1From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [15 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Geave me leave to recall to your recollection and acquaintance Mr. De Talon the bearer of this, who, as he informs me, goes to Europe on private business. I need not observe that he is an interesting man, as you know all his titles to the attention, which your situation will permit you to afford. You must not think, I forget you, because I do no write (for this is only my third letter). I am...
2From George Washington to Rufus King, 22 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed, is a copy of a letter I took the liberty of writing to you, agreeably to its date. Permit me to take the further liberty of entrusting the letters herewith sent, to your care —That to Count Rumford, is in answer to one without date or place, accompanying the first volume of his Essays, Political, Economical and Philosophical. This mark of his politeness required an acknowledgment...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 16 December 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received, my dear Sir, your several letters of the 25 of August 10 & 11th. of Septr. You know my sentiments towards you too well to ascribe my delay in answering them to any other cause than the imperiousness of avocations with which I could not dispense. Public opinion, taking the Country at large, has continued since you left us to travel on in a right direction, and, I trust, will...
4From George Washington to Rufus King, 25 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private Will you do me the favor to cause the enclosed notification to be inserted in some public Paper, agreeably to the Decree of the High Court of Chancery in Virginia—annexed thereto. It has been a long, troublesome and vexatious business to me; and I wish to close it finally and effectually in the manner designated. One part of which (depositing of the money) I have already complied...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [5 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
After reading seal & hand on the inclosed. If such things are to be you cannot leave the Senate. Jay is against it at all events till the European storm is over. We must all think well of this business. Adieu Yours Affey Copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. The endorsement on this letter reads: “The enclosed letter was for the Pt. RK.” The enclosure was a letter from H to Washington,...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [4 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last I have received two or three letters from you. The late turn of the Treaty question makes us all very happy. I hope no future embarrassment will arise. I am intirely of opinion that P.H declining Mr. P—— ought to be our man. It is even an idea of which I am fond in various lights. Indeed on latter reflection, I rather wish to be rid of P.H, that we may be at full liberty to take...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 24 April [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I return you a certain draft, with a little substitute for the close of it proposed by Mr. J—— with an eye to your suggestion. Our Petition went yesterday by express. It had more than 3200 signers which is within about 300 of the highest poll we ever had in this City on both sides , at the most controverted election. Nothing can more clearly demonstrate our unanimity & I feel no doubt of equal...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [23 April 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your two letters & shall this day attend to the one which requires it. I see however no objection to it as it stands & I do not now perceive how the further object you aim at could be accomplished in the manner you seem to desire. I have written to Ames this day concerning the course of things in our City. He will communicate to you as, I have not time to repeat. We are...
9From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [20 April 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterdays Post brought me a letter from you which gave me pleasure. The papers will apprize you of the proceedings of the Merchants & Traders here on yesterday. There is among them also “unexampled unanimity” & as far as I can judge the current is in our favour throughout the City. Persons to day are going through the different wards. Yrs. sincerely P.S. Our friends in the House will do well...
10Enclosure: John Marshall to Rufus King, 19 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I pray you to excuse my seeming inattention to the subject alluded to in yours by the last mail. Having never been in habits of correspondence with Mr. H. I coud not by letter ask from him a decision on the proposition I was requested to make him without giving him at the same time a full statement of the whole conversation & of the persons with whom that conversation was held. In doing this I...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 18 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your letter received to day. Our Merchants here are not less alarmed than those of Philadelphia & will do all they can. All the insurance people meet to day. The Merchants & Traders will meet tomorrow or the next day. A Petition will be prepared & circulated among the other citizens. I regret that a certain communication was not made. Indeed I think the Executive will be...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 15 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
A letter by yesterday’s Post from our Friend Ames informed me that the Majority (57 concurring) had resolved in a private Meeting to refuse appropriations for the Treaty. A most important crisis ensues. Great evils may result unless good men play their card well & with promptitude and decision. For we must seize and carry along with us the public opinion—& loss of time may be loss of...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 2 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Thank you for yours of yesteday. I have no copy of the paper sent. The greatest part went in the original draft though considerably reformed according to joint ideas & somewhat strengthened by new thoughts. A letter I have received tells me that it came to hand after the ground which was acted upon had been formally considered & taken in Council & that it is reserved for future use in the...
14From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 16 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for letter of the . My opinion on the resolution when it first appeared was that the President should answer in substance as follows. (viz) “That it could not be admitted as a right of course in the House of Representatives to call for & have papers in the Executive department essentially those relating to foreign negociations which frequently embrace confidential matters. That...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [29 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
If the News Papers till truth it would appear that Massachusettes has anticipated New York. But it is intended by our friends in the Legislature to give some pointed discountenance to the propositions. It was expected that it would have been done to day, but by the divergings of some men who seek popularity with both sides, they have gotten into an unnecessary debate upon the propositions in...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 14 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
An extraordinary press of occupation has delayed an answer to your letter on the subject of Mr R . Though it may come too late, I comply with your request as soon as I can. The subject is truly a perplexing one; my mind has several times fluctuated. If there was nothing in the case but his imprudent sally upon a certain occasion I should think the reasons for letting him pass would outweigh...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 20 June 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
A considerable alarm has been spread this morning by a report that the Treaty had been disagreed to. I have assured those I have seen that I was convinced any rumour of a decision must be premature. The anxiety however about the result is extreme. The common opinion among men of business of all descriptions is that a disagreement to the Treaty would greatly shock and stagnate pecuniary plans...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 11 June 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 10th. The case has been with me as with you. Reflection has not mitigated the exceptionable point. Yet it will be to be lamented if no mode can be devised to save the main object and close the irritable questions which are provided for. Every thing besides an absolute & simple ratification will put something in jeopardy. But while on the one hand, I think it...
19From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 26 February 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter with the printed Bills. The new clause is an additional bad feature. Yet ’tis better the thing should pass as it is than not at all. Every thing should be gained that can be. So: It seems that under the present administration of the Department, Hillhouse & Goodhue are to be the Ministers in the House of Representatives & Elsworth & Strong in the Senate. Fine work we...
20From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 21 February 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
The unnecessary capricious & abominable assassination of the National honor by the rejection of the propositions respecting the unsubscribed debt in the House of Representatives haunts me every step I take, and afflicts me more than I can express. To see the character of the Government and the country so sported with, exposed to so indelible a blot puts my heart to the Torture. Am I then more...
21From John Jay to Rufus King, 19 November 1794 (Jay Papers)
I sent by the Packet the Fruit of my negociation—a Treaty— I wish I could go with it, as well that I might again be in my own Country, as that I might answer Questions on the Subjects. The Draft has undergone several Editions, with successive alterations additions &c a .— this shews that Time and Trouble have not been spared — I have just finished a hasty Letter to M r Randolph — it will be...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 30 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Our light corps, the Jersey infantry & a brigade of cavalry are about 8½ Miles in front, beyond all the Mountains. This division which has been delayed by a somewhat worse route & the incumbrance of the public stores will be at the same place this Evening. The left wing is at a corresponding point. All is essentially well—No appearance of opposition. It is of great consequence that a law...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [22 September 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My Dr. Sir for your letter of the . A few days previously I wrote you pretty fully. I hope my letter got to hand. The inclosed paper gives you the substance of our European intelligence under the Philadelphia head. The Returns from the Western Counties of this state are just come to hand. They shew a valuable division, ranging on the side of the laws the most influential men & a...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 17 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
When you recollect, that I have two departments on my shoulders and when I tell you that I have been out of health in the bargain You will perhaps admit an excuse for my not answering sooner your letter some time since received. Mr. Jay has given nothing conclusive. His letters to the 26 of June barely gave the idea that appearances were not unfavourable. His last letter, I forget the date,...
25From John Jay to Rufus King, 3 May 1794 (Jay Papers)
I was this morning fav[ore] d . with your’s of Yesterday, and regret the obstacles you mention. a Report is prevailing here that the chancellor is contemplated for France— M rs . Montgomery is said to have mentioned it—on what authority I know not. Your Question deserves mature Consideration— unsuccessful opposition gives strength, especially in the Cases where the it may be ascribed with a...
26From George Washington to John Jay and Rufus King, 3 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
I certify, that the transcript below, which was permitted to be extracted from a report of the Secretary of State to the President of the United States, (dated the 10th of July 1793) by the Secretaries of Treasury and War, and inserted by them in a statement of certain facts published in Dunlap & Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser No. 4581. is a correct quotation from the original. “On...
27From John Jay to Rufus King, 25 February 1794 (Jay Papers)
I did not arrive here untill Yesterday— understanding that the little Ferries were impassable we went on Saturday Even g to Eliz. Town point, where we were detained untill Yesterday morn g . M r Russell purchased a pair of Horses at Brunswick, and set out with M r Gore in a Sleigh yesterday afternoon. The Paper I was to send you is herewith enclosed— on this occasion I can say little, being...
28From John Jay to Rufus King, 22 December 1793 (Jay Papers)
I purpose to go to Rye Tomorrow, & return the last of the week. would it not be adviseable that, where Jurors are summoned by Marshalls, the Courts sh d . be authorized to appoint Elizors in every Case in which the Court shall have Evidence to induce reasonable apprehensions of Partiality or Interest in the Marshall, and that both in public & private causes? As the Yellow Fever may again...
29From John Jay to Rufus King, 19 December 1793 (Jay Papers)
I have been fav d . with your’s of the 15, & Yesterday rec d . Dunlaps paper of the 17 w h . you was so obliging as to send me. It is to be regretted that M r Jefferson & Gov r Mifflin still remain as it were in a back ground— I enclose an Extract from one of our Papers, by w h . you will percieve the use made of it. I am much inclined to think that Letters, calculated for publication, from...
30From John Jay to Rufus King, 12 December 1793 (Jay Papers)
I thank you for your’s of the 9 Inst:— The President’s Speech meets with general approbation— his message has produced here its natural and proper Effect. M Dallas’s Statement is defended by some— others call it subterfuge and harder names— I think it as artful as the Subject ^and his Design^ would Rufus King, by John Trumbull, 1792. (Yale University Art Gallery, Trumbull Collection, 1832.30)...