31From 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,...
32From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 6 March 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 6, 1784. On May 2, 1784, Church wrote to Hamilton : “I have within a few Days Received your Favors of the 7th and 18th Feby. and 6th March.” Letter of March 6 not found. ]
33From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 10 March 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last to you I informed you that a project for a land bank had been set on foot by Mr. Sayre as the ostensible Parent; but that I had reason to suspect the Chancellor was the true father. The fact has turned out as I supposed; and the Chancellor with a number of others have since petitioned the Legislature for an exclusive charter for the proposed bank. I thought it necessary not only...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, [21 March 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
Permit me to introduce to Your acquaintance and attention Mr Seaton Cashier of the Bank of New York. He is just setting out for Philadelphia to procure materials, and information in the forms of business. I recommend him to you, because I am persuaded you will with pleasure facilitate his object. Personally I dare say you will be pleased with him. He will tell you of our embarrassments and...
35From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, 22 March 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 22, 1784. On March 25, 1784, Chaloner wrote to Hamilton : “Yours of the 22d Instant I have just now reced.” Letter not found. ]
36From Alexander Hamilton to ———, 31 March 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 31, 1784. “I have considered the Patent to Mr. Woolley and am in doubt whether it is valid or not so far as it gives an exclusive right of ferriage; as this may be construed into a monopoly.” ALS , Bank of New York, New York City.
37Second Letter from Phocion, [April 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
The little hasty production, under the signature of Phocion , has met with a more favourable reception from the public, than was expected. The force of plain truth has carried it along against the stream of prejudice; and the principles, it holds out, have gained ground, in spite of the opposition of those, who were either too angry, or too much interested to be convinced. Men of this...
38From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, [7 April 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
Pardon me My Dr. Sir for not sooner having obeyed your orders with respect to the inclosed. I part with it reluctantly; for that is so rare an article, that when we get so much of it in so small a compass we can not easily consent to be dispossessed of it. I am very happy to hear of the union of your two banks; for you will believe me when I tell you, that on more deliberate consideration, I...
39From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [18 April 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 18, 1784. “I take the liberty to introduce him to you, as to one who will be disposed, so far as your situation will permit and the circumstances of the State may render practicable, to patronise any just or equitable claims which he may have upon the State. What those claims are he will himself explain to you, I have assured him that he will find in you a friend to justice...
40From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 16 May 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 16, 1784. On the envelope of a letter that Church wrote to Hamilton on February 7, 1784 , Hamilton wrote: “From & to Mr. Carter May 16, 1784.” Letter not found. ]
41From Alexander Hamilton to Hugh Knox, 17 May 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 17, 1784. On July 28, 1784, Knox wrote to Hamilton : “After a long long Chasm in Our Epistolary Intercourse, I received your favour of the 17th. of May last.” Letter not found. ]
42From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [17–]18 May 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
By this post will come to you a letter from General Schuyler, in which you will perceive he has desired me to draw upon you for a sum of money. The object is to pay for a lot purchased for Mr Carter. The amount of the sum wanted is £2800 this Currency. A bill upon Philadelphia cannot be sold here ⟨without⟩ considerable discount. I am therefore to request you will forward it by trusty persons...
43From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Pearsall, 20 May [1784] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] May 20 [ 1784 ]. Apologizes for “a too sudden opinion … relating to confiscated property.” Sends new opinion. ALS , Columbia University Libraries. Pearsall was a partner in the firm of merchants in New York City known as Thomas Pearsall and Son. For the text of H’s opinion and a discussion of Pearsall’s case, see Goebel, Law Practice Julius Goebel, Jr., and Joseph H. Smith, eds.,...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Egbert Benson, 8 June 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 8, 1784. The catalogue description of a letter to Benson from Hamilton reads: “Mainly on legal business, concluding: ‘No thing new here except that the Whigs by way of eminence (as they distinguish themselves) are degenerating fast into a very peaceable set of people.’” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold at Anderson Galleries, May 9, 1912, Lot 65.
45From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Chastellux, [14 June 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
Colonel Clarkeson, who will have the honor of delivering you this, being already known to you, I give him this letter more for the sake of renewing to you the assurances of my attachment and esteem, than from a supposition that he will stand in need of any new title to your attention. I will therefore only say of him that his excellent qualities cannot be known without interesting those to...
46From Alexander Hamilton to James Bowne, 17 June 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 17, 1784. Requests that Bowne “Let me know if you please Whether Philip Palmer and Joseph Palmer are both alive or not, and whether Mr. Leonard Lawrence is Executor or Administrator to his father.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold at American Art Association Galleries, November 24, 1924, Lot 329. Bowne was a member of the firm of Bowne and Company of New York City, stationers...
47From Alexander Hamilton to James Bowne, 17 June 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] June 17, 1784 . “Let me know if you please Whether Philip Palmer and Joseph Palmer are both alive or not, and whether Mr. Leonard Lawrence is Executor or Administrator to his father, if the former whether there are any other Executors named in his will and now alive.…” ALS , Mr. Samuel A. Mehlman, New York City. In PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New...
48From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 18 June 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 18, 1784. On July 24, 1784, Church wrote to Hamilton : “Two Days since Coll Clarkson arrived and brought me your Favor of the 18th June.” Letter not found. ]
49From Alexander Hamilton to Hugh Seton, 18 June 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been duely honored with your letter of the 30th of March; and am much flattered by the confidence you have reposed in me. I should with pleasure have undertaken to execute your wishes had I been in a situation that left me at liberty to do it; but it has happened that Mr. Wilkes sometime since applied to me on the same subject; and though I was not absolutely retained by him, yet as I...
50From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, 17 July 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] July 17, 1784 . “… the Defendant in the above cause intends to bring into Court at the ensuing term Twenty five pounds and Eight shillings, being the amount of what he acknowleges to be due to the Plaintiff.…” ALS , Sleepy Hollow Restorations, Inc., Tarrytown, New York. H addressed this letter to “Aaron Burr Esqr. Attorney for the Plaintiff.” On the document there is no indication...
51From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Varick, 23 July 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] July 23, 1784 . “Mr. Laurance & myself who have been retained by Mr. R. Smith being about to leave Town, I have recommended Mr. Smith to you in our absence.” ALS , Humanities Research Center, The University of Texas. Varick was recorder for New York City. John Laurance, a New York lawyer.
52From 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....
53From Alexander Hamilton to Ezekiel Forman, 4 August 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 4, 1784. On October 18, 1784, Forman wrote to Hamilton : “I am favored with your Letter of the 20th past and … one written the 4th. August.” Letter of August 4 not found. ]
54From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Blachley Webb, [7 August 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton requests the pleasure of General Webbes Company at dinner on Monday at four oClock. AL , Yale University Library. Webb was a native of Connecticut who before his retirement from the Army in 1783 had been made a brigadier general. Webb settled in New York City after the war. This letter is undated but the endorsement reads: “7th. August 1784.”
55From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [14 August 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
I received in due time your letter of 14 of July. The bills sent by you which have been paid and will be paid are on James & Alex Stewart £ 600 ditto 300 on Delafield 149. 4 James Buchanan & Co 400 on Cap G. Geddes 23. 9.2 William Bowne 30 1502.13.2 The Drafts on Lowe and Woodward I return by Mr. Mc.Cartys desire who will have explained to you. The ballance due on the lot will...
56From 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.
57From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Blachley Webb, [September 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
Colo Hamilton presents his compliments to Genl Webb requests the favor of his company to dinner on saturday next at four OClock. Letter in unidentified handwriting, Yale University Library.
58From Alexander Hamilton to Ezekiel Forman, 20 September 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, September 20, 1784. On October 18, 1784, Forman wrote to Hamilton : “I am favored with your Letter of the 20th past.” Letter not found. ]
59Petition of the President, Directors, and Stockholders of the Bank of New York, 8 October 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, October 8, 1784. On this date the President, Directors, and Stockholders of the Bank of New York petitioned “the Honorable The Representatives of the State of New York in Senate and Assembly convened” for the passage of “an Act to incorporate the Subscribers to the said Bank by the Name and Stile of the President Directors and Company of the Bank of New York.” The petition set forth...
60Receipt to John Thomas, 14 October 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
Received of John Thomas by the hands of John Laurence Twenty seven pounds for damages in the above suit and Twenty six pounds for Costs. ADS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. Thomas had served or was serving as sheriff of Westchester County, New York. After resigning as judge advocate of the Continental Army in 1782, Laurance resumed the practice of law in New York City. Peter and...
61From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [11 November 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
Mrs. Renselaaer has requested me to write to you concerning a negro, Ben, formerly belonging to Mrs. Carter who was sold for a term of years to Major Jackson. Mrs. Church has written to her sister that she is very desirous of having him back again; and you are requested if Major Jackson will part with him to purchase his remaining time for Mrs. Church and to send him on to me. There are also...
62From Alexander Hamilton to Francisco de Miranda, [23 November 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
Note of Mr. hamilton General Washington. General Du Portail..! Major general Green.—! General Wayne. General Knox.—! General Williams. General St. Clair. Colonel Dearborn.! General M Dougall. Colonel Brook! Marquis Lafayette. Colonel Putnam.! Major général Baron de Steuben.! Colonel hull. D , Academia Nacional de la Historia, Caracas, Venezuela. AD , Academia Nacional de la Historia. AD
63From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, [26 November 1784–17 July 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
It is the wish of several of the Regents of the University that a Meeting should be appointed on some business of importance; and I am requested to write to you on the subject. It will be only necessary for you to write to Mr. Harpur who is secretary of the University desiring him to publish an advertisement according to mode prescribed in the act. I am Dr Sir with great respect & regard ...
64From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [7 December 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
The Baron De Steuben has informed me that he is about to set out for Trenton, where he expects to make application to Congress for a final settlement of his pretensions. I feel myself so much interested in the success of his intended application, that I cannot forbear taking the liberty to recommend his case to your particular patronage. I have been an eye-witness to the services he has...
65From Alexander Hamilton to Stephen Van Rensselaer, 9 December 1784–1788 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 9, 1784–1788. “My public engagements have not only left me bare of Cash but have lain me under a necessity to use my credit at the Bank as far as consisstently with delicacy in my station of director I ought to go.… The opportunities my profession gives me have taught me to consider partnerships under all circumstances as delicate and hazardous things.… I am sure for once...
66From Alexander Hamilton to Egbert Benson, 10 December 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 10, 1784. “When you were in town you mentioned to me some cause which you expected to come on at the circuit and to which you wished me to attend. As the parties have escaped my recollection …, I have concluded to write to you on the subject; that you may inform me who are the parties & what the controversy.” ALS , The Huntington Library, San Marino, California. Part of this...
67From Alexander Hamilton to Egbert Benson, [1785–1787] (Hamilton Papers)
[ 1785–1787. ] Recounts the facts in the case of Mary Franklin, Executor of Henry Franklin v Teunis Slingerlands . LS , from a photostat in the New York State Library, Albany. Benson, a New York lawyer, was a member of the first New York State Assembly in 1777, a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1781 to 1784, and attorney general of New York from 1777 to 1787. He was a member of the...
68From Alexander Hamilton to Hugh Seton, [1 January 1785] (Hamilton Papers)
I presume Mr. Jones has ere this informed you of the disagreeable turn of your affair with Mr. Wilkes; but as you first committed it to my management I think it proper to give you some account of its conclusion. As Mr. Jones does not at this time practice, he employed Mr. Burr to issue process against Mr. Wilkes upon which he was put into confinement; pursuant to your expectation that his...
69From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 7 January 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 7, 1785. “I am mortified in being obliged to acknowlege to you my neglect of the business you committed to my care for your friend Mr. Holt. … I have applied to Mrs. Holt. I find she has some time since taken out letters of Administration with the will annexed during the absence of the Executors; a matter in which she never could have found any difficulty. It would indeed be...
70From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Varick, [10 January 1785] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamiltons Compliments to the Recorder and to Doctor Bailey —is very sorry that he can’t have the pleasure of meeting them this Evening as the weather is bad and he is a good deal indisposed. AL , New-York Historical Society, New York City. Varick was the recorder of New York City. Dr. Richard Bailey (Bayley), a native of Connecticut, had studied medicine in New York City and later in...
71From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Varick, 13 January 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 13, 1785. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by Patrick Madigan, New York City, 1914, New Series 2.
72Petition of John Lamb, [1–9 February 1785] (Hamilton Papers)
To The Honorable The Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled. The Memorial and Petition of John Lamb of the State of Connecticut humbly sheweth That Your Memorialist believing it to be the interest of the United States to form some treaty of amity and Commerce with the States of Barbary; and inferring from the general sense of persons with whom Your Memorialist has...
73From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, 2 February 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 2, 1785. On the back of a letter that Chaloner wrote to Hamilton on January 26, 1785, Hamilton wrote : “Answered Feby. 2d.” Letter not found. ]
74From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [2 February 1785] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 2, 1785. “I have received your letter with the state of the case enclosed. If you can make no arrangement for securing Mr. Carter without the assistance of the law, I am upon the whole of opinion it will be advisable to rely on the first bill of exchange, instituting another suit against Turnbull Marmie & Co. Though it may be a question whether they are not discharged by...
75Attendance at a Meeting of the Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves, 4 February 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 4, 1785. On this date Hamilton attended an organization meeting of the Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves held at the Coffee House in New York City. After the proposed constitution of the Society was read and adopted, the Society “Ordered—That Colonel Hamilton, Colonel Troup and Mr. Matlack be a Committee to Report a Line of Conduct to be recommended to the...
76From Alexander Hamilton to Walter Stewart, 21 February 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 21, 1785. “I have delayed answering the letter you lately wrote me in expectation of Mr. Templetons making some proposals, which it appeared to me he had some thoughts of doing, but as he has not come to any explanation, it is unnecessary to wait any longer for it. All that I can recommend to you to do, is to procure and send out all original letters or orders from Templeton...
77Committee of Accounts for Columbia College, 8 March 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 8, 1785. Approves an “Account of the Repairs of the Buildings of Columbia College in this City.” DS , Columbia University Libraries. H was a member of the committee of accounts for Columbia College.
78From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [10 March 1785] (Hamilton Papers)
I am requested by Mr. Oudinarde to transmit you the Inclosed Account. I observed to him that it was a little extraordinary the account had not been presented before; and that it was probable your accounts with the public had been long since closed, and that, by the delay, you may have lost the opportunity of making it a public charge, as it ought to have been. But as the person was very...
79From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Pearsall, 16 March 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
[ March 16, 1785. Pearsall wrote to Hamilton : “I have thy Letter of this date.” Letter not found. ]
80From 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. ]