1From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [9 October 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My Dr. Sir for your obliging congratulations on the event towards effecting which your aid as a joint labourer was so essential. I hope experience may show that while it promotes the interest of this place it will not be incompatible with public good. We are making efforts to prepare handsome accommodations for the session of the new Congress. On the subject of Vice President, my...
2To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 16 October 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. I have this moment recd. and detain the post while, that I may make a very few observations on a subject I conceive highly interesting to the efficient operations of the future government. Mr. Adams was formerly infinitely more democratical than at present and possessing that jealousy which always accompanies such a character, he was averse to repose such unlimited...
3To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 2 November 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last hasty letter, I engaged to write you soon after my arrival in this town. Various questions will be agitated in the legislature (of considerable magnitude) which respect the orginization of the government. There is a party of federalists, who are of opinion that the electors should ⟨be chosen⟩ by the people, and the rep⟨resentatives⟩ not in districts but at large. These ⟨will⟩ be...
4From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [9 November 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Your last letter but one met me at Albany attending Court; from whence I am but just returned. Yours of the 2d. instant is this moment handed me. I am very sorry for the scism you hint at among the Foederalists; but I have so much confidence in the good management of the fast friends of the constitution that I hope no ill consequences will ensue from that disagreement. It will however be...
5To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, [12 November 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, November 12, 1788. Letter not found. ] “Letters from T. S. [Theodore Sedgwick] to Genl. A. Hamilton,” William Livingston Papers, Book 3, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. Sedgwick, a lawyer in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, was a member of the state legislature in 1780, 1782, 1783, 1787, and 1788, a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1785 to 1788, and speaker of the...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 4 January 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ January 4, 1789. On January 29, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Sedgwick : “I thank you for your two letters of the 4th and 7th instant.” Letter of January 4 not found. ]
7To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 7 January 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ January 7, 1789. On January 29, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Sedgwick : “I thank you for your two letters of the 4th and 7th instant.” Letter of January 7 not found. ]
8From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [29 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your two letters of the 4th and 7th instant which arrived here during my absence at Albany from which place I have but recently returned. I believe you may be perfectly tranquil on the subject of Mr. Adam’s election. It seems to be certain that all the middle states will vote for him to Delaware inclusively and probably Maryland. In the South there are no candidates thought of...
9To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 26 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed will give you some pleasure as an indication of public opinion. It was delivered to a very large assembly comprehending almost every man of influence in the county, nineteen twentieths of whom approved the sentiments expressed in the apostrophe to Lewis . We are confidently told that Congress will assemble before the constitutional period. I hope not, because it would evince the...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 22 February 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
A committee of the House of Representatives, having in charge “to report whether any, and what, sum may be necessary to be loaned for the purpose of carrying on the public service for the year 1794,” have directed me to request of you answers to the following questions. 1. Whether money collected on account of the United States, and deposited in banks, is, from the time of deposit, considered...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 25 February 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The following are answers to the questions stated in your Letter of the 22d instant, viz. Answer to question the first. All moneys collected on account of the United States, and deposited in the Banks to the credit of the Treasurer, are considered as in the Treasury from the time of the deposite. The steady course with regard to the standing revenue is, that the money deposited in Bank passes...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [18 February 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
Every moment’s reflection increases my chagrin and disgust at the failure of the propositions concerning the unsubscribed Debt. I am tortured by the idea that the Country should be so completely and so unnecessarily dishonored. A day of reckoning must come. I pray you, let the yeas and nays seperate the wheat from the chaff . I may otherwise have to feel the distress of wounding a friend by a...
13To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 19 November 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
The letters inclosed will explain themselves. I will only add one fact—the young man “who was going to transact some business up the north river” came directly here in the stage which communicates with New York and of course went not nigh the river at all & is now waiting only for my answer. I need not say that this information must be kept secret, for however proper it may be, and I esteem it...
14From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have been reading the report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the subject of direct taxes. I think it does him credit. The general principles and objects are certainly good. Nor am I sure that any thing better can be done. I remember, however, that I once promised you to put in writing my ideas on the subject. I intended to have done it and communicated them to the Secretary. My hurry &...
15Enclosure: [Ideas on the Subject of Direct Taxes], [January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
A Million of Dollars per annum to be raised on buildings and lands on the following plan I Upon inhabited dwelling houses thus— Upon every such house of the description and denomination of a log house at the rate of 20 Cents for each room or apartment thereof exclusive of Garret & Cellar Upon every other inhabited dwelling house of two rooms or apartments, exclusive of Halls or Entries...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [20 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I received your late letter in due time. You seem to be of opinion to defer to a future period the commencement of direct taxation. I acknowlege I am inclined to lay gently hold of it now. Leaders of the opposite party favour it now, perhaps with no good design. But it will be well to take them while in the humour and make them share the responsibility. This will be the more easy as they are...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [26 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The present inimitable course of our public affairs proves me to be a very bad politician so that I am afraid to suggest any idea that occurs to me. Yet I will give over my timidity & communicate for your consideration a reverie which has struck me. It is a fact, that the resentment of the French Government is very much levelled at the actual President. A change of the person (however...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 26 December 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 26, 1797. “I beg your pardon for not having written to you sooner. Blame my excessive avocations & particularly my engagements with the Court of Chancery.… The declaration sent us by Van Shack has been examined and returned. We do not find, that our statute contains any provision.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by American Art Association-Anderson Galleries, March 3,...
19To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 4 February 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, February 4, 1798. “I hope you will be able to procure a dismissal of the injunction in the case of Morris and Bacon, and I am the more anxious, as I have lately heard there is some doubt of the solidity of the circumstances of Mr. Morris.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Sedgwick is referring to the case of Thomas Morris and James Wadsworth v William Bacon , in which...
20From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [1–15 March 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
In my opinion these things— The President ought to make a solemn and manly communication to Congress the language grave and firm but without invective—in which after briefly recapitulating the progress of our controversy with France the measures taken toward accommodation & stating their degrading result—he ought to advert to the extremely critical posture of Europe the excessive pretensions...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 3 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Stockbridge, Massachusetts, August 3, 1798. On August 29, 1798, Hamilton wrote to Sedgwick : “Your letter of the 3. instant came seasonably to hand.” Letter not found. ] Sedgwick, a leading Massachusetts Federalist, was a member of the Massachusetts Assembly in 1780, 1782, 1783, 1787, and 1788 and of the state Senate in 1784 and 1785. From 1785 to 1788 he was a delegate to the Continental...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 29 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 3. instant came seasonably to hand. Business & absence from this place have delayed the acknowlegement. The persons you mention have been correspondently placed before the Secretary at War. As to Military Affairs, they lag not a little. No appointments of Regimental Officers yet made. McHenry as you know is loaded beyond his strength. It was an obvious idea to derive aid...
23To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, [19 November 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Stockbridge, Massachusetts, November 19, 1798. Letter not found. ] “Letters from T. S. [Theodore Sedgwick] to Genl. A. Hamilton,” William Livingston Papers, Book 3, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
24From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 25 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The cold which I had when you were here increased after you left me & has a great part of the time confined me to bed. This is the chief cause that you have not heard from me in reply to your letter. I have perused the answer in Chancery & incline at present to the Opinion that we can at the ensuing term obtain a dissolution of the Injunction. I will shortly reperuse it & if I change my mind I...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 2 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
What, My Dear Sir, are you going to do with Virginia? This is a very serious business, which will call for all the wisdom and firmness of the Government. The following are the ideas which occur to me on the occasion. The first thing in all great operations of such a Government as ours is to secure the opinion of the people. To this end, the proceedings of Virginia and Kentucke with the two...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 7 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the pleasure, my dear sir, the day before yesterday to receive your favor of the 2nd. With regard to the conduct of Virginia & Kentucky—The moment I came into town I applied to the apparent leaders in the house of Representatives, & stated to them my opinion of the measures which to me seemed expedient to be adopted—That it was necessary to preoccupy the ground—that, for this purpose it...
27To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 19 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The President yesterday, sent the Senate a nomination of Mr Murray to be appointed Minister plenipy. to the french republic, accompanied by a letter, from Talleyrand to the Secy. of the french legation at Amsterdam. By this letter it appears, that for some time, communications have been made to Mr. Murray, of the friendly dispositions of the french Govt. towards this Country, & it contains...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 21 February 179[9] (Hamilton Papers)
The step announced in your letter just received in all its circumstances would astonish, if any thing from that quarter could astonish. But as it has happened, my present impression is that the measure must go into effect with the additional idea of a Commission of three. The mode must be accommodated with the President. Murray is certainly not strong enough for so immensely important a...
29To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 22 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to yours of the 19th. —The gentlemen from Massa. have been together, I mean such as I requested, & have agreed on the following as the most eligible division of that state for the purpose of recruiting in your plan. Maine a district—four places of Rendezvous, Portland, Wiscasset, Augusta & custine. The Counties of Essex, Suffolk, Bristol, Dukes county, & Nantucket Barnstable &...
30To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 25 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The comee. to whom was refered the Prests. message, nominating Mr. Murray, had a free conversation with him on saturday evening, under the protestation that it should not be mentioned in the report nor considered as a precedent. During the conversation he declared, repeatedly, that to defend the executive against Oligarchic influence, it was indispensable, that he should insist, on a decision...
31From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 27 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
When will Congress probably adjourn? Will any thing be settled as to a certain Election? Will my presence be requisite as to this or any other purpose and when? I observe more and more that by the jealousy and envy of some, the miserlyness of others and the concurring influence of all foreign powers , America, if she attains to greatness, must creep to it. Well be it so. Slow and sure is no...
32From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [4 May 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
You have heard of the loss of our Election in the City of New York. This renders it too probable that the Electors of President for this State will be Antifœderal. If so, the policy which I was desirous of pursuing at the last Election is now recommended by motives of additional urgency. To support Adams & Pinckney , equally, is the only thing that can possibly save us from the fangs of...
33To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 5 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, May 5, 1800. On May 8, 1800, Hamilton wrote to Sedgwick: “I thank you … for your letter of the 5th instant.” Letter not found. ]
34To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 7 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment recd. yours of the 4th. I have already detailed to you what was done on saturday evening. On this subject our friend Dexter is not perfectly right. I have had a conversation with him this morning. The view he takes of the subject is this—He says that however those who have an opportunity of personal observation may esteem the cha⟨ra⟩cter of Mr. Adams, as he is viewed by the...
35From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 8 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My Dear Sir for your letter of the 5th instant which was received yesterday. The measure you mention has been attempted but without much hope of success. Yet our friends are today in good spirits. The accounts from the Northward, apparently authentic, give us strong hope of still having a majority ⟨in⟩ our Legislature. But be this as it may, our welfare depends absolutely on a...
36From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 10 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I am very sorry for the information contained in your letter of the 7th. But I am not intimate enough with Dexter to put myself upon Paper to him. If on his return I can catch him at New York I shall have a particular conversation with him. He is I am persuded much mistaken as to the opinion entertained of Mr Adams by the Fœderal party. Were I to determine from my own observation I should say,...
37To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 13 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 10th. I recd. yesterday. The events in the executive department you know. Their effects, on the federal party, are such as you can as well determine by reflection, as I could detail. Would to Heaven you was here, but it is too late. There shall be a meeting of such men who remain here, and who can be perfectly confided in. I will inform you of the result. Every tormenting passion...
38To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 17 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The substance of the convention with France will I presume be known, publickly, in a few days. In the mean time I communicate, in confidence, some part of its character. It contains no stipulation for satisfaction of the injuries we have received. It makes the treaty of 78 a subject of future negotiation. It engages that we shall return, in the condition they now are, all ⟨ou⟩r captures. It...
39From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 22 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I intirely agree with you, My Dear Sir, that in the event of Jefferson and Burr coming to the House of Represnetatives the former is to be preferred. The appointment of Burr, as President would disgrace our Country abroad. No agreement with him could be relied upon. His private circumstances render disorder a necessary resource. His public principles offer no obstacle. His ambition aims at...
40To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 10 January 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I delayed my dear sir, an answer to your Letter of the 22nd ult. purposely, because from it I was induced to beleive I was soon to be favored with another containing additional observations on the convention. On that subject, at present, I shall say nothing. It is not doubted that the votes for Jefferson and Burr have been equally given, and that from one of those the House must select the...
41From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 21 January 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Being in a hurry to leave New York for this place, I comprised in a letter to Bayard some observations which had I had time I should have put in a reply to your last. I requested him to communicate it to you & I beg you as you love your country, your friends and yourself to reconsider dispassionately the opinion you have expressed in favour of Burr. I never was so much mistaken as I shall be...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 27 January 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be handed to you by a Mr. Thomas Fitch; and, at his desire, is addressed to his case. He wishes for the honor of being known to you, and he hopes for the aid of your patronage, in the persuit of some object, of which I have no distinct knowledge. He is of an obscure, tho’ respectable family in this neighbourhood. The President of the college where he was educated, a good &...
43To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, [24 May 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Stockbridge, Massachusetts, May 24, 1804. On July 10, 1804, Hamilton wrote to Sedgwick : “I have received two letters from you … that of the latest date being the 24 of May.” Letter not found. ]
44From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, 10 July 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received two letters from you since we last saw each other—that of the latest date being the 24 of May. I have had in hand for some time a long letter to you, explaining my view of the course and tendency of our Politics, and my intentions as to my own future conduct. But my plan embraced so large a range that owing to much avocation, some indifferent health, and a growing distaste for...