451From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [25 March 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to Your Excellency a day or two ago by express. Since that a Committee appointed on the communications from you have had a meeting, and find themselves embarrassed. They have requested me to communicate our embarrassments to you in confidence and to ask your private opinion. The army by their resolutions express an expectation that Congress will not disband them previous to a...
452From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 12 February 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have maturely reflected on the subject of the within papers. I do not hesitate to give it as my opinion that if it were not for very peculiar personal circumstances the fittest arrangement upon the whole would be to consign the temporary execution of the Comptroller’s office to The Commissioner of the Revenue. But I could not advise this, because it could not fail for strong reasons to be...
453From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 9 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure of your private letter of the 26th of August. The feelings and views which are manifested in that letter are such as I expected would exist. And I most sincerely regret the causes of the uneasy sensations you experience. It is my most anxious wish, as far as may depend upon me, to smooth the path of your administration, and to render it prosperous and happy. And if any...
454From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [10 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
When last in Philadelphia you mentioned to me your wish that I should re dress a certain paper which you had prepared. As it is important that a thing of this kind should be done with great care and much at leisure touched & retouched, I submit a wish that as soon as you have given it the body you mean it to have that it may be sent to me. A few days since I transmitted you the copy of a...
455From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 5 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I received on the second instant your two letters of the 29th. of October with the inclosures. An answer has been delayed to ascertain the disposition of Mr. King, who through the summer has resided in the country and is only occasionally in Town. I am now able to inform you— he would not accept . Circumstances of the moment conspire with the disgust which a virtuous and independent mind feels...
456From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 11 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Herewith is an official letter submitting the draft of a Proclamation. I reserve some observations as most proper for a private letter. In the case of a former proclamation I observe it was under the seal of the UStates and countersigned by the Secretary of State. If the precedent was now to be formed I should express a doubt whether it was such an instrument as ought to be under the seal of...
457From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [2 December 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The day before yesterday I received a letter from Mr. Woodbury Langdon declining the appointment offered him. There was a letter with it for you which I immediately forwarded. Since that time I have conversed with Mr. Langdon & have heared from Mr. Gilman; the former is warm in his recommendation of Mr. Keith Spence; he states that his insolvency was owing to the loss of a valuable ship &...
458From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 2 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The state of my health since you were pleased to refer to me the letter from Governor Mifflin of the 22 of August has been such as to delay the necessary previous examination in order to a reply—and prevents now its being as full and particular as I had wished it to be. I premise for greater clearness that by official influence, I understand, that influence which is derived from Official...
459From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [5 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
I doubt the expediency of specially convening The Congress at this time for the following reasons— The consti[tu]tion requires that an extraordinary occasion should exist as the basis of the exercise of the Power of the President to convene the Legislature. It is not perceived that any circumstance now exists which did not exist months ago of sufficient force to constitute an extraordinary...
460From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [5 May 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
In conformity to the intimation you were pleased to honor me with on evening last I have reflected on the etiquette proper to be observed by the President and now submit the ideas which have occurred to me on the subject. The public good requires as a primary object that the dignity of the office should be supported. Whatever is essential to this ought to be pursued though at the risk of...
461From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 20 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
A belief that the occasion to which they may be applicable is not likely to occur, whatever may have been once intended, or pretended in terrorem , has delayed the following observations in compliance with your desire —and which are now the result of conferences with the Gentleman you named. The precise form of any proposition or demand which may be made to or of this Government must so...
462From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [8 April 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s letters of the 31st of March & 4th. of April, the last to day. The one to Col Bland as member of the Committee has been read in Committee confidentially and gave great satisfaction. The idea of not attempting to separate the army before the settlement of accounts corresponds with my proposition. That of endeavouring to let them have some pay had also appeared...
463From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [2 May 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I am extremely sorry to have embarrassed you by my late application, and that you should think there are insuperable obstacles to a compliance with it. Having renounced my expectations, I have no other inducement for troubling Your Excellency with a second letter, than to obviate the appearance of having desired a thing inconsistent with the good of the service, while I was acquainted with the...
464From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [30 October 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
I am much obliged to Your Excellency for the explicit manner in which you contradict the insinuations mentioned in my last letter. The only use I shall make of your answer will be to put it into the hands of a few friends. The constitution proposed has in this state warm friends and warm enemies. The first impressions every where are in its favour; but the artillery of its opponents makes some...
465Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant Colonels Robert Hanson Harrison and Alexander Hamilton, and Elias Boudinot to George … (Hamilton Papers)
To His Excellency George Washington Esquire, General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America. We, the Commissioners appointed by Your Excellency, “to confer, determine and agree upon a Treaty and Convention, for the exchange of Prisoners of War, and for all matters whatsoever, which may be properly contained therein” beg leave to report— That in pursuance of Your...
466From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 7 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I did myself the honor to write to you at some length on the 3 of May. I hope the letter got safe to hand. The recruiting service is now in motion, in Maryland, Delaware Pensylvania New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachusettes. I might perhaps add Virginia, from the assurances which I have received as to the transmission of supplies. But I am not as yet informed of its actual...
467From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 18 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully makes the following Report to the President of the United States. The Act, entitled “an Act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety three,” empowers the President to borrow, for the purposes therein specified, any sum or sums, not exceeding in the whole Eight hundred thousand Dollars, at a...
468From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [22 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Sometime last fall when I spoke to your Excellency about going to the Southward, I explained to you candidly my feelings with respect to military reputation, and how much it was my object to act a conspicuous part in some enterprise that might perhaps raise my character as a soldier above mediocrity. You were so good as to say you would be glad to furnish me with an occasion. When the...
469From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [14 April 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
The present is beyond question a great, a difficult & a perilous crisis in the affairs of this country. In such a crisis it is the duty of every man, according to situation, to contribute all in his power towards preventing evil and producing good. This consideration will I trust be a sufficient apology for the liberty I am about to take of submitting without an official call the ideas which...
470From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 22 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Letters of the 7th and 17th instant, and perceive with much pleasure a confirmation of the expectation which your former communication had given that your view of the measures proper to be pursued respecting the proceedings therein referred to, would correspond with the impressions entertained here. I flatter myself that the Proclamation will answer a very...
471From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 29 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been duly honor’d with your two letters of the 18th and 20th of Septemr. My opinion on a certain subject has been forwarded, and I hope will, ‘ere this, have come to hand. Inclosed you will be pleased to receive a list of such characters, as from the documents furnished by Mr. Lear, from my enquiries, and from the intimations contained in you letter of the 20th, appear to stand, upon...
472From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 2 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with your requisition I have the honor to submit my Opinion as to the course which it will be adviseable for the President to pursue in regard to the armed Opposition recently given in the four Western Counties of Pennsylvania to the execution of the laws of the U. States laying duties upon Spirits distilled within the United States and upon Stills. The case upon which an Opinion...
473From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 24 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the . Young La Fayette is now with me. I had before made an offer of money in your name & have repeated it—but the answer is that they are not yet in want and will have recourse when needed Young La Fayette appears melancholy and has grown thin. A letter lately received from his mother which speaks of something which she wishes him to mention to you (as I learn...
474From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 19 January 179[7] (Hamilton Papers)
Mrs. De Neuville widow of Mr. De Neuville formerly of Holland lately passed through this City. On her way she called upon me and announced her intention to make application to Congress on the ground of the political services rendered the UStates by her husband, as in fact a principal cause of his pecuniary misfortunes—and expressed a wish that I would bring her case under your eye. I told her...
475Enclosure: Major General Arthur St. Clair and Lieutenant Colonels Edward Carrington and Alexander Hamilton to George … (Hamilton Papers)
Plan of exchange for the Troops of Convention, in three Divisions to be formed as equally, as the exchanging by Corps will allow, from the Strength of the Rank & file, each of the two first Divisions to have a Major General and a Brigadier General, and the third The Lieutenant General and a Brigadier General exchanged with them. The Regiments to which the Brigadier Generals belong to be...
476From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 30 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I had lately a visit from a certain Gentleman the sole object of which was to make some observations of a delicate nature, concerning another Gentleman employed on a particular errand; which, as they were doubtless intended for your ear, and (such as they are) ought to be known to you, it is of course my duty to communicate. He began (in a manner somewhat embarrassed which betrayed rather more...
477From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 17 March 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
I am duely honored with Your Excellency’s letter of the 4th. and, 12th. instant. It is much to be regretted though not to be wondered at, that steps of so inflammatory a tendency have been taken in the army. Your Excellency has in my opinion acted wisely. The best way is ever not to attempt to stem a torrent but to divert it. I am happy to find You coincide in opinion with me on the conduct...
478From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 20 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
A necessary absence from this City prevented the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant till yesterday. It is very grateful to me to discover in each succeeding occurrence a new mark of your friendship towards me. Time will evince that it makes the impression it ought on my mind. The effect which the course of the late military appointments has produced on General Knox though not very...
479From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 9 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith the Copy of a letter from the Comptroller of the Treasury of the 7th instant. containing substantially the information requisite to a judgment of the motives which determined the Treasury to persist in declining for the present the payment of the warrants stated by Mr Fraunces to be in his possession. These principally turn upon the following...
480From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 19 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have carefully reflected on the application of Mr. Ternant, for an additional supply of money for the use of the Colony of St Domingo on account of the Debt due to France; which I regard more and more as presenting a subject extremely delicate and embarrassing. Two questions arise 1 as to the ability of the UStates to furnish the money, which is stated at about 326000 Dollars, in...
481From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [24 February 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to return the President the papers received from Mr. Lear, which he has carefully perused, and will wait on the President tomorrow at ten o’Clock accordingly. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The papers which H received from Tobias Lear were apparently the same ones that the President sent to the Secretary of State on February 24,...
482From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 3 November 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have returned to this place from Union Town. A letter from Governor Lee which goes with this probably informs you of the plan of future operations —but lest it should not I shall briefly state it. The right wing is to take a position with its left towards Budds ferry & its right toward Greensburgh. The left wing is to be posted between the Yocghagani & Monongalia with its left towards the...
483From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 30 July[–August 3] 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I received the most sincere pleasure at finding in our last conversation, that there was some relaxation in the disposition you had before discovered to decline a reelection. Since your departure, I have lost no opportunity of sounding the opinions of persons, whose opinions were worth knowing, on these two points—1st the effect of your declining upon the public affairs, and upon your own...
484From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [25–31 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The sitting of the Court and an uncommon pressure of business have unavoidably delayed an answer to your last favour. I have read with attention Mr. Pickerings letter. It is in the main a substantial and satisfactory paper, will in all probability do considerable good in enlightening public opinion at home—and I do not know that it contains any thing which will do harm elsewhere. It wants...
485Return of Captain Alexander Hamilton’s Company of Artillery, [20 April 1776] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] April 20, 1776 . The return is headed: “A Return of the Colony Company of Artillery commanded by Alexander Hamilton April 20th, 1776” and is in the form of a table showing the number of each rank present and fit for duty, sick, on furlough, on command duty, or taken as prisoner. Hamilton’s company contained a total of 69 commissioned and noncommissioned officers. AD , George...
486Receipt to George Washington, 29 January 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] January 29, 1778. Receipt for payment of $100 by Washington to Hamilton for Hamilton’s expenses at Morristown. DS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
487From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [5 August] 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The disagreeable crisis at which matters have lately arrived in some of the Western counties of Pensylvania, with regard to the laws laying duties on spirits distilled within the UStates and on Stills, seems to render proper a review of the circumstances which have attended those laws in that scene, from their commencement to the present time and of the conduct which has hitherto been observed...
488Bill for Expenses of George Washington’s Staff, [21 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
paid at Christiana for family’s breakfast, horses &c.— £6.5 paid on the road from thence to Wilmington for lodging &c— 6. paid for breakfast the morning we crossed brandywine— 1.12 pd. 1.12 15.9 Received the above from Capt Gibbs ADS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Town on creek of same name, which flows into the Delaware near Wilmington. I.e., Washington’s staff. The...
489Introductory Note: To George Washington, [7 March 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
This letter contains the first references in Hamilton’s extant correspondence to what proved to be a protracted dispute over the Jay Treaty in the House of Representatives. The Senate approved the Jay Treaty on June 24, 1795, and the United States ratified it on August 14, 1795. Following British ratification on October 28, 1795, the ratifications were exchanged at London on that date....
490Introductory Note: To George Washington, [8 March 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
When this letter was written, the United States appeared to be closer to war with Great Britain than at any time since the end of the American Revolution. Henry Lee wondered whether Congress intended “to pick a quarrel with G.B.,” and the latest advices from Thomas Pinckney in London left little doubt that he considered the outbreak of war with Britain only a matter of time. In a dispatch...
491Enclosure: View of Probable State of the Treasury, [December 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
Jany. 1. Cash in Command of the Treasury 600.000. Deficiency 1.265.000. 1.865.000. April 1. Receipts from Imports & tonnage ⅌ returns received, nearly 900.000. ⅌ Estimate on cases not returned 500.000. ⅌ Estimate on account of internal duties 150.000. Deficiency 2.315.000. 3.865.000 . July 1. Receipts from Imports & tonnage
492Enclosure: 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...
493Enclosure: [Amount of Funds Arising from Foreign Loans], [15 June 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of the President of the U States of the 6. instant, respectfully makes the following Report. The statement herewith transmitted marked A shews, on the credit side thereof, the amount of the fund arising from foreign Loans transferred to the United States, amounting to 2,965,643. Dollars & 47 Cents; and on the debit side thereof the amount...
494Enclosure: [Draft of a Response to Concerns about the Jay Treaty], [29 March 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your resolution and have considered it with the attention always due to a request of the House of Representatives. I feel a consciousness (not contradicted I trust by any part of my conduct) of a sincere disposition to respect the rights privileges and authorities of Congress collectively and in its separate branches—to pay just deference to their opinions and wishes—to avoid...