1The American Commissioners to William Short, 5 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
A Treaty of Amity & Commerce between the United States of America & his Majesty the King of Prussia having been arranged with the Baron de Thulemeyer his Majesty’s Envoy Extraordinary at the Hague specially empowered for this Purpose and it being inconsistent with our other Duties to repair to that Place ourselves for the Purpose of executing & exchanging the Instruments of Treaty, we hereby...
2From John Adams to William Short, 30 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 23. and I hope e’er this time the Baron has received Orders to Sign in both Languages. This is a favourite Point with me; but yet I would not make it a Sine qua non. I would urge it with decency, but give it up at last if it could not be [avoid]ed. Our Treaty with France is in English and French. That with [Ho]lland is in English and Dutch, and neither made...
I have rec d. from M r: Jefferson a copy of his letter to you of the 1 st. ins t: & agree fully with him in sentiment that we should agree to consider the french column as the Original, if the Baron thinks himself bound to insist upon it; but if the practice of his Court will admit of the execution in the two languages, each to be considered as equally original, it would be very agreable to...
4From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 7 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I think it probable you will have learnt, through other channels, before this reaches you, my appointment as Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. In this capacity the debt due from us to France will of course constitute one of the objects of my attention. Except with regard to a few laws of immediate urgency, respecting commercial imposts, and navigation, the late session of...
5From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 29 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I am honored with your letters of the 28th & 30th, which did not come to my hands ’till the 27th instant. The conduct you have prescribed to yourself in regard to the negociations concerning the Debt of the United States, appears to be very prudent and judicious, and such as will give the United States a convenient election of the measures to be pursued in future. Previously to the receipt of...
6From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 29 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
You are already apprised of the loan which was commenced in the united Netherlands, by Messrs. Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicholas & Jacob van Staphorst and Hubbard, with a view on their part to the service of the United States, and that the same has been submitted to our Government for their acceptance. On due consideration of the circumstances of that Loan and the views with which the above...
7From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 1 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Two Acts of the Legislature of the fourth and twelfth of August, of which I inclose you copies, authenticated according to law, empower the President to cause to be borrowed on their behalf Fourteen Millions of dollars; subject to certain restrictions and qualifications: to be applied in payment of such part of our foreign debt as shall have become due, and to a new modification of the...
8Enclosure: Commission to William Short, [1 September 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
To all to whom these presents shall come Whereas, by an act passed the fourth day of august in this present year entitled “An Act making provision for the Debt of the United States” it is among other things enacted, That the President of the United States be authorised to cause to be borrowed on behalf of the United States, a sum or sums not exceeding in the whole Twelve Millions of Dollars,...
9From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 10 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Benjamin Walker Esquire, Naval officer of the Port of New York who has leave of abscence for a twelvemonth. As he has thoughts of visiting Paris he has requested me to make him known to you which I do with pleasure as he is a man of worth. He was during a part of the late War Aide du Camp to General Washington. I remain with much esteem & consideration Sir,...
10Enclosure: Comte de Montmorin to William Short, 30 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Vous m’avez informé, Monsieur, que le Congrès avoit pris la résolution de faire un emprunt de 10 millions de Dollars dans la vuë de faire face à Ses dettes étrangeres; vous m’avez ajouté que vous etiez chargé de la négociation relative à cet emprunt, et que c’etoit là l’objet de votre Sejour à Amsterdam. Les Srs. Schwietzer Jeanneret and Compagnie, Banquiers à Paris, instruits de ces faits, et...
11Enclosure: James Swan to William Short, 12 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
To mine of the 27th. Novr. & 5th. Inst. I refer. I have nothing at present to trouble you with, only a Statement how things stand here concerning the debt. M. Morris & I were in dispute with the Bankers (with whom you have had some conversations here,) about their gratifications, they wishing with their Fathers & Cousins in Paris & Amstm. to absorb all. He having parted Wednesday morning for...
12Enclosure: James Swan to William Short, 12 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Fearing that my Letter of this date by the way of Antwerp may have missed, I shall only beg leave to trouble you with one or two points in it essential for you to know. I acquainted you, how I was inform’d, that a M. Jubert had made proposals to pay the whole entirely, & instantly: but I can find no foundation for it, either in the Committee of Finances or of Liquidation, that is, there has...
13Enclosure: James Swan to William Short, 14 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your desire in your Letter of the 9th. Inst., I have endeavoured all in my power to persuade Messrs. Sweizer Jeanneret & Co., from the pursuit of their plan, & have communicated your Letter to them, in which it appears you do not consider yourself as authorized to accept it, but all without effect—for I find they have determin’d to raise, as they say, every obstacle which can...
14Enclosure: Schweizer, Jeanneret and Company to William Short, [14 December 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Sur la communication qui nous a été donnée par Monsieur swan, de la lettre que vous lui avez fait l’honneur de lui écrire Le 9 de ce mois, nous avons pris la décision de surmonter tous les obstacles raisonnables qui pourront s’élever sur les propositions que nous avons eu l’honneur de vous faire Ministerielment par le canal de Monsieur Le Contrôlleur Général des finances et de Monsieur de...
15Enclosure: Comte de Montmorin to William Short, 24 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 19. du mois. Les Srs. Jeanneret et Schwietzer en me communiquant la réponse que vous leur avez faite, m’ont prié d’appuyer auprès du Président des Etats-Unis la proposition que vous vous êtes déterminé à lui transmettre. J’ai fait d’autans moins de difficulté de me prêter à leur demande, que je l’ai entierement...
16Enclosure: Antoine Bernard Caillard to William Short, 4 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Le Gouvernement de france a grand interet de Savoir Si l’emprunt que font en ce moment à Amsterdam les Etats unis de l’Amerique par votre ministere a pour objet le reboursement d’une partie des sommes qu’ils doivent à la france, et il me charge de vous demander un mot d’eclaircissement à ce Sujet. J’ose vous prier, Monsieur, le vouloir bien m’honorer d’une reponse Sur cela—et de me mettre en...
17Enclosure: Ferdinand Grand to William Short, [25 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Jaime a croire Monsieur que vous ne vous etes pas rappelle les conditions du traité passé dans le temps entre le roi & Monsieur Francklin il porte que le remboursement des Sommes pretées aux etats unis Seront faites a mon domicile pour etre ensuite versées au tresor royal, j’ai appris avec peine que cette condition na pas été observée dans le payement qui S’est effectué dernierement,...
18From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 13 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recently received your letters of the 2d. December and the 25th. of January. The others to which they refer have not yet come to hand. The manner in which you have proceeded, as detailed in your letter of the 2d. of December, is entirely satisfactory to me and I doubt not will be equally so to the President, when known to him. He is now absent on a journey through the Southern States....
19From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 9 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Since mine to you of the 13th. of April, I have received your several letters of the eighteenth and thirtieth of December, the fifteenth of January, the seventh, seventeenth and twenty second of february. Thanking you for the copious information they contain, I assure you, that the further developement of the business has increased my satisfaction with the course you have pursued. The issue of...
20From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 24 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the United States has signified to me his pleasure, that I should revoke that part of your instructions which confines you to opening loans for no greater sum, at a time, than one million of dollars and which restrains you from opening a subsequent loan till the one preceding has received his approbation; and has also instructed me to authorise you to open each future loan for...
21Enclosure: Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard to William Short, 23 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
We have the honor to inclose a Letter We received for you this Morning ⅌ the English Mail, which brought us late Intelligence from America. It is with satisfaction We inform you, that We have delivered near all the Bonds of the Loan of March, and that the actual Price for them is ¾ ⅌ Cent above Par. They will probably still rise, and We flatter ourselves sufficiently high, by postponing yet...
22Enclosure: Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard to William Short, 3 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In reply to your respected favor of 26 Ultimo, We acquaint you, that the Order You purpose giving us to pay One Million of Florins unto the Director-General of the Finances of France, shall be punctually complied with, in the Mode that Minister will desire. All the Bonds of the Loan of March last are now delivered; And We do not doubt, We should be able in the present Moment, to procure a New...
23From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 25 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received two days since your letter of the 11th. of March last. Mine to you of the 13th. of April & of the 9th & 24th of May (of which copies are herewith sent) will have informed you of my opinion, concerning the negotiation for the transfer of the debt due to France, will have removed the impediments to your progress on the business committed to you, and will have apprised you of my views...
24From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 30 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Since closing my letter, herewith transmitted, yours of the 4th. of March transmitting a copy of the contract for the last loan has been delivered to me. A ratification of that contract by the President will be forwarded as speedily as possible after his return to the seat of Government which is expected to be in the first week of the next month. There is in a late letter from Messrs. Willinks...
25Enclosure: Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard to William Short, 21 July … (Hamilton Papers)
We have your respected favor of 15 Instant, in consequence of which We have confirmed to Messr. Hogguer Grand & Co. our having received your Order to pay them f500,000.—.—. on account of the U.S. and our readiness to fulfill it. They will apply to us for the Money so soon as they shall be authorized by the Commissaries of the Treasury; When We will endeavor to fix the Exchange at a just and...
26From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 1[–2] August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last letter to you, yours of the 4th. of May has come to hand. Pursuant to instructions recently received from the President of the United States, I am at liberty to authorise you “to open at your discretion loans at such times and places and for such sums as you may find advisable within the limitations of the respective laws authorising the loans” and which have been transmitted to...
27Enclosure: Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard to William Short, 25 August … (Hamilton Papers)
We had the pleasure to address you the 22nd. Inst. and now come to reply particularly to your respected favors of 12 & 14 ditto. We must confess to you Sir, that your sticking to reduce the Charges We fixed with you for the Five per Cent Loans of the United-States, after We had placed them upon the very lowest footing, is truly surprizing to us, more especially as It is striving to recede from...
28From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 2 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last to you of the first of August I have received your several letters of the 3d. 5. 10 & 19th of June. Most of the points mentioned in those letters will find sufficient answers in my several communications of the 9th & 24th of May, June 25 & 30th & the 1st of August, all of which having gone, by duplicates at least, and some by triplicates, I take it for granted have gotten or will...
29Enclosure: Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard to William Short, 8 September … (Hamilton Papers)
We have before us your respected favors of 28 Ulto. and 3d Instant, the latter rendering that Justice to our Views, in the Conduct of the last Loan for Six Millions, which they merit, and that Circumstances are fast developing the extreme Propriety of, since the probable Acceptance of the French Constitution by the King, greatly augments the hopes and expectations of People here, in a rapid...
30From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 3 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I acknowlege the receipt of your letters of the 26th and 27 of July. The fall which you announce in the price of the effects of the United States was certainly artificial. The cause ere this will have been better ascertained to you. ’Tis open to various conjectures. I have thought it adviseable to drop a line to our Bankers in Holland (of which a copy is inclosed) merely to mark my attention...