1Bill and Receipt from Francis Childs, [12 November 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Alexander Hamilton Esqr. to Francis Childs Dr. 1787 Nov. 12. to advertising the Farm for Sale on Frog’s Neck —9 weeks } £1.1⟨–⟩ ADS , MS Division, New York Public Library. Childs was the editor and publisher of The [New York] Daily Advertiser , a newspaper that he had established on March 1, 1785. Throgs (Frogs) Neck is a peninsula at the eastern end of the East River in what was then...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Childs, 12 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pardon the Assurance I possess, in supposing, that while I take the Liberty of troubling you with a few Lines, your generosity will admit it.— I have wrote you not long since, but, Doubtful whether they have come safe to hand, I feel constrained here to make a repetition;—to express in terms the most grateful, the Singular & consequential services you have...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Childs, 20 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In addition to that Happiness which resulted from being honored with a Letter from Mr. Jay was that of perceiving myself noticed by you— Permit me to return you my most sincere thanks for your generosity shewn to me— I feel a pleasure in informing you that by application of Col. Smith to Sir Guy Carleton the Press alluded to in Mr. Jay’s Letter—your...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Childs, 17 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is some time since I did myself the honor to Address you, & in the present instance I importune you with this only that my situation in Life demands it,—sensible that your time must be engrossed by your attention to matters of more importance.— I have experienced considerable loss by being as yet disappointed in not receiving the Types which so long has...
5New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of June 28 (Francis Childs’s Version), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The hon. Mr. Hamilton . Mr. Chairman, in the course of these debates, it has been suggested, that the state of New-York has sustained peculiar misfortunes, from the mode of raising revenues by requisitions. I believe we shall now be able to prove, that this state, in the course of the late revolution, suffered the extremes of distress on account of this delusive system. To establish these...
6New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (Francis Childs’s Version), [27 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The hon. Mr. Hamilton . This is one of those subjects, Mr. Chairman, on which objections very naturally arise, and assume the most plausible shape. Its address is to the passions, and its first impressions create a prejudice, before cool examination has an opportunity for exertion. It is more easy for the human mind to calculate the evils, than the advantages of a measure; and vastly more...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Childs, 13 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I importuned you some time since with a Letter which I am fearful may have miscarried, & shall therefore trouble you with a recapitulation.— Therein I mentioned the safe arrival of Mr. Jay, & the satisfaction his presence afforded not only to me, but to his Countrymen in General. I Likewise mentioned to you the joyful information I received from him, that...
8New York Ratifying Convention. Third Speech of June 28 (Francis Childs’s Version), [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton . The honorable gentleman from Ulster has given a turn to the introduction of those papers, which was never in our contemplation. He seems to insinuate that they were brought forward, with a view of shewing an inconsistency in the conduct of some gentlemen—perhaps of himself. Sir, the exhibition of them had a very different object. It was to prove that this state once experienced...
9New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (Francis Childs’s Version), [20 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The hon. Mr. Hamilton then rose. Mr. Chairman the honorable Member, who spoke yesterday, went into an explanation of a variety of circumstances to prove the expediency of a change in our national government, and the necessity of a firm union: At the same time he described the great advantages which this State, in particular, receives from the confederacy, and its peculiar weaknesses when...
10New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of June 21 (Francis Childs’s Version), [21 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton then reassumed his argument. When, said he, I had the honor to address the committee yesterday, I gave a history of the circumstances which attended the Convention, when forming the Plan before you. I endeavored to point out to you the principles of accommodation, on which this arrangement was made; and to shew that the contending interests of the States led them to establish the...
11New York Ratifying Convention. Third Speech of June 21 (Francis Childs’s Version), [21 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The Hon. Mr. Hamilton . Mr. Chairman I rise to take notice of the observations of the hon. member from Ulster. I imagine the objections he has stated, are susceptible of a complete and satisfactory refutation. But before I proceed to this, I shall attend to the arguments advanced by the gentlemen from Albany and Dutchess. These arguments have been frequently urged, and much confidence has been...
12New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of June 23 (Francis Childs’s Version), [23 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The honorable Mr. Hamilton . It is not my design, Mr. Chairman, to extend this debate by any new arguments on the general subject. I have delivered my sentiments so fully on what has been advanced by the gentlemen this morning, that any further reasonings from me will be easily dispensed with. I only rise to state a fact, with respect to the motives which operated in the general convention. I...
13New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (Francis Childs’s Version), [24 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Honorable Mr. Hamilton . I am persuaded, Mr. Chairman, that I in my turn, shall be indulged, in addressing the committee. We all, with equal sincerity, profess to be anxious for the establishment of a republican government, on a safe and solid basis. It is the object of the wishes of every honest man in the United States, and I presume I shall not be disbelieved, when I declare, that it is an...
14New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of June 25 (Francis Childs’s Version), [25 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The Hon. Mr. Hamilton . Mr. Chairman, in debates of this kind it is extremely easy, on either side, to say a great number of plausible things. It is to be acknowledged, that there is even a certain degree of truth in the reasonings on both sides. In this situation, it is the province of judgment and good sense to determine their force and application, and how far the arguments advanced on one...
15New York Ratifying Convention. Fourth Speech of June 21, [21 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton . I only rise to observe that the gentleman has misunderstood me. What I meant to express was this; that if we argued from possibilities only; if we reasoned from chances, or an ungovernable propensity to evil, instead of taking into view the controul, which the nature of things, or the form of the constitution provided; the argument would lead us to withdraw all confidence from...
16New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of June 23, [23 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton . I recollect well the alteration which the gentleman alludes to; but, it by no means militates against my idea of the principles on which the convention acted at the time the report of the committee was under deliberation. This alteration did not take place till the convention was near rising, and the business compleated; when his excellency the president expressing a wish that...
17New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of June 28, [28 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton . We shall make the same reservation. By the indisputable construction of these resolutions, we shall prove that this state was once on the verge of destruction, for want of an energetic government. To this point we shall confine ourselves. Childs, Debates and Proceedings of the Convention of the State of New-York The Debates and Proceedings of the State of New-York, Assembled at...