1From Alexander Hamilton to Edward Stevens, 11 November 1769 (Hamilton Papers)
This just serves to acknowledge receipt of yours per Cap Lowndes which was delivered me Yesterday. The truth of Cap Lightbourn & Lowndes information is now verifyd by the Presence of your Father and Sister for whose safe arrival I Pray, and that they may convey that Satisfaction to your Soul that must naturally flow from the sight of Absent Friends in health, and shall for news this way refer...
2From Alexander Hamilton to The Royal Danish American Gazette, [6 April 1771] (Hamilton Papers)
I am a youth about seventeen, and consequently such an attempt as this must be presumptuous; but if, upon perusal, you think the following piece worthy of a place in your paper, by inserting it you’ll much oblige Your obedient servant, The Royal Danish American Gazette , April 6, 1771. As the writer gives his age as about seventeen and his initials as AH, it is a reasonable assumption that H...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Ashburner, [28 October 1771] (Hamilton Papers)
[ St. Croix, October 28, 1771 . On November 20, 1771, Hamilton wrote to Ashburner: “I wrote you the 28th of last Month.” He then crossed out this sentence and substituted: “Above is triplicate of mine to you.” Letter not found .] Merchant of St. Eustatius. See letters to Thomas Ashburner, April 28, May 13, 1772, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
4From Alexander Hamilton to Nicholas Cruger, [31 October 1771] (Hamilton Papers)
Expecting that Capt Codwise would ⟨have⟩ saild two days ago, I had already wrote & delive⟨red⟩ my Letter to him, but the arrival of Capt Lowndes furnishes me with something more to say. By him I receivd sundry Letters; one from Mr. Henry Cruger, one from Mr. John Cruger, one from Mr. John Harris Cruger, and several from Henry Cruger Junior, which last are all Copies and have been answerd,...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Nicholas Cruger, 4 November 1771 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you a few days ago by Capt Codwise to which refer you & should send you Copys by this opportunity but I am so unwell that it is with difficulty I make out to write these few lines. Every thing remains as then advisd. I have sold about 30 bbls flour more & Collectd a little more money from different people. The Major lies so ill that no one expects he’ll live till night. I receiv’d a...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Nicholas Cruger, 12 November 1771 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you herewith Copies of my Letter’s ⅌ Codwise & Cunningham, since which nothing has occurd worth writing. Markets are just the same excepting in the price of Butter which is now reducd to 15 & 16 ⅌ a firkin. Your Philadelphia flour is realy very bad, being of a most swarthy complexion & withal very untractable; the Bakers complain that they cannot by any means get it to rise. Wherefore &...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Tileman Cruger, 16 November 1771 (Hamilton Papers)
In behalf of Mr. Nicholas Cruger (who by reason of a very ill state of health went from this to New York the 15th Ultimo) I have the pleasure to address you by the long expected Sloop Thunderbolt, Capt William Newton, Ownd by Mess[rs.] Jacob Walton, John Harris & Nicholas Cruger, the latter of whom has written you fully concerning her destination—which I need not repeat. She has on Board...
8From Alexander Hamilton to William Newton, 16 November 1771 (Hamilton Papers)
Here with I give you all your dispatches & desire youll proceed immediately to Curracoa. You are to deliver your Cargo there to Teleman Cruger Esqr. agreeable to your Bill Lading, whose directions you must follow in every respect concerning the disposal of your Vessell after your arrival. You know it is intended that you shall go from thence to the Main for a load of Mules & I must beg if you...
9From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Ashburner, 20 November 1771 (Hamilton Papers)
Above is triplicate of mine to you ⅌ Capt Henton to which have receivd no answer. I have now to beg the favour of you to pay Mess[rs.] Fraser Grant & Baillie of St Christophers on Mr Crugers Account as soon as convenient £13.4.10 Windward Currency for which Mr. Thomas shall have Credit. I am Sir Your Respectful hum Serv LC , in writing of H, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. In the MS of...
10From Alexander Hamilton to Fraser, Grant and Baillie, 20 November 1771 (Hamilton Papers)
I receivd your favour of the 18th Ultimo in due time & beg pardon for not having answerd it before. I have by this opportunity desird Mr. Thomas Ashburner of St Eustatius to pay you the little matter I owe you, and when he has done it, I will be obligd to you for a few lines certifying the same. I am Gentlemen. Your Respectful Serv LC , in writing of H, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
11From Alexander Hamilton to John H. Cruger, 27 November 1771 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favour of the 21st. Ulto. ⅌ Capt Newton lies now before me, the Contents of which I have properly noted & beg to refer you to a Letter just finished to Mess[rs.] Jacob Walton & John Harris Cruger for everything relative to the Sloop Thunderbolt which I shall say nothing of here. I receivd the articles sent by her, agreeable to your memorandum & in good order. The Cost is to your Credit,...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Nicholas Cruger, 27 November 1771 (Hamilton Papers)
I have now the pleasure to acquaint you with the arrival of your new Sloop Thunderbolt commanded by Capt William Newton, a fine Vessell indeed, but I fear, not so swift as she ought to be. However the Capt said he had never had an opportunity of a fair trial and consequently could form no right Judgment yet of her sailing. This goes by way of St Thomas and I must beg youll peruse the inclosed...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Walton and Cruger, 27 November 1771 (Hamilton Papers)
I have now the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your favour dated October the 19th. by Sloop Thunderbolt which arrived here on Wednesday Afternoon the 16th Instant, and on the saturday morning following I cleard her out and gave the Captain his dispatches for Curracoa, but he could not sail till the morning after. She landed here only 23 Hhds Indian Meal 6469 Staves 20 bbls Apples 300...
14From Alexander Hamilton to Nicholas Cruger, 10 January [1772] (Hamilton Papers)
Your agreeable Letters of the 12 and 20th Ultimo were yesterday handed me [by] Mr Lynsen and Capt Gibb, who arrivd within a few hours of each other. Nothing cou’d be more pleasing to me than to hear of the reestablishment of your Health, and I sincerely wish you a permanent possession of that invaluable blessing. The 101 barrils superfine Flour from Philadelphia are just landed, about 40, of...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Willing and Taylor, 10 January 1772 (Hamilton Papers)
This serves to acknowledge receipt of your favour dated ye. 13 Ulto. covering Invoice & Bill Lading for 101 bbls Superfine flour which were landed in good order. I have Credited you for the Cost of them after rectifying a small error in the addition of Nos. 81 to 84 which youll please to examine & Note in conformity. I am Gentlemen Your most obdt. Serv LC , in writing of H, Hamilton Papers,...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Ashburner, 21 January 1772 (Hamilton Papers)
I receivd yours Dated Decemr. 10th in due time & observe what you say. I am much obligd to you for your promise to pay Messrs. Grant & Baillie the small sum I owe them and must beg if it is not done before this reaches you, you’ll immediately do it as I wish to have the matter settled. Also please to let me know if I must Credit you or Mr. Thomas for whats paid. I am Sir Your very Hum Servt...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Tileman Cruger, 1 February 177[2] (Hamilton Papers)
Two days ago Capt Newton deliverd me your favour without date & 41 Mules in such order that I have been oblig’d to send all of them to pasture, and of which I expect at least a third will die. The highest offer made me for 20 of the best was 70 ps., whereas if they had been in good order I could readily have obtaind £40 round, which I all along entertaind the most sanguine hopes of. Thus you...
18From Alexander Hamilton to William Newton, 1 February 177[2] (Hamilton Papers)
Proceed immediately with the Sloop Thunderbolt to Curracoa & deliver the articles you have on Board agreeable to Bill Lading. Follow Mr Telleman Crugers directions in every Respect thenceforward & I trust I may rely on you to perform your part with all possible diligence & dispatch. Reflect continually on the unfortunate Voyage you have just made and endeavour to make up for the considerable...
19From Alexander Hamilton to George Hunter, 4 February 1772 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosd I send you Letter of Advice to William Gillilands draft on you for £111. 16. 6 New York Currency payable in 10 Days & must beg the favour of an immidiate Answer thereto. The Gentlemen who send it expect a punctual Compliance with the tenor of the Bill, as they receivd it instead of a Cash payment & I hope it may be in your power to give them satisfaction. I am, Sir Your most Hum St...
20From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Cruger, 24 February 1772 (Hamilton Papers)
The 9th Ultimo Capt Robert Gibb handed me your favour dated December 19th 1771 covering Invoice & Bill Lading for Sundrys which were landed in good order agreeable thereto. I sold all your Lumber off immediately at £16 pm, luckkily enough, the price of that article being now reducd to £12, as great quantitys have been lately imported from different parts of the Continent. Indeed, there must be...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Nicholas Cruger, 24 February 1772 (Hamilton Papers)
Herewith you have duplicate of my two last Letters of the 27 November & 10th Ulto. and I now congratulate myself upon the pleasure of addressing you again, but am sorry I shall be obligd to communicate some dissatisfactory occurrencies. Your Sloop Thunderbolt arrivd here the 29th of the preceding Month with 41 More Skeletons. A worse parcel of Mules never was seen; she took in at first 48 &...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Gregg, 24 February 1772 (Hamilton Papers)
Capt Robert Gibb deliverd me on your Account 2 Mahogany dining Tables which I paid him the freight of. You may depend I shall do the best I can with them being with Esteem, Sir Your very Hum Serv LC , in writing of H, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
23From Alexander Hamilton to Walton and Cruger, 24 February 1772 (Hamilton Papers)
Preceding is Copy of my last to you & beg leave to refer you thereto. I have at length the pleasure to acquaint you of the arrival of the Sloop Thunderbolt with her first Cargo of Mules but I am sorry to be obligd to offer you so unpleasing an account of them as I shall. The 2d. Ultimo she took in at the Main 48 very good Mules, most of them large and young. She arrivd here the 30th with 41 in...
24From Alexander Hamilton to The Royal Danish American Gazette, 6 September 1772 (Hamilton Papers)
I take up my pen just to give you an imperfect account of one of the most dreadful Hurricanes that memory or any records whatever can trace, which happened here on the 31st ultimo at night. It began about dusk, at North, and raged very violently till ten o’clock. Then ensued a sudden and unexpected interval, which lasted about an hour. Meanwhile the wind was shifting round to the South West...
25The Soul ascending into Bliss, In humble imitation of Popes Dying Christian to his Soul, [17 October 1772] (Hamilton Papers)
The Royal Danish American Gazette , October 17, 1772; copy (incomplete), with minor word changes, Columbia University Libraries. Although it is impossible to determine beyond dispute that H was the author of this poem, it is attributed to him by J. C. Hamilton, who refers to it as “a hymn,” but ascribes it to the period when H attended school in Elizabethtown, New Jersey ( Hamilton, Life John...
26Notes on the Book of Genesis, [1773] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Elizabethtown, New Jersey, 1773 .] Quotations and paraphrases of the first three chapters of the Book of Genesis. AD , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Scholars differ on the year of H’s arrival in the North American colonies and the dates of his schooling there. These notes, and those which follow, were presumably made while H attended the school of Francis Barber in Elizabethtown, New...
27Notes on the Book of Revelation, [1773] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Elizabethtown, New Jersey, 1773 .] Quotations and paraphrases of Chapters I–XIII of the Book of Revelation. AD , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
28The Iliad of Homer, [1773] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Elizabethtown, New Jersey, 1773 .] Exercise in Homer’s Iliad , beginning with Book 12. Discontinuously numbered lines in Greek are followed by one page of English translation and notes in English on the geography of the eastern Mediterranean. D , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. The authorship of this MS is not known. The handwriting bears only a slight resemblance to that of H. If H...
29List of Books, [1773] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Elizabethtown, New Jersey, 1773 .] Numbered list of twenty-seven books and subjects on Ancient and Medieval history and philosophy. D , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. The authorship of this MS is not known. The handwriting is not that of H, but the document may be a copy of a missing original by H. Although MS contains no date, it probably belongs to the period when H was in school or...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Alexander McDougall, [1774–1776] (Hamilton Papers)
It is with the utmost chagrin I am obliged to inform you, that I am not able to return you all your pamph[l]ets; and what is still worse the most valuable of them is missing. I beg you will not impute it to carelessness; for I assure you upon my honor the true state of the case is this—I put your pamphlets in the case with my other books; and some person about the College got into my room...
31Matricula of King’s College, [1774] (Hamilton Papers)
Admissions anno 1774. David Clarkson. Schuyler Lupton. Jacob Shaw. John Gaine. John Whitaker. Left College 2d. Year. Samuel Deall. Horatio Smith. Paul Randall. John Brickell. Daniel Moore. Edward Cornwallis Moncrieffe. Left College 2d. Year. James Stiles. Left the College in His 2d. Year. James Depeyster. Tristrim Lowther Thomas Attwood. Alexander Hamilton. Nicholas Romeyn, S. M. D
32["Speech in the Fields"], [6 July 1774] (Hamilton Papers)
According to J. C. Hamilton ( Life John C. Hamilton, The Life of Alexander Hamilton (New York, 1840). , I, 21–23) H made this speech. Almost all of H’s biographers have repeated this story. There is no contemporary evidence, newspaper or other, that H made such a speech or even attended the meeting.
33Poem on the Death of Elias Boudinot’s Child, [4 September 1774] (Hamilton Papers)
D , in writing of Elizabeth Hamilton, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. At the end of this poem, Elizabeth Hamilton wrote: “Written by Mr. Hamilton, when he was residing in new jersey, preparing for College, on the Death of a child of Mrs. Boudinot.” While attending Francis Barber’s academy in Elizabethtown, H was a frequent guest in the home of Elias Boudinot, a New Jersey lawyer, who...
34Account with Robert Harpur, [20 September 1774] (Hamilton Papers)
1774 Mr. Alexr. Hamilton at £ 3 . . 4 ⅌ Quar. Dr. Con Cr. £ s. d Sepr. 20 entered with me this day, to Study Mathems. 1783. By Cash recd. from him, now Col. Hamilton, as a present at the close of the War } 5 Guins. = 9—6—8 D , from the original in The New York State Library, Albany. This entry is from the account book of Harpur, who was a professor of mathematics at King’s College. In order...
35A Full Vindication of the Measures of the Congress, &c., [15 December] 1774 (Hamilton Papers)
It was hardly to be expected that any man could be so presumptuous, as openly to controvert the equity, wisdom, and authority of the measures, adopted by the congress: an assembly truly respectable on every account! Whether we consider the characters of the men, who composed it; the number, and dignity of their constituents, or the important ends for which they were appointed. But, however...
36A Card, [22 December 1774] (Hamilton Papers)
The Friend to America presents his compliments to Mr. A. W. Farmer, and begs leave to decline making any remarks upon his Examination into the conduct of the Delegates, until he has seen what he may have to offer, in answer to the Full Vindication, &c. His reasons, there is no necessity to communicate. He assures Mr. Farmer, that he never imagined, any thing he could say, would frighten, or...
37The Farmer Refuted, &c., [23 February] 1775 (Hamilton Papers)
I resume my pen, in reply to the curious epistle, you have been pleased to favour me with; and can assure you, that, notwithstanding, I am naturally of a grave and phlegmatic disposition, it has been the source of abundant merriment to me. The spirit that breathes throughout is so rancorous, illiberal and imperious: The argumentative part of it so puerile and fallacious: The misrepresentations...
38Remarks on the Quebec Bill: Part One, [15 June 1775] (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with my promise to the public, See page 78 of the Farmer Refuted, a pamphlet published last winter by James Rivington. and in order to rescue truth from the specious disguise, with which it has been cloathed, I shall now offer a few remarks on the act, intitled, “An Act for making more effectual provision, for the government of the province of Quebec, In North-America” whereby, I...
39Remarks on the Quebec Bill: Part Two, [22 June 1775] (Hamilton Papers)
Having considered the nature of this bill, with regard to civil government, I am next to examine it with relation to religion, and to endeavour to shew, that the Church of Rome has now the sanction of a legal establishment, in the province of Quebec. In order to do this the more satisfactorily, I beg leave to adopt the definition given of an established religion, by a certain writer, who has...
40From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 26 November 1775 (Hamilton Papers)
I take the liberty to trouble you with some remarks on a matter which to me appears of not a little importance; doubting not that you will use your influence in Congress to procure a remedy for the evil I shall mention, if you think the considerations I shall urge are of that weight they seem in my judgment to possess. You will probably ere this reaches you have heard of the late incursion...
41From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 31 December 1775 (Hamilton Papers)
It is hardly necessary to inform you that I received your favour in answer to my letter on the subject of Capt Sear’s Expedition; and that I shall be at all times ready to comply with your request of information concerning the state of the province, or any matters of importance that may arise. Any thing that may conduce to the public service or may serve as a testimony of my respect to you...
42From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [4 January 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed was intended by the last post, but I was disappointed in sending it. You will find by the papers, that a proclamation has been issued for dissolving the old Assembly; writs are making out for the election of a new. The tories seem to give out that there will be no opposition, but I suspect this as an artifice to throw the people off their guard. I doubt not however the whig...
43From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Alexander McDougall, [17 March 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
Newyork. March 17th 1776. Recived of Col. McDougall Seventy three Pounds, Nineteen Shillings and a Penny half penny for the Pay of the Commissioned Non-Commissioned officers and privates of my Company to the first Instant for which I [have] given three other receipts. £73.19.1 ¾ DS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. Alexander McDougall, prominent Revolutionary War general, gained...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Alexander McDougall, [4 April 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
New York April 4th, 1776. Received of Colonel McDougall one hundred and seventy two pounds, three shillings and five pence half penny, for the pay of the Commissioned, Non commissioned officers and privates of my company to the first instant, for which I have given three other receipts. £172.3.5½. ADS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. This receipt appears at the end of “Pay Roll of...
45Return of Captain Alexander Hamilton’s Company of Artillery, [20 April 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] April 20, 1776 . The return is headed: “A Return of the Colony Company of Artillery commanded by Alexander Hamilton April 20th, 1776” and is in the form of a table showing the number of each rank present and fit for duty, sick, on furlough, on command duty, or taken as prisoner. Hamilton’s company contained a total of 69 commissioned and noncommissioned officers. AD , George...
46From Alexander Hamilton to the Provincial Congress of the Colony of New York, [26 May 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
I take the liberty to request your attention to a few particulars, which will be of considerable importance to the future progress of the company under my command, and I will be much obliged to you for as speedy a determination concerning them as you can conveniently give. The most material is respecting the pay. Our company, by their articles, are to be subject to the same regulations, and to...
47From Alexander Hamilton to the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New-York, 26 July 1776 (Hamilton Papers)
I am obliged to write you, to remove a difficulty which arises respecting the quantity of subsistence which is to be allowed my men. Enclosed you have the rate of rations which is the standard allowance of the whole Continental and even the Provincial army; but it seems Mr. Curtenius can not afford to supply us with more than his contract stipulates, which by comparison, you will perceive is...
48From Alexander Hamilton to the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New-York, [12 August 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
It is necessary I should inform you that there is at present a vacancy in my company, arising from the promotion of Lieutenant Johnson to a captaincy in one of the row-gallies, (which command, however, he has since resigned, for a very particular reason.) As artillery officers are scarce in proportion to the call for them, and as myself and my remaining officers sustain an extraordinary weight...
49From Alexander Hamilton to the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York, [14 September 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
I do hereby certify that Wm. Douglass, the bearer hereof, faithfully served as a matross in my company till he lost his arm by an unfortunate accident, while engaged in firing at some of the enemy’s ships. He is therefore recommended to the attention of those who have been appointed to carry into execution the late resolve of the Continental Congress, by which provision is made for all persons...
50Return of Captain Alexander Hamilton’s Company of Artillery, [October 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October, 1776. ] The return is headed: “Return of the Artillery Company of the State of New York commanded by Alexander Hamilton.” AD , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. Dated “Oct. 1776” in an unidentified handwriting and at a later date. The return was for one of the months between May, 1776, and January, 1777, but the correct date cannot be determined.