101From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [8 June 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your two letters of the 6th & 7. The last announces to me no more than I feared. Nor do I believe any sufficient external impulse can be given to save us from disgrace . This however will be thought of. I regret that you appear remote from the idea of a house tax simply without combining the land. I do not differ from your general principle. The truth is a solid one, that the...
102To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 10 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I hold ten Shares in the Western Canal Navigation of new york on which there has been paid $1070, and a Call of $25 ⅌ Share was due the 1st May last & remains to be paid with 6 ⅌ Ct Interest from that time. I don’t know what State of Credit these Shares stand at present, but am confident they will be a most productive property hereafter. If you will take these Shares credit me for the amot I...
103From Alexander Hamilton to William Loughton Smith, [10 June 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the ——. Though I do not like in some respects the answer of the house to the Speech; yet I frankly own I had no objection to see it softened down. For I think there is no use in hard words & in public proceedings would almost always unite the suaviter in modo with the fortiter in re . But I much regret that there is no prospect of the fortiter in re . I perceive...
104To Alexander Hamilton from Elihu Chauncey Goodrich, 12 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Claverack [ New York ] June 12, 1797 . “Scarcity of Money (at this time) is such that I cannot without a very material Injury to my property and Credit raise the amount which you as attorney for Mr. James Bryson have received against Me as Endorser of a Note.… However previous to the first day of November next it will undoubtedly be in my power without much inconvenience to make the full...
105Account with John Barker Church, [15 June 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Dr. John B Church Esquire in Account with Alexander Hamilton Cr 1796 1796 June 6 To Cash paid expences of my Clerk to Philadelphia to attend to execution of your Mortgage by Robert Morris 10. 16— April 8 By Ballance of Account rendered this day £570. 2. 8 20 To paid J Laurance your proportion of expence of surveys 113. 8— Aug 22 By this sum received of A Woodruff on account of Carney’s debt
106From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 16 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Mr. John Lytton a kinsman of mine. He was born to a handsome fortune—but adversity in Trade has ruined him, insomuch that he is under the necessity of endeavouring to protect himself from too severe creditors by taking whatever benefit the laws of Connecticut will allow him. As he is a worthy man (besides being my relation) I recommend him to your advice and...
107To Alexander Hamilton from Barbara Moland, 19 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
St. Vincent [ Windward Islands ] June 19, 1797 . “I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in addressing this to you, but … your former attention to the late M Joseph Moland in the business between Mr John Stephens and him on a Bond Sent by Sir John St Clair to Mr Moland—Induces me to hope you will let me know; if by the last treaty with Great Britain, whether I can get the lands that was...
108To Alexander Hamilton from James Thompson, [22 June 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Neither remoteness of Situation, nor lapse of time can efface from my Recollection the Obligations which I was under to you in the earlier part of my Life. That I have not before acknowledged them you are freely at liberty to attribute to any Cause—but want of Gratitude—for whatever may be my Vices Ingratitude cannot be included in the Catalogue. You may believe me when I assure you that...
109To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 27 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Lord Malmesbury will leave London in three or four Days for Lille where the conferences between this Country and France are to be held. Opinions fluctuate concerning the Probability of peace. A Struggle evidently exists in France between the Directory & the Legislature, in the latter of which Bodies it is supposed there is a sincere desire of Peace. Some late proceedings in the Legislature, or...
110From Alexander Hamilton to Simeon DeWitt, 28 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 28, 1797. “I am applied to, to examine the Title to a tract of land described in the extract A, which is inclosed. It appears from the papers put into my hands, that a Map of the intire tract patented to John W Watkins the 25 of June 1794 as surveyed is on file in your office. By the extract from the patent, which is also herewith, it is found that a number of tracts...
111From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Mann and Isaac Parker, 28 June 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 28, 1797. “Your letter of the 6th of May last by making a circuit to Albany did not reach me in due time—which is the principal cause of this late reply. The idea of there having been property lodged in my hands towards satisfaction of the notes surprized me, as nothing of the kind ever took place, nor do I recollect or believe that the expectation of it was ever suggested to...
112To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 2 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I cannot account for your not having Answered the letter of which the preceeding is a Copy, in any other way than by supposing it did not get to your hands, it was written so long since as the 23d of May last & sent by Post, and is of so important a nature that I waited with Anxiety supposing however that the papers were preparing and that you delayed writing untill they were ready. I am...
113To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [3 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you the pamphlet. You will see that the subject is but partially represented with a design to establish an opinion that you was concerned in speculations in the public funds. As my name is mentioned I have been repeatedly called on for explanations. What I have said is substantially as follows. That I was informed at the time, of the whole transaction, & that though Munroe...
114Théophile Cazenove to Egbert Benson and Alexander Hamilton, 5 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, July 5, 1797. States: “Mr. Benson’s absence retarding the answer upon my letter of the 29 May, which answer I have sollicited from your friendship, permit me to add to that letter some observations relative to the same Subject.” Asks if the Holland Land Company “is allowed to sell at 10 & 12 years credit;… will She be allowed to hold the mortgage upon the Land as a pledge for the...
115From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 5 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
In a pamphlet lately published entitled “No V of the History of the United States for 1796 &c” are sundry papers respecting the affair of Reynolds , in which you once had an agency, accompanied with these among other comments—“They (certain attacks on Mr Monroe) are ungrateful, because he displayed on an occasion that will be mentioned immediately, the greatest lenity to Mr. Alexander...
116Enclosure: [Declaration of Messrs. Monroe Mughlenburgh and Venable], [5 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
“That they regretted the trouble and uneasiness which they had occasionned to me in consequence of the Representations made to them—That they were perfectly satisfied with the explanation I had given and that there was nothing in the transaction which ought to affect my character as a public Officer or lessen the public Confidence in my Integrity.” AD , The Library, Lehigh University,...
117From Alexander Hamilton to Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, 5 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, July 5, 1797. On July 10, 1797, Muhlenberg wrote to Hamilton : “Your letter of the 5th inst did not reach me time enough.” Letter not found. ]
118From Alexander Hamilton to Nicholas Olive, 5 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, July 5, 1797. Acknowledges receipt of papers sent by Olive which “relate to transactions with Mr. Constable.” States that he is already “generally engaged for Mr. Constable, and would not in case of controversy act adversely to him for another.… But perhaps it may be most advisable for you as an Agent to confide the interest of your friend to some person free from any engagement to...
119From Alexander Hamilton to Abraham B. Venable, 5 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, July 5, 1797. On July 9, 1797, Venable wrote to Hamilton : “I have received your letter of the fifth instant by the hands of Mr. Wolcott.” Letter not found. ]
120From Alexander Hamilton to John Fenno, [6 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have seen in your paper of 27th June past, the advertisement of a new publication, being No. V of the History of the United States for 1796, and containing these paragraphs: “This number likewise contains some singular and authentic papers relative to Mr. Alexander Hamilton, late Secretary of the Treasury. No greater proof can be given of the value which is attached to their suppression than...
121To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Walker, 6 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Fort Schuyler [ New York ] July 6, 1797 . “I will thank to advise what is best to be done to bring the business with Colo Smith to a conclusion—it was referred to Judge Lewis and John Murray as Arbitrators. The former kept the papers a long time and then, Mr Murray informed me, he declined Acting. The arbitration bonds expired and Mr James Smith got a new one executed by his brother extending...
122To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 7 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the residue of the pamph[l]et. I am astonished at the villany of Munroe—a more base, false, & malignant suggestion than is contained in his Note of Jany 2d 1793. was never uttered. I am yrs ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to Wolcott to H, July 3, 1797 . Wolcott enclosed pamphlet No. VI by James Thomson Callender....
123To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 7 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your Letter with the enclosures. By what I last sent you, you will see the perfidy of at least Munroe. I will attend to your request as soon as possible, but all my time this day will be taken up, and perhaps tomorrow. yrs. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to Wolcott to H, July 3, 1797 . Letter not found. The...
124From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 8 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I request to be informed whether the paper numbered V dated Philadelphia the 15 of December 1792 published partly in the fifth and partly in the sixth number of “The History of the United States for 1796” and having the signatures of James Monroe, Abraham Venable and F A Mughlenberg is the copy of a genuine original. I am Sir Yr. humble servt ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For...
125To Alexander Hamilton from Abraham B. Venable, 9 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the fifth instant by the hands of Mr Wolcott. I had heard of the pamphlet you mentioned some days before, but had not read it. I am intirely ignorant of the Editor, and of the means by which he procured the papers alluded to. I have had nothing to do with the transaction since the interview with you, I do not possess a copy of the papers at present, nor have I at...
126To Alexander Hamilton from James Thomson Callender, [10 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have seen your letter of the 6th inst. in Mr. Fenno’s Gazette. An answer seems requisite. It shall be as concise as possible. With regard to the anecdote of the Minerva, you affirm it to be Wholly False . Information, which I sincerely credit, states it as being strictly true. There the story may rest. As for what you say of the papers signed by Messrs. Muhlenberg, Venable, and Munroe, I...
127From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, [10 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton requests an interview with Mr. Monroe at any hour tomorrow forenoon which may be convenient to him. Particular reasons will induce him to bring with him a friend to be present at what may pass. Mr. Monroe, if he pleases, may have another. AL , University of Rochester Library. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., to H, July 3, 1797 . See...
128To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, [10 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Monroe readily consents to an interview with Colo. Hamilton tomorrow at ten in the morning at his lodgings with Mr. Knox in Wall Street. He will bring whom he pleases. AL , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., to H, July 3, 1797 ; H to Monroe, July 10, 1797 . Thomas Knox, a New York City merchant, lived at 46...
129To Alexander Hamilton from Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, 10 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
As I do not reside in the City at present, Your Letter of the 5th. inst did not reach me time enough to answer by Saturdays post. Whilst I lament the publication of the papers respecting the Affair of Reynolds (of which I hope I need not assure you that I had neither Knowledge or Agency, for I never saw them since the Affair took place, nor was I ever furnished with a Copy) I do not hesitate...
130To Alexander Hamilton from Abraham B. Venable, 10 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I had written you yesterday in answer to your letter of the fifth, in which I informed you that I had no copy of the papers in question, the transaction took place at Mr Monroes, where I left the papers, since which I have not seen them. The paper alluded to as well as I can recollect was in the nature of a memorandum for our own use, to refresh our memories in case we Should ever be called...
131David Gelston’s Account of an Interview between Alexander Hamilton and James Monroe, 11 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Minutes of an Interview between Colo. Monroe and Colo. Hamilton at Colo. M’s. lodgings in the presence of Mr Church & myself. Colo. Hamilton came about 10 oClk in the morning introduced Mr Church as his brother in law. Colo. H. appeared very much agitated upon his entrance into the room, and observed the cause or motives of this meeting being he presumed pretty well understood, he went into a...
132To Alexander Hamilton from John B. Church, 12 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, July 12, 1797. On July 13, 1797, Church wrote to Hamilton : “I wrote you a few Lines hastily Yesterday at the Post Office.” Letter not found. ]
133To Alexander Hamilton from John B. Church, 13 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you a few Lines hastily Yesterday at the Post Office just as the Post was setting out I am this Instant Return’d from your House, Eliza is well she Put into my Hand the Newspaper with James Thomsonn Callender’s Letter to you, but it makes not the least Impression on her, only that she considers the whole Knot of those opposed to you to be ⟨Scoundrels⟩, the Postman brought to your House...
134To Alexander Hamilton from William Constable, 13 July [1797] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] July 13 [ 1797 ]. Requests Hamilton’s opinion on whether he and his associates “are liable to the penalty of the Bond” signed as security for a deed of sale of Georgia lands. LC , MS Division, New York Public Library. This letter deals with the controversy over the Georgia Yazoo lands. For information on these land grants and their revocations, see H to James Greenleaf, October 9,...
135To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, [16 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Monroe has the honor to inform Colo Hamilton that he arrived in this city yesterday abt. 12.—that Mr. Muhlenburg & himself are to have a meeting this morning upon the subject which concerns him, & after wh. Colo. Hamilton shall immediately hear from them. AL , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is document No. XXXII in the appendix to the printed version of the “Reynolds...
136To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Dexter, 17 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, July 17, 1797. Asks advice concerning notes he endorsed for James Greenleaf for which Greenleaf provided encumbered lands in upstate New York as security. Encloses fifty dollars as a retainer. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Dexter was a Boston attorney who had been a Federalist member of the United States Senate from 1793 to 1795. He subsequently served as Secretary of...
137From Alexander Hamilton to John Fenno, [17–22 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
It has been a general maxim with me, to leave the evidence of my conduct and character to answer the calumnies which party spirit is so incessantly busied in heaping upon me; nor should I have deviated from this course in the present instance, had it not been, that the names of three citizens of political and personal importance in the community appeared to give sanction to the slander. But...
138To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe and Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, 17 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
It was our wish to have given a joint answer with Mr. Venable to your favor of the 5th. instant concerning the publication of the proceedings in an enquiry in which we were jointly engaged with him in 1792, respecting an affair between yourself & Mr. Reynolds & into which, from the circumstances attending it, we deemed it our duty to enquire. His departure however for Virginia precludes the...
139From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe and Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, [17 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have your letter of this date. It gives me pleasure to receive your explanation of the ambiguous phraze in the paper No V., published with your signatures and that of Mr Venable, and your confirmation of the fact, that my explanation had been satisfactory to you. You express your surprise at the contents of a paper in the Gazette of the U. States of the 8 instant. If you will review that...
140From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, [17 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I send herewith an answer to the joint letter of Mr. Mughlenberg and yourself. It appears to me on reflection requisite to have some explanation on the note of January 2. 1793 with your signature and It may be inferred, from the attention to record the information of Clingman therein stated after what had passed between us, that you meant to give credit and sanction to the suggestion that the...
141To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, 17 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
It is impossible for me to trace back at this moment, occupied as I am with other concerns, all the impressions of my mind at the different periods at which the memoranda were made in the publication to which you refer in your favor of today, but I well remember that in entering the one which bears my single signature, altho’ I was surprised at the communication given, yet I neither meant to...
142From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, [18 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of yesterday in answer to mine of the same date was received last night. I am sorry to say, that as I understand it, it is unsatisfactory. It appears to me liable to this inference, that the information of Clingman had revived the suspicions which my explanation had removed. This would include the very derogatory suspicion, that I had concerted with Reynolds not only the...
143To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, 18 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I can only observe that in entering the note which bears my single signature I did not convey or mean to convey any opinion of my own, as to the faith which was due to it, but left it to stand on its own merits reserving to myself the right to judge of it, as upon any fact afterwards communicated according to its import & authenticity. with due respect I am Sir yr. very humble servt ALS ,...
144From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [19 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The affair, My Dearest Eliza, upon which I came here has come to a close. But unavoidable delays in bringing it to this point & the necessity of communicating the result must very much against my will keep me here till the departure of the mail stage tomorrow, which will restore me to my Betsey on the day following. I need not tell her how very happy I shall be to return to her embrace and to...
145From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, 20 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last letter to you I proposed a simple and direct question, to which I had hoped an answer equally simple and direct. That which I have received, though amounting, if I understand it, to an answer in the negative, is conceived in such circuitous terms as may leave an obscurity upon the point which ought not to have remained. In this situation, I feel it proper to tell you frankly my...
146From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [21 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
My avocation here my darling Eliza must detain me beyond the departure of the Mail stage but I expect certainly to leave town in the stage of tomorrow morning and still expect to reach New York tomorrow. Love to Angelica & Church. I shall return full freighted with it for My dear Brunettes Adieu ALS , Columbia University Libraries. See H to Elizabeth Hamilton, July 19, 1797 .
147To Alexander Hamilton from James Monroe, 21 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favor of yesterday (to use your own language) gives an indelicate and improper coloring to the topic to which it refers. I will endeavor in a few words to place the points in discussion where they ought to stand. It was never our intention other than to fulfill our duty to the publick, in our enquiry into your conduct, and with delicacy & propriety to yourself, nor have we done otherwise....
148From Alexander Hamilton to James Monroe, [22 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have maturely considered your letter of yesterday delivered to me at about Nine last and cannot find in it cause of satisfaction. There appears to me in the first place an attempt to prop the veracity of Clingman by an assertion which is not correct, namely that I had acknowleged all his previous information to be true. This was not & could not be the fact. I acknowleged parts of it to be...
149To Alexander Hamilton from William Jackson, 24 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with your request I waited upon Mr. Monroe, on saturday morning, and delivered your letter to him —telling him, at the same time, that, in consequence of Mrs. Hamilton being in the last stage of pregnancy, you were under the necessity of going immediately to New York, but would return to Philadelphia in about a fortnight. Having read the letter, he said “it is very well, I shall...
150To Alexander Hamilton from William Jackson, 25 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of a conversation with Dr McHenry, to whom I shewed my letter to you of yesterday, I believed it proper to see Mr. Monroe this morning. He says he shall write to you tomorrow. His letter will form a better rule for further proceeding than any thing I have said, or can say. My letter of yesterday was too late for the mail, and will be received at the same time with this. But Mr....