9361To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 9 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment received yours of yesterday with the deed to Mr Cottringer for which accept my thanks. Mr Ralph Mather the last endorser of the bill on which Mr Bridgon threatens to bring suit, has opened a negotiation here with Mr Nicholson respecting it, and as I hope an arrangement will be made so as to satisfy the owners of sd Bill you will be good enough to prevail on them to wait the...
9362To Alexander Hamilton from William Hamilton, 10 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Greenock, Scotland, March 10, 1797. On May 2, 1797, Hamilton wrote to William Hamilton : “Some days since I received with great pleasure your letter of the 10th of March.” Letter not found. ] William Hamilton was H’s uncle .
9363From Alexander Hamilton to William Tilghman, 10 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 10, 1797. “… You will oblige me by letting me know what have been the laws & practice of Maryland with regard to naturalization—pointing me to the parts of its Constitution & laws which respect the subject. I have under consideration an important question of Insurance in which this inquiry is necessary.” ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Tilghman was born...
9364Receipt to William Cooper, [10 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Rec’d five hundred dollars of William Cooper on account of Mr. Churchs Mortgage on lands in Otsego County. Dollars 500 Some months past 1000 1500 DS , anonymous donor. Cooper, the founder of Cooperstown, New York, was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Otsego County on February 17, 1791. From March 4, 1795, to March 3, 1797, he was a Federalist member of the House of...
9365To Alexander Hamilton from William Tilghman, 13 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, March 13, 1797. Replies to Hamilton’s letter of March 10, 1797 , and answers questions concerning provisions on naturalization in Maryland’s constitution and statutes. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
9366The Warning No. V, [13 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have asserted, that the conduct of Great-Britain towards us and other neutral powers has been at no period so exceptionable, as that of France at the present juncture. A more distinct view of this truth may be useful, which will be assisted by a retrospect of the principal acts of violation on both sides. Tho the circumstance was cotemporarily disclosed in all of our newspapers, yet so blind...
9367To Alexander Hamilton from William Laight, 14 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March 14, 1797 . “Had there not been frequent Instances in many respectable Offices in this City where Events of a similar kind have been effected, which I am now solicitous of obtaining, I should deem it presumptuous to address you on the Subject: Let this, in addition to the solicitude of a Parent for the Establishment of a Son in the line of his Profession be my Apology. Edward...
9368To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 19 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I shall not fail to call the attention of the senate to the insecure state of the port of New York and to detail the distressing consequences which must result should the Metropolis be laid under contribution, be conflagreated, or possessed by a hostile foreign power: but I apprehend nothing more will be done than Authorizing the Governor to take measures for Its security, If a war with some...
9369From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [22 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
It is now ascertained that Mr Pinckney has been refused and with circumstances of indignity. What is to be done? The share I have had in the public administration added to my interest as a Citizen make me extremely anxious that at this delicate Crisis a course of conduct exactly proper may be adopted. I offer to your consideration without ceremony what appears to me such a course. First. I...
9370To Alexander Hamilton from Uriah Tracy, 23[–24] March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
You will probably remember, I applied to you for James Johnson of Salisbury in Connecticut, for the purchase of a tract of Land lying in that Town, of which you had the care & disposal. Johnson has lately written me, that the sale is not yet completed & wishes me to pursue the business, as he is still very desirous of purchasing the Land. You will recollect how far the negociation has...
9371To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 26 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 25th I was favoured with your letter of the 22d. The first measure of calling Congress together had been determined on by the President the preceding evening; and I had the draught of the proclamation inclosed, in my hand, to present to him, when I received your letter. Some other of the measures suggested had been contemplated; and all will receive attention from me & my colleagues. I...
9372To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 27 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote a few lines from Mr Nicholsons house on Saturday whilst waiting to see Mr Mather; he did not come there untill I was obliged to come away, but Mr Nicholson informs me he came afterwards and that they are likely to effect an Arrangement for the Bill of Exchange and that Mr Mather has written to stay any proceedings in New York untill they hear again from him. This being a debt of Mr...
9373The Warning No. VI, [27 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
It has been seen that the Governt of France has an indisputable title to the culpable preeminence of having taken the lead in the violation of neutral rights; and that the first instance on the part of the British Government is nearly a month posterior to the commencement of the evil by France. But it was not only posterior—it was also less comprehensive. That of France extended to all...
9374From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 29 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
The post of yesterday brought me your letter of the day before. I regret that the idea of a Commission extraordinary appears of doubtful propriety. For after very mature reflection I am intirely convinced of its expediency. I do not understand the passage you cite as excluding the reception of a special extraordinary Minister but of an ordinary resident Minister. It seems impossible that the...
9375To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 30 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I believe I mentioned in my last, that I was going to sketch a state of facts relative to Mr. Pinckney’s mission for publication. I now inclose it. That the facts should be known to our citizens was deemed important. I thought it highly important that the Representatives should come together impressed with the sentiments of their constituents on the reprehensible conduct of the French...
9376Enclosure: A Statement of Facts Relative to General Pinckney’s Mission to France, [30 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
General Pinckney, appointed minister plenipotentiary from the United States to the French Republic, left Philadelphia near the end of September, and arrived at Paris the 5th of December last, in the evening. On the 6th, he sent, by his secretary, to Mr. Monroe his letters of recall; and immediately afterwards waited on Mr. Monroe, who shewed him a letter from M. Delacroix, the French Minister...
9377From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [30 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Every one who can properly appreciate the situation of our Affairs at this moment, in all the extent of possible circumstances, must be extremely anxious for such a course of conduct in our Government which will unite the utmost prudence with energy. It has been a considerable time my wish that a Commission extraordinary Madison Pinkney Cabot should be constituted to go to France to explain...
9378To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 31 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your Letter of March 30th. and I consider it as a great acquisition. It developes the origin of a circumstance which came to my knowledge at the close of the last session which filled my mind with inexpressible surprize. To you I will say but in the most perfect confidence that the President had determined on instituting a Commission, but it would not have been composed as you now...
9379From 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...
9380To Alexander Hamilton from Francisco de Miranda, 1 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
C’est depuis quatre ans que je reprends la plume pour vous dire que je suis encore au Nombre des vivans qui restent en france depuis la tyrannie. Voici un Livre qui vient de paraitre sur la Révolution française pas Desodoards . Il contient tous les faits principaux, et indique les Causes, avec Connaissances, Impartialité, et modération à mon avis. Et tous Ceux qui Connaissent à fonds la...
9381From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [1 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 30th. with the statement inclosed. I do not believe that its publication would have any influence upon the question of a rupture with France; but yet, as it seems that those who surround the President are not agreed in the matter—as an opinion is industriously circulated that too much fuel has been added by the publications of the Government—as it is...
9382From Alexander Hamilton to Uriah Tracy, 1 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 1, 1797. On April 6, 1797, Tracy wrote to Hamilton : “I thank you for your Letter of the 1st. inst.” Letter not found. ] Tracy was United States Senator from Connecticut and the state’s attorney for Litchfield County.
9383To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 2 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
As Mr. Church is the bearer, I refer you to him for what it would take many Pages to relate, and will only say that notwithstanding the injuries we continue to receive from France I still hope, the same policy that has hitherto kept us out of the war, will continue to influence and decide our Government. How the new President will conduct himself in a situation thorny and embarrassing remains...
9384To Alexander Hamilton from William Loughton Smith, [2 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 2, 1797. On April 5, 1797, Hamilton wrote to Smith : “I have received … Your letter of the 2d April (97).” Letter not found. ] Smith was a Federalist member of the House of Representatives from South Carolina, a close friend of H, and one of the leading advocates in the House of the policies which H had introduced as Secretary of the Treasury.
9385To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 3 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I took my leave of the senate on friday, And as Mr. Abm. V. Vechten has consented to be nominated a candidate for a seat in senate and will probably be Elected, I am more at ease than I should have been, If a less able man than he had been proposed, for Spencer, Gold and Tillotson have already combined to divest Mr. Jones of his seal under pretence that the comptroller ought not to be of the...
9386From Alexander Hamilton to Barent Bleecker, [5 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The fourth & last installment of the purchase money of the Cosby Manor Lands has become due. It is 1655 Dollars & 50 Cents of which your ¼ is 413. Dollars & 87 Cents. I beg the favour of you to lose no time in forwarding this Sum to me. With esteem Yr very hum ser ALS , Detroit Public Library. For an explanation of the contents of this letter, see the introductory note to Philip Schuyler to...
9387To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 5 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the and accord with your opinion that the proposed publication of the intelligence from Genl. Pinckney should be omitted. The “emigrant” we conclude to be Perigord, formerly bishop of Autun. Sometime since, I was informed that he left this country with signs of enmity towards it; and the Directory would naturally place great confidence in his opinion: and yet it is so...
9388From Alexander Hamilton to William Loughton Smith, 5 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received My Dear Sir Your letter of the with your little work accompanying it, which I shall read with the interest I take in the author, the first leisure hour. I have cast my eye over it and like very much the plan. Our affairs are indeed very critical. But I am sorry to find that I do not agree with several of my friends. I am clearly of opinion for an extraordinary mission and as...
9389From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [5 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of March 31. I hope nothing in my last was misunderstood. Could it be necessary I would assure you that no one has a stronger convinction than myself of the purity of the motives which direct your public Conduct or of the good sense and judgment by which it is guided. If I have a fear (you will excuse my frankness), it is lest the strength of your feelings, the...
9390To Alexander Hamilton from Uriah Tracy, 6 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your Letter of the 1st inst. —but as Johnson of Salisbury teazes to purchase for him the Land, which lies in that Town, in your care, I will thank you to write me or him, whether you mean he should have it. Your plan you say respecting our public affairs is to move together till common danger rouse to common Action. I am perfectly in sentiment with you—provided we can rouse...