481Enclosure: Answer to Questions Proposed by the President of the U States, [29 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
To The first. It is difficult to fix the precise point at which indignity or affront from one state to another ceases to be negotiable without absolute humiliation and disgrace. It is for the most part a relative question—relative to the comparitive strength of the parties—the motives for peace or war—the antecedent relations—the circumstances of the moment as well with regard to other...
482From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Take my ideas and weigh them of a proper course of conduct for our administration in the present juncture. You have called Congress—tis well. When the Senate meets (which I should be glad to see anticipated) send a Commission extraordinary to France. Let it consist of Jefferson or Madison Pinckney & a third very safe man, say Cabot . Proclaim a Religious solemnity to take place at the Meeting...
483From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [19 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
This will probably be handed you by Mrs De Neuville widow of Mr. De Neuville of Holland a Gentleman who embarked very zealously and very early in the cause of this country—was instrumental in promoting it and as I understand an object of persecution in consequence of it, which was a link in the chain of his pecuniary ruin. I think his widow has a strong claim upon the kindness of our country...
484From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [15 July 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the articles of War & rather think the case is not provided for by them. I incline to the opinion that The President ex officio as Commander in Chief has power to order a General Court Martial. But the exercise of this power would be liable to too much question & Criticism to be expedient. What then is to be done? The President has a right to dis⟨miss⟩ Military Officers as...
485From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 1 June 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I am told the Executive Directory have complained of Mr. Parish our Consul at Hamburgh. Perhaps the complaint may be ill founded but perhaps also he was indiscreet in giving colour for it. Admit too that he is a good man. Yet we must not quarrel with France for pins and needles . The public temper would not bear any umbrage taken where a trifling concession might have averted it. Tis a case...
486From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [19 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 19, 1796. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by Ben Bloomfield, New York City, 1954, List DM-2, Item 49.
487From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
It is a good while My Dear Mac since I have either written to or received a line from you. I embrace the first moment I have been really able to spare to say some things to you which have for some time “lain heavy on my mind.” I have been conscious that I owed you an explanation concerning the issue of a certain Inspectorship and I have meditated it ever since that issue took place. In giving...
488From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [27 September 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 27, 1792. On September 30, 1792, McHenry wrote to Hamilton : “I received … yours of the 27th.” Letter not found. ]
489From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [23 September 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 23, 1792. On September 30, 1792, McHenry wrote to Hamilton : “I received your letter of the 23.” Letter not found. ]
490From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [10 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, August 10, 1792. On October 20, 1792, McHenry wrote to Hamilton: “I have just recd your letter of the 10th Ulto.” Letter not found. ] At this time McHenry was a member of the Maryland Senate.
491From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [2 November 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 15 of October came duly to hand and an answer has only be[en] delayed through extreme hurry. My views on the point you mentioned cannot have changed and I am glad to know how you stand. All that confidence or attachment on my part could dictate will be employed. But nothing is certain. And nothing ought to be suspended on the event. Indeed I cannot perceive how the one thing...
492From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 26, 1791. On May 3, 1791, McHenry wrote to Hamilton : “I did not receive your letter of the 26th till the morning of the 2d.” Letter not found. ] McHenry, who had served as George Washington’s secretary during the American Revolution, had attended the Constitutional Convention and the Maryland Ratifying Convention. He was a member of the Maryland Assembly from 1788 to 1790.
493From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 8 March 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 8, 1782. “Dr. Mac. I write the above in a form which being copied I wish to appear before the personages concerned.… Whatever may be my general opinion of Mr. Chase, if I find good reason to think him innocent in the present case I shall with great pleasure declare it. You know my informants.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries, October 30–31, 1944,...
494From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [26 February 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the papers you transmitted me on the subject of Mr. C——e. Nothing gives me greater pleasure on all occasions, than to see suspected and injured innocence vindicated, nor would any person more chearfully retract an ill-founded accusation, on conviction of its error, than myself. You know the motives and the grounds of my charges against Mr. C——e, at a period fertile...
495From Alexander Hamilton to Major James McHenry, [18 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I have, Dear Mac, several of your letters. I shall ⟨soon⟩ have time enough to write ⟨my⟩ friends ⟨as often⟩ as they please. The Great man and I have come to an open rupture. Proposals of accomodation have been made on his part but rejected. I pledge my honor to you that he will find me inflexible. He shall for once at least repent his ill-humour. Without a shadow of reason and on the slightest...
496From Alexander Hamilton to Major James McHenry, [16–20 December 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you Dear Mac for your poetry and your confidence. The piece is a good one—your best. It has wit, which you know is a rare thing. I see by perseverence all ladies may be won. The Muses begin to be civil to you, in spite of Apollo and my prognosis. You know I have often told you, you wrote prose well but had no genius for poetry. I retract. Adieu. Steiner, James McHenry Bernard C....
497From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
It gives me pleasure to inform you that Mr Boudinotte has been able to effect your exchange for a Doctor Mentzes. Allow me to congratulate you on the event. We are again on the business of a general cartel with Mr Howe He seems inclined to meet us on fair ground. Commissioners from us meet an equal number from him the 10th instant. One great and preliminary point to be settled is the...
498From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [n.d.] (Hamilton Papers)
I was at Albany when your letter got here. I have snatched the first hour from my avocations to sketch to you my thoughts in a rude shape. Yrs. Affecly ALS , New York State Historical Association, Cooperstown, New York; ALS (photostat), James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress. This letter was presumably written between January 12, 1796, when McHenry was appointed Secretary of War, and May 6,...