1Enclosure: Schedule E, [9 January 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
SCHEDULE E Abstract of the Public Debt of the States Undermentioned, Agreeably to Statements Transmitted in Pursuance of the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 21st of September, 1789. Massachusetts Dollars. Cents. Principal with interest to the 1st day of Nov. 1789. £. 1,548,040 7 9 Lawful. Due to sundries for which no certificates have yet been issued, 20,000 Total,...
2Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, Tobias Lear, Alexander Macomb, Dominick Lynch, John Watts, and Samuel Bard to Patrick … (Hamilton Papers)
As the removal of the residence of Congress from this city will necessarily dissolve our association for the education of our children under your care, and as those of us who remain, do not see a probability of immediately filling up our former number, we take this method of unitedly expressing the entire confidence we have in your talents, and our approbation of your method of tuition. We...
3Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Call for Volunteers from Kentucky, 13 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of the departments and the attorney General, at the house of the President of the United States, the subject of affording an auxiliary force to Major General Wayne for the purpose of enabling him to make a vigorous and offensive campaign against the hostile Indians being considered, it was advised, that he be authorised, to call for two thousand mounted volunteers...
4Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Expeditions Being Planned in Kentucky for the Invasion of the Spanish Dominions, [10 March … (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments, and the attorney general at the President’s on the 10th. day of March 1794. The intelligence from Kentucky, and the territory no. West of the Ohio, was laid before them; whereupon it was advised 1. that a proclamation issue against the expeditions, understood to be prepared in Kentucky, for the invasion of the Spanish dominions. 2. that a...
5Cabinet Decision. Rules for Departure from United States Ports of Belligerent Nations, [16 June 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
When any Vessel, whether of war or merchandize, public or private, belonging to any belligerent nation, shall depart from the United States, beyond the jurisdictional line of the United States, on the Ocean; and a Vessel of War whether public or private, belonging to another of the belligerent nations, being adverse, shall at the time of the departure of the first mentioned vessel, be within...
6Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on a Request for Payment of Installments on the French Debt, [11 March 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments and the attorney general, on the 11th. of March 1794. It is advised unanimously, that Mr. Fauchet be informed, that He shall be supplied with the instalments, due in September and November next, according to the manner, expressed in the report of the Secretary of the treasury to the President on this subject. It is proposed by the Secretary of the...
7Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Restoring the Brigs Conyngham and Pilgrim to the British, [27 March 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments and Attorney general. March 27. 1794. The Secretary of War, the attorney general and the Secretary of State advise, that the Conyngham be not delivered up to the British owners; the secretary of the treasury dissenting. The Secretary of the treasury, the Secretary of war, and the attorney general advise, that the Pilgrim be delivered up to the British...
8Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Drafting of Militia by Governor Thomas Mifflin, 24 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Upon consideration of the letter of Governor Mifflin to the President of the US of this date respecting his drafting one thousand men of the Western militia of this state, for the purpose of supporting a detachment directed to take possession of Presque Isle it was advised That an answer of the following purport be given. “That on mature reflection the President is of opinion that it is...
9Cabinet Meeting Opinion on a Request for a Passport, 2 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
We are of opinion, that a passport ought to be granted for a vessel under the above restrictions. Edm: Randolph. Alex Hamilton I am inclined to think the vessel ought [to] sail not only by the permission , but in consequence of the directions of the President. D , in the handwriting of Edmund Randolph, William Bradford, and Henry Knox, and signed by Randolph, Bradford, H, and Knox, RG 59,...
10Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on the Best Mode of Executing the Embargo, [26 March 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments, and the Attorney general of the U. S. at the President’s, on the twenty sixth day of march 1794. The resolution of congress, of this date being submitted to them by the President for their opinion as to the best Mode of executing the same; It is advised unanimously, that the governors of the several States ought to be called upon to enforce the said...
11Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Submission of Thomas Pinckney’s Letters to Congress, [24 April 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of state submits to the Secretaries of the treasury and war, whether the inclosed letters from Mr. Pinckney or either of them shall be sent to congress. E. R. is of opinion, that the letter of the 28th. of Jany, and not the other ought to be sent. April 24, 1794. I am [of] opinion that it is not adviseable to send either. That of the 28th of January contains no new substantive...
12Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox to George Washington, 2 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
A conformity of opinion, and upon the same grounds, enables us to submit to you a joint Answer to the third of the Questions, which you were pleased to propose on the 18th. of April to the Heads of Departments and the Attorney General. We have concluded that this mode would be more agreeable to you than a repetition of the same ideas and arguments in seperate answers. With perfect respect &...
13Statement by Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox on Edmond Charles Genet’s “Appeal to the People”, 29 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
We the subscribers, certify that we did severally communicate to the abovementioned John Jay and Rufus King, the particulars contained in the foregoing statement. That such of them as are therein mentioned to have been reported to Governor Mifflin by Mr. Dallas, were communicated by the Governor to each of us, as having been received by him from Mr. Dallas. That such of them as respect Mr....
14Cabinet Meeting. Opinion Respecting Certain French Vessels and Their Prizes, [5 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments & the Attorney general at the Secretary of state’s office Aug. 5. 1793. The case of the Swallow letter of marque at New York, desired to be sent out of our ports, as being a privateer. It is the opinion that there is no ground to make any order on the subject. The Polly or Republican, in the hands of the Marshal at New York, on a charge of having been...
15Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on a Request for a Passport, [31 March 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
I am of opinion that a passport ought to be granted, under the restrictions, proposed by the petitioners, [(viz) the vessel to be American in ballast & to have passports from the several foreign Ministers.] I am inclined to think that the Embargo extends to all vessels which are not in some degree or other considered as under the direction of the President of the U.S. D , in the handwriting of...
16Cabinet Meeting. Opinion Respecting a Communication from the Spanish Commissioners, 20 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting this day of the heads of departments at the President’s on summons from him, a letter from Messrs. Viar & Jaudenes dated June 18. & addressed to the Secretary of state, was read: whereupon it is the opinion that a full detail of the proceedings of the US. with respect to the Southern Indians, & the Spaniards be prepared, and a justification as to the particular matters charged in...
17Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on a Presidential Message to Congress on the Recall of Edmond Charles Genet, [19 January 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
For the correction of Colo. H. & Genl K. Having already laid before you a letter of the 16th. of August 1793, from the secretary of State to our minister at Paris, stating the conduct, and urging the recal of the minister plenipotentiary of the republic of France; I now communicate to you, that his conduct has been unequivocally disapproved; and that the strongest assurances have been given,...
18Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox to George Washington, 5 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The draft of a proclamation and that of an instruction to the Commissioners being both prepared, we take the liberty to suggest that we think a meeting tomorrow morning at such hour as may be convenient to the President, may be adviseable. The Secretary of State & Attorney General being out of town we cannot consult them, but we will engage the attendance of the Attorney General provisionally...
19Reasons for the Opinion of the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary at War Respecting the Brigantine Little … (Hamilton Papers)
I. Because there can be no doubt, either upon principle or authority that the permitting or suffering or what is equivalent the not taking effectual measures to prevent, when known, the fitting out of privateers , in our ports, by one of the belligerent powers, to cruise against any of the others is an unequivocal breach of neutrality. II Because the President in conformity with an...
20Enclosure: Answer to Question the 3d. Proposed by the President of the UStates, 2 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
“If received” meaning a Minister from the Republic of France “shall it be absolutely or with qualifications, and if with qualifications of what kind”? It is conceived to be adviseable, that the reception of the expected Minister from the Republic of France should be qualified by a previous declaration substantially to this effect—“that the Government of the United States uniformly entertaining...
21Cabinet Meeting. Opinion Respecting the Measures to Be Taken Relative to a Sloop Fitted Out as a Privateer, 12 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The President having required the opinions of the heads of the three departments on a letter from Governor Clinton of the 9th. inst. stating that he had taken possession of the sloop Polly, now called the Republican, which was arming, equipping & manning by French & other citizens to cruize against some of the belligerent powers, and desiring to know what further was to be done, and they...
22Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox to John Jay, 29 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Notwithstanding the information of this Morning respecting the Insertion in Dunlap’s Paper on Monday, certain reasons determine us rather to return to you the Paper with our certificate. You will find that we have altered nothing material to your purpose. The omission of what concerned the President has proceeded from a scruple about official propriety. We are with respect & esteem Dr Sir ...
23Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Vessels Arming and Arriving in United States Ports, [12 July 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
July 12, 1793. At a meeting of the heads of the departments at the President’s on summons from him, and on consideration of various representations from the Ministers Plenipotentiary of France & Great Britain on the subject of vessels arming & arriving in our ports, and of prizes it is their opinion that letters be written to the said Ministers informing them that the Executive of the US.,...
24Cabinet Meeting. Opinion Respecting the French Consul at Boston, [31 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the Heads of departments & Attorney General at the President’s on the 31st. day of Aug. 1793. A letter from mr Gore to mr Lear, dated Boston Aug. 24. was read, stating that the Roland, a privateer fitted out at Boston & furnished with a commission under the government of France, had sent a prize into that port, which being arrested by the Marshal of the district by process from...
25Cabinet Meeting. Opinion Respecting French Privateers, 17 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments at the President’s this day, on summons from him, a letter from mr Genet of the 15th. inst. addressed to the Secretary of state on the subject of the seizure of a vessel by the Govr. of New York as having been armed, equipped & manned in that port with a design to cruize on the enemies of France, was read, as also the draught of an answer prepared by...
26Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on the Application of Money Given by Law to the Indigent of Santo Domingo, [22 April 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
We do ourselves the honor of advising the President of the U. S. to apply the remainder of the money, given by law to the indigent of St. Domingo, resident here, to the furnishing of them with the means of going thither, it being known, that several vessels are now bound thither from different parts of the U. S. with passports for the purpose of conveying them. DS , in the writing of Edmund...
27Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Communicating to the Senate the Dispatches of Gouverneur Morris, [28 January 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments January 28, 1794. Upon consideration of the resolution of the Senate, of January 24, 1794, calling for the correspondences, therein mentioned: General Knox is of opinion, that no part of the correspondences should be sent to the Senate. Colo. Hamilton, that the correct mode of proceeding is to do, what General Knox advises; but that the principle is...
28Cabinet Meetings. Proposals Concerning the Conduct of the French Minister, [1–23 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
At meetings of the heads of departments & the Attorney General at the President’s on the 1st. & 2d. of Aug. 1793. On a review of the whole of mr Genet’s correspondence & conduct, it was unanimously agreed that a letter should be written to the Minister of the US. at Paris, stating the same to him, resuming the points of difference which had arisen between the government of the US. & mr Genet,...
29Cabinet Meeting. Opinion Respecting the Proposed Treaty with the Indians Northwest of the Ohio, [25 February 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The President having required the attendance of the heads of the three departments and of the Attorney general at his house on Monday the 25th. of Feb. 1793. the following questions were proposed and answers given. 1. The Governor of Canada having refused to let us obtain provisions from that province or to pass them along the water communication to the place of treaty with the Indians, and...
30Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on Writing to the King of Prussia Concerning the Marquis de Lafayette, [14 January 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments at the President’s, on the fourteenth day of January 1794. It was propounded by the President, whether in consideration of the eminent services of M. de la Fayette, to the U. S. and his present sufferings, it be not adviseable for the President, in a private , and unofficial character, to address to the King of Prussia a letter, requesting his release...