1Election as Manager of the St. Andrew’s Society, 30 November 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, November 30, 1787. On this date at the annual assembly of the St. Andrew’s Society of New York State, Hamilton and five other men were elected managers of the Society for 1788. The [New York] Independent Journal: or, the General Advertiser , December 1, 1787.
2To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 12 June 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
I have made an arrangement to forward by express the result of the convention of New Hampshire to Springfield in this State, from which place Genl. Knox has engaged a conveyance to you at Poughkeepsie. Those who are best informed of the situation of the Question in New Hampshire are positive that the Decision will be such as we wish, and from the particular Facts which I have heard, I can...
3The Federalist No. 17, [5 December 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. AN objection of a nature different from that which has been stated and answered, in my last address, may perhaps be likewise urged against the principle of legislation for the individual citizens of America. It may be said, that it would tend to render the government of the Union too powerful, and to enable it to absorb in itself those residuary...
4To Alexander Hamilton from James Hamilton, 31 May 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
[ St. Croix, May 31, 1785. On June 22, 1785, Hamilton wrote to James Hamilton : “I have received your letter of the 31st of May last.” Letter not found. ] James Hamilton was H’s older brother. See H to James Hamilton, June 22, 1785, note 1 .
5From 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...
6New 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...
7Account with New York State, [21 May 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 21, 1788. On this date Hamilton submitted a bill to New York State. Document not found ]. ADS , sold by Samuel Freeman, November 18, 1924, lot 167.
8From 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.
9New 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...
10The Federalist No. 79, [28 May 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. NEXT to permanency in office, nothing can contribute more to the independence of the judges than a fixed provision for their support. The remark made in relation to the president, is equally applicable here. In the general course of human nature, a power over a man’s subsistence amounts to a power over his will . And we can never hope to see realised in...
11To Alexander Hamilton from John Chaloner, 17 February 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 12th. Instant I have just reced & am glad to find your Sentiments coinside with mine respecting the deposit of Bank Stock. I will immediately subscribe two thousand dollars for Mr Church. By the very next oppo. I will send a Sketch of the Acct between us. I am with respect Sir Your most Obdt Servt LC , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Letter not found.
12From Alexander Hamilton to John Laurance, 23 March 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March 23, 1786 . Plans to bring the cause of Benjamin Paine, et al. v. Peter Mesier, Jr. and Jacob Van Voorhees to trial at the next term of the Supreme Court. Copy, Mr. Otto Madlener, Hubbard Woods, Illinois.
13To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, [30 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is the final result of our conventional deliberations. The intended address of the minority proved to be of a nature apprehended by me. It was rejected by the party themselves when proposed to them, and produced an auspicious conclusion to the business. As I shall set out in a few days for N. York, I postpone further explanations. I have this instant the communications from N....
14Constitution of the Bank of New York, [23 February–15 March 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
Constitution Article 1st. That the Bank shall be called by the Name and Title of the Bank of New York. –2– That the Capital Stock consist of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars in Gold or Silver, divided into One Thousand Shares of Five Hundred Dollars each Share and that a Majority of all the Directors may at their discretion open new Subscriptions for encreasing the Capital Stock, when they shall...
15To Alexander Hamilton from John B. Church, 5 April 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
I am in your Debt and have to thank you for your Letters of the 24 Novr. 6 Decr. & 1st Feby. I left Directions at Sir Robt. Herries’s that in Case the Baron Polnitz did not Pay the Bill you had drawn on him to send the Holder of it to me and that I would take it up for your Honor, as I have heard nothing from them since I hope it is Paid. Your last brought me a Bill of Lading for £782.10.8...
16To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 2 November 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last hasty letter, I engaged to write you soon after my arrival in this town. Various questions will be agitated in the legislature (of considerable magnitude) which respect the orginization of the government. There is a party of federalists, who are of opinion that the electors should ⟨be chosen⟩ by the people, and the rep⟨resentatives⟩ not in districts but at large. These ⟨will⟩ be...
17To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 18 October 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
I am favoured with your two letters of the 30th September. The debate on Indian Affairs which I believe is got through, and that on the residence of Congress wch. is yet in agitation has entirely thrown aside for sometime the consideration of the peace establishment. When it is resumed I will take care that your application comes into view and shall be happy if any thing in my power may...
18Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Number of Votes Required in Congress to Override a Presidential Veto, [12 … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton added his testimony to the fact that 2/3 in N. York had been ineffectual either where a popular object, or a legislative faction operated; of which he mentioned some instances. Hunt and Scott, Debates Gaillard Hunt and James Brown Scott, eds., The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America. Reported by James Madison (New...
19From Alexander Hamilton to Helena Brasher, 6 December 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 6, 1785. “I am instructed by your brother Mr. Laurence Kortright to make the following proposal to you; to wit—that if you will pay him the amount of his account for money and other articles supplied you druing your residence in the Jerseys in the course of the war and will deliver him up his bond for £200 to be paid you at the death of his mother, he will then give you a...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Neil Jamieson, 10 January 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 10, 1785. Itemizes amounts of money paid for a house in New York City during the British occupation. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Jamieson was the head of the dry goods house of Neil Jamieson and Company located at 933 Water Street, New York City. H wrote on the margin of this letter the names of the various British commanders in New York from 1778 to 1783.
21To Alexander Hamilton from John Wynkoop, 25 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Conduct having always evinced, not only a fervent and enlightened Zeal for the Rights and Liberties of the People but a Capacity of deciding justly on great constitutional Questions; I make no apology for addressing you on this Occasion. The 25th. Article of the Constitution of this State declares “that the Chancellor and Judges of the Supreme Court, shall not at the same Time hold any...
22New York Assembly. Report on the Petition of Margaret Livingston, 13 February 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 13, 1787. On this date Hamilton reported on behalf of a committee of which he was chairman on a petition from Margaret Livingston and others: “Proprietors in part of the Township of New-Stamford, in the County of Ulster, praying leave to present a bill for the partition of the said Township.” New York Assembly Journal Journal of the Assembly of the State of New York...
23To Alexander Hamilton from Ezekiel Forman, 4 July 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, July 4, 1784. Asks for information concerning an act of the New York legislature “relative to debts due to persons who were Residents of Your State, and whose Estates have been forfeited.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Forman had been a New Jersey Loyalist who joined the British army. He was taken prisoner and later released in Pennsylvania. When this letter was...
24The Federalist No. 56, [16 February 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. THE second charge against the House of Representatives is, that it will be too small to possess a due knowledge of the interests of its constituents. As this objection evidently proceeds from a comparison of the proposed number of representatives, with the great extent of the United States, the number of their inhabitants, and the diversity of their...
25From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 4 August 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
The only letter I have received from you in a considerable time is one introducing Lt Col Hastings to whom I have paid the attention which your recommendation will always give title to. The following remittances made by me remain unacknowleged by you. A bill of Exchange drawn by Constable & Rucker for £400 Sterling Currency Specie ⅌ the Tankerville Packet £1057.17.8 Ditto per the Carteret...
26New York Ratifying Convention. Eighth Speech of July 19, [19 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—this [amendment] cannot be by way of explanation—but may be by recommendation. Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. See “New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of July 19,” note 1 . The proposed amendment reads as follows: “That the Judicial p⟨ower⟩ of ⟨the⟩ United States as to Controversies between Citizens of different States is not to be...
27New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Granting to Congress Certain Imposts and Duties, [15 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
There appears to me to have been some confusion in the manner of voting on the two preceding clauses of this bill; the first, for granting the impost to the United States, having been carried by a majority of one, and the last, for making the officers employed in the collection accountable to them, having been lost by a much larger majority. I was induced to hope, from the success of the first...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Isaac Gouverneur, Junior, [March 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Bremar last evening delivered me your Letter inclosing a Copy of your Correspondence with Mr Lewis. In a personal Altercation between two Gentlemen where their passions have evidently become pritty warmly engaged, and for both whom I always had Esteem, I should not be willing to give my Opinion on the conduct of one of them, especially when the appeal was not made to me by both. On this...
29From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [28–31 July 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here My beloved Betsey the fifth day after we set out, the three first days with every favourable circumstance but the two last through very bad weather. I am however as well as I can be absent from you and my darling boy —nor was I ever more impatient to be at home. I can have little pleasure elsewhere. I hope and persuade myself My Betsey is not less desirous for my return....
30From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Hazard, 1 September 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, September 1, 1786. Answers questions concerning a government contract for carrying the mail which Hazard had sent to Hamilton on August 1, 1786. Copy, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. Hazard enclosed H’s answers in a letter to Nathaniel Gorham, September 25, 1786.
31From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [21 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My beloved for your letter by the Post. I have time only to tell you that I am well and to request to be remembered to your sister & to Mrs. Mitchell Adieu My beloved. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found. Ann Venton Mitchell, H’s cousin, had been known to him during his boyhood on St. Croix in the West Indies.
32To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, [5–28] February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favor of the 25 Jany came in good time. Our Votes were given agreeably to your wishes Washington 7—Adams 5. Governor Huntington 2. By letters from Carrington I learn that Clinton is the antifederal Vice President but I think we have nothing to fear. I believe N Hampshire will give Adams 4. Massachusetts 6—Georgia 6 as letters from Georgia say he will have at least so many—which with ours...
33New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of June 21 (John McKesson’s Version), [21 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I endeavoured to Shew that the Contending Interests of the States produced that Compromise— That it would finally produce Safety— That all Attempts to vary that Clause will be useless— That it will finally from Circumstances & Cause produce a sufficient Represantation— I Contend that 65 & 24 will [be] sufficient for the Safety of the Country—the [number] will encrease—in 20 or 25 years be 200...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Pierre Van Cortlandt, [16 February 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
By the direction of the Committee I transmit you the inclosed letter. I doubt not Sir you will believe me to be sincere when I assure you that I should be much more happy if circumstances permitted me to be the channel of a very different application. But such is the situation of our state that personal attachments are obliged to yield to public necessity. As I allow myself to hope Sir that...
35To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Troup, 3 December 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] December 3, 1787 . Requests Hamilton to make arrangements for the purchase of a house and lot which Troup wishes to buy. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
36To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, 13 June 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Richmond, June 13, 1788. On June 25, 1788, Hamilton wrote to Madison: “I am very sorry to find by your letter of the 13th that your prospects are so critical.” Letter not found. ]
37From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 6 December 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 6, 1787. On December 6, 1787, Hamilton wrote to Angelica Church “I this morning wrote a short and hasty line to your other self.” Letter not found. ]
38From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [19 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday, My Dear Sir, The Convention made a house. That day and this have been spent in preliminary arrangements. Tomorrow we go into a Committee of the whole on the Constitution. There is every appearance that a full discussion will take place, which will keep us together at least a fortnight. It is not easy to conjecture what will be the result. Our adversaries greatly outnumber us. The...
39From Alexander Hamilton to John D. Coxe and Tench Coxe, 9 June 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 9, 1785. Cannot represent them in their land dispute with Robert Lettis Hooper and James Wilson, as Hooper and Wilson previously have engaged Hamilton’s services in the controversy. ADfS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See John D. Coxe and Tench Coxe to H, May 21, 1785 .
40Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Necessity for a National Government, [19 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton , assented to the doctrine of Mr. Wilson. He denied the doctrine that the States were thrown into a State of Nature. He was not yet prepared to admit the doctrine that the Confederacy, could be dissolved by partial infractions of it. He admitted that the States met now on an equal footing but could see no inference from that against concerting a change of the system in this...
41From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 15 June 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
Before I left Town for Albany some time since, I requested Mr. Duer to mention to you, that I believed it would depend upon yourself to be President of the bank here. Since my coming to Town I find you are elected director; and I have no doubt you may be President if you please. I will be much obliged to you to let me know in confidence whether the appointment if made will be accepted. You may...
42New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act to Institute an University Within This State, [24 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton hoped the house would not recommit the bill. There was no doubt he said but the legislature possessed the right to give this power. There were frequent examples of the kind in Great Britain, where this power has been granted. No disadvantage he said could arise from it; on the contrary, many would be the benefits. He therefore wished the bill might be finished—as no doubt existed...
43The Federalist No. 81, [28 May 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. LET us now return to the partition of the judiciary authority between different courts, and their relations to each other. “The judicial power of the United States is (by the plan of the convention) to be vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the congress may from time to time ordain and establish.” Article 3. Sec. 1. That there...
44From Alexander Hamilton to the Mayor and Corporation of the City of New York, 28 March 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 28, 1786. Signs, with 136 other petitioners, a memorial asking that the “Mayor and Corporation of the City of New York” improve the street in front of the Coffee House, “the usual place of resort for your Memorialists and the merchants of this City.” The memorialists complained that the street “for want of proper regulation and the great concourse of Carts is coverd with filth...
45New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (John McKesson’s Version), [30 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Lansing stated the differences between him & Mr. Hamilton on Saturday— Mr. Hamilton stated the sentimts. he had held forth— And denied that he ever was for Subverting the State Govts. or reducing them to the State of Corporations— Mr. Lansing—The Question is what were the Sentimts. the Honoble. Gent maintained. The Idea he held up was it necessary to reduce the State Govts. to the...
46From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Bayard, 6 March 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 6, 1784. “Mrs. Naomi Dunbar widow of Daniel Dunbar has retained me as Council in a suit which she expects will shortly be brought in behalf of the state for a house and lot in this city sold by you to her husband.… Mrs. Dunbar therefore wishes … that you would procure and send over to her a proper conveyance for the house and lot.” ALS , Mr. Justin G. Turner, Los Angeles,...
47To Alexander Hamilton from John Chaloner, 10 April 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Wilcox has agreed to take the Vessels say two of them the one which saild lately from Cheasapeak and the one now here that daily expected from Lisbon he will not take. He promised me his notes this day for two hundred pounds the sum he is to pay for the two Vessels. I shall propably receive them to morrow. He says he has considerable property on hand belonging to that concern. I think it...
48New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of July 2 (John McKesson’s Version), [2 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The Gent says if they are disinclined to a War they will clogg it agreed —but his Amendment is to encrease their Power If the President interposes Objections from Local Views it is an evill which can only be remedied by ⅔ds— The Gent would have 2/3ds in all Cases—This encreases the Evil— The fisheries are claimed by France England & the Eastern States The Navigation of the Mississippi Our...
49To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 6 November 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
The Count de Moustier affording a very favourable conveyance for Captn. Cochrans Watch, I have requested the favor of him to take charge of it—and he will deliver it to you accordingly with Mrs. Washington’s & my best wishes for you & Mrs. Hamilton I am Dr Sir Your Obedt. & affe Servt AL[S] , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. The Comte de Moustier, French Minister to the United States,...
50From Alexander Hamilton to Walter Livingston, [18 November 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton requests the favour of Mr W Livingston to lend his name to the enclosed. AL , New-York Historical Society, New York City. Livingston, a New York City lawyer, served as Commissioner of the Treasury from 1785 to 1789. The enclosure has not been found, but at the bottom of H’s letter Livingston wrote: “Nov. 18–88 The note enclosed was for £300 payable in 30 days drawn by himself in...