51To 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...
52From Alexander Hamilton to William Loughton Smith, [10 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last to you I have perused with great satisfaction your little work on our Governments. I like the execution no less than the plan. If my health & leisure should permit, I would make some notes, but you cannot depend on it, as I am not only extremely occupied but in feeble health. I send you My ideas of the course of Conduct proper in our present situation. It is unpleasant to me to...
53Enclosure: [Notes on Conduct with Great Britain], [10 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
It must be acknowleged by all who can comprehend the subject that the present situation of the UStates is in an extreme degree critical, demanding in our public councils a union of the greatest prudence with the greatest firmness. To appreciate rightly the course which ought to be pursued it is an essential preliminary to take an accurate view of the situation. That the preservation of peace...
54To 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...
55To 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...
56From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [13 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The post of today brought me a letter from you. I am just informed that an order is come to the Custom House not to clear out any Vessel if armed , unless destined for the East Indies. Under the present circumstances I very much doubt the expediency of this measure. The excesses of France justify passiveness in the Government and its inability to protect the Merchants required that it should...
57To 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...
58From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [16 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
We arrived here last Evening well and shall proceed immediately on our journey. I forgot my brief in the cause of Le Guen against Gouverneur which is in a bundle of papers in my armed Chair in the Office. Request one of the Gentlemen to look for it and send it up to me by the post of Tuesday. Beg them not to fail. Adieu My beloved. Kiss all the Children for me. Yrs. ALS , Mr. George T....
59To 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...
60From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [19 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I informed you My Darling by a letter which will go by post of my arrival here in good health and finding your family well. But this morning your papa has an attack of the Gout, not particularly severe, one indeed which in a different situation would give no uneasiness—but as his strength has been of late somewhat diminished, it is impossible not to feel anxiety about him. On the whole I...
61To 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...
62To 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...
63To 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...
64From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [22 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The consideration for the candidates in the better part of the community stands nearly thus. Clarkeson , ver Plank , Fish = Walker , Burrall , Giles ,
65From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [23 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Lest my Dear Eliza any circumstance should have prevented your departure before this reaches you, I conclude to drop you a line to tell you your Father is considerably better at the same time considering the delicate state of his health generally I am very desirous you should come up as he is. Yrs. Most Affec ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see H to...
66To 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...
67Petition to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the City of New York, [24 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 24, 1797 ] “The Memorial of Sundry Inhabitants of the City of New York and the vicinity thereof Respectfully Sheweth That your Memorialists have learnt … that the Corporation of the City of New York have purchased a lot of Ground situate in the Seventh Ward … which they intend to Convert into a Potters Field for the interment of the bodies of such persons as may die of...
68From Alexander Hamilton to Brockholst Livingston, 28 April [1797] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany ] April 28 [ 1797 ]. “The situation of General Schuyler & other family circumstances do not permit me to attend Court this day. Will you do me the favour to argue the motion for setting aside the Non suit & granting a new trial on the inclosed case? …” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Philip Schuyler, H’s father-in-law, was ill. See H to Elizabeth Hamilton, April 19 , 23,...
69To 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...
70From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I now send you a cursory answer to certain questions. They are imperfect & probably will come too late. But court avocations and distress in the family have prevented any thing better. General Schuyler has been critically ill though now as I hope out of danger. My Brother in law Mr. Rensselaer has just lost a favourite Daughter one & the Eldest of two Children without a prospect of more. The...
71Enclosure: Answer to Questions Proposed by the President of the U States, [29 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
To The first. It is difficult to fix the precise point at which indignity or affront from one state to another ceases to be negotiable without absolute humiliation and disgrace. It is for the most part a relative question—relative to the comparitive strength of the parties—the motives for peace or war—the antecedent relations—the circumstances of the moment as well with regard to other...
72To 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...
73From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Situated as I am at this moment I am obliged to confine myself to very general hints respecting the paper of the 15 of April. As to the first head—I think it will be adviseable that the Speech should be confined to the foreign Affairs of the Country giving the primary & prominent place to those with France. This will make the main business the more striking. Domestic matters may follow in...
74To 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...
75From Alexander Hamilton to William Hamilton, 2 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Some days since I received with great pleasure your letter of the 10th. of March. The mark, it affords, of your kind attention, and the particular account it gives me of so many relations in Scotland are extremely gratifying to me. You no doubt have understood that my fathers affairs at a very early day went to wreck; so as to have rendered his situation during the greatest part of his life...
76To 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...
77To 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.
78From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [11 May 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
On my return here I found your letter of the 29th . The sitting of a Court of Chancery and important business there have unavoidably delayed a reply. Now, it must be much more cursory than I could wish. As to the mission, in some shape or other, the more I have reflected upon it, the more has it appeared to me indispensable. To accomplish, with certainty, a principal object of it—the silencing...
79From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 13 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Goodhue takes on with him a Boston paper, the printer of which states that he has obtained by a Ship just arrived, a London Paper of March 24th; mentionning in positive terms an account just received from the Emperor that in consequence of a combination between Prussia & France he is driven to the necessity of making an immediate peace for the safety of the Empire —that in consequence of...
80To 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 ,...
81To 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...
82To 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...
83To 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...
84To 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....
85To 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...
86From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 22 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 22, 1797. On May 23, 1797, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “Your letter of yesterday is arrived.” Letter not found. ]
87To 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...
88To 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....
89Théophile 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...
90Jacob 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...
91From Alexander Hamilton to John Laurance, 1 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 1, 1797. On June 3, 1797, Laurance wrote to Hamilton : “I have received your letter of the first Instant.” Letter not found. ]
92From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 1 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 1, 1797. On June 2, 1797, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “Your letter of yesterday is this moment recd.” Letter not found. ]
93To 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...
94To 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...
95To 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...
96To 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. ]
97From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 6 June [1797] (Hamilton Papers)
You some time ago put a question to me, which through hurry, I never answered— viz whether there can be any distinction between the provision in the Treaty with Great Britain respecting British debts and that respecting spoliations , as to the power of the Commissioners to re judge the decisions of the Courts . I answer that I can discover none . I am of opinion however that in the exercise of...
98To 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...
99To 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. ]
100From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [8 June 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank, you My Dear Sir, for two letters lately received from you the last by Mr. Church. I feel very guilty for my negligence. But how can I help it? The public prints will inform you of the course of public proceedings hitherto. You will perceive that the general plan is analogous to what was done in the case of Great Britain, though there are faults in the detail. Some people cannot learn...