601From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 30 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point, July 30, 1779. On September 18, 1779, Jay wrote to Hamilton : “Your favors of the 25, 26, & 30 July & 12 Inst have thus long remained unanswered.” Letter of July 30 not found .]
602From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [21 January 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
The General approves of your allowing a ration per individual to the Capt and crews of the dismissed craft not to the families, to be charged as you mention in a settlement of accounts. He thinks the middle of May will be the proper period for rendezvousing the ox-teams for the next campaign. Yrs. with sincere regard ALS , RG 93 , Miscellaneous Records, National Archives; LC , Hugh Hughes...
603Memorial of Philip Thompson, 22 February 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 22, 1783. On the last page of a memorial of Philip Thompson to the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania Hamilton and Major General Alexander McDougall made endorsements. The paragraph by Hamilton reads: “I certify that the Memorialist was an active and zealous whig in the early periods of the contest and I have reason to believe the above representation is true....
604From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [26 June 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
I beg leave to trouble you with two matters, which if your ideas correspond with mine I doubt not you will employ your influence to effect. One respects Col Malcolm and perhaps may be conducive to the interest of the public—the other respects Mr De Neuville and is only interesting to the feelings of an individual, who if I am not mistaken, with proper allowances for the peculiarities of his...
605From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, [30 April 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I was among the first who were convinced, that an administration by single men was essential to the proper management of the affairs of this country. I am persuaded now it is the only resource we have to extricate ourselves from the distresses, which threaten the subversion of our cause. It is palpable that the people have lost all confidence in our public councils, and it is a fact of which I...
606From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General William Irvine, 7 September [1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] September 7 [ 1779 ]. Hopes to have breakfast with Irvine the next day. ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
607To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 8 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s letters of the 31st of March & 4th of April, the last to day—The one to Col. Bland as members of the Committee has been read in Committee confidentially and gave great satisfaction. The idea of not attempting to separate the army before the settlement of accounts corresponds with my proposition—That of endeavouring to let them have some pay had also appeared...
608From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 22 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
During my stay in this place, I have received intimations that certain officers high in command in this quarter have been guilty of practices, equally unjust, disgraceful to the Army, and injurious to the common cause; I mean seizing the property of the inhabitants of this State, and converting it to their own use, without any compensation either to the right owners, or to the State. A...
609From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Adam Stephen, May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey May, 1777. “Mr. Carter who I am told is a friend of the cause has been here to complain that some persons under the Commersary’s orders, insist on taking from him two labouring oxen, which he cannot possibly spare from the business of his farm. As Agriculture is as necessary to go on as anything else, as The General wishes not unreasonably to distress the inhabitants...
610From 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....
611From Alexander Hamilton to Stewart and Totten, 20 May 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your favour of the 5th instant, with the one hundred and sixteen dollars of the emission of this State. Every kind of paper money is so out of credit here, that it has been with great difficulty I have been able to put off any part of the sum you sent me. I have no method of employing it but in current expences, and for the articles I wanted it will scarcely be received at all...
612From 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...
613From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [4 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
Col Armand, My Dear friend, who is charged with the Marquis’s dispatches will set out in half an hour. It is fortunate that nothing very important since you ⟨left⟩ us has occurred, for I should scarcely ⟨have⟩ liesure to communicate it. By a late letter from Greene he had taken a new position on the left of Charlotte at the Cheraws, which brings him nearer to Cross creek, enables him the...
614From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Schuyler, [27 October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
It is now a fortnight since I have received a line from my Charmer; but I attribute it to the interruptions of conveyance. I wish however you would write by the post, which would ensure me a letter once a week at least; for though I am convinced there is no neglect on your part, yet I cannot help being uneasy, when I have been longer than usual without hearing from you. I am afraid you may be...
615From Alexander Hamilton to Captain Allan McLane, [17 July 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
The General desires you will do every thing in your power without delay to collect all the teams and waggons about the Country in this neighbourhood—to remove the wounded cannon and stores. There is no time to be lost in doing it. I am Yr. Obed ser ALS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. These instructions were given as a result of the capture of Stony Point on July 16, 1779, by...
616From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel John Mitchell, 19 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, October 19, 1779. On October 23, 1779, Mitchell wrote to Hamilton : “Yours of the 19th. from Egg Harbour came to hand at half past two.” Letter not found. ]
617From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [26 June 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
We have halted the troops at this place. The enemy, by our last reports, were four miles from this (that is their rear) and had passed the road which turns off towards South Amboy, which determines their rout[e] towards Shrewsbury. Our reason for halting is the extreme distress of the troops for want of provisions. General Wayne’s detachment is almost starving and seem both unwilling and...
618From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel John Mitchell, 22 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ On the New Jersey coast, October 22, 1779 . On October 23, 1779, Mitchell wrote to Hamilton : “yours of the 22d Inst … came to hand at three oClock this afternoon.” Letter not found. ]
619Remarks on the Quebec Bill: Part Two, [22 June 1775] (Hamilton Papers)
Having considered the nature of this bill, with regard to civil government, I am next to examine it with relation to religion, and to endeavour to shew, that the Church of Rome has now the sanction of a legal establishment, in the province of Quebec. In order to do this the more satisfactorily, I beg leave to adopt the definition given of an established religion, by a certain writer, who has...
620From Alexander Hamilton to Hugh Knox, [July 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
… have fallen into the enemy’s hands. This event redounds very little to our credit; for if the post was untenable, or required a larger number of troops to defend it than could be spared for the purpose, it ought long ago to have been foreseen, and given up. Instead of that we have kept a large quantity of cannon in it and have been heaping up very valuable magazines of stores and provisions,...
621From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Stephen Moylan, 3 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
By command of His Excellency, I am to desire, you will send a corporal and six dragoons, with a Trumpeter to Head Quarters, without loss of time. They are wanted to escort the Commissioners on our part who are to meet on the subject of a general Cartel. You need not be told they must be picked men and horses—must make the best possible appearance—must be very trusty and very intelligent. They...
622From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Alexander McDougall, [17 March 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
Newyork. March 17th 1776. Recived of Col. McDougall Seventy three Pounds, Nineteen Shillings and a Penny half penny for the Pay of the Commissioned Non-Commissioned officers and privates of my Company to the first Instant for which I [have] given three other receipts. £73.19.1 ¾ DS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. Alexander McDougall, prominent Revolutionary War general, gained...
623Plan for an Attack on New York, [August 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
If upon reconnoitring Dobbes ferry it is found susceptible of batteries to establish a communication, So soon as we can assemble ten thousand men leaving a sufficient garrison at West Point, let them be drawn to Dobbe’s ferry this side of the River and immediately set about erecting batteries; let a sufficient number of boats be brought from Kings ferry, by water if practicable, if not by...
624From Alexander Hamilton to Baron von Steuben, [10 June 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
You see the difficulty there is in getting the Majors to serve as Brigade Inspectors. The Board of war have asked the General’s opinion about extending the appointment to the line of Captains. He requests your opinion. Very Respectfully Yr. Obed serv ALS , New-York Historical Society, New York City.
625From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Walton White, 4 March 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Middlebrook, New Jersey ] March 4, 1779 . Requests White to explain to Washington circumstances under which a horse, belonging to one Robert Brown, was impressed. ADfS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. White was a lieutenant colonel of the Fourth Continental Dragoons.
626From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, [5 August 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
Mrs. Schuyler having some business in this city obliged me to pass into it. I do not find that the definitive treaty is here, though I am inclined to believe that definitive orders have been received respecting the evacuation, and advice of the sailing of a fleet of transports for that purpose. A new embarkation of German troops is going on. But upon the whole I do not imagine the evacuation...
627From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [22 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
There are five more boats will be at Dobbes ferry, say the Slote, thursday night. Endeavour if possible to have teams there for them by that time. You will receive further instructions in the mean time. Let us hear from you on this article. ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. These boats were being assembled for the projected attack described in Pickering to H, November 6,...
628From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [27 July 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point, July 27, 1779. Document listed in dealer’s catalogue. Document not found. ] ADS , listed by Thomas F. Madigan, New York City, in Autograph Notes , I (January-February, 1919), 3, Item 203. Greene, a Rhode Island Quaker who served in the state militia in 1774 and 1775, was appointed a brigadier general in the Continental Army on June 22, 1775. After the British evacuated Boston in...
629From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 20 August 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, August 20, 1783. On August 20, 1783 , Hamilton wrote to Philip Van Rensselaer: “I send you a line to the Governor.” Letter not found. ]
630From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Heath, [21 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I am commanded by The General to inform you that Lt. Col Gouvion and Capt Rochefontaine will march with the detachment under the Marquis De la Fayette. Major Villefranche will shortly return to the post of West Point. I have the honor to be Sir Yr. most Obed ser ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. Heath was in command at West Point. Etienne Nicolas Marie Béchet, Chevalier de...
631From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [8 April 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s letters of the 31st of March & 4th. of April, the last to day. The one to Col Bland as member of the Committee has been read in Committee confidentially and gave great satisfaction. The idea of not attempting to separate the army before the settlement of accounts corresponds with my proposition. That of endeavouring to let them have some pay had also appeared...
632From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Rufus Putnam, 31 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
The General directs that you will have the light infantry put under marching orders and held in readiness to move at the shortest notice. The enemy have made an incursion into the Jerseys. You will be pleased to have the woman herewith sent to one of the enemy’s vessels nearest to you. She is a prisoner taken at Stoney point and is to go into New York. I am Sir Your most Obed humble...
633From Alexander Hamilton to Philip Schuyler, 21 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York, January 21, 1781. On February 5, 1781, Schuyler wrote to Hamilton : “Your favors of the 21st & 30th ult: I had the pleasure to receive a few days ago.” Letter of January 21 not found. ]
634From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 24[–27] February 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
In my letter of the 14th. I informed Your Excellency that Congress were employed in devising a plan for carrying the 8th article of the confederation into execution. This business is at length brought to a conclusion. I inclose for the information of the Legislature the proceedings upon it in different stages, by which they will see the part I have acted. But as I was ultimately left in a...
635To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 23 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to Your Excellency the evening of the 20th by Major Neville. I remained in the neighbourhood of Black Point ’till the afternoon following. The Count had received his expected dispatches from Congress and was to sail, as I mentioned before, the first fair wind. At Brunswick yesterday, Mr Caldwell joined me. He was immediately from the Point and brought intelligence that the fleet got...
636From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 27 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Garanger has waited upon the General to know decisively his fate. He renounces all ideas of command or rank in the corps of Artillery and asks only a brevet of Captain in the army. The simple question is—can he be employed usefully or not in the present state and temper of the corps? if not, I shall be obliged to you to inform him so, with a line either to the General or myself, informing...
637From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [2 May 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I am extremely sorry to have embarrassed you by my late application, and that you should think there are insuperable obstacles to a compliance with it. Having renounced my expectations, I have no other inducement for troubling Your Excellency with a second letter, than to obviate the appearance of having desired a thing inconsistent with the good of the service, while I was acquainted with the...
638From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Stephen Moylan, [21 April 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
Benjamin Black the bearer a dragoon in your regiment represents that he is rather unfairly detained in the service, having procured another in his place. We do not believe him; but that he may not think himself neglected, I give him this line to you. I am sure you will do him justice; and you know the General’s sentiments too well to need being told, that while, in the present scarcity of men,...
639From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, [26 October 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I am honored with your letters of the 5th. 15th and 16th instant. The detail you have been pleased to enter into in that of the 5th exhibits very cogent reasons for confining yourself to pretty large denominations of notes. Some of them had occurred to me others had not; but I thought it my Duty to state to you the operations which that circumstance had, as in the midst of the variety and...
640From Alexander Hamilton to Stewart and Totten, 20 May 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ De Peyster’s Point, New York, May 20, 1781. On verso of Stewart and Totten to Hamilton, May 5, 1781 , Hamilton wrote: “Answered the 20th. informing that 60 had been past at 3 for one and that I would do the best I could with the rest.” Letter not found. ]
641From Alexander Hamilton to Captain Francis Grice, [30 May 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Middlebrook, New Jersey, May 30, 1777. By Washington’s orders Hamilton wrote to Grice, assistant deputy quartermaster general, ordering the removal of all boats in the Delaware from Trenton up to Coryells. Letter not found. ] GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). , VIII, 144, note 29. Coryell’s Ferry, located on the New Jersey side of the...
642From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Hugh Hughes, 5 May 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ De Peyster’s Point, New York ] May 5, 1781 . “… I shall … thank you if you can conveniently do it, to let me have a Boatman to remain with me, while I stay here. I have requested a Soldier from Col Scammell, if I get him the Boatman may return.… I should be glad of a Qur. of a pound of Chalk for a particular purpose.” LC , New-York Historical Society, New York City. When H wrote this letter,...
643From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, [22 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
From different occurrences since your letter to the General arrived I have seen no favourable moment to present it. It shall try its fortune to day and you shall hear from me tomorrow. Assure yourself that whatever depends on me shall be done. Mrs H——’s compliments. Adieu ALS , Yale University Library. Webb was apparently attempting to obtain a leave. See H to Webb, March 2, 1781 .
644From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Hugh Hughes, 15 July 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Dobbs Ferry, New York ] July 15, 1781 . Asks Hughes to send “the enclosed” to Albany. LC , New-York Historical Society, New York City. See H to Elizabeth Hamilton, July 13, 1781 ( PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New York and London, 1961– ). , II, 652–53).
645From 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...
646From Alexander Hamilton to Major Ichabod Burnet, [28 January 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The General considers the applicat⟨ion⟩ as unusual and does not think proper to authorise a compliance with it. Yrs. ALS , Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. Burnet was an aide to Major General Nathanael Greene. There is no record of the request by Burnet that is mentioned in this letter.
647From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Charles Scott, [27 June 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
This part of the troops marches instantly. We are to join in the Monmouth road one mile this side of Taylor’s Tavern. You will govern yourself accordingly. If you can find Morgan let him be desired again to keep close to the enemy and attack when we attack. I am sir Yr Obed serv. You will endeavour to keep up a communication of intelligence. ALS , New York Public Library.
648From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Alexander McDougall, [4 April 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
New York April 4th, 1776. Received of Colonel McDougall one hundred and seventy two pounds, three shillings and five pence half penny, for the pay of the Commissioned, Non commissioned officers and privates of my company to the first instant, for which I have given three other receipts. £172.3.5½. ADS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. This receipt appears at the end of “Pay Roll of...
649From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Schuyler, [August 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Impatiently My Dearest have I been expecting the return of your father to bring me a letter from my charmer with the answers you have been good enough to promise me to the little questions asked in mine by him. I long to see the workings of my Betseys heart, and I promise my self I shall have ample gratification to my fondness in the sweet familiarity of her pen. She will there I hope paint me...
650From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 22 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you a petition just put into my hand. You know the General’s idea is not to force the continuance of any man in the service longer than he can be detained consistently with the terms of his engagement; attempts of this kind in a service like ours do more harm than good. This I dare say corresponds with your sentiments; and if the petitioner is not really inlisted during the war, you...