1From John Adams to Rufus King, 23 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your kind Letter of the 2 d. of November, and hope that a Correspondence So agreably begun may be prosecuted, to the Benefit of the Country We have the Honour to serve. Although I may be not personally known to you, the Character uniformly given of your Talents, Application, and publick Spirit, leave me no room to doubt, that I Shall derive much necessary...
2From John Adams to Rufus King, 22 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I was honoured with your Letters of the 4. and 10. Dec r. — The Act of Congress respecting the British Consul General, is wise, and well guarded: Nevertheless I think that We Should not be So inattentive to Ettiquette, as to omit a Proposition for Sending a Minister Plenipotentiary. We give up, a Point, by receiving a Consul in return for a Minister, which, although it may appear of...
3From John Adams to Rufus King, 14 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have inclosed to M r Ramsay an Address to the landed trading and funded Interests of England, which contains Some good Sense, intermixed here and there with a little Folly. M r. Ramsay will be so good as to let you read it and in return you may let him read the inclosed Principle of the Commutation Act. As the Commerce of the United States begins to run to the East Indies, every Thing which...
4From John Adams to Rufus King, 14 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, arrived by the Post your Favours of the 2. 4. & 5. of May. Every Day will furnish America with fresh Proofs, of the fallacious nature of all her hopes of Prosperity, Grandeur and Glory, from the friendly disposition of foreign Powers. Whatever Assistance she may ever derive from any of them, must be purchased at a greater Price than it will be worth. Reverence thyself, is a Prœcept...
5From John Adams to Rufus King, 14 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
I had heard Sometime ago, of your Marriage with the amiable Daughter of my old Friend, M r Alsop, as well as of that of M r Gerry, and of both with the more Pleasure, probably as a good Work of the Same kind, for connecting Massachusetts and New York in the Bands of Love was going on here. Last Sunday under the Right Reverend Sanction of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of st Asaph...
6From John Adams to Rufus King, 29 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
The tumultuous Conduct of many People in New England which is mentioned in your obliging Letter of the 3 d of October, does not I hope arise from any Competitions for the Government. If the People who wish for Hancock, or those who prefer Bowdoin, those who vote for Sullivan—or such as desire Langden, are Capable of exciting such kinds of Discontent, and Convulsions in order to keep out—or to...
7Madison and William Grayson to Rufus King, 11 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
Mr. M & Mr Grayson present their complts to Mr. King and beg leave to inform him that the doors of the Assembly were shut on a letter from Col Carrington & Col. Lee, which Mr. Grayson saw but did not sign for reasons irrelative to the present subject. Mr. M. was in the Legislature at the time and knows the cause was very different from the one mentioned to Mr. King. Both of them are satisfied...
8From John Adams to Rufus King, 19 April 1787 (Adams Papers)
M r. Francis Upton, a Gentleman recommended to me by M r: Hartley, will have the Honour to deliver you this Letter, He goes to NewYork, about an Estate Claimed by him, his Brother & Sister I beg Leave to introduce him to you— This Country affords nothing new—an obstinate continuation of the same Ministry, the same Principles Spirit, Passions, Prejudices, and in one word system is no News,— I...
9From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [20 August 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Since my arrival here, I have written to my colleagues, informing them, that if either of them would come down I would accompany him to Philadelphia. So much for the sake of propriety and public opinion. In the mean time if any material alteration should happen to be made in the plan now before the Convention, I will be obliged to you for a communication of it. I will also be obliged to you to...
10From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [28 August 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you some days since, that to request you to inform me when there was a prospect of your finishing as I intended to be with you, for certain reasons, before the conclusion. It is whispered here that some late changes in your scheme have taken place which give it a higher tone. Is this the case? I leave town today, to attend a circuit in a neighbouring County, from which I shall...
11From James Madison to Rufus King, 23 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have this instant recd. your favr. of the 16. and have but a few moments to thank you for it. I have also just recd. a letter from Genl. Washington. It contains nothing very material or new. The Genl. thinks that although there is an uncertainty in the case, the final decision will prove that a large majority in Virga. are in favor of the Constitution. If nine States should precede it seems...
12From George Washington to Rufus King, 29 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter with which you were pleased to honor me from Boston, and pray you to accept my thanks for, & congratulations on, the important information it contains. Happy, am I, to see the favorable decision of your Convention upon the proposed Government; not only on acct of its adding an important State to the number of those which have already accepted it, but because it must...
13From James Madison to Rufus King, 4 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
I thank you sincerely for your favor previous to your leaving N. York. The information in it is agreeable an[d] useful. Our Convention met on Monday. I did not arr[ive] till the evening of that day. Mr. Pendleton had been unanimously put into the chair. The debates commenced to day. The Govr. has declared the day of previous amendments past, and thrown himself fully into our scale. M—s—n &...
14From James Madison to Rufus King, 9 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have been for two days & still am laid up with a bilious attack. Writing is scarcely practicable & very injurious to me. I can only say to you therefore appearances have not changed sensibly since my last. I think we have a majority as yet; but the other party are ingenious & indefatigable. I wish you all happiness & am Yrs. RC ( NHi ). Addressed in an unidentified hand. Docketed by King.
15From James Madison to Rufus King, 13 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
I am tolerably well over the bilious indisposition which confined me at the date of my last. The progress of the Convention is extremely slow; though from the impatience of the members, I think the Session will not be long. The issue of it is more doubtful than was apprehended when I last wrote. The ostensible points of opposition are direct taxation, the imperfect representation in the H. of...
16From James Madison to Rufus King, 18 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
No question has yet been taken by which real strength of parties in our Convention can be measured. There is not a majority of more than three or four on either side. Both sides claim it. I think however it rather lies as yet in favor of the Constitution. But it is so small as to justify apprehensions from accidents as well as change of opinion. An unwillingness to risk a positive decision on...
17From James Madison to Rufus King, 22 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
We are at length approaching the close of our deliberations on the several parts of the Constitution. The Judiciary Department has been gone over; though perhaps it may receive some additional disquisitions. The attack has apparently been less formidable than I had apprehended. Independently of some particular interests, the objections against it have not been calculated in my opinion to make...
18From James Madison to Rufus King, 25 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
The final question in our Convention has just been decided in the affirmative by 89 ays 79 noes. Recommendatory amendments will attend the act of ratification; but are yet to be settled. The business was closed with due decorum & solemnity; and an acquiescence of the minority can not be in the least doubted. Some of the leaders as might be imagined have however a keen feeling of their...
19From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [15 July 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter by the last Post but one. I immediately sat about circulating an idea, that it would be injurious to the City to have Duane elected—as the probability was, that some very unfit character would be his successor. My object was to have this sentiment communicated to our members. But a stop was put to my measures, by a letter received from Burr, announcing that at a general...
20From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 8 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter on a certain subject and was obliged by it. But there was nothing practicable by way of remedy. The thing, as it has turned out, though good in the main, has certainly some ill sides. There have also been faults in the detail, which are not favourable to complete satisfaction. But what shall we do? ‘Tis the lot of every thing human to mingle a portion of ill with the...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [17 August 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of Monday Evening has a good deal tranquillized me. I am glad to learn that the mischiefs from the over rise of scripts are not likely to be very extensive. I observe what you say respecting the quotation of my opinion. I was not unaware of the delicacy of giving any & was sufficiently reserved ’till I perceived the extreme to which Bank Script and with it other stock was tending....
22From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 28 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have not, as you will imagine, been inattentive to your political squabble. I believe you are right (though I have not accurately examined) but I am not without apprehension that a ferment may be raised which may not be allayed when you wish it. Tis not to be forgotten that the opposers of Clinton are the real friends to order & good Government; and that it will ill become them to give an...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 25 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I received lately a letter from you in which you express sentiments according with my own on the present complexion of your party politics; as, if a letter of mine to you did not miscarry, you will have seen. I wished that Clinton & his party should be placed in a just light before the people, and that a spirit of dissatisfaction within proper bounds should be kept alive; and this for National...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 27 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Desirous of examining accurately the question decided by the Canvassers —I will thank you for a minute of all the authorities which were consulted by you when you gave your opinion. Yrs. truly I shall be glad to have them as soon as may be. ALS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. This is a reference to the decision of the board of canvassers of New York State in the disputed...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 23 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Though I had had a previous intimation of the possibility of such an event; yet the inteligence contained in your letter of the 17th surprised me. Even now I am to be convinced that the movement is any thing more than a diversion in favour of Mr. Clinton. Yet on my part it will not be neglected. My attention as far as shall be in any degree safe will be directed to every state South of New...
26From John Adams to Rufus King, 11 October 1792 (Adams Papers)
I am very much obliged, Sir, by your kind Letter of the 30th of Septr, and for the important Intelligence contained in it There is Such a Complication of Tragedy Comedy and Farce, in all the Accounts from France that it is to me, to the last degree, disgusting to attend to them in detail. I read over the Accounts in general and then endeavour to divert my own Attention from y very Serious,...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 2 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
When you are acquainted with all the facts, I think you will alter the opinion you appear to entertain. My application comes literally within your rule. The loan is necessary for the current expenditure independent of any new advance to France or of purchases of the Debt. This has arisen from my having been under the necessity of remitting to Holland for a payment in June of 1000,000 of...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 2 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The failures in England will be so seriously felt in this Country as to involve a real crisis in our money concerns. I anxiously wish you could be here to assist in the operations of the Bank of the UStates —never was there a time, which required more the Union of Courage & Prudence, than the present and approaching Juncture. You can imagine all that I could add on this subject. Is it...
29From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [15 June 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The ideas expressed in your letter of the 14th correspond with my view of the subject, in general. I did not perceive that any process could be devised to detain the Privateer and concluded that the issue would be to leave her in military custody. Indeed I believe this was rather the expectation with all, though it was thought adviseable to make the experiment of a reference to the Civil...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King [13 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The Post of to day brought me your letter of the 10th, but I was too much engaged to reply to it by return of Post. The facts with regard to Mr Genet’s threat to appeal from the President to the People stand thus— On Saturday the 6th of July last, the warden of this Port reported to Governor Mifflin that the Brig Little Sarah since called The Petit Democrat (an English merchant vessel mounting...
Honorable Gentlemen, The very interesting information contained in your card published in Monday’s Diary, and the very condescending Manner in which you have deigned to make the communication, demand the most submissive acknowledgments of all your fellow subjects. When the chief justice and a senator of the United States stoop so far, as to address themselves immediately to the people, who...
Candid answers to the following questions are absolutely necessary, to enable the public to form an adequate judgement respecting Citizen Genet’s conduct. Had you been explicit when you dragged the Minister before that awful tribunal, much trouble and uncertainty would have been avoided. I never saw the propriety of your appealing to the people in a matter cognizable only by our worthy...
33From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [23–24 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
It is not yet finally determined that there shall be a publication & there has been some difference of opinion on the point. But it seems to me the publication of the letters renders it indispensable, that the whole story should be told. Yet when it appears, it will probably include only what is regularly official, so that the present question may be pursued independently. Perhaps you will not...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [11 November 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed in a letter which I have just received from poor Fenno. It speaks for itself. If you can without delay raise 1000 Dollars in New York, I will endeavor to raise another Thousand at Philadelphia. If this cannot be done we must lose his services & he will be the victim of his honest public spirit. Yrs. truly If may either be in the form of gift or loan. ALS , New-York Historical Society,...
35Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox to John Jay and Rufus King, 27 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
We have received your Letter of the 26th instant. We take to day to revise it and tomorrow or the day after we expect to hand it to some Printer for publication with our Certificate. We are with respect and esteem Your obedient servants John Jay } Esquires. Rufus King LS , in the handwriting of H, Columbia University Libraries. For background to this letter, see the introductory note to H to...
36From John Jay to Rufus King, 12 December 1793 (Jay Papers)
I thank you for your’s of the 9 Inst:— The President’s Speech meets with general approbation— his message has produced here its natural and proper Effect. M Dallas’s Statement is defended by some— others call it subterfuge and harder names— I think it as artful as the Subject ^and his Design^ would Rufus King, by John Trumbull, 1792. (Yale University Art Gallery, Trumbull Collection, 1832.30)...
37From John Jay to Rufus King, 19 December 1793 (Jay Papers)
I have been fav d . with your’s of the 15, & Yesterday rec d . Dunlaps paper of the 17 w h . you was so obliging as to send me. It is to be regretted that M r Jefferson & Gov r Mifflin still remain as it were in a back ground— I enclose an Extract from one of our Papers, by w h . you will percieve the use made of it. I am much inclined to think that Letters, calculated for publication, from...
38From John Jay to Rufus King, 22 December 1793 (Jay Papers)
I purpose to go to Rye Tomorrow, & return the last of the week. would it not be adviseable that, where Jurors are summoned by Marshalls, the Courts sh d . be authorized to appoint Elizors in every Case in which the Court shall have Evidence to induce reasonable apprehensions of Partiality or Interest in the Marshall, and that both in public & private causes? As the Yellow Fever may again...
39From John Jay to Rufus King, 25 February 1794 (Jay Papers)
I did not arrive here untill Yesterday— understanding that the little Ferries were impassable we went on Saturday Even g to Eliz. Town point, where we were detained untill Yesterday morn g . M r Russell purchased a pair of Horses at Brunswick, and set out with M r Gore in a Sleigh yesterday afternoon. The Paper I was to send you is herewith enclosed— on this occasion I can say little, being...
40From George Washington to John Jay and Rufus King, 3 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
I certify, that the transcript below, which was permitted to be extracted from a report of the Secretary of State to the President of the United States, (dated the 10th of July 1793) by the Secretaries of Treasury and War, and inserted by them in a statement of certain facts published in Dunlap & Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser No. 4581. is a correct quotation from the original. “On...
41From John Jay to Rufus King, 3 May 1794 (Jay Papers)
I was this morning fav[ore] d . with your’s of Yesterday, and regret the obstacles you mention. a Report is prevailing here that the chancellor is contemplated for France— M rs . Montgomery is said to have mentioned it—on what authority I know not. Your Question deserves mature Consideration— unsuccessful opposition gives strength, especially in the Cases where the it may be ascribed with a...
42From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 17 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
When you recollect, that I have two departments on my shoulders and when I tell you that I have been out of health in the bargain You will perhaps admit an excuse for my not answering sooner your letter some time since received. Mr. Jay has given nothing conclusive. His letters to the 26 of June barely gave the idea that appearances were not unfavourable. His last letter, I forget the date,...
43From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [22 September 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My Dr. Sir for your letter of the . A few days previously I wrote you pretty fully. I hope my letter got to hand. The inclosed paper gives you the substance of our European intelligence under the Philadelphia head. The Returns from the Western Counties of this state are just come to hand. They shew a valuable division, ranging on the side of the laws the most influential men & a...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 30 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Our light corps, the Jersey infantry & a brigade of cavalry are about 8½ Miles in front, beyond all the Mountains. This division which has been delayed by a somewhat worse route & the incumbrance of the public stores will be at the same place this Evening. The left wing is at a corresponding point. All is essentially well—No appearance of opposition. It is of great consequence that a law...
45From John Jay to Rufus King, 19 November 1794 (Jay Papers)
I sent by the Packet the Fruit of my negociation—a Treaty— I wish I could go with it, as well that I might again be in my own Country, as that I might answer Questions on the Subjects. The Draft has undergone several Editions, with successive alterations additions &c a .— this shews that Time and Trouble have not been spared — I have just finished a hasty Letter to M r Randolph — it will be...
46From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 21 February 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
The unnecessary capricious & abominable assassination of the National honor by the rejection of the propositions respecting the unsubscribed debt in the House of Representatives haunts me every step I take, and afflicts me more than I can express. To see the character of the Government and the country so sported with, exposed to so indelible a blot puts my heart to the Torture. Am I then more...
47From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 26 February 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter with the printed Bills. The new clause is an additional bad feature. Yet ’tis better the thing should pass as it is than not at all. Every thing should be gained that can be. So: It seems that under the present administration of the Department, Hillhouse & Goodhue are to be the Ministers in the House of Representatives & Elsworth & Strong in the Senate. Fine work we...
48From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 11 June 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 10th. The case has been with me as with you. Reflection has not mitigated the exceptionable point. Yet it will be to be lamented if no mode can be devised to save the main object and close the irritable questions which are provided for. Every thing besides an absolute & simple ratification will put something in jeopardy. But while on the one hand, I think it...
49From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 20 June 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
A considerable alarm has been spread this morning by a report that the Treaty had been disagreed to. I have assured those I have seen that I was convinced any rumour of a decision must be premature. The anxiety however about the result is extreme. The common opinion among men of business of all descriptions is that a disagreement to the Treaty would greatly shock and stagnate pecuniary plans...
50From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 14 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
An extraordinary press of occupation has delayed an answer to your letter on the subject of Mr R . Though it may come too late, I comply with your request as soon as I can. The subject is truly a perplexing one; my mind has several times fluctuated. If there was nothing in the case but his imprudent sally upon a certain occasion I should think the reasons for letting him pass would outweigh...