3241From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [23 December 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you two days ago on the subject of obtaining an instruction from the Bank of the U States to the Direction of the Office here to prevent a speedy repetition of their call on the Bank of New York. This Bank has so large a proportion of its whole Capital in the power of the Office that if it be not tranquillized on the subject of demands from that quarter, it will be driven to such...
3242From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 28 December 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I received yesterday your’s by Post, which I communicated immediately to the Directors of both Banks, that is, so much as concerned each party. It has been very consolatory to the Bank of New York & will do good. All will be well. Mr. Alexander McComb applied, while I was in Office, respecting some land he & Edgar had purchased of the Public and on which they had made a partial payment which...
3243From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have been reading the report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the subject of direct taxes. I think it does him credit. The general principles and objects are certainly good. Nor am I sure that any thing better can be done. I remember, however, that I once promised you to put in writing my ideas on the subject. I intended to have done it and communicated them to the Secretary. My hurry &...
3244Enclosure: [Ideas on the Subject of Direct Taxes], [January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
A Million of Dollars per annum to be raised on buildings and lands on the following plan I Upon inhabited dwelling houses thus— Upon every such house of the description and denomination of a log house at the rate of 20 Cents for each room or apartment thereof exclusive of Garret & Cellar Upon every other inhabited dwelling house of two rooms or apartments, exclusive of Halls or Entries...
3245From Alexander Hamilton to Isaac Gouverneur and Peter Kemble, 19 January 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] January 19, 1797 . “You are hereby requested to produce on the Trial of this cause during the present term whensoever the same shall be the letters from the Plaintiff to you whereof a list is at foot.…” ADfS , Free Library of Philadelphia; ADf , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This is a reference to the case of Louis Le Guen v Isaac Gouverneur and Peter Kemble , which was...
3246From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [19 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
This will probably be handed you by Mrs De Neuville widow of Mr. De Neuville of Holland a Gentleman who embarked very zealously and very early in the cause of this country—was instrumental in promoting it and as I understand an object of persecution in consequence of it, which was a link in the chain of his pecuniary ruin. I think his widow has a strong claim upon the kindness of our country...
3247From Alexander Hamilton to William Loughton Smith, [19 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Mrs. De Neufville widow of Mr. De Neufville formerly of Holland is on her way to Philadelphia to solicit the Kindness of Congress in virtue of services rendered the American cause by her husband. You probably Know their history as South Carolina was particularly concerned. From what I have heard it seems to me her pretensions on the score of her husband to the Kindness of this Country are...
3248From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 19 January 179[7] (Hamilton Papers)
Mrs. De Neuville widow of Mr. De Neuville formerly of Holland lately passed through this City. On her way she called upon me and announced her intention to make application to Congress on the ground of the political services rendered the UStates by her husband, as in fact a principal cause of his pecuniary misfortunes—and expressed a wish that I would bring her case under your eye. I told her...
3249From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [20 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I received your late letter in due time. You seem to be of opinion to defer to a future period the commencement of direct taxation. I acknowlege I am inclined to lay gently hold of it now. Leaders of the opposite party favour it now, perhaps with no good design. But it will be well to take them while in the humour and make them share the responsibility. This will be the more easy as they are...
3250From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 21 January 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 21, 1797. On January 23, 1797, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “Your letter of the 21st inst. is just received.” Letter not found. ]
3251From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [23 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I remember that very early in the day & prior to any act of Great Britain the French passed a decree violating with regard to all the neutral powers the principle of free ships free goods & I think making provisions liable to seizure. This decree was afterwards rescinded as to America—then again revived & then again revoked. I want copies of these decrees for a particular purpose useful to the...
3252The Warning No. I, [27 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
There are appearances too strong not to excite apprehension that the affairs of this Country are drawing fast to an eventful crisis. Various circumstances dayly unfolding themselves authorise a conclusion that France has adopted a system of conduct towards the neutral maritime nations generally which amount to little less than actual hostility. I mean the total interruption of their Trade with...
3253From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [25–31 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The sitting of the Court and an uncommon pressure of business have unavoidably delayed an answer to your last favour. I have read with attention Mr. Pickerings letter. It is in the main a substantial and satisfactory paper, will in all probability do considerable good in enlightening public opinion at home—and I do not know that it contains any thing which will do harm elsewhere. It wants...
3254From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [31 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
My late situation exposes me to applications which I cannot resist without appearing unkind. It is understood that Mr. Walker is about to resign the place of naval Officer. Mr. Jonathan Burrall Mr. Rogers (Walker’s Deputy) and Col Giles (the present Marshall) have all three mentioned the subject to me and requested me to express my opinion of their qualifications to you. As to Mr. Burrall...
3255From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 4 February 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 4, 1797. On February 9, 1797, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “Your favour of the 4th only reached me Yesterday.” Letter not found. ]
3256From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [6 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 23 of Jany with its inclosure, for which I am much obliged to you. I have read it with great pleasure. It is a substantial satisfactory paper will do good in this Country & as to France I presume events will govern there. Is it not proper to call upon the Merchants to furnish your Department with statements & proofs of the spoliations which we have suffered...
3257The Warning No. II, [7 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Independent of the commands of honor, the coolest calculations of interest forbid our becoming the instruments of the Ambition of France, by associating with her in the War. The question is no longer the establishment of liberty on the basis of Republican Government. This point, the enemies of France have ceased to dispute. The question now is whether she shall be aggrandized by new...
3258From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [10 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
If I recollect right, Chancellor Livingston while Secy for foreign Affairs reported a censure upon Our Commissioners who made the peace with G Britain for not obeying their instructions with regard to France. Will you favour me in confidence with the real state of this business? I was at the time a member of Congress. It was immediately on the arrival of the provisional articles. I trust my...
3259From Alexander Hamilton to Hall and Stimpson, 11 February 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 11, 1797. “The suits against Riley as a Partner of Wetmore are expected to be matured for Trial at the ensuing Circuit Court which begins the 20th of March. I should of course want the original documents to establish the Copartnership and the original notes & acknowleged accounts to establish the respective demands of the parties. As the measures preparatory to Trial are...
3260From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [15 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Geave me leave to recall to your recollection and acquaintance Mr. De Talon the bearer of this, who, as he informs me, goes to Europe on private business. I need not observe that he is an interesting man, as you know all his titles to the attention, which your situation will permit you to afford. You must not think, I forget you, because I do no write (for this is only my third letter). I am...
3261From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [17 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I groan My Dr. Sir at the disgraceful course of our affairs. I pity all those who are officially in their vortex. The behaviour of Congress in the present crisis is a new political phœnomenon. They must be severally arraigned before the Bar of the Public. How unfortunate that our friends suffer themselves by their passiveness to be confounded in the guilt. Yrs. truly ALS , Connecticut...
3262The Warning No. III, [21 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The Paris Accounts inform us that France has lately exercised towards Genoa an act of atrocious oppression, which is an additional and a striking indication of the domineering and predatory Spirit by which she is governed. This little Republic, whose territory scarcely extends beyond the walls of her metropolis, has been compelled, it seems, to ransom herself from the talons of France by a...
3263From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 23 February 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 23, 1797. On March 3, 1797, Morris wrote to Hamilton and referred to “Yours of the 23d.” Letter not found. ]
3264From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [26 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The present inimitable course of our public affairs proves me to be a very bad politician so that I am afraid to suggest any idea that occurs to me. Yet I will give over my timidity & communicate for your consideration a reverie which has struck me. It is a fact, that the resentment of the French Government is very much levelled at the actual President. A change of the person (however...
3265The Warning No. IV, [27 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The emissaries of France when driven from every other expedient for extenuating her depredations have a last refuge in the example of Great Britain. The Treatment which we receive from France (say they) is not worse than that which was received from Great Britain. If this apology were founded in fact it would still be a miserable subterfuge. For what excuse is it to France, or what consolation...
3266From Alexander Hamilton to William Beekman, [1 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 1, 1797. ] “Having reconsidered the case of your Uncle (Wm. Beekman’s) Will with the authorities—I advise the Devisees to claim all that by the Partition became his several property & which in my former opinion with Mr. Evertson was considered as passing by his Will, not merely a proportion equal to his interest before Partition in the part which remained to him after...