1To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 12 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 28th ultimo, enclosing a Copy of what you had written to the Secretary of War, on the subject of a Military Academy. The Establishment of an Institution of this kind, upon a respectable and extensive basis, has ever been considered by me as an Object of primary importance to this Country; and while I was in the Chair of Government, I omitted no proper...
2To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 27 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Since writing the enclosed letter to you yesterday, I have received a letter from Colo. Parker, and one from Mr. Mackey, Agent for the War Department at Harper’s Ferry; stating the impracticability of procuring plank &c. sufficient for covering the huts intended to have been built for three Regiments at Harper’s Ferry. In consequence of this information I have again written to Colo. Parker,...
3To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 27 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
To my official letters I refer you for my communication, with Colo. Parker. I have no conception however, that such difficulties as are ennumerated in his and Mr. Mackie’s letters, can exist in the erection of simple Hutts, (such as served us last war); and so I am about to inform the former. I am averse to the seperation of the 8th. 9th and 10th Regiments under any circumstances which exist...
4To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 26 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 21st instant, enclosing a letter to Colo. Parker, which I have forwarded to him, and at the same time repeated my instructions for hutting the Troops, in conformity with the idea which you originally suggested. I presume that the impression made on your mind by Colo. Parker’s letter, respecting Winter Quarters for the three Regiments, must have been...
5To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 15 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Since writing to you on the 29th ultimo, I have received a letter from Colo. Parker, informing me that he had fixed upon a spot, on the public Ground at Harper’s Ferry, as the most eligable place for cantoning the 7th, 8th and 9th Regiments, agreeably to your instructions, and the ideas which I communicated to him. And, I presume, measures are now taking to provide huts at that place for these...
6To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 13 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Incon⟨venient as it was to⟩ my finances, I have been ⟨induced⟩ to erect convenient to the ⟨Capital, in the⟩ Federal City, two houses which have ⟨the⟩ exterior of one, but by an ⟨arrangement of commu⟩nication may, according to the ⟨desire⟩ of the occupant, or occupants—may have all the conveniencies of one, or be entirely seperate & distinct. For these buildings a person of the name of John...
7To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 29 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 23d. instant was received the 27th; and this day will proceed in the Mail to Winchester—the nearest Post-Town to Colo. Parker’s residence, if he should be at his own house, the letter enclosed for him. There being no person in my view more eligable than Colo. Parker to carry your Instructions into effect unless Colo. Carrington had been in office as Quarter Master General, I...
8To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 15 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mrs. Washington’s indisposition (being confined eight or ten days) and other circumstances, would not allow me to give your letter of the 9th instant, and the Reports, Journals &c. &c. which accompanied it, an earlier consideration. Having done this, however, with as much thought as I have been able to bestow, under the circumstances mentioned, I can see no cause (with the limited force which...
9To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 14 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed are sundry letters (as mentioned on the other side) which have come to my hands, recommending Captain Edmund Taylor and Captain William K. Blue for the Office of Brigade Inspector. As this Officer is to be appointed by the Inspector General I forward these letters for your consideration; and add, that I have not a personal knowledge of the Gentlemen recommended which can enable me to...
10To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [11 August 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, August 11, 1799. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
11To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your private letter of the 15th instant came duly to hand. So far as my information extends (which by the bye is very limited) the Recruiting Service in this State progresses beyond my expectations, But is retarded very considerably from the want of cloathing, the ragged appearance of the Recruits having a tendency to disgust, rather than to excite enlistments. I think with you, that policy...
12To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 19 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favour of the 7th instant, with its inclosures, has been duly received. I am very glad to learn that the recruiting business, so far as it has been put in operation, succeeds agreeably to your wishes. It has commenced in Virginia, and I am informed that, in this vicinity (and I have no intelligence from the more distant parts of the State) its progress is very flattering. A supply of...
13To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 6 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 3d of May, and am glad to find that the recruiting service is likely to progress without further delay. To facilitate this, nothing will contribute more than Clothing. It is certainly necessary to push on this business with proper energy, and to be provided with an ample and timely supply of every article wanted, if it is expected that such Troops as we...
14To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 10 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mount Vernon, April 10, 1799. “I have received your letter of the 27th. ulto., enclosing a design of dividing the State of Virginia into Divisions, & Subdivisions, for the head quarters of the Rendezvouses in each: asking my opinion of the proper distribution of them, for the convenience of the Recruiting Service. The Grand division of the State, I conceive to be well allotted and with …...
15To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 14th. instant, with its enclosures, came to hand by the last Post. In the present State of the Army (or more properly the Embryo of one, for I do not perceive from any thing that has come to my knowledge that we are likely to move beyond this) and until the Augmented force shall have been Recruited, Assembled and in the Field, the residence of the Paymaster Genl (I did not...
16To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [15 March 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
[Mount Vernon, March 15, 1799. Letter not found.] “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
17To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [4 March 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
[Mount Vernon, March 4, 1799. Letter not found.] “List of Letters from G——Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
18To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 26 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mount Vernon, February 26, 1799. “I received your letter of the 18th. instant yesterday. You refer me to enclosed letters for information on the subject therein mentioned. One letter only came, and that under a Seal to General Lee, which I shall forward, unopened, tomorrow by my Nephew Mr. Bushrod Washington, who is a neighbour of his.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; ALS ,...
19To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been duly favoured with your letter of the 15th instant. When the disposition was contemplated for assigning to Major General Pinckney and to yourself your respective districts of superintendence, I was of opinion (as you will see by the enclosed copy of a letter which I wrote to the Secretary of War on my way from Philadelphia to this place) that the whole of General Wilkinson’s...
20To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your private letter of the 16th. instant came duly to hand, & safe: and I wish you at all times, and upon all occasions, to communicate interesting occurrences with your opinion thereon (in the manner you have designated) with the utmost unreservedness, to me. If the augmented force was not intended as an interroram measure, the delay in Recruiting it, is unaccountable; and baffles all...
21To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 12 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Herewith you will be furnished with the Copy of a letter from the Secretary of War to me, suggesting many very important matters for consideration, and to be reported on. It is my desire, that you will bestow serious and close attention on them, and be prepared to offer your opinion on each head, when called upon. I also propose, for your consideration and opinion, a number of queries which...
22Enclosure: Queries Propounded by the Commander in Chief, [10 November 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
1st. Is an Invasion of the United States, by France, to be apprehended whilst that Power continues at War with Great Britain? 2d. In case such an Invasion should take place, what part of the United States, in their opinion, is most likely to be first attacked? 3d. Is it probable that the French will, in the way of exchange or by other means, become possessed of the Floridas & Louisiana? 4th....
23To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 21 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The last mail to Alexandria brought me a letter from the President of the United States, in which I am informed that he had signed, and given the Commissions to yourself, Generals Pinckney & Knox, the same date, in hopes that an amicable adjustment, or acquiescence might take place among you. But, if these hopes should be disappointed, and controversies should arise, they will of course be...
24To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [9 October 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, October 9, 1798. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
25To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [26 September 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, September 26, 1798. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
26To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 24 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have seen the correspondence between the President of the United States & Secretary of War, on the subject of the relative Rank of the three Major Generals first appointed. But as it was given in confidence, unaccompanied with an Official letter, I had no ground on which I could proceed, without betraying that confidence. I have therefore written for an official account of the President’s...
27To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [14 September 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, September 14, 1798. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
28To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 9 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
By the same Post which brought me your favour, began in Philadelphia and ended in New York the 1st. instant, I received a letter from General Knox dated the 29th. Ulto, in answer to one I had written him on the 16th. of that month. In confidence, and as a proof of my frankness & friendship, I send both of them to you, together with my reply of this date; which, after reading be so good as to...
29To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [14 July 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 8th. instant, was presented to me by the Secretary of War on the 11th., and I have consented to embark once more on a boundless field of responsibility & trouble, with two reservations—first, that the principal Officers in the line, and of the Staff, shall be such as I can place confidence in; and, that I shall not be called into the field until the Army is in a situation to...
30To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 5 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, July 5, 1798. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
31To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 27 May 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday, brought me your Letter of the 19th. instant. You may be assured, that my Mind is deeply impressed with the present situation of our public affairs, and not a little agitated by the outrageous conduct of France towards the United States; and at the enemical conduct of its partisans among ourselves, who aid & abet their measures: You may believe further from assurances equally...
32To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 27 March 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Mount Vernon, March 27, 1798. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
33To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 8 October 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
The ardent desire which Mr. La Fayette feels to embrace his Parents and Sisters in the first moment of their liberation, induces him to set out for New York, or further Eastward, in search of a Passage to France. It was my opinion that he had better have awaited authentic accounts of this event; but his eagerness to see his friends—the fear of a Winter passage—and a conviction that he is under...
34To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 21 August 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Not for any intrinsic value the thing possesses, but as a token of my sincere regard and friendship for you, and as a remembrancer of me; I pray you to accept a Wine cooler for four bottles, which Coll. Biddle is directed to forward from Philadelphia (where with other articles it was left) together with this letter, to your address. It is one of four, which I imported in the early part of my...
35To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 22 January 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 19th. instant was received yesterday. From the general impression on my mind, relative to Mr. De Neuvilles claim on the justice of this country, a delay, or a refusal to administer it, would be hard; but I must add, that I am too little acquainted with the particulars to form a correct opinion, and were it otherwise, I do not see how I could, with propriety, appear directly...
36To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 21 November 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Having written to you on Saturday the 11th. instant (accompanying it with enclosures) without hearing any thing from you in the course of last week, or by the Mail of this day, I begin to have uneasy sensations for the fate of my letter. To this cause, & to my solicitude to have the Papers returned, you must ascribe the trouble of receiving this letter. If my last got safe to your hands, &...
37To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 12 November 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
In due time, and in good order, I received your letters dated the 4th 5th & 10th. instt: and shall be mindful of their contents. What construction do you put upon the information received through the assistant of D——r B——? and what notice, if any, should it meet with now , or hereafter, if application should be made for leave, or the event take place without? Having sometime since, called upon...
38To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [11 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, November 11, 1796. On November 21, 1796, Washington wrote to Hamilton : “Having written to you on Saturday the 11th. instant.” Letter not found. ]
39To 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, &...
40To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 2 November 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
On Monday Afternoon I arrived in this City, and among the first things which presented themselves to my view, was Mr. Adets letter to the Secretary of State, published by his order, in the moment it was presented. The object in doing this is not difficult of solution; but whether the publication in the manner it appears, is by order of the Directory, or an act of his own, is yet to be learnt....
41To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 6 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I received yesterday, your letter of the 4th. instant. If the promised paper has not been sent before this reaches you, Mr. Kitt the bearer of it, who goes to New York partly on mine, and partly on his own business, will bring it safely. I only await here, now, and shall in a few days do it impatiently, for the arrival of General Pinckney. If you think the idea of a University had better be...
42To 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.
43To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 1 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
About the middle of last Week I wrote to you; and that it might escape the eye of the Inquisitive (for some of my letters have lately been pried into) I took the liberty of putting it under a cover to Mr. Jay. Since then, revolving on the Paper that was enclosed therein; on the various matters it contained; and on the just expression of the advice or recommendation which was given in it, I...
44To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 August 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I have given the Paper herewith enclosed, several serious & attentive readings; and prefer it greatly to the other draughts, being more copious on material points; more dignified on the whole; and with less egotism. Of course less exposed to criticism, & better calculated to meet the eye of discerning readers (foreigners particularly, whose curiosity I have little doubt will lead them to...
45To 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...
46To 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...
47To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 29 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, May 29, 1796. On June 1, 1796, Hamilton wrote to Washington and acknowledged “Your letter of the 29th.” Letter not found. ]
48To 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,...
49To 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...
50To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 31 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I do not know how to thank you sufficiently, for the trouble you have taken to dilate on the request of the House of Representatives for the Papers relative to the British Treaty; or how to apologize for the trouble (much greater than I had any idea of giving) which you have taken to shew the impropriety of that request. From the first moment, and from the fullest conviction in my own mind, I...