1From Alexander Hamilton to the Agents of the State of New York for Managing the Controversy with the Commonwealth of … (Hamilton Papers)
The Agents of the State of New York } for managing the controversy with the Commonwealth of Massachusettes 1785 For my services in examining the controversy collecting testimony and drawing brief for the hearing. The time spent in this business I cannot precisely determine but to the best of my recollection and Judgment it must have exceeded in the whole five weeks say however 35 days at £3.4...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Banks, 12 December 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 12, 1788. On January 1, 1789, Banks wrote to Hamilton : “I recd. your letter of the 12 Ulto.” Letter not found. ] Banks, a Virginian, speculated extensively in western lands.
3From Alexander Hamilton to John Barney, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 21. instant and beg you to accept my thanks for it. The intimations of Zealous and intelligent citizens will always be received by me with attention and acknowledgement. The ideas contained in your Letter appear to me solid and judicious. As far as my reflections have gone they coincide very much with the views you entertain of the matter. But at present...
4From Alexander Hamilton to William Bingham, 10 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
There is a species of information highly requisite to the Government in adjusting the policy of its Treaties and Laws respecting Navigation for obtaining which with proper accuracy and detail no regular plan has ever yet been persued in this Country. It relates to the comparative advantages with which the Navigation of the United States and that of other Nations with whom they trade is or can...
5From Alexander Hamilton to the Boston Marine Society, 30 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 30, 1789. On November 30, 1789, Hamilton wrote to William Smith : “I send you herewith a letter in answer to that … from your Society which I request may be presented.” Letter not found. ]
6From Alexander Hamilton to Sylvanus Bourne, [22 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of November 1st duly came to hand as did your two former letters; though from the peculiarily of my situation, at one time, & my hurry at another, they were not acknowleged. I did however, as Mr. Ames communicated to you, inform him, that nothing then was in my power. The same is the case now; and the rules I prescribe myself with regard to the future will only permit me to assure...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Broome, [16 August 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment received your letter of the thirteenth instant, and am sorry that the rules of propriety in respect to my situation, as a member of Congress, will not permit my acting in the capacity you wish. My situation for some time past has prevented my acknowleging one or two of your favors, which have been duly handed to me. I recollect that one of them contains an inquiry concerning...
8Power of Attorney to John Chaloner, 22 November 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, November 22, 1788. Appoints John Chaloner “of the City of Philadelphia merchant to be my true and lawful attorney and substitute and the lawful attorney of the said John Barker Church for me and in my name” to settle the affairs of John B. Church and Daniel Parker and Company. DS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. The power of attorney was enclosed in H to Chaloner,...
9From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [26 November 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Hurry of business has prevented my complying with the desire of your letter of the 20th. Ulto respecting the arrangement you have entered into with Daniel Parker & Co. &c. Inclosed I send you a power of su[b]stitution which I hope will arrive in time. ⟨With all⟩ the ⟨–⟩ circumstances considered what has been done is prudent so as it does not affect any collateral security which I presume has...
10From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, 28 August 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 28, 1788. Has checked on the validity of John Holker’s title to lands in New York State and finds that “the chain of title appears to be complete.” ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. See Chaloner to H, August 20, 1788 .
11From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Chipman, 22 July 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
Your brother delivered me your favour which I received with pleasure as the basis of a correspondence that may be productive of public good. The accession of Vermont to the Confederacy is doubtless an object of great importance to the whole, and it appears to me that this is the favorable moment for effecting it upon the best terms for all concerned. Besides more general reasons, there are...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Chipman, [September–December 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Your favour of the 6th of September has been duly handed to me, and I receive great pleasure from the hopes you appear to entertain of a favourable turn of affairs in Vermont in regard to the new Government. It is certainly an object of mutual importance to yourselves and to the Union and well deserves the best endeavours of every discerning and good man. I observe with satisfaction your...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Church, [8 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
After taking leave of you on board of the Packet, I hastened home to sooth and console your sister. I found her in bitter distress; though much recovered from the agony, in which she had been, by the kind cares of Mrs. Bruce and the Baron. After composing her by a flattering picture of your prospects for the voyage, and a strong infusion of hope, that she had not taken a last farewell of you;...
14Enclosure: Elizabeth Hamilton to Angelica Church, [8 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
My Very Dear beloved Angelica—I have seated my self to write to you, but my heart is so sadned by your Absence that it can scarsly dictate, my Eyes so filled with tears that I shall not be able to write you much but Remember Remember , my Dear sister of the Assurences of your returning to us, and do all you can to make your Absence short. Tell Mr. Church for me of the happiness he will give...
15From Alexander Hamilton to the Citizens of New York, [26 February 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee appointed by the Meeting at Bardin’s Tavern, on Monday evening, for the purpose of carrying into execution the views of the meeting respecting the election of Mr. John Lawrence, as a representative of this district in Congress, having understood that a meeting was held this evening at the Coffee house in opposition to that nomination, which has been adjourned till to-morrow...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Clay, 2 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 2, 1789. On December 30, 1789 , Clay wrote to Hamilton: “I received your very obliging favour of the 2d Octr.” Letter not found. ] Clay was a Savannah merchant and planter who had served as paymaster general of the Continental Army in the Southern Department.
17Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 31 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
A question has been submitted to me by the Collectors of certain ports, which being of a general nature, I have thought fit to make the subject of a circular instruction. It is this, whether the duties are demandable on importations after the first of August, and prior to the organisation of the Custom houses in the respective districts. After mature reflection on this point, I am of opinion...
18Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 20 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
On Reflection, I have concluded to substitute the Form herewith transmitted for the Monthly returns required in mine of the 2d. Oct. instant, as less troublesome than the one there proposed; but I still mean that the Quarterly Returns should be conformable to the Model already furnished. I shall expect as soon as may be a Return of all the past according to that Model up to the last of...
19Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 1 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The United States in Congress having by their Act of the 7th. of August last Ordained “That all expences for the necessary support and maintenance of Light-houses, Beacons, Buoys &ca. within any Port or Harbour of the United States, should after the 15th. of August last, be defrayed out of the Treasury of the United States”; You will be pleased to transmit forthwith to this Office, as...
20Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 14 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed I send you agreable to an Intimation in a former letter the signatures of the president and Cashier of the Banks of North-America and New York; together with a general description of those notes, which will enable you to guard against Impositions and Counterfeits. Where the notes are payable to any particular person and not to bearer, you will take care that there is an indorsement of...
21Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 3 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is the copy of an Act for amending the “Act for registering and Clearing Vessels, regulating the Coasting Trade, and for other purposes,” which I transmit you for your Government. I am Sir Your humble servt. LS , to Charles Lee, Charles Lee Papers, Library of Congress; LS , to John Scott, Harvard College Library; LS , to William Webb, Princeton University Library; L[S] , to Otho...
22Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 6 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have reason to know, that some of the Collectors have conceived themselves authorised to make ye discount allowed by Law for prompt payment, after Bonds were given for securing the Duties. This is not in my opinion, the true construction of the Act. You will therefore under such circumstances avoid making the above discount. I am Sir Your Obedient Servant LS , to Jedediah Huntington, MS...
23Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 25 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I request you to procure and send me without delay the revenue laws of your State in force immediately preceding the Act of Congress laying a duty on imports; as well those relating to imports as others: the whole being wanted for information. Should it not be practicable to obtain the Revenue laws distinct from the other laws of the State, you will be pleased to procure and forward the whole,...
24Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 10 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I observe that by the 24th. Section of the Act for Registering and Clearing vessels &c. it is provided, that Vessels bound to foreign parts should deliver manifests of their Cargoes to the Collectors of the Ports from which they are to sail. The object of this provision doubtless was to obtain a knowledge of the exports of the Country: to carry which into effect I am to desire that a regular...
25Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 30 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Having been applied to by the Collectors of several Ports, for my opinion on various points, which are of general concern, and in respect to which it is important that the same rules should be every where observed, I have concluded to make my answers to their inquiries the subject of a Circular letter. Some of those inquiries relate to the allowances to which the officers of the Customs are...
26Treasury Department Circular to the Continental Loan Officers, 12 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As I am not certain in what light the Commissioners of the Loan Office in the several states may consider themselves with regard to their continuance in Office, under the old establishment, I think it necessary to apprise them, that the provision which has been made for their compensation does not extend beyond the 30th. June last; being the period to which warrants were issued by the late...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Tench Coxe, 26 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 26, 1789. On November 30, 1789, Coxe wrote to Hamilton : “by way of answer to the queries I had the honour to receive from you, the 26th of last month.” Letter not found. ]
28From Alexander Hamilton to John Davidson, 3 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, October 3, 1789. Acknowledges receipt of Davidson’s “letter of the 24th of last month.” Sends directions for filing of surety bond. States that privileges to ships of the United States are to be extended to Rhode Island and North Carolina vessels until January 15, 1790. Copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to...
29From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Dayton, [26 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Circumstances prevented my seeing a certain Gentleman. But I have reflected more fully on the subject of our conversation. I continue strongly inclined to the opinion that the Council ought to have canvassed prior to the day appointed for the Meeting of Congress upon the returns then before them, and that the subsequent canvass has been irregular and is void. But as to the second point—the...
30James Barcklay to Alexander Hamilton and Balthazar De Haert, 22 May 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Brookhaven [ New York ] May 22, 1789 . “The Cases between Wells, and Wickham, & myself have been long enough in Court to have been determined, yet by fraudulent delays I know not how they stand.… I mean not to direct, but to desire proper care to be taken to prevent fraudulent tricks and delays, so that I may have my Money which they mean to cheat me out of.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
31From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 13 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, September 13, 1789. On September 19, 1789, Delany wrote to Hamilton : “I acknowledge the recpt of Yours … of the 13th Inst, one by the Post covering a Letter to the Comptrolle[r].” Letter not found. ] Delany was appointed collector of customs at Philadelphia on August 4, 1789.
32From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, [3 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
It is in my opinion intirely necessary that the Common Council should be convened this day in order to pass an act for appropriating the City Hall to the use of Congress. This act should be published in the papers & notified by yourself, or if you are not well enough by a committee or member of your board to the senators & representatives as they arrive. The Philadelphians are endeavouring to...
33From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, 24 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, September 24, 1789. On September 24, 1789, Duane wrote to Hamilton : “I called upon you within the time limited to give you my answer on the Communication which … you was pleased to make me this morning.” Letter not found. ] Duane was mayor of New York City.
34From Alexander Hamilton to William Duer, 18 July 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Poughkeepsie, New York, July 18, 1788. On July 19, 1788, Hamilton wrote to James Madison: “Yesterday I communicated to Duer our situation which I presume he will have communicated to you.” Letter not found ]. Duer was a financier and merchant who was appointed Secretary of the Board of Treasury in 1786 and in the same year became a member of the New York Assembly.
35From Alexander Hamilton to the Electors of the City and County of New York, [3 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Having been appointed by two different, and very numerous meetings of the inhabitants of this city, among other purposes, for that of forwarding the election of John Lawrence, Esq. as the representative of this district in Congress, we think it our duty to state to such of you as may not have been present at those meetings, what we understand to have been the motives to his nomination, and the...
36From Alexander Hamilton to the Electors of the City and County of New York, [28 April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
For the New-York Daily Gazette. To the Electors of the City and County of New York. Fellow Citizens, This day commences the important Election of a Governor, for the next three years. We think it our duty to inform you, that from the account we have received from different quarters, we have the strongest grounds to believe, that a change is in your power , and that proper exertions on your...
37From Alexander Hamilton to the Electors of the State of New York, [7 April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
For the New-York Journal, &c. Mr. Greenleaf, You are requested to publish this address in your Next Thursday’s paper. By order of the Committee, Alex Hamilton, Chairman. New-York, April 7, 1789. To the Independent and Patriotic Electors Of the State of NewYork. In our last address, we mentioned to you our intention of offering some remarks upon that which has been lately published by the...
38From Alexander Hamilton to the Electors of the State of New York, [1 April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
To the Independent and Patriotic Electors of the State of NewYork. It is not long since we addressed you on the subject of the ensuing election of a chief magistrate, and communicated to you the proceedings, which had then taken place in this city in relation to it. Within a few days past, there has appeared an address signed by Mr. Jonathan Lawrence, as the chairman of a committee, said to...
39From Alexander Hamilton to John Fitzgerald, 13 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 13, 1789. The catalogue description of this letter reads as follows: “… seeking information regarding the distilleries in the State of Virginia and to which he puts many questions he wants answered regarding materials, size, location, etc.” Letter not found. ] LS , sold at Stan V. Henkels, Jr., May 17, 1932, Lot 167.
40From Alexander Hamilton to John Fitzgerald, 10 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, October 10, 1789. Asks Fitzgerald for information concerning foreign and domestic commerce. LS , United States Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut. The letter is a duplicate of that sent to William Bingham on the same date. Fitzgerald was an Irish-born Virginia planter who had been one of George Washington’s aides-de-camp.
41From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas FitzSimons, 27 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] November 27, 1789 . “With regard to feeling the public pulse about the debt I have several times had an inclination to the measure; but this inclination has given place to the reflection, that bringing on a discussion might be as likely to fix prejudices as to produce good, and that it may be safest to trust to the effect of the Legislative sanction to good measures, and to the...
42From Alexander Hamilton to Ezekiel Forman, 28 August 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 28, 1788. On the envelope of the letter that Forman wrote to Hamilton on August 23, 1788 , Hamilton wrote: “Ansd. Aug 28. 88.” Letter not found. ]
43From Alexander Hamilton to Philemon Gatewood, 7 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 19th. of October. I am of Opinion that the true construction of the act is, that the duties on the whole Cargo must be paid or secured in the first District at which a Vessel arrives; except where she puts in from necessity, as provided for by the twelfth Section of the Collection Bill. Consequently she cannot in any other case proceed with a part of her...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Elbridge Gerry, [6 September 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I am a member of a Committee, to whom the Baron De Steuben’s application to Congress founded upon a certain statement supported among other testimonials by a certificate from you, has been referred. Among the papers committed to us is the copy of a written report made by the Committee appointed to confer with the Baron at York Town. As this report is of a nature to create difficulties in the...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Goodhue, [29 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I am duly favoured with your letter of the Eighteenth instant, and receive the observations you have been so obliging as to make, not only with candor but with thanks as a mark of your friendship and confidence. I am far from relying so much upon my own judgment, as not to think it very possible, I may have been mistaken in both the constructions on which you remark. Indeed I see abundant room...
46Treasury Department Circular to the Governors of the States, 21 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Not having received any acknowledgement of my Letter of the 26th Septr, transmitting the Copies of two resolutions of the house of Representatives of the 21st of the Same month; and conceiving the information which relates to the debts of the Several States, and the public securities of the union in their Treasuries, to be an object of a very important nature, I have the honor to inclose...
47Treasury Department Circular to the Governors of the States, 26 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to an order of the House of Representatives of the 21st. Instant (Copy of which I have the honor to enclose) it becomes my duty to request your Excellency to procure and transmit to this Office the Documents and Information therein required. As the next Session of the Legislature will be on the first monday of January ensuing, it is greatly to be wished that the whole of the above...
48From Alexander Hamilton to Vincent Gray, 25 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I am favoured with your two letters of the 10th and 11th Instant, the former transmitting a Letter to the Treasurer said to contain One hundred and fifty Dollars in Notes of the Bank of North America, the latter a Letter to the Same Officer Said to contain Two hundred and Seventy Dollars in notes of the Said Bank and that of New york. I am sir Your Obt hble Servt LS , RG 36, Collector of...
49From Alexander Hamilton to Vincent Gray, 21 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 21, 1789. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] LS , sold at Birch’s Sons, March, 1893, Lot 492.
50To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 12 June 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
I have made an arrangement to forward by express the result of the convention of New Hampshire to Springfield in this State, from which place Genl. Knox has engaged a conveyance to you at Poughkeepsie. Those who are best informed of the situation of the Question in New Hampshire are positive that the Decision will be such as we wish, and from the particular Facts which I have heard, I can...