51From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [8 July 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received your letter of the 6th. The idea of selling Bank Stock is the worst of all & can only be urged on a plan of private speculation. Acquiescence may tempt the Bank to oppress hereafter for speculation purposes. I have talked to some Directors of the Bank of New York conformably to your first suggestion, respecting the deposit of Stock & it will not be expedient to change...
52From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [15 July 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The application for a loan from the Bank of New York though powerfully supported by some of the leading directors labours; owing to the jealousy & narrowness of certain ones who see in it a plan to increase the active capital of the Branch Bank & put them in its power. Unluckily the President suddenly went off to R Island with his wife & some sick Children. I pursue the affair & I hope still...
53From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [28 July 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have not lost sight of the negotiation with the Bank though it labours & I have thought it best to let it lie bye till the President returns. Mc.Cormick is violent against it & plays on little jealousies, & what is still more efficacious private interests; representing the consequent inability of the Bank to accommodate the Merchants, many of whom from the unfortunate issue of some late...
54From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 30 July 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I had written you a short line previous to the Receipt of your letter of the 26th to which indeed I can add nothing material. It will, as things stand, be imprudent to push the point of a further loan till the President arrives —for though a majority of the Directors are well disposed to the thing, they are afraid of McCormick’s clamours and want the sanction of the President to controul &...
55From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private Mr Dandridge having rejoined my family again, preceeds me to Philadelphia, in order to bring up, & facilitate my Recording. He will ease you of the trouble of supplying Mr Kitts weekly calls, by placing the money you have receivd on my private account, in his hands, & furnishing him with more, if necessary, on account of my compensation as formerly. With very great esteem & regard I am...
56From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [3 August 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 1st. I deplore the picture it gives and henceforth wish to forget there is a Bank or a Treasury in the U States, though I shall not forget my regard to individuals. I do not see one argument in any possible shape of the thing for the sale of Bank Stock or against that of the other stock, which does not apply vice versa & I shall consider it as one of the most...
57From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [5 August 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The Bank of New York is willing to make the loan of 324 000 Dollars to you (I mean the exact sum of about this amount, if you desire it, which one of the laws you mentioned authorises to borrow) on these terms to advance all but two hundred thousand Dollars when you please—to advance the two hundred thousand Dollars, by way of reloan, when that sum, payable in October, becomes due. The term of...
58From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 10 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private Your letter of the 3d Instant did not get to my hands until the 8th. I most assuredly wrote the letter mentioned in my last; but I find it is no uncommon thing for my letters to miscarry. The originals to Genl Pi[n]ckney, of the —— Ulto (one of which containing 300 dollrs. in Bank notes for the Sufferers by fire in Charleston) had not been received by that Gentleman on the 26th of that...
59From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 August 1796 (Adams Papers)
My Wants are So numerous and my means of Supplying them So moderate, that I am obliged to ask the favour of you, to direct a Post note to be Sent me for a Quarters Salary, as Soon after the fourth of September as possible. Mr Meredith at your Desire was So good as to Send me a Note for the last Quarter in good Season. We have the most tranquil Summer and most plentiful Season I ever knew. With...
60From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is the name, and description of the Girl I mentioned to you last night. She has been the particular attendent on Mrs Washington since she was ten years old; and was handy & useful to her, being a perfect Mistress of her needle. We have heard that she was seen in New York by some one who knew her, directly after she went off. And since by Miss Langden, in Portsmouth; who meeting her...
61From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 27 October 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 17th instant found me at Albany attending the Supreme Court. I have no copy of the Treaty with G B at hand, but I am well satisfied from memory that the true interpretation of that Treaty, enforcing in this respect the true Rule of neutrality, forbids our permitting the sale of a prize taken & brought in by a French National Ship, equally as if by a Privateer —and that the...
62From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [1 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you a line from Albany expressing an opinion from Memory , that our Treaty with G B prohibitted the sale of prizes made by French National Ships. Being just returned to Town I have looked into the article which relates to the point & I fear that opinion was wrong. In a day or two I will write you more particularly. Adets late communication demands a very careful & well managed answer....
63From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [3 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have more carefully examined our Treaty with G Britain & I return to the opinion given you from Albany. My hesitation yesterday arose from the terms of the 24th article which were confined to privateers , a word that has an appropriate sense, meaning ships of private persons commissioned to cruise . But the following article contains the equivalent one to that with France, upon which we...
64From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [9 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I received yesterday your letter of the 6th & immediately wrote some additional letters to the Eastward enforcing what I had before written. Pensylvania does not surprise me. I have reconsidered the opinion given to you on the 3d, & see no reason to change it. The reasoning which leads me to the conclusion has not been sufficiently explained. I will therefore be more particular. The articles...
65From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 22 November 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your Note sending me Adet’s letter. The present is in my opinion as critical a situation as our Government has been in—requiring all its prudence all its wisdom all its moderation, all its firmness. Though the thing is now passed, I do not think it useless to say to you that I was not well pleased with the Secretary of State’s answer to Adets note communicating the order...
66From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [6 December 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the Bank of New York called upon me yesterday and manifested considerable anxiety about the State of the Bank. It seems the course of things lately, and their large accommodation to the Government, have produced a heavy ballance against them in favor of the Office of Discount at this place, which has lately called for 100000 Ds in specie & it is apprehended may speedily call...
67From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 21 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the Resolutions of the Senate, passed on the 10th. of February and 16th. of March 1796, I have the honour to transmit herewith the following statements. 1st. A statement of the Tonnage of the ships and vessels employed in the Trade of the United States for the year preceding the first day of October 1795. distinguishing the Foreign from the Domestic Tonnage, and the quantity...
68From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [21 December 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I did not understand by your letter of the 17th. of November whether you meant or not to authorise the immediate commencement of the sale of Stock. If you think this measure will become indispensable, it may be well to anticipate the execution; though indeed sales of Stock are at this juncture nearly impracticable. Yet I imagine it will be agreeable to the Bank to have permission to...
69From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [23 December 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you two days ago on the subject of obtaining an instruction from the Bank of the U States to the Direction of the Office here to prevent a speedy repetition of their call on the Bank of New York. This Bank has so large a proportion of its whole Capital in the power of the Office that if it be not tranquillized on the subject of demands from that quarter, it will be driven to such...
70From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 28 December 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I received yesterday your’s by Post, which I communicated immediately to the Directors of both Banks, that is, so much as concerned each party. It has been very consolatory to the Bank of New York & will do good. All will be well. Mr. Alexander McComb applied, while I was in Office, respecting some land he & Edgar had purchased of the Public and on which they had made a partial payment which...
71From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [17 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I groan My Dr. Sir at the disgraceful course of our affairs. I pity all those who are officially in their vortex. The behaviour of Congress in the present crisis is a new political phœnomenon. They must be severally arraigned before the Bar of the Public. How unfortunate that our friends suffer themselves by their passiveness to be confounded in the guilt. Yrs. truly ALS , Connecticut...
72From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, Jr., March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States, requests The Secretary of State, The Secretary of the Treasury, The Secretary of War and the Attorney General of the United States to take into their Consideration and Make reports of their Opinions in writing 1st. Whether the refusal to receive Mr Pinckney and the rude orders to quit Paris, and the territory of the republic with such circumstances of...
73From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [30 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Every one who can properly appreciate the situation of our Affairs at this moment, in all the extent of possible circumstances, must be extremely anxious for such a course of conduct in our Government which will unite the utmost prudence with energy. It has been a considerable time my wish that a Commission extraordinary Madison Pinkney Cabot should be constituted to go to France to explain...
74From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [5 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of March 31. I hope nothing in my last was misunderstood. Could it be necessary I would assure you that no one has a stronger convinction than myself of the purity of the motives which direct your public Conduct or of the good sense and judgment by which it is guided. If I have a fear (you will excuse my frankness), it is lest the strength of your feelings, the...
75From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [13 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The post of today brought me a letter from you. I am just informed that an order is come to the Custom House not to clear out any Vessel if armed , unless destined for the East Indies. Under the present circumstances I very much doubt the expediency of this measure. The excesses of France justify passiveness in the Government and its inability to protect the Merchants required that it should...
76From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States, requests the Secretary of the Treasury to take into his consideration the following Questions, and make report of his opinion in writing. Viz. 1st. Whether the refusal to receive Mr Pinckney and the rude orders to quit Paris, and the Territory of the Republic with Such circumstances of Indignity, Insult, and Hostility as we have been informed of are Bars to...
77From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 15 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States requests the Secretary of the Treasury, to commit to writing in detail, and report to the President as early as may be convenient, such Particulars as the Secretary may think necessary or K reliant to be inserted in the Presidents Spee c h at the opening of the ensuing Congress, under the heads 1. of Such Things as ought to be communicated to Congress...
78From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [22 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The consideration for the candidates in the better part of the community stands nearly thus. Clarkeson , ver Plank , Fish = Walker , Burrall , Giles ,
79From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 22 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
My absence from New York to attend the Court here has put it out of my power to answer sooner your letter of the 13th instant. The characters which occur to me as proper to be considered for Collector are these— Benjamin Walker —This Gentleman you know as well as I do. He is every way qualified and fit, and had he remained in the place of naval officer he might, qualified as he is, have looked...
80From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 15 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the information contained in your letter of the 19th Ulto; and infer from it, with pleasure, that you must be better, if not quite recovered of the indisposition of which you complained, by your being enabled to write. To know this however would give me satisfaction as I entertain an affectionate regard for you. Various conjectures have been formed relatively to the causes...
81From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 18th instant with its enclosures, and thank you for both. The President has, in my opinion, placed matters upon their true ground in his speech to Congress. The crisis calls for an unequivocal expression of the public mind, and the Speech will, mediately, or immediately, bring this about. Things ought not, indeed can not remain longer in their present state;...
82From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 6 June [1797] (Hamilton Papers)
You some time ago put a question to me, which through hurry, I never answered— viz whether there can be any distinction between the provision in the Treaty with Great Britain respecting British debts and that respecting spoliations , as to the power of the Commissioners to re judge the decisions of the Courts . I answer that I can discover none . I am of opinion however that in the exercise of...
83From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 7 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 31st Ulto enclosing draughts on the Collector of the Port of Alexandria for Three thousand four hundred and sixty nine dollars & 20 cents, came to hand by the Post of Monday; and for so convenient and agreeable an accomodation, for the money received by you from Mr Ross on my account, I pray you to accept my best thanks. Enclosed is a receipt for the above Sum, with a...
84From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [8 June 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your two letters of the 6th & 7. The last announces to me no more than I feared. Nor do I believe any sufficient external impulse can be given to save us from disgrace . This however will be thought of. I regret that you appear remote from the idea of a house tax simply without combining the land. I do not differ from your general principle. The truth is a solid one, that the...
85From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 3 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Not believing that Congress would adjourn as soon as some expected; and hoping that Colo. Shreve would not lay me under the necessity of putting his Judgment Bond in suit, I have forborne until now, to send it to Mr Ross for that purpose. But as I believe he is one of that description of men who have very little idea of punctuality; and as my wants require all my resources, I have now...
86From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 4 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I recd. your favour of Augt. 20th. in due Season. I congratulate you, most sincerely, on the prospect of the recovery of your Father and Brother from sickness. Before I left Philadelphia, I appointed Mr. Storer in the Place of Leonard Jarvis, and have the Pleasure to find, that his established Character for Integrity and his well known Accuracy in Accounts, have given universal satisfaction in...
87From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [8 September 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received the inclosed letter which I send to you with only this remark that I have a good opinion of the writer . I know that the pretensions of the person recommended will be weighed in an equal scale & will have all the attention to which they are intitled. Yrs. truly ALS , RG 59, General Records of the State Department, Applications and Recommendations, 1792–1801, National Archives....
88From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 15 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your favour of Septr. 7. Many Applications have been made to me for the Place of Dr Way. Mr Muhlenbourg, Mr. Huger, Mr Knapp Dr Jackson, and Dr Rush, besides those you have mentioned, have presented themselves as Candidates, and Mr Mumford of Philadelphia formerly of Rhode Island. These are all respectable Characters: but all Things considered my Judgment inclines to Dr...
89From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 23 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of Septr. Mr Storer is a Man of Science and Letters, a Merchant of acknowledged Accuracy and unblemished Reputation, many years Treasurer of the University of Cambridge, and of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, in both of which offices he has acquitted himself with Punctuality. His Connections are numerous and respectable. His Age is the only Objection to him: but his...
90From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 12 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
Last night I arrived at Col. Smiths, and my Family will probably make this House their home till they can go to Philadelphia with Safety. Your Reasons against convening Congress at any other Place than Philadelphia, have great Weight: but must all be overruled, if the Plague continues in that City. Perhaps it may not be necessary to remove many of the Books and Papers of the Public offices to...
91From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 14 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you, a day or two ago, on the necessary Article of money: but am afraid I did not express myself with earnestness enough to convey an adequate Idea of my Necessities. This shall be your Warrant for signing a Warrant in my behalf, if that is necessary, for two thousand dollars of my salary, which I pray you to convey to me in Postnotes, on New York, as soon as possible. The Question...
92From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 20 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your favour of the 16th.—Thank you for your care in writing to Mr Sands, who has furnished me with two thousand dollars for which I gave him duplicate Receipts to Serve for one, according to your desire. Though I rejoice to learn from your Letter that the Sickness in the City is diminishing, I cannot admit your Walk through the Principal Streets of it, to be full proof; because it...
93From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 26 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 20th and thank you for your vigilant attention to the Progress or rather to the decline of the Fever in Philadelphia. I request your explicit opinion, and pray you, if you can, to obtain those of Mr McHenry and Mr Lee; whether from the Prevalence of contagious Sickness in Philadelphia, or the Existence of any other Circumstances it would be hazardous to the Lives...
94From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 27 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Favour of the 24th. and thank you for your careful attention to the distemper in Philadelphia. Representaions Similar to yours are sent me from various quarters. That there would be considerable public Inconvenience, in a Convention of Congress to any place out of Philadelphia, is certain, and this consideration has great Weight:—that there would be much popular Clamour, at...
95From John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 7 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have just now recd your favour of Yesterday I shall be obliged to you if you will inform General McPherson that I am very Sensible of the honour intended me by the Troops of the City and Vicinity. I shall dine at New Bruswick tomorrow and on Thursday get as far as Trenton or perhaps two Miles beyond the Delaware. On Fryday I intend to reach Philadelphia and that before night. I pray the...
96From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [20 November 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Give me leave to remind you of your promise to send me the documents and information which authenticate the situation of Mr. Beaumarchais as to the unaccounted for Million . Allow me also to mention to you another point. I hear there is a plan among the Directors of the Bank to transfer the management of their concerns from the House of Cazenove to that of Baring. When the arrangement was...
97From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th Ulto has been duly received; but one cause or another has prevented the acknowledgment until now, when I thank you for the Presidents Speech which it enclosed, and your obliging offer to render me any services I might need, in Phila. One reason why I did not sooner notice the offer of a Mr Barker—to pay you on my A/c $500 in behalf of Colonl Shreve, was my expectation...
98From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 22 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12th instant enclosing one from Mr Ross, and the Treasurers draught on Colo. Fitzgerald for $1,961.30, came duly to hand; & for your kindness in thus accomodating me with the Order, in lieu of the like sum received from Mr Ross on my account, I feel much obliged. In the enclosed letter which I have taken the liberty of putting under cover to you (that I may be certain of its...
99Enclosure: John Adams to James McHenry, Timothy Pickering, Oliver Wolcott, Junior, and Charles Lee, 24 January 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the U S. requests the Secy of State, the Secy of the treasury, the Secy of War and the Atty. general to take into consideration the state of the nation and its foreign relations especially with France. These indeed may be so connected with these, with England Spain Holland and others that perhaps the former cannot be well weighed without the other. If our Envoys extraordinary...
100From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [April 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your last letter. The opinion with regard to the conduct of the President is very important. As to our finances all will be well, if our councils are wise & vigorous; if not, all will go to ruin. I fear there is not among the friends sufficient capaciousness of views for the greatness of the occasion. I send the inclosed because it required correction. AL , Connecticut...