151From Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Church, [3 August 1785] (Hamilton Papers)
You have been much better to me My Dear friend since you left America, than I have deserved, for you have written to me oftener than I have written to you. I will make no apology; for I am sure you will attribute it to any thing else rather than to a defect of pleasure in writing to you. Mr. Van Schaik delivered me your last; if he were not a man of merit (as he is) your patronage would be a...
152To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 10 July 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your communication of the 3d. When I refer you to the State of the Councils which prevailed at the period you left this City—and add, that they are now, if possible, in a worse train than ever; you willfind that little ground on which the hope of a good establishment can be formed. In a word, I almost dispair of seeing a favourable issue to the proceedings of the Convention,...
153Power of Attorney from Nathanael Greene to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 16 August 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] August 16, 1785 . On this date Hamilton witnessed a power of attorney from Greene to Wadsworth. DS , signed by Nathanael Greene and witnessed by H and Dirck Ten Broeck. Connecticut State Library, Hartford.
154New York Assembly. Remarks on a Motion that Five Delegates be Appointed to the Constitutional Convention, [16 April … (Hamilton Papers)
I think it proper to apprise the house of the gentlemen on some of whom I wish their choice to fall, and with a view to which I bring forward the present motion. Their abilities and experience in the general affairs of the country cannot but be useful upon such an occasion. I mean Mr. Chancellor [Robert R.] Livingston, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [Egbert] Benson, and Mr. [John] Jay. The particular...
155Appointment as Commissioner to the Annapolis Convention, 5 May 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
Resolved (if the Honorable the Assembly concur herein) that Robert R. Livingston, James Duane, Egbert Benson, Alexander Hamilton, Leonard Gansevoort and Robert C. Livingston Esquires, or any three of them, be Commissioners on the part of this State, to meet with such Commissioners, as are, or may be appointed by the other States in the Union; at such Time and place, as shall be agreed upon by...
156From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [8 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I felicitate you sincerely on the event in Virginia; but my satisfaction will be allayed, if I discover too much facility in the business of amendment-making. I fear the system will be wounded in some of its vital parts by too general a concurrence in some very injudicious recommendations. I allude more particularly to the power of taxation. The more I consider requisition in any shape the...
157New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill for Dividing the Manor of Livingston, [18 January 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill, for dividing the District of the Manor of Livingston. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton according to leave brought in the said bill entitled, An act for dividing the district of the Manor of Livingston , which was read the first time, and ordered a second reading. New York Assembly Journal Journal of the Assembly of the...
158To Alexander Hamilton from Jacob Le Roy, March 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
Greenwich [ Connecticut ] March, 1784 . Instructs Hamilton to collect interest on money owed to Le Roy by John Reade. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Le Roy was a member of the New York merchant firm of Jacob Le Roy and Sons.
159From Alexander Hamilton to Peter Pillet, 17 May 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 17, 1786. The endorsement in Hamilton’s writing on Pillet’s letter of May 14, 1786 , to Hamilton reads: “Letter from Mr. P. Pillet. Ansd. May 17. 1786.” Letter not found. ]
160New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (Newspaper Account), [12 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
On Saturday morning, Mr. Jay opened the business by representing the unfairness of the proceedings in the informal Committee. He complained that when met for mutual discussion, they had been insulted by a complete set of propositions presented in a dictatorial manner for their passive acquiescence. He was soon followed by Mr. Hamilton, who in a most argumentative and impassioned address,...
161From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [26 November 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Hurry of business has prevented my complying with the desire of your letter of the 20th. Ulto respecting the arrangement you have entered into with Daniel Parker & Co. &c. Inclosed I send you a power of su[b]stitution which I hope will arrive in time. ⟨With all⟩ the ⟨–⟩ circumstances considered what has been done is prudent so as it does not affect any collateral security which I presume has...
162From Alexander Hamilton to William Livingston, 15 December 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 15, 1788. On December 22, 1788, Livingston wrote to Hamilton : “Being favoured with your letter of the 15th instant.” Letter not found. ]
163To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 15 October 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
While you Have Been Attending your Most Important Convention, debates were also Going on in france Respecting the Constitutional Rights, and Matters of that kind. Great Reforms are taking place at Court. The Parliaments are Remonstrating, and our provincial Assemblies Begin to pop out. Amidst Many things that were not Much to the purpose, some Good principles Have Been laid out, and altho our...
164To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 9 January 178[6] (Hamilton Papers)
Previous to the meeting of the Stock Holders of the Bank, I had several conf⟨erences⟩ with Mr R Morris and he softended down much. He consented to our Propositions, & this day in a very great meeting of the Stock Holders it was unanimously voted to have a legal decision as soon as possible—agreeable to ye instructions I recd from ye Gentlemen at N York. Mr Wilson then observed that the other...
165Baron von Steuben to George Washington, [26 October 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
I have lately made a fresh application to Congress for a final settlement of my affairs on the ground of a contract made with that honorable body previous to my joining the American army. The particulars and the evidence of that contract are stated in a printed pamphlet a copy of which Mr. Hamilton informs me he has transmitted to your Excellency. I have been just informed that Congress intend...
166To Alexander Hamilton from Ezekiel Forman, 22 January 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] January 22, 1786 . Requests Hamilton’s opinion on money due on “Middletons Bond.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
167From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 17 March 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Chester, New York, March 17, 1785. Hamilton wrote to Elizabeth Hamilton : “I have just written to you My beloved by the person who will probably be the bearer of this.” Letter not found. ]
168New York Assembly. Report on the Petition of Joanna Morris, 24 February 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 24, 1787. As chairman of a committee, Hamilton reported on a petition of Joanna Morris “on behalf of herself and the other Children of Roger Morris, and Mary his wife, setting forth, that the said Roger and Mary have been attainted, and their Estates sold and … praying a law to restore to them the remainder of the said estate.” Hamilton reported that it was unnecessary for...
169From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Blachley Webb, [30 August 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
Col Hamilton will do himself the pleasure to dine with General Web tomorrow AL , Yale University Library.
170The Federalist No. 67, [11 March 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. THE Constitution of the executive department of the proposed government claims next our attention. There is hardly any part of the system which could have been attended with greater difficulty in the arrangement of it than this; and there is perhaps none, which has been inveighed against with less candor, or criticised with less judgment. Here the...
171To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Milligan, 1 October 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 1, 1786. “I have your favour of the 26th Septr. Your objection to taking Mr Seixas’s bond is conclusive; his base acknowlegement of the amount of our claim I cannot consent to accept. Let an amicable suit be instituted and judgment confessed by Mr Seixas for the balance, with stay till 1st October 1789.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found.
172Alexander Hamilton’s Notes, [18 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Introduction I Importance of the occasion II Solid plan without regard to temporary opinion . III If an ineffectual plan be again proposed it will beget despair & no government will grow out of consent IV There seem to be but three lines of conduct I A league offensive and defensive, treaty of commerce, & apportionment of the public debt.
173New York Ratifying Convention. Sixth Speech of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—wishes to know what objectn gent. have to Congss. arranging the militia. Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. H was discussing the following amendment concerning the militia: “That the power to organize arm and discipline the Militia shall only extend so far as to prescribe the Mode of officering arming & disciplining ⟨– – – – –⟩. (John McKesson Papers,...
174New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill for the Speedy Trial and Punishment of Grand Larceny, [1 March … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill for the speedy trial and punishment of such persons as shall commit any offence under the degree of Grand Larceny. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton according to leave, brought in the said bill, entitled, An act for the speedy Trial and Punishment of such persons as shall commit any offence, under the degree of Grand Larceny...
175From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, [June–October 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June-October, 1787. ] “As I wished the cause of Bayard vs Breese and others to be regularly at issue & as the Chancellor could not readily be come at to procure from him an order to serve subpoenas on the Clerk in Court, I sent you a request some time since to file rejoinders.… I have not, however, received any notice of its having been done. I will thank you particularly to have...
176To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 30 September 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 30, 1784. Encloses legal papers to be used by Hamilton in “execution of the will of … John Holt, late of New-York printer deceased.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. After the war Pickering, a native of Massachusetts, settled in Philadelphia where he became a merchant.
177The Federalist No. 70, [15 March 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. THERE is an idea, which is not without its advocates, that a vigorous executive is inconsistent with the genius of republican government. The enlightened well wishers to this species of government must at least hope that the supposition is destitute of foundation; since they can never admit its truth, without at the same time admitting the condemnation...
178To Alexander Hamilton from John Sitgreaves, 23 October 1786 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 23, 1786. “Your favor of the 17th. was handed me this morning. Mr. Robert Bowne my Attorney … [will] call upon you for the One hundred and sixty Pounds received from Mr. Bostwick.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found.
179From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, 11 December 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 11, 1783. On December 18, 1783 , Chaloner wrote to Hamilton: “I have consulted the president of the Bank respectg the information you required in your Letter of the 11th. Instant.” Letter not found. ]
180Bill and Receipt from Francis Childs, [12 November 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Alexander Hamilton Esqr. to Francis Childs Dr. 1787 Nov. 12. to advertising the Farm for Sale on Frog’s Neck —9 weeks } £1.1⟨–⟩ ADS , MS Division, New York Public Library. Childs was the editor and publisher of The [New York] Daily Advertiser , a newspaper that he had established on March 1, 1785. Throgs (Frogs) Neck is a peninsula at the eastern end of the East River in what was then...