27401From Alexander Hamilton to William Pierce, [20–26 July 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
As the inclosed contains details relating to your private affairs it is judged most delicate to put it under cover to you. Permit me to use the privilege of a friend to say that ⟨whatever⟩ appeared to you offensive in the conduct of Mr. Auldjo seems to have been a verry natural result of disappointments on his side, to which your disappointments gave birth, influenced too, perhaps, in some...
27402From Alexander Hamilton to The Daily Advertiser, [21 July 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
It is currently reported and believed, that his Excellency Governor CLINTON has, in public company, without reserve, reprobated the appointment of the Convention, and predicted a mischievous issue of that measure. His observations are said to be to this effect:—That the present confederation is, in itself, equal to the purposes of the union: That the appointment of a Convention is calculated...
27403From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Mullett, 23 July 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] July 23, 1787 . “The want of Some original papers which Mr. Brailsford was to have Sent me, puts it out of my power to proceed to a trial of his Cause with Wooldridge.… Mr. Wooldridge is willing, if I will let him out on Common bail, to give me a Bond in any Sum … that he will not go out of this State … and that he will not give any impedment or delay to the attachments now...
27404To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Mullett, 23 July 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, July 23, 1787. Advises Hamilton to accept the settlement which has been arranged in a cause pending between Samuel Brailsford and Thomas Wooldrige. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
27405From Alexander Hamilton to John Auldjo, [26 July 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
I have delivered the paper you committed to me as it stood altered to Major Peirce from whose conduct I am to conclude the affair between you is at an end. He informs me that he is shortly to set out on a jaunt up the North River. As you intimate a wish to have my sentiments in writing on the transaction I shall with pleasure declare that the steps you have taken in consequence of Mr. Pearces...
27406From Alexander Hamilton to ———, 6 August 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 6, 1787. Introduces “a son of Mr. Israel, who is going to Philadelphia to endeavour to effect the settlement of his fathers demand upon the Administrator of Barnard Levi.” ALS , Charles Roberts Autograph Collection of the Haverford College Library, Haverford, Pennsylvania.
27407Constitutional Convention. Motion on Citizenship Requirement for Membership in the House of Representatives, [13 August … (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton was in general agst. embarrassing the Govt. with minute restrictions. There was on one side the possible danger that had been suggested On the other side, the advantage of encouraging foreigners was obvious & admitted. Persons in Europe of moderate fortunes will be fond of coming here where they will be on a level with the first Citizens. He moved that the section be so altered...
27408From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [20 August 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Since my arrival here, I have written to my colleagues, informing them, that if either of them would come down I would accompany him to Philadelphia. So much for the sake of propriety and public opinion. In the mean time if any material alteration should happen to be made in the plan now before the Convention, I will be obliged to you for a communication of it. I will also be obliged to you to...
27409From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, [20 August 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed is said to be the Copy of a letter circulating in your state. The history of its appearance among us is that it was sent by one Whitmore of Stratford, formerly in the Pay Master Generals Office to a James Reynold of this City. I am at a loss clearly to understand its object—and have some suspicion that it has been fabricated to excite jealousy against the Convention with a view to...
27410To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 26 August 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
I recd your favor this day with the inclosed Copy of a letter said to be circulating in this State. Some time since a Paragraph in the New Haven Paper hinted at such a letter, & appeared to be written to scare the antifederal Party or alarm them—and I believed it was well intended as it seemed to be meant to prepare them to comply with the doings of the convention, least worse befell them—but...
27411From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [28 August 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you some days since, that to request you to inform me when there was a prospect of your finishing as I intended to be with you, for certain reasons, before the conclusion. It is whispered here that some late changes in your scheme have taken place which give it a higher tone. Is this the case? I leave town today, to attend a circuit in a neighbouring County, from which I shall...
27412To Alexander Hamilton from Baron von Steuben, [August–September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mon Cher Ami. L’amour pour la justice, autant que L’Amitié dont Vous m’avez honoré depuis dix ans Vous a induit d’acquiescer à ma Sollicitation & de Vous charger de ma demande Envers les E: U: Vous Ayant Exposé les titres sur lesquelles ma pretention est fondé, Votre Opinion joint a Ceux de Mr: Douane, Chancellier Livingston et Mr: jay, etoit Unanime, que la stipulation fait entre les E:U: et...
27413To Alexander Hamilton from David Humphreys, 1 September 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Our friend Col Wadsworth has communicated to me a letter in which you made enquiries respecting a political letter that has lately circulated in this State. I arrived in this Town yesterday & have since conversed with several intelligent persons on the subject. It appears to have been printed in a Fairfield Paper as long ago as the 25th of July. I have not been able to trace it to its source....
27414Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Election of the President, [6 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton said that he had been restrained from entering into the discussions by his dislike of the Scheme of Govt. in General; but as he meant to support the plan to be recommended, as better than nothing, he wished in this place to offer a few remarks. He liked the new modification, on the whole, better than that in the printed Report. In this the President was a Monster elected for seven...
27415Constitutional Convention. Remarks in Favor of a Motion Increasing the Number in the House of Representatives, [8 … (Hamilton Papers)
Col: Hamilton expressed himself with great earnestness and anxiety in favor of the motion. He avowed himself a friend to a vigorous Government, but would declare at the same time, that he held it essential that the popular branch of it should be on a broad foundation. He was seriously of opinion that the House of Representatives was on so narrow a scale as to be really dangerous, and to...
27416Constitutional Convention. Remarks on Amending the Constitution, [10 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton 2ded. the motion, but he said with a different view from Mr. Gerry. He did not object to the consequence stated by Mr. Gerry. There was no greater evil in subjecting the people of the U.S. to the major voice than the people of a particular State. It had been wished by many and was much to have been desired that an easier mode for introducing amendments had been provided by the...
27417Constitutional Convention. Second to James Madison’s Motion on Amending the Constitution, 10 September 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 10, 1787. On this date, Hamilton seconded the following motion made by James Madison: “The Legislature of the U.S. whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem necessary, or on the application of two thirds of the Legislatures of the several States, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part thereof, when the...
27418Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Manner of Ratifying the Constitution, [10 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton concurred with Mr. Gerry as to the indecorum of not requiring the approbation of Congress. He considered this as a necessary ingredient in the transaction. He thought it wrong also to allow nine States as provided by art XXI. to institute a new Government on the ruins of the existing one. He wd. propose as a better modification of the two articles (XXI & XXII) that the plan should...
27419Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Ratification of the Constitution, [10 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton . No Convention convinced of the necessity of the plan will refuse to give it effect on the adoption by nine States. He thought this mode less exceptionable than the one proposed in the article, and would attain the same end. 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...
27420Constitutional Convention. Motion on the Ratification of the Constitution, [10 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton then moved to postpone art XXI in order to take up the following, containing the ideas he had above expressed, viz Resolved that the foregoing plan of a Constitution be transmitted to the U.S. in Congress assembled, in order that if the same shall be agreed to by them, it may be communicated to the Legislatures of the several States, to the end that they may provide for its final...
27421Constitutional Convention. Withdrawal of a Motion, [10 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col: Hamilton withdrew the remainder of the motion to postpone art XXII, observing that his purpose was defeated by the vote just given. 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. Reported by James Madison (New York, 1920). , 543. In “Constitutional Convention....
27422Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Number of Votes Required in Congress to Override a Presidential Veto, [12 … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton added his testimony to the fact that 2/3 in N. York had been ineffectual either where a popular object, or a legislative faction operated; of which he mentioned some instances. 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. Reported by James Madison (New...
27423From Alexander Hamilton to The Daily Advertiser, [15 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton, in his absence from New York on public duty (with how much propriety and temper his fellow citizens must decide) has been attacked by name, as the Writer of a publication printed in Mr. Childs’ paper of the 21st of July last. In fixing that publication upon him, there is certainly no mistake; nor did he ever mean to be concealed. He left his name with the Printer, to be disclosed...
27424Constitutional Convention. Remarks on Signing the Constitution, [17 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton expressed his anxiety that every member should sign. A few characters of consequence, by opposing or even refusing to sign the Constitution, might do infinite mischief by kindling the latent sparks which lurk under an enthusiasm in favor of the Convention which may soon subside. No man’s ideas were more remote from the plan than his were known to be; but is it possible to...
27425Draft of a Constitution, [17 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
§ 6 A senator when impeached shall continue to exercise his office until conviction The People of the United States of America do ordain and establish this constitution for the government of themselves and their Posterity. Article I § 1 The Legislative power shall be vested in two distinct bodies of men one to be called the Assembly the other the Senate, subject to the negative hereinafter...
27426Constitution of the United States, 17 September 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 17, 1787. Not only was Hamilton one of the signers of this document but the names of the states listed before the names of the signers are also in Hamilton’s writing. D , on display at the National Archives.
27427Conjectures about the New Constitution, [17–30 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
The new constitution has in favour of its success these circumstances—a very great weight of influence of the persons who framed it, particularly in the universal popularity of General Washington—the good will of the commercial interest throughout the states which will give all its efforts to the establishment of a government capable of regulating protecting and extending the commerce of the...
27428From Alexander Hamilton to William Neilson, 21 September 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] September 21, 1787 . “You will recollect the cause of Hayton against van Kleeck put into my hands by you.… I hope it will not be inconvenient to you [to] take care of my Costs.” ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Neilson was an alderman and merchant of New York City.
27429To Alexander Hamilton from Ezekiel Forman, 24 September 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 24, 1787. “… I wish to know if the process against Mr. Livingston was served and return made to the … July Term and if any thing more is wanted for the effectual prosecution of that suit. Please to look over the papers I left, and judge, if the accts. stated by the sheriff, and the writing thereon be not sufficient to empower me to carry on a suit.…” ALS , Hamilton...
27430To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Brailsford, 25 September 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Charleston, South Carolina, September 25, 1787. “Mr Mullett lately transmited me Copy of your Letter to him of the 22d July, together with his answer, which I approve, tho’ he was mistaken in saying that the terms on which Wooldridge has been liberated, were all that I required; as there was another matter of great importance that I wished to accomplish previous to that event, & on which I...
27431[Caesar No. I], [28 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
The [New York] Daily Advertiser , October 1, 1787. The only evidence for the assumption that H wrote the “Caesar” letters in reply to the letters of “Cato,” presumably written by George Clinton, is a letter printed by Paul Leicester Ford ( Essays on the Constitution of the United States [Brooklyn, New York, 1892], 245). Ford states that this letter is in the George Clinton Papers, New York...
27432To Alexander Hamilton from Angelica Church, [2 October 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
You had every right my dear brother to believe that I was very inattentive not to have answered your letter; but I could not relinquish the hopes that you would be tempted to ask the reason of my Silence, which would be a certain means of obtaining the second letter when perhaps had I answered the first, I should have lost all the fine things contained in the Latter. Indeed my dear, Sir if my...
27433From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [11–15 October 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
You probably saw some time since some animadversions on certain expressions of Governor Clinton respecting the Convention. You may have seen a piece signed a Republican, attempting to bring the fact into question and endeavouring to controvert the conclusions drawn from it, if true. My answer you will find in the inclosed. I trouble you with it merely from that anxiety which is natural to...
27434To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 15 October 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
While you Have Been Attending your Most Important Convention, debates were also Going on in france Respecting the Constitutional Rights, and Matters of that kind. Great Reforms are taking place at Court. The Parliaments are Remonstrating, and our provincial Assemblies Begin to pop out. Amidst Many things that were not Much to the purpose, some Good principles Have Been laid out, and altho our...
27435[Caesar No. II], [15 October 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
The [New York] Daily Advertiser , October 15, 1787. For a discussion of the arguments for and against H’s authorship of the “Caesar” letters, see “Caesar No. I,” September 28, 1787 . The second “Caesar” letter was written in reply to “Cato II” which was published in The New-York Journal, and Daily Patriotic Register , October 11, 1787.
27436To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 18 October 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favor without date came to my hand by the last Post. It is with unfeigned concern I perceive that a political dispute has arisen between Governor Clinton and yourself. For both of you I have the highest esteem and regard. But as you say it is insinuated by some of your political adversaries, and may obtain credit, “that you palmed yourself upon me, and was dismissed from my family;” and...
27437To Alexander Hamilton from Gaspard Joseph Amand Ducher, 26 October 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
je suis arrivé ici apres bien des fatigues et des dangers; je me Repose et j’en ai grand Besoin. Rappelles vous, je vous prie, que vous m’aves promis Deux pièces Relatives à La nouvelle constitution; je les attends avec Le plus grand empressement et je vous scaurai gré de me faire passer tous les pamphlets qui seront imprimés sur ce sujet. mes Respects je vous prie à Madame hamilton. jai...
27438Baron von Steuben to George Washington, [26 October 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
I have lately made a fresh application to Congress for a final settlement of my affairs on the ground of a contract made with that honorable body previous to my joining the American army. The particulars and the evidence of that contract are stated in a printed pamphlet a copy of which Mr. Hamilton informs me he has transmitted to your Excellency. I have been just informed that Congress intend...
27439Introductory Note: The Federalist, [27 October 1787–28 May 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The Federalist essays have been printed more frequently than any other work of Hamilton. They have, nevertheless, been reprinted in these volumes because no edition of his writings which omitted his most important contribution to political thought could be considered definitive. The essays written by John Jay and James Madison, however, have not been included. They are available in many...
27440The Federalist No. 1, [27 October 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New York. After an unequivocal experience of the inefficacy of the subsisting Fœderal Government, you are called upon to deliberate on a new Constitution for the United States of America. The subject speaks its own importance; comprehending in its consequences, nothing less than the existence of the UNION, the safety and welfare of the parts of which it is...
27441From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [30 October 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
I am much obliged to Your Excellency for the explicit manner in which you contradict the insinuations mentioned in my last letter. The only use I shall make of your answer will be to put it into the hands of a few friends. The constitution proposed has in this state warm friends and warm enemies. The first impressions every where are in its favour; but the artillery of its opponents makes some...
27442From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [October 1787–March 4, 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
If Mr. Madison should be disengaged this Evening Mr. Hamilton would be obliged by an opportunity of conversing with him at his lodgings for half an hour. If engaged this Evening he will thank him to say whether tomorrow Evening will suit. AL , James Madison Papers, Library of Congress. H’s note is undated. It probably was written between October, 1787, and March 4, 1788, a period during which...
27443To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 10 November 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for the Pamphlet, and for the Gazette contained in your letter of the 30th. Ulto. For the remaining numbers of Publius, I shall acknowledge myself obliged as I am persuaded the subject will be well handled by the Author. The new Constitution has, as the public prints will have informed you, been handed to the people of this state by an unanimous vote of the Assembly; but it is not...
27444The Federalist No. 6, [14 November 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. THE three last numbers of this Paper have been dedicated to an enumeration of the dangers to which we should be exposed, in a state of disunion, from the arms and arts of foreign nations. I shall now proceed to delineate dangers of a different, and, perhaps, still more alarming kind, those which will in all probability flow from dissentions between the...
27445From Alexander Hamilton to Pierre Van Cortlandt, Junior, 15 November 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 15, 1787. The catalogue description of this letter reads as follows: “Hamilton’s letter relates to a mortgage held by Col. Trumbull the title to which is in question, and asks Mr. Van Cortlandt to search the title.” Letter not found ]. ALS , sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries, February 11, 1941, Lot 137. Van Cortlandt had been a clerk in H’s law office from 1784 to 1786.
27446To Alexander Hamilton from John Witherspoon, 16 November 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received your Letter inclosing Baron Steubens Printed Paper In answer please to knew that Nothing passed between me & the Committee that can be constructed as the least Contradiction to which I certified formerly. They asked now whether there was an actual or explicit Contract with Baron Steuben verbally though not written I answerd that there was not any proper formal Contract...
27447The Federalist No. 7, [17 November 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. It is sometimes asked, with an air of seeming triumph, what inducements could the States have, if disunited, to make war upon each other? It would be a full answer to this question to say—precisely the same inducements, which have, at different times, deluged in blood all the nations in the world. But unfortunately for us, the question admits of a more...
27448The Federalist No. 8, [20 November 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. ASSUMING it therefore as an established truth that the several States, in case of disunion, or such combinations of them as might happen to be formed out of the wreck of the general confederacy, would be subject to those vicissitudes of peace and war, of friendship and enmity with each other, which have fallen to the lot of all neighbouring nations not...
27449From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Rush, 21 November [1787] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you herewith a Series of political papers under the denomination of the Federalist published in favor of the new Constitution. They do good here and it is imagined some of the last numbers might have a good effect upon some of your Quaker Members of Convention. They are going on and appear evidently to be written by different hands and to aim at a full examination of the subject....
27450The Federalist No. 9, [21 November 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. A Firm Union will be of the utmost moment to the peace and liberty of the States as a barrier against domestic faction and insurrection. It is impossible to read the history of the petty Republics of Greece and Italy, without feeling sensations of horror and disgust at the distractions with which they were continually agitated, and at the rapid...