27361New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Repealing Laws Inconsistent With the Treaty of Peace, [17 April 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton in a very animated and powerful speech, expressed great uneasiness that any opposition should be made to this bill, particularly as this state was individually interested therein. He felt greater regret from a conviction in his own mind, on this occasion, that the bill should be objected to, as there was not a single law in existence in this state, in direct contravention of the...
27362To Alexander Hamilton from Mary Bryant, 23 April 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 23, 1787. Asks Hamilton’s assistance in securing a disputed legacy left to her by her husband. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Mary Bryant was the widow of Dr. William Bryant of Trenton, New Jersey.
27363Declination of Candidacy for Seat in the New York Legislature, [23 April 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton observing his name in several nominations thinks it his duty to inform such of his fellow citizens as might incline to honor him with their choice at the approaching election, that the adjournment of the legislature to meet at Poughkepsie, which happened on Saturday last renders it impracticable for him to serve them as a member of that body for the ensuing year. The [New York]...
27364To Alexander Hamilton from Catherine Bayard, 24 April 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 24, 1787. “I wish you Could so Much advance the Settlement of My affairs as to Make Me Receive of the Trustees of Bayards Estate a Sum Sufficient to Provide for My Urgent Expences during your Absence and Reimburse you what you so Obliginly have Sent to Me.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Catherine Bayard was the widow of Samuel Bayard.
27365To Alexander Hamilton from Augustus Van Cortlandt, 29 April 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Yonkers, New York, April 29, 1787. Requests that Hamilton take legal steps to secure the payment of money owed Van Cortlandt. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
27366From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Breese, William Malcom, and Aaron Burr, April 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April, 1787 ] “Mrs. Bayard Widow of Mr Samuel Bayard deceased has applied to me to arrange with you some provision for her in persuance of the Will of her husband representing her situation as distressed in the extreme, and assuring me that she is willing to do whatever I shall advise towards a fair adjustment of matters between you and her.…” Copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of...
27367To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 2 May 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 2, 1787. On May 3, 1787, Hamilton wrote to Jay : “I this morning received your letter of yesterday.” Letter not found. ]
27368From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [3 May 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
I this morning received your letter of yesterday. I have seen with pain the progress of the transactions, which have excited irritations between Mr. Livingston and yourself, and as my dispositions to both, in whatever I have had to do with the matter, have been friendly, I should with reluctance do any thing, that might affect either, further than a regard to truth and propriety should make it...
27369Statement of Expenses Incurred by Alexander Hamilton and Egbert Benson in Attending the Annapolis Convention, [8 May … (Hamilton Papers)
The People of the State of New York To Egbert and Alexander Hamilton Drs. For our expences in attending the Convention at Annapolis in September last £113 . . 1.4 including the journey thither and back New York to Wit. Egbert Benson and Alexander Hamilton severally make oath and first the said Egbert Benson saith that of the above mentioned sum he did disburse Thirty six pounds three shillings...
27370To Alexander Hamilton from P. I. More, 12 May 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Charleston, South Carolina, May 12, 1787. Requests Hamilton to collect a debt owed More by “Mr. John Tayleur formerly Merchant in this Place, now keeping a Jeweller’s Shop in Queen Street near the Coffee house in New York.” LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. More was a Charleston physician.
27371Credentials as Delegate to the General Society of the Cincinnati, 18 May 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 18, 1787. On this date Hamilton filed his credentials and instructions as a delegate from New York to the general meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati held in Philadelphia. Proceedings of the General Society of the Cincinnati, 1784–1884 (Philadelphia, 1887), 31.
27372Constitutional Convention. Nomination of William Jackson as Secretary of the Constitutional Convention, 25 May 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 25, 1787. On this date Hamilton nominated Major William Jackson as secretary of the Constitutional Convention. Gaillard Hunt and James Brown Scott, eds., The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America. Reported by James Madison (New York, 1920), 18. Of the many editions of Madison’s notes of debates in the...
27373Constitutional Convention. Appointment to Committee for Establishing Rules for the Constitutional Convention, 25 May … (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 25, 1787. On this date, Hamilton, George Wythe of Virginia, and Charles Pinckney of South Carolina were appointed a committee to prepare “standing rules & orders” for the Constitutional Convention. Hunt and Scott, Debates Gaillard Hunt and James Brown Scott, eds., The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America....
27374To Alexander Hamilton from Jacob Sarly, 26 May 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Delaware Mills near Trenton, May 26, 1787. “On my arrival at Newyork your Letter was handed me.… I will endeavour to fulfill the proposition I made of paying the Remainder due on the Bond I gave, previous to my leaving Newyork for England which will be in the Course of the next Month; for the Ballance which will satisfy one half of the Debt, I will put such Security in your hands as I trust...
27375Constitutional Convention. Motion that Representation in the National Legislature Ought to be Proportioned to the Number … (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 30, 1787. The Convention having before it a proposition by Edmund Randolph that “the rights of suffrage in the National Legislature ought to be proportioned to the quotas of contribution, or to the number of free inhabitants, as the one or the other rule may seem best in different cases,” Hamilton “moved to alter the resolution so as to read ‘that the rights of suffrage in...
27376Constitutional Convention. Notes Taken in the Federal Convention, [1–26 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Notes for June 1, 1787] [Madison] 1— The way to prevent a majority from having an interest to oppress the minority is to enlarge the sphere. Madison 2— Elective Monarchies turbulent and unhappy— Men unwilling to admit so decided a superiority of merit in an individual as to accede to his appointment to so preeminent a station. If several are admitted as there will be many competitors of...
27377Constitutional Convention. Second of Benjamin Franklin’s Motion that Proposed Executive Serve Without Pay, 2 June 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 2, 1787. On this date Benjamin Franklin moved that the expenses of the proposed Executive should be paid but that he should receive “no salary, stipend fee or reward whatsoever” for his service. “The motion was seconded by Col. HAMILTON with the view he said merely of bringing so respectable a proposition before the Committee, and which was besides enforced by arguments that...
27378Constitutional Convention. Second of a Motion by James Wilson and Remarks Thereon, 4 June 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 4, 1787. James Wilson on this date made a motion, which Hamilton seconded, that a motion by Elbridge Gerry stating “that the National Executive shall have a right to negative any Legislative act which shall not be afterwards passed by parts of each branch of the national Legislature” be replaced by a provision “so as to give the Executive an absolute negative on the laws....
27379Constitutional Convention. Objection of Order, 4 June 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 4, 1787. To a motion by James Wilson, seconded by James Madison, that “a convenient number of the National Judiciary” act with the executive in vetoing acts of the national legislature, Hamilton made “an objection of order … to the introduction of the last amendment at this time.” Hunt and Scott, Debates Gaillard Hunt and James Brown Scott, eds., The Debates in the Federal...
27380Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, [15 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton cannot say he is in sentiment with either plan— supposes both might again be considered as federal plans, and by this means they will be fairly in committee, and be contrasted so as to make a comparative estimate of the two. Yates, Secret Proceedings and Debates Robert Yates, Secret Proceedings and Debates of the Convention Assembled at Philadelphia, in the Year 1787, For the...
27381Introductory Note: Constitutional Convention Speech on a Plan of Government, [18 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
There are five versions of Hamilton’s speech of June 18 to the Constitutional Convention. In the first place, there are Hamilton’s own notes which he presumably used while he was delivering the speech. In the second place James Madison, Robert Yates, John Lansing, Jr., and Rufus King all made notes on the speech while Hamilton was delivering it. Because the several accounts of the speech are...
27382Alexander Hamilton’s Notes, [18 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Introduction I Importance of the occasion II Solid plan without regard to temporary opinion . III If an ineffectual plan be again proposed it will beget despair & no government will grow out of consent IV There seem to be but three lines of conduct I A league offensive and defensive, treaty of commerce, & apportionment of the public debt.
27383James Madison’s Version, [18 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton , had been hitherto silent on the business before the Convention, partly from respect to others whose superior abilities age & experience rendered him unwilling to bring forward ideas dissimilar to theirs, and partly from his delicate situation with respect to his own State, to whose sentiments as expressed by his Colleagues, he could by no means accede. The crisis however which...
27384Robert Yates’s Version, [18 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton. To deliver my sentiments on so important a subject, when the first characters in the union have gone before me, inspires me with the greatest diffidence, especially when my own ideas are so materially dissimilar to the plans now before the committee. My situation is disagreeable, but it would be criminal not to come forward on a question of such magnitude. I have well considered...
27385John Lansing’s Version, [18 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Hamilton—The Situation of the State he represents and the Diffidence he has of his own Judgment induced him to Silence tho his Ideas are dissimilar from both Plans. No Amendment of Confederation can answer the Exigencies of the States. State Sovereignties ought not to exist. Supposes we have Powers sufficient. Foederal an Association of States differently modified. Diet of Germany has Power to...
27386Rufus King’s Version, [18 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Federal is an association of distinct Govt: into one—these fed. Govt. in some instances legislate on collective bodies, in others on individuals. The Confederation partakes of both—Piracies are cognizable by the Congress—&c. Our powers have this object—the Freedom & Happiness of our Country—we must go all lengths to accomplish this Object—if the Legislatures have no powers to ratify because...
27387Constitutional Convention. Plan of Government, [18 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
A I The Supreme Legislative Power of the United States of America to be vested in two distinct bodies of men—the one to be called the Assembly the other the senate; who together shall form the Legislature of the United States, with power to pass all laws whatsoever , subject to the negative hereafter mentioned. B II The Assembly to consist of persons elected by the People to serve for...
27388Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Abolition of the States, [19 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton coincided with the proposition as it stood in the Report. He had not been understood yesterday. By an abolition of the States, he meant that no boundary could be drawn between the National & State Legislatures; that the former must therefore have indefinite authority. If it were limited at all, the rivalship of the States would gradually subvert it. Even as Corporations the...
27389Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Necessity for a National Government, [19 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton , assented to the doctrine of Mr. Wilson. He denied the doctrine that the States were thrown into a State of Nature. He was not yet prepared to admit the doctrine that the Confederacy, could be dissolved by partial infractions of it. He admitted that the States met now on an equal footing but could see no inference from that against concerting a change of the system in this...
27390Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Organization of the House of Representatives, [21 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton considered the motion as intended manifestly to transfer the election from the people to the State Legislatures, which would essentially vitiate the plan. It would increase that State influence which could not be too watchfully guarded agst. All too must admit the possibility, in case the Genl. Govt. shd. maintain itself, that the State Govts. might gradually dwindle into...