61Americanus No. II, [7 February 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
Let us now turn to the other side of the medal. To be struck with it, it is not necessary to exaggerate. All who are not wilfully blind must see and acknowlege that this Country at present enjoys an unexampled state of prosperity. That war would interrupt it need not be affirmed. We should then by war lose the advantage of that astonishing progress in strength wealth and improvement, which we...
62The Warning No. II, [7 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Independent of the commands of honor, the coolest calculations of interest forbid our becoming the instruments of the Ambition of France, by associating with her in the War. The question is no longer the establishment of liberty on the basis of Republican Government. This point, the enemies of France have ceased to dispute. The question now is whether she shall be aggrandized by new...
63The Warning No. III, [21 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The Paris Accounts inform us that France has lately exercised towards Genoa an act of atrocious oppression, which is an additional and a striking indication of the domineering and predatory Spirit by which she is governed. This little Republic, whose territory scarcely extends beyond the walls of her metropolis, has been compelled, it seems, to ransom herself from the talons of France by a...
64The Answer, [8 December 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
For The Minerva. The French republic have, at various times, during the present war, complained of certain principles, and decisions of the American government, as being violations of its neutrality, or infractions of the treaty made with France in the year 1778. These complaints were principally made in the year 1793, and explanations, which, till now, were deemed satisfactory, were made by...
65The Warning No. I, [27 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
There are appearances too strong not to excite apprehension that the affairs of this Country are drawing fast to an eventful crisis. Various circumstances dayly unfolding themselves authorise a conclusion that France has adopted a system of conduct towards the neutral maritime nations generally which amount to little less than actual hostility. I mean the total interruption of their Trade with...
66The Warning No. IV, [27 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The emissaries of France when driven from every other expedient for extenuating her depredations have a last refuge in the example of Great Britain. The Treatment which we receive from France (say they) is not worse than that which was received from Great Britain. If this apology were founded in fact it would still be a miserable subterfuge. For what excuse is it to France, or what consolation...
67To Alexander Hamilton from Fisher Ames, 13–14 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 13–14, 1796. On April 15, 1796, Hamilton wrote to Rufus King and referred to “A letter by yesterday’s Post from our Friend Ames. Letter not found. ] Ames was a Federalist member of the House of Representatives from Massachusetts.
68To Alexander Hamilton from Fisher Ames, 31 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I gave your letter addressed to Mrs Warren into the hands of her husband, and tho, you inform me, something pretty was in it, I cannot believe it was a love letter. I told him that I was desired to subscribe for you to her poetical work. I shall take half a dozen Books, which, I presume, will be as much poetry as you will consume, and will carry the compliment as far as it will bear with any...
69To Alexander Hamilton from Fisher Ames, 15 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have heard that the Bank of N York propose to reserve a number of their shares for the acceptance of the U. S. Bank, so as to create a kind of partnership. Tho’ little seems to be known of the particulars, yet it is insinuated that the idea is suggested under your patronage. When I wrote you last, I was ignorant of all this. Tho’ the Bank is to govern itself, yet your opinion of the proper...
70To Alexander Hamilton from Fisher Ames, 26 January 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
My last was written hastily & under some impressions of the moment which I had not time to unfold. The close respecting your taking a seat in the next house (to be elected) would pass for an awkward compliment if you did not know me (and yourself) too well for such an interpretation. You desire an inside view of our stage. I begin with the outside . Our relations with France are serious. All...
71To Alexander Hamilton from Fisher Ames, 31 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I am happy to see the good effect of the exertions which have been made to keep our country from meddling with the war. Our fears have in a degree subsided. They have been strong enough to give their full impression to the services of the officers of govt. The public mind seems to be open to receive the truth. Such periods occur rarely & ought not to pass away in vain. There are many topics...
72To Alexander Hamilton from Fisher Ames, 10 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Those who percieve the arduous nature of your duties, ought to wish to aid you in executing them. Whether the auther of the Path to Riches , had it in view to afford you such aid, or not, I think it fit to send you the work, as our political economy lies much within your department. You have found the path for our Country, and it is advancing in it, tho’ you have not sought it for yourself. To...
73To Alexander Hamilton from Fisher Ames, 8 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The immoderately long letter which I took the liberty to write you some time ago, will, probably, have surprised you. You will wonder why I should take pains to establish opinions which you have never held in dispute. I will confess to you that the rumour of the intended connection between the U.S and NY. Banks gave me some uneasiness. My friend Mr Gore will leave this town next week, and you...
74Amicus, [11 September 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
For the National Gazette. A writer in the Gazette of Saturday last, after several observations, with regard to certain charges, which have lately been brought forward against the Secretary of State, proceeds to make or insinuate several charges against another public character. As to the observations which are designed to exculpate the Secretary of State, I shall do nothing more than refer to...
75An American No. I, [4 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
For the Gazette of the United States Mr. Fenno It was easy to foresee, when the hint appeared in your Gazette of [25th July] that the Editor of the National Gazette received a salary from the General Government, advantage would be taken of its want of explicitness and particularity to make the circumstance matter of merit in Mr. Freneau and an argument of his independent disinterestedness....
76An American No. III, [18 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
For the Gazette of the United States . The charges which have been brought against “the EDITOR of the NATIONAL GAZETTE,” as he himself states them to be, are no otherwise personal charges, than as they designate the persons , against whom they are made. In their application to Mr. Freneau, they affect him solely in his capacity of Editor of a public paper (which may justly be considered as a...
77An American No. II, [11 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
For the Gazette of the United States Facts, Mr. Fenno, speak louder than words, and, under certain circumstances, louder even than oaths. The Editor of the National Gazette must not think to swear away their efficacy. If he be, truly, as they announce, the pensioned tool of the public character, who has been named, no violation of truth, in any shape, ought to astonish. Equivocations and...
78To Alexander Hamilton from Peter Anspach, 20 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 20, 1790. Transmits “several Estimates signed by Col. Timothy Pickering late Quarter Master General.” ALS , Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts. For background to this letter, see Pickering to H, November 19 , 25, 1789 ; H to Pickering, November 19, 1789 ; H to Anspach, December 5, 1789 ; Anspach to H, December 30, 1789 .
79To Alexander Hamilton from Peter Anspach, 7 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 2nd. inst. was handed to me this morning. At present am not able to attend much to any kind of business, owing to a long spell of sickness of which I am but just recovering; and am in hopes in eight or ten days hence to be able to attend to business; and as soon as I can; shall have no objections to complying with your wish, to wit, of undertaking to collect immediately the...
80To Alexander Hamilton from Peter Anspach, 30 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 30, 1789. Transmits an account of the debt owed by the United States to the creditors of the quartermaster general’s department. ALS , Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts; ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston; ADfS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. For background to this letter, see H to Anspach, December 5, 1789 ; Timothy Pickering to H, November...
81To Alexander Hamilton from Peter Anspach, 24 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 24, 1791 “In consequence of yours of the 20th. Ulto. I did on the first of this month commence the business you wished me to undertake, and agreeable to request have now for the first time made a Return, comprehending a number of the specie claims against the late Quartermaster general’s department. All of which are herewith inclosed for the inspection of the Auditor & his...
82To Alexander Hamilton from Peter Anspach, 2 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In my memorial of yesterday to Congress and which I am informed has been referred to you I forgot to deliver a Copy of the a/c paid by Mr. Quackenbush, to his attorney for defending suits brought against him by Public creditors; I also in a letter from Col. Pickering to me, dated in March 1789 I recd one inclosed from him, addressed to the late Board of Treasury; which not reaching me until...
83To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Anthony, 16 May 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Since writing you by the last post, I have had a further Conference with Mr. Coxe, who Says he has Received Notes Nearly to the amount of the first payment of Whelan & Millers Purchase, and that he will hold himself Accountable for Mr. Churches part, when they fall due; but it Seems he has taken them in Some Such way, that he cant give all Mr Churches proportion; he talks in Such a Stammering...
84Anti-Defamer, [19 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
For the Fœderal Gazette Russel under an affected moderation veils the most insidious and malignant designs & slily propagates the basest slanders. This is evident from the following passage of his second paper. After stating a visionary and impracticable scheme for avoiding a war with the Indians —he proceeds thus—“But then, how many offices had been wanting, how many lucrative contracts would...
85To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 3 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, May 3, 1791. “Your circular Letter 8th April is received. An Account agreably to the form sent shall be transmitted as soon as possible. I now inclose you a Statement of the United States Act Current as it stands in my Book the balance of 26385.83 is deposited in the Massachusetts Bank.…” LC , RG 53, Massachusetts State Loan Office, Letter Book, 1785–1791, Vol. “259–M,” National...
86To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 15 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you 10 instant, at which time I drew on the Treasury for the amount of my last Quarters Salary & expenditures for the two first Quarters—Since which I am favoured with your circular Letter 2d. instant. In answer I have to inform you that I have never issued a single Certificate to a nonsubscriber in exchang for Old Emisso. money or Indents of Interest. I have issued only one...
87To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 1 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, September 1, 1791. On September 27, 1791, Hamilton wrote to Appleton : “You observe in your letter of the first instant.” Letter not found. ]
88To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 27 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, November 27, 1790. “… This serves to transmitt pr Post two packages … containing of the Certificates & Indents which were recd. in … October.… I observe in your General Instruction that the Salary to which I am intitled will be paid Quarterly by drafts or assignments upon the Treasury, but I have not been informed when the Salary commenced.…” LC , RG 53, Massachusetts State Loan...
89To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 17 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
My last was 10th Inst. since wch. I am favord. with yours of 7th & 11th Instant to which I shall pay particular attention. I have also recd. a Letter of the 12th from the Register informing me that he shall soon supply me with Certificates for the Indents, the Stock which may be unsubscribed, and for transfering from one Office to another. I have only to observe that I have already issued...
90To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 11 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, May 11, 1790. “When I was in the City of N York I presented to the Auditors my account Currt. as Commissr. of the Loan Office in this State, he objected to the adjustment of part of my account for want of Vouchers to support the charge of Interest paid, & my Commissions thereon previous to the establishment of Salaries. Agreable to the Auditors direction I now transmitt to the...