101From Alexander Hamilton to William R. Putnam, 6 December 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
The multiplicity of my engagements has diverted my attention from a remittance to you on account of the taxes of my lands in your quarter. I count upon your good will that no inconvenience will have ensued & I now enclose Fifty Dollars. It will be satisfactory to me to know that it has reached you and whether any further supply will be promptly requisite; also what are the present prospects as...
102Account with John McComb, Junior, [8 December 1802] (Hamilton Papers)
State of acct. between Genl. Hamilton and John McComb Junr. amt. of Contract for finishing the Dwelling House $1875–0 571 ds board as pr. agreement @ 3/ (done Last Year) 214– amt. of Extra work is uncertain Dolls 2089– 1802 Cr June 2d By Cash recd $400 July By Cash 400 Sept. 12th “ Cash 400 Decm. 8th
103From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Peters, 29 December 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
A disappointed politician you know is very apt to take refuge in a Garden. Accordingly I have purchased about thirty acres nine miles from Town, have built a house, planted a garden, and entered upon some other simple improvements. In this new situation, for which I am as little fitted as Jefferson to guide the helm of the UStates, I come to you as an Adept in rural science for instruction....
104From 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...
105For the Evening Post, [8 February 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
Since the question of Independence, none has occurred more deeply interesting to the United States than the cession of Louisiana to France. This event threatens the early dismemberment of a large portion of our country: more immediately the safety of all the Southern States; and remotely the independence of the whole union. This is the portentous aspect which the affair presents to all men of...
106Account with John McComb, Junior, [10 February 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
Dr. Alexander Hamilton Esquire in acct. with John McComb Junr. Cr 1802 To amt. for finishing House at Bloomingdale 1801 By Cash receiv’d on Ac⟨ct – –⟩ as p Contract $1875 July “ Cash “ ⟨–⟩ 750 days board as p. agreement 3/ 281.25 Sep 18 “ Cash ⟨–⟩ Securing Cellar floor agt. Rats 25.
107From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [13 March 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
Captain Church, My Dear Betsy, has just arrived & brings me favourable accounts of your journey hitherto and prospects. It is a great comfort to me and I hope will not be marred by bad weather; so that you may all speedily arrive and without too much fatigue to sooth and console your affected Father. Now you are all gone and I have no effort to make to keep up your spirits, my distress on his...
108From Alexander Hamilton to Philip Schuyler, 13 March 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 13, 1803. On March 13, 1803, Hamilton wrote to Elizabeth Hamilton : “I write your father by this opportunity.” Letter not found. ]
109From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [16–17] March 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My Betsy for your letter from Fish Kill. I hope the subsequent part of your journey has proved less fatiguing than the two first days. I have anticipated with dread your interview with your father. I hope your prudence and fortitude have been a match for your sensibility. Remember that the main object of visit is to console him; that his own burthen is sufficient, and that it would...
110From Alexander Hamilton to Philip Schuyler, 16–17 March 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 16–17, 1803. On March 16–17, 1803, Hamilton wrote to Elizabeth Hamilton : “I write your father by this oppy.” Letter not found. ]
111From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 20 March [1803] (Hamilton Papers)
I am here my beloved Betsy with my two little boys John & William who will be my bed fellows to night. The day I have passed was as agreeable as it could be in your absence; but you need not be told how much difference your presence would have made. Things are now going on here pretty and pretty briskly. I am making some innovations which I am sure you will approve. The remainder of the...
112From Alexander Hamilton to John V. Henry, 20 March 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I am afraid the frequency of my requests may induce you to think me troublesome; but I do not know any one to whom I can with more confidence address myself; and if I trespass too much on your politeness I beg you will retaliate by commanding me freely in any matter in which I can render you service. When I was last at Albany, I applied to The Comptroller, Mr. Jenkins, to ascertain the amount...
113From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Hartshorne, [23 March 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
I understand that our Supreme Court has decided that the Plaintiff is liable to the Sheriff for his poundage. The agents of Mr. Sansom are therefore to pay the above. ALS , Columbia University Libraries. Hartshorne, a New York City merchant, was acting as agent for Philip Sansom, a London merchant, who was bringing suit against the New York mercantile firm of Robert Murray and Company. In 1796...
114From Alexander Hamilton to Edward Pennington, 6 April 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 6, 1803. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by M. Thomas & Sons, Philadelphia, February 8, 1859, Item 815. Pennington (Penington) was a sugar refiner in Philadelphia.
115Articles of Association of the Merchants’ Bank, [7 April 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
To all to whom these Presents shall come, or in any wise concern. Be it known and made manifest, that we, the Subscribers, have formed a Company or limited Partnership, and do hereby associate and agree with each other, to conduct business in the manner hereinafter specified and described, by and under the name and style of the “Merchants’ Bank,” and we do hereby mutually covenant, declare and...
116First Version: Speech to Federalist Nominating Convention for the City of New York, [20 April 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
He took a brief view of the disgraceful measures of the general government, and then descended to notice some of the acts of the petty tyrants of our own state. He concluded his address by exhorting his fellow-citizens to lay hold of the present occasion, and wrest the dominion from hands so unfit to retain it. Speaking of the success of elections in New England, he observed, that the “Wise...
117Second Version: Speech to Federalist Nominating Convention for the City of New York, [20 April 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
After the business of the evening was completed, the gallant of Mrs. Reynolds addressed the meeting in a speech fraught with misrepresentation and abuse of the State and General Governments. He reiterated all the train that has appeared in the Post . He declared that the federal executive was too feeble to sustain the Government! But this restless & turbulent demagogue, this croaker of a...
118From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Terry, 21 April 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 21, 1803. States: “Your letter of the 2d instant found me in the midst of a Circuit Court.” Discusses a case concerning Jeremiah Wadsworth, one of the executors of Nathanael Greene’s estate. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found. The Circuit Court of the City and County of New York met from March 29 to April 21, 1803. For Greene’s estate, see “Report on...
119Receipt to Benjamin Tallmadge, [6 May 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
I Alexander Hamilton of New York acknowledge to have received of Benjamin Tallmadge , Treasurer of the OHIO COMPANY, ninety seven Dollars five cents being the third dividend payable on five Shares in said Company, in the agency of Winthrop Sargent. Dated at New York this sixth Day of May 1803. DS , Princeton University Library; DS (photostat), Benjamin Tallmadge Scrapbook, Library of Congress....
120From Alexander Hamilton to Henry William De Saussure, 9 June 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 9, 1803. On August 6, 1803, De Saussure wrote to Hamilton : “I received your favor of the 9th June.” Letter not found. ]
121From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Graves, 9 June 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 9, 1803. Gives his opinion concerning Graves’s legal questions and states: “Having myself lands in the vicinity of those of Mr. Scriba, I have occasionally received some information concerning the latter.… Some of my lands are now selling to settlers at the rate of three Dollars per acre.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter was written in reply to Graves to...
122From Alexander Hamilton to Nicholas Low, [17 June 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the letter I have drafted to Mr. Ludlow. Be so good as to sign and forward it. Retain carefully the copy on the other side. Yrs. with esteem ALS , The Sol Feinstone Collection, Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. Daniel Ludlow, a former Loyalist and a New York City merchant, was one of the founders of the Manhattan Company in 1799. In 1801 he was appointed...
123Enclosure: Alexander Hamilton and Nicholas Low to Daniel Ludlow, 17 June 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
It is now a considerable length of time since we became with you Trustees for the Creditors of Isaac Moses & Co and Samuel and Moses Meyers; and we feel anxious that the affairs of this trust should be finally closed. We therefore request that you will be good enough to communicate to us the present situation of this business and especially a statement of the funds, if any, which may remain in...
124From Alexander Hamilton to William Rawle, 26 June 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 26, 1803. On June 27–July 29, 1803, Rawle wrote to Hamilton : “This morning I received your favor of the 26th. inst.” Letter not found. ] A native of Philadelphia, Rawle studied law in England at the Middle Temple from 1781 to 1782. In 1782 he returned to America, and in 1789 he was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly. He was United States attorney for the District of...
125From Alexander Hamilton to Jonas Platt, 16 August 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 16, 1803. “The enclosed is pursuant to an arrangement between Judge Thompson & Mr. Troupe. The parties trust and hope, that you will by all means have the goodness to attend.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Platt, Smith Thompson, and Robert Troup had been appointed arbitrators and commissioners to settle the dispute over lands in Claverack, Columbia County, New...
126From Alexander Hamilton to Louis Le Guen, 12 September 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, September 12, 1803. On September 30, 1803, Le Guen wrote to Hamilton : “Votre Lettre du 12, timbré du 19, ne m’est Parvenue que Le 29.” Letter not found. ]
127From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 16 September 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I will make no apology for my delay in answering your inquiry some time since made, because I could offer none which would satisfy myself. I pray you only to believe that it proceeded from any thing rather than want of respect or regard. I shall now comply with your request. The highest toned propositions, which I made in the Convention, were for a President, Senate and Judges during good...
128From Alexander Hamilton to William R. Putnam, [19 September 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
I have to thank you for your letter of the 1st of August stating the amount of taxes on my lands payable the present year being Dollars 21 & 97 Cents. Inclosed you will find thirty Dollars to enable you to pay them. You will oblige me by a line informing me of the Receipt of this letter. With great esteem & regard Yr Obed ser ALS , Dawes Memorial Library, Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio....
129From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [September] 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
The necessity of purchasing a quantity of land, which I did not intend, in consequence of a mortgage that comprehended a tract I had before purchased, has so far disconcerted my pecuniary arrangements as to require that I should obtain some further Bank accommodations, instead of gradually extinguishing those I had already procured. It is therefore my wish to obtain from the Merchants Bank a...
130From Alexander Hamilton to Harrison Gray Otis, 8 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Grange, New York, October 8, 1803. States: “A slight indisposition has prevented an earlier acknowlegement of your favour of .” Gives his opinion concerning the admissibility of evidence in a case in which Otis was acting as counsel for John B. Church. ALS , anonymous donor. Otis, a Boston Federalist and lawyer, was United States attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1796 to 1797 and...
131From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, 10 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I distinctly recollect (as was once before verbally explained between us) that just before you made a payment of Two thousand Dollars on your Bond, Winships Mortgage was returned to you, as the mean by which the money was to be procured. I think it was sent to you by Le Guen himself. It is to be presumed, that Winship has had since some intimation from the possessor of his mortgage, and that...
132From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 14 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here this day, in about as good health as I left home though somewhat fatigued. There are some things necessary to be done which I omitted mentioning to you. I wish the Carpenters to make and insert two Chimnies for ventilating the Ice-House, each about two feet Square & four feet long half above and half below the ground—to have a cap on the top sloping downwards so that the rain...
133From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 22 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I am here, my beloved Eliza, on my way to Albany —in much better health than I have been since my first attack at home. To avoid the risk of bringing on a relapse by too much exercise, it is my intention to continue here ’till tomorrow morning. Judge Benson is with me. The Arbitrators are gone to view the land in which business they will be engaged till Wednesday. On that day I must be back at...
134From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [27 October 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
It is with great pleasure, I am able to inform my beloved Eliza that I continue to progress in convalescence; so that I propose to go to day from your Uncles where I have been to claverack where the Arbitrators are. But I do not mean to take any other part than that of Chamber Counsel in the business, till I am quite strong, for it will be my careful endeavour not to hazard another relapse. I...
135From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, October [1803] (Hamilton Papers)
This morning my b⟨e⟩loved Eliza I leave Albany for C⟨lav⟩erack, my health greatly mended ⟨a⟩nd I hope to make but a short stay there. My plan is to go to Poughkepsie and there embark. I shall be glad to find that my dear little Philip is weaned, if circumstances have rendered it prudent. It is of importance to me to rest quietly in your bosom. Adieu my beloved. Kiss all the Children for me....
136From Alexander Hamilton to Harrison Gray Otis, 12 November 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, November 12, 1803. Urges “the utmost caution and care” in preparing John B. Church’s case for hearing before the Supreme Court. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter concerns the case of John B. Church, Jr. v Tuthill Hubbart . See H to Theophilus Parsons, December 31, 1801 ; H to Otis, October 8, 1803 .
137From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Gouverneur, 9 December 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 9, 1803. Gives opinion concerning the effect of the French arrêt of June 20, 1803, on neutral shipping. ALS , The Huntington Library, San Marino, California. Gouverneur was a New York City merchant. For the full text of this letter and a discussion of its contents, see Goebel, Law Practice Julius Goebel, Jr., and Joseph H. Smith, eds., The Law Practice of Alexander Hamilton:...
138From Alexander Hamilton to Herman LeRoy, 12 December 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 12, 1803. Discusses the contents of a letter “this morning received from Mr. Pendleton” concerning an agreement made between Henry Sands and the Bank of New York which provided for the sale of mortgaged property owned by Sands in order to pay Sands’s creditors. AL [S], Bank of New York, New York City. For background to this letter, see H to LeRoy, September 19, 1802 . The...
139From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [1803] (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here, my beloved, about five this afternoon. According to my first day’s journey, I ought now to be much further advanced. But some how Riddle sprained the ancle of one of his hind legs, which very much retarded my progress to day. By care and indulgence, he is much better this Evening; so that I count upon being able to reach Albany with him early on Wednesday morning. I have...
140Plan for a Garden, [1803] (Hamilton Papers)
1. Transplant fruit trees from the other side of the stable. 2. Fences repaired. repaired behind stable. The cross fence at the foot of the hill? Potatoes Bradhursts? Ground may be removed and used for this purpose. Cows no longer to be permitted to range. 3. The Sod and earth which were removed in making the walks where it is good may be thrown upon the grounds in front of the House, and a...
141From Alexander Hamilton to Louis Le Guen, 11 January 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 11, 1804. On January 18, 1804, Le Guen wrote to Hamilton : “Je n’ai recu que Ce matin, La Lettre dont Vous mavés favorisé Le 11.” Letter not found. ]
142From Alexander Hamilton to Louis Le Guen, 24 January 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 24, 1804. On July 12, 1804, Le Guen wrote to Hamilton : “Le 24 Janvier aussy dernier, Vous maves fait la remise.” Letter not found. ]
143From Alexander Hamilton to Victor Marie Du Pont de Nemours, [30 January 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you three Notes on account of my bond each for 800 Ds as agreed. On Saturday I took the bond in the Country & forgot to bring it to Town with the calculation; so that ⟨I m⟩ust defer the completion of the arrange⟨ment⟩ to my return from Albany. But you may consider it as done & in⟨form⟩ your correspondents accordingly. Yrs. with gre⟨at⟩ regard ALS , Mr. Henry Francis du Pont, Winterthur,...
144Speech at a Meeting of Federalists in Albany, [10 February 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
Reasons why it is desirable that Mr. Lansing rather than Col. Burr should succeed. 1. Col Burr has steadily pursued the ⟨track⟩ of democratic policies. This he has done either from principle or from calculation . If the former he is not likely now to change his plan, when the fœderalists are prostrate and their enemies predominent. If the latter, he will certainly not at this time relinquish...
145From Alexander Hamilton to Robert G. Harper, 19 February 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
Since the receipt of your letter on the subject of the impeachment of the Judges, this is perhaps the first moment, that indifferent health and excessive occupation have permitted a reply. I view the attempts which are making completely in the light you do; and have very little doubt that they are in prosecution of a deliberate plan to prostrate the independence of the Judicial Department, and...
146From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 24 February 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
You will have heared, before this reaches you, of the fluctuations and changes which have taken place in the measures of the reigning party, as to a candidate for Governor; and you will probably have also been informed that pursuant to the opinions professed by our friends, before I left New York, I had taken an open part in favour of Mr. Lansing. It is a fact to be regretted, though...
147Nathaniel Pendleton’s Memorandum on a Conversation between Alexander Hamilton and Ebenezer Purdy, [25 February 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
On Saturday the 25th of february 1804 I went with General Hamilton to the lodgings of Judge Purdy in Albany who was at home. General H. said that he had called on Mr. Purdy, supposing he had had sufficient time for reflection, to know who was the person alluded to in the conversation he had had with him a day or two before when Mr. Kane was present. Mr. Purdy said he had thought of it, but had...
148From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 27 February 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
It is now a long time since a very ⟨odious⟩ slander has been in circulation to the prejudice of my character. It has come to my ears in more than one way, but always ’till lately without the disclosure ⟨of⟩ any source to which I could resort for explanation or detection. Within a few days, Mr. Kane of this City related to me a story as coming from Judge Purdy, in substance very similar to the...
149From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 2 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
If our correspondence does not terminate with your letter of the 29th. of February, received yesterday, I wish it to be understood that it proceeds merely from the desire of removing all ambiguity from a transaction, in which my character may be materially interested. It is perhaps the natural inference from what you have stated, that nothing took place on your part, to sanction or corroborate...
150From Alexander Hamilton to Louis Le Guen, 6 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, March 6, 1804. On March 22, 1804, Le Guen wrote to Hamilton : “Je nai recu que hier, Votre Lettre du 6.” Letter not found. ]