21From 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...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [24 July 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
My servant informs me, that the saddle he rides has met with an accident that renders it unfit for use. As there are none here to be purchased, I should be glad it could be exchanged. I suppose it may be repaired and made serviceable again; however if like indulgencies are not allowed to other officers, I do not wish it for me. I am with esteem Sir Your most Obed ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [11 May 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
On my return here I found your letter of the 29th . The sitting of a Court of Chancery and important business there have unavoidably delayed a reply. Now, it must be much more cursory than I could wish. As to the mission, in some shape or other, the more I have reflected upon it, the more has it appeared to me indispensable. To accomplish, with certainty, a principal object of it—the silencing...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [7 August 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
In the necessaries delivered for my corps, two days since, there were only two wall tents which were the number mentioned and required for the company officers. The field officers therefore are unprovided for. Will you be so good as to give an explicit order for two more? We also want a Regimental orderly book and some regimental paper. Will you be pleased to include these articles in your...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 7 September 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
I this day received your letter of the 20th. of August. Mr. Morris has advised me of the Bills you desired and directed my purchasing them together with his notes and the bank notes with what money shall come in to my hands on public account. They are now beginning to collect the tax imposed for the use of the United States though I can as yet form no judgment with what success or expedition....
26From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 17 March 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I make no apology for offering you my opinion on the present state of our affairs. I look upon the Question before the Public as nothing less than whether we shall maintain our Independence and I am prepared to do it in every event and at every hazard. I am therefore of opinion that our Executive should come forth on this basis. I wish to see a temperate , but grave solemn and firm...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [23 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I remember that very early in the day & prior to any act of Great Britain the French passed a decree violating with regard to all the neutral powers the principle of free ships free goods & I think making provisions liable to seizure. This decree was afterwards rescinded as to America—then again revived & then again revoked. I want copies of these decrees for a particular purpose useful to the...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [15 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
The General directs you will send off the inclosed dispatch for Count De Rochambeau very early in the morning with the most positive directions concerning expedition. It is of great importance that it should arrive to him as quick as possible. He wishes you also to write to the Qr. Master at the station of your last express and desire him in case Sheldon should not have taken up the chain...
29From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [23 March 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I understand that the Senate have called upon the President for papers. Nothing certainly can be more proper; and such is the universal opinion here. And it appears to me essential that so much, as possibly can, be communicated. Confidence will otherwise be wanting—and criticism will ensue which it will be difficult to repel. The observation is that Congress are called upon to discharge the...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [24–25 April 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the paragraph of a News Paper just published. I hope it is an Electioneering lie—but as it is likely to do mischief I will thank you by return of Post to inform me whether you have any thing to confirm or refute & particularly whether you have heared of the list with which Commodore Truxton’s name is connected. Yrs. truly ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. The enclosure...
31From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 4 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I observe by the Boston papers, that some dispatches have been lately found on board a vessel from this port which was carried into Gibralter. The late consul here, Mr. Rosier, has just been with me and suggested that the dispatches are probably from him and allude (but without naming me) to some conversations with me relating to his being received as Consul General some time last Winter....
32From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 2 January 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department , January 2, 1795. This letter is essentially the same as that which Hamilton wrote to Edmund Randolph on the same date. Copy, Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford. On January 2, 1795, Pickering succeeded Henry Knox as Secretary of War ( Executive Journal , I Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate (Washington, 1828), I. , 168–69). For the differences between...
33From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [20 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
There are five boats ordered from Kings ferry to Dobbes ferry, which The General directs you will immediately send a proper number of carriages for, and bring them to where the other boats are. Let no delay attend it, if you please. Have you had the four which were already there brought on? Your most obedient serv ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives; also ADfS , George...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 9 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I am this moment favoured with your letter of the 9th instant. I shall immediately reflect on the most important point & tomorrow give you the result. The provision in the law is ample. But in this My Dear Sir, as in every thing else we must unite caution with decision. The UStates must not be committed on the Independence of St Domingo—no guarantee no formal treaty—nothing that can rise up in...
35From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 12 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received the communication which you made to me with respect to a a part of the contingent expences of the general post office, and on comparing the sum you mention with the charges for similar objects, which have been necessarily sustained in this department, and in the public service in general I cannot perceive any thing in the arrangement you propose, but what appears consistent...
36From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [10 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a letter which I will thank you to hand to its destination. While I have my pen in my hand, give me leave to mention a particular subject to you. Mr. Pinckney, it is said, desires to return to the U States. In this case a successor will be wanted. If we had power to make a man for the purpose, we could not imagine a fitter than Mr. King . He is tired of the Senate & I fear will...
37From 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...
38From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 29 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Your friendly letters of the 21. 22 & 23 of August have been duly received. I feel myself at once much flattered and truly indebted for the very favourable opinion of me which you manifest. The good estimation of men of sense and virtue is an ample consolation for the censure & malice of those of a different character. While the expression of your sentiments has all the value which a well...
39From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [6 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 23 of Jany with its inclosure, for which I am much obliged to you. I have read it with great pleasure. It is a substantial satisfactory paper will do good in this Country & as to France I presume events will govern there. Is it not proper to call upon the Merchants to furnish your Department with statements & proofs of the spoliations which we have suffered...
40From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [21 January 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
The General approves of your allowing a ration per individual to the Capt and crews of the dismissed craft not to the families, to be charged as you mention in a settlement of accounts. He thinks the middle of May will be the proper period for rendezvousing the ox-teams for the next campaign. Yrs. with sincere regard ALS , RG 93 , Miscellaneous Records, National Archives; LC , Hugh Hughes...
41From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 21 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The multiplicity of my avocations joined to imperfect health has delayed the communication you desired respecting St Domingo. And what is worse it has prevented my bestowing sufficient thought to offer at present any thing worth having. No regular system of Liberty will at present suit St Domingo. The Government if independent must be military—partaking of the feodal system. A hereditary Chief...
42From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [13 May 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The offer of your service as successor to Mr. Duer reached me in due time. I can with truth assure you, that you were one of a very small number who held a competition in my judgment and that had personal considerations alone influenced me, I could with difficulty have preferred another. Reasons of a peculiar nature, however, have determined my choice towards Mr. Tench Coxe, who to great...
43From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [7 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
As McHenry will probably have left Philadelphia, before this reaches that place, I take the liberty to address the subject of it to you. I have received a letter from Capt Van Rensselaer, in which he informs me that he is a candidate for a Commission on board of our navy, and requests my recommendation of it. As a connexion of our family —I cannot refuse it as far as truth & propriety will...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [8 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Though I scarcely think it possible that the British Administration can have given the orders which accounts from various quarters attribute to them —yet the circumstance of these accounts coming from different quarters and the conduct of so correct a man as Capt Cochran make me apprehensive. I take the liberty to express to you my opinion that it is of the true policy as well as of the...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [17 July 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your friendly letter by the Post. I had contemplated the possibility that Knox might come into service & was content to be second to him, if thought indispensable. Pinckney , if placed over me puts me a grade lower. I dont believe it to be necessary. I am far from certain that he will not be content to serve under me—but I am willing that the affair should be so managed as that...
46From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [22 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
There are five more boats will be at Dobbes ferry, say the Slote, thursday night. Endeavour if possible to have teams there for them by that time. You will receive further instructions in the mean time. Let us hear from you on this article. ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. These boats were being assembled for the projected attack described in Pickering to H, November 6,...
47From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 19 January 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your letter of this day. The estimate of the sum requisite for the Jersey Militia greatly exceeds what I had supposed to be necessary. There are two dangers attending so considerable advances on account without adequate data to guide—One that a good deal more money may be issued from the Treasury than is necessary with the inconvenience of a difficult & perhaps dilatory after...
48From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [22 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The Boats are not under present circumstances to go to the Notch till tomorrow as you will see by the letter herewith. ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. These boats were being assembled for the projected attack described in Pickering to H, November 6, 1780, note 1 .
49From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 26 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Cutting has given to me a perusal of his papers, respecting his agency in revealing our seamen from British impress. He wished my opinion professionally respecting the validity of his claim, which I declined to give, because it would contradict certain maxims I have prescribed to myself with regard to public questions pending while I was part of the administration. But there are reasons...
50From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 12 April 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York ] April 12, 1781 . States that “the General has ordered the block house in the Clove to be continued.” ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives.
51From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 9 January 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to you, a Copy of a letter from the Commissioner of the Revenue to me, on the subject of Whiskey to be purchased for the use of the Army in the present year. It has been the custom heretofore, to receive the Whiskey at the Posts of Pittsburg, Whelen and Fort Washington—and as there are no places so convenient for the purpose, I would suggest the policy of...
52From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 20 January 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have delayed placing the money required by your letter of the 8th. instant, in the Treasurers hands, upon the ground of the doubts intimated in my letter of yesterday concerning the New-Jersey troops. I observe that the first months pay roll is likely to be a bad criterion, as the Troops were successively much diminished before they left the field. I am ready however to do what to you on...
53From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [27 August 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Sometime since I received the inclosed being directions concerning measures requisite to be pursued to obtain indemnification in cases of Captures by British Cruisers. I laid it by in haste & have since overlooked it. I do not recollect to have seen it in the news papers & yet it appeared to me necessary that it should be so. As it came to me from some one of our public characters in London, I...
54From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [23 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The General approves what you have done; what you propose to do. He only remarks that the horses for the artillery which are to be employed upon the occasion and for the boats are to be kept to their stations. All those not necessary to the expedition may go a foraging; it will be time enough for them to be in camp on saturday morning by light. The Pensylvania line will move early tomorrow...
55From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 20 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 17th. which needed no apology as it will always give me pleasure to comply with any wish of yours connected with the public service, or your personal satisfaction. Good men, in the idea of your appointment to the office of Secretary of State, will find many consolations for your removal from one in which your usefulness was well understood. I wish it was easy...
56From 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...
57From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 13 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Goodhue takes on with him a Boston paper, the printer of which states that he has obtained by a Ship just arrived, a London Paper of March 24th; mentionning in positive terms an account just received from the Emperor that in consequence of a combination between Prussia & France he is driven to the necessity of making an immediate peace for the safety of the Empire —that in consequence of...
58From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 13 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 13, 1799. On June 18, 1799, Pickering wrote to Hamilton and referred to “your letter of the 13th.” Letter not found. ]
59From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [27 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The General desires you will have the boats removed from Doddes to Pompton as speedily as you can & from thence as soon as possible to Kings ferry. The Officer of the Jersey light infantry will take your orders. He will remain in the neighbourhood of Pompton till the Jersey Brigade arrives. ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. The expedition for which these boats had been...
60From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 27 March 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment received your two favours of the 25th. I am delighted with their contents; but it is impossible for me to reply particularly to them so as to reach you tomorrow as you desire. I will therefore confine myself to one point. I am against going immediately into alliance with Great Britain. It is my opinion that her interest will ensure us her cooperation, to the extent of her...
61From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [20 April 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
Let me know the result of your examination whether you can appoint a barrak Master to the French army; if you can, the General wishes you to appoint Col Champlin without delay. Have you the tract written by Price in which he estimates the specie & current cash of Great Britain? Have you Humes Essay’s, Lex Mercatoria or Postlethwait? Any of these books you may have, you will singularly oblige...
62From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [1 January 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
By some unaccountable delay the inclosed which came in a letter to me has been extremely postponed. I hope not injuriously for the interest of the party concerned. Do me the favour to acknowlege its receipt. Yrs. with esteem & regard ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. For background to this letter, see the Marquis de Fleury to H, May 28, 1796 ; Oliver Wolcott, Jr., to H, September...
63From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 7 January 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 7, 1785. “I am mortified in being obliged to acknowlege to you my neglect of the business you committed to my care for your friend Mr. Holt. … I have applied to Mrs. Holt. I find she has some time since taken out letters of Administration with the will annexed during the absence of the Executors; a matter in which she never could have found any difficulty. It would indeed be...
64From 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...