51To Alexander Hamilton from Abraham Ellery, 10 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Dear Park , near Natchez [ Mississippi Territory ], October 10, 1803 . Requests Hamilton’s assistance in securing a clear title to lands in upstate New York which his wife, Charlotte Weissenfels Ellery, had inherited from her father, Charles F. Weissenfels. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Ellery, a native of Newport, Rhode Island, and a lawyer, had been a captain in the Sixteenth...
52To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 10 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, October 10, 1803. “I wrote to you several months since, & inclosed to you a State of facts &c relative to the seizure of the Diana at Lima, & requested your Opinion as to the validity of our Insurance. to that letter I have no answer, & am now apprehensive it never reached you; but if you have received it, & have had leisure to form a deliberate opinion on this Subject, I wish to have...
53To Alexander Hamilton from Barent Gardenier, 6 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Kingston [ New York ], October 6, 1803 . “In the course of our political wr⟨angling⟩ I have engaged in a Controversy with Gen. Ar⟨mstrong.⟩ Perhaps I have touched a little too hard on ⟨the judge⟩ who presided at Lt. Croswells Trial.… I enclose ‘a View of the whole ground’, confident that in a Case of this Kind you will give us all Aid in your power.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
54To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 4 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
The salubrious air of this place has so well succeeded in restoring Mrs: Pinckney’s health that we shall set out for the Southward tomorrow. I shall endeavour to shake you by the hand in passing through the State of New York. This will be handed to you by my young Countryman Mr: Wm: Hayward who is ambitious of paying his respects to you, & I am sure your good nature will indulge him. He is a...
55To Alexander Hamilton from Louis Le Guen, 30 September 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Votre Lettre du 12, timbré du 19, ne m’est Parvenue que Le 29, alors Je penssaie inutille de vous Ecrire, vous attendant Le 28; maie désapointée de ne vous Voir point arriver, Je vais vous Prier de me mander En reponse, Sy nous pouvons nous flater du Plaisir de Vous Voir en Peu. Mme. Le Guen Et Moy nous flatonts que vous nous favoriserée de Votre Visite, Et Bien fachée que Madame Et Mlle....
56To Alexander Hamilton from Pierre Jean François Turpin, 22 September 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Profitant, monsieur, de la permission que vous m’avez donnée, et encouragé par vos bontés, je vais vous instruire de ce qui s’est passé depuis mon arrivée. j’ai vu monsieur Stevens à la quarantaine, il m’a parlé du désir qu’avait monsieur william hamilton de m’employer d’abord à faire la flore de Son jardin Celle des environs de philadelphie, et Successivement celle des états-unis en Générale...
57To 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.
58Receipt from Louis Le Guen, [5 September 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
J’ai Ce Jour 5. Sepbre. 1803 recu du General Hamilton, trois Cents Cinquante d’ollars, Pour Linterest d’un ân, Sur la Somme de Cinq milles d’ollars mentionnée au dit Bond. Morris Ville 5. Septembre 1803. ADS , Yale University Library. For an explanation of the contents of this document, see “Indenture between Alexander Hamilton of the First Part and Richard Harison and Aaron Ogden of the...
59To 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....
60To Alexander Hamilton from Elisha Williams, 20 August 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Hudson, New York, August 20, 1803. On September 11, 1803, Williams wrote to Hamilton : “I took the liberty of Stating a Case & inclosing it to you about the 20th of August for your opinion.” Letter not found. ] A Federalist and a member of the New York bar, Williams practiced law in Spencertown, New York, from 1793 to 1800, when he moved to Hudson. He was a member of the New York Assembly...
61To Alexander Hamilton from Henry William De Saussure, 6 August 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Charleston [ South Carolina ], August 6, 1803 . Replies to Hamilton’s letter of June 9, 1803. States his opinion on Isaac Clason’s attachments on the property of Bird, Savage, and Bird and on the property of Robert Bird and Company and on the validity of an assignment of property which the partners had made to Richard Harison. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found....
62To 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...
63To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 3 August 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
How greatly have you Obliged And my Beloved Eliza relieved me of anxiety, by drawing from the unhappy seat of Contagion Mr Morton and his family. How much Am I pleased to Learn that you are to make an excursion into the country. I shall now no longer labour under those apprehensions which have so greatly distressed me least some Calamity Should befal my family. My fine Grandson Alexander...
64To 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. ]
65To 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...
66To Alexander Hamilton from John Murray, 13 July 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, July 13, 1803. Requests Hamilton’s opinion concerning his father’s claim to lands in New York State. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is printed in full in Goebel, Law Practice Julius Goebel, Jr., and Joseph H. Smith, eds., The Law Practice of Alexander Hamilton: Documents and Commentary (New York and London, 1964– ). , I, 263–64. John Murray, fourth Earl of...
67To 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:...
68To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Stoughton, 25 June 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 25, 1803. Requests Hamilton to inform Dominick Lynch that “after waiting nearly Seven Years to procure a Settlement of our Copartnership Accots … it must now be determined either Amicably or through the medium of the Law.” States that he wrote to Hamilton on November 11, 1797, with “a Statement of Facts, Copy of our Articles and my claims.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
69Daniel Ludlow to Alexander Hamilton and Nicholas Low, 21 June 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
A. Hamilton } Esqrs. N. Low Your favor of the 17th inst. I this day only received and have to assure you that the Settlement of the trust you mention committed to our joint care and under my particular management has been an object I have long had seriously at heart and nothing has prevented the completion thereof on my part but the want of time. The accounts are in hands and nearly arranged,...
70To Alexander Hamilton from John B. Graves, 31 May 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 31, 1803. States that he is acting on behalf of George Scriba who wishes to procure a mortgage in Europe on land in New York State. Requests Hamilton’s opinion on “whether European citizens can hold in their own right a mortgage on real Estate and likewise in case of purchase, if they can hold real Estate in their own name and dispose of it.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
71To Alexander Hamilton from Ernst Frederich von Walterstorff, 31 May 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I will now according to my promise when I left St: Croix acquaint You of my safe arrival at Portsmouth the 27th. instant and write You a few lines about the present state of politics. You may think of our surprize, Sir, when we learned from an English Brig of war in the Channel that England had declared war against France and that hostilities had actually commenced. Who can foretell what will...
72To Alexander Hamilton from Jacob Read, 19 May 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been applied to by some friends whom I very much regard, to give a few Letters of Introduction to Jas. Hume Esqr; now of this City and who intends in the Course of the summer to Visit the Northern & Eastern States, and I have had the Freedom to give him a Letter to yourself. The Wish I know Mr Hume entertained to be made acquainted with a Gentleman so justly intitled to Celebrity, as...
73To Alexander Hamilton from Vincent Gray, 26 April 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
The Ship Aspasia being about to depart for new york, I take leave to present to you this my friend Mr. Walden a small Turtle which I beg your acceptance as a small memento of my grateful recollection of your politeness while acting at the head of the Treasury Department. I have resided here some time as agent of the United States, and shall in consequence of having many debts to collect for...
74To Alexander Hamilton from Ernst Frederich von Walterstorff, 20 April 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
When I received Your favr. of the 5th August I certainly did not think that I should postpone so long answering it and returning You my thanks for this proof of Your kind remembrance. I shall offer You no appology for it because there is none that would be satisfactory to myself. I beg You only to be assured, dear General, that there is not a character in America for whom I feel a greater...
75To Alexander Hamilton from John Hamilton, 16 April 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I take the liberty to introduce to your acquaintance, personally, the Honourable Captain John Murray of His Majesty’s Navy, third Son of the Earl of Dunmore, in whose favour I beg leave to request your particular Civilities; assuring you that you will find him perfectly to merit whatever attention and good Offices you may have the kindness to render him during his visit to New York. I remain...
76To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 16 April 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Every letter of yours affords a mean of consolation, and I am well aware that nothing lends so much [to] the alleviation of distress, as the personal intercourse with a sincere friend, and the endearing Attentions of children. I shall therefore delay no longer than is indispensibly necessary my visit to you—my trial has been severe. I have attempted to sustain it with fortitude. I have I hope...
77To 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...
78To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Terry, 2 April 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Hartford, April 2, 1803. On April 21, 1803, Hamilton wrote to Terry and referred to “Your letter of the 2d instant.” Letter not found. ] Terry was a Hartford, Connecticut, lawyer.
79To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, [31 March 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
I would like by this opportunity to write to you a long letter, but having been Laying on my back for two months past, and being for three weeks to come, doomed to the same situation, I must confine myself to a few lines written near my bed. The particulars of the accident and his cure will be given to you by General Bernadotte, whom I must particularly introduce and his lady to Mrs. Hamilton...
80To 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. ]
81To Alexander Hamilton from Madame de Caradeux Lecaye, 6 March 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Qu’il m’est peinible d’avoir à vous apprendre par Cette lettre, Monsieur le Général, que je N’ai plus l’éspoire de revoir mes Amis de l’Amérique comme je m’en flattois pour ce Printems; Vous qui avez été témoins de mes regrets en les quittant, Vous jugerez aisement de mon Chagrin d’être obligée de renoncer au doux espoire de ma réunion avec eux, je ne Croyois pas pouvoir le Sentir aussi...
82To 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...
83To 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. ]
84To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Lawrence and Jonathan Dayton, 4 March 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 4, 1803. “The foregoing are Copies of our letters to Meeker Denman & Co on the subject of Insurance.…” AL , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Lawrence and Dayton were partners in a mercantile firm at 94 Greenwich Street, New York City. Copies, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter and its enclosures, which concern the case of Lawrence and Dayton v Columbian...
85To 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...
86Election by a Meeting of the Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves, 1 February 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 1, 1803. “… The Society proceeded to Ballot for their ann[u]al officers, when, on Counting the votes, the following persons appeared duly elected vizt … Alexander Hamilton … Consellor.…” Ms “Minutes of the Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves,” NewYork Historical Society, New York City. H was one of the original sponsors of the Society for Promoting the...
87To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 27 January 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be handed to you by a Mr. Thomas Fitch; and, at his desire, is addressed to his case. He wishes for the honor of being known to you, and he hopes for the aid of your patronage, in the persuit of some object, of which I have no distinct knowledge. He is of an obscure, tho’ respectable family in this neighbourhood. The President of the college where he was educated, a good &...
88To Alexander Hamilton from William R. Putnam, 17 January 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favor of December 6th has been duly receiv’d. You mention inclosing fifty dollars, the letter contained but thirty, consisting of one twenty, and one ten dollar bill; the letter and seal appeared in good order. Inclosed you’ll find the receipt for the payment of your taxes for the year 1802 and here follows a statement of my acct. A Hamilton Esqr Dr 1802 July to ballance of a/c for 1801...
89To 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...
90To Alexander Hamilton from William R. Putnam, December 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Marietta, Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, December, 1802. On January 17, 1803, Putnam wrote to H and itemized H’s account, which contained: “1802 Decmr to postage of a letter.” Letter not found. ]
91To Alexander Hamilton from William Constable, 30 November 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I have conversed with Mr G M since I had the Pleasure of seeing you relative to my being authorized to settle the Lands contained in the Deed of Trust. He sees no possible Objection to my having such Authority, the Money & Bonds received being paid over for the Use of the Lenders & will execute any Thing that you will order made out for the Purpose. May I request that you will direct Mr Ogden...
92Receipt from Louis Le Guen, [10 September 1802] (Hamilton Papers)
Jai Ce Jour: 10. Septembre 1802. recu du General Hamilton trois Cents cinquante d’ollars, Pour Linterest d’un ân sur La Somme de Cinq milles dollars, mentionnee au dit Bond. Morris Ville 10 Septe. 1802. ADS , Yale University Library For an explanation of the contents of this document, see “Indenture between Alexander Hamilton of the First Part and Richard Harison and Aaron Ogden of the Second...
93To 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...
94To Alexander Hamilton from James Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, 6 September 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I Regret very much that I have not had the pleasure to see you at Morisiana, and hope at the Same time that this Cool weather will have restored your health. I include here a receipt for the papers which belong to me and which are absolutely necessary to take with me in the Journey I am going to undertake. As I am to be at particular day at Albany I send you an express to desire you in case...
95To 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...
96To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 31 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your favour of the 14th. instant & I sincerely thank you for the friendly attention to my Interests therein manifested. It is certain that I must immediately engage in some active business, or wholly confine my expences to the prospects of my family, to what can be produced from a small farm. A removal from this place, considering the state of Mrs. Ws. health & that my children...
97To 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...
98To 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,...
99To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 6 August 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you two days ago by a private ship, as the Packet goes in a day or two I avail myself of the Opportunity to inform you that I have sent to the Secy of State my Resignation, and requested to be relieved in time to return home in April next. As there is reason to apprehend that we may be at war with all the barbary powers, as well as morocco I have asked for a Passage home in a...
100To 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...