1From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel G. Ingraham, 6 March 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Albany, March 6, 1801. Acknowledges receipt of Ingraham’s letter of February 26, 1801 . Regrets that he cannot serve as Ingraham’s attorney because of unavoidable delay in Albany. ALS , Mrs. Jean Ahnfeldt, Los Altos, California. Letter not found. Ingraham was declared a bankrupt on February 19, 1801 (RG 21, Records of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York,...
2To Alexander Hamilton from James A. Bayard, 8 March 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I left Washington the 5th. and arrived here last evening. The letter which you did me the honor to write the 22d Ult. reached me on the 4th when I was occupied in arrangements for leaving the Seat of government. I remained in Washington on the 4th. thro’ necessity tho not without some curiosity to see the inauguration & to hear the speech. The scene was the same as exhibited upon former...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 8 March 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, March 8, 1801. On March 9, 1801 , Hamilton wrote to his wife: “Yesterday, My beloved Eliza, I wrote you.” Letter not found. ]
4From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [9 March 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday, My beloved Eliza, I wrote you by water to the care of a Capt Boyed. I in that letter informed you of my painful detention here by the slow progress of the Court and of my extreme anxiety to be with you. Your Sister Peggy had a better night last night than for three weeks past and is much easier this morning. Yet her situation is such as only to authorise a glimmering of hope. Adieu...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 10 March [1801] (Hamilton Papers)
The Senate has refused on account of the interference with other business to hear any more causes this session; so that were it not for the situation of your Sister Peggy, her request that I would stay a few days longer and the like request of your father and mother, I could now return to you. But how can I resist these motives for continuing a while longer? Things must change this week but at...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Abraham Van Vechten, [13–21 March 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
I am enjoined by the genl. Committee to tax your Goodness to prepare a short, temperate & pertinent supplementary Address by way of reply to that of our Opponents. This tax will be levied & collected without communicating whence it is derived. Yours &c. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Van Vechten, an Albany lawyer and Federalist, served in the New York Senate from 1798 to 1805. In...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [16 March 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
On Saturday, My Dear Eliza, your sister took leave of her sufferings and friends, I trust, to find repose and happiness in a better country. Viewing all that she had endured for so long a time, I could not but feel a relief in the termination of the scene. She was sensible to the last and resigned to the important change. Your father and mother are now calm. All is as well as it can be; except...
8To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Glen, 21 March 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Albany, March 21, 1801. Repeats earlier requests to Hamilton. States: “I wrote you twice from the City of Washington but mist you going to Alby. & yesterday I came down to this City on purpose But you had Saild. about 2-Hours.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Glen to H, January 27, 1801 . The other letter from Glen has not been found. H had been in Albany attending the New York...
9An Address to the Electors of the State of New-York, [21 March 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
To the Electors of the State of New-York Fellow-Citizens! We lately addressed you on the subject of the ensuing election for Governor and Lieutenant-Governor—recommending to your support Stephen Van Rensselaer and James Watson . Since that we have seen the address of our opponents, urging your preference of George Clinton and Jeremiah Van Rensselaer. The whole tenor of our address carries with...
10From Alexander Hamilton to Philip Schuyler, 22 March 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
We did not leave Albany till near twelve on Friday and the next day about one, I arrived here —where I found the two families in good health. The darkness of the night obliged us to come to Anchor in Haverstraw Bay. About mid-night we were alarmed with the cry of “All hands upon Deck.” You will imagine we were not slow in our obedience. No sooner were we on Deck than we perceived by a flame...
11To Alexander Hamilton from William Constable, 23 March 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Our Government is doubtless informed of the Treaty between this Republic and Spain for the cession of Louisiana of which Collaud is to be Governor. I am told it is concluded. Copy, in H’s handwriting, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Constable was a New York City merchant and speculator in, among other things, lands in western New York State. In...
12To Alexander Hamilton from Barent Gardenier, 24 March 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Kingston [ New York ] March 24, 1801 . Requests Hamilton’s opinion on the will of Cornelius Newkirk. States: “mr. Clinton will have nothing to boast of in the County of Ulster. We may give Mr. V.R. from one to two hundred Majority.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Gardenier was a Federalist and a lawyer in Kingston, New York. Newkirk, a resident of Hurley, New York, died in...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 25 March 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 25, 1801. Gives opinion concerning the right of Nathanael Greene’s executors to sell lands in his estate in New York State. ALS , The Sol Feinstone Collection, Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. For background to this letter, see Wadsworth to H, August 23, 1800 .
14To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 27 March 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I am happy that you have escaped the danger with which you was threatened by the fire in the vessel in which you were. Had you perished, my calamity would have been compleat. I thank heaven that it is otherwise. I am, however, not perfectly at ease on your account—that unremitted exertion of the mind, and without bodily exercise, will injure if not destroy the machine. Let me, therefore,...
15To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 9 April 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Providence, April 9, 1801. On June 9, 1801, Olney wrote to Hamilton : “I addressed you on the 9 April last.” Letter not found. ]
16Campaign Speech, First Version, [10 April 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
After which General Hamilton addressed the meeting in one of those eloquent and impressive speeches which distinguish this superior man. He took a general review of the state of the country since the revolution—examined the conduct of the two parties which have existed in it—shewed that it was to the Federal party exclusively that we owe the unexampled prosperity which we have hitherto...
17Campaign Speech, Second Version, [10 April 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
“… General Hamilton at one of the largest & most respectable election meetings ever witnessed here made an election speech that electrified the whole federal mass. It was one of the chef d’ouvres of this great man! For strength of reasoning & at the same time for impressive & sublime eloquence it surpassed what in all probab[il]ty has ever been delivered in this city. He began with the...
18Notes for Speech by Samuel Miles Hopkins to the Electors of the Middle District, [17–24 April 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
They call the Navy Useless. They detest it because it protected our Commerce against the depredations of France; because in place of resistance we did not sue for mercy & pay tribute? Has it not protected our Commerce, saved our merchants from ruin & enabled them to send to foreign markets with advantage the productions? Is not a navy the natural safeguard of our Country &c & Standing Army...
19Campaign Speech, [21 April 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
The general commenced by observing—That it had all along been his most sincere and ardent wish, that the two parties should meet amicably together, and discuss the merits of their respective claims to the public support and approbation—That the friends of Mr. Clinton, and those of Mr. Van Rensselaer should each agree to appoint a certain number of men of talents, and in presence of their...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Ambrose Spencer, 21 April 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Hudson [ New York ] April 21, 1801 . “I enclose you the case, in the cause of Staats & others vs Cary.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Spencer, a Hudson, New York, lawyer, was appointed district attorney for the third district in 1796, and in 1797 he was a member of the Council of Appointment of New York. From 1796 to 1802 he was a member of the New York Senate. The case of...
21To Alexander Hamilton from James Scott and Company, 24 April 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
We inclose you One hundred as fee in our Cause against the Columbian Insurance Co. and other Underwriters on Schooner Raven & Cargo, Condemnd in Newprovidence. Yours Respectfully Martin S Wilkins is Attorney and will furnish the Papers. LS , New York Law Institute, New York City. Scott was a New York City merchant and shipowner. H made the following entry in his Law Register, 1795–1804. “Scott...
22To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Phelps and Robert Gilchrist, 28 April 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 28, 1801. Encloses “a Deed of conveyance bearing equal date with this Letter, made by Oliver Phelps to Robert Gilchrist for three equal undivided Eighth parts of a tract of Land containing nine thousand and Six hundred acres, by the award or appointment of Alexander Hamilton, David A. Ogden and Thomas Cooper.” States: “This conveyance you will hold as Escrow to be returned to...
23To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 29 April 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Joseph Dennie, now of Philadelphia, has more than once observed to me, that he had never the happiness of being known to you. He repeated the observation, as I lately passed thro’ that city. And manifesting an earnest desire to be introduced, requested me to write to you for that purpose. Of Mr Dennie’s genius and literary talents, you will judge from his writings. These have appeared...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 8 May 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 8, 1801. Gives opinion on the conditions that the executors of Nathanael Greene’s estate wish to impose on the conveyance of his New York State lands. ALS , The Sol Feinstone Collection, Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. For information concerning the contents of this letter, see Wadsworth to H, August 23, 1800 ; H to Wadsworth, March 25, 1801 .
25From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, 20 May 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 20, 1801. On May 26, 1801, Madison wrote to Hamilton : “I have received your letter of the 20th.” Letter not found. ]
26To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, 26 May 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 20th enclosing one from Paris of March 23d. The Cession of Louisiana by Spain to the French Republic, referred to in the letter, had been previously signified to this Department from several sources, as an event believed to have taken place. Supposing you might wish to repossess the letter from Mr. C I herein return it. I have the honor to remain, Sir, Your...
27From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, 26 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter of the 20th. enclosing one from Paris of March 23d. The Cession of Louisiana by Spain to the French Republic, referred to in the latter, had been previously signified to this Department from several sources, as an event believed to have taken place. Supposing you might wish to repossess the letter from Mr. C I herein return it. I have the honor to remain, Sir, Your...
28To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 9 June 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I addressed you on the 9 April last & not having the pleasure of hearing from you Since—I presume my letter has Miscarried. I therefore take the liberty to trouble you with a copy of said Letter & Respectfully Sir ask your attention to my request. I am Sir your very obed. Servt. ADfS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence. Letter not found.
29From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 11 June 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Davies, who appreciates your character as he ought, having expressed a desire to be personally acquainted with you, I promised him a letter of introduction. I comply with this promise with the greater pleasure, as the impressions which this Gentleman has made upon me induce me to believe that you will be glad of the opportunity of making his acquaintance. He is Attorney of the UStates for...
30From Alexander Hamilton to John Lowell, Junior, 11 June 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Davies, District Attorney for Kentucke being about to make a visit to your City, I with pleasure embrace the opportunity of introducing him to you. He was presented to me by Chief Justice Marshall and appears to me entitled to all the attention due to a man of sense and merit. With great esteem I am Dr Sir Yr Obed ser ALS , Columbia University Libraries.
31From Alexander Hamilton to William Beekman, 15 June 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
You will remember that a considerable time since I gave you an opinion on a variety of matters arising upon your uncles Will. For this I have received no compensation; never that I remember having presented an account. I will therefore thank you to send me fifty Dollars for this service. As I am building I am endeavouring to collect my outstanding claims. With esteem I am Sir Yr Obed ser ALS...
32To Alexander Hamilton from John McComb, Junior, [22 June 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
Proposal for finishing General Hamiltons, country House—Vizt. To Build two Stacks of Chimneys to contain eight fire places, exclusive of those in Cellar Story. To fit in with brick all the outside walls of the 1st. & 2d. Stories, also all the interior walls that Seperate the two Octagon Rooms and the two rooms over them fr the Hall & other Rooms in both Stories. To Lath & plaster the Side...
33To Alexander Hamilton from Sarah Alexander, Lady Stirling, 26 June 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 26, 1801. The calendar of this letter reads: “Thanks &c dated at New York.” Letter not found. ] Sarah Livingston Alexander was the daughter of Philip Livingston, second lord of the manor, and the widow of William Alexander, self-styled Lord Stirling, a major general in the American Revolution who died in 1783. Philip Hamilton’s calendar of letters “… taken by my brother Alexr...
34From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, [27–28 June 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
… or otherwise I have no data to judge. I can only say they were entrusted to persons whom all the world would pronounce equal to the task; and that I took the best of all precautions, to ensure their care as well as their fidelity, which was to connect their interest with yours. If the purchase from Mark shall not answer expectation, and has been attended with an additional burthen not...
35From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 29 June 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
The original of your letter of the 9th. of April never came to hand. The copy in that of the 9th. of June arrived here while I was on a circuit, so that I did not receive it till a few days ago. It is the practice on the admission of honorary members to present them with diplomas. But there are no blanks in my possession and very few in that of the officers of the Society of this state. These,...
36To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas H. Cushing, 1 July 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of War has directed me to enquire whether Lieut. Patrick McCarty of the third Regt. of infantry obeyed the order of the War department of the 2nd. of Sepr. 1799, directing all absent Officers of the 1st. Regt. of Artillerists & Engineers and of the first, second, third & fourth Regiments of Infantry to Report themselves to you within four months, and if so, whether any particular...
37Indenture between Alexander Hamilton of the First Part and Richard Harison and Aaron Ogden of the Second Part, [1 July … (Hamilton Papers)
This Indenture made the first day of July in the year of our lord One thousand Eight hundred and one between Alexander Hamilton of the City of New York counsellor at law of the first part and Richard Harrison of the same City and Aaron Ogden of Elizabeth Town in the State of New Jersey, counsellors at law and Trustees for Louis and Mary Le Guen pursuant to their Antenuptial Contract of the...
38Bond to Richard Harison and Aaron Ogden, [1 July 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
Know all Men by These Presents that I Alexander Hamilton of the City of New York Counsellor at Law am held and firmly bound to Richard Harrison of the same City and Aaron Ogden of Elizabeth Town in New Jersey Counsellors at law in the sum of Ten thousand Dollars lawful money of the United States of America to be paid to them as Trustees for Louis and Mary LeGuen according to their Antenuptial...
39To Alexander Hamilton from Pierre Charles L’Enfant, 14 July 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Washington, July 14, 1801. On July 27, 1801, Hamilton wrote to L’Enfant and referred to “your letter of the 14th.” Letter not found. ] L’Enfant had been a French volunteer in the Corps of Engineers during the American Revolution. After the war he redesigned and converted the old Jacobean City Hall in New York City into Federal Hall, the temporary seat of the Federal Government. In 1791 he...
40To Alexander Hamilton from William Bingham, 21 July 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Having a Packet of Papers which by your Desire were deposited with me, & which have long laid dormant in my Possession, & being about embarking in a Short time for Europe, permit me to return them to you. You will gratify me exceedingly, by furnishing me with an opportunity of rendering you any services during my Stay in Europe. I request you to make my respectfull Complements acceptable to...
41From Alexander Hamilton to Pierre Charles L’Enfant, 27 July 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Three days since I received your letter of the 14th. As there is a Court sitting, I defer a particular answer to it, and drop you a line to say, that I shall certainly do every thing in my power to fulfil your wish. With regard, I am, Sir Yr. Obed ser ALS , Digges-L’Enfant-Morgan Collection, Library of Congress. Letter not found. The New York Supreme Court met in New York City from July 21,...
42From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 28 July 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
You are, I believe, acquainted with The Reverend Mr. Mason who will deliver you this. I could not let him depart without placing him under the protection of your friendship. He is in every sense a man of rare merit . Yrs. Affect. ALS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. John Mitchell Mason became pastor of the Scotch Presbyterian Church on Cedar Street in New York City in 1793. It...
43From Alexander Hamilton to Pierre Charles L’Enfant, 18 August 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 18, 1801. On September 4, 1801, L’Enfant wrote to Hamilton : “I received your letter of the 18th. ulto.” Letter not found. ]
44To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Riker, 18 August 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 18, 1801. Encloses £100 as a retainer from Robert and Hamilton Stewart. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Riker was a New York City lawyer. The Stewarts were brokers with offices at 54 Maiden Lane in New York City. This letter concerns the case of Robert and Hamilton Stewart v Martha Eden, Executrix, and Joseph and Medcef Eden, Executors of Medcef Eden, Sr. , which...
45To Alexander Hamilton from Eugene Lucet, 20 August 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Hermitage, August 20, 1801. Sends information for use in a case involving conflicting claims in the Staats Patent. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Lucet (Lucett, Lucette) was the head of Lucet and Company, a countinghouse in New York City. For the Staats Patent, see David E. E. Mix, ed., Catalogue: Maps and Surveys, in the Office of the Secretary of State, State Engineer and...
46To Alexander Hamilton from John Penn, 21 August 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
A respect for great talents & virtues, under the direction of sound judgement, & long exemplified in times of danger & difficulty, induces me to request that you would do me the honour of accepting the two volumes of poems, illustrated with plates, which will be sent nearly at the time of the present letter, as a tribute due to them. Among the plates are representations of a spot in England,...
47To Alexander Hamilton from William Vans Murray, 28 August 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been returned from Paris since nine days. Before I left that city Mr. Vaublanc —Mr. Latour Mauberg & My friend Mr. Fleurieu gave me the inclosed letters for their particular friends & one for you of whom V. speaks by sympathy with a very respectful souvenir of your Kindness to the ladies. These men & many other constitutionalists are in Govt.—& such as these follow rather than give the...
48To Alexander Hamilton from Pierre Charles L’Enfant, 4 September 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 18th. ulto (say of the 27. according to post.) which came to hand only last monday. with respect to the Sentiments you manifest I can truely say that if I had not Confided in your good disposition and deed not heighly value to retain your friendship—I certainly would not have writen So freely nor so openly to you as I laterly deed? therefore let those Ideas and...
49To Alexander Hamilton from Nicholas Olive, [4 September 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
Il est impossible qu’il exsiste deux contrastes plus étonnants pour nous que New-York, et Dartmouth où nous avons été conduits après 35. Jours de passage; l’interêt et les bontés dont vous avez honoré ma famille me font un devoir de vous rendre un compte fidel des évenemens qui nous sont arrivés depuis que nous avons quités l’heureuse Amerique, cette belle partie du monde où la Providence a...
50To Alexander Hamilton from William W. Woolsey, 4 September 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I am as much disatisfied with the recent conduct of the manumission Society as you can be, and have out of doors remonstrated against the measures which they have pursued, but without effect. My name appears as Vice President although I have not for several years attended a meeting of the Society. I had almost determined before your note, that I would remove my individual responsibility by a...