1From Alexander Hamilton to Simeon Baldwin, 1 May 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 1, 1802. “Capt. Du Buisson who has obtained a decree of restitution of his vessel & cargo tells me that there are some obstacles, which he cannot explain, to his receiving the moiety of the proceeds reserved for the Captors, and remaining as he understands it in deposit with you. As he has solicited my aid which I have promised, you will oblige me by explaining as early as may...
2From Alexander Hamilton to James A. Bayard, 6 April 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
Amidst the humiliating circumstances which attend our country, all the sound part of the community must find cause of triumph in the brilliant display of talents which have been employed though without success, in resisting the follies of an infatuated administration. And your personal friends will not have much reason for mortification on account of the part you have performed in the...
3From Alexander Hamilton to James A. Bayard, [16–21] April 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 12th inst. has relieved me from some apprehension. Yet it is well that it should be perfectly understood by the truly sound part of the Fœderalists, that there do in fact exist intrigues in good earnest, between several individuals not unimportant, of the Fœderal Party, and the person in question; which are bottomed upon motives & views, by no means auspicious to the real...
4From 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...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, 22 June 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
Your first letter, in a style too peremptory, made a demand, in my opinion, unprecedented and unwarrantable. My answer, pointing out the embarrassment, gave you an opportunity to take a less exceptionable course. You have not chosen to do it, but by your last letter, received this day, containing expressions indecorous and improper, you have increased the difficulties to explanation,...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, [1 April 1802] (Hamilton Papers)
Your Protegé Buisson has addressed to me the inclosed letter. Why he did not immediately write to you I cannot tell unless it be that he is conscious he has used your politeness sufficiently, and imagines an intermediary to be hereafter necessary. Perhaps you may be able to decipher his wishes from the letter; which I confess is beyond my skill. But I understand from him in conversation that...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, 10 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I distinctly recollect (as was once before verbally explained between us) that just before you made a payment of Two thousand Dollars on your Bond, Winships Mortgage was returned to you, as the mean by which the money was to be procured. I think it was sent to you by Le Guen himself. It is to be presumed, that Winship has had since some intimation from the possessor of his mortgage, and that...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, 20 June 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I have maturely reflected on the subject of your letter of the 18th instant; and the more I have reflected the more I have become convinced, that I could not, without manifest impropriety, make the avowal or disavowal which you seem to think necessary. The clause pointed out by Mr. Van Ness is in these terms “I could detail to you a still more despicable opinion , which General Hamilton has...
9Assignment of Debts and Grant of Power of Attorney to John B. Church, [9 July 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
Know all Men by these Presents, That I Alexander Hamilton of the City of New York Counsellor at law, in consideration of one Dollar to me in hand paid by John B Church Esquire, (the receipt whereof is hereby acknowleged) have bargained sold assigned and conveyed and hereby do bargain sell assign & convey to the said John B Church all and singular the debts due owing and payable to me: which...
10From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 9 July 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, July 9, 1804. Nathaniel Pendleton described the seventh item on a list of ten, which were given to him after Hamilton’s death, as a “Letter to John B. Church inclosing an assignment of some debts.” Letter not found. ] See “List of Papers Given to Nathaniel Pendleton,” July 19, 1804 . See “Assignment of Debts and Grant of Power of Attorney to John B. Church,” July 9, 1804 .
11From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 28 June–10 July 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 28–July 10, 1804. Nathaniel Pendleton described the seventh item on a list of ten, which were given to him after Hamilton’s death, as a “Letter to John B Church inclosing an assignment of some debts.” Letter not found. ] See “List of Papers Given to Nathaniel Pendleton,” July 19, 1804 . See “Assignment of Debts and Grant of Power of Attorney to John B. Church,” July 9, 1804 .
12From 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...
13From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 7 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
On Saturday last I sent you a letter of which the foregoing is a copy, to which I have as yet received no reply. Intending to leave this place for New York on Saturday next, it is important that I should receive an answer before that day. I have the honor to be Your Excelly’s Obed servt ADf , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. H to Clinton, March 2, 1804 .
14From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 2 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
If our correspondence does not terminate with your letter of the 29th. of February, received yesterday, I wish it to be understood that it proceeds merely from the desire of removing all ambiguity from a transaction, in which my character may be materially interested. It is perhaps the natural inference from what you have stated, that nothing took place on your part, to sanction or corroborate...
15From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 9 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving, yesterday, your Excellency’s letter of the 6th instant. It is agreeable to me to find in it a confirmation of the inference, that you had given no countenance to the supposition of my agency or cooperation in the project, to which the story of Judge Purdy relates; and it only remains for me to regret that it is not in your power to furnish the additional clue, of...
16From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 27 February 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
It is now a long time since a very ⟨odious⟩ slander has been in circulation to the prejudice of my character. It has come to my ears in more than one way, but always ’till lately without the disclosure ⟨of⟩ any source to which I could resort for explanation or detection. Within a few days, Mr. Kane of this City related to me a story as coming from Judge Purdy, in substance very similar to the...
17From Alexander Hamilton to William Cooper, 6 September 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I congratulate you and myself on your victory over Brockholst. Whether your interest is much promoted by it or not is of small consequence—In the triumph of vanquishing such an enemy. That you know was your principal inducement and I know that you will be willing to pay well for it. I have been deliberating whether to charge you 200 or 100 pounds for my services in this cause. In fixing upon...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Dayton, 30 March 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 30, 1802. Seeks Dayton’s aid for client soliciting “the interposition of our Government with the Court of Spain for obtaining restitution of a vessel & Cargo seized in South America.” ALS , Joseph Hopkinson Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
19Alexander Hamilton and Josiah Ogden Hoffman to Richard Varick, Jacob Radcliff, and Anthony Dey, 3 May 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
Having attentively considered the subject of your letter of the 19th April last, and the questions submitted to us, we shall now communicate the result of our reflections on the several questions in the order they are stated. Question 1. Have the Corporation of New York any title to the land under the water of Hudson’s River opposite to and adjoining Powles Hook? Answer. Comparing the...
20From Alexander Hamilton to John Dickinson, 29 March 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I was not, My Dear Sir, insensible to the kind attention shewn me by your letter of the 30th. of November last. But till very lately the subject has been so extremely painful to me, that I have been under a necessity of flying from it as much as possible. Time and effort and occupation have at length restored the tranquillity of my mind, sufficiently to permit me to acknowlege the kindness of...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Victor Marie Du Pont de Nemours, [30 January 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you three Notes on account of my bond each for 800 Ds as agreed. On Saturday I took the bond in the Country & forgot to bring it to Town with the calculation; so that ⟨I m⟩ust defer the completion of the arrange⟨ment⟩ to my return from Albany. But you may consider it as done & in⟨form⟩ your correspondents accordingly. Yrs. with gre⟨at⟩ regard ALS , Mr. Henry Francis du Pont, Winterthur,...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Victor Marie Du Pont de Nemours, 12 May 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I now send you my bond with condition for the payment of One thousand & Twenty seven Dollars & seventy Eight Cents; which sum is thus composed— Ballance of principal and interest beyond my notes Ds. 60.23 Difference between simple & compound Interest 967.55 Ds 1027.78 The statement delivered to you some time since will explain this result. The Bond bears interest only from the first of...
23From Alexander Hamilton to the Editor of the Evening Post, 10 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
Finding that a story long since propagated under circumstances, which it was expected would soon consign it to oblivion, (and by which I have been complimented at the expence of Generals Washington and La Fayette) has of late been revived and has acquired a degree of importance by being repeated in different publications as well as in Europe as America—it becomes a duty to counteract its...
24An 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...
25Promissory Note to Theodosius Fowler, 21 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 21, 1802. “… Alexander Hamilton … shall pay to … Theodosius Fowler … the sum of One thousand four hundred and fifty one Dollars lawful Money aforesaid on or before the eighteenth day of May next with lawful Interest for the same from the eighteenth day of May last then the Obligation to be Void.…” DS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. For information on the contents...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Albert Gallatin, 6 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 6, 1802. On August 13, 1802, Gallatin wrote to Hamilton : “I had the honor to receive your letter of the 6th instt.” Letter not found. ]
27From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Gouverneur, 9 December 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 9, 1803. Gives opinion concerning the effect of the French arrêt of June 20, 1803, on neutral shipping. ALS , The Huntington Library, San Marino, California. Gouverneur was a New York City merchant. For the full text of this letter and a discussion of its contents, see Goebel, Law Practice Julius Goebel, Jr., and Joseph H. Smith, eds., The Law Practice of Alexander Hamilton:...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Archibald Gracie, [23 March 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
I have perused the Bill & am of opinion that the prohibition will extend only to Associations or Companies of which the primary and essential purpose or end is, to issue notes make discounts &c, in other words, to operate as a Bank, and not to Commercial companies which may incidentally transact such business. Yet there is some degree of Ambiguity on the subject and questions may arise. The...
29From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Graves, 9 June 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 9, 1803. Gives his opinion concerning Graves’s legal questions and states: “Having myself lands in the vicinity of those of Mr. Scriba, I have occasionally received some information concerning the latter.… Some of my lands are now selling to settlers at the rate of three Dollars per acre.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter was written in reply to Graves to...
30To 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...
31To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 15 [June] 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
On Sunday a letter from Mrs. Church announced the happy delivery of My Dear Eliza, and that She and the child, were in as good health as could be expected and wished for. On this Event, I must Sincerely congratulate you and her. May I soon learn that she is perfectly restored. It is more than probable that soon after my return to albany I shall have the pleasure of seeing [you] at New York....
32To 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...
33To Alexander Hamilton from George Clinton, 29 February 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
This is the first moments leisure I have had to answer your Letter of the 27th Instant which was handed to me yesterday. I have carefully perused the Papers it inclosed under the signature of Mr. James Kane and find the statement of the transaction aluded to as admitted by Judge Purdy to be correct as far as my Name is implicated, and I believe it contains as reduced by Judge Purdy the...
34To Alexander Hamilton from Joaquim L. Steinbach, 23 November 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, November 23, 1801. Requests Hamilton’s opinion on two marine insurance cases involving the ship Zenobia and the sloop Britton of Barrington . ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. No evidence has been found that H served as Steinbach’s counsel in any case involving either of these ships.
35To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 4 December 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I sincerely condole with Mrs. Hamilton and you on the loss which you have sustained in the death of your beloved son Philip. I can well conceive of the distress this event has occasioned, and the tender recollections that his memory must long continue to excite. I lost my eldest child, a daughter, after she had discovered whatever can promise to flattter parental expectations. Is there ought...
36To Alexander Hamilton from Baron von Humboldt, [27 June 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
Il aurait été un moment bien interessant pour moi que celui de Vous être présenté personnellement, et de Vous offrir le temoignage respectueux de mon devouement. Une reunion de circonstances et l’obligation que j’ai de ne pas retarder la Publication de mes travaux litteraires me font partir pour Paris sans jouir du plaisir de Vous admirer de près et de voir le Cercle interessant dans lequel...
37To Alexander Hamilton from Abraham Du Buc de Marentille, 23 May 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
Si, comme je l’espère, vous avez trouvé mon manuscrit, Je vous Serai obligé de vouloir bien le remettre à la personne qui vous délivrera cette lettre Sous mon couvert. J’ai l’honneur d’être avec les Sentimens les plus distingués, Monsieur, Votre très humble et très obeissant serviteur ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Du Buc de Marentille had served in the French army during the...
38To Alexander Hamilton from Ernst Frederich von Walterstorff, 31 May 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I will now according to my promise when I left St: Croix acquaint You of my safe arrival at Portsmouth the 27th. instant and write You a few lines about the present state of politics. You may think of our surprize, Sir, when we learned from an English Brig of war in the Channel that England had declared war against France and that hostilities had actually commenced. Who can foretell what will...
39To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Truxtun, 10 July 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I pray you to accept a Copy of the medal voted me by Congress as a Small token of the great Respect and esteem with which I have the honor to be Dear Sir Your very obt. st. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Truxtun was appointed a captain in the United States Navy in 1794 and ranked fifth among the six captains appointed at that time. During the undeclared war with France, he...
40To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 23 July 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, July 23, 1802. King’s description of this letter reads: “General Hamilton. Determination to return home &c.” Letter not found. ] Rufus King’s “Memorandum of private Letters, &c., dates & persons from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
41To Alexander Hamilton from John Johnston, 1 June 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
June 1, 1804. “You may recollect that previous to Mr Caines marriage with my sister Mrs Verplanck, I applied to you and Mr Charles Wilkes to become trustees together with Mr Keese in a marriage settlement.… I am induced to request you to take such steps as you may think necessary to secure the property vested in you by the settlement.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. George Caines,...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 1 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my letter of the 24th. I have recd. yrs. of the same date; and after maturely reflecting upon the subject, and consulting one or two of our friends here I am confirmed in the Sentiment that I ought not to consent to be a candidate for the Govr. shd. the federalists think of offering me. This being my determination, it is right that I shd apprize you of it, in order that our friends may...
43To Alexander Hamilton from John Dickinson, [30 November 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
A sense of thy services to our Country, and the satisfaction I have received from our acquaintance, cause me to take an Interest in every Thing that importantly concerns thy Happiness. This Disposition compells me with a heart-felt love, most deeply to sympathize with thee and thy family in your present affliction. Could I add to this regretful Testimony any Arguments to soothe your Minds,...
44To Alexander Hamilton from Nicholas Olive, [15 December 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
J’ai eû l’honneur de vous écrire d’Angleterre, et de vous faire part de ce qui nous est arrivé, Vous aurez pensé peutêtre qu’aigri par le malheur j’avois chargé le tableau; Le tems vous apprendra que j’aurois pû le rendre plus sombre, et ce tems sera celui où le Capitaine et le Maître du bâtiment pris arriveront dans les Etats-unis; Ils vous diront ce qu’ils ont vû & avec qu’elle inhumanité...
45To 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 &...
46To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Jones, Junior, 19 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] October 19, 1803 . “Mr S. Jones Junior begs leave to remind Gen Hamilton of the case of Mr Remsen adm the corporation of the City of New york respecting the water lots at Burling Slip, which the Gen. has under his consideration.…” AL , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Jones was a New York City lawyer and the second son of Samuel Jones, first comptroller of New York State....
47To 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...
48To 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...
49To 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...
50To Alexander Hamilton from George Clinton, 6 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your Letter of the 2d. Instant. I cannot conceive it possible that Inferences can be drawn from any Circumstance attending the transaction alluded to repugnant to the explicit declaration contained in my Letter to you of the 29th. of last Month without calling in question the truth of them, and this I trust will not be attempted. It was not to be expected that I...