1From Alexander Hamilton to Major Henry Lee, or in his absence, Captain Allan McLane, [17 July 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
There is an incampment of the enemy or a demonstration of one which appears on the other side of the River considerably on this side of Tarry Town. You will be pleased in conse[que]nce to have patroles kept from this till morning seven or eight miles down along the shore & on the roads leading to this place on our right. This may be a critical night and demands the greatest vigilance. I am Sir...
2To Alexander Hamilton from Major Henry Lee, [10 September 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
I wish you would send me a copy of Gen Washingtons letr. of instructions to me, a copy of gen orders on the subject of the 19th. & the sentence of the court martial. The emissarys from the virginia party have been industrious to injure my military character. I am dr sir yours sincerely ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. The background of this letter can be briefly summarized:...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Major Henry Lee, [13 September 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
Capt McCallister delivered me your note. I applied to Col: Scammel for copies of the order of approbation and the sentence of confirmation; but he informs me that they had been already forwarded to you by express. The inclosed copy of the Generals letter, if I have not misunderstood you, executes the rest of my commission. If I did not think your vanity would be intolerable at the manner of...
4From Alexander Hamilton to Major Henry Lee, 9 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Near Philadelphia, October 9, 1779. On October 15, 1779, Lee wrote to Hamilton : “I have your letters of the 9th & 13th Octobr.” Letter of October 9 not found .]
5From Alexander Hamilton to Major Henry Lee, 13 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Lewes, Delaware, October 13, 1779. On October 15, 1779, Lee wrote to Hamilton : “I have your letters of the 9th & 13th Octobr.” Letter of October 13 not found .]
6To Alexander Hamilton from Major Henry Lee, 15 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I have your letters of the 9th & 13th Octobr. The Pilots have orders one half to proceed to Lewis Town, there to wait on you. The route I can not yet determine, as I am not sufficiently acquainted. They will be sent the shortest & every assistance given them to expedite their arrival. Should you leave the Capes before they get there, it would be necessary to dispatch a courier to cross at...
7To Alexander Hamilton from Major Henry Lee, 22 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your two letrs announcing your object route & wishes. I sent to you at Lewis-town two pilots—one of them Captain Johnston from whom you may know more than from any other, as he was particularly active. The enemy’s strength at the hook consists in two 64, the Europa & Russell—the Raisonable, Renown Roebuck & Romulus. Besides these they have a few frigates & some armed Schooners. They...
8To Alexander Hamilton from Major Henry Lee, 29 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
October 29, 1779. Reports “two naval actions the one in the english channel between the grand fleets the second in the West indies.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See Lee to H, October 15 , 22, 1779 , and Washington’s correspondence with H and Brigadier General Du Portail for background to this letter.
9To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, [16 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
God bless you & your efforts to save me from the manifold ⟨–⟩ misfortunes which have & continue to oppress me, whenever I attempt to aid human nature. You will do what you think best & whatever you do I will confirm. Hazard has acted the part of a decided rascal & if I fail in my right, I may not in personal revenge. Our Convention is in full debate on the great business of Federal...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 30 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Least my brother should have returned I take the liberty of asking your safe delivery of the two lets. enclosed & any reply which may be given to you for me. At the same time let me present my hearty gratulations on the proper honor you have received from our country. I anticipate good to the public & new lustre to my friend notwithstanding the obstinate difficultys & embarrassments which...
11To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, [16 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The letr. sent to your care, be pleased to return. Your undertaking is truely arduous but I trust as you progress in the work, difficulty will vanish. From your situation you must be able to form with some certainty an opinion concerning the domestic debt. Will it speedily rise, will the interest accruing command specie or any thing nearly as valuable, what will become of the indents already...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, [1 December 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received your letter of the 16th instant. I am sure you are sincere when you say, you would not subject me to an impropriety. Nor do I know that there would be any in my answering your queries. But you remember the saying with regard to Caesar’s Wife. I think the spirit of it applicable to every man concerned in the administration of the finances of a Country. With respect to the...
13To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 12 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Our parting conversation has deeply employed my mind & I continue to lament exceedingly the existence of any event which puts us even politically opposite. No man is more warmly attached to his friends than I am; among the first of whom my heart places you. I thoroughly confide in the unstained purity of your principles, altho I feel enmity to the measures flowing from them. I am solicitous...
14To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, [22 August 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Cox was about taking to you my riding horse, but my apprehension of yr. necessary hurry & my wish to compare him with a horse I have sent for, concluded a procrastination of my execution of your request & my ardent desire. No other consideration could have induced me to postpone a measure you reckon essential to your health. Nor shall time be lost in presenting you with this trivial...
15To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, [18 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
My assiduity has been exercised to procure for you a riding horse ever since my return. My success has not been equal to my hopes, & indeed it is not easy to accomodate you with a horse as you require one very gentle, which is not commonly a quality to be found in horses of the best sort. Mr Giles will deliver you the best I could get, & I beleive among the safest & most agreable that this...
16To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 23 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I cannot so well execute Mr. Randolph’s desire as by enclosing his letter to me. Whatever he has said in favor of Mr. Johnston may be reckoned on with certainty. It has been a long time since I have heard from you, tho daily I hear of you: commended by some, condemned by others—sometimes you are mounted to the skys on the wings of fame, again whisked into the infernal pit. I have withdrawn...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, [22 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, August 22, 1792. On September 10, 1792, Lee wrote to Hamilton : “I found on my return from a visit … your letter of the 22d. Ult.” Letter not found. ] From 1792 to 1794 Lee was governor of Virginia.
18To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, [10 September 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
I found on my return from a visit to the southwestern frontier of this state your letter of the 22d. Ult. I am still depressed in my mind & continue to be the subject to unavailing woe. My son on whom I cheifly counted for future comfort was suddenly deprived of life during my absence, which event on the back of what took place two years past has removed me far from the happy enjoyment of...
19From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 22 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been communicated to me that the Commonwealth of Virginia, by an act not long since passed, authorized the reissuing of Certain Certificates which had been redeemed by the operations of the Sinking Fund of that Commonwealth and that there is every probability that the certificates so reissued, or a considerable part of them, have been subscribed to the loan payable in the Debt of the...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 12 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor to receive your letter of the 22d. Ultimo and submitted the same to the Council of State. In conformity with their advice, I have given directions to the proper officer of this Commonwealth to Supply the loan officer of the United States with the information requested. Some doubts arise with respect to the propriety of the measure adopted, but our Solicitude to prevent any...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 6 May [1793] (Hamilton Papers)
I had your letter delivered to me last evening & feel myself hurt at the suggestions it contains concerning your own situation. Knowing you as I do I should ever give to your political conduct the basis of truth honor & love of country however I might have differed from you on some measures. When therefore I feel undiminished regard to you, I cannot help lamenting the misery to which you...
22To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 15 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
We have heard here that a circular ltr. from you to the several collectors relative to French prizes has given great offence to the British minister & that this conduct on the part of the U.S. will contribute to produce a rupture with G.B. I should be very much obliged to you for the truth on this point & its expected consequences. Peace to America is in one word, our all. A set of clamorous...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 15 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, June 15, 1793. On the back of Lee’s letter to him of May 6, 1793 , Hamilton wrote: “Answered June 15.” Letter not found. ]
24From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 22 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
There is no foundation, My Dear Sir, that I know of, for the Report of the Offence said to have [been] taken by the British Minister, in relation to the subject of my circular letter. No symptom of dissatisfaction on this score has appeared; nor, as I believe, exists. I presume, it is regarded as a measure, in which the Executive Government had no option. I need not tell you how much my ideas...
25To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 17 September 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Among the late exiles from St. Domingo in consequence of the misfortunes to which the inhabitants of that island have been subjected in the course of human events are a few desirous of settling in this state. They offer governmental bills received by them as remittances to France in their prosperity. Doubts arise respecting their payment on presentment to Paris. Please to tell me what you...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 7 October 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I heard of your illness, with pain I heard of your repulse in n jersey, of your consternating Mr. Mrs Morris & above all the angelic Miss Morris in their retreat with wonder. I wished for your return to health with affectionate sincerity, & I feel astonished at the recollection of this wish, in as much as you seemed to me long ago beset with trouble, & I have ever held death a sleep ending in...
27To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 6 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Use your first leisure & tell me all the political news, especially whether it is possible that Congress mean to pick a quarrel with G. B. An alarm on this subject affects many here. Is it not better to bear temporary evils & by negotiation to diminish or dismiss them, than with a view to releive ourselves from them to plunge ourselves into the miserys of war? If our councillors be so lost to...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 17 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, June 17, 1794. On the back of a letter which Lee wrote to Hamilton on March 6, 1794 , Hamilton wrote: “Answered June 17th.” Letter not found. ]
29To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, [5 July 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
You must know that we Virginians think that the president seems to undervalue us as seamen. I wish you could change this turn of mind in the illustrious sachem, & by way of beginning bring into a Lieutenancy the bearer Mr. Shore. He is well connected in the southern parts of the state, (where you want acquaintances), is excellenty charactered & bred to the sea service. His manners bespeak him...
30To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, [16 July 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
To shew you that all is not anger & that truth may perhaps regain its empire I enclose the gazette of the day. Adieu ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is endorsed in an unidentified handwriting as follows: “Inclosing printed Report of Committee of enquiry into the Treasury.” It is more likely, however, that the enclosure was a copy of the [Richmond] Virginia Gazette and...