Treasury is not liable to attachment by the Laws of Pennsylvania. The officers of the Treasury will hereafter govern themselves by this opinion and of course the attachment which...
767From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 8 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 8, 1790 . The endorsement on the letter which Lincoln wrote to Hamilton on April 6, 1790 , reads: “Answered 8th May.” Letter not found. ]
768Note on the Funding System, [August 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
The funding system (says a correspondent) as much abused, as if it were criminal in a Government to provide for the payment of the Debts of a Nation or as if it had created the debt for which it but provides , has not only produced all the advantageous effects which were promised from it (that is) contributed, by an increase of active or negotiable capital, to extend commerce and industry in...
769From Alexander Hamilton to James Bruff, 2 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I presume you have received by order of the Secretary of War the necessary sum of money with cloathing &c towards the recruiting of a copy company. I send you herewith the instructions by which you are to be governed so far as they are applicable to the case of a distinct company of Artillery. You are at liberty to recruit within any part of the State of Maryland. I contemplate as the scene of...
770From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 29 December 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
A garden, you know, is a very usual refuge of a disappointed politician. Accordingly, I have purchased a few acres about 9 Miles from Town, have built a house and am cultivating a Garden. The melons in your country are very fine. Will you have the goodness to send me some seed both of the Water & Muss Melons? My daughter adds another request, which is for three or four of your peroquets. She...
771Pay Order for Hire of a Horse, 22 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Piscataway [ New Jersey ] July 22, 1778 . Orders that John Langstaff be paid “the usual hire for a mare of his impressed the morning of the 19th. and returned in the evening of the 22d.…” Signed “Alex Hamilton, Aide De Camp.” ADS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. On verso is written: “Received ten dollars of Colonel Hamilton on account of the within order. John Langstaff.”
772From Alexander Hamilton to Daniel Jackson, 26 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the sixteenth instant— The approaching disbandment of the additional regiments prevent me from ordering the substitute which you request— ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
773From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 22 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of State in referring to you the question of the answer to be given to Mr. Hammond concerning compensation for certain captured vessels will I presume transmit to you the opinions of the other Gentlemen as well as his own. Besides the reasons hastily sketched in the memorandums given to the Secretary of State—there is one of a delicate nature which I did not think fit to put on a...
774From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Hodgdon, 27 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 10th. inst & feel myself much am obliged by your attention to your my request. I — I would just remark of on the return, which was inclosed, of Cloathing &c furnished, that the 10th. Regiment seems to have been supplied with nearly its full complement while some others whose progress in recruiting is equal or nearly so, seem in some instances articles quite...
775From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 20 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have understood that the relative rank of the Officers of your regiment has not yet been communicated to them; as you may probably withold it from an idea of its not having yet received my final approbation, you will view the arrangement upon which we formerly agreed as decisive, with the single alteration, of Captain G. Kirkland’s being placed next in rank to Captain A. White with true...
776From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus Graves, 2 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letters of the twenty-seventh of September and of the fifth of October have been duly received. It is my wish that you would recommend as soon as possible two persons to act as Cadets to your regiment. My former letter on the subject was a Circular, and I supposed that nominations had been made by all the Commandants. Your enquiry on the subject of Winter Quarters has been already replied...
777From Alexander Hamilton to William Neilson, 21 September 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] September 21, 1787 . “You will recollect the cause of Hayton against van Kleeck put into my hands by you.… I hope it will not be inconvenient to you [to] take care of my Costs.” ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Neilson was an alderman and merchant of New York City.
778From Alexander Hamilton to Nathan Rice, 27 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the twenty second Instant on the subject of Winter Quarters has just been delivered to me. I am disposed to prefer the situation at Oxford as well because your opinion is in favor of that situation, as because there does not seem to be a sufficient quantity of wood for hutting and fuel at the other place. You mention that you have entered into an agreement for the ground at...
779From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, 24 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, August 24, 1791. Ellery endorsed the letter book copy of his letter to Hamilton of August 8, 1791 , “Answered Augt. 24th 1791.” Letter not found. ]
780From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Stevens, [23] November [1799] (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose the plan of uniform which it is proposed to establish and request that you will employ the Taylor whom you have heretofore employed for similar purposes, to make draughts of the Coats described in the regulations—Let the draughts be made on a distinct paper—I wish to have them as soon as possible— ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
781From Alexander Hamilton to John Elliott, 20 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You are directed to furnish, to such Officers of the 1st. Regt. as may shall apply for them, Quarters and Rations, until the arrival of Major Cass at your City, whom you will consider as their Commander & with whose Requisitions you will accordingly Comply with With consideration & ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
782From Alexander Hamilton to John Davidson, 9 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recieved your letter of the 27th ultimo inclosing four paid draughts of the Treasurer No 1662 1663, 1664 and 1665, amounting together one thousand eight hundred Dollars. These draughts being directed to Tench Francis Cashier of the Bank of North America, they been taken up by you in an informal way, which being a deviation from the rules of the Treasury must be avoided in future. My...
783To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Treasury Department [New York], 5 Aug. 1790. Submits a contract made by William Allibone, superintendent of the lighthouse on the Delaware River, with Thomas McHam and observes that the terms of the agreement appear advantageous to the United States. LB , DLC:GW . For previous correspondence concerning contracts for the Delaware River and Bay establishments, see Hamilton to GW, 28 May 1790...
784From Alexander Hamilton to James Miller, 26 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Lt. Hook states to me that he is in real distress, and requests that he may be furnished with transportation to Norfolk. He is entitled to travelling expences, and if you could enter into some arrangement for facilitating the means of his departure, by anticipation of his allowance it would be agreeable to me— ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown and Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library...
785From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Williamson, 19 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the inclosed letter from Major Buell by which you will see that he is anxious the pay and Subsistence due to the Officers of his regiment should be delivered to Lieutt. Richmond who will furnish you with their accounts, should you approve of them I wish you to comply as much as is proper with Major Buell’s wish. It is my wish that every proper facility may be given with true...
786From Alexander Hamilton to William Cooper, [16 December 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter with a Post note of a thousand dollars on account of the Mortgage of the lands formerly Holkers in which Mr. Church is interested. The papers respecting this affair in my possession will be looked up & sent to Mr. Laurance by Mondays Post. This letter will serve you as a Receipt. Yrs. truly ALS , from a typescript furnished by an anonymous donor. Cooper, the founder...
787From Alexander Hamilton to Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 12 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to receive your letter of the 10th. instant, and Mr. de la Forest has applied at the Treasury for the payment of the sum of one hundred thousand dollars at the moment when 1 was about to request you would take order for the receipt of that sum. A warrant on the Treasurer has in course been executed. With very great respect & attachment, I have the honor to be Sir Your...
788From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 6 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose some letters in recommendation of Mr. Van Renselaer as a Lieutenant in the corps of Artillerists & Engineers—You will perceive that the letters come from persons of respectability—By what I have learnt in other modes the young Gentleman is perfectly probably worthy of the post which he sollicits. ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
789From Alexander Hamilton to William C. Bentley, 10 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, July 10, 1799. On August 17, 1799, Bentley wrote to Hamilton: “Yours of the 10 Ultimo … was received in proper time.” Letter not found. ] Bentley, a Virginian and a veteran of the American Revolution, was lieutenant colonel commandant of the Seventh Regiment of Infantry. He was stationed in Richmond, Virginia.
790From Alexander Hamilton to William North, 22 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is a General Order which you will be pleased to circulate thro’ the district under my command. A copy has been sent to General Pinckney. I would repeat the wish expressd in a former letter that the celebration take place in N York as well as in this city on Thursday. It was my intention to have set out to day, but circumstances render it proper for me to continue till Friday. Df , in...
791Plan for a Legion, [5–15 July 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
To determine what is proper to be done it is necessary preliminarily to contemplate a fundamental or elementary organisation the aggregate of which constitutes the army. This element ought to be a legion consisting of Four Regiments of Infantry One Squadron of Dragoons one Batalion of Artillery A Regiment of Infantry to consist of two Batalions each batalion of five companies (of which one a...
792Certificate for Major Robert Forsyth, [10 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I certify that Major Forsyth had served in the Army of the United States as aid de Camp to Major General Stevens during his continuation in the service. Copy, Auditor’s Item 70, Revolutionary Section, File for Major Robert Forsyth, Virginia State Library, Richmond. Forsyth had been a captain in Henry Lee’s Battalion of Light Dragoons from July 1, 1778, to September 5, 1779, when he resigned to...
793From Alexander Hamilton to John Habersham, 31 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 31, 1791. On May 20, 1791, Habersham wrote to Hamilton : “I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st of March last.” Letter not found. ]
794Report on the Memorial of Baron von Steuben, 29 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives] The Secretary of the Treasury, on the Memorial of Baron De Steuben, referred to him by an Order of the House of Representatives of the 25th. September last: Respectfully reports, That it appears from the papers accompanying the said Memorial, that the Memorialist grounds his present claim on the United States, upon a Contract, which he alledges...
795To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 13 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I left the City of Philadelphia this Morning on my way to Newark as I mention’d to you previous to your departure. Nothing new had occurred. Mr Belli was furnished with the requisite sum for the purchase of Dragoon Horses in Kentucke, in conformity to an arrangement, which I understand [from] the Secretary at War, was made pursuant to your direction. The Quarter Master General also has had an...
796From Alexander Hamilton to William Yates, 17 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will proceed with the letter herewith delivered you to Windsor in the State of Vermont where you will deliver it yourself to Lt Leonard and put yourself under his command till his arrival with his detachment in this City. It is an instruction to him previous to his march from Windsor to muster his men with your aid, the Muster Roll to be certified by you jointly. With consideration I am...
797From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, [29 May 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have written to the Directors of the Bank of Massachusettes, a letter of which the inclosed is a copy. Be so good as to aid in diffusing the knowledge of the arrangement. You need not mention the transmission of the letter lest it should be misinterpreted. I remain very truly Your friend & serv ALS , Maine Historical Society, Portland. H to the President and Directors of the Massachusetts...
798From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 4 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The session of Congress is about to close much better than I expected. All mischievous measures have been prevented and several good ones have been established. Among these additional provisions of revenue & some of force are not the least important. But as more immediately connected with the objects of your mission you will learn with satisfaction that the bill which had passed the senate...
799From Alexander Hamilton to Philemon Blake, 20 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the tenth of this Month— With consideration I am, Sir & &— ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
800From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Schuyler, [June–October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you, my dear, in one of my letters that I had written to our father, but had not heard of him since, that the operations in the islands hitherto cannot affect him, that I had pressed him to come to America after the peace. A gentleman going to the island where he is, will in a few days afford me a safe opportunity to write again. I shall again present him with his black-eyed daughter,...