2201From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, [22 July 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I take the liberty my Dear Sir to request your interest for a friend of mine and a member of the family, Dr McHenry. He wishes to quit a Station which among foreigners is not viewed in a very reputable light and to get into one more military. He will go into the Marquis’s family as an aide. He has been in the army since the commencement of the War—first in the medical line, since the 15th of...
2202From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 27 October 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 17th instant found me at Albany attending the Supreme Court. I have no copy of the Treaty with G B at hand, but I am well satisfied from memory that the true interpretation of that Treaty, enforcing in this respect the true Rule of neutrality, forbids our permitting the sale of a prize taken & brought in by a French National Ship, equally as if by a Privateer —and that the...
2203From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, [28 September 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honord this week with your letters of the 28 August 6th. 12th and 17th instant with their inclosures. It gives me the most real pleasure to find that my past communications have meet your approbation; and I feel a particular satisfaction in the friendly confidence which your letters manifest. I am persuaded that substanial reasons have determined your choice in a particular...
2204From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 12 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter dated February 25th. 1800 last month from Colonel Parker requesting a certificate of my having directed him to lay out the State of Virginia into districts. the certificate I have made out adding to it my knowledge of the orders he has received from General Washington respecting the cantonment at Harpers ferry. in executing the above orders he has incurred considerable...
2205From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 4 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
As the enemy appear from different Quarters to be in motion it is necessary that the army be in readiness to march, it is therefore ordered that the tents be immediately struck—the baggage and camp equipage loaded—the horses to the Waggons and all the men at their respective incampments paraded and ready to march at a moments warning. ALS , University of California at Berkeley. Lincoln, who...
2206From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [1789–1795] (Hamilton Papers)
[ 1789–1795 .] Encloses the decision of the Federal District Court of Connecticut on the petition of Captain Timothy Savage. Suspects Savage of intent to defraud. LS , Yale University Library. The MS is a fragment without date or place.
2207From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 24 January 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you a letter of this day from Mr Miller, Inspector of Cloathing, suggesting the necessity of certain precautions for the preservation of the Hats which have been delivered. You will be fully sensible of the importance of due care on this point, and will I doubt not give the necessary direction to Mr Hodgsdon. I have the Honour to be very Respectfully Sir, Your obedient servt. Copy, RG...
2208From Alexander Hamilton to John Stevens, 26 October 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, October 26, 1795. “Lady Sterling has consulted me on the subject of the enclosed letter but without more facts than she is possessed of, I cannot judge with certainty in whom the right to the certificates is. Prima facie it is not in Mr. Dayton. But I shall write to that Gentleman to know precisely the grounds of his claim. This information obtained I shall be able to form a final...
2209From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, 20 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you copies of certain communications which have been made to me, respecting the detention of the Registers of vessels of the United States in some of the Islands of his Christian Majesty, in order that such measures may be taken as shall appear adviseable towards preventing in future a practice, which has a tendency either to interfere with the policy of our Laws,...
2210From 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...
2211From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 9 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
It gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity of announcing to you one whom I know to be so interesting to You as the bearer of this Mr. Motier La Fayette. I allow myself to share by anticipation the satisfaction which the Meeting will afford to all the parties—the more, as I am persuased, that time will confirm the favourable representation I have made of the person & justify the...
2212From Alexander Hamilton to Stephen Van Rensselaer, 17 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The enclosed letter being on public business of an urgent nature, I request you to pay attention to hastening its transmission—If it cannot be sent, conveniently and speedily, by the Post, you will much oblige me in forwarding it by an express. With great Esteem Sir (Copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
2213From Alexander Hamilton to Isaac Gregory, 20 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 20, 1792. “Your letter of the 25th. ultimo, concerning a certain seizure made by you, has been received. If the Sloop Polly passed 24 hours within any harbour, inlet or creek of any Port in your Dictrict without reporting, the penalty, in the 16th Section of the Collection law will apply; otherwise, there will be no penalty for proceeding to an ‘interior...
2214From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [1 March 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
Your Excellency will, I am persuaded, readily admit the force of this sentiment, that though it is the duty of a good citizen to devote his services to the public, when it has occasion for them, he cannot with propriety, or delicacy to himself, obtrude them, when it either has, or appears to have none. The difficuties I experienced last campaign in obtaining a command will not suffer me to...
2215From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Harrison, 10 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed I transmit herewith, an Account of Mr. Le Maigres against the United States for the hire of his Vessell to carry Mr. Higginson, who was appointed by the President of the United States, Agent to go to the British West India Islands, on the subject of the American Vessells captured by the British Cruizers since the commencement of the War between France and England which Account you...
2216From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Charles Stewart, [18 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
You will see that Mr. Farge is a man in distress. The General has given him an order to draw rations. From his situation he cannot draw them dayly. Can you advance him for two or three months at a time? This is wholly private. Yrs. with great regard ALS , Harvard College Library. Stewart was commissary general of issues. Accompanying this letter is an enclosure written and signed by H which...
2217From Alexander Hamilton to Susanna Livingston, 29 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I am mortified My Dear Miss Livingston that you should have had to write to me on the subject of your Certificates. Of all delinquencies, those towards the Ladies I think the most inexcusable. And hold myself bound by all the laws of chivalry to make the most ample reparation in any mode you shall prescribe. You will of course recollect that I am a married man! The Certificates have been...
2218Report on the Petition of Robert Oliver and Hugh Thompson, [2 February 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
[To the President of the Senate] The Secretary of the Treasury to whom was referred by the Senate, the Memorial of Oliver and Thompson respectfully makes thereupon the following report. It is the object of this Memorial to obtain restitution for a sum of duties alleged to have been overpaid in the district of Baltimore in consequence of certain mistakes. The business of rectifying mistakes in...
2219From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 18 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, March 18, 1791. Directs Lee to supply funds for any notes George Washington may desire to exchange on the President’s southern tour. LS , RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives. This is the same letter that was sent to John Daves on this date.
2220From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 19 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In the Estimate laid before Congress at their last Sessions, I included as an Anticipation of the late Superintendant of Finance the Amount of a draft issued by him in your favor on the late Receiver of Taxes for the State of New York for Fifty thousand Dollars no part of which appears to have been paid. The circumstances attending this Anticipation not being sufficiently known by the...
2221From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, [22 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, August 22, 1792. On September 10, 1792, Lee wrote to Hamilton : “I found on my return from a visit … your letter of the 22d. Ult.” Letter not found. ] From 1792 to 1794 Lee was governor of Virginia.
2222From Alexander Hamilton to Major Nicholas Fish, [March 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I am sorry that for want of a person to send them with, I have been obliged to detain your horses till now. The articles I shall want from Duychinks are: four pint decanters if to be had, if not two Quart do. a dozen wine glasses two ale-glasses to hold about a pint each, if not to be had, two tumblers. You will oblige me by procuring these articles as soon as possible, having them carefully...
2223From Alexander Hamilton to William J. Vredenburgh, [February 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
Willliam J. Vredenburgh Esq. To Alexander Hamilton Dr For my services as Counsel at Albany } Dollars ⅌ account heretofore rendered 75 Mr. Hamilton presents his compliments to Mr. Vredenburgh & requests the payment of the above. ⟨He will recall that⟩ Mr. Hamilton with Mr. Pendleton, argued his cause at Albany. The argument was successful. The amount was considerable. The points were nice. The...
2224From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 6 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your letter of the third inst. I have given direct directed Col. Stevens to provide such a number of Common and Horsemen’s Tents for the twelfth and thirteenth regiments as shall be sufficient with — what has been already furnished to make up their complement according to the peace establishment—From the situation of things in Philadela. I think it would be prudent to give the...
2225From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Willing, 13 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
You will probably have learned ere this reaches you, my appointment to the Office of Secretary of the Treasury. To the acceptance of this arduous trust, I have been not a little encouraged by the hope that my inviolable attachment to the principles which form the basis of public credit is so well and so generally understood as to insure me the confidence of those who have it most in their...
2226From Alexander Hamilton to John Cochran, 13 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 13, 1793. “I have directed the Treasurer of the United States, to furnish you with a draught on the Office of Discount & Deposit at New-York, for Seven Thousand Nine Hundred and Eighty five Dollars; for the purpose of enabling you … to discharge a half years pension which will become due to the Invalids of the United States on the 5th of the ensuing month.” LS ,...
2227From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 8 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to transmit to the President of the United States a Contract made by the Collector of Portsmouth in New Hampshire with Titus Salter for furnishing the Light house on New Castle Island with oil, wick, fuel & candles, and for the care & lighting of the same from the 15th. day of August 1789. to the 1st. day of July next, including some...
2228From Alexander Hamilton to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 18 March … (Hamilton Papers)
The Treasurer of the United States has been directed to draw upon you, a Bill, at ten days sight, in favor of the Secretary of State, for ninety nine thousand Guilders, which you will dispose of, according to directions to be given you by, Mr. Jefferson. I am &c. Copy, RG 233, Reports of the Treasury Department, 1792–1793, Vol. III, National Archives. This letter was enclosed in H’s “Report on...
2229From Alexander Hamilton to James Lovell, 29 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Various circumstances have prevented an earlier answer to your letter of the 22d of August last. The question referred to having been stated to the Attorney General, you will receive a copy of his opinion herewith enclosed, in which I concur. I am Sir Your obedient Servant L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1789–1807, Vol. 4, National Archives. Although...
2230From Alexander Hamilton to John Adlum, 24 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Not having recd. an acknowledgemt. of my letter to you of the 8th. inst. I send you a copy— You will please to direct Lt. Gibson of the Corps of Artillerists to repair to Fort Mifflin and take the orders of the Commanding Officer there till he shall be directed to join his Company. You will likewise detach the Artificers of Capt. Elliott’s Company to the same place With great consideration I...
2231From Alexander Hamilton to Jean Baptiste de Ternant, [11 March 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
I hoped ere this to have sent you the calculation desired. But it happens that the Gentleman of my Office whom I usually employ on such occasions is unwell and I have been too much engaged myself to test by calculation the idea which has been in my mind. Of this however you are sure that the charges being 4 ⅌ Ct and the interest for 6 Months 2½ ⅌ Ct 6½ ⅌ Ct six and a half ⅌ Ct. is the utmost...
2232Report on Stills and Spirits Distilled Within the United States, 2 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Pursuant to an order of the House of Representatives of the 8th of May last, I have the honor to transmit a general state of the Revenue on stills and spirits distilled within the United States, exhibiting the several particulars indicated by the said order, so far as returns have been received at the Treasury; to which I beg leave to add, the Copy of a letter of yesterday from the...
2233New 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...
2234From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [29 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment seen a Bill brought into the Senate intitled a Bill to define more particularly the crime of Treason &c. There are provisions in this Bill which according to a cursory view appear to me highly exceptionable & such as more than any thing else may endanger civil War. I have not time to point out my objections by this post but I will do it tomorrow. I hope sincerely the thing...
2235From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 18 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I most sincerely and heartily sympathise with you in the distresses and dangers under which your state is labouring at this critical period. I lament its misfortunes, as they are wounds to the common cause, as they more nearly interest those for whom I feel the warmest regard, and as they are suffered by a state, which I consider, in a great measure, as my political parent. I wish any thing in...
2236From Alexander Hamilton to Amos Stoddard, 13 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the sixth instant, and have directed Major Tousarde to signify to you that your request of a furlough is granted. The necessity of regularity would have had lead me to refer you to Major Jackson had not Major Tousarde written to me on the Subject— ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
2237From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 14 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The Attorney for the District of Virginia has presented to the accounting officers of the Treasury Department, a claim against the United States for his services in attending at Norfolk by direction from the Secy. of State, in order to take depositions respecting a british vessel alledged to have been taken by a french privateer within the limits of the United States; which claim has been...
2238From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [April 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
I request the favour of you to present for me the inclosed Bill & when paid to remit the amount in bills of the Bank of the UStates. Yrs. ALS , Yale University Library. This letter is undated but is endorsed “April, 1793” in an unidentified handwriting.
2239From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, 22 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your three letters of the 21st of March, 6th and 10th of April have been received, and gave me great pleasure. I accept your challenge to meet you in the field of mutual confidential communication; though I cannot always promise punctuality, or copiousness. I will however do the best I can. Will it not be a necessary preliminary to agree upon a Cypher? One has been devised for me, which though...
2240From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 5, 1799 . “I recur to your letters of the 31st of January 4th 15 21. 22 23 & 27 of February, for the purpose of doing whatever may remain to be done in relation to their contents. “… the complete formation of the several corps and their subdivisions which includes the appointment of the full complement of Officers is so essential to order that delay in this respect is very...
2241From 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.
2242From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter from Col Smith of which the inclosed is an extract. As the mention of Capt Fowler to you was in conformity with his opinion, after a particular consultation, I was rather surprized at the turn of his letter. I however sent his recommendation, though I imagine it is likely to come too late. And in justice to Capt Fonda , I ought to add that he was Adjutant of a batalion...
2243From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 24 February 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
You will have heared, before this reaches you, of the fluctuations and changes which have taken place in the measures of the reigning party, as to a candidate for Governor; and you will probably have also been informed that pursuant to the opinions professed by our friends, before I left New York, I had taken an open part in favour of Mr. Lansing. It is a fact to be regretted, though...
2244From Alexander Hamilton to Edmund Randolph, 9 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, July 9, 1794. On July 12, 1794, Randolph acknowledged Hamilton’s “letter of the 9th. instant.” Letter not found. ]
2245From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Lieut. This will be handed to you by Lieut. Rogers, of the first Regiment who is on the way to D’Etriot to join his regiment. for which purpose He wishes to procure his pay, of which he has never yet received any part. I should be glad Sir if you will facilitate the means of his receiving it. With great consideration & ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown and H, Hamilton Papers,...
2246From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Pinckney, 9 December 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Treasury Department, December 9, 1794. “… Be assured that in this and in every thing which concerns you whatever and however my lot may be cast, I must feel, according to the dictates of a genuine esteem and true attachment.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., November 30, 1943, Lot 143. Extract taken from manuscript dealer’s catalogue. The catalogue description...
2247From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Taylor, 24 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I am advised by the Secy. of War that Mr. Williams Storekeeper at Springfield has been directed to furnish to the Quarter Master of your regiment 680 stands of arms and as many Gun Worms. If they have not been received you will take the proper measures to obtain them. He likewise informs me that Col: Jeremiah Wadsworth at Hartford has been requested to provide for your Regiment, to be likewise...
2248New 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...
2249From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 1 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, May 1, 1792 . On May 2, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Washington: “The case was here before the Secretary’s letter of yesterday was sent to the President.” Letter not found. ]
2250From Alexander Hamilton to Horatio Dayton, 20 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is the natural of course for you to take the Directions of your Commanding Officer Major Hoops on the subject of your letter—but if there be in your opinion any circumstance of a nature so peculiar as to require a personal application to me, Major Hoops at your request will give you the permission you desire. In the mean time you will no doubt pursue his direction With consideration I am...