1To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 27 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letter of the 9th instant I rec’d; and sensible of the utility of the information you request, I shall give you what Aid I can, and shall readily communicate with you upon the important Subjects you mention, as health and leisure will permit. We have now arrived to that period, as I conceive, when every thing national should assume the appearance of System and Stability; and I am happy to...
2To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, [11] November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last Letter I suggested, that a good Officer might, for want of support, be borne down by the combined ⟨w⟩eight of people in trade. Since then, there has a case arisen ⟨i⟩n point. in the port where I mentioned your having a ⟨g⟩ood Collector, such persons have been appointed Inspectors, as were wholly unfit for the Office, by the influence of people in Trade. One of them has been already...
3To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 6 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been confined several Weeks by the fashionable disorder called the influenza, which has made sad work here. My Eyes were so affected by it, that I have wrote but little & read less. By the papers, & letters I have received, you must have had an unpleasant time of it too for several Weeks. I sympathised with you, & felt the force of various passions at different times, which must have...
4To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 20 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Since I had last the pleasure of writing to you, I have learnt with uneasiness, that some gentn. in Congress have had an Idea of stopping the progress of the funding System, with a view to compell an assent to the assumption of the State Debts. This Idea demands a very careful & cool attention before it be practised upon. The situation of things is to me critical & important. Shd. the question...
5To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 23 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, February 23, 1791. Wishes to obtain a position in the executive branch of the government, but will not accept a post that pays less than two thousand dollars. Congratulates Hamilton on the success of Hamilton’s “measures & projections.” Has heard that Hamilton plans “to establish deposits of Cash here & in york, at least, to exchange the Notes of the Proposed Bank.” Approves of this...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 10 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
France having declared War against Britain &c, Questions may arise tending to involve us in their disputes. I know indeed that attempts will be made to procure Aid to France from us, on the grounds of policy interest & obligations from Treaties &c. Such an attempt may be made through the medium of our Legislature in their May Sessions; & very sound Assertions will be made which may not be...
7To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 21 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The Event of a general War in Europe may give rise to some Questions which the Collectors will think necessary to be referred to you for decision. I will state a case that may soon arise. A Cargo of Sugars may be sent here from Hispaniola for Sale in an American Vessel. I may buy it & want to send it to market in the same Vessel without unlading or being at additional expence. But an Entry &...
8To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 28 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
In the present State of things new cases every day arise that require a referrence to you. It is a very desireable thing to have our Vessels & Our Seamen so guarded, as to prevent any interruption in Our Commerce that shall appear unreasonable & affrontive. There are men among us who will make the most of every injury done to our property, or insult offered to Our flag. I wish there were Sea...
9To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 26 July 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
We have here our french party & french politics as well as you; & they are taking measures here, as well as with you, to bring us to a serious point. They mean, I am satisfied, to force a decission on the Question of their right to fit out Privateers, to originate new expeditions in our ports to cruise on their Enemy. From the conduct & observations of the Consul here, & what We learn to be...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 24 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I have thought that in the present state of things it may be useful for you to know what has been done here relative to the french Claims of a right to fit out privateers in our ports, & the feelings & conduct of people this way on that Subject. Upon inquiry I can not learn that you will have received any farther information than what the news papers will give you but from them you will not...