121Power of Attorney from Nathanael Greene to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 16 August 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] August 16, 1785 . On this date Hamilton witnessed a power of attorney from Greene to Wadsworth. DS , signed by Nathanael Greene and witnessed by H and Dirck Ten Broeck. Connecticut State Library, Hartford.
122Enclosure A: [From Nathanael Greene], 22 August 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
Misfortunes are more or less painful, as they have been brought upon us by folly, extravagance, or imposed by public necessity. Those of the latter kind may be distressing, but cannot be dishonorable. I have long struggled with difficulties, in which I was involved, while in command to the southward, and which I should have laid before Congress, at an earlier period, but from a hope, that I...
123From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Jones, [9 June 1785] (Hamilton Papers)
The above is a copy of a paper transmitted me this day by Mr. Duane. You will perceive much is expected from us; and unfortunately in the situation of my business little is in my power. I wish to see you in Town as soon AL , The Huntington Library, San Marino, California. The letter is undated. It was written, as the first line states, on the date on which H received his commission from James...
124New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for the Relief of Merchants in the City of New York, [20 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton supposed that it was agreed on all hands, that some relief should be granted—there was, he said two questions before the committee, one, if they would put them on a footing with the other citizens; and the other, if they did not merit something more. If said he, you receive their certificates, and grant them your own, you extend to them only that relief which you have already...
125From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, [1786] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, 1786. ] Encloses draft of a certificate and asks Duane “to affix the seal of the Corporation” of the City of New York to the draft. ALS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. Duane was mayor of New York.
126New York Assembly. Remarks on the Quotas to be Assigned the Several Counties of New York, [22 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton did not suppose that any arguments would have much influence on the decision of this question. There is no criterion to go by and we fall into the greatest uncertainty—a gentleman has told us plainly, that he has been intriguing, and making the best bargain he could for his county. He would not say that New-York had made any conditions—he hoped that the intrigues might not have...
127From Alexander Hamilton to John Laurance, 23 March 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March 23, 1786 . Plans to bring the cause of Benjamin Paine, et al. v. Peter Mesier, Jr. and Jacob Van Voorhees to trial at the next term of the Supreme Court. Copy, Mr. Otto Madlener, Hubbard Woods, Illinois.
128Constitution of the Bank of New York, [23 February–15 March 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
Constitution Article 1st. That the Bank shall be called by the Name and Title of the Bank of New York. –2– That the Capital Stock consist of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars in Gold or Silver, divided into One Thousand Shares of Five Hundred Dollars each Share and that a Majority of all the Directors may at their discretion open new Subscriptions for encreasing the Capital Stock, when they shall...
129Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Number of Votes Required in Congress to Override a Presidential Veto, [12 … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton added his testimony to the fact that 2/3 in N. York had been ineffectual either where a popular object, or a legislative faction operated; of which he mentioned some instances. Hunt and Scott, Debates Gaillard Hunt and James Brown Scott, eds., The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America. Reported by James Madison (New...
130From Alexander Hamilton to Helena Brasher, 6 December 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 6, 1785. “I am instructed by your brother Mr. Laurence Kortright to make the following proposal to you; to wit—that if you will pay him the amount of his account for money and other articles supplied you druing your residence in the Jerseys in the course of the war and will deliver him up his bond for £200 to be paid you at the death of his mother, he will then give you a...
131New York Assembly. Report on the Petition of Margaret Livingston, 13 February 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 13, 1787. On this date Hamilton reported on behalf of a committee of which he was chairman on a petition from Margaret Livingston and others: “Proprietors in part of the Township of New-Stamford, in the County of Ulster, praying leave to present a bill for the partition of the said Township.” New York Assembly Journal Journal of the Assembly of the State of New York...
132From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 4 August 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
The only letter I have received from you in a considerable time is one introducing Lt Col Hastings to whom I have paid the attention which your recommendation will always give title to. The following remittances made by me remain unacknowleged by you. A bill of Exchange drawn by Constable & Rucker for £400 Sterling Currency Specie ⅌ the Tankerville Packet £1057.17.8 Ditto per the Carteret...
133New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Granting to Congress Certain Imposts and Duties, [15 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
There appears to me to have been some confusion in the manner of voting on the two preceding clauses of this bill; the first, for granting the impost to the United States, having been carried by a majority of one, and the last, for making the officers employed in the collection accountable to them, having been lost by a much larger majority. I was induced to hope, from the success of the first...
134From Alexander Hamilton to Isaac Gouverneur, Junior, [March 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Bremar last evening delivered me your Letter inclosing a Copy of your Correspondence with Mr Lewis. In a personal Altercation between two Gentlemen where their passions have evidently become pritty warmly engaged, and for both whom I always had Esteem, I should not be willing to give my Opinion on the conduct of one of them, especially when the appeal was not made to me by both. On this...
135From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [28–31 July 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here My beloved Betsey the fifth day after we set out, the three first days with every favourable circumstance but the two last through very bad weather. I am however as well as I can be absent from you and my darling boy —nor was I ever more impatient to be at home. I can have little pleasure elsewhere. I hope and persuade myself My Betsey is not less desirous for my return....
136From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Hazard, 1 September 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, September 1, 1786. Answers questions concerning a government contract for carrying the mail which Hazard had sent to Hamilton on August 1, 1786. Copy, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. Hazard enclosed H’s answers in a letter to Nathaniel Gorham, September 25, 1786.
137From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [21 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My beloved for your letter by the Post. I have time only to tell you that I am well and to request to be remembered to your sister & to Mrs. Mitchell Adieu My beloved. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found. Ann Venton Mitchell, H’s cousin, had been known to him during his boyhood on St. Croix in the West Indies.
138From Alexander Hamilton to Pierre Van Cortlandt, [16 February 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
By the direction of the Committee I transmit you the inclosed letter. I doubt not Sir you will believe me to be sincere when I assure you that I should be much more happy if circumstances permitted me to be the channel of a very different application. But such is the situation of our state that personal attachments are obliged to yield to public necessity. As I allow myself to hope Sir that...
139From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 6 December 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 6, 1787. On December 6, 1787, Hamilton wrote to Angelica Church “I this morning wrote a short and hasty line to your other self.” Letter not found. ]
140From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [19 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday, My Dear Sir, The Convention made a house. That day and this have been spent in preliminary arrangements. Tomorrow we go into a Committee of the whole on the Constitution. There is every appearance that a full discussion will take place, which will keep us together at least a fortnight. It is not easy to conjecture what will be the result. Our adversaries greatly outnumber us. The...
141From Alexander Hamilton to John D. Coxe and Tench Coxe, 9 June 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 9, 1785. Cannot represent them in their land dispute with Robert Lettis Hooper and James Wilson, as Hooper and Wilson previously have engaged Hamilton’s services in the controversy. ADfS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See John D. Coxe and Tench Coxe to H, May 21, 1785 .
142Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Necessity for a National Government, [19 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton , assented to the doctrine of Mr. Wilson. He denied the doctrine that the States were thrown into a State of Nature. He was not yet prepared to admit the doctrine that the Confederacy, could be dissolved by partial infractions of it. He admitted that the States met now on an equal footing but could see no inference from that against concerting a change of the system in this...
143From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 15 June 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
Before I left Town for Albany some time since, I requested Mr. Duer to mention to you, that I believed it would depend upon yourself to be President of the bank here. Since my coming to Town I find you are elected director; and I have no doubt you may be President if you please. I will be much obliged to you to let me know in confidence whether the appointment if made will be accepted. You may...
144New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act to Institute an University Within This State, [24 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton hoped the house would not recommit the bill. There was no doubt he said but the legislature possessed the right to give this power. There were frequent examples of the kind in Great Britain, where this power has been granted. No disadvantage he said could arise from it; on the contrary, many would be the benefits. He therefore wished the bill might be finished—as no doubt existed...
145From Alexander Hamilton to the Mayor and Corporation of the City of New York, 28 March 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 28, 1786. Signs, with 136 other petitioners, a memorial asking that the “Mayor and Corporation of the City of New York” improve the street in front of the Coffee House, “the usual place of resort for your Memorialists and the merchants of this City.” The memorialists complained that the street “for want of proper regulation and the great concourse of Carts is coverd with filth...
146From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Bayard, 6 March 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 6, 1784. “Mrs. Naomi Dunbar widow of Daniel Dunbar has retained me as Council in a suit which she expects will shortly be brought in behalf of the state for a house and lot in this city sold by you to her husband.… Mrs. Dunbar therefore wishes … that you would procure and send over to her a proper conveyance for the house and lot.” ALS , Mr. Justin G. Turner, Los Angeles,...
147From Alexander Hamilton to Walter Livingston, [18 November 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton requests the favour of Mr W Livingston to lend his name to the enclosed. AL , New-York Historical Society, New York City. Livingston, a New York City lawyer, served as Commissioner of the Treasury from 1785 to 1789. The enclosure has not been found, but at the bottom of H’s letter Livingston wrote: “Nov. 18–88 The note enclosed was for £300 payable in 30 days drawn by himself in...
148Oath for the Faithful Execution of Office, 20 October 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
Albany, October 20, 1783. On this date Hamilton signed an oath for the faithful execution of his office. The oath, signed by five other lawyers, reads as follows: “I AB. chosen or appointed [as the Case may be] to the office of [here insert the officer’s Title of Office] Do solemnly in the presence of almighty God before whom I expect to answer for my conduct promise and swear, that I will in...
149Constitutional Convention. Remarks on Signing the Constitution, [17 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton expressed his anxiety that every member should sign. A few characters of consequence, by opposing or even refusing to sign the Constitution, might do infinite mischief by kindling the latent sparks which lurk under an enthusiasm in favor of the Convention which may soon subside. No man’s ideas were more remote from the plan than his were known to be; but is it possible to...
150From Alexander Hamilton to William Neilson, 21 September 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] September 21, 1787 . “You will recollect the cause of Hayton against van Kleeck put into my hands by you.… I hope it will not be inconvenient to you [to] take care of my Costs.” ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Neilson was an alderman and merchant of New York City.