It is greatly to be lamented, for the sake of humanity, that the flame of War, which had before spread over a considerable part of Europe has within the present year extended itself much further; implicating all those powers with whom the United States have the most extensive relations. When it was seen here, that almost all the maritime Nations either were, or were likely soon to become...
2Enclosure: [An Act Making Allowances for Certain Services], [25 May 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
An act making allowances for certain services & contingencies in the collection of the Revenue during the year ending on the 30 day of June 1792. Whereas it has been found necessary to provide a compensation for the legal admeasurement of Stills during the year ending on the 30 day of June 1792. it is hereby established & declared, that there may & shall be allowed to the Collectors of the...
3Draft of a Proclamation by George Washington, [1 January 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
Proclamation By George Washington President of the UStates Amidst the calamities which afflict so many other nations [and trouble the sources of individual quiet security and happiness,] the present condition of the UStates affords much matter of consolation and satisfaction. Our exemption hitherto from the evils of foreign war, an increasing prospect of the continuance of that precious...
4Draft of George Washington’s Seventh Annual Address to Congress, [28 November–7 December 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
I trust, I do not deceive myself, while I indulge the persuasion, that I have never met you at any period, when more than at the present, the situa⟨tion⟩ of our public affairs has afforded just cause for mutual congratulation and for inviting you to join with me in profound gratitude to the Author of all Good for the numerous and signal blessings we enjoy. The Termination of the long expensive...
5Minutes of a Meeting Concerning the Insurrection in Western Pennsylvania, [24 August 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
At a Meeting at the Presidents House City of Philadelphia Aug 24. 1794 Present The President of The United States. The Secretary of State The Secretary of the Treasury. The President proposed for the opinion and advice of The Secretary of State & the Secretary of the Treasury the following questions. 1 Shall orders issue for the immediate convening of the whole or any part of the Militia...
6Enclosure: [Objections and Answers Respecting the Administration], [18 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
1 Object. The public Debt is greater than we can possibly pay before other causes of adding to it will occur; and this has been artificially created by adding together the whole amount of the Debtor and Creditor sides of the Account. Answer. The public Debt was produced by the late war. It is not the fault of the present government that it exists; unless it can be proved, that public...
In my speech to the two houses of Congress at the opening of the session I urged the expediency of being prepared for war as one of the best securities to our peace. Events which seem dayly to be unfolding themselves press still more seriously upon us the duty of being so prepared, indicating that the calamities of war may by a train of circumstances be forced upon us, notwithstanding the most...
8Draft of George Washington’s Fourth Annual Address to Congress, [15–31 October 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
It is an abatement of the satisfaction, with which I meet you, on the present occasion, that in felicitating you on a continuance of the national prosperity, generally, I am not able to add to it information, that the Indian hostilities, which have for some time distressed our N Western frontier, have terminated. You will doubtless learn, with as much concern as I communicate it, that...
9Enclosure: [Proclamation by George Washington], [April 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
By George Washington President of the U. S. of am⟨erica⟩ a Proclamation. Whereas every nation has a right to change and modify their constitution and Govt., in such manner as they may think most c⟨onducive⟩ to their welfare and Happiness. And Whereas they who a⟨ctually⟩ administer the governmt. of any nation, are by foreign nations ⟨to⟩ be regarded as its lawful Rulers , so long as they...
10To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 8 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Your note of the 5th. instant accompanying the information given to you by G.—— M.—— on the 4th. of March, came safe on friday. The letter he refers to, as having been written to me, is not yet received; but others from Mr. Monroe of similar complexion, and almost of as imperious a tone from that government, have got to hand. That justice & policy should dictate the measures with which we are...
11To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 17 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am thus far on my way to Philadelphia, and if the disagreeableness of the weather (for it is now raining) does not prevent it, shall proceed to Bladensburgh at least to night; but be my dispatch what it probably may, the mail which leaves this tomorrow, will arrive in Philadelphia before me. This being the case, and time pressing, I forward the enclosed suggestions of Mr. Jefferson and Mr....
12To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [2 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 24th. ulto., (enclosing a letter from Govr. St. Clair, and sundry papers relating to the subject of the settlements which have been made under purchases from Judge Symmes) I have duly received. The Secretary of State, as well as I recollect, has already written both to Govr. St. Clair & Judge Symmes on this subject; but whether he has or has not, it can make no material...
13To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 3 November 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
After my letter of yesterday was despatched to you, the draught of the answer to Mr. Adet was presented for my approbation, with the opinions of the Gentlemen about me, that it would be expedient to publish it, and without delay. It appeared also, by information from the Secretary of State, that as far as public opinion had been expressed on the occasion, that this measure was looked to, &...
14To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 18 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter dated the 3d. inst. inclosing a Copy of the instructions you have forwarded to Mr. Short, came to my hands by the mail of Wednesday. The appointment of that gentleman to negotiate the Loans in Holland, and the Instructions you have given for his government, meet my approbation. The first as no inconvenience it is conceived will result from his absence from Paris, is a measure of...
15To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 14 July 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your favor of yesterday, this moment, when I am on the eve of a journey to Virginia. The opinion which you have given as to its being necessary to submit the new article to the Senate being in direct opposition to that of the Secretaries and the Attorney general, has occasioned some embarrassments with me. For I always understood it to be the sense of the majority of the Senate,...
16To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 28 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, November 28, 1795. Second letter of November 28 not found. ] In the “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries, two letters to H from Washington for November 28, 1795 , are listed.
17To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 6 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 6, 1796. Second letter of September 6 not found. ] In the “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries, two letters from Washington to H September 6, 1796, are listed.
18George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox, 12 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
As you are about to meet on other business, it is my desire, that you would take the enclosed application into consideration. It is not my wish, on one hand, to throw unnecessary obstacles in the way of gratifying the wishes of the applicants. On the other, it is incumbent on me to proceed with regularity. Would not the granting a Patent then, which I believe is always the concluding Act and...
19To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [21 March 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
For carrying into execution the provisions in that behalf made by the Act, entitled, “An Act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven hundred & ninety three”; I do hereby authorise you the said Secretary of the Treasury to agree and contract with the President, Directors and Company of the Bank of the United States for a loan or loans to the United...
20To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [19 March 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Pay or cause to be paid to the Secretary of State Forty thousand Dollars to be applied to the purposes of the Act, intitled “An Act providing the means of Intercourse between the United States and foreign Nations,” for which this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand at Philadelphia the nineteenth day of March, in the year one thousand seven hundred & ninety one. LC , George Washington...
21To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [23 October 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, October 23, 1793. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
22To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As I am uncertain of the condition & even the Office in which the papers containing accounts of our disbursments for subsistence of British prisoners remain; and as it is not improbable that some negotiations may (whenever our Union under the General Government shall be completed) take place between the United States & Great Britain, in which an accurate understanding of those Accots. will...
23To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 13 February 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
In the moment I was closing & dispatching my letters to the Post Office, I learnt from the Attorney General of the U.S. that you would be here on the 17th. My mind being continually uneasy on Acct. of Young Fayette, I cannot but wish (if this letter should reach you in time, and no reasons stronger than what have occurred against it) that you would request him, and his Tuter, to come on to...
24To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 29 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Upon a full consideration of the reasons offered by Mr. Short, in his correspondence with you, for removing the restrictions laid upon him by his present instructions, so far as relates to his not opening a loan for more than a certain sum and not being allowed to open a new Loan until the terms of the preceding one shall have been ratified here, I have thought it expedient, & for the interest...
25To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [3 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Motives of Justice, friendship & candour induce me to send the enclosed for your perusal. Let me know the truth of this matter. What answer is proper to be given to it, and by whom. The writer is urgent to receive one, having called once or twice since the delivery of it, for This purpose. I am &c. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. At the bottom of the page of the letter book...
26To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [8 April 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
Annexed to your Statemen⟨t⟩ of “Principles and course of Procee⟨d⟩ings” I have given the certificat⟨e⟩ required. I am yours always ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to H to Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, December 16, 1793 . See also H to the Select Committee Appointed to Examine the Treasury Department, March 24, 1794 ; H to...
27George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, 18 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The posture of affairs in Europe, particularly between France and Great Britain, places the United States in a delicate situation; and requires much consideration of the measures which will be proper for them to observe in the War betwn. those Powers. With a view to forming a general plan of conduct for the Executive, I have stated and enclosed sundry questions to be considered preparatory to...
28To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 14 October 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is the duplicate of my last. The calamity which has befallen Philadelphia & seems in no wise to abate renders it more essential than ever for the heads of Departments to Assemble, that proper measures with respect to the public Offices & Papers may be adopted. It is time also, if the President can with propriety interpose, to decide something with respect to the meeting of Congress....
29To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 8 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letters of the 26th. Ult: & 1st. Inst. The objection stated by you to the appointment of Mr. Spence being conclusive, I now enclose a letter from Mr. Wingate to me recommendatory of another Candidate, with my answer occasioned by the previous appointment of Mr. Woodbury Langdon, but should that Gentleman finally determine not to accept, and you learn, on enquiring, that...
30To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 19 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, July 19, 1794. “Pay to The Director of the Mint, one thousand eight hundred & thirty five Dollars and thirty three Cents, to be applied to the purposes of that Establishment.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. David Rittenhouse.
31To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [24 April 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
Pay to the Secretary of State in pursuance of the Act providing for the relief of such of the Inhabitants of St. Domingo, resident within the U. S. as may be found in want of support, one thousand eight hundred dollars; being the remainder of the sum granted for that purpose by the above act, and to be applied to the furnishing the said Inhabitants with the means of returning to Saint Domingo....
32To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 31 August 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my return to this city, I have recd: a letter from you dated August — We know officially, as well as from the effects, that an order for siezing all provision vessels going to France has been issued by the British government: but so secretly, that as late as the 27th. of June it had not been published in London: It was communicated to the cruisers only, and not known until the captures...
33To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [24 December 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
For carrying into execution the provisions of the Act of the 18 day of this present month, whereby the President of the Ud. States is authorised & empowered to borrow a certain sum of money on the credit of the United States. I do hereby authorize you the said Secretary of the Treasury, in the name and on the credit of the said United States, to borrow of the Bank of the United States, or of...
34To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 15 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
On this day week, I wrote you a letter on the subject of the information received from G—— M——, and put it with some other Papers respecting the case of Mr. De la Fayette, under cover to Mr Jay: to whom also I had occasion to write. But in my hurry (making up the dispatches for the Post Office next morning) I forgot to give it a Superscription; of course it had to return from N: York for one,...
35To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 10 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, November 10, 1790. On November 11, 1790, Washington wrote to Hamilton : “Since writing to you yesterday.…” Letter not found. ]
36To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 31 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] January 31, 1791 . Approves contract for supplying the lighthouse at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. LS , RG 26, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records, National Archives. See Tobias Lear to H, January 31, 1791 .
37To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 29 October 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
A voluminous publication is daily expected from Mr. R——. The paper alluded to in the extract of his letter to me, of the 8th. instt. and inserted in all the Gazettes, is a letter of my own, to him; from which he intends (as far as I can collect from a combination of circumstances) to prove an inconsistency in my conduct, in ratifying the Treaty with G. Britain, without making a rescinding (by...
38To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 27 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 27, 1794. “Pay to the Secretary of State, out of the fund appropriated to defray the Contingent Charges of Government, the sum of Fifteen hundred Dollars, for the use of Colo. Innes.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. “An Act making appropriations for certain purposes therein expressed” appropriated twenty thousand dollars for the contingent expenses...
39To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [1 February 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
I received the enclosed letter with the document therein, last night. For reasons which will appear obvious, I make you acquainted with the contents of them, being Yours ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. H endorsed this letter: “This covered a letter from Mr. Coxe of the 31 of January 1795 containing a charge against Mr. Woolcott for my having committed to him & he having exercised...
40To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 21 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
From Colo. Mentges’ information, there are detachments of Militia a considerable distance in the rear; compose⟨d⟩ in part, of those whose march was designe⟨d⟩ to be arrested. He adds, many of them are illy clad. This being the case, it appears to me, that an expence, without an equivalent advantage, would result from bringing them forward; and that the cloaths which they must draw to fit them...
41To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [31 March 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorised to negotiate and agree for a Loan to the United States to an amount not exceeding one hundred thousand Dollars, bearing an Interest not exceeding six ⅌. Cent ⅌ annum to be applied towards carrying into effect the appropriation made by the Act Entitled, “An Act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven...
42George Washington to John Kean, 10 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, November 10, 1791. Approves of Kean’s decision to remain in the service of the Federal Government in spite of his appointment as cashier of the Bank of the United States. Thinks it will be advisable for him to remain a commissioner until the commission expires in July, 1792. Df , in writing of H, RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters, 1790–1799, National Archives. Kean had been appointed...
43To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 11 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Since writing to you yesterday I have received your letter of the 6th. inst: enclosing the copy of one from Mr. Skinner to you, wherein he expresses his intention to continue in Office, which in conformity to your opinion, I am willing he should do. You will therefore destroy the letter, which I enclosed to you in my last, for Colo. Thomas. The person recommended by Capt. Taylor to be his...
44To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 4 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
United States, March 4, 1794. “Pay to the Secretary of State, in pursuance of the act providing for the relief of such of the inhabitants of St. Domingo, resident within the United States, as may be found in want to support, ten thousand six hundred dollars.…” Df , in the handwriting of Edmund Randolph, RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters, 1790–1799, National Archives; LC , George Washington Papers,...
45An Appeal for Funds for a Monument to Commemorate the American Revolution, 14 February 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, February 14, 1795. “Herewith you will receive the description of a monument proposed to be erected to the American Revolution, and the plan by which the means for the undertaking are to be provided…. The Artist, contemplated for the work, is Mr. Ceracchi, of Rome….” D , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; D , Sol Feinstone Collection, Library of the American Philosophical...
46To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 5 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Since the date of my last dispatch to you of the 1st: instant, I have received your Letters of the 26. & 30 ulto., and have affixed my signature to the arrangement of Compensations to the Officers of Inspection in consequence of additional latitude given to the President of the United States by the Act of the last Session, intitled “An Act concerning the duties on spirits distilled within the...
47To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 26 June 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter without date, came to my hands by Wednesdays Post; and by the first Post afterwards I communicated the purport of it (withholding the names) to the Secretary of State; with directions to bestow the closest attention to the subject, and if the application which had been made to the Minister of France, consequent of the Capture of the Ship Mount Vernon, had not produced such an...
48To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 18 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] December 18, 1793 . “Pay to the Director of the Mint, for the purposes thereof, two thousand five hundred and forty four Dollars, and thirty seven Cents, on account.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; letterpress copy, in the handwriting of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress. The original of the letterpress copy, which Jefferson...
49To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [7 June 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
I approve of the plan proposed in your letter of the 4 inst. namely, that a power for making a loan of 800,000 dollars be lodged in Holland, to be used at the time specified in that letter. When the business of Algiers is arranged, it will be seen, whether it be proper to give the premium of two per cent for an engagement to have the loan ready when it is wanted. The remaining 200,000 dollars...
50To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 10 August 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
The principal design of this letter, is to inform you, that your favor of the 30th. Ulto, with its enclosure, got safe to my hands by the last Post, and that the latter shall have the most attentive consideration I am able to give it. A cursory reading it has had, and the Sentiments therein contained are extremely just, & such as ought to be inculcated. The doubt that occurs at first view, is...