1301To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 31 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
My late situation exposes me to applications which I cannot resist without appearing unkind. It is understood that Mr Walker is about to resign the place of naval Officer. Mr Jonathan Burrall Mr Rogers (Walkers Deputy) and Col. Giles (the present Marshall) have all three mentioned the subject to me and requested me to express my opinion of their qualifications to you. As to Mr Burrall there is...
1302To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 21 August 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Not for any intrinsic value the thing possesses, but as a token of my sincere regard and friendship for you, and as a remembrancer of me; I pray you to accept a Wine cooler for four bottles, which Coll. Biddle is directed to forward from Philadelphia (where with other articles it was left) together with this letter, to your address. It is one of four, which I imported in the early part of my...
1303From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 21 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Not for any intrinsic value the thing possesses, but as a token of my sincere regard and friendship for you, and as a remembrancer of me; I pray you to accept a Wine cooler for four bottles, which Coll Biddle is directed to forward from Philadelphia (where with other articles it was left) together with this letter, to your address. It is one of four, which I imported in the early part of my...
1304From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 28 August 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
The receipt two days since of your letter of the 21 instant gave me sincere pleasure. The token of your regard, which it announces, is very precious to me, and will always be rememberd as it ought to be. Mrs. Hamilton has lately added another boy to our Stock. She and the Child are both well. She desires to be affectionately remembered to Mrs. Washington & yourself. We have nothing new here...
1305To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 28 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
The receipt two days since of your letter of the 21 instant gave me sincere pleasure. The token of your regard, which it announces, is very precious to me, and will always be remembered as it ought to be. Mrs Hamilton has lately added another boy to our Stock. She and the child are both well—She desires to be affectionately remembered to Mrs Washington & yourself. We have nothing new here more...
1306To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 8 October 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
The ardent desire which Mr. La Fayette feels to embrace his Parents and Sisters in the first moment of their liberation, induces him to set out for New York, or further Eastward, in search of a Passage to France. It was my opinion that he had better have awaited authentic accounts of this event; but his eagerness to see his friends—the fear of a Winter passage—and a conviction that he is under...
1307From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 8 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
The ardent desire which Mr La Fayette feels to embrace his Parents and Sisters in the first moments of their liberation, induces him to set out for New York, or further Eastward, in search of a Passage to France. It was my opinion that he had better have awaited authentic accounts of this event; but his eagerness to see his friends—the fear of a Winter passage—and a conviction that he is under...
1308To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 27 March 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, March 27, 1798. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
1309From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 19 May 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
At the present dangerous crisis of public affairs, I make no apology for troubling you with a political letter. Your impressions of our situation, I am persuaded, are not different from mine. There is certainly great probability that we may have to enter into a very serious struggle with France; and it is more and more evident that the powerful faction which has for years opposed the...
1310To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 19 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
At the present dangerous crisis of public affairs, I make no apology for troubling you with a political letter. Your impressions of our situation, I am persuaded, are not different from mine. There is certainly great probability that we may have to enter into a very serious struggle with France; and it is more and more evident that the powerful faction which has for years opposed the...
1311To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 27 May 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday, brought me your Letter of the 19th. instant. You may be assured, that my Mind is deeply impressed with the present situation of our public affairs, and not a little agitated by the outrageous conduct of France towards the United States; and at the enemical conduct of its partisans among ourselves, who aid & abet their measures: You may believe further from assurances equally...
1312From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 27 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday, brought me your Letter of the 19th instant. You may be assured, that my Mind is deeply impressed with the present situation of our public affairs, and not a little agitated by the outrageous conduct of France towards the United States; and at the enemical conduct of its partisans among ourselves, who aid & abet their measures: You may believe further, from assurances equally...
1313From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 2 June 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have before me your favour of the 27. of May. The suggestion in my last was an indigested thought begotten by my anxiety. I have no doubt that your view of it is accurate & well founded. It is a great satisfaction to me to ascertain what I had anticipated in hope, that you are not determined in an adequate emergency against affording once more your Military services. There is no one but...
1314To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 2 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have before me your favour of the 27 of May. The suggestion in my last was an undigested thought begotten by my anxiety. I have no doubt that your view of it is accurate & well founded. It is a great satisfaction to me to ascertain what I had anticipated in hope, that you are not determined in an adequate emergency against affording once more your Military services. There is no one but...
1315To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 5 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, July 5, 1798. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
1316From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [8 July 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I was much surprized on my arrival here to discover that your nomination had been without any previous consultation of you. Convinced of the goodness of the motives it would be useless to scan the propriety of the step. It is taken and the question is—what under the circumstances ought to be done? I use the liberty which my attachment to you and to the public authorises to offer my opinion...
1317To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 8 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I was much surprized on my arrival here to discover that your nomination had been without any previous consultation of you—convinced of the goodness of the motives it would be useless to scan the propriety of the step. It is taken and the question is—what under the circumstances ought to be done? I use the liberty which my attachment to you and to the public authorises to offer my opinion that...
1318To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [14 July 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 8th. instant, was presented to me by the Secretary of War on the 11th., and I have consented to embark once more on a boundless field of responsibility & trouble, with two reservations—first, that the principal Officers in the line, and of the Staff, shall be such as I can place confidence in; and, that I shall not be called into the field until the Army is in a situation to...
1319From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 14 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Private & confidential) My Dear Sir, Mount Vernon 14th July 1798 Your letter of the 8th instant was presented to me by the Secretary of War on the 11th, and I have consented to embark once more on a boundless field of responsibility & trouble, with two reservations. first, that the principal Officers in the line, and of the Staff, shall be such as I can place confidence in; and, that I shall...
1320From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [28 July 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, July 28, 1798. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from General Hamilton to General Washington,” Columbia University Libraries.
1321From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 29 July [–August 1] 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 14th instant did not reach me ’till after the appointments mentioned in it were made. I see clearly in what has been done a new mark of your confidence, which I value as I ought to do. With regard to the delicate subject of the relative rank of the Major Generals, it is very natural for me to be partial judge, and it is not very easy for me to speak upon it. If I know myself...
1322To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 29 July–1 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 14th instant did not reach me ’till after the appointments mentioned in it were made. I see clearly in what has been done a new mark of your confidence, which I value as I ought to do. With regard to the delicate subject of the relative rank of the Major Generals, it is very natural for me to be a partial judge, and it is not very easy for me to speak upon it—If I know...
1323To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 9 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
By the same Post which brought me your favour, began in Philadelphia and ended in New York the 1st. instant, I received a letter from General Knox dated the 29th. Ulto, in answer to one I had written him on the 16th. of that month. In confidence, and as a proof of my frankness & friendship, I send both of them to you, together with my reply of this date; which, after reading be so good as to...
1324From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 9 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Private My dear Sir, Mount Vernon 9th Augt 1798 By the same Post which brought me your favour, began in Philadelphia and ended in New York the 1st instant, I received a letter from General Knox dated the 29th Ulto, in answer to one I had written him on the 16th of that month. In confidence, and as a proof of my frankness & friendship, I send both of them to you, together with my reply of this...
1325From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 20 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
A necessary absence from this City prevented the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant till yesterday. It is very grateful to me to discover in each succeeding occurrence a new mark of your friendship towards me. Time will evince that it makes the impression it ought on my mind. The effect which the course of the late military appointments has produced on General Knox though not very...
1326To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 20 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
A necessary absence from this City prevented the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant till yesterday. It is very grateful to me to discover in each succeeding occurrence a new mark of your friendship towards me. Time will evince that it makes the impression it ought on my mind. The effect which the course of the late military appointments has produced on General Knox though not very...
1327To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [14 September 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, September 14, 1798. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
1328To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 24 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have seen the correspondence between the President of the United States & Secretary of War, on the subject of the relative Rank of the three Major Generals first appointed. But as it was given in confidence, unaccompanied with an Official letter, I had no ground on which I could proceed, without betraying that confidence. I have therefore written for an official account of the President’s...
1329From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 24 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Private My dear Sir, Mount Vernon 24th Sep. 1798. I have seen the correspondence between the President of the United States & Secretary of War, on the subject of the relative rank of the three Major Generals first appointed. But as it was given in confidence, unaccompanied with an Official letter, I had no ground on which I could proceed, without betraying that confidence. I have therefore...
1330To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [26 September 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, September 26, 1798. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
1331From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 30 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Your obliging favour of the 24th instant has duly come to hand. I see in it a new proof of sentiments towards me which are truly gratifying. But permit me to add my request to the suggestion of your own prudence, that no personal considerations for me may induce more on your part than on mature reflection you may think due to public motives. It is extremely foreign to my wish to create to you...
1332To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 30 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging favour of the 24th instant has duly come to hand. I see in it a new proof of sentiments towards me which are truly gratifying. But permit me to add my request to the suggestions of your own prudence, that no personal considerations for me may induce more on your part than on mature reflection you may think due to public motives—It is extremely foreign to my wish to create to you...
1333To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [9 October 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, October 9, 1798. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
1334To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 21 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The last mail to Alexandria brought me a letter from the President of the United States, in which I am informed that he had signed, and given the Commissions to yourself, Generals Pinckney & Knox, the same date, in hopes that an amicable adjustment, or acquiescence might take place among you. But, if these hopes should be disappointed, and controversies should arise, they will of course be...
1335From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 21 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The last mail to Alexandria brought me a letter from the President of the United States, in which I am informed that he had signed, and given the Commissions to yourself, Generals Pinckney & Knox, the same date; in hopes that an amicable adjustment, or acquiescence might take place among you. But, if these hopes should be disappointed, and controversies should arise, they will of course be...
1336From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 29 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Some ill health in my family, now at an end as I hope, interfered with an earlier acknowlegement of your favour of the 21st instant. The contents cannot but be gratifying to me. It is my intention, if not prevented by further ill health in my family, to proceed on the first of November to Trenton. My aid to the Secretary to the full extent of what he shall permit me to afford will not be...
1337To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 29 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Some ill health in my family, now at an end as I hope, interfered with an earlier acknowlegement of your favour of the 21st instant. The contents cannot but be gratifying to me. It is my intention, if not prevented by further ill health in my family, to proceed on the first of November to Trenton—My aid to the Secretary to the full extent of what he shall permit me to afford will not be...
1338Candidates for Army Appointments from Virginia, [November–December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, November–December, 1798 ]. A list of the names of one hundred and sixty-eight men from Virginia who were candidates for Army appointments together with short biographical sketches and comments based on information supplied largely by Southerners. This document has been calendared because Charles Cotesworth Pinckney wrote the major portion of it. H’s contribution consists of...
1339Candidates for Army Appointments from Connecticut, [November–December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Connecticut Captains 1 Austin Nichols Fairfield County Writes ill Wm. Edmond good constitution single man & in prime of life education equal to place active enterprising & on the whole qualified } Not very strong
1340Candidates for Army Appointments from Delaware, [November–December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Majors John Vining commands a Company of Light Infantry provisional Captains Richard Dale handed in by Clayton Antifœderal 1 Samuel White young Lawyer Dover prudence & propriety Foederal good property G Read Basset integrity
1341Candidates for Army Appointments from Kentucky, [November–December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Subalterns 3 John Jamison Lt or Ensign Frankfort William Murray Lewis recommends in general terms Inquire Isaac E Gano Thomas Tunstall constitution & firmly attached to Govern Sobriety courage & Gentlemanlike behaviour Thomas Love Thomas Todd, John M Scott, Willis Lee, Daniel Wisiger, Otho Beatty, Robert Alexander 4
1342Candidates for Army Appointments from Maryland, [November–December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
lt Colonels Maryland John Carlisle Hartford County In Revolutionary Army 7 years Asks for Adjutant General vain letter J C Hall recommends Joseph Forman see below honor & courage Howard Hindman Loyed Lt Colonels Levin Handy Worster County
1343Candidates for Army Appointments from Tennessee, [November–December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Tennessee Captains 2 Arthur Crozier Knoxville good letter Clayborne —a young man of respectable character good talents & was a Merchant 3 Nathan B Markland Knoxville Clayborne . possesses qualifications for a valuable Officer surveyor young man of amiable Character & good talents 6 Charles Porter Judge Anderson —recommends him as well qualified respectable connexion & unexceptionable character 1
1344Candidates for Army Appointments from Virginia, November 1798 (Washington Papers)
x A John Cropper + These old officers order of merit by Heth & Carrin[gton] x B Jonathan Clark + x C Robert Porterfield + x D Joseph Swearingen + x E David Stephenson + x f John Blackwell + g Wm Bentley h Otway Bird John Heth (now in service) Carrington thinks him worth considering for Majority 1. A. Gibson mentioned for Majority now in service distinguished at Fort Recovery 2. Laurence Butler...
1345Enclosure: Queries Propounded by the Commander in Chief, [10 November 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
1st. Is an Invasion of the United States, by France, to be apprehended whilst that Power continues at War with Great Britain? 2d. In case such an Invasion should take place, what part of the United States, in their opinion, is most likely to be first attacked? 3d. Is it probable that the French will, in the way of exchange or by other means, become possessed of the Floridas & Louisiana? 4th....
1346From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 10 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
Queries—propounded by the Commander in Chief To Majors Genl Hamilton & Pinckney. 1st Is an Invasion of the United States, by France, to be apprehended whilst that Power continues at War with Great Britain? 2d In case such an Invasion should take place, what part of the United States, in their opinion, is most likely to be first attacked? 3d Is it probable that the French will, in the way of...
1347To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 12 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Herewith you will be furnished with the Copy of a letter from the Secretary of War to me, suggesting many very important matters for consideration, and to be reported on. It is my desire, that you will bestow serious and close attention on them, and be prepared to offer your opinion on each head, when called upon. I also propose, for your consideration and opinion, a number of queries which...
1348From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 12 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
Herewith you will be furnished with the Copy of a letter from the Secretary of War to me, suggesting many very important matters for consideration, and to be reported on. It is my desire, that you will bestow serious and close attention on them, and be prepared to offer your opinion on each head, when called upon. I also propose, for your consideration and opinion, a number of queries which...
1349From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [13 November 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
General Hamilton presents his respects to the Commander in Chief & sends the sketch of a letter in conformity to what passed this morning.
1350Candidates for Army Appointments from Massachusetts, [9–28 December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Subalterns 9 James Church Springfield 24 years Shepherd } sprightly active—good stature S Lyman