51From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [10 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have been employed in making and have actually completed a rough draft on the following heads “ National University, Military Academy, Board of Agriculture, Establishment of such manufactories on public account as are relative to the equipment of army & navy, to the extent of the public demand for supply , & excluding all the branches already well established in the country.—The gradual &...
52Draft of George Washington’s Eighth Annual Address to Congress, [10 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
That among the objects of labour and industry, Agriculture considered with reference either to individual or national welfare is first in importance may safely be affirmed without derogating from the just and real value of any other branch. It is indeed the best basis of the prosperity of every other. In proportion as nations progress in population and other circumstances of maturity this...
53From Alexander Hamilton to Tench Coxe, [10 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I beg the favour of you to let me know what if any thing has been settled with Messrs. Wheelen & Miller or whereabouts that affair is. I expect with certain[ty] Mr. Church early in the spring, and should be grieved to have to inform him of an unsettled state of this business. I am Sir Yr. very hum. servant ALS , Papers of Tench Coxe in the Coxe Family Papers at the Historical Society of...
54To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 10 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have been employed in makg and have actually completed a rough draft on the followg heads “ National University, Military Academy, Board of Agriculture, Establishment of such manufactories on public account as are relative to the equipment of Army & navy, to the extent of the public demand for supply , & excludg all the branches already well established in the country—The gradual &...
55From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [9 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I received yesterday your letter of the 6th & immediately wrote some additional letters to the Eastward enforcing what I had before written. Pensylvania does not surprise me. I have reconsidered the opinion given to you on the 3d, & see no reason to change it. The reasoning which leads me to the conclusion has not been sufficiently explained. I will therefore be more particular. The articles...
56From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [8 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Our excellent President, as you have seen, has declined a reelection. ‘T is all-important to our country that his successor shall be a safe man. But it is far less important who of many men that may be named shall be the person, than that it shall not be Jefferson. We have every thing to fear if this man comes in, and from what I believe to be an accurate view of our political map I conclude...
57From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 8 November 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
A few days since I wrote you my opinion concerning the good policy of supporting faithfully Pinckney as well as Adams . The following extract of a letter from Mr. Wolcott of the 6th instant serves to confirm it— “The Fœderal Ticket is lost in this State. There are still hopes that Mr. Adams will be elected but nothing more. I hope Mr. Pinckney will be supported as the next best thing which can...
58From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, [6 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I perceive you are an elector. In this state we support unanimously John Adams and Thomas Pinckney; on the principle of taking a double chance against Jefferson , deeming it far more important that be shall not be the President than who of the two men, Adams and Pinckney, shall be the President. The Government and the national interests will be perfectly safe in the hands of either of these...
59From Alexander Hamilton to Hall and Stimpson, 5 November 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 5, 1796. On the back of a letter from Hall and Stimpson, dated October 24, 1796 , Hamilton wrote: “Answered Nov 5, 1796.” Letter not found. ]
60From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [5 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday after the departure of the Post I received your letter of the 3d. I have since seen the answer to Adet . I perceive in it nothing intrinsically exceptionable—but something in the manner a little epigrammatical and sharp . I make this remark freely, because the Card now to be played is perhaps the most delicate that has occurred in your administration. And nations like Individuals...
61To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday after the departure of the Post I received your letter of the 3d. I have since seen the answer to Adet. I perceive in it nothing intrinsically exceptionable but something in the manner a little epigrammatical and sharp. I make this remark freely, because the Card now to be played is perhaps the most delicate that has occurred in your administration—And nations like Individuals...
62From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [4 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have lately been honored with two letters from you, one from Mount Vernon the other from Philadelphia, which came to hand yesterday. I immediately sent the last to Mr. Jay & conferred with him last night. We settled our opinion on one point—(viz) That whether Mr Adet acted with or without instruction from his Government in publishing his communication, he committed a disrespect towards our...
63To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 4 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have lately been honored with two letters from you, one from Mount Vernon the other from Philadelphia, which came to hand yesterday. I immediately sent the last to Mr Jay & conferred with him last night. We settled our opinion on one point—(viz.) That whether Mr Adet acted with or without instructi[o]n from his Government in publishing his communication, he committed a disrespect towards our...
64From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [3 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have more carefully examined our Treaty with G Britain & I return to the opinion given you from Albany. My hesitation yesterday arose from the terms of the 24th article which were confined to privateers , a word that has an appropriate sense, meaning ships of private persons commissioned to cruise . But the following article contains the equivalent one to that with France, upon which we...
65From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [1 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you a line from Albany expressing an opinion from Memory , that our Treaty with G B prohibitted the sale of prizes made by French National Ships. Being just returned to Town I have looked into the article which relates to the point & I fear that opinion was wrong. In a day or two I will write you more particularly. Adets late communication demands a very careful & well managed answer....
66From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 27 October 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 17th instant found me at Albany attending the Supreme Court. I have no copy of the Treaty with G B at hand, but I am well satisfied from memory that the true interpretation of that Treaty, enforcing in this respect the true Rule of neutrality, forbids our permitting the sale of a prize taken & brought in by a French National Ship, equally as if by a Privateer —and that the...
67From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [26 October 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you yesterday by Mr. Rensselaer. Since that I received yours of Friday last which gave me much pleasure. I was consoled to hear that you & our darling little ones were well—though I shall be anxious till I rejoin you lest there should be a relapse or some new attack. Your father is really better and as I hope in no present danger. His breaking out looks less & less like mortification &...
68From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 25 [October] 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
The extreme hurry in which I have been My Dear Eliza since my arrival here has prevented my writing to you. This serves merely to inform you that my health is as good as when I left you & let me add that your father is much better than he was & the rest of your family in good health. I need not add that I am impatient to be restored to your bosom & to the presence of my beloved Children. Tis...
69From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Walker, 15 October [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] October 15 [ 1796 ]. “Troupe & I have conferred. We think, considering the magnitude of the concerns, the diversifications of it into sub-branches—the ability of parties &c.—We may reasonably expect each of us as a Retainer for each of your principals £50. that is to To Hamilton NY Curry For Pulteney £50 For Horneby 50 Same to Troupe £100 = 250 Ds. We shall consider this as a...
70From Alexander Hamilton to Théophile Cazenove, [12 October 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 12, 1796. ] “I have received two letters of the 6th & 10th of October from Judge James Wilson respecting certain tracts of land … to which I reply That some of the conditions in the Contracts between Mr. Wilson & the Holland Company not being yet fulfilled they are not at present obliged nor prepared to make the elections which those contracts reserve to them.… I cannot...
71From Alexander Hamilton to Nicholas Low, [12 October 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton will thank Mr. Low if not inconvenient for the loan of 100 Dollars for a few days. AL , The Sol Feinstone Collection, Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. Low, a New York City merchant and land speculator, had been a director of the Bank of New York and of the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures. In 1796 he was a director of the New York Office of...
72Account with Archibald Drummond, 4 October 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Col: Hamilton To Archibd Drummond, Dr. 1795 Decr. 22d. 1 large slate 4/6 £ “ 2 Pencils 2/6 1 Copy 2/0 11.6 1 Ashes Grammr. 2/6 24 1 Espinasses 1.18 . 4 papers ink powdr.
73From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 29 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance and recommend to your Civilities the bearer of this, Mr. Hoffman, our Atty General who goes to Connecticut on the question of the Connecticut Gore. He will wish to engage the assistance of one of your Lawyers; will you assist him with your advice? Yrs. Affectly ALS , Blumhaven Library and Gallery, Philadelphia. Wadsworth, a friend of H for many...
74From Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Church, [24 September 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
At length, Dear Angelica our apprehensions are realized and your coming is deferred. But though life is too short to render it agreeable to lose even a winter in the passage from hope to enjoyment in any thing which materially interests us—yet if you do really come in the Spring and bring with you Mr. Church it will afford us consolation, because it will leave less ultimately at hazard and may...
75From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 21 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Some time since Mr. McCormick spoke to me about the case of his Kinsman Mr. Pitcairn whom Mr. Monroe had prevented from exercising the functions of Consul. I can, in justice, inform you that this Gentleman is well considered in our City and that his political principles have been understood to be very friendly to the French Revolution; nor have we any doubt that his sentiments towards our own...
76From Alexander Hamilton to John Steele, 20 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, September 20, 1796. On September 23, 1796, Steele wrote to Hamilton : “I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of the 20th. inst.” Letter not found. ] On July 1, 1796, when Congress was not in session, Timothy Pickering informed John Steele, a Federalist member of the House of Representatives from North Carolina from 1789 to 1793, of his appointment as comptroller of the...
77From Alexander Hamilton to Phineas Bond, 15 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Two days since a letter was delivered to me with a declaration of the bearer that it came from Mr. Lyston. On opening the cover, I found nothing except a letter from Capt Cochran (which though not addressed would appear to have been written to some public agent of Great Britain) and a declaration of David Wilson and Thomas Marshall respecting the ship Eliza . The superscription of the packet...
78From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, [12 September 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter transmitting me a draft on H & S Johnson & Co. for 857 Dollars & 14 Cents on account of Kinloch’s debt to Mr. Church. Lest I should not see you here give me leave to request information in whose care the affairs of Mr. Church have been left by you—& whether any thing more has been done with Mrs Cattle’s alias Bowman’s note. The above bill has been accepted. I...
79From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 8 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 6th. by the bearer. The draft was sent forward by Post on Tuesday. I shall prepare a paragraph with respect to the University & some others for consideration respecting other points which have occured. With true respect & attachment I have the honor to be Sir Yr. very obed serv ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library. For background to this letter, see...
80From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 5 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I return the draft corrected agreeably to your intimations. You will observe a short paragraph added respecting Education . As to the establishment of a University, it is a point which in connection with military schools, & some other things, I meant, agreeably to your desire to suggest to you, as parts of your Speech at the opening of the session. There will several things come there much...
81To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
I return the draft corrected agreeably to your intimations. You will observe a short paragraph added respecting Education. As to the establishment of a University, it is a point which in connection with military schools, & some other things, I meant, agreeably to your desire to suggest to you, as parts of your Speech at the opening of the session. There will several things come there much...
82From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 4 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your two late letters, the last but one transmitting me a certain draft. It will be corrected & altered with attention to your suggestions & returned by Monday’s or Tuesday’s post. The idea of the university is one of those which I think will be most properly reserved for your speech at the opening of the session. A general suggestion respecting education will very fitly come...
83To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 4 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two late letters, the last but one transmitting me a certain draft. It will be corrected & altered with attention to your suggestions & returned by Monday’s or Tuesday’s post —The idea of the university is one of those which I think will be most properly reserved for your speech at the opening of the session. A general suggestion respecting education will very fitly come...
84From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [May–August 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May–August, 1796. ] “I have been applied to for an opinion concerning the Georgia Claim.… I will thank you for the Report of the Attorney General on that subject, to Congress.…” Copy, Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford. This is a reference to the claims of the Georgia Yazoo land companies which were organized in 1795. For information on these land grants and their revocation,...
85From Alexander Hamilton to Stephen Van Rensselaer, 25 August 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 25, 1796. “I embrace with pleasure the opportunity of making you acquainted with Mr. Adet Minister P: of the French Republic, for whom it is unnecessary for me to ask your particular attentions as they are equally due to his public and personal character. I will only add that I shall take a particular interest in whatever you may do to render his visit to Albany agreeable to...
86From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [10 August 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
About a fortnight since, I sent you a certain draft. I now send you another on the plan of incorporating. Whichever you may prefer, if there be any part you wish to transfer from one to another any part to be changed—or if there be any material idea in your own draft which has happened to be omitted and which you wish introduced—in short if there be any thing further in the matter in which I...
87Enclosure: Draft on the Plan of Incorporating, [10 August 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The strength of my desire to resume a private station had led, previous to the last election, to the preparation of an address to declare it to you, which it was my intention to have published in the year 1792 early enough to have made the knowlege of it general in due time for that Election. But mature reflection on the very critical and perplexed posture of our affairs with foreign nations...
88To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 10 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
About a fortnight since, I sent you a certain draft. I now send you another on the plan of incorporating. Whichever you may prefer, if there be any part you wish to transfer from one to another any part to be changed—or if there be any material idea in your own draft which has happened to be omitted and which you wish introduced—in short if there be any thing further in the matter in which I...
89From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Hatfield, 9 August 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 9, 1796. “I have in my hands two bonds one from Joseph Lyon of White Plains, in WestChester for £ 82.10 dated the 9th of Feby 1770—the other from Joseph Lyon and Daniel Lyon dated the 2nd. of may in the year 1768 both to General Schuyler.… As well from finding your name mentioned in the matter as from the belief that you are more likely than any other to know the situation of...
90From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [5 August 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The Bank of New York is willing to make the loan of 324 000 Dollars to you (I mean the exact sum of about this amount, if you desire it, which one of the laws you mentioned authorises to borrow) on these terms to advance all but two hundred thousand Dollars when you please—to advance the two hundred thousand Dollars, by way of reloan, when that sum, payable in October, becomes due. The term of...
91From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [3 August 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 1st. I deplore the picture it gives and henceforth wish to forget there is a Bank or a Treasury in the U States, though I shall not forget my regard to individuals. I do not see one argument in any possible shape of the thing for the sale of Bank Stock or against that of the other stock, which does not apply vice versa & I shall consider it as one of the most...
92From Alexander Hamilton to James Greenleaf, 30 July 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I have carefully reflected upon the subject of your letter of the 27th. instant. Though the data which it presents authorise an expectation of large pecuniary advantage and though I discover nothing in the affair which an Individual differently circumstanced might not with propriety enter into—yet in my peculiar situation, viewed in all its public as well as personal relations, I think myself...
93From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 30 July 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure to send you herewith a certain draft which I have endeavoured to make as perfect as my time and engagements would permit. It has been my object to render this act importantly and lastingly useful, and avoiding all just cause of present exception, to embrace such reflections and sentiments as will wear well, progress in approbation with time, & redound to future reputation....
94Enclosure: Draft of Washington’s Farewell Address, [30 July 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The period for a new election of a Citizen to administer the Executive Gov of the U States being not very distant and the time actually arrived when the your thoughts of my fellow Citizens must be employed in designating the Citizen who is to administer the Executive Government of the United States the person who is to be cloathed with that important trust for another term, it may conduce to...
95From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 30 July 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I had written you a short line previous to the Receipt of your letter of the 26th to which indeed I can add nothing material. It will, as things stand, be imprudent to push the point of a further loan till the President arrives —for though a majority of the Directors are well disposed to the thing, they are afraid of McCormick’s clamours and want the sanction of the President to controul &...
96To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 30 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to send you herewith a certan draft which I have endeavoured to make as perfect as my time and engagements would permit—It has been my object to render this act importantly and lastingly useful, and avoiding all just cause of present exception, to embrace such reflections and sentiments as will wear well, progress in approbation with time, & redound to future reputation—How...
97From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [28 July 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have not lost sight of the negotiation with the Bank though it labours & I have thought it best to let it lie bye till the President returns. Mc.Cormick is violent against it & plays on little jealousies, & what is still more efficacious private interests; representing the consequent inability of the Bank to accommodate the Merchants, many of whom from the unfortunate issue of some late...
98From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [21 July 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I communicated your letter to Mr. Jay & now give you our joint sense. Considering the nature of the transaction and what must necessarily have been presumed to be the intent, & that the authority is on a public subject & between two nations, we think that a decision by two out of three commissioners must be sufficient. We know nothing but an immediate personal interest in property which may be...
99Alexander Hamilton and Richard Harison to Richard Bayley, 19 July 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
We have looked into the Act to prevent the bringing in & spreading of Infectious Diseases in this State. By one of its provisions every Vessel arriving from parts beyond Sea, having on Board forty passengers, is subject to Quarantine of Cause, & may be removed to the place assigned for the same. We think that where the numbers of passengers is so great, the Health Officer may take a reasonable...
100From Alexander Hamilton to William Tilghman, [18 July 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I am favoured with your letter of the 16 instant and regret the occasion of my not having heard from you. I thank you for the attention paid to the business. If in the course of a fortnight a perfectly good opportunity should not occur you would oblige me by sending on the deed by a Trusty Express, the expence of which I will with pleasure defray, as I am desirous to have the affair completed....