101From Alexander Hamilton to John Sullivan, [25 December 1785] (Hamilton Papers)
Permit me to introduce to you Mr. Ducher a French Gentleman who is appointed to reside as Vice Consul at Portsmouth in the State of New Hampshire. You will find him an intelligent speculative man. He came to this Country attracted by an affinity of principles and with a view to a philosophical retirement; but having been shipwrecked with a loss of part of himself and a much larger part of his...
102Pieter Johan Van Berckel, William Edgar, Sampson Fleming, William Denning, and Alexander Hamilton (for John Barker … (Hamilton Papers)
The step lately taken by the Legislature of Pensylvania in repealing the act by which the government of that state had incorporated the Bank of North America has given rise to questions of a delicate and important nature. We observe with regret that the very existence of the Institution as a corporate body has by this proceeding been drawn into controversy: a circumstance which we consider in...
103Inhabitants of the City of New York to the Legislature of New York State, [January–March 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
To The Honorable The Legislature of the State of New York The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the City of New York respectfully sheweth That Your Petitioners anxious for the welfare of the community of which they are members have seen with peculiar regret the delay which has hitherto attended the adoption of the Revenue system recommended by Congress in their resolutions of the That...
104From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 1 February 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 1, 1786. On April 5, 1786, Church wrote to Hamilton : “I am in your Debt and have to thank you for your Letters of the 24 Novr. 6 Decr. & 1st Feby.” Letter of February 1 not found. ]
105From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Milligan, 4 February 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 4, 1786. On February 18, 1786, Milligan wrote to Hamilton : “I am much obliged by your polite favour of the 4th. instant.” Letter not found. ]
106From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [1 March 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you a letter to Mr. Wilcox which after reading and noting the contents please to deliver to him. There are three ships I think in which Mr. Church is concerned ⅛ with Mr. Wilcox and others. You will oblige him if you will endeavour to sell his interest for any thing short of giving them away. I have full power to convey & will do whenever you can find a pur⟨chaser⟩. Perhaps Mr....
107From Alexander Hamilton to John Wilcocks, 1 March 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 1, 1786. On March 5, 1786, Wilcocks wrote to Hamilton : “I have your favor of the 1st.” Letter not found. ]
108From Alexander Hamilton to Francis Upton, 2 March 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March 2, 1786 . States that Upton’s title to lands in New York is clear and advises Upton on measures to be taken to assure possession. ADfS , Lloyd W. Smith Collection, Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, New Jersey. See Upton to H, December 6, 1785 .
109From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [10 March 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
On the subject of the Ships I am to request you will sell them on the best Terms you can. I would mean one eighth of them absolutely as they now stand, without any consideration of expences incurred, for all these must come of course into a general account between the concerned. If Mr. Wilcox will give me as much as another so much the better. You may accommodate him as to the time of payment...
110From Alexander Hamilton to John Wilcocks, [10 March 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
Your favour of the fith Inst. duly came to hand. I assure you Sir though the business does not concern myself it gives me pain that you should experience any inconvenience from a diversity in the views of those with whom you are Concerned in the Ships; but you will be sensib⟨le⟩ as mere agent in a Case of this kind I could not with propriety do any thing to engage Mr. Church further than he...
111Memorial to Abolish the Slave Trade, 13 March 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 13, 1786. On this date, H and other memorialists signed a petition to the New York legislature urging the end of the slave trade, “a commerce so repugnant to humanity, and so inconsistent with the liberality and justice which should distinguish a free and enlightened people.” New-York Packet , March 13, 1786. For information on H’s membership in the Manumission Society, see...
112Report on a Bond Due Columbia College, 14 March 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March 14, 1786 . Reports with other members of a committee to the regents of the University of the State of New York the circumstances of a supposed tender of money by Robert C. Livingston to Columbia College. ADS , Columbia University Libraries. At this time the regents of the University of the State of New York controlled Columbia College. Robert Cambridge Livingston was the...
113From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [16 March 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
March 16th. The above is copy of mine which went by a private hand inclosing the original of a letter to Mr. Wilcox of which the inclosed is a Copy. Yrs ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. H to Chaloner, March 10, 1786 . H to John Wilcocks, March 10, 1786 .
114From Alexander Hamilton to Ezekiel Forman, 22 March 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 22, 1786. Encloses a bond and requests Forman to send “a receipt for it as a payment on account of the legacy in which you are interested.” Copy, in writing of Pierre Van Cortlandt, Jr., Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
115From Alexander Hamilton to John Laurance, 23 March 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March 23, 1786 . Plans to bring the cause of Benjamin Paine, et al. v. Peter Mesier, Jr. and Jacob Van Voorhees to trial at the next term of the Supreme Court. Copy, Mr. Otto Madlener, Hubbard Woods, Illinois.
116From Alexander Hamilton to the Mayor and Corporation of the City of New York, 28 March 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 28, 1786. Signs, with 136 other petitioners, a memorial asking that the “Mayor and Corporation of the City of New York” improve the street in front of the Coffee House, “the usual place of resort for your Memorialists and the merchants of this City.” The memorialists complained that the street “for want of proper regulation and the great concourse of Carts is coverd with filth...
117From Alexander Hamilton to ———, 3 April 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] April 3, 1786 . “In your affair with Brothers Coste & Co. I have received a declaration. The business must be decided in Chancery. Send me a full detail of the facts upon which I can frame a bill.” ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
118From Alexander Hamilton to John Wilcocks, [5 April 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
I imagine you had not received my letter of the 10th. of March when yours of the 24th. was written. You must have perceived by that, that I do not consider myself at liberty to do any act recognising a concern of Mr. Church in the St. Annes last Cargo or in any other shipment of the same or any subsequent period in any of the vessels in Question I have the honor to be Sir Your Obed & hum ser...
119From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Varick, 13 April 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 13, 1786. The catalogue description of this letter states that Hamilton asked Varick if he would “meet a small number of friends this evening at the Tavern, formerly Capes—7 o’clock.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries, May 17, 1948, Lot 214.
120From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Hazard, [24 April 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 21st. was only delivered me this morning. The good opinion of liberal men I hold in too high estimation not to be flatterd by that part of your letter which relates to me personally. The other part I have communicated to General Schuyler, and he assures me he will see all his friends this afternoon upon the subject; so that I have no doubt as far as his influence extends it...
121From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, [6 May 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
By the last Packet I sent you the first of a set of bills of which the inclosed is second for £400 Sterling drawn by Constable Rucker & Co: on Mr John Rucker. I remitted you £782.10.8 Currency by the Roebuck packet. I have written you largely on other matters to which I have received no answer. This being term time I cannot inlarge but I shall write you fully in a short time. I am anxious to...
122From Alexander Hamilton to Peter Pillet, 17 May 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 17, 1786. The endorsement in Hamilton’s writing on Pillet’s letter of May 14, 1786 , to Hamilton reads: “Letter from Mr. P. Pillet. Ansd. May 17. 1786.” Letter not found. ]
123From Alexander Hamilton to Alexander Macaulay, 20 May 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 20, 1786. “I have at length concluded your affair with the Assignees of Heart by agreeing to take the principal of your first demand … & to come in for any further demand you may have as any other Creditor.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Malcolm Hart.
124From Alexander Hamilton to Sempill and Company, [20 May 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
On the recommendation of Mr. Nicholas Cruger of this City, I take the Liberty to commit to your care a small matter in which I am interested. I am informed that Mr John Hallwood a relation of mine who died some time since in St. Croix has by his will left me one fourth part of his Estate. The amount I imagine is not very considerable; but whatever it may be I shall be glad to have it collected...
125Enclosure: To Sempill and Company, [20 May 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
Know all Men by these presents, that I Alexander Hamilton of the City of New York, Counsellor at Law, have made, ordained, authorized, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, ordain, authorize, constitute and appoint John Sempill and William Amorey of the Island of St. Croix Merchants jointly and severally my true and lawfull Attornies, for me and in my Name, and to my Use to...
126From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 23 May 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 23, 1786. On June 10, 1786, Hamilton wrote to Church : “I have only time to inclose you a duplicate of my Letter of the 23 of May.” Letter not found. ]
127From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, [23 May 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
We have talked over the Question. Who of the Commissioners are to go to the Southward? And it seems to be decided that you and myself are to be of the number and that a third must be either Mr. R. C. Livingston or Mr Ganseevort, as they may arrange it between themselves. I understand the meeting is to be sometime in September. I remain with sincere esteem Sir Your obed & hum ser ALS ,...
128From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Varick, 24 May 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] May 24, 1786 . Encloses “a draft of the trust deed with the papers relating to it” and asks Varick to make the necessary amendments. ALS , Columbia University Libraries.
129From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [May 1786–April 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Three or four days since I wrote to My angel by the Post, since which I have received a letter from her. I am very unhappy to hear that my beloved is out of health. Heaven grant it may soon be restored. I entreat her to take care of herself & keep up her spirits. I cannot yet determine what will be our stay here and consequently I can make no determinations about my love; but I feel that it...
130From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, [10 June 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
Being to set out in few minutes on a Circuit I have only time to inclose you a duplicate of my Letter of the 23 of May and of a Bill of Lading for a Sum of money by the last packett: the last I say; but I believe she has not yet set Sail. I have given direction to the Broker to make Insurance for you. I have spoken to a friend to collect some more proper gold & Silver for you; which will be...
131From Alexander Hamilton to John Thomas, [22 June 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
I think it necessary to apprise you that in my opinion you will not be safe in taking paper money on Executions without the consent of the parties: and in those which I have sent to you that consent I believe can not be obtained This is a matter however which I mention to you in confidence for your own safety. I would not wish to have much said about it, till you should be under a necessity of...
132Oration before the New York State Society of the Society of the Cincinnati, 4 July 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, July 4. 1786. According to the transactions of the New York State Society, the meeting of the society was “opened by an oration delivered by Colonel Hamilton.” John C. Schuyler, Institution of the Society of the Cincinnati John Schuyler, Institution of the Society of the Cincinnati, Formed by the Officers of the American Army of the Revolution, 1783 (New York, 1886). , 89.
133Report of a Committee of the New York State Society of the Society of the Cincinnati, [6 July 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee to whom were referred the proceedings of the Society of the Cincinnati, at their last General Meeting, beg leave to report: that they have attentively considered the alterations proposed at that meeting to be made in the original Constitution of the Society; and though they highly approve the motives which dictated those alterations, they are of opinion it would be inexpedient to...
134From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Wooldrige, 20 July 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, July 20, 1786. Describes measures needed to satisfy the claims of Wooldrige’s creditors. ADfS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Thomas Wooldrige, a former British subject, at this time was a resident of New York City and a member of the firms of Wooldrige and Kelly and of Kelly, Lot and Company, engaged in West Indian trade. In 1787 Wooldrige was imprisoned in New York City for...
135From Alexander Hamilton to Bell and Woodmass, 4 August 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ August 4, 1786. On August 4, 1786, Hamilton wrote to John B. Church : “I have written to Messrs. Bell and Woodmass by this opportunity.” Letter not found. ]
136From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 4 August 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
The only letter I have received from you in a considerable time is one introducing Lt Col Hastings to whom I have paid the attention which your recommendation will always give title to. The following remittances made by me remain unacknowleged by you. A bill of Exchange drawn by Constable & Rucker for £400 Sterling Currency Specie ⅌ the Tankerville Packet £1057.17.8 Ditto per the Carteret...
137From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Totten, 25 August 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 25, 1786. On the back of the letter that Totten wrote to Hamilton on July 31, 1786 , Hamilton wrote: “Answered Aug. 25. 1786.” Letter not found. ]
138From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Hazard, 1 September 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, September 1, 1786. Answers questions concerning a government contract for carrying the mail which Hazard had sent to Hamilton on August 1, 1786. Copy, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. Hazard enclosed H’s answers in a letter to Nathaniel Gorham, September 25, 1786.
139Alexander Hamilton and Egbert Benson to John Lansing, Junior, 1 September 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
Newark [ New Jersey ] September 1, 1786 . “We set out this afternoon on a journey to Anapolis in obedience to the appointment of the Legislature respecting the proposed commercial arrangements and are thus far on our journey. This of course renders it impossible for either of us to be at the intended trials in which Mr. Rensselaaer is concerned.” ALS , in writing of H, New-York Historical...
140From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Varick, [1 September 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
Mrs. Hamilton insists on my dining with her to day as this is the day of departure and you (who are not a prophane batchelor like Benson) will know that in such a case implicit obedience on my part is proper. This deprives me of the pleasure of dining with you. Yr. friend & serv ALS , Mr. William N. Dearborn, Nashville, Tennessee. On this date H left to attend the Annapolis Convention to which...
141From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [8 September 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you My beloved Betsey at Philadelphia; but through mistake brought off the letter with me; which I did not discover till my arrival here. I was not very well on the first part of the journey; but my health has been improved by travelling and is now as good as I could wish. Happy, however I cannot be, absent from you and my darling little ones. I feel that nothing can ever compensate...
142Annapolis Convention. Address of the Annapolis Convention, [14 September 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
To the Honorable the Legislatures of Virginia, Delaware Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. The Commissioners from the said states, respectively assembled at Annapolis, humbly beg leave to report. That, pursuant to their several appointments, they met, at Annapolis in the State of Maryland, on the eleventh day of September Instant, and having proceeded to a Communication of their powers;...
143From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Milligan, 26 September 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ September 26, 1786. On October 1, 1786 , Milligan wrote to Hamilton: “I have your favour of the 26th Septr.” Letter not found. ]
144From Alexander Hamilton to John Sitgreaves, 17 October 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ October 17, 1786. On October 23, 1786, Sitgreaves wrote to Hamilton : “Your favor of the 17th. was handed me this morning.” Letter not found. ] John Sitgreaves of North Carolina was a member of the Continental Congress in 1784 and 1785. From 1786 to 1789 he was a member of the state House of Commons.
145From Alexander Hamilton to William Wickham, 28 October 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York City ] October 28, 1786 . “I shall in a very short time have an urgent call for a sum of money to make up which I shall be glad to receive the amount of my account for services in the controversy between Cheesecocks and Wawayanda, or a considerable part of it.” ALS , Goshen Library and Historical Society, Goshen, New York. This letter is addressed to “The Agents for managing the...
146From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [30 October 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed I send you Mr. Church’s Power of Atty to me to receive his bank dividends &c. and a power from me to you to receive the last and the next . I will be obliged to you to get the money & forward it by the first proper opportuni[t]y to this place. Pray let me know how matters go on with the bank. What is intended? When is the next election of Directors? Can bank stock be sold at any rate...
147Circular Letter to the State Societies of the Cincinnati, [1 November 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
It is our duty to inform you, that we have been appointed by the New York State Society of the Cincinnati a Committee of correspondence, with instructions to frame and transmit to the other State Societies a circular letter, on several matters of importance to the Society of the Cincinnati in general. In pursuance of this trust, we send you an extract from the proceedings of our Society, began...
148From Alexander Hamilton to Philip Schuyler, 20 November 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] November 20, 1786 . “I have received your letter.… Your cause against Ten Eyck was set down for hearing in October term; but the Chancellor when last in town on account of his public engagements would not attend to my special business in his Court. If he is here in January term it will be brought on.… We have been Innoculating Angelica and Alexander. The first as before has...
149From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [22 November 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter with the draft on Mr Ray which I presented immediately. He would not accept it payable in specie. I did not protest because by your letter it appears to be an affair of accomodation and that you retain the money in your hands. Nor do I now return the draft because Mr. Ray tells me endeavours are making to turn paper into specie for the payment of it; if these do not...
150From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [1 December 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the bill drawn on Mr. Ray protested as you desire in your last. You will be so good as to send forward the Specie by the first opportunity as the Packet sails in a short time. Yr Obed serv ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania. See H to John Chaloner, November 22, 1786 .