201New York Assembly. Report on a Petition from George Fisher, [8 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton, from the Committee to whom was referred the petition of George Fisher, reported, that they have enquired into the circumstances of his case, and are of opinion that it will be proper to grant him relief, either by taking back the land mentioned in his petition, and returning the deposit money, or by setting off to him so much of the land as will amount to the deposit money, in...
202New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Concerning Murder, [8 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
On that part of the bill, which required that women who clandestinely were delivered of children and the same die, or be born dead, that the mother within one month thereafter, should before a magistrate be obliged to produce one witness at least, to prove that the child was not murdered; and in default of concealing the same, to be deemed guilty of murder. Mr. Hamilton observed, that the...
203Second Draft of an Act for Raising Certain Yearly Taxes Within This State, [9 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Plan of Specific Taxation to be substituted to the Present mode by assessment: Together with the supposed product and the appropriation of each tax. I Land tax of 3 pence per acre upon all meadow land. 2 d. per acre upon all arable land. Suppose in the whole state about 40.000 farmers each farm containing upon an average 10 acres of meadow and 40 acres of arable land; The prod⟨uct⟩ of this tax...
204Third Draft of an Act for Raising Certain Yearly Taxes Within This State, [9 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Whereas from the impossibility of finding any determinate rule for ascertaining the comparitive abilities of counties districts and individuals to pay taxes the mode of taxation heretofore in use in this state of quotas and assessments has been found by experience to be productive of great inequalities and inconveniences and has proved inadequate to the exigencies of the state: And Whereas...
205New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for the Relief of Arthur Noble, [9 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
The intention of this bill was to enable the commissioners of the land office to convey to Mr. Noble, two townships of ten miles square, at one shilling per acre, for the purpose of settling Irish emigrants. On considering this bill by paragraphs, some conversation arose in which Gen. Malcom, Col. Hamilton, and Mr. Jones were the principal speakers. Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Jones were both of...
206New York Assembly. Remarks on Report Concerning Citizens of New York who Loaned Money in Hartford during the American … (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 13, 1787. Hamilton spoke on the report of a “committee on the petition of those citizens of this state who have loaned their money during the late war, in Hartford, praying this state to take those monies on loan, and put them on the footing of other citizens, who loaned their money at the continental loan-office in this state.” Hamilton, according to the newspaper account...
207New York Assembly. Report on the Petition of William Edgar, 13 February 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 13, 1787. As chairman of a committee Hamilton on this date issued a report on “the petition of William Edgar, and others, proprietors of lands in the patent commonly called the Oneida purchase, praying leave to bring in a bill for the partition of the said tract of land.” New York Assembly Journal Journal of the Assembly of the State of New York (Publisher and place vary,...
208New York Assembly. Report on the Petition of Margaret Livingston, 13 February 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 13, 1787. On this date Hamilton reported on behalf of a committee of which he was chairman on a petition from Margaret Livingston and others: “Proprietors in part of the Township of New-Stamford, in the County of Ulster, praying leave to present a bill for the partition of the said Township.” New York Assembly Journal Journal of the Assembly of the State of New York...
209New York Assembly. Remarks on the Petition of Catharine Livingston, [13 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
The committee on Catharine Livingston’s petition, reported, that the state ought to receive their debt from her in loan-office certificates. Mr. Hamilton did not approve of extending partial relief, many others might be in similar circumstances, and he wished the bill to be brought in on general principles, as by this means, the house would avoid being troubled with repeated particular...
210New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for Settling Intestate Estates, Proving Wills, and Granting Administrations, [14 … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton said that he did not rise to oppose the motion of the gentleman who last spoke. He should probably vote with him on the question; but he confessed he did not view it in quite so clear a light as that gentleman appeared to do. There appeared to him to be difficulties in the case, which he would candidly lay before the house to assist its judgment. The objection is that a new court...
211New York Assembly. Report on the Petition of Isaac Gouverneur, Junior, [14 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton, from the Committee to whom was referred the petition of Isaac Gouverneur, junior, praying a divorce, reported, that it is the opinion of the Committee, that some general provision ought to be made for granting relief in cases of Adultry; that the Committee have prepared the draft of a bill for that purpose, and have directed him to move for leave to bring in the same. Ordered ,...
212New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Granting to Congress Certain Imposts and Duties, [15 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
There appears to me to have been some confusion in the manner of voting on the two preceding clauses of this bill; the first, for granting the impost to the United States, having been carried by a majority of one, and the last, for making the officers employed in the collection accountable to them, having been lost by a much larger majority. I was induced to hope, from the success of the first...
213New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill Granting Privileges to Columbia College and Erecting a … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill, to render more effectual, the act granting privileges to Columbia College, and erecting a University within this State. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton, according to leave, brought in the said bill, entitled, An act to render more effectual an Act, entitled, An Act for granting certain Privileges to the College,...
214New York Assembly. Resolution on the Call of a Convention of the States, [17 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Resolved , (if the Honorable the Senate concur) that the Delegates of this State, in Congress of the United States of America, be, and they hereby are instructed, to move in Congress for an Act recommending to the States composing the Union, that a Convention of Representatives from the said States repectively, be held, and meet at a time and place to be mentioned in such recommendation, for...
215New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for Raising Certain Yearly Taxes Within This State, [20 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
On that part of the bill, which enacts that a tax be laid on certain instruments of writing in the courts of justice, and which particularly effects the gentlemen of the law. Col. Hamilton was of opinion that it was not proper to tax any particular class of men for the benefit of the state at large; but in the present instance it was to answer a very important purpose; it was putting in force...
216New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for Regulating the Fees of Officers and Ministers of the Court, [21 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
On the different paragraphs which determined the allowance for certain services—much debate ensued. Col. Hamilton expressed a hope that the house would not carry matters to an extreme; It would, he thought, be as improper to make the fees of the profession too low as to make them too high. Gentlemen who practised the law, if they were men of ability, would be paid for the services required of...
217New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for the Relief of Persons Holding or Possessing State Agent’s Certificates, [22 … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton was against having the words struck out. The state had received the same advantage from the certificates issued by the deputies of the state agent or his assistant, as of those issued by the state agent only. There was no propriety in making the relief partial. Justice should be alike administered to all. Mr. Hamilton was of opinion, the state should give all the relief possible,...
218New York Assembly. Report on the Petition of Joanna Morris, 24 February 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 24, 1787. As chairman of a committee, Hamilton reported on a petition of Joanna Morris “on behalf of herself and the other Children of Roger Morris, and Mary his wife, setting forth, that the said Roger and Mary have been attainted, and their Estates sold and … praying a law to restore to them the remainder of the said estate.” Hamilton reported that it was unnecessary for...
219New York Assembly. Report on a Petition of William Gilbert, 24 February 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 24, 1787. On this date Hamilton, as chairman of a committee on a petition of “William Gilbert, and others, Collectors of Tax in the City and County of New-York,” reported that the request of the petitioners for an allowance of six pence in the pound on the proportion of New York City and County of the state quota for 1787 not be granted. New York Assembly Journal Journal of...
220New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill on Bankrupts and Their Estates, [26 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill respecting bankrupts and their estates. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton, according to leave, brought in the said bill, entitled An act respecting Bankrupts and their Estates . New York Assembly Journal Journal of the Assembly of the State of New York (Publisher and place vary, 1782–1788). , 1787, 67–68. The bill introduced...
221New York Assembly. Resolution on the Appointment of Delegates to the Constitutional Convention, [26 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Resolved (If the Honorable the Senate concur herein) that Five Delegates be appointed on the part of this State, to meet such Delegates as may be appointed on the part of the other States respectively, on the second Monday in May next, at Philadelphia, for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation, and reporting to Congress and to the several Legislatures, such...
222Subscription to the Ohio Company for Education and Worship in the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, March 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March, 1788 . Subscribes ten pounds to the Ohio Company for “the Education of Youth, and the Promotion of Public Worship, among the first Settlers.” DS , Princeton University Library. The other subscribers were Richard C. Platt, William Edgar, Alexander Macomb, William Constable, and William Duer, all New York City merchants. H owned five and one-half shares in the Ohio Company....
223New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill for the Speedy Trial and Punishment of Grand Larceny, [1 March … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill for the speedy trial and punishment of such persons as shall commit any offence under the degree of Grand Larceny. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton according to leave, brought in the said bill, entitled, An act for the speedy Trial and Punishment of such persons as shall commit any offence, under the degree of Grand Larceny...
224New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for Raising Certain Yearly Taxes Within This State, [2 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Colonel Hamilton said, he did not believe it would be of much importance whether the word batchelor was out or not. It was known, however, that there were a great number of rich batchelors, who had no families to maintain, and as the lawyers had been taxed for the support of the judges, the house could, if they thought proper, raise a revenue from the batchelors, to give a bounty on old maids....
225New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill for Vesting the Estate of Richard Maitland in Trustees, [5 March … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton pursuant to concurrent resolutions of both Houses of the Legislature, on the 24th of March last, and the publication thereof in news-papers printed in the city of New-York, moved for leave to bring in a bill to vest the real and personal estate of Richard Maitland, Esq. deceased, in trustees for the payment of his debts, and the maintenance and education of his children. Ordered ,...
226New York Assembly. Remarks on Several Petitions from Columbia County, [5 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
On motion of Mr. Sickles, the house went into a committee of the whole on the different petitions from Columbia county, respecting the place of holding courts, &c. Mr. Bancker in the chair. After reading several petitions and affidavits, Mr. James Livingston moved that the committee should rise, he did not see, he said, what the committee could do with the petitions. Mr. Jones thought it was...
227New York Assembly. Appointment as Delegate to the Constitutional Convention, [6 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Resolved , that the Honorable Robert Yates, John Lansing, junior, and Alexander Hamilton, Esquires, be, and they are hereby declared duly nominated and appointed Delegates on the part of this State, to meet such Delegates as may be appointed on the part of the other States respectively, on the second Tuesday in May next, at Philadelphia, for the sole and express purpose of revising the...
228New York Assembly. Remarks on an Amendment to an Act to Empower Justices of the Peace to Try Causes to the Value of Ten … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Harpur moved for a clause to be added to the bill, in substance, that no freeholder or citizen shall hereafter be imprisoned for any sum less than ten pounds, but that execution shall issue and remain in force against the debtor, till from time to time by different seizures of his effects, the creditor shall be satisfied and fully paid. Col. Hamilton confessed that his own judgment was not...
229New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for Raising Certain Yearly Taxes Within This State, [9 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton said that much time had been already spent in the discussion of this bill. He perceived there now was objections, why were they not made before. The bill be believed was perfectly understood by the committee, he wished therefore that a serious question might be taken, if it was to be rejected. he wished it to be done at once, the session was far advanced, and if this system was...
230Lease of College Lots, 10 March 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 10, 1787. On this date Hamilton and six others signed a lease to Frederick Rhinelander for “eleven water lotts adjacent to those he now occupies.” DS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. In 1787 Columbia College held ninety-one lots of which seventy-eight were leased.
231New York Assembly. Report on a Letter from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, [10 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton from the Committee to whom was referred the letter from the Honorable John Jay, Esquire, Secretary for foreign affairs, reported, that it is the opinion of the said Committee, that so much of the act, entitled, An act for granting a more effectual relief in cases of certain Trespasses , as makes all actions to be brought upon the said act transitory, and as declares that no...
232New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill on the Independence of Vermont, [14 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill, to authorise the delegates of this State in Congress, to accede to, ratify and confirm, the independence and Sovereignty of the people inhabiting the district of country, commonly called Vermont. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton according to leave, brought in the said bill entitled, An act to authorise the Delegates of [ t...
233Draft of an Act Acknowledging the Independence of Vermont, [14 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
An act to empower and direct the Delegates of this State in Congress to accede to ratify and confirm the Sovereignty and Independence of the People of the Territory commonly called and known by the name of the State of Vermont. Be it enacted by the People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the Authority of the same that the Delegates of...
234New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Acknowledging the Independence of Vermont, [14 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
The public have reason to regret your indisposition, as it deprives them of the satisfaction they would otherwise have received from reading verbatim , the judicious speech of that zealous patriot Col. Hamilton, on his bill for recommending to Congress to admit into the union the assumed state of Vermont. As there has and still continues to be much contrariety of opinion on this interesting...
235New York Assembly. Report on a Letter from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, [16 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton, from the Committee appointed to consider of and report on the letter from the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, to his Excellency the Governor, and the papers accompanying the same, together with the act of the Legislature, entitled, An act relative to Debts due to Persons within the Enemies Lines , reported, that it is the opinion of the Committee, that the said act ought to be...
236New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for the Relief of Merchants in the City of New York, [20 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton supposed that it was agreed on all hands, that some relief should be granted—there was, he said two questions before the committee, one, if they would put them on a footing with the other citizens; and the other, if they did not merit something more. If said he, you receive their certificates, and grant them your own, you extend to them only that relief which you have already...
237Petition to the Corporation of the City of New York in Common Council, 21 March 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 21, 1787. Hamilton was one of eighteen petitioners who, on this date, requested the New York City Common Council to remove a statute of William Pitt located “in the most central Part” of Wall and Smith Streets. The statue, the petition stated, “greatly obstructs the free Passage of Carriages &c., through both Wall & Smith Streets.” DS , Municipal Archives and Records Center,...
238Petition to the Corporation of the City of New York in Common Council, 21 March 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 21, 1787. Hamilton and several other residents of Wall Street on this date petitioned the New York City Common Council to raise “the Pavements of the said Street in the middle thereof, so as to throw the Water on each side of the Street.” DS , Municipal Archives and Records Center, New York City.
239New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for Repealing Part of the Trespass Act, [21 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
On motion of Col. Hamilton, the house went into a committee on the bill for repealing part of the trespass act. Mr. Hedges in the chair. Col. Hamilton said that this amendment to the trespass law, was only to repeal that part which was in violation of the public treaty. The courts of justice were at present in a delicate dilemma, obliged either to explain away a positive law of the state or...
240New York Assembly. Remarks on the Quotas to be Assigned the Several Counties of New York, [22 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton did not suppose that any arguments would have much influence on the decision of this question. There is no criterion to go by and we fall into the greatest uncertainty—a gentleman has told us plainly, that he has been intriguing, and making the best bargain he could for his county. He would not say that New-York had made any conditions—he hoped that the intrigues might not have...
241New York Assembly. Report on the Petitions of Samuel Thompson, Josiah Gale, and Lemuel Conckling, 24 March 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 24, 1787. Hamilton, as chairman of a committee on “petitions of Samuel Thompson, Josiah Gale and others, and Lemuel Conckling,” recommended that “the said petitions ought to be taken into consideration, when the House shall proceed upon a report of Mr. Attorney general, on the cases of Elijah Hunter and others.” New York Assembly Journal Journal of the Assembly of the State of...
242New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act to Institute an University Within This State, [24 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton hoped the house would not recommit the bill. There was no doubt he said but the legislature possessed the right to give this power. There were frequent examples of the kind in Great Britain, where this power has been granted. No disadvantage he said could arise from it; on the contrary, many would be the benefits. He therefore wished the bill might be finished—as no doubt existed...
243New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Directing a Mode of Trial and Allowing of Divorces in Cases of Adultery, [28 March … (Hamilton Papers)
The house then went into the consideration of the objections of the council of revision to the divorce bill . The said objections being read. Col. Hamilton moved that, the bill pass into a law, notwithstanding the objections of the council. He did not he said like the clause which had been introduced by the senate, and on which the objections of the council were founded, but he would remedy...
244New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Acknowledging the Independence of Vermont, [28 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Chairman, The counsel for the petitioners has entered into a large field of argument against the present bill. He has endeavoured to shew that it is contrary to the constitution, to the maxims of sound policy and to the rights of property. His observations have not been destitute of weight. They appear to have the more force, as they are to a certain degree founded in truth. But it is the...
245New York Assembly. Report on the Petition of Margaret Livingston, 31 March 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 31, 1787. On this date Hamilton, as chairman of a committee on the petition of Margaret Livingston, brought in a bill entitled “An act for dividing the township of New Stamford in Ulster county.” New York Assembly Journal Journal of the Assembly of the State of New York (Publisher and place vary, 1782–1788). , 1787, 129. The bill introduced by H was incorporated in “AN ACT for...
246From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Breese, William Malcom, and Aaron Burr, April 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April, 1787 ] “Mrs. Bayard Widow of Mr Samuel Bayard deceased has applied to me to arrange with you some provision for her in persuance of the Will of her husband representing her situation as distressed in the extreme, and assuring me that she is willing to do whatever I shall advise towards a fair adjustment of matters between you and her.…” Copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of...
247New York Assembly. Remarks on an Amendment to an Act Relative to Debts Due Persons Within the Enemy’s Lines, [12 April … (Hamilton Papers)
Went into a committee on the bill to repeal the citation acts.… Mr. Hamilton advocated the bill with great ability and candor; he mentioned the bad effects of the present laws; the difficulties that the courts of justice threw in the way of them—and the impossibility ever to amend them is such a manner as to have them acted upon. He urged the influence the opinion of our courts ought to have...
248New York Assembly. Report on the Petition of Henry Ludenton, 14 April 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 14, 1787. In his petition, Ludenton asserted that “certain depreciation certificates” had been stolen from him and, after passing through several hands, used for the purchase of a forfeited estate. Ludenton then asked that these certificates be returned. Hamilton, as chairman of a committee, recommended “as an act of generosity in the State,” that the treasurer be instructed to...
249New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill on Places at Which the Legislature Shall Meet, [16 April 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill to establish the places at which the ordinary sessions of the Legislature shall be holden. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton, according to leave, brought in the said bill, entitled An act to establish the places at which the ordinary sessions of the Legislature shall be holden , which was read the first time, and ordered a...
250New York Assembly. Motion that Five Delegates be Appointed to the Constitutional Convention, [16 April 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton made a motion that the House would agree to a resolution in the words following, viz . Resolved , (if the Honorable the Senate concur herein) That two Delegates be appointed, in addition to those already appointed to represent this State at the Convention proposed to be holden at Philadelphia, on the second Monday of May next; and that any three of the persons heretofore appointed...