51To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Riker, 18 August 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 18, 1801. Encloses £100 as a retainer from Robert and Hamilton Stewart. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Riker was a New York City lawyer. The Stewarts were brokers with offices at 54 Maiden Lane in New York City. This letter concerns the case of Robert and Hamilton Stewart v Martha Eden, Executrix, and Joseph and Medcef Eden, Executors of Medcef Eden, Sr. , which...
52To Alexander Hamilton from Abraham Van Vechten, [13–21 March 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
I am enjoined by the genl. Committee to tax your Goodness to prepare a short, temperate & pertinent supplementary Address by way of reply to that of our Opponents. This tax will be levied & collected without communicating whence it is derived. Yours &c. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Van Vechten, an Albany lawyer and Federalist, served in the New York Senate from 1798 to 1805. In...
53To Alexander Hamilton from George Clinton, 6 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your Letter of the 2d. Instant. I cannot conceive it possible that Inferences can be drawn from any Circumstance attending the transaction alluded to repugnant to the explicit declaration contained in my Letter to you of the 29th. of last Month without calling in question the truth of them, and this I trust will not be attempted. It was not to be expected that I...
54To Alexander Hamilton from Gouverneur Morris, 11 March 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I have your two Letters of the 27th. of Feby. and the 4th. Instant. I thank you for them. In Reply to what you tell me in the Close of the former I can only say that your Talents if not your Birth entitle you to the Rank of an American Citizen. To be born in America seems to be a Matter of Indifference at New York, an advantage in New England, a Disadvantage in Pensilvania. You say I am not....
55To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Carroll of Carrollton, 19 December 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Annapolis [ Maryland ] December 19, 1801 . Encloses three drafts of eight thousand dollars each payable to Isaac Bronson. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Carroll paid Isaac Bronson, a New York City businessman, twenty-four thousand dollars for discharging a lien against twelve thousand acres of land which Carroll had purchased from Robert C. Johnson. For information concerning the...
56To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Peters, 8 January 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 29 Decr. I did not receive ’till the Day before Yesterday. I marvel that you should be a dissappointed Politician. I am a mortified but not dissappointed one. You must have foreseen the Catastrophe which has befallen us. I was a Cassandra because more of a Looker on, than one playing the Game. Much useless Pains did I take in the Case of the House Tax &c &c to earn among my...
57To Alexander Hamilton from Abraham Ellery, 25 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I snatch the few moments allowed me by a Gentleman, who is going directly to New York, to transmit one of the charts I promised you. The others are not yet completed, as Mr. E who is my Hydrographer Genl. has been obliged to suspend his employment in that line. My intention is, to collect & copy the different charts of the river, that have any character for correctness, to check one by...
58To Alexander Hamilton from Aaron Burr, 18 June 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I send for your perusal a letter signed Ch. D. Cooper which, though apparently published some time ago, has but very recently come to my knowledge. Mr Van Ness who does me the favor to deliver this, will point out to you that Clause of the letter to which I particularly request your attention. You might perceive, Sir, the necessity of a prompt and unqualified acknowledgment or denial of the...
59To Alexander Hamilton from John Penn, 21 August 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
A respect for great talents & virtues, under the direction of sound judgement, & long exemplified in times of danger & difficulty, induces me to request that you would do me the honour of accepting the two volumes of poems, illustrated with plates, which will be sent nearly at the time of the present letter, as a tribute due to them. Among the plates are representations of a spot in England,...
60To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Glen, 21 March 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Albany, March 21, 1801. Repeats earlier requests to Hamilton. States: “I wrote you twice from the City of Washington but mist you going to Alby. & yesterday I came down to this City on purpose But you had Saild. about 2-Hours.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Glen to H, January 27, 1801 . The other letter from Glen has not been found. H had been in Albany attending the New York...
61To Alexander Hamilton from Archibald Gracie, [23 March 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose a newspaper in which you will find a Copy of the Bill before the Legislature for restraining unincorporated Institutions from Banking. It has occured to me & several Gentlemen with whom I have conversed upon the subject of this bill that it goes much farther than probably the Committee intended it should, and if pass’d into a Law, will prevent Individuals or Partnerships receiving...
62To Alexander Hamilton from William Rawle, 27 June–29 July 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 27–July 29, 1803. States: “This morning I received your favor of the 26th. inst.” Answers questions concerning certain aspects of William Duane’s indictment and trial for libel. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found. Duane had been indicted in 1800 under the Sedition Act for libel of the United States Senate. H needed the information concerning Duane’s...
63To Alexander Hamilton from James A. Bayard, 29 December 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Washington, December 29. 1801. States that “the cause of Messrs. Graves & Barnwell in which you were so obliging to mention my name as Counsel to the Plaintiffs” was argued in the Supreme Court of the United States and decided in favor of the defendant. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. The case of Graves et al. v The Boston Marine Insurance Company was heard before the Supreme Court...
64To Alexander Hamilton from John Guillemard, 22 February 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to your acquaintance and recommending to your attentions the Earl of Selkirk a young Nobleman whose merits you will soon be able to appreciate and respect. I shall be excused for my motive’s sake, which is not only to render him Service but to assure you that neither time nor distance have diminished the high sense I entertain of the attentions with which you...
65To Alexander Hamilton from Pierre Charles L’Enfant, 4 September 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 18th. ulto (say of the 27. according to post.) which came to hand only last monday. with respect to the Sentiments you manifest I can truely say that if I had not Confided in your good disposition and deed not heighly value to retain your friendship—I certainly would not have writen So freely nor so openly to you as I laterly deed? therefore let those Ideas and...
66To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 6 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
After further enquiry, I annex little credit to the notice posted at Loyds’, that two american vessels had been carried into Algiers. Two vessels the Franklin morris master, and the Rose (master not known) said to be of Philadelphia, are reported to have been taken by the cruisers of morocco or some other of the Barbary Powers. These are also the vessels which are mentioned at Loyds as having...
67To Alexander Hamilton from Albert Gallatin, 13 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor to receive your letter of the 6th instt., and have directed the documents therein enclosed to be filed with the other papers relative to the French prize “Peggy.” The enclosed papers will show, however, that the President does not intend that any further payments should be made, out of the Treasury, on account of that vessel; and that, even in case of such payment being made,...
68To Alexander Hamilton from Josiah Parker, 9 July 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I trespass on your hospitality & former acquaintance to recommend to your civility in New York my friend M. M. Robinson esq. a neighbour of mine whose late bad health has determined him on a trip to the Eastward to endeavour to renevate himself; he is not a modern politician but an admirer of those men & measures that has brought our Country to its present State of affluence & respectability:...
69To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 5 March 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Charleston, South Carolina, March 5, 1803. On March 6, 1803, Pinckney wrote to Hamilton : “I wrote you a few lines yesterday.” Letter not found. ]
70To Alexander Hamilton from John C. Kunze, 3 July 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
In a conversation, my esteemed friend Dr. Livingston had with Judge Benson, this gentleman received an information of the injustice, the Lutheran church-trustees in Albany intend to do to me and the Lutheran church in general in America. As he intends to go up to Albany, where he is to Stay a considerable time, he generously promised Dr. Livingston, to look into this matter & endeavour to...
71To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 15 November 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Although you can have no motive for desiring to extend the circle of your acquaintance, yet I am persuaded your Hand & your Heart will ever be free, to the Honourable, the amiable & the erudite of whatever clime or Country; under this impression I have presumed to introduce to you Mr John Forbes of Pensacola, principal Copartner in America, of the opulent & respectable House of Paton & Leslie,...
72To Alexander Hamilton from William W. Woolsey, 4 September 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I am as much disatisfied with the recent conduct of the manumission Society as you can be, and have out of doors remonstrated against the measures which they have pursued, but without effect. My name appears as Vice President although I have not for several years attended a meeting of the Society. I had almost determined before your note, that I would remove my individual responsibility by a...
73To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 19 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
On Monday evening I returned to my family. Days of constant activity, and some of fatigue were succeeded by nights of sound sleep. This with a good appetite, and good food to satisfy it, afforded me as good health as I ever enjoyed, and which I still retain. My labours have been crowned with Success & one of the Locks in Wood Creek is contemplated, a Second greatly advanced and a third will be...
74To Alexander Hamilton from Aaron Burr, 22 June 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. V Ness has this evening reported to me Verbally that you refuse to answer my last letter, that you consider the course I have taken as intemperate and unnecessary and some other conversation which it is improper that I should notice. My request to you was in the first instance proposed in a form the most simple in order that you might give to the affair that course to which you might be...
75[To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Truxtun], [22 March 1802] (Hamilton Papers)
Copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; JCH Transcripts John C. Hamilton Transcripts, Columbia University Libraries. , Columbia University Libraries. In JCHW John C. Hamilton, ed., The Works of Alexander Hamilton (New York, 1851–1856). , XI, 533, this letter is incorrectly addressed to H. Actually, it is a copy in Truxtun’s handwriting of a letter which Truxtun wrote to Aaron Burr and...
76To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 26 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Testimonials in favor of Mr. Ellery & Mr. Alexander, which flatter my pride & gratify my affections, because they bring me Evidence of your remembrance, & inform me that you repose some confidence in the assurance, by which I am bound to receive your Commands, & to Honor your recommendation. The merited repute of this Interesting portal, to worlds known & unexplored, is...
77Receipt from John Laurance, [16 April 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
Recd april 16 1804 from A Hamilton Esqr Eighty Eight Dollars and Eighty Eight Cents two third parts of Mr Bogerts Bill in the Chancery Cause for the Lands of Mark. 88 88 100 DS ADS , Yale University Library. This document is a receipt for John B. Church’s and H’s share of the complainant’s costs in the Chancery suit of Robert Gilchrist v Jacob Mark, John Laurance, and others . For information...
78To Alexander Hamilton from William R. Putnam, 1 August 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Marietta, Ohio, August 1, 1803. On September 19, 1803 , Hamilton wrote to Putnam: “I have to thank you for your letter of the 1st of August.” Letter not found. ]
79To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 6 March 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you a few lines yesterday, and sent you some water melon seeds & musk melon seeds by the brig Charleston packett Samuel Wasson master which sails this morning. I intend sending you some more by the Sloop Industry Capt: Mattocks who will sail on tuesday next. I formerly sent some to Mrs: Washington at Mount Vernon; but she told me they did not answer so well as some she got in the...
80To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 9 April 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Providence, April 9, 1801. On June 9, 1801, Olney wrote to Hamilton : “I addressed you on the 9 April last.” Letter not found. ]
81To Alexander Hamilton from Louis Le Guen, [22 November 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
Je Vous Prie Cher General de transferer à Mr. Prime Les Shares Colombia insurance Compe. qui etoient en vos mains Pour Securité des Sept milles d’ollars Laquelle Somme Jai recu dudit Mr Prime. Votre Obnt Serviteur ALS , Yale University Library. See Le Guen to H, January 15, 1801 ; “Account with Louis Le Guen,” June 6, 1802 ; “Description of Account with Louis Le Guen,” June 8, 1802 .
82To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 9 September 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Mrs. Schuyler Catherine & myself arrived here on Sunday, in good health, Mrs. Church and her Children we left at My Son Rensselaers. They will be here today, and were all well. A frenchman at Quebec trod on my lame leg and bruised it greatly. It has been exceedingly painful but is now healing and the wound appears so favorable that It will probably be healed in a week or two. On the 29th of...
83To Alexander Hamilton from William P. Van Ness, 23 June 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 23, 1804. In describing the events of this day in his narrative, Van Ness wrote: “I sent a Note to Genl Hamilton’s Office and also to his house.” Notes not found. ] “Van Ness’s Narrative,” AD , New York State Historical Association, Cooperstown, New York; ADf , New York State Historical Association, Cooperstown, New York.
84To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 28 March 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
In a letter from Mrs. Church of tuesday last she mentions that my dear Eliza had been very much indisposed, but was better. as no mention is made of the disorder with which she has been afflicted, we apprehend that she has miscarryed, we are extremely anxious for further Accounts and pray they may be such as shall do away our apprehensions. The Regents of the university have directed their...
85To Alexander Hamilton from John Nicholas, 4 August 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Although we have no personal acquaintance with each other; yet, as we have long had the same principles & cause, I believe, equally at heart, I take the liberty to address you on what ought to be dear to every virtuous and honest man—to every real and hearty well-wisher to the true interests & prosperity of this country. Sir, it is a melancholy & undeniable truth, that the principles, the...
86To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Walker, 3 September 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Utica [ New York ], September 3, 1803 . “It unfortunately falls to my Lot to have the principal charge of the Estate of the late Mrs. Francis Bainbridge who in right of her Mother, Agatha Evans, was entitled to ⅔ of the Bradstreet Estate. From some of the papers and from some information I have reced it would appear that you have in your hands some Deeds or property belonging to this Estate....
87To Alexander Hamilton from Nicholas Evertson, 12 January 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 12, 1802. “The within case is considered … as noticed for the next Term.… As no order has been obtained to stay proceedings in the cause… would it not be prudent to procure one? …” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Evertson was a New York City attorney. The enclosure was Richard S. Hallett v William Burrell, William Houstoun, Paul Skidmore, and Gamaliel Skidmore ,...
88To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Truxtun, 15 December 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
In a conversation we had at new York on the Subject of the threatened invasion of England by Bonaparte—you expressed a wish that oppertunity had offered So that you could have had the map of England and France &c before you. I now do myself the honor of transmitting my opinion as then Stated to you in a letter to Mr Pickering and after you have examined it with the map, I shall be greatly...
89To Alexander Hamilton from Gouverneur Morris, 31 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed you have a Letter for you I have this Instant received from Leray. I must add a word respecting that same Bill of Exchange. I have agreed to pay to Mr. Tillier whatever the Company shall owe him and Thereby confirm what I have said to you upon that Subject but it is upon the express Condition that the Bill in Question be deposited, in your Hands if you please, so that I may be possest...
90To Alexander Hamilton from William P. Van Ness, 23 June 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
In the afternoon of yesterday I reported to Col. Burr the result of my last interveiw with you, and appointed the evening to receive his further instructions. Some private engagements however prevented me from calling on him ’till this morning. On my return to the City I found upon enquiry both at your office and house, that you had returned to your residence in the Country. Least an interveiw...
91To Alexander Hamilton from Elisha Williams, 11 September 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Hudson [ New York ], September 11, 1803 . “I took the liberty of Stating a Case & inclosing it to you about the 20th of August for your opinion. Not hearing from you I fear the Letter has been intercepted. You will oblige me by informing whether you received that Letter and if you have by forwarding your Answer.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found.
92To Alexander Hamilton from Chevalier de Colbert, 4 January 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
Paris, January 4, 1802. Expresses condolences on the death of Philip Hamilton. Requests Hamilton, as his attorney, to take action to secure for him the lands in Georgia granted to Comte d’Estaing. Also requests Hamilton to settle his accounts with Robert Morris to whom he had advanced money that was secured by some of Morris’s holdings in the Genesee country. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
93To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 12 January 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
Both as a friend and a father I do most unfeignibly participate and condole with you in the heavy affliction that has fallen upon your family. It would be altogether vain for me to have recourse to the usual Topics of consolation, in so severe a Calamity: it must be sought for among the treasures of your own Mind, which nature has so eminently endowed; and after a while, it will likewise be...
94To Alexander Hamilton from Ambrose Spencer, 21 April 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Hudson [ New York ] April 21, 1801 . “I enclose you the case, in the cause of Staats & others vs Cary.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Spencer, a Hudson, New York, lawyer, was appointed district attorney for the third district in 1796, and in 1797 he was a member of the Council of Appointment of New York. From 1796 to 1802 he was a member of the New York Senate. The case of...
95To Alexander Hamilton from John V. Henry, 29 March 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, March 29, 1803. Henry’s endorsement on Hamilton’s letter to him of March 20, 1803 , reads: “Recd 26 ⟨ansd⟩ 29 ⅌ mail.” Letter not found. ]
96To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 5 April 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
The assertion of the Jacobins, that you are an aristocrat & a Monarchist, is not new: But at a late meeting of the sect in this town, one of their leaders declared “That General Hamilton proposed (&, it was understood, advocated) in the general Convention, That the President of the United States, and the Senators, should be chosen for life: That this was intended as an introduction to...
97To Alexander Hamilton from Elizabeth Hamilton, 19 October 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 19, 1801. On Sunday, October 25, 1801 , Hamilton wrote to his wife: “I was much relieved, My Dear Eliza, by the receipt yesterday morning of your letter of Monday last.” Letter not found. ] See H to Elizabeth Hamilton, October 17–18, 1801 .
98To Alexander Hamilton from Lewis Tousard, 6–9 September 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
Cap-Français [ Santo Domingo ], September 6–9, 1802 . States that he has returned to General Charles Victor Emmanuel Leclerc’s staff in Santo Domingo. Describes Leclerc’s campaign to restore French rule on the island and replies to criticism in the United States of Leclerc’s conduct. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Tousard, a former captain of artillery in the French army, was an...
99To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 8 April 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
By Dr. Romayne I send you a pamphlet lately written upon the interesting subject of the public credit of this Country. The author is a member of parliament an old & practical Banker, Brother to the president of the Bank of England, and for many years much conversant with the great money operations of the Country. When you have read it I wish the favour of you to send it together with the other...
100To Alexander Hamilton from Louis Le Guen, 2 May 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morrisville, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1804. On July 12, 1804, Le Guen wrote to Hamilton : “J’ai hier recu Votre Lettre du 6. mai … La quelle m’accuse reception de la Mienne du 2.” Letter not found. ]