141To Alexander Hamilton from John Foncin, 28 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Having been favored by General Lafayette with a letter for you, I greatly desired to present you my respects; and indeed I was very much disapointed, when I did hear at your country house that you were absent. however as I come again in this country, with a firm resolution never to return to Europa, I hope that I Shall have the honor to be once introduced to you; and as I have Served with zeal...
142From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [27 October 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
It is with great pleasure, I am able to inform my beloved Eliza that I continue to progress in convalescence; so that I propose to go to day from your Uncles where I have been to claverack where the Arbitrators are. But I do not mean to take any other part than that of Chamber Counsel in the business, till I am quite strong, for it will be my careful endeavour not to hazard another relapse. I...
143To Alexander Hamilton from John Wilkes, 26 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I am desired to inform you, That Aa. Giles Note for One thousand Dollars endorsed by you was protested yesterday Evening for non-payment, and that the Holder looks to you for payment of it. I am, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Wilkes was a notary public at 27 William Street in New York City. Aquila Giles, a resident of Kings County, served in the...
144To Alexander Hamilton from Abraham Ellery, 25 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I snatch the few moments allowed me by a Gentleman, who is going directly to New York, to transmit one of the charts I promised you. The others are not yet completed, as Mr. E who is my Hydrographer Genl. has been obliged to suspend his employment in that line. My intention is, to collect & copy the different charts of the river, that have any character for correctness, to check one by...
145From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 22 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I am here, my beloved Eliza, on my way to Albany —in much better health than I have been since my first attack at home. To avoid the risk of bringing on a relapse by too much exercise, it is my intention to continue here ’till tomorrow morning. Judge Benson is with me. The Arbitrators are gone to view the land in which business they will be engaged till Wednesday. On that day I must be back at...
146To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Jones, Junior, 19 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] October 19, 1803 . “Mr S. Jones Junior begs leave to remind Gen Hamilton of the case of Mr Remsen adm the corporation of the City of New york respecting the water lots at Burling Slip, which the Gen. has under his consideration.…” AL , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Jones was a New York City lawyer and the second son of Samuel Jones, first comptroller of New York State....
147To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 18 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I hoped to have seen you on my way hither; but the distance at which you were from the place of crossing the Hudson, & my engagements with my travelling companions, prevented. I duly received your letter of Septr. 16th. relative to the proposition you made in the General Convention. It was obvious, that those, with the propositions of others, were presented for consideration and discussion, to...
148From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 14 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here this day, in about as good health as I left home though somewhat fatigued. There are some things necessary to be done which I omitted mentioning to you. I wish the Carpenters to make and insert two Chimnies for ventilating the Ice-House, each about two feet Square & four feet long half above and half below the ground—to have a cap on the top sloping downwards so that the rain...
149From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, 10 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I distinctly recollect (as was once before verbally explained between us) that just before you made a payment of Two thousand Dollars on your Bond, Winships Mortgage was returned to you, as the mean by which the money was to be procured. I think it was sent to you by Le Guen himself. It is to be presumed, that Winship has had since some intimation from the possessor of his mortgage, and that...
150To Alexander Hamilton from Abraham Ellery, 10 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Dear Park , near Natchez [ Mississippi Territory ], October 10, 1803 . Requests Hamilton’s assistance in securing a clear title to lands in upstate New York which his wife, Charlotte Weissenfels Ellery, had inherited from her father, Charles F. Weissenfels. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Ellery, a native of Newport, Rhode Island, and a lawyer, had been a captain in the Sixteenth...
151To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 10 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, October 10, 1803. “I wrote to you several months since, & inclosed to you a State of facts &c relative to the seizure of the Diana at Lima, & requested your Opinion as to the validity of our Insurance. to that letter I have no answer, & am now apprehensive it never reached you; but if you have received it, & have had leisure to form a deliberate opinion on this Subject, I wish to have...
152From Alexander Hamilton to Harrison Gray Otis, 8 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Grange, New York, October 8, 1803. States: “A slight indisposition has prevented an earlier acknowlegement of your favour of .” Gives his opinion concerning the admissibility of evidence in a case in which Otis was acting as counsel for John B. Church. ALS , anonymous donor. Otis, a Boston Federalist and lawyer, was United States attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1796 to 1797 and...
153To Alexander Hamilton from Barent Gardenier, 6 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Kingston [ New York ], October 6, 1803 . “In the course of our political wr⟨angling⟩ I have engaged in a Controversy with Gen. Ar⟨mstrong.⟩ Perhaps I have touched a little too hard on ⟨the judge⟩ who presided at Lt. Croswells Trial.… I enclose ‘a View of the whole ground’, confident that in a Case of this Kind you will give us all Aid in your power.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
154To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 4 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
The salubrious air of this place has so well succeeded in restoring Mrs: Pinckney’s health that we shall set out for the Southward tomorrow. I shall endeavour to shake you by the hand in passing through the State of New York. This will be handed to you by my young Countryman Mr: Wm: Hayward who is ambitious of paying his respects to you, & I am sure your good nature will indulge him. He is a...
155From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [September] 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
The necessity of purchasing a quantity of land, which I did not intend, in consequence of a mortgage that comprehended a tract I had before purchased, has so far disconcerted my pecuniary arrangements as to require that I should obtain some further Bank accommodations, instead of gradually extinguishing those I had already procured. It is therefore my wish to obtain from the Merchants Bank a...
156To Alexander Hamilton from Louis Le Guen, 30 September 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Votre Lettre du 12, timbré du 19, ne m’est Parvenue que Le 29, alors Je penssaie inutille de vous Ecrire, vous attendant Le 28; maie désapointée de ne vous Voir point arriver, Je vais vous Prier de me mander En reponse, Sy nous pouvons nous flater du Plaisir de Vous Voir en Peu. Mme. Le Guen Et Moy nous flatonts que vous nous favoriserée de Votre Visite, Et Bien fachée que Madame Et Mlle....
157To Alexander Hamilton from Pierre Jean François Turpin, 22 September 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Profitant, monsieur, de la permission que vous m’avez donnée, et encouragé par vos bontés, je vais vous instruire de ce qui s’est passé depuis mon arrivée. j’ai vu monsieur Stevens à la quarantaine, il m’a parlé du désir qu’avait monsieur william hamilton de m’employer d’abord à faire la flore de Son jardin Celle des environs de philadelphie, et Successivement celle des états-unis en Générale...
158From Alexander Hamilton to William R. Putnam, [19 September 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
I have to thank you for your letter of the 1st of August stating the amount of taxes on my lands payable the present year being Dollars 21 & 97 Cents. Inclosed you will find thirty Dollars to enable you to pay them. You will oblige me by a line informing me of the Receipt of this letter. With great esteem & regard Yr Obed ser ALS , Dawes Memorial Library, Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio....
159From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 16 September 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I will make no apology for my delay in answering your inquiry some time since made, because I could offer none which would satisfy myself. I pray you only to believe that it proceeded from any thing rather than want of respect or regard. I shall now comply with your request. The highest toned propositions, which I made in the Convention, were for a President, Senate and Judges during good...
160From Alexander Hamilton to Louis Le Guen, 12 September 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, September 12, 1803. On September 30, 1803, Le Guen wrote to Hamilton : “Votre Lettre du 12, timbré du 19, ne m’est Parvenue que Le 29.” Letter not found. ]
161To Alexander Hamilton from Elisha Williams, 11 September 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Hudson [ New York ], September 11, 1803 . “I took the liberty of Stating a Case & inclosing it to you about the 20th of August for your opinion. Not hearing from you I fear the Letter has been intercepted. You will oblige me by informing whether you received that Letter and if you have by forwarding your Answer.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found.
162Receipt from Louis Le Guen, [5 September 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
J’ai Ce Jour 5. Sepbre. 1803 recu du General Hamilton, trois Cents Cinquante d’ollars, Pour Linterest d’un ân, Sur la Somme de Cinq milles d’ollars mentionnée au dit Bond. Morris Ville 5. Septembre 1803. ADS , Yale University Library. For an explanation of the contents of this document, see “Indenture between Alexander Hamilton of the First Part and Richard Harison and Aaron Ogden of the...
163To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Walker, 3 September 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Utica [ New York ], September 3, 1803 . “It unfortunately falls to my Lot to have the principal charge of the Estate of the late Mrs. Francis Bainbridge who in right of her Mother, Agatha Evans, was entitled to ⅔ of the Bradstreet Estate. From some of the papers and from some information I have reced it would appear that you have in your hands some Deeds or property belonging to this Estate....
164To Alexander Hamilton from Elisha Williams, 20 August 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Hudson, New York, August 20, 1803. On September 11, 1803, Williams wrote to Hamilton : “I took the liberty of Stating a Case & inclosing it to you about the 20th of August for your opinion.” Letter not found. ] A Federalist and a member of the New York bar, Williams practiced law in Spencertown, New York, from 1793 to 1800, when he moved to Hudson. He was a member of the New York Assembly...
165From Alexander Hamilton to Jonas Platt, 16 August 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 16, 1803. “The enclosed is pursuant to an arrangement between Judge Thompson & Mr. Troupe. The parties trust and hope, that you will by all means have the goodness to attend.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Platt, Smith Thompson, and Robert Troup had been appointed arbitrators and commissioners to settle the dispute over lands in Claverack, Columbia County, New...
166To Alexander Hamilton from Henry William De Saussure, 6 August 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Charleston [ South Carolina ], August 6, 1803 . Replies to Hamilton’s letter of June 9, 1803. States his opinion on Isaac Clason’s attachments on the property of Bird, Savage, and Bird and on the property of Robert Bird and Company and on the validity of an assignment of property which the partners had made to Richard Harison. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found....
167To Alexander Hamilton from John Nicholas, 4 August 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Although we have no personal acquaintance with each other; yet, as we have long had the same principles & cause, I believe, equally at heart, I take the liberty to address you on what ought to be dear to every virtuous and honest man—to every real and hearty well-wisher to the true interests & prosperity of this country. Sir, it is a melancholy & undeniable truth, that the principles, the...
168To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 3 August 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
How greatly have you Obliged And my Beloved Eliza relieved me of anxiety, by drawing from the unhappy seat of Contagion Mr Morton and his family. How much Am I pleased to Learn that you are to make an excursion into the country. I shall now no longer labour under those apprehensions which have so greatly distressed me least some Calamity Should befal my family. My fine Grandson Alexander...
169To Alexander Hamilton from William R. Putnam, 1 August 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Marietta, Ohio, August 1, 1803. On September 19, 1803 , Hamilton wrote to Putnam: “I have to thank you for your letter of the 1st of August.” Letter not found. ]
170To Alexander Hamilton from William Rawle, 27 June–29 July 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 27–July 29, 1803. States: “This morning I received your favor of the 26th. inst.” Answers questions concerning certain aspects of William Duane’s indictment and trial for libel. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found. Duane had been indicted in 1800 under the Sedition Act for libel of the United States Senate. H needed the information concerning Duane’s...
171To Alexander Hamilton from John Murray, 13 July 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, July 13, 1803. Requests Hamilton’s opinion concerning his father’s claim to lands in New York State. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is printed in full in Goebel, Law Practice Julius Goebel, Jr., and Joseph H. Smith, eds., The Law Practice of Alexander Hamilton: Documents and Commentary (New York and London, 1964– ). , I, 263–64. John Murray, fourth Earl of...
172To Alexander Hamilton from Josiah Parker, 9 July 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I trespass on your hospitality & former acquaintance to recommend to your civility in New York my friend M. M. Robinson esq. a neighbour of mine whose late bad health has determined him on a trip to the Eastward to endeavour to renevate himself; he is not a modern politician but an admirer of those men & measures that has brought our Country to its present State of affluence & respectability:...
173Purchase of Louisiana, [5 July 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
Purchase of Louisiana. At length the business of New-Orleans has terminated favourably to this country. Instead of being obliged to rely any longer on the force of treaties, for a place of deposit, the jurisdiction of the territory is now transferred to our hands and in future the navigation of the Mississippi will be ours unmolested. This, it will be allowed is an important acquisition, not,...
174From Alexander Hamilton to William Rawle, 26 June 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 26, 1803. On June 27–July 29, 1803, Rawle wrote to Hamilton : “This morning I received your favor of the 26th. inst.” Letter not found. ] A native of Philadelphia, Rawle studied law in England at the Middle Temple from 1781 to 1782. In 1782 he returned to America, and in 1789 he was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly. He was United States attorney for the District of...
175To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Stoughton, 25 June 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 25, 1803. Requests Hamilton to inform Dominick Lynch that “after waiting nearly Seven Years to procure a Settlement of our Copartnership Accots … it must now be determined either Amicably or through the medium of the Law.” States that he wrote to Hamilton on November 11, 1797, with “a Statement of Facts, Copy of our Articles and my claims.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
176Daniel Ludlow to Alexander Hamilton and Nicholas Low, 21 June 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
A. Hamilton } Esqrs. N. Low Your favor of the 17th inst. I this day only received and have to assure you that the Settlement of the trust you mention committed to our joint care and under my particular management has been an object I have long had seriously at heart and nothing has prevented the completion thereof on my part but the want of time. The accounts are in hands and nearly arranged,...
177From Alexander Hamilton to Nicholas Low, [17 June 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the letter I have drafted to Mr. Ludlow. Be so good as to sign and forward it. Retain carefully the copy on the other side. Yrs. with esteem ALS , The Sol Feinstone Collection, Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. Daniel Ludlow, a former Loyalist and a New York City merchant, was one of the founders of the Manhattan Company in 1799. In 1801 he was appointed...
178Enclosure: Alexander Hamilton and Nicholas Low to Daniel Ludlow, 17 June 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
It is now a considerable length of time since we became with you Trustees for the Creditors of Isaac Moses & Co and Samuel and Moses Meyers; and we feel anxious that the affairs of this trust should be finally closed. We therefore request that you will be good enough to communicate to us the present situation of this business and especially a statement of the funds, if any, which may remain in...
179From Alexander Hamilton to Henry William De Saussure, 9 June 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 9, 1803. On August 6, 1803, De Saussure wrote to Hamilton : “I received your favor of the 9th June.” Letter not found. ]
180From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Graves, 9 June 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 9, 1803. Gives his opinion concerning Graves’s legal questions and states: “Having myself lands in the vicinity of those of Mr. Scriba, I have occasionally received some information concerning the latter.… Some of my lands are now selling to settlers at the rate of three Dollars per acre.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter was written in reply to Graves to...
181To Alexander Hamilton from John B. Graves, 31 May 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 31, 1803. States that he is acting on behalf of George Scriba who wishes to procure a mortgage in Europe on land in New York State. Requests Hamilton’s opinion on “whether European citizens can hold in their own right a mortgage on real Estate and likewise in case of purchase, if they can hold real Estate in their own name and dispose of it.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
182To Alexander Hamilton from Ernst Frederich von Walterstorff, 31 May 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I will now according to my promise when I left St: Croix acquaint You of my safe arrival at Portsmouth the 27th. instant and write You a few lines about the present state of politics. You may think of our surprize, Sir, when we learned from an English Brig of war in the Channel that England had declared war against France and that hostilities had actually commenced. Who can foretell what will...
183Description of a Cipher, [23 May 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
Pour se servir de l’Echiquier cy inclus, en place d’un Chiffre, afin d’empecher la decouverte de votre correspondance; employer la maniere suivante. Ayant ecris votre lettre comme de coutume; vous prepárerez le papier sur lequel vous ētes intentioné a coucher votre copie secrete de la meme grandeur que le carré en Echiquier, lequel ētant placé sur le dit papier, vous l’y fixerez par les quatre...
184To Alexander Hamilton from Jacob Read, 19 May 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been applied to by some friends whom I very much regard, to give a few Letters of Introduction to Jas. Hume Esqr; now of this City and who intends in the Course of the summer to Visit the Northern & Eastern States, and I have had the Freedom to give him a Letter to yourself. The Wish I know Mr Hume entertained to be made acquainted with a Gentleman so justly intitled to Celebrity, as...
185Receipt to Benjamin Tallmadge, [6 May 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
I Alexander Hamilton of New York acknowledge to have received of Benjamin Tallmadge , Treasurer of the OHIO COMPANY, ninety seven Dollars five cents being the third dividend payable on five Shares in said Company, in the agency of Winthrop Sargent. Dated at New York this sixth Day of May 1803. DS , Princeton University Library; DS (photostat), Benjamin Tallmadge Scrapbook, Library of Congress....
186To Alexander Hamilton from Vincent Gray, 26 April 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
The Ship Aspasia being about to depart for new york, I take leave to present to you this my friend Mr. Walden a small Turtle which I beg your acceptance as a small memento of my grateful recollection of your politeness while acting at the head of the Treasury Department. I have resided here some time as agent of the United States, and shall in consequence of having many debts to collect for...
187From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Terry, 21 April 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 21, 1803. States: “Your letter of the 2d instant found me in the midst of a Circuit Court.” Discusses a case concerning Jeremiah Wadsworth, one of the executors of Nathanael Greene’s estate. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found. The Circuit Court of the City and County of New York met from March 29 to April 21, 1803. For Greene’s estate, see “Report on...
188First Version: Speech to Federalist Nominating Convention for the City of New York, [20 April 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
He took a brief view of the disgraceful measures of the general government, and then descended to notice some of the acts of the petty tyrants of our own state. He concluded his address by exhorting his fellow-citizens to lay hold of the present occasion, and wrest the dominion from hands so unfit to retain it. Speaking of the success of elections in New England, he observed, that the “Wise...
189Second Version: Speech to Federalist Nominating Convention for the City of New York, [20 April 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
After the business of the evening was completed, the gallant of Mrs. Reynolds addressed the meeting in a speech fraught with misrepresentation and abuse of the State and General Governments. He reiterated all the train that has appeared in the Post . He declared that the federal executive was too feeble to sustain the Government! But this restless & turbulent demagogue, this croaker of a...
190To Alexander Hamilton from Ernst Frederich von Walterstorff, 20 April 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
When I received Your favr. of the 5th August I certainly did not think that I should postpone so long answering it and returning You my thanks for this proof of Your kind remembrance. I shall offer You no appology for it because there is none that would be satisfactory to myself. I beg You only to be assured, dear General, that there is not a character in America for whom I feel a greater...