27631New York Ratifying Convention. Eighth Speech of July 19, [19 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—this [amendment] cannot be by way of explanation—but may be by recommendation. Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. See “New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of July 19,” note 1 . The proposed amendment reads as follows: “That the Judicial p⟨ower⟩ of ⟨the⟩ United States as to Controversies between Citizens of different States is not to be...
27632New York Ratifying Convention. Ninth Speech of July 19, [19 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—this not an explanitory amend[men]t— may be recommendatory—which he would wish—in regulating commerce—this power seems to be incident—thinks that it may be possible that it will be useful—therefore thinks it ought to be left out. [Samuel] Jones—it cannot be an explanation— [John] Lansing—Congress have no power about the business except a regulation of commerce—...
27633To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, [20 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of yesterday is this instant come to hand & I have but a few minutes to answer it. I am sorry that your situation obliges you to listen to propositions of the nature you describe. My opinion is that a reservation of a right to withdraw if amendments be not decided on under the form of the Constitution within a certain time, is a conditional ratification, that it does not make N. York a...
27634New York Ratifying Convention. Motion, [21 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
That Mr. Hamilton Moved that the Clause last read should be expunged, and the following substituted in its Stead vizt: “That no Appropriation of Money in time of Peace for the Support of an Army shall be by Less than two thirds of the Representatives and Senators present.” John McKesson MS Notes, New-York Historical Society, New York City. The motion is printed in McKesson, “Journal of the...
27635From 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...
27636From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you by the last post since which nothing material has turned up here. We are debating on amendments without having decided what is to be done with them. There is so great a diversity in the views of our opponents that it is impossible to predict any thing. Upon the whole however our fears diminish. Yrs. Affecly I take the liberty for certain reasons to put the inclosed under cover...
27637New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Hamilton objects because there is no security in it—the people are excluded from chusing perhaps your best man— [Melancton] Smith would rather have him elected for 8 yrs & not eligible again—Mov[e]d for it—Jay seconded his Mot[io]n. Ham[ilton]—opposes—a temptation for an avaritious man—to plunder & make the best of his time—has not the motive to please— [Melancton] Smith Much may be said on...
27638New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—among other reasons ag[ains]t it— mentions the probability of having the appointments better thro[ugh] the states, as the senators represent all the states— Gilbert Livingston Papers, MS Division, New York Public Library. H was opposing an amendment which provided “That the Congress appoint in such manner as they may think proper a Council to advise the President in the Appointment...
27639New York Ratifying Convention. First Motion of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
That the last mentioned Amendment having been read Mr. Hamilton moved that the same should be obliterated and the following inserted in its stead vizt. “That When the Number of Persons in the District of Territory to be laid out for the Seat of the Government of the United States, shall according to the Rule for the Apportionment of Representatives and direct Taxes Amount to such District...
27640New York Ratifying Convention. Third Speech of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—improper in a war, or in the case of a war to publish a state of accounts to all the world— Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. In this speech H was discussing the following amendment: “That an Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of public Money shall at least once in every Year be transmitted to the Executives of the several States to be laid...
27641New York Ratifying Convention. Fourth Speech of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—this will increase appeals—but does not much oppose—[Samuel] Jones—this will seldom happen—& cannot last Ham[ilton]—it may opperate to the prejudice of the poor— Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. In this speech H was discussing the following proposed amendment to the Constitution: “That Congress shall not constitute ordain or establish any Tribunals...
27642New York Ratifying Convention. Fifth Speech of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—objects— because the Court ap[pointed] by Legislature Chan[cellor Robert R. Livingston]—these Judges or commisioners may be under the same influence as the Legislature themselves—therefore to be avoided. Ham[ilton]—of the same opinion. [Samuel] Jones—wishes security under these Courts—sees great inconveniency in having a Court totally independent—wishes some mode to remedy the evil—...
27643New York Ratifying Convention. Sixth Speech of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—wishes to know what objectn gent. have to Congss. arranging the militia. Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. H was discussing the following amendment concerning the militia: “That the power to organize arm and discipline the Militia shall only extend so far as to prescribe the Mode of officering arming & disciplining ⟨– – – – –⟩. (John McKesson Papers,...
27644New York Ratifying Convention. Second Motion of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—moves an amend[men]t that a court of trial of impeachments be constituted, prout—thinks this amend[men]t will obviate many of the objections against the senate. Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. This motion is not recorded in McKesson, “Journal of the Proceedings,” “Journal of the Proceedings of the Convention of the State of NewYork. Held at the...
27645New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks, [23 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—thinks we ought to proceed on the report—& if any gent[leman] wishes to introduce an amend[men]t he has a right to do it. Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. For a discussion of the debates on July 23 and of the decisions made by the Convention on that date, see “New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of July 24 .”
27646New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of July 24, [24 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—Was in hopes this Morning of Unanimity when this Motion was first mentioned. Thot more favourably of it than the other one but since thinks otherwise. Has taken advice with men of character—they think it will not do. Proposed to read a Letter— reads it—supposes this adoption—conditional—and would viciate the business &ct. Himself wrote favourably for it. The terms of the...
27647New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of July 24, [24 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
[Matthew] Adgate—This business has been effected by degrees. This has heretofore been conceived to have been a Mode that would bring us in. Gent[lemen] now say we cannot—but if we May does not doubt we shall —they must violate the old Confedn. Ham[ilton]—Adg[at]e intimates that they have come down to our Ideas. This is not so—yet we are willing to go as far as we can and be received. The...
27648New York Ratifying Convention. Circular Letter to the Governors of the Several States, 26 July 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
Poughkeepsie, New York, July 26, 1788. “We the members of the Convention of this State, have deliberately & maturely considered the Constitution proposed for the united States. Several articles in it appear so exceptionable [to a majority of us], that nothing but the fullest confidence of obtaining a Revision of them by a general convention, and an invincible Reluctance to separating from our...
27649Continental Congress. Motion on Votes Cast in the Congress by States Not Yet Having Ratified the Constitution, [7 August … (Hamilton Papers)
Whereas the Convention assembled at Philadelphia in the Commonwealth of Pensylvania did on the 17th day of September last past resolve as the opinion of that Convention that as soon as the Conventions of nine states should have ratified the Constitution then and there agreed upon by the said Convention the United States in Congress assembled should fix a day on which electors should be...
27650From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, [12 August 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
We have a question of very great importance depending in Congress, in which the vote of your state would be decisive. It relates to the place of meeting of the future Congress—Six states and a half prefer New York five and a half Philadelphia. When your delegates were here they voted with us on the intermediate questions; but when the final question came to be put Mr. Hazard’s scruples...
27651To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Broome, 13 August 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been informed Congress have appointed a Committee to examine into the situation of their Contract made with Mr James Jarvis for the Loan of a quantity of Coined Copper and that said Committee had reported that said Contract Was Void should an action be Commenced against Mr Jarvis for damages. I hope you will be pleased to Consider yourself as his attorney in the suit provided there...
27652From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [13 August 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Capt Cochran of the British navy has requested my aid in recovering a family watch worn by his brother, who fell at York Town, (and now in the possession of _____ _____). In compliance with his request I have written the letter herewith (to_____ _____) which I take the liberty to convey through you, in hope that if you see no impropriety in it, you would add your influence to the endeavour to...
27653From 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...
27654To Alexander Hamilton from John Chaloner, 20 August 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 20, 1788. Sends Hamilton an abstract of John Holker’s “title to lands in N York State offered by him as a substitute to Mr Church & others who have commenced suits against him for protested bills in place of his bail in said suits.” Asks Hamilton about the validity of this title. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Chaloner wrote to H in the latter’s capacity as...
27655To Alexander Hamilton from Ezekiel Forman, 23 August 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 23, 1788. Requests information respecting Forman’s claim against the estate of Philip Livingston. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Forman was a former New Jersey Loyalist and at this time was practicing law in Philadelphia.
27656To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 23 August 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favr. of 12th. Inst. I Recd. not ’till yesterday haveing Just then Returned from the Country where I have been attending a Niece of mine who lays Dangerously ill. As your Communications are of a Delicate Nature, be assured Sr. I will hold them in the Fullest Confidence. Mr. A. Will be with you in the Question; Mr. H. I have not Seen. The principle Characters here are not So anxious about...
27657To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 25 August 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
Since I had the Honor to address you 23rd. Inst. on the Subject of——; I have had the pleasure of a Full Conversation with Mr. A. He is Zealous in the matter and assures me he will go forward in one of the New York Packets by the last of this Week. I have wrote Mr. H. on the Subject and Warmly urged the Necessity of his going on with his Colleague Mr. A. and have made him an offer of a Draught...
27658Continental Congress. Report on Slaves Who Had Escaped to East Florida, [26 August 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The Comittee to whom was referred the report of the Secretary for the Department of foreign affairs of the 14th instant submit the following resolutions That the secretary for the department of foreign affairs be directed to transmit copies of the papers referred to in the said report to the Chargé des affaires of the United States at Madrid and instruct him to represent to his Catholic...
27659From 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 .
27660From 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. ]