Honorable Gentlemen, The very interesting information contained in your card published in Monday’s Diary, and the very condescending Manner in which you have deigned to make the communication, demand the most submissive acknowledgments of all your fellow subjects. When the chief justice and a senator of the United States stoop so far, as to address themselves immediately to the people, who...
Candid answers to the following questions are absolutely necessary, to enable the public to form an adequate judgement respecting Citizen Genet’s conduct. Had you been explicit when you dragged the Minister before that awful tribunal, much trouble and uncertainty would have been avoided. I never saw the propriety of your appealing to the people in a matter cognizable only by our worthy...
3From 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...
We have received your Letter of the 26th instant. We take to day to revise it and tomorrow or the day after we expect to hand it to some Printer for publication with our Certificate. We are with respect and esteem Your obedient servants John Jay } Esquires. Rufus King LS , in the handwriting of H, Columbia University Libraries. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to H to...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [11 November 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed in a letter which I have just received from poor Fenno. It speaks for itself. If you can without delay raise 1000 Dollars in New York, I will endeavor to raise another Thousand at Philadelphia. If this cannot be done we must lose his services & he will be the victim of his honest public spirit. Yrs. truly If may either be in the form of gift or loan. ALS , New-York Historical Society,...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 2 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The failures in England will be so seriously felt in this Country as to involve a real crisis in our money concerns. I anxiously wish you could be here to assist in the operations of the Bank of the UStates —never was there a time, which required more the Union of Courage & Prudence, than the present and approaching Juncture. You can imagine all that I could add on this subject. Is it...
7From 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...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [23–24 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
It is not yet finally determined that there shall be a publication & there has been some difference of opinion on the point. But it seems to me the publication of the letters renders it indispensable, that the whole story should be told. Yet when it appears, it will probably include only what is regularly official, so that the present question may be pursued independently. Perhaps you will not...
9From 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...
10From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 28 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have not, as you will imagine, been inattentive to your political squabble. I believe you are right (though I have not accurately examined) but I am not without apprehension that a ferment may be raised which may not be allayed when you wish it. Tis not to be forgotten that the opposers of Clinton are the real friends to order & good Government; and that it will ill become them to give an...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 27 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Desirous of examining accurately the question decided by the Canvassers —I will thank you for a minute of all the authorities which were consulted by you when you gave your opinion. Yrs. truly I shall be glad to have them as soon as may be. ALS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. This is a reference to the decision of the board of canvassers of New York State in the disputed...
12From 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...
13From 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...
14From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [17 August 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of Monday Evening has a good deal tranquillized me. I am glad to learn that the mischiefs from the over rise of scripts are not likely to be very extensive. I observe what you say respecting the quotation of my opinion. I was not unaware of the delicacy of giving any & was sufficiently reserved ’till I perceived the extreme to which Bank Script and with it other stock was tending....
15From 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...
16From 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...
17From 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...
18From 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...
19From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 8 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter on a certain subject and was obliged by it. But there was nothing practicable by way of remedy. The thing, as it has turned out, though good in the main, has certainly some ill sides. There have also been faults in the detail, which are not favourable to complete satisfaction. But what shall we do? ‘Tis the lot of every thing human to mingle a portion of ill with the...
20From 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...
21From 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...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [15 July 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter by the last Post but one. I immediately sat about circulating an idea, that it would be injurious to the City to have Duane elected—as the probability was, that some very unfit character would be his successor. My object was to have this sentiment communicated to our members. But a stop was put to my measures, by a letter received from Burr, announcing that at a general...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King [13 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The Post of to day brought me your letter of the 10th, but I was too much engaged to reply to it by return of Post. The facts with regard to Mr Genet’s threat to appeal from the President to the People stand thus— On Saturday the 6th of July last, the warden of this Port reported to Governor Mifflin that the Brig Little Sarah since called The Petit Democrat (an English merchant vessel mounting...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 25 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I received lately a letter from you in which you express sentiments according with my own on the present complexion of your party politics; as, if a letter of mine to you did not miscarry, you will have seen. I wished that Clinton & his party should be placed in a just light before the people, and that a spirit of dissatisfaction within proper bounds should be kept alive; and this for National...
25From 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...
26Enclosure: 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...
27From 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...
28From 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...
29From 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...
30From 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...