1From Alexander Hamilton to the Electors of the City and County of New York, [28 April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
For the New-York Daily Gazette. To the Electors of the City and County of New York. Fellow Citizens, This day commences the important Election of a Governor, for the next three years. We think it our duty to inform you, that from the account we have received from different quarters, we have the strongest grounds to believe, that a change is in your power , and that proper exertions on your...
2Conveyance to George Anthon, 25 April 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 25, 1789. Conveys to Anthon in return for eight hundred pounds “All that certain messuage or dwelling house and lot of Ground situate lying and being in the dock Ward of the City of New York on the Easterly side of a Certain Street there called and known by the name of Broad Street.…” DS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress [@LOC] ; certified copy, recorded under the date of...
3H. G. to Marinus Willett, [15 April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
H___ G___. having been informed that Mr. Willet has received a letter from the Attorney General, stating the circumstances of the interview between them, takes occasion to express his expectation that Mr. Willett will communicate it to the public. The [New York] Daily Advertiser , April 15, 1789. For information on the controversy between “H.G.” and Willett, see “H.G. Letters. Introductory...
4Account with the State of New York, [14 April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
State of N.Y. to Alexander Hamilton for services as Member of Congress from 21 Feby–5 May 73 days “ 26 May–14 June 19 “ 30 July–18 Oct 79 171 “ deduct from attendance 43 128 @ 24 £153.12 audited 14 April 1789 D , New York State Library, Albany. H was elected to the Continental Congress on January 22, 1788. He served from February 25 to October 10, 1788.
5Receipt for Money Received from New York State, 14 April 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] April 14, 1789 . Acknowledges receipt of £112 for services as counsel in a controversy between New York and Massachusetts. DS , Rosenbach Foundation, Philadelphia. For information on H’s services as counsel for New York in a controversy between that state and Massachusetts, see “Notes on the History of North and South America,” December, 1786 . Also see H to the Agents of the...
6H. G. Letter XIV, 9 April 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In mine of the 25th of February last, I observed, that there were reasons to conclude that the Governor’s conduct, immediately after the evacuation of this city, had been influenced by condescentions to those who were at the time advocates for persecution, which in some measure involved him in their policy; and in confirmation of this idea I mentioned some circumstances, as they then presented...
For the New-York Journal, &c. Mr. Greenleaf, You are requested to publish this address in your Next Thursday’s paper. By order of the Committee, Alex Hamilton, Chairman. New-York, April 7, 1789. To the Independent and Patriotic Electors Of the State of NewYork. In our last address, we mentioned to you our intention of offering some remarks upon that which has been lately published by the...
8From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [6 April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee appointed to promote the election of Judge Yates as Governor have requested Mr. John Jackson a Merchant of this City to proceed into your County for the purpose of making such communications to the inhabitants of it as may be necessary to inform them of the reasons which influence this City & County in desiring a change in the person of the Chief Magistrate. From the opinion we...
To the Independent and Patriotic Electors of the State of NewYork. It is not long since we addressed you on the subject of the ensuing election of a chief magistrate, and communicated to you the proceedings, which had then taken place in this city in relation to it. Within a few days past, there has appeared an address signed by Mr. Jonathan Lawrence, as the chairman of a committee, said to...
10From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Johnson, 27 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer of this is a Mr. Claxton, who is desirous of being a messenger or something equivalent. I feel an interest in his success, as he is a man of qualifications superior to his present aims. His memorial, which he will deliver you, is of his own drafting, by which you will perceive that he has some literary pretension. He has followed the Printing business; but from the ill effect of it...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Dayton, [26 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Circumstances prevented my seeing a certain Gentleman. But I have reflected more fully on the subject of our conversation. I continue strongly inclined to the opinion that the Council ought to have canvassed prior to the day appointed for the Meeting of Congress upon the returns then before them, and that the subsequent canvass has been irregular and is void. But as to the second point—the...
12H. G. to Marinus Willett, [24 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
H___ G___, for public reasons does not think it expedient to relinquish the character in which he appears in the newspapers; nor does he consider it as necessary to do so, for either of the purposes mentioned by Mr. Willett. Mr. W___ being a mere volunteer in the business, can at any rate have no claim to such a relinquishment. He will do well to recollect, that he did not confine himself to...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 22 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you on Wednesday evening, respecting the circumstances attending the suppression of a certain proclamation issued by the Council for the temporary Government of the Southern district, on account of the conduct of Sears Lamb and Willet in stopping Rivington’s press. It runs in my mind very strongly, that I was informed by Mr. Benson & yourself that the Governor had stayed the...
14H. G. to Marinus Willett, [19 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I perceive by this day’s Advertiser that you have thought proper to come forward, with an air of triumph, to contradict a fact alledged in my sixth letter respecting a proclamation of the council for the temporary government of the southern district. You have been pleased to preface it with some general observations, and among the rest to make a profession of your faith in the virtue of the...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, [18 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Some short time after the evacuation of this City, on the occasion of certain irregularities committed (I think by Sears and others in regard to Rivington) The Council for the temporary government came to some resolution, or agreed upon some proclamation of a spirited nature for discountenan[c]ing such proceedings which was delivered to the Governor to publish. He kept it in his hands and did...
16Subscription to the New-York Manufacturing Society, [17 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 17, 1789. ] On this date Hamilton’s name was listed as one of the subscribers to the New-York Manufacturing Society. The [New York] Daily Advertiser , March 17, 1789. The New-York Manufacturing Society had been organized on January 7, 1789. At a later meeting it was resolved to raise a fund by subscription for the establishment of a woolen factory, the shares to be £10 each....
17Motion Intended to Be Made at a Meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati, 11 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March 11, 1789 . At a meeting of the New York Society of the Cincinnati “held on the 11th of March, at the Holland Lodge, Hamilton informed the Society that he intended to move at the next meeting, for the following By-Law, to be annexed to those already established by the Society, to wit: ‘That each Treasurer of the Society, before he enters upon the execution of his office,...
18H. G. Letter XIII, 9 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The last of the circumstances mentioned by me in my letter of the 26th of February, as evincive of the inimical disposition of the governor towards the union, is that he is unfriendly to the residence of Congress in this city. This may be inferred from the disrespectful manner in which he has treated that honorable body, aggregately and individually, as detailed in some former letters; and...
19H. G. Letter XII, 8 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The seventh of the circumstances enumerated in proof of his Excellency’s enmity to the Union is, That he has continued his opposition to the new constitution even since its adoption by this state. There are two kinds of opposition, direct and indirect. The Governor must have been an idiot to have rendered himself chargeable with the first kind. It would have brought the resentment of the whole...
20Alexander Hamilton’s Account with the Government of the United States, 7 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I A March 7th. 1789 Army in old Emissions Dr. To John Pierce Pay Master General, his account old emissions For Five thousand six hundred and twenty nine dollars 30/90 old Emissions that Lieut Col: Hamilton late aid de Camp to General Washington, credits on the settlement of his account at the Treasury the 2nd instant the specie value of which deducted from the amount in Specie 5.629.30 O.E....
21H. G. Letter XI, [7 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The next in order of the circumstances, alledged in proof of the unfriendly disposition of the Governor to the Union, is that he opposed the new constitution after it appeared, with unreasonable obstinacy . To judge of the propriety of this observation, it ought to be recollected, that the merits or demerits of that constitution must after all, be in a great measure a speculative question,...
22H. G. Letter XI, 6 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
One of the circumstances stated to you in mine of the 26th of February, to shew that the Governor is unfriendly to the UNION, is that he prejudged and condemned the new Constitution before it was framed. This fact has been long since given to the public; to which no other answer, that I have heard, has been made by his Excellency, or his friends, than that he as a citizen had a right to...
23H. G. Letter X, 4 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Sometime in the latter part of the year 1785, or beginning of 1786, the state of Virginia proposed the holding a convention for the purpose of devising some system of commercial regulations for the United States. This state among others acceded to the proposition; and the deputies from different states appointed pursuant to it met at Annapolis in the fall of 1786. But the number actually...
24From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, [3 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
It is in my opinion intirely necessary that the Common Council should be convened this day in order to pass an act for appropriating the City Hall to the use of Congress. This act should be published in the papers & notified by yourself, or if you are not well enough by a committee or member of your board to the senators & representatives as they arrive. The Philadelphians are endeavouring to...
25From Alexander Hamilton to the Electors of the City and County of New York, [3 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Having been appointed by two different, and very numerous meetings of the inhabitants of this city, among other purposes, for that of forwarding the election of John Lawrence, Esq. as the representative of this district in Congress, we think it our duty to state to such of you as may not have been present at those meetings, what we understand to have been the motives to his nomination, and the...
26H. G. Letter IX, 3 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have mentioned as a third circumstance tending to prove the enmity of the Governor to the UNION, “That his behaviour towards the individuals composing Congress has been of a nature calculated to give them just cause of disgust.” I am well informed, that his Excellency never made a visit to, or had any intercourse of civilities with either of the two last Presidents of Congress. This neglect...
27H. G. Letter VIII, 2 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The second particular, which I have stated as evidence of Mr. Clinton’s enmity to the union, is, that he has treated Congress as a body in a contemptuous manner. A proof of this exists in his refusal to convene the legislature of this state, in the year 1786, upon pressing and repeated applications of Congress; sheltering himself under the frivolous pretence, that the constitution did not...
28Election Circular, [23–28 February 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
As it will evidently be of great use in the ensuing election to have some Gentlemen of activity in each ward to superintend the business and promote activity among the electors the Committee appointed to forward the election of John Laurence Esquire will be much obliged by your assistance for those purposes, in the ward to which you belong, and request the same accordingly. With this view they...
29H. G. Letter VII, 28 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The embarrassments experienced in carrying through the first plan, the increase of the national debt, and other circumstances induced Congress to devise a new system of impost, which was finally agreed upon on the 18th of April 1783. In this system, the appointment of the officers, to collect the duties, was referred to the several states, which it was supposed would remove the principal...
30H. G. Letter VI, 27 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last I stated a number of facts tending to prove that Mr. Clinton is not a friend to the UNION. I would not be understood, that either of these facts singly would authorise such a conclusion, but that it is the result of them collectively. Many men, of whose good intentions, I have no doubt, have entertained similar sentiments with him on several of the points stated; but I am mistaken...
31Speech at a Political Meeting, 27 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 27, 1789. A newspaper writer who signed himself “A Spectator” reported that Hamilton stated at a political meeting in New York City: “that as the residence of Congress would doubtless be esteemed a matter of some import to the city of NewYork, and as it would certainly be contended for— Our representative should be a man well qualified in oratory to prove, that this city is...
32H. G. Letter VI, 26 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I shall now proceed to give you a brief history of the Governor’s administration since the peace, as it respects the United States; from the whole of which, preferring the evidence of actions , to that of professions , I am persuaded you will agree with me, that there is satisfactory proof of his being an enemy to the AMERICAN UNION. The facts from which I shall draw this conclusion are of the...
33From Alexander Hamilton to the Citizens of New York, [26 February 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee appointed by the Meeting at Bardin’s Tavern, on Monday evening, for the purpose of carrying into execution the views of the meeting respecting the election of Mr. John Lawrence, as a representative of this district in Congress, having understood that a meeting was held this evening at the Coffee house in opposition to that nomination, which has been adjourned till to-morrow...
34H. G. Letter V, 25 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In your’s of the 23d instant, which has just come to hand, you observe that there are persons in your county, who entertain favourable impressions of the present governor, for the good order preserved in this city, upon the evacuation of it by the British troops; and which you say is ascribed to his moderation, care and decision. This is an idea, not confined to your county. Mr. Clinton and...
35H. G. Letter IV, 24 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
You will perceive, my dear Sir, from the sketch, I have given you, that though the present Governor has a just title to credit for his exertions in the late revolution; yet the degree of credit to which he is truly entitled has been immodestly exaggerated. It is to be wished, nevertheless, for the honor and interest of the state, that his administration since the peace was proportionably...
36H. G. Letter III, 22 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
You mention towards the close of your letter, two reports circulating in your county, which you say operate to the advantage of Mr. Clinton; the one, that at the time he first took the chair of government, “the great men” as they are insidiously called, declined the station, through apprehension of the dangers that might attend it. Not less willing then to set him up as a mark for the...
37H. G. Letter II, 21 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Shortly after the breaking out of the war with Great-Britain, Mr. Clinton received an appointment as brigadier-general, in which capacity he served until he was elected governor of the state, some time in the early part of the year 1777. In both these situations, from the condition of the state, which, during the greatest part of the war was its principal theatre, Mr. Clinton was frequently...
38H. G. Letter I, 20 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 18th instant, has duly come to hand, and entitles you to my particular thanks. In return I shall endeavor fully to comply with your request, and furnish you, in a series of letters, with all the materials in my power, to enable you to judge what conduct it will be proper for you to pursue, in relation to the ensuing election for Governor. Your influence is considerable; and...
39From Alexander Hamilton to the Supervisors of the City of Albany, [18 February 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The last Tuesday of April next being the day appointed by law for the election of a Governor for the ensuing three years; the great importance of making a wise choice in the present peculiar situation of our local and national affairs, appears to have made a deep impression on the minds of considerate men in the different parts of the state. On the eleventh instant, a numerous meeting of...
40From Alexander Hamilton to Isaac Ledyard, [18 February 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I understand you are to have a meeting at this place to morrow on the subject of the ensuing elections and accordingly inclose you to be laid before the meeting an address to the Inhabitants of your Township in regard to the appointment of a Governor. It is much to be wished the meeting may agree with their fellow citizens in New York and come to a resolution on the subject—For in Politics as...
41From Alexander Hamilton to Pierre Van Cortlandt, [16 February 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
By the direction of the Committee I transmit you the inclosed letter. I doubt not Sir you will believe me to be sincere when I assure you that I should be much more happy if circumstances permitted me to be the channel of a very different application. But such is the situation of our state that personal attachments are obliged to yield to public necessity. As I allow myself to hope Sir that...
42Certificate of Good Character for Peter Ogilvie, [13 February 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 13, 1789. The dealer’s catalogue description of this document reads: “certifying the character of Peter Ogilvie.” Document not found. ] ADS , sold at Swann Auction Galleries, October 1, 1942, Lot 28. Ogilvie was a New York attorney, a member of the New York Assembly from Orange County in 1778 and 1779, and judge of the Court of Probates of New York State from 1787 to 1799.
43From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas McKean, 10 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 10, 1789. “I duly received the letter which you did me the honor to write me of the 2d of Decr. last.… With regard to your Bond against Dowdle, when I first received it I made diligent inquiry after him, but I found that his situation and principles were equally desperate & that to make any attempt to recover the money would be to add fruitlessly to your loss.…” ALS ,...
44From Alexander Hamilton to John Holker, [29 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I certify that I am willing and do hereby accept the brief reposed in me as a Commissioner by virtue of a certain instrument bearing date the thirty first day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred and Eighty Eight made between Daniel Parker by his Attorney Andrew Craigie John Holker William Duer Samuel Rogers by the said Andrew Craigie Royal Flint and divers Creditors of the...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [29 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your two letters of the 4th and 7th instant which arrived here during my absence at Albany from which place I have but recently returned. I believe you may be perfectly tranquil on the subject of Mr. Adam’s election. It seems to be certain that all the middle states will vote for him to Delaware inclusively and probably Maryland. In the South there are no candidates thought of...
46From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, [25 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 25, 1789. ] On February [5–28], 1789, Wadsworth wrote to Hamilton : “Your favor of the 25 Jany came in good time.” Letter not found. ]
47From Alexander Hamilton to James Wilson, [25 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
A degree of anxiety about a matter of primary importance to the new government induces me to trouble you with this letter. I mean the election of the President. We all feel of how much moment it is that Washington should be the man; and I own I cannot think there is material room to doubt that this will be the unanimous sense. But as a failure in this object would be attended with the worst...
48From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Jones, [21 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
As in our conversations on the important subject of a representation in the ensuing Congress I had the pleasure to perceive that you were inclined to pursue a moderate and accommodating line of conduct; and as I have reason to believe that representations will be made of the sense of this city calculated to nourish a spirit of pertinacity in the Majority of the Assembly which may counteract...
49Certificate of Clerkship for Joseph Strong, [20 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I certify that Joseph Strong has served a clerkship of three years in my office in the business of an Attorney and that he is of good moral character. ADS , Pleadings, 1754–1837, S-486, Hall of Records, New York City. Following his clerkship, Strong practiced law first in Cooperstown, New York, and then in Albany. See Strong to H, August 11, 1796 ( PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of...
50From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Chipman, [September–December 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Your favour of the 6th of September has been duly handed to me, and I receive great pleasure from the hopes you appear to entertain of a favourable turn of affairs in Vermont in regard to the new Government. It is certainly an object of mutual importance to yourselves and to the Union and well deserves the best endeavours of every discerning and good man. I observe with satisfaction your...