1From John Adams to Alexander Hamilton, 21 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
M r Charles Adams, my Second son, the Bearer of this Letter, I beg leave to introduce to you.— He took his degree at our University of Cambridge this Year, and is destined to the Study of the Law.— I wish to get him into some office in New York, and should give the Preference to yours But there are two Contingencies, one possible the other probable in the Way. The first is that Congress may...
2From John Adams to Alexander Hamilton, 9 April 1791 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the honor to write me this morning and as the Secretary of State accidentally fell in before I had opportunity to answer it, we agreed to propose a meeting at his House at two o’Clock on Monday next. If that time and place are agreable to you, and the Secretary at War, they will be particularly so to me, who have the honor to be with great regard, Sir your...
3From John Adams to Alexander Hamilton, 25 April 1791 (Adams Papers)
I do my self the honour to transmit to you my Accounts which remain unsettled, for the last two years and Eight months of my Administrations abroad in the service of the United States. I have left a Blank for my Salary. In my own opinion it is but Justice that it should be filled up with the sum of two thousand five hundred Pounds sterling a year, because this was the contract under which I...
4To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Lawrence, Junior, 4 May 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The father of his Country being now Invested with the full powers of his Office, I presume he will therefore very soon make the necessary Arrangements in the Revenue, let me entreat you therefore my Dear friend to exert yourself for me, with the President, the Number of Applicants I find are so very many, that it will be necessary to be early for fear of disappointments. Excuse me my Dear Coll...
5To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 5 May 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I beg you to accept my unfeigned thanks for your friendly communications of this date—and that you will permit me to entreat a continuation of them as occasions may arise. The manner chosen for doing it, is most agreeable to me. It is my wish to act right; if I err; the head & not the heart, shall, with justice , be chargeable. With sentiments of sincere esteem & regard I am Dear Sir Your...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Lawrence, Junior, 6 May 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been at a stand whether to forward to you the Enclosed, or not, for fear you might Imagine me troublesome. Necessity has at length over Come my delicate feelings, and I have concluded to transmit it to you, with an Anxious hope that you will Interest yourself in behalf of Old Servant to his Country, who has sacrificed health and fortune to Serve his Country and now finds himself reduced...
7To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 20 May 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter by last nights post is come to hand, but not that relative to the Election in the Southern district. If there is a majority of 300 in our favor in the Southern district, indeed if the votes there are ballanced, we have every reason to conclude that we shall be victors. We have Accounts here that at the poles in some parts of Westchester and Orange the tickets for Governor Lieut...
8James Barcklay to Alexander Hamilton and Balthazar De Haert, 22 May 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Brookhaven [ New York ] May 22, 1789 . “The Cases between Wells, and Wickham, & myself have been long enough in Court to have been determined, yet by fraudulent delays I know not how they stand.… I mean not to direct, but to desire proper care to be taken to prevent fraudulent tricks and delays, so that I may have my Money which they mean to cheat me out of.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
9To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Loudon, 22 May 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Tho’ you may have no predilection to serve one printer more than another, as all of them, may have been obliging to you—yet, give me leave to mention a few Arguments, which I shall offer to convince you that my claims are better founded than some others, now candidates for the public printing. 1. I have one of the best offices in this City—consequently, having good hands, can do Printing work,...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Smith, 31 May 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, May 31, 1789. Acknowledges receipt of a letter from Hamilton enclosing “a Bond from Mrs. Hammond of Baltimore to Thomas & Richard Lee of Leeds bearing date the 20th. Sepr. 1788.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Smith was practicing law in Baltimore at the time this letter was written. In 1801, he was appointed Secretary of the Navy by Thomas Jefferson. Letter not found....
11To Alexander Hamilton from Susanna, Ruth, Joseph, Nelly, and John Cockle, 12 June 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 12, 1789. Authorize Hamilton to “become security to Mr Robert Boyd for a Certain Sum of money left us as a Legacy by our late Grand Father John Cockle of Jamaica on Long Island.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. At the bottom of the letter is a bond in the writing of H and signed by John Cockle.
12To Alexander Hamilton from Josiah Crane, 12 June 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 12, 1789. “… [During the American Revolution] I Lodgd. at piramus in New Jersey. Early the Next morning we were Alarmd. by a party of the British, where I narrowly Escapd. with my life, and was Deprived of all I had in the World Except a few Loan office Certificates.… I am now A Ruind. man, and if my Country Shoud. not think that I merit Some Little Relief for the Support of my...
13To Alexander Hamilton from Morgan Lewis, 24 June 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed the Inhabitants of New York have it in Contemplation to make Mr King one of our Senators. Under this Persuasion I have thrown it out in Conversation to several of the Country Members & have found it very generally disapproved of, so much so, that I am satisfied it cannot at present be accomplished. I am afraid, too, it would interfere with the Appointment of Genl. Schuyler, in...
14To Alexander Hamilton from William Hull, 29 June 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Newton [ Massachusetts ] June 29, 1789 . Requests Hamilton to accept “Mr. Charles Jackson, Son of General Michael Jackson,” as a law clerk. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Hull, after service in the American Revolution, practiced law in Newton, Massachusetts.
15To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Troup, [12 July 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here on Friday night. I can do no business with the court of errors so anxious is the Legislature to adjourn. It is generally thought that the appointmen⟨t⟩ of Senators will be completed tomorrow or next day at farthest after which nothing will keep the members together except some Indian business which has just turned up. When our friends met it seems they judged it most prudent to...
16To Alexander Hamilton from John Adams, [21 July 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Charles Adams, my second son, the Bearer of this Letter, I beg leave to introduce to you. He took his degree at our University of Cambridge this year, and is destined to the Study of the Law. I wish to get him into some office in New York, and should give the Preference to yours. But there are two Contingencies, one possible the other probable in the way. The first is that Congress may...
17Promissory Note from William Duer, [29 July 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Forty days after Date I promise to pay to Alexander Hamilton on order for Value received the Sum of Two thousand Specie Dollars. ADS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. Duer, financier and merchant, had been appointed secretary of the Board of Treasury in March, 1786. He was soon to serve under H as Assistant to the Secretary of the newly organized Treasury Department. H’s signature...
18Receipt from John Murray, 15 August 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 15, 1789 . On this date Hamilton wrote and Murray signed a receipt which reads as follows: “the above account is in consequence of directions given me by Mr. Hamilton from motives of Charity to provide for the burial of Abbe Mott & the amount is now paid to me by him Aug 15. 1789.” DS , in writing of H, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Murray was a New York City merchant....
19To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Walker, 15 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have not had much time to consider the Subject on which I promised to give you my opinion nor to make the necessary previous enquiries. I will however give you my thoughts as they occur at the moment. The public Accounts under the old System were divided into several branches say 1st. The Army Accounts.—comprehending only the Pay & Commutations of the Line of the Army. 2d— the Accounts of...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Peters, 16 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ September 16, 1789. On October 11, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Peters : “I duly received yours of the 16 of September.” Letter not found. ] Peters, who had served as secretary and president of the Board of War during the American Revolution, was speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly when this letter was written. He had recently declined the office of comptroller of the Treasury. In April, 1792,...
21To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 17 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 17, 1789. States that the port of Philadelphia lacks funds for the maintenance of aids to navigation in the Delaware River. Asks that United States funds be used for that purpose. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. Allibone was master warden of the port of Philadelphia.
22To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 17 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your favour of the 13th instant, by which I am informed that I have been appointed Auditor in the department of the Treasury. I embrace this first opportunity to give you notice that I have proceeded to this place on my way to New York, and that immediately upon my arrival there, I will do myself the honour to wait on you, for the purpose of acquiring such...
23To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [19 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I acknowledge the recpt of Yours by Mr. Duer of the 13th Inst— one by the Post covering a Letter to the Comptrolle[r]—and another directing a return of the Duties in my office. The Letter to Mr Eveleigh shall be forwarded by the first Vessel and in respect to the Amt of Duties, I would beg leave to mention I furnished Your Assistant Secy Mr Duer with an Account therof in order to promote the...
24To Alexander Hamilton from Christopher Gore, 20 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Be pleas’d to accept my sincere acknowledgments for the politeness and attention, you discover’d in rectifying the mistake made in a conversation with mr Badcock. To lie under the imputation of acting in a character different from the one I assum’d was painful—to be consider’d in this light by one whose reputation is the boast of America was the most distressing of all circumstances that coud...
25To Alexander Hamilton from John Rice, 20 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, September 20, 1789. On October 5, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Rice : “Your Letter of the 20th of September has duly come to hand.” Letter not found. ] Rice was deputy collector of customs at Boston. In August, 1789, Benjamin Lincoln, the collector at Boston, was named by Washington to be one of three commissioners to negotiate a treaty with the southern Indians. In the autumn of 1789,...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 21 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
By the command of the President of the United States, I do myself the honor to transmit to you the enclosed letters, which have been received by him, the subject of which come properly under the cognizance of the Treasury Department of the United States. The letters enclosed are, one from Mr. Leonard De Neufville dated June 1789. relating sundry transactions between himself & Partners and the...
27To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 22 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, September 22, 1789. Encloses report on customs duties. Promises to transmit quarterly statements of tonnage and impost duties. Copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Portsmouth, National Archives. Whipple was collector of the state impost from 1785 to 1789, and United States collector of customs at Portsmouth from 1789 to 1798. H had requested this report in...
28To Alexander Hamilton from Sir John Temple, 23 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As I have nothing to do with the Packet boats ⟨more⟩ than to deliver my dispatches to the Masters of them, ⟨I am⟩ very ignorant of their Establishment. Mr Foxcroft, ⟨Agent⟩ for the British Packets, can, with Accuracy, answer ⟨the q⟩uestions you have this day written to me about. I am with great Respect, Sir your most Obedient Humble Servant ALS , PRO: F. O. Transcripts or photostats from...
29To Alexander Hamilton from John Davidson, 24 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Annapolis, September 24, 1789. On October 3, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Davidson acknowledging the receipt of Davidson’s “letter of the 24th of last month.” Letter not found. ] Davidson was collector of customs at Annapolis.
30To Alexander Hamilton from James Duane, 24 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I called upon you within the time limited to give you my answer on the Communication which in expressions so honorable you was pleased to make me this morning. As you was abroad I am deprived of the pleasure of a personal Interview. Warmly attached to the Constitution from the clearest conviction that the happiness of my Country depends on it’s successful administration, I think I ought to...
31To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 24 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The amount of the duties which have accrued in the district of Baltimore, from the 10th day of August to the 23d. Instant inclusive is two thousand six hundred and Seventy pounds, Sixteen Shillings and four pence according to the documents in my Office Vizt. Cash on hand £ 287.18.6 Bonds due @ 4 Months 1176.16.2 Ditto 6 Months 1206. 1.8 2670.16.4 Your Obedient Humble Servant ALS , Office...
32Promissory Note from Arthur St. Clair, [25 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Thirty days from the date hereof I promise to pay to Alexander Hamilton or order Two thousand dollars in specie for value received. DS , in writing of H, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. St. Clair was governor of the Northwest Territory from 1788 to 1802. On verso H wrote: “Note General St Clair owes nothing but the discount Received the contents of Alexander Hamilton”
33To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
From a great variety of characters who have made a tender of their services for suitable Offices , I have selected the following. If Mr. Jay & you will take the further trouble of running them over to see if among them there can be found one, who, under all circumstances is more eligable for the Post Office than Col O I shall be obliged to you both for your opinion thereon by Eleven ‘Oclock....
34To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 26 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 26, 1789. Discusses aids to navigation in Delaware Bay and River. Suggests appointment of a superintendent for the entire Delaware district. Mentions a pending bill in Pennsylvania legislature which would cede to United States all state-owned navigational aids in Delaware River. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States,...
35To Alexander Hamilton from Jedediah Huntington, 26 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New London, Connecticut, September 26, 1789. On November 17, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Huntington : “in respect to the Question referred to in Your Letter of the 26th of September.” Letter not found. ] Huntington was collector of customs at New London, Connecticut.
36To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 30 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Least my brother should have returned I take the liberty of asking your safe delivery of the two lets. enclosed & any reply which may be given to you for me. At the same time let me present my hearty gratulations on the proper honor you have received from our country. I anticipate good to the public & new lustre to my friend notwithstanding the obstinate difficultys & embarrassments which...
37To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, [September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The Subject which you have mentioned was in a great Measure new to me. However I cannot hesitate as to the Validity of a Bond given to the United States, the People of which I think form one great Body politic for all the important Purposes of Government. The Constitution speaks of “Controversies to which the United States Shall be a Party” as forming a Branch of the Judicial Power; and I can...
38To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 1 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 1, 1789. “In conformity to what I esteem your instructions, I yesterday paid the Bank of No America Thirteen Thousand Dollars.…” LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
39Promissory Note from William Grayson, 1 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Thirty days after date I promise to pay to Alexander Hamilton Esqr. or order the sum of two hundred dollars specie value recieved. ADS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Grayson, a prominent Antifederalist and United States Senator from Virginia, died in March, 1790.
40To Alexander Hamilton from Beverley Randolph, [1–28] October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 26th. of September, inclosing several Resolutions of the Congress of the United States. The amount of the public debt of this state can be furnished immediately, but I conceive this would be incomplete unless accompanied by a statement of the funds provided for the discharge of it. This Statement cannot now be prepared as the...
41To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Willing, 1 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Favor of the 25th Ult was received on the 29 and has this day been laid before the Directors, as well as your Official Confirmation of the Agreement made with your Assistant Mr. Duer on the 17th of September respecting the Loan of 50,000 drs. Your Open Letter to our Collector was delivered to him directly and he has in consequence thereof, and in Conformity of the third Article in our...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Nicholas Cruger, 3 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] October 3, 1789. “Most sincerely do I Congratulate you on your Late appointment. I had Promis’d Mr. Harrison my Law business when ever you Declin’d it. I must therefore begg you will send me … [various] Papers [in your possession] which I mean to Put into his hands.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Cruger was a member of a prominent merchant family of New York City...
43To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 5 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, October 5, 1789. On April 29, 1790, Allibone wrote to Hamilton : “I did make mention of it in a letter of mine dated October 5th last.” Letter not found. ]
44To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 6 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 6, 1789. Discusses maintenance and improvement of facilities for aiding navigation in the port of Philadelphia. Recommends that William Allibone be appointed superintendent. LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives; LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia. This letter is in reply to “Treasury Department Circular...
45To Alexander Hamilton from Comte de Moustier, 7–8 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 7–8, 1789. In a letter to the Comte de Montmorin on October 30, 1789, Louis G. Otto wrote: “le Cte. de Moustier a repondu [to Hamilton] ‘qu’il pensoit que si cette demande etoit faite officiellement, elle pourroit etre accueillie favorablement et qu’il se flattoit de pouvoir aussitôt après son arrivée en procurer la certitude au gouvernement Americain.’” Letter not found. ]...
46To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 8 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, October 8, 1789. “I perceive that His Excellency the President of the United States has been pleased to appoint you Secretary of the Treasury I therefore presume that it is my duty to transmitt Quarterly returns to you, of the Official proceedings in the Loan-Office, of which I have the honor to be a Commissioner, in the same manner as I have hitherto done to the late Commissioners of...
47To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 8 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Letter (Circular) of the 22d. ulto., and am to inform you that, from Cape Henry to the extreme branches of the Susquehanna, all inclusive, there is not, that I ever heard of, a single Light House, Buoy, Beacon or other artificial object for navigators to be governed by. Consequently there is no superintendant; no Expence. The pilots of the Chesapeak for this State are...
48To Alexander Hamilton from John Rice, 9 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, October 9, 1789. On October 16, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Rice : “I am favored with yours of the 9th instant.” Letter not found. ]
49To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Hiller, 10 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Salem, Massachusetts ] October 10, 1789 . “… there is neither Lighthouse, Beacon nor Buoy within this District of Salem & Beverly.…” Extract, RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “B,” New Hampshire and Massachusetts, National Archives. This letter is in reply to “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” October 1, 1789 . Hiller was collector of the customs for...
50To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 10 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 10, 1789. “In compliance with … your letter of the 1st inst. respecting Light Houses, Beacons &c I have to inform you that there is one Light House in this District at the entrance of the harbour of this Port situate on a point of land on the Island of New Castle placed without the walls of Fort William & Mary which commands the entrance.…” Copy, RG 56,...