1From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, [24 July 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
By His Excellys. command I am to request you will be pleased to put General Hands brigade under marching orders to move by break of day tomorrow morning. He will see General Greene and take orders from him. An impress of waggons is the object. I have the honor to be with the truest attacht. Yr Lordships Most Obedt. serv. ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library. Brigadier General Edward...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [18 May 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the Commanding Officer on Staten Island has agreed to the proposed exchange of papers; and the inclosed are a commencement of the plan. They contain nothing. We have several rumours from New York of accounts received there that affairs to the Southward the last of April or the beginning of May were in statu quo; the enemy had made no material progress...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [31 May 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you several late papers from New York. We have not yet gotten into a right train, but I am promised for the future that if the papers are forwarded regularly on our part, the exchanges will be made with regularity. I am sorry to inform you that a Hand-bill was published at New York dated the 29th. by authority giving an account of the surrender of Charles-Town with...
4From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [7 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
The first step to reformation as well in an administration as in an individual is to be sensible of our faults. This begins to be our case; and there are several symptoms that please me at this juncture. But we are so accustomed to doing right by halves, and spoiling a good intention in the execution, that I always wait to see the end of our public arrangements before I venture to expect good...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [6 May 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The day before yesterday I had the honor of your letter of the 29th. of April, transmitting the latest Philadelphia papers. I immediately sent them to the officer commanding on the lines to be exchanged in persuance of the plan which has been preconcerted. The papers expected in return are not yet arrived, the moment they do, they shall be forwarded. ’Tis probable our first experiment may meet...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [17 August 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
In the present state of affairs I know of no certain mode for procuring the release of your Brothers, unless there are naval prisoners in the French department whose situations will apply to theirs. I have however directed our Commissary of Prisoners to use all his influence at least to obtain permission for them to make you a visit at Philadelphia—to ascertain in what light they are...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [12 October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
In my absence from Camp, the Commissary of prisoners has no doubt informed you, that your Brothers were not at New York. I am sorry you were so long kept in suspense about an explanation which without a determined disposition to blunder ought to have been long since obtained. I find, my Dear Sir, on the experiment in several ways, that I cannot regularly procure the New York papers in exchange...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Barbé-Marbois, [20 July 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I communicated My Dear Sir to the General your ideas of an union between the patriotic males and females; which he relished so well that he has taken the first opportunity to write to the Presidentess recommending it. I hope the proposal may be approved as it will be useful. You will have heard before this gets to hand of the arrival of the Counte De Rochambeau and of the Chevalier De Ternay,...
9From Alexander Hamilton to Major Sebastian Bauman, [13 April 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
You have intirely misunderstood me. I said I knew you too well not to be convinced, that you would give fair play; that is in other words my knowlege of you convinced me that you would give fair play . You seem to have taken it in a different sense. Permit me to say this was not well done; for my friendship for you as well as the whole complexion of my letter ought to have saved me from the...
10From Alexander Hamilton to Major Sebastian Bauman, [14 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Garanger has received a second order from the General to make the experiments which were before prescribed him. General Knox he tells me has given him a letter to you to furnish him with the materials and afford him the assistance of which he may stand in need. You will oblige me by facilitating his operations as much as you can; You may depend he will not be introduced into the corps of...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Major Sebastian Bauman, [13 April 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I received your note concerning Mr. Garanger. I am no further interested for him than as a stranger who has taken a great deal of pains to render himself useful & who appears to me to understand what he professes. I know you too well however not to be convinced that you will do every thing in your power to give him fair play. He ought to choose his own means and we should judge of the results....
12From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, 3 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you a letter for Mr. Writtenhouse accompanied by a Theodolite which you will be pleased carefully to forward him for The General. (Now on my own account) Gibbs informs me you were obliging enough to promise that care should be taken of my mare and her colt at your place. I leave her in charge of Mr. Wallace as my servant will be too much employed while we stay to carry her to your...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, [20 August 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Laurence who will deliver you this, is I am informed, a character that by his attachment to the cause, his suffering, &c. has a claim to all the indulgence we can show him with consistency. All his grass is gone. He expects soon to have his hay taken away and then he says his cattle and his family in consequence must starve. If you can manage to spare him without incurring the charge of...
14From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, [16 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
There is to be an interview at Elizabeth Town the 19th. between General Lincoln General Philips, The British & American Commissaries of Prisoners. You will endeavour to provide them, with forage, and for this purpose if you please, take the directions of General Lincoln. Yr Obed serv. ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Major General Benjamin Lincoln had been taken prisoner...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Theodorick Bland, 26 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Ringwood, New Jersey, January 26, 1781. “I accompanied the General to this place on the business of the Jersey revolt. Tomorrow morning it will be brought to a decision.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by C. F. Libbie and Company, November 15, 1889, Lot 343. Bland, who had been a colonel First Continental Dragoons, resigned from the service on December 10, 1779. On June 21, 1780, he was...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Brooks, 6 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you the copy of a letter which I received by the last post from Mr. Dana. You will perceive, he says, he does not recollect or imagine that he threw out the observation mentioned by you respecting the probability of my having made the declaration with which I am charged; but believes it was used by some other person in company and that you had unintentionally blended the...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Brooks, [10 September 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you merely by way of information the copy of a letter, of the 25th. of August, which I yesterday received from Mr. Dana. I have only to request that you will be good enough to inform me of the names of all the gentlemen that composed the company before which I had the honor of being exhibited on the occasion in question. I am D Sir Your friend & servant ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Major Ichabod Burnet, [28 January 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The General considers the applicat⟨ion⟩ as unusual and does not think proper to authorise a compliance with it. Yrs. ALS , Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. Burnet was an aide to Major General Nathanael Greene. There is no record of the request by Burnet that is mentioned in this letter.
19From Alexander Hamilton to Captain James Christie, [4 June 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
Capt Christie dispatched by His Excellency The Commander in Chief on very important business is hereby authorised to impress horses by the way. ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Christie (also spelled Chrystie) was a captain of the Third Pennsylvania Regiment. On June 4, Washington gave the following instructions to Christie: “To proceed immediately to West-Point. To...
20From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church (John Carter), 25 April 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ De Peyster’s Point, New York, April 25, 1781. On May 18, 1781, Church wrote to Hamilton that he had received “your Favor of the 25th April.” Letter not found .] Church was an Englishman who married Elizabeth Hamilton’s sister, Angelica. During the Revolution he used the pseudonym “John Carter.” At this time, he and Jeremiah Wadsworth had a contract for supplying the French forces in America.
21From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Thomas Clark, [18] May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency received last night a letter from Lt Col Davidson written by your direction, informing him of the enemy’s being at the New Bridge. He requests you will advise him punctually of their movements and endeavour to ascertain their force and designs. You will be pleased to do the same to General McDougall. The Quarter Master General is directed to furnish you with some express riders...
22From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, [22 May 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
For some time past I have had a bill on France lying in Philadelphia the sale of which has been delayed on account of the excessive lowness of the exchange. I am told it has lately risen something, and I expect by Col Hay’s return to receive a sufficient sum to pay the value of the woman Mrs. H had of Mrs. Clinton. I hope the delay may be attended with no inconvenience to you. I wrote you some...
23From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 24 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer of this is an old woman and of course the most troublesome animal in the world. She wants to go into New York. It was in vain we told her no inhabitant could be permitted by us to go within the enemy’s lines without permission from the civil power. Old and decrepid as she is, she made the tour of the family and tried her blandishments upon each. I assured her Governor Clinton could...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Sir Henry Clinton, [30 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
It has so happened in the course of events, that Major André Adjutant General of your army has fallen into our hands. He was captured in such a way as will according to the laws of war justly affect his life. Though an enemy his virtues and his accomplishments are admired. Perhaps he might be released for General Arnold, delivered up without restriction or condition, which is the prevailing...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General James Clinton, 11 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Bergen County, New Jersey ] September 11, 1780 . “His Excellency desires you will furnish from your Brigade a subaltern for the Company of light infantry in Col Cortland’s regiment.” ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library. Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt, Second New York Regiment.
26From Alexander Hamilton to Francis Dana, 10 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
The last post brought me your letter of the 25th of July, which I transmitted to Colonel Brooks, accompanied by some inquiries that appeared to me necessary. A copy of my letter to him, and of his answer, are enclosed. You will see that he insists positively on your having made the offensive observation before imputed to you; adds several aggravating particulars to his first relation; and...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Francis Dana, 11 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter from Colonel Brooks, of which the enclosed is a copy. In my reply to him, I pronounced the whole affair to be absolutely false and groundless, and pledged myself to make it appear so. The intention of this letter is to inquire, whether you avow or disavow the conversation he relates; and if the former, to demand, in explicit and direct terms, your authority. You must...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Elias Dayton, [24 June 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I am sorry that we have not yet been able to get a return for the papers I last sent you, as the Minister makes it an object to have them in regular sucession. I send you some late Philadelphia papers, which I entreat you to get exchanged and if possible to get all the papers since the last exchange. Your’s with great resp ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Dayton was at Springfield,...
29From Alexander Hamilton to William Denning, [12 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
We are all very unhappy that we cannot have the pleasure of accepting your invitation on account of a journey we are on the point of making. The General and Mrs. Washington request me to present their respects to you and Mrs. Denning and make their apology. The Marquis does the same. He is of the traveling party. Mrs. Hamilton joins me in compliments to Mrs. Denning. Believe me to be sincerely...
30From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, [22 July 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I take the liberty my Dear Sir to request your interest for a friend of mine and a member of the family, Dr McHenry. He wishes to quit a Station which among foreigners is not viewed in a very reputable light and to get into one more military. He will go into the Marquis’s family as an aide. He has been in the army since the commencement of the War—first in the medical line, since the 15th of...