45951To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 1796–January 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 1796–January, 1797. At this time, McHenry “suggested to Hamilton the establishment of a permanent navy yard, and enclosed a draft of his departmental report in which he tried not to censure his predecessors.” Letter not found. ] Steiner, James McHenry Bernard C. Steiner, The Life and Correspondence of James McHenry (Cleveland, 1907). , 180, note 1. Although Steiner dates this...
45952To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 5 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, October 5, 1789. On April 29, 1790, Allibone wrote to Hamilton : “I did make mention of it in a letter of mine dated October 5th last.” Letter not found. ]
45953To Alexander Hamilton from Aaron Ogden, 7 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Pursuant to yours of the 28th. Ultimo, I have made enquiry in the vicinity of the Cantonment, near the Scotch plains, for a house, or houses, that might be suitable, for the accomodation of sick, but cannot find that any such are vacant, or to be procured. I have calculated the expence of building for each regiment, an hospital of 34 feet, in length, and 20 feet in width, enclosed and covered...
45954To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] December 21, 1789. “… I have recd the different forms from the Comptroller and shall proceed immediately as therein directed, I would remark on two of them, that of the Tonnage Abstract directed to be countersigned by the N officer which I imagine was intended to be the Surveyor, for the N: O: has no documents to warrant him. In the weekly returns of Cash it is directed to...
45955To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Mackay, 23 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I must forever lament your absence from New York when I was there last December, which deprived me of the honour of paying you my personal Homage. my respectable friend Mr. Sedgwick had favoured me, with a letter which I wished to have presented myself; but as it may contain some matters foreign to me, and as I do not propose to return soon to New York I take the liberty to Inclose it. one of...
45956To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 24 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 23d. this inst. by the hands of the Post Master of Brumswick—the Orders contained in it, of the 21st. shall be minutely attended to, and executed with the deepest solemnity. I did myself the honor of addressing you last night which Letters I sent per stage this morning at seven oClock to the New Ark post office, to which I beg...
45957To Alexander Hamilton from Edward Jones, [21 March 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to the request contained in your letter of the 8th. instant (which must have lingered somewhere on the road, as I did not recieve it untill a few days since) I set about collecting the documents required, a portion of which, you will receive herewith. There is no Report of yours in our Office upon the petition of certain Pennsylva. Creditors , or indeed of any other persons, relative...
45958To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 2 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, April 2, 1791. “… I have now to inform you that I began yesterday morning to pay Interest on the Public Debt agreeably to the Act of Congress making provision for the same. I have compleated the Dividend book in which are Stated 863 Stockholders. The Duplicate Receipts are also prepared agreeably to the Instructions.…” LC , RG 53, Massachusetts State Loan Office, Letter Book,...
45959To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 4 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Havre de Grace [ Maryland ] October 4, 1799 . Discusses supplies, relative rank of officers, and military routine. States: “… My Idea of substituting hand Labor, with Ignominy to Death, for Desertion was the crude Suggestion of the moment. If it merits your Consideration you can have it carried into effect by naming the Place to which you will have them sent. Perhaps branding them on some...
45960To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Pearsall, 16 March 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 16, 1785. “I have thy Letter of this date. I recollect thy Application to me with a Copy of Oliver Arnolds Judgment obtained against me in Rhode Island for the Outfit of my Quarter of Sloop Diana. My present Determination is … not to pay it, as … I never gave Orders either in Writing or Verbally for the outfit.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Pearsall was a partner...
45961To Alexander Hamilton from John Berrien, 1 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Savannah, June 1, 1791. “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of my appointment as Inspector of the Revenue for the port of Savannah.… I take the liberty to inform you, that the excise is by no means a popular measure in this Country—people urge a variety of arguments against it—and it will require propriety & stability in the execution of the several Offices, to carry the Law into...
45962To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Lloyd Moore, 20 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received yours of the 18th. Instant. With respect to the Duel between Cap. Johnston & Lt. Sharp, it arose as I am informed, from a dispute which took place between those Gentlemen on the night of the 11th. Instant in Lt. Sharps tent, some high words passed, and at length a challenge ensued, and altho’ great efforts were made to effect a reconciliation it proved to no purpose; and...
45963To Alexander Hamilton from Baron de Rou, 23 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Frederick County, Virginia, September 23, 1796. States that he has failed at agriculture in both Virginia and Long Island. Proposes that Hamilton ask his friends to subscribe to a fund for de Rou’s support. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is written in French.
45964To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus Graves, 25 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the second and sixth of Jany. Your requirement of reasons for the proposed alterations in the relative rank of our Regiment are undoubtedly very just; but just as it may be I expect to find it hard to give reasons in every instance that may satisfy a person who is not availed of the circumstances which determind our minds where...
45965To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 22 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, March 22, 1799. “I transmit for your information copies of several letters, viz, one from Captain Wm Littlefield dated Fort Wolcott 2nd Feby 1799 and one from General Hamtramck dated Fort Wayne 21st Jany 1799, together with a letter from Edward Livingston Esq. dated New York 9th March, one from John Dover dated Novr. 24th. 1798 directed to Mr Livingston and one from the...
45966To Alexander Hamilton from Caleb Swan, 8 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 4 Instant. I have forwarded to Lt. Hugh McCall, whom I have appointed deputy Pay Master for So Carolina & Georgia, the Sum of 39.884. dollars, which he has received—9.884 dollars of the above Sum, is for the express purpose of recruiting the full complement of the 5th. regiment of Infantry, as directed in your letter of the 23d September, 1799—When I sent on...
45967To Alexander Hamilton from Edward Carrington, 4 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The private letter which you was so good as to accompany your Official communication with, calls for and has my warmest acknowledgements. The point which I have mentioned in my Official letter, as determining my acceptance of the Office of Supervisor, would have produced that issue, had the measure been less eligible in other respects than it really is, but had I upon any consideration been...
45968To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 8 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The letters which I have lately had the honor of writing to you are of the dates of July 8.—19—24—26—27. In them I informed you of what had been done with respect to the intended loan. Since then I have recieved your letter of the 24th. of May, which increases my powers both as to the repetition of the loans & the disposition of the sums arising from them. At the time of its receipt a sudden &...
45969To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 1 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] June 1, 1791 . “In compliance with your request, I … transmit the commissions filled with the names as you directed.…” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
45970To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 12 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 12, 1791. “I have no reason to doubt the probability of receiving a sufficient sum before the first of January next to pay 10,000 Dollars as you desire to Messrs. Elliot & Williams.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See H to Williams, December 7, 1791 .
45971To Alexander Hamilton from John Adlum, 5 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a monthly return of the detachment under my command, by which you will see the sickness has increased, but the Doctor informs me the soldiers are getting better and there is not so many new cases within this few days, and I hope the sick will soon be able to join their Companies— There is two persons confined under guard for desertion. Capt. Shoemaker with the contractors son Mr....
45972Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 29 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 29 May 1791. Transmits under the president’s direction the enclosed from John H. Mitchell, which came in a letter from GW, dated Savannah, 13 May, received yesterday. LB , DLC:GW . The enclosure has not been found but was probably drafted c.2–14 May 1791 and concerned the ambitions of John Hinckley Mitchell, a city warden of Charleston, S.C., to provide the U.S. Mint with...
45973To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 11 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Governor St Clair has made a representation to me in a letter dated the 18th of February of which I enclose you a copy, by which it appears that much discontent, and uneasiness has been occasioned by the proclamation of Martial law at Detroit. To give a full view of the subject, I have also enclosed extracts from a correspondence between the Secretary of War and Brigadier General Wilkinson...
45974To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 7 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 7, 1790. “Your two letters of the 30th Sept & 1st Inst. I recd respecting your directions for the Cutter or Revenue Boat for this Bay, & the forms of the official Papers of this office. As to the first I believe though I give it only on my own knowledge that the Sum of 1000 dollers for the building and outfit , is much too little, but as I shall do every thing my duty...
45975To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12 January 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 4th inst on Saturday last. After giving as much consideration as I could to the subject of the election of a President, which I perceived from conversation with some of the members of Congress who were here at christmas was likely to assume a serious form, it appeared to me that the proper line for the federal party to pursue in the case, was, to acquiesce with a...
45976From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton, 24 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of the act of Congress appropriating 40,000 Dollars per annum from July 1. 1790. for our intercourse with foreign nations, I received from the Treasurer a bill, the last spring, on our bankers in Amsterdam for 99,000 florins. As this will be nearly exhausted by this time, and there will be large calls immediately by Mr. Morris, Mr. Pinkney and Mr. Short for their outfits and...
45977To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 24 March [1799] (Hamilton Papers)
I never received yr letr. on the subject of the recruiting service enclosing one to Colo Parker till the last evening. I woud with much pleasure contribute any aid in my power towards the successful execution of yr object for I really believe the best plan & the best execution will still be very slow in fruit among us. A consultation with the officers to be employed in the conduct of the...
45978To Alexander Hamilton from George Clymer, [28 September 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The last article in the order of my instructions was as I conceived to be the first on my arrival here—for as my reception should be so might be my success in every of my objects. I therefore obtained a meeting with several of the principal characters, and the better to gain their confidence made a full disclosure to them of my whole business. They all of them gave assurances that the town of...
45979To Alexander Hamilton from George Ingersoll, 18 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 9th Inst. requesting an explanation of a Man who is on Governors Island at Large belonging to Capt Flemings Company and doing no duty—I presume the General must mean by Capt Fleming & Company, Mr George Fleming the Public Store Keeper at this place and a Detachment of the first Regt. of Infantry under the command of a Serjeant who holds himself responsible to...
45980To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Walker, 28 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
When I obtained leave of absence from America for six Months my principal object was a visit to my friends whom I had not seen for twenty years but I also engaged to pass from London to this place during my stay in Europe in order to inspect into the proceedings of the Agents of the Scioto Company and adjust their accounts. I accordingly came here about a Month since and have found their...
45981To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Otis, 12 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Barnstable [ Massachusetts ] November 12, 1789 . “Yours of the 5th. ultimo receiv’d respecting the Expence of Light Houses, Beacons & Buoys &c in this District, I would inform you that there never was any Expence of that Kind within the same.… But a Light-House erected to the Northward of Cape-Codd Harbour, would be the Means of saving many Lives.…” LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received,...
45982To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 26 December 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, Revenue Office, December 26, 1794. “It is with extreme concern that I enclose to you a letter of a very improper tenor indeed, from Messr. Nicholas Hoffman & Co. at New York, to Tench Francis Esqr. dated on the 22d instant, and this day received by me from the hands of Mr. Francis.…” LC , RG 75, Letters of Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, Relating to the...
45983To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 27 January 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, Revenue Office, January 27, 1794. “I have the honor to communicate to you the result of the enquiry into ‘the expediency of erecting a light House on Occacock Island or elsewhere near the entrance of Occacock inlet; and an estimate of the probable expence.’…” LS , RG 46, Reports from the Secretary of the Treasury, National Archives; LC , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters, Vol. I,...
45984To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Whipple, 6 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will see by the Signature a Stranger addresses you, Tho’ not so, to your Character & Reputation. I am led to this Freedom from various Considerations—From the Amiableness of your general Character. from a Simularity of Persuits in the Professional Line, of Law—and from the honorable and generous Spirit of the Gentleman & the Soldier. Without further Preface (for Soldiers & men of Business...
45985To Alexander Hamilton from George W. Kirkland, 9 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Since I had the honor to recieve yours of jan. 31st., a revolution in my affairs, to which I have been approximating, for several years past, has taken place. I was an adventurer among others, during the rage for land-speculation in this country—and have accumulated debts to an enormous amount; which, under the state of embarrassment and depression, in which all real property is now holden, I...
45986To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 2 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I placed Mr. Stoddert (who acts as Secretary of war under a temporary commission) this morning about 11 o’clock in the chair I have usually occupied; I then formally laid upon his head eight volumes of the “code militaire” by Briquet with Caesars commentaries in French; kept them upon it ’till he was nearly stupified, when I pronounced him duly installed and as well qualified to discharge the...
45987To Alexander Hamilton from Nathan Rice, 2 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I feel very forcibly the justice of your reprimand for the neglect, which has taken place in the Pay and Quarter Masters’ departments at this Post. Neither the Colonel, Pay, or Quarter Master, of the 15th. Regiment, is yet on the ground; And but few of the Stores in those departments, belonging to that Regt. have been brought to this post. No Field Officer of the 16th. Regiment is yet here....
45988To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Lawrence, Junior, 6 May 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been at a stand whether to forward to you the Enclosed, or not, for fear you might Imagine me troublesome. Necessity has at length over Come my delicate feelings, and I have concluded to transmit it to you, with an Anxious hope that you will Interest yourself in behalf of Old Servant to his Country, who has sacrificed health and fortune to Serve his Country and now finds himself reduced...
45989To Alexander Hamilton from John Stockton, 16 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a Coppy of the Contract with Asa Freeman; for the Supply of Rations at the Town of Dover, for Such Troops or Recruits, as may be placed at that place during the Present Year. I am Sir with respect yr. Obt. St. ( ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing a contract between James McHenry and Asa Freeman, May 14, 1799 (copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of...
45990To Alexander Hamilton from John Moore and James Robinson, 30 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, December 30, 1790. Submit a bid for the contract to build the lighthouse at Cape Henry. LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. Moore and Robinson were New York City contractors.
45991To Alexander Hamilton from Lewis Tousard, 3 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I am just returned from my visit to the Eastern Sea board, and have opened all the General orders of which I will officially accuse reception by the 1st mail. One article of that which relates to promotions Seems to let me Some hopes of Coming in for the vacant Lieut. Colonelship of the Second Regiment. if you think I am not to be considered in the case of the exception in extraordinary Cases,...
45992To Alexander Hamilton from John B. Church, 13 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you a few Lines hastily Yesterday at the Post Office just as the Post was setting out I am this Instant Return’d from your House, Eliza is well she Put into my Hand the Newspaper with James Thomsonn Callender’s Letter to you, but it makes not the least Impression on her, only that she considers the whole Knot of those opposed to you to be ⟨Scoundrels⟩, the Postman brought to your House...
45993To Alexander Hamilton from Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 26 February … (Hamilton Papers)
We had the honor to address You the 25 Ulto. and have now to advise you that owing to the attack made upon this Country by France The circulation of Money has been so checked as to render it excessively nay unparalleled scarce: The natural Consequence is a great depression in the prices of all Stocks and Bonds, to such a Degree indeed that they may be said to be unsaleable. Any fresh...
45994To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 6 June 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 6, 1798. “In a letter which I wrote to you on the 27th of October last you will find it Stated that Doctor Craigie stood indebted to me in the Sum of $6,250 which it was my wish that you should receive in discharge of the debt I owed you. Sometime after you wrote that Mr. Johnson Agent of Doctr Craigie informed you that this Claim was Assigned by me to Colo Ogden, and as I...
45995To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 22 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last of the 24th. ulto. the decree which I then announced to you as being soon to take place, with respect to the supplies for S. Domingo, has been passed. Instead of adopting the proposition of the former minister of Marine, M. de Bertrand, they confined themselves to vote six millions of livres to be applied as relief for S: Domingo, by the Minister of that department. He has...
45996To Alexander Hamilton from Charles W. Goldsborough, 15 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Trenton, October 15, 1798. On October 20, 1798, Hamilton wrote to Benjamin Stoddert : “I have received a letter from Mr. Goldsborough of the 15th.” Letter not found. ] Goldsborough was chief clerk of the Navy Department.
45997To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 2 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 27th. ulto. bearing the post mark of the 31st. containing a schedule of articles said to be furnished by The Contractor under my order—and upon examining your Letters, you find, the articles marked are not included, in any of the directions general or Special which you have given—and request me to inform you whether they have...
45998To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 10 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, April 10, 1794. “A number of our Captains, who commanded vessels which have been arrested by the British and are now detained with their Cargoes in the west Indies, are returned without that evidence of their having landed their Cargoes which by law is necessary to their drawing bounties &c. What shall be done in these cases?” LC , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston; LC , RG 36,...
45999To Alexander Hamilton from Isaac Holmes, 9 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Charleston, South Carolina, August 9, 1794. On September 4, 1794, Hamilton wrote to Holmes acknowledging “the receipt of your letter of the 9th of August.” Letter not found. ] Holmes was collector of customs at Charleston, South Carolina.
46000To Alexander Hamilton from John Chaloner, 27 August 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 14th Inst was deliverd to me late last evening, incloseing Messrs Traceys obligation. I shall inform their agent and get the Shares transferd immediately. I will forward the money you request in the course of next week. Mr Church wrote me sometime in Feby last that I should receive by the Dauphin three boxes, two marked JBC—and one marked PS—which is a box of garden seeds...