51From Alexander Hamilton to William Cooper, 6 September 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I congratulate you and myself on your victory over Brockholst. Whether your interest is much promoted by it or not is of small consequence—In the triumph of vanquishing such an enemy. That you know was your principal inducement and I know that you will be willing to pay well for it. I have been deliberating whether to charge you 200 or 100 pounds for my services in this cause. In fixing upon...
52From Alexander Hamilton to James A. Bayard, 6 April 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
Amidst the humiliating circumstances which attend our country, all the sound part of the community must find cause of triumph in the brilliant display of talents which have been employed though without success, in resisting the follies of an infatuated administration. And your personal friends will not have much reason for mortification on account of the part you have performed in the...
53From 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...
54From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 8 May 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 8, 1801. Gives opinion on the conditions that the executors of Nathanael Greene’s estate wish to impose on the conveyance of his New York State lands. ALS , The Sol Feinstone Collection, Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. For information concerning the contents of this letter, see Wadsworth to H, August 23, 1800 ; H to Wadsworth, March 25, 1801 .
55From 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...
56From 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. ]
57From Alexander Hamilton to James A. Hamilton, [June 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
I have prepared for you a Thesis on Discretion. You may need it. God bless you. Your affectionate father. Hamilton, Reminiscences James A. Hamilton, Reminiscences of James A. Hamilton: or Men and Events, at Home and Abroad, During Three Quarters of a Century (New York, 1869). , 40. In describing this letter and its enclosure, James A. Hamilton wrote: “In 1804 a student in Columbia College...
58From Alexander Hamilton to Rensselaer Schuyler, 4 October 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, October 4, 1801. Gives directions for a shipment of trees. Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by Merwin-Clayton Sales Company, January 12, 1906, Item 55. For background to this letter, see H to Elizabeth Hamilton, October 4, 1801 . Description taken from the dealer’s catalogue.
59From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, [4 September 1802] (Hamilton Papers)
I fully intended to have dined with you to day but going to Town the two last days & forgetting that I ought to observe a regimen, I have brought back in some degree the complaint which lately annoyed me & which requires to be well watched. This must deprive me of the pleasure of seeing you. I send Schedules of the papers required of Tillier, all which have been put into my hands—the bill to...
60From Alexander Hamilton to William P. Van Ness, 23 June 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I was in Town to day till half past one. I thank you for the delicacy which dictated your note to me. If it is indispensable the communication should be made before Monday Morning, I must receive it here. But I should think this cannot be important. On monday by Nine I shall be in Town at my house in Cæder Street No 52, where I should be glad to see you. An additional reason for preferring...
61From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Wilkes, [26 April 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Grange, New York, April 26, 1804. “I would not pronounce against the power of the Directors to go into the operation you mention; but I think it liable to so much question as hardly to be advisable without the sanction of the stock holders at a general meeting. I should perceive no difficulty in their giving a gross sum out of their profits for the renewal or extention of their charter. The...
62From Alexander Hamilton to James A. Bayard, [16–21] April 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 12th inst. has relieved me from some apprehension. Yet it is well that it should be perfectly understood by the truly sound part of the Fœderalists, that there do in fact exist intrigues in good earnest, between several individuals not unimportant, of the Fœderal Party, and the person in question; which are bottomed upon motives & views, by no means auspicious to the real...
63From 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...
64From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 9 July 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, July 9, 1804. Nathaniel Pendleton described the seventh item on a list of ten, which were given to him after Hamilton’s death, as a “Letter to John B. Church inclosing an assignment of some debts.” Letter not found. ] See “List of Papers Given to Nathaniel Pendleton,” July 19, 1804 . See “Assignment of Debts and Grant of Power of Attorney to John B. Church,” July 9, 1804 .
65Articles 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...
66Debts Owed for Services Not Rendered, [10 July 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
These sums having been received since my engagement & no services rendered I consider them as forming part of my debts. Franklin & Robinson 50 James Amory 20 D Ludlow & Co 50 Wilmerding 30 Murdock Masterson & Co 20 Steven Ray & David Dill 25 Scott & Tremaine 20 ADS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. This document is the tenth and final item on the
67From Alexander Hamilton to Louis André Pichon, 10 May 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed was put into my hands by Capt Du Buisson, when lately I was about to make a journey to the City of Washington, with the suggestion that you had desired it as a voucher for his right to receive 3000 francs from the Armateurs of the Peggy and which sum he informed me you would be willing to pay out of funds in deposit with you on account of that Vessel and her Cargo. The...
68From Alexander Hamilton to James M. Hughes, [3 June 1802] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hughes will please to execute the above order as follows—After deducting the Costs he will pay their proportions to the respective parties except that to Joseph Caste which I will receive. ALS , Emmett Collection, MS Division, New York Public Library. Hughes, a New York City lawyer, was a master of the New York Court of Chancery. This letter concerns the case of Benjamin Taylor v Charles...
69Remarks on the Repeal of the Judiciary Act, Second Version, [11 February 1802] (Hamilton Papers)
He [Hamilton] confessed with seeming sincerity, he felt little zeal on the present occasion. He could prove that to repeal the judiciary law and to with-hold the salaries of the judges, would be an infringement of the constitution. He did not intend, however, to dwell on the constitutionality of the question. He allowed that gentlemen might have different opinions concerning it. His primary...
70From 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. ]
71From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [25 October 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
I was much relieved, My Dear Eliza by the receipt yesterday morning of your letter of Monday last. How it came to be so long delayed, I am unable to conjecture. But the delay gave much uneasiness in consequence of the imperfect state of health in which I had left you. Thank God you were better—for indeed my Eliza you are very essential to me. Your virtues more and more endear you to me and...
72From Alexander Hamilton to Herman LeRoy, 19 September 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
Grange [ New York ], September 19, 1802 . Informs LeRoy of an arrangement he has concluded with Henry Sands to assign Sands’s mortgage on lots in Brooklyn to the Bank of New York, which, in turn, would sell the mortgaged property and use the proceeds to discharge Comfort Sands’s debts. States: “Going tomorrow morning to attend the W Chester Circuit which may occasion an absence of three or...
73From Alexander Hamilton to Louis Le Guen, [6 May 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 6, 1804. On July 12, 1804, Le Guen wrote to Hamilton : “J’ai hier recu Votre Lettre du 6. mai.” Letter not found. ]
74From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 11 June 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Davies, who appreciates your character as he ought, having expressed a desire to be personally acquainted with you, I promised him a letter of introduction. I comply with this promise with the greater pleasure, as the impressions which this Gentleman has made upon me induce me to believe that you will be glad of the opportunity of making his acquaintance. He is Attorney of the UStates for...
75Last Will and Testament of Alexander Hamilton, [9 July 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
In the Name of God Amen! I Alexander Hamilton of the City of New York Counsellor at Law do make this my last Will and Testament as follows. First I appoint John B Church Nicholas Fish and Nathaniel Pendleton of the City aforesaid Esquires to be Executors and Trustees of this my Will and I devise to them their heirs and Assigns, as joint Tenants and not as Tenants in common, All my Estate real...
76Speech 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...
77From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 16 October [1802] (Hamilton Papers)
I have just arrived here and shall stay till tomorrow. It has always appeared to me that the ground on which our Orchard stands is much too moist. To cure this a ditch round it would be useful, perhaps with a sunken fence as a guard. But this last may be considered at a future time. If you can obtain one or two more labourers, it may be adviseable to cut a ditch round the Orchard—three feet...
78From Alexander Hamilton to John V. Henry, 31 October 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I left with a Watchmaker at Albany my watch to be put in order & forgot it when I came away. I believe the name of the Watchmaker is Howal . He lives near the Court House, obliquely SouthWest. Do me the favour to get it from him and send it to me by a safe opportunity; paying the expence. Yrs. with much esteem ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. Henry, an Albany lawyer, was...
79From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, [7–11 May 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 7–11, 1804. On May 7–11, 1804, H wrote to Elizabeth Hamilton : “… if Morris will come. Send him the enclosed note.” Letter not found. ]
80From 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...