41To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 22 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I have order’d eight or Ten light Horse more to your assistance, and if you should find a further force necessary to facilitate the business you are upon, there are fifty or sixty dismounted No Carolinians attach’d at present to Colo. Nicholas Corps. These must be subject to your order. I have been just now inform’d, that there are not less than three thousand pair of Shoes in the hands of...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Fleury, 15–19 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fort Mifflin on Mud Island in the Delaware River ] October 15–19, 1777 . Discusses defences of Fort Mifflin and the British attack on the fort. Copy in writing of John Laurens, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. MS which is headed “Substance of Captain Fleury’s Letter to Col. Hamilton” can be found in a journal kept by Fleury from October 15 to November 8, 1777. François Louis...
43[To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington], [21 October 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
The Magazine of History , VI (November, 1907), 294. This letter is listed here because it is attributed to H in The Magazine of History . Actually it was written by Robert Hanson Harrison for Washington to Brigadier General James Potter and is printed in GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). , IX, 408–09.
44Baron d’Arendt to Lieutenant Colonels Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens, 26 October [1777] (Hamilton Papers)
Fort Mifflin [ on Mud Island in the Delaware River ] October 26 [ 1777 ]. Discusses plans for defence of Fort Mifflin. ALS , MS Division New York Public Library. This letter is in French. There is no addressee on the MS. In unidentified handwriting on the last page the following is written, “Col Hamilton Col John Larens.” The contents of the letter indicate that it was written to someone at...
45To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Fleury, 26 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fort Mifflin on Mud Island in the Delaware River ] October 26, 1777 . Describes the situation at Fort Mifflin. Expects an assault. Copy, in writing of John Laurens, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. John C. Fitzpatrick in his Calendar of the Correspondence of George Washington with the Officers John C. Fitzpatrick, Calendar of the Correspondence of George Washington, Commander...
46To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Fleury, 28 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fort Mifflin on Mud Island in the Delaware River ] October 28, 1777 . Expects an attack on the Fort. Describes the victory of October 23, 1777. Copy in writing of John Laurens, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Fitzpatrick in his Calendar of the Correspondence of George Washington with the Officers John C. Fitzpatrick, Calendar of the Correspondence of George Washington,...
47To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 30 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
It having been judged expedient by the Members of ⟨a⟨ Council of War held yesterday, that one of the Gentlemen of my family should be sent to Genl: Gates in order to lay befor⟨e⟩ him the State of this Army; and the Situation of the Ene⟨my⟩ and to point out to him the many happy Consequences that will accrue from an immediate reinforceme⟨nt⟩ being sent from the Nothern Army; I have thought ⟨it⟩...
48To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Fleury, 2–3 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fort Mifflin on Mud Island in the Delaware River ] November 2–3, 1777 . Describes the erection of a battery on the British ship Augusta. Complains of his lack of authority at the fort. Copy in writing of John Laurens, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This MS is entitled “Major Fleury’s Journal and Letter to Colonel Hamilton.” Fitzpatrick in his Calendar of the Correspondence of...
49To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Fleury, 4–8 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fort Mifflin on Mud Island in the Delaware River ] November 4–8, 1777 . Acknowledges receipt of “His Excellencys order authorizing me to exercise the functions of Engineer at Fort Mifflin.” Copy in writing of John Laurens, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Fitzpatrick in his Calendar of the Correspondence of George Washington with the Officers John C. Fitzpatrick, Calendar of...
50To Alexander Hamilton from Brigadier General Enoch Poor, 11 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fishkill, New York, November 11, 1777 . On November 12, Hamilton wrote to Washington : “By a letter … of yesterday, General Poor informs me… “ Letter not found .]
51To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 15 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I have duly received your several favours from the time you left me to that of the 12th. inst. I approve intirely of all the Steps you have taken, and have only to wish that the exertions of those you have had to deal with had kept pace with your Zeal and good intentions. I hope your health will before this have permitted you to push on the Rear of the whole reinforcement beyond New Windsor....
52To Alexander Hamilton from Hugh Knox, 10 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
The fine, impartial, laconic & highly descriptive account you favour’d me with of the last Years Campain, in your letter of March last, excited in me, & many of your other friends here, an earnest desire of farther accounts from your pen of the succeeding fortunes of the Great American War; A War which will, one day, shine more illustriously in the historic page, than any which has happened...
53To Alexander Hamilton from George Clinton, 22–23 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ December 22–23, 1777 . On December 28 Clinton wrote to Hamilton : “I was favoured with the Receipt of your Letter of the 22d Instant some Days since and returned a short Answer to it by the Express who brought it.” Letter not found .]
54To Alexander Hamilton from Edward Stevens, 23 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Tho’ I have written you so repeatedly since my Arrival in Scotland, without having ever received an Answer, and ‘tho’ I am, at present, uncertain whether you have escaped those Dangers, to which you have been so long exposed in Defence of the glorious Cause in wh: you are engaged; yet so anxious am I to hear Something concerning you, and to convince you that I still retain the most sincere and...
55To Alexander Hamilton from George Clinton, 28 December 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I was favoured with the Receipt of your Letter of the 22d Instant some Days since and returned a short Answer to it by the Express who brought it; but as I have Reason to believe you had left Peeks’ Kill before he got there I conclude my Letter has not been received. I have not a Doubt but that there have been such unjust and dishonorable Practices committed on the Inhabitants as you mention...
56To Alexander Hamilton from Colonel Alexander Scammell, [January 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is the remaining part of the Instructions first given to the Officers superintending Hospitals when the[y] were sent off, which I forgot to give you last Evening, when I gave you the first part. The additional Instructions which I gave last evening are all copied off, ready to be sent to the Office⟨rs⟩ at the several Hospitals. Please to inform me, whether they are agreable to the...
57To Alexander Hamilton from Major Nicholas Fish, 22 January 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, January 22, 1778 . Requests written discharge for Captain Barent J. Ten Eyck, Second New York Regiment. LS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. Fish, a major in the Second New York Regiment, subsequently became a close friend of H and a prominent New York Federalist. At the end of this letter, H wrote: “One of the Gentlemen below is requested to transact the...
58To Alexander Hamilton from George Clinton, 5 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 13th Feb’y last. Your other Letter has not reached me. I am so Circumstanced at present so much to do & no Body to assist me that I can hardly steal a Moment to write to my Friends tho their Letters always afford me the greatest Pleasure. May I then hope Sir that you will continue to write me frequently tho I shoud not prove a very punctual Correspondent....
59To Alexander Hamilton from George Clinton, 6 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Poughkeepsie, New York, March 6, 1778 . On March 12, 1778, Hamilton wrote to Clinton : “Capt. Coleman delivered me your two letters of the 5th & 6th, instant.” Letter of March 6 not found .]
60To Alexander Hamilton from Cornelius Durant, 27 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, March 27, 1778 . Encloses letter from Hugh Knox and requests Hamilton to write to Knox. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Hugh Knox to H, December 10, 1777 .
61To Alexander Hamilton from Major Nicholas Fish, 27 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, March 27, 1778 . Requests discharge for Ensign Robert Wood, Second New York Regiment. ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives.
62Commission to Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant Colonels Robert Hanson Harrison and Alexander Hamilton, and Elias … (Hamilton Papers)
By His Excellency, George Washington Esquire, General and Commander in Chief of all the Forces of the United States of America. To Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant Colonels Robert Hanson Harrison and Alexander Hamilton and Elias Boudinot Esquire Commissary General of Prisoners Whereas a proposition was made, by me, on the 30th day of July 1776, to His Excellency General Sir William Howe,...
63Charles Thomson to Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant Colonels Robert Hanson Harrison and Alexander Hamilton, and Elias … (Hamilton Papers)
Whereas Congress concur in opinion with General Washington that there are some Ambiguities characterizing the Measures taken by Genl. Howe respecting General Lee, which justify alarming surmises, notwithstanding all that has passed to the contrary. Resolved That General Washington be informed that it is the intention of Congress that it should be a preliminary in the proposed Cartel for a...
64George Washington to Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant Colonels Robert Hanson Harrison and Alexander Hamilton, and … (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed Resolutions of Congress came to my hand this instant, and as they are essentially necessary for your Government I have sent them immediately by Express. The first four Resolves are absolute and therefore you are obliged to insist upon the terms therein directed. But do not let the last embarrass you or impede your Business. I have so perfect a reliance upon your judgment and upon...
65Colonels Charles O’Hara and Humphrey Stephens, and Captain Richard FitzPatrick to Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant … (Hamilton Papers)
We have reported to Sir Wm. Howe your observations on his Commission to us for settling a Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners; therefore if it will not be inconvenient, We will beg the favor of you to stay in German Town ’till ten o’clock, at which time We will do ourselves the honor of waiting on you to lay before you Sir Wm: Howe’s Sentiments on that matter. We are Gentlemen With due...
66Commission to Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant Colonels Robert Hanson Harrison and Alexander Hamilton, and Elias … (Hamilton Papers)
By His Excellency George Washington Esquire General and Commander in chief of all the Forces of the United States of America To Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant Colonels Robert Hanson Harrison and Alexander Hamilton, and Elias Boudinot Esquire Commissary General of prisoners. Whereas a proposition was made by me on the 30th: day of July 1776, to His Excellency General Sir William Howe, and...
67Permit for Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton to Pass British Lines, 5 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Until further Orders, advanced Posts and Patrols are not to prevent all persons, having Passports Signed by two of the following Officers, to pass unmolested, Viz.: Cols. O’Hara and Stephens, and Capt. Fitzpatrick, of the British; Col. Gregson, Lieut.-Col. Hamilton, and Mr. Boudinot (Commissary of Prisoners), belonging to the Enemy. Colls. of the N.Y. Hist. Soc. for 1883 (New York, 1884), 564....
68Colonels Charles O’Hara and Humphrey Stephens, and Captain Richard FitzPatrick to Colonel William Grayson, Lieutenant … (Hamilton Papers)
The Commissioners appointed by His Excellency Sir William Howe to take into Consideration all past Transactions relative to the Exchange of Prisoners, to adjust the differences that have so long subsisted in regard to them, to remove all Difficulties that may arise in carrying into Execution a General Exchange of Prisoners with both Parties at this Time, & finally to establish a regular &...
69To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Kip, 15 April 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Sir, Last Decm’r a Twelvemonth a Small Box was Taken at or Near Princetown And Deposited in an Amunition Cart & Supposed to be Taken From thence by Capt. Crane. I can Assure you that I have Seen a Box in Crane’s Possession That answers the Description & Since the Discovery he is prepareing to Leave the Continent. He Now Resides in Clarks Town, Orange County. A Line to Collo. Gilbert Coper at...
70To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 8 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
An opinion of your Benevolence leads me to address this Letter to you. Accident has introduced me to Monsr Lewis de Celoron, we happen to lodge in the same House. His modesty & decent manners made an impression upon me, and induced me to make some inquiries into his History and Character. The Gentlemen of this Place say handsome things of him. He is the son of a Major General who fell last war...
71To Alexander Hamilton from Edward Stevens, 8 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Comment vous portez vous? & comment vous êtes vous porté depuis que je n’ai eu le plasir de vous voir? Si vous êtes en bonne santé tout est bien avec vous; j’en suis sûre. Qui pourrait avoir imaginé mon Ami qu’un homme de votre grandeur , de votre délicatesse de constitution, & de votre tranquillité aurait brillé tant, & en si peu de tems, dans le Champ de Mars, que vous l’avez fait. Je vous...
72To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 4 June 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Loring having been sent by Sir Henry Clinton to meet Mr. Boudinot or any other person appointed by me for the purpose of effecting an exchange of prisoners; I have therefore to desire you (Mr. Boudinot being absent from Camp) to hear any proposals Mr. Loring may have to offer on this subject; and to do definitively whatever may be necessary towards the execution of a general exchange of...
73From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 4 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Loring having been sent by Sir Henry Clinton to meet Mr Boudinot or any other person appointed by me for the purpose of effecting an exchange of prisoners; I have therefore to desire you (Mr Boudinot being absent from Camp) to hear any proposals Mr Loring may have to offer on this subject; and to do definitively whatever may be necessary towards the execution of a general exchange of...
74To Alexander Hamilton from Joshua Loring, 5 June 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Upon my Report to His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton of our meeting yesterday at the Sorrel Horse for the Purpose of settling an exchange of Prisoners— I am directed to acquaint you that all our Prisoners in Philadelphia agreable to the enclosed Return shall be sent out on the 12th Inst under a proper Escort to the two miles stone on the Lancaster Road over Schuylkill, provided you agree to meet...
75To Alexander Hamilton from Captain Jacob Weiss, 9 June 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, June 9, 1778 . States that last October he delivered missing chest containing army papers to Easton, Pennsylvania. ALS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Weiss was a captain in the Maréchaussée corps.
76To Alexander Hamilton from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 12 June 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Artillery Park [ Valley Forge ] June 12, 1778 . Requests discharge of “Mr. Le Brune a second Lieutenant.” ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives.
77To Alexander Hamilton from Brigadier General Louis Le Beque Du Portail, [July–November 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
[ July–November, 1778 .] Asks Hamilton to assist the Chevalier de Villefranche. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is in French. In JCHW John C. Hamilton, ed., The Works of Alexander Hamilton (New York, 1851). , I, 198 this letter is dated 1780. This very vague undated letter discusses a dispute in which the Chevalier de Villefranche was involved. Du Portail thought that...
78To Alexander Hamilton from Elias Boudinot, 8 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
I had concluded your Laurels had produced a forgetfulness of your old friend, but am now rejoicing in my disappointment having your obliging & very entertaining favour of the 5th. Inst. just handed me. With the utmost sincerity I congratulate you & my Country on the kind Interposition of Heaven in our favour on the 28 Ultmo. It seems as if on every Occasion we are to be convinced that our...
79To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 26 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
J’ai recu votre lettre, cher colonel, et j’y aurois repondu plutôt si l’absence de la flotte ne m’avoit pas mis hors d’etat de vous parler d’autre chose que de ma bonne volonté, dont je ne crois pas avoir besoin de vous assurer. Mais j’ai vu Mr le Cte d’estaing, et je puis à present vous parler en son nom. La veneration, la tendresse qu’il a pour notre cher general, joint au sentiment que vous...
80To Alexander Hamilton from Elisha Boudinot, [29 August 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
The Person I mentioned to you came over last Night and informs me, that General Clinton with his whole Army has set off for Rhode Island. They are gone up the Sound and across the East End of Long Island. There are only a small Guard left in the City. Not a Canoe is suffered to pass up the East River least it should be known, they moved with the utmost secrecy. As it might be you have not...
81To Alexander Hamilton from Captain John Copp, 1 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ White Plains, New York ] September 1, 1778 . Requests Hamilton’s intercession to prevent Copp’s discharge from service. ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. Copp was a captain of the First New York Regiment.
82To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 1 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Ne suis je pas bien malheureux, cher colonel, on me pousse pour aller à boston, on me chasse de Rhode island, ils n’ont ni repos ni patience que je ne sois parti, et le même jour que je m’absente est le seul où j’aurois du, où j’aurois voulu etre dans l’isle. Le diable en veut dans ce moment à tous les francois; heureusement que je viens de l’attrapper car à force de courir je suis arrivé à...
83To Alexander Hamilton from Cornet Larkin Dorsey, [4 September 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
[ September 4, 1778 ]. Resigns his commission. ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. Dorsey was a cornet, Fourth Continental Dragoons.
84To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [21 September 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
In order to get rid of your present accumulations you will be pleased to take the pills agreeable to the directions; and to prevent future accumulations observe the following table of diet. This will have a tendency also to correct your wit. I would advise for your breakfast two cups of tea sweetened, with brown sugar, and coloured with about a teaspoonful of milk. I prefer brown sugar to loaf...
85To Alexander Hamilton from Colonel William Malcom, 24 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point, September 24, 1778 . On September 25, 1778, Hamilton wrote to Malcom : “I received your letter of yesterday.” Letter not found. ]
86To Alexander Hamilton from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 12 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fredericksburg, New York ] October 12, 1778 . States desire of Captain-Lieutenant Daniel Gano, Second Continental Artillery, to resign. ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives.
87To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Pettit, 16 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 16, 1778 . Describes “Preparations made and making for the Building of Barracks on Hudson’s River.” ALS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
88To Alexander Hamilton from Colonel Goose Van Schaick, 3 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ November 3, 1778 . On November 4, 1778, Hamilton wrote to Van Schaick : “I have received your favour of Yesterday.” Letter not found .]
89To Alexander Hamilton from Major General Alexander McDougall, 4 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Near Milford, Connecticut, November 4, 1778 . On November 8, 1778, Hamilton wrote to McDougall: “I have received your favor of the 4th.” Letter not found .]
90To Alexander Hamilton from Colonel Charles Armand, 5 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Near Fredericksburg, New York ] November 5, 1778 . Needs equipment and money with which to pay troops. Asks for certificate of service from Washington. ALS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; copy, Columbia University Libraries.