3901From 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...
3902From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 31 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received last night the letter you did me the honor to write on the 25th. I had before received those of 30. 31 of July & 3d August & notwithstanding the heat of the weather my own ill health and the dangerous sickness of Mrs. Adams, I should not have failed to answer them, if I had perceived any thing in them to disapprove, or thought of any thing to improve your plans. I am equally well...
3903[Diary entry: 20 August 1799] (Washington Papers)
20. Mer. at 69 in the morning. About ½ after 5, it began a fine, rain, with the wind at No. Et. & continued to do so until near 11 oclock when it ceased, but recommenced about ½ after 3 & contd. raining slow & fine until 9 oclock when I went to bed. Mer. 65 at Night. The rain this day must have been welcome to GW, who wrote to Robert Lewis 17 Aug. that the drought had caused his oat crop to...
3904To Alexander Hamilton from Caleb Swan, 22 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Lieut Lawrence and a detachment of Infantry are with Captain Morris’s Company of Artillery at Fort McHenry. Lieut Vissger and a detachment of Infantry are at Niagara under Major Rivardi—Lieutenant F L. Claiborne of the 1st. US Regiment and a detachment of Infantry are at Norfolk with Captain Blackburn’s Artillery Company. And a detachment of Infantry of the 1st. US Regiment are at West Point...
3905To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 30 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Law requiring that the sentence of a Court Martial, for the dismission of a comd. officer, shall not be executed until approved of by the President of the United States, I have the honor to enclose for your consideration, the proceedings of a Court on Lt. Marner, of the Frigate Adams. The charges imply a degree of insubordination which cannot be tolerated in the Navy, without producing...
3906From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 19 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 19, 1799. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from General Hamilton to General Washington,” Columbia University Libraries.
3907To George Washington from William Baynham, 10 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
I returned last evening from a visit to Gloucester, and found your servant, Tom, who had arrived on the day after I left home, waiting with your letter of the 30th July. I have this morning operated on both Eyes, although, I must confess, with no very sanguine expectations of the boy’s deriving essential relief by the operations: but I have thereby given him the only chance, which the case...
3908To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured yesterday with your two letters dated the 23 July inst. Inclosed is a letter from Major General Pinckney with a copy of my answer thereto. Also a copy of my letter to Lt. Colonel Rice and Hunnewell, and list of the Candidates which have offered from Massachusetts for the appointment of surgeons and mates. It has appeared to me, that circumstances do not require, at this...
3909To Alexander Hamilton from Asher Robbins, 26 April 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Gibbs of this Town, who is doubtless known to you, will deliver you this. I have mentioned to him & to others that you were kind enough to engage to reflect on the situation of this Island, & to give an opinion, upon the most elegible mode of putting it into a State of defence. To enable you to do this Mr Gibbs, will put into your hands, a map, which is esteemed a very correct one, & some...
3910From John Jay to Alexander Hamilton, 13 March 1800 (Jay Papers)
M r Coleman, who was Yesterday appointed Cl[er] k . of the NYork Circuits, will be the Bearer of this. M r . Skinner was first nominated, for where Character and qualifications for office are admitted, the Candidate who has age Standing and prior public Services on his Side, should I think take the lead; unless perhaps in Cases peculiarly circumstanced— M r . Skinner did not succeed. M r...
3911From John Adams to United States Congress, 19 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Dispatches, from the Envoys Extraordinary of the United States to the French Republic which were mentioned in my Message to both Houses of Congress of the fifth instant, have been examined and maturely considered. While I feel a Satisfaction in informing you, that their Exertions for the Adjustment of the Differences, between the two Nations have been sincere and unremitted, it is...
3912To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 27 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 23d I yesterday recieved. I waited upon Mr Brook today to make the necessary enquiries respecting Mrs Forbes. The Character he gives her, assures me that she will fully answer the purposes for which my Aunt wants her. She is honest, industrious, & well acquainted with nice as well as common Cooking, and other subjects of domestic employment necessary in her profession. But...
3913Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 15 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
Not one word have I heard from my Dear Sister, since I left Boston, nor have I had any intelligence from Washington excepting what we have gathered by the News Papers, & those we have read with a peculiar degree of anxiety. My mind as well as the publicks, has been long held in painful suspense, nor do we yet know but that he , who has been the stability of Our Times, may again preside, &...
3914From Alexander Hamilton to Caleb Swan, 28 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
You will forward, without delay, to Lieutt Richmond acting Pay Master to the detachment at Bennington under the command of Major Bewell, bounty money sufficient for recruiting two more full companies— ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
3915To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 7 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp, 12th Regiment [ Bronx, New York ] September 7, 1799 . “… Upon a close inspection of the Regiments arms at present issued It pains me to observe, that they too generally appear to be old furbished up barrels, many of them full of flaws, new stocked & dressed perhaps to fulfil a contract, certainly not render essential service; of one hundred and ninety men inspected, including music, I...
3916From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Leonard, 2 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Immediately after your arrival at Albany, you will proceed by water to this City, preserving the spirit of the instruction contained in my letter to you of the 24. March Here you will be met with cloathing &c—for your detachment With great consideration I am Sir Your Obed Servt. (Copy, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
3917From John Adams to Alexander Hamilton, 1800 (Adams Papers)
Page 4. Mr. Adams is no doubt under great Obligations to Mr. Hamilton, for “not denying to him Patriotism, and Integrity and even Talents of a certain kind” It is to be Sure an awfull a calamity to Mr A. that the solidity of his understanding should have been brought into question, with Mr H. although it were upon gro false grounds were So false or or Spurious reports were So Spurious . The...
3918[Diary entry: 31 May 1798] (Washington Papers)
31. Cloudy more or less through the day but no rain fell here. Wind Southerly. Mer. 64 at Nigt. Colo. Morris & family left this after breakfast—and Mr. Herbert & Son—the Revd. Mr. Addison a Mr. Rogers of Baltimore—Mr. Delius of Bremen & a Mr. Pekmoller of Hamburgh dined here & returned afterwards. Mr. William Herbert became president of the Bank of Alexandria in 1798. His two sons were John...
3919To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 5 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Yr. very friendly letter I duely recd, & altho I was persuaded you could not listen a moment to the base insinuations to which I referred, yet I felt not inconsiderable satisfaction in the explicit contempt which yr. answer manifests. This game yet continues, in a late aurora an absolute falshood is issued to the world in which I am at large named & my friend Ludwell Lee by initials. The...
3920From John Adams to William Richardson Davie, 11 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honor to write me on the thirtieth of last month inclosing an elegant masterly and patriotic address from the legislature of North Carolina. I pray you Sir to accept of my thanks for the very polite and pleasing manner in which you have communicated to me this important expression of the sense and the pleasure of a State of so much weight in the union....
3921To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 30 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I believe I mentioned in my last, that I was going to sketch a state of facts relative to Mr. Pinckney’s mission for publication. I now inclose it. That the facts should be known to our citizens was deemed important. I thought it highly important that the Representatives should come together impressed with the sentiments of their constituents on the reprehensible conduct of the French...
3922To George Washington from James Piercy, 27 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Piercy, 27 Nov. 1799. On 1 Dec. GW wrote Piercy “In answer to your letter of the 27th Ulto.”
3923From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 24 October 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved a letter from mr Callender dated in the jail on the 11th. inst. informing me he was about to publish a volume but was under some difficulty in getting it effected. I will ask the favor of you to call on him yourself and to furnish him fifty dollars on my account for which I will request him to send me two copies of his work when out, & the rest to remain till convenience. he...
3924To John Adams from Pseudonym: "A Citizen", 9 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Observing by our Gazette of this day, that a resolution, dated, June 7th. had been laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Mr. Dawson “That the President of the United States be requested, to cause to be laid before this House , such information as he possesses, respecting the Conduct which has been observed by the British Government, or by persons acting or pretending to act, by...
3925To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 5 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The Gentleman to whom the within letter is addressed was in March 1799. appointed a Second Lieutenant in the first regiment of Infantry. No information of his acceptance or non acceptance has been received at this Office. It appears that he was recommended by you and Mr. Egbert Benson. Be pleased to have this letter conveyed to him I am Sir Your obed servant ( LS , Hamilton Papers, Libary of...
3926From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 16 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have declined, upon the principle, mentioned to you stated in a former letter, I have declined taking any to take measures with respect to the Hospitals on Goat or Rose Island, not having received in the mean new any fresh instructions from you on the subject. I think it proper to mention this that there may be no misapprehension as to the situation of the business. It appears from your...
3927[Diary entry: 10 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
10. Morning heavy again—but abt. Noon the weather broke away warm, and had the appearance of being fair. Wind still Easterly. Mer. 70 in the Morning 75 at highest & 72 at Night. Mrs. Washington & her granddaughter went away after breakfast. Doctr. Stuart came to dinner, & Doctr. Craik (sent for) came in the afternoon.
3928To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 8 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
After experiencing much difficulty, delay & disappointment, I have at length got the recruiting Business afloat. Major Hopkens, attended by Lieut. Pinkney (the Pay Master) has commenced his Circuit, with Instructions to see every Officer commanding a Subdistrict & to urge an immediate Exertion. The Pay Master is directed to advance each 100 Dol to begin the recruiting, & to pay every Officer...
3929Toasts for an American Dinner, [4 July] 1798 (Madison Papers)
1. The people. May every arm be raised agst Foreign invaders, & every voice agst domestic Usurpers. 2. The Union. May it find an everlasting Cement in the spirit of the Revolution, & the sacredness of the Constitution. 3. The Constitution. May its Authors be its protectors, & its disorganizers its victims. 4. The P. & V. P. may the former never feel the passions of J. A. nor the latter be...
3930From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 12 May 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress will rise today or tomorrow. mr Nicholas proposing to call on you, you will get from him the Congressional news. on the whole the federalists have not been able to carry a single strong measure in the lower house the whole session. when they met, it was believed they had a majority of 20. but many of these were new & moderate men, & soon saw the true character of the party to which...
3931To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 15 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] May 15, 1800 . “Since I had the honor of writing To you last concerning the affair which you ordered me To examine, I was informed … That General Hunter & perhaps the Duke of Kent would in the Course of a few Weeks arrive at Fort George on business respecting their Government. It is probable in that case that they will pay a visit To This Garrison & I feel not a little...
3932To John Adams from James McHenry, 29 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have now the honour to submit to you, in conformity with your desire, the result of my reflexions, upon the most proper principles for regulating the relative rank of the field officers of the twelve additional regiments. It will always be prudent, when no special reasons dictate a deviation, to adopt for cases of this kind, a rule which steers clear, of comparisons of personal merit (as far...
3933From Thomas Jefferson to Mathew Carey, 12 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved some time ago your favor by Doctr. Carey together with the American Monitor , for which be pleased to accept my thanks. I have no doubt of it’s utility as a school-book as soon as the pupil is so far advanced as to reflect on what he reads, and that I believe is in an earlier stage than is generally imagined. I concur with you in the importance of inculcating into the minds of young...
3934To George Washington from Isaiah and Alexander Thomas, 24 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
As a specimen of literary and miscellaneous “folio of four pages,” printed weekly in this place, we send you the paper which accompanies these. Do us the honour to accept of the numbers as they are published. We have a laudable ambition of numbering so worthy a Man among our readers. With profound respect, We are Sir, Your obedt & humble servts LS , DLC:GW . Docketed by Tobias Lear: “Answd...
3935From John Adams to United States Senate, 18 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Alexander Hamilton of New York to be Inspector General of the Army with the Rank of Major General. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney of South Carolina to be a Major General Henry Knox of Massachusetts to be a Major General Henry Lee of Virginia to be a Major General of the provisional Army Edward Hand of Pennsylvania to be a Major General of the provisional Army. John Brooks of...
3936To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 9 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Of the two applicants for the office of Treasurer of the mint mentioned by Judge Patterson, one of them, Mr. Huger, must be in some measure known to you. I have several times seen him at the boarding house of Mr. Goodhue, Hillhouse &c. in Philadelphia, and from his conversations I had placed his abilities in the lowest grade. I understand he was sometimes disabled by the gout; & am much...
3937To George Washington from Callohill Mennis, 2 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Such a length of time having elapsed since I had the pleasure of seeing you last, that I shou’d not be in the least surprised, if you had entirely forgotten that you ever had such an officer as myself under your command in the late continental army. But were I to be assured that I still lived in the remembrance of my old commander, the reflection wou’d communicate to me the most pleasing &...
3938From Alexander Hamilton to Nanning J. Visscher, 1 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the twenty seventh of August, and am sorry that the state of the garrison is such at present as to prevent me from granting you the furlough you desire— I have however written to Major Rivardi, and empowered him to comply with your request whenever in his opinion the situation of things will admit of it With consn ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How,...
3939[Diary entry: 30 October 1797] (Washington Papers)
30. Wind brisk from No. Wt. & cold. Mer. at 54. Doctr. Stuart went away after breakfast. Mr. Cottineau & Lady, Mr. Rosseau & Lady, the Visct. D’Orleans, & Mr. De Colbert came to Dinner & returned to Alexa. afterwards. A Mr. Stockton from N. Jerseys came in the afternoon. mr. cottineau & lady : Denis Nicholas Cottineau de Kerloguen (c.1745–1808) was a Breton officer who had served with the...
3940To John Adams from Charles Lee, 29 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday morning I had the honor to write to you from Philadelphia that a letter from Genl. Marshall had been received at the office of State expressing his respectful acknowledgements for the honor you had conferred on him in appointing him Secretary of State, which he had accepted. As this letter may not meet overtake you, I now repeat a peice of intelligence very important to the United...
3941To Alexander Hamilton from Adam Hoops, 13 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Doctor is not of opinion that McGregor is disabled from Serving, & therefore has not given a Certificate—McGregor says he was 47. when he last Enlisted (about a year ago) that he is unable to bear the fatigues of a march from a wound below the knee (which he shews)—There are now in the guard house of this garrison three men of Capt Henrys company confined for Drunkenness while on the...
3942From John Adams to James McHenry, 24 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 18th and have read Count read Rumford’s letter to Mr. King. For five or six years past I have been attentive to the character of this gentleman, and have read some of his essays. From these, I have formed an esteem for his genius, talents, enterprise & benevolence, which will secure him from me, in case of his return to his native Country, a reception as kind...
3943From George Washington to William Augustine Washington, 14 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
Mr H: Washington affords me a very good opportunity to inform you, that if your Crop enables you to supply me with a hundred Barrels of Corn over and above the quantity Contracted for, I shall be willing to take it on the terms I do the Five hundred Barrels; and that I shall be willing to receive a part of the whole at any time you may find it convenient to forward it, as the danger of Frost,...
3944To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Bee, 1 August 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with pleasure I acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 22d May received yesterday by Mr. Rutledge addressed to the President of the Agricultural Society accompanied with four Seeds of the Bread Fruit Tree, the greatest Attention will be paid to the raising this Fruit if they once Vegetate, but I am sorry to inform you that very few of the Seeds of the Rice which you sent by Mr....
3945Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 4 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mrs smith Louissa Mrs Otis Rush Peters & a number of young Ladies are just gone to Congress to hear the Speech which is deliverd at 12 oclock to day; I should have liked well enough to have been of the Party, but it would not have been proper— You will see it, as soon as you will get the Letter I presume some people will not be pleased, I suppose, because it will not disclose enough about the...
3946To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Lomax, [before 27] February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
You will no doubt, be surprised at receiving a Letter from one, whose Name you will scarcely be able to recollect; but who frequently thinks of you, with great Esteem, & Pleasure. I have always thought it wrong to intrude upon the Time of a Person importantly engaged in public-Affairs, by a trifleing private Correspondence; and should not trouble you now, was it not at the paticuler Request of...
3947From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 27 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
On the 27th I received your favors of the 22d The address from the volunteer company of riflemen of Christiania Hundred in the county of New Castle and state of Deleware, I shall transmit to the Secretary at war to be answered according to laws, rules and usages. The regulations proposed in your letter to Otway Bird, the collector at Norfolk, are prudent and judicious, and ought to be...
3948[Diary entry: 16 June 1798] (Washington Papers)
16. Morning—Calm, clear & Warm. Mer. at 72. Clear all day & calm till the afternoon then a brisk Easterly Wind. Mer. 80 at N. & 72 at N.
3949To George Washington from James McHenry, 24 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
I send you by this mail, a small box containing military figures for the practice of tactics, being one of a few sets I ordered from London. Perhaps they may occasionally serve as a substitute for the chess board. Mr McAlpin called this morning to inform me that he had procured a sufficient quantity of gold thread and a person to work it; but that he was by no means certain he could have the...
3950From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Hunewell, 26 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Since Captain Jordan has received an appointment it will be needless to enquire his Character of Mr Thatcher. both he and Lieutt. Soper must be have with enjoy the privileges of their stations untill they shall behave in such a manner as may justify some public notice of their conduct unless you may think it expedient, should the relative rank of your officers not have been finally made known,...