48401From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 20 March [1803] (Hamilton Papers)
I am here my beloved Betsy with my two little boys John & William who will be my bed fellows to night. The day I have passed was as agreeable as it could be in your absence; but you need not be told how much difference your presence would have made. Things are now going on here pretty and pretty briskly. I am making some innovations which I am sure you will approve. The remainder of the...
48402From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [18 January 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
I intended to have reached Croton this Evening and would have done it without difficulty had not a very violent shower of Rain obliged me to stop at this place. If the storm subsides I hope to be at Albany on Wednesday. The roads are too bad for you to venture this part of the road in your carriage if you can possibly avoid it. The plan of going to Poughkepsie is best. Dont forget to visit the...
48403From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 24 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you the day before yesterday, my dear Eliza, by Lieutenant Smith. Capt Church informs me he is going to send his servant. I embrace the opportunity of repeating my request for a pair of white Casimer breeches—if not already forwarded by Lt Smith. My health continues good and I am under a necessity of playing the game of good spirits—but separated from those I love, it is a most...
48404From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [May 1786–April 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Three or four days since I wrote to My angel by the Post, since which I have received a letter from her. I am very unhappy to hear that my beloved is out of health. Heaven grant it may soon be restored. I entreat her to take care of herself & keep up her spirits. I cannot yet determine what will be our stay here and consequently I can make no determinations about my love; but I feel that it...
48405From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 10 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Tomorrow we leave this for Fort Cumberland. We are very strong & the Insurgents are all submissive so that you may be perfectly tranquil. My health thank God is excellent. But I have heared from you only once. You must continue to write to this place sending your letters to General Knox to forward to me. God bless you & my dear Children. Yr. ever affect ALS , Mr. George T. Bowdoin, New York...
48406From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [1782] (Hamilton Papers)
Engrossed by our own immediate concerns, I omitted telling you of a disagreeable piece of intelligence I have received from a gentleman of Georgia. He tells me of the death of my brother Levine. You know the circumstances that abate my distress, yet my heart acknowledges the rights of a brother. He dies rich, but has disposed of the bulk of his fortune to strangers. I am told he has left me a...
48407From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [8 January 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
⟨The post my⟩ angel has met with some interruption (I suppose by the river being impassable) which deprives me of the pleasure of hearing from you. I am inexpressibly anxious to learn you have began your journey. I write this for fear of the worst, but I should be miserable if I thought it would find you at Albany. If by any misapprehension you should still be there I entreat you lose not a...
48408From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 4 October 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
This morning, My beloved Eliza, I arrived here to pay a visit to your father, in the interval of the postponement of our causes, as I mentioned in a letter which I wrote you on Friday from Claverack. Your father’s wound is much better and your mother in good health. Your sisters are both on a visit to Rensselaer; but expected back to day or tomorrow. In the morning I return to Claverack. I am...
48409From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 21 October 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to my beloved from Rhinebeck . Yesterday Evening I arrived here and found your family generally well. Your father’s leg is not quite cured but it continues in a good way & Stringer promises that it will soon be perfectly sound. I have not, myself, been in better health for a great while, and all I want to complete my happiness is that your health should be restored. Pray take care of...
48410From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [19 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The affair, My Dearest Eliza, upon which I came here has come to a close. But unavoidable delays in bringing it to this point & the necessity of communicating the result must very much against my will keep me here till the departure of the mail stage tomorrow, which will restore me to my Betsey on the day following. I need not tell her how very happy I shall be to return to her embrace and to...
48411From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [10 July 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
Mrs. Mitchel is the person in the world to whom as a friend I am under the greatest Obligations. I have ⟨not⟩ hitherto done my ⟨duty⟩ to her. But ⟨resolved⟩ to repair my omission as much as ⟨possible,⟩ I have encouraged her to come to ⟨this Country⟩ and intend, if it shall be ⟨in my po⟩wer to render the Evening of her days ⟨c⟩omfortable. But if it shall please God to put this out of my power...
48412From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [17–18 October 1801] (Hamilton Papers)
I have reached this place, my dear Eliza, after a very pensive ride, and not a little pain at the State in which I left you. I trust you will exert yourself to vanquish it & will only look forward to our reunion which I shall try to make as speedy as possible. While I [am] about I shall think certainly of you and my dear children and with the tenderest sentiments. Adieu best of women Yrs....
48413From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [21 August 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I was made very happy, my beloved Betsey by the receipt of your letter, informing me that one of mine had at length got to hand and that your spirits were recovered. I had suffered not a little at the idea that I must have appeared to you negligent. Nor am I able to imagine what can have become of my other letters. There is certainly some very foul and abominable practice, which it will not be...
48414From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [21 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
My avocation here my darling Eliza must detain me beyond the departure of the Mail stage but I expect certainly to leave town in the stage of tomorrow morning and still expect to reach New York tomorrow. Love to Angelica & Church. I shall return full freighted with it for My dear Brunettes Adieu ALS , Columbia University Libraries. See H to Elizabeth Hamilton, July 19, 1797 .
48415From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [27 October 1802] (Hamilton Papers)
I was made happy My beloved Eliza by the receipt of two letters from you which gave me the delightful intelligence that you & my dear Children were well. I shall be glad to come and receive the assurance in person. This moment I came from Court & I fear I shall not be disengaged from it before Saturday. Judge of my impatience by your own. Adieu My darling Eliza I am quite well ALS , Hamilton...
48416From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [21 August 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
Your last letter, My beloved Eliza, gave me inexpressible pleasure. It tells me that my precious boy was fast recovering. Heaven Grant that the favourable appearances may have continued. If you have not already left Albany write to me the precise day you will certainly leave it; so that I may meet you at New Ark . When you get to New York apply to Col Fish to make an arrangement for carrying...
48417From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 21 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I am here, my beloved, & tomorrow shall leave it for Boston where I hope to arrive on Monday Evening. The next morning I intend to proceed for Providence & New Port where I shall take passage by water for New York. If I am fortunate in the passage I may hope to embrace you in Eight days from this time. Most tenderly yrs. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For H’s itinerary on his trip...
48418From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [7–11 May 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
On Sunday Bonaparte & wife with the Judges will dine with you. We shall be 16 in number if Morris will come. Send him the enclosed note on horseback, this Evening, that James may bring me an answer in the morning. He is promised the little horse to return. If not prevented by the cleaning of your house I hope the pleasure of seeing you tomorrow. Let the waggon as well as the Coachee come in on...
48419From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 25 [October] 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
The extreme hurry in which I have been My Dear Eliza since my arrival here has prevented my writing to you. This serves merely to inform you that my health is as good as when I left you & let me add that your father is much better than he was & the rest of your family in good health. I need not add that I am impatient to be restored to your bosom & to the presence of my beloved Children. Tis...
48420From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 21 February 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, February 21, 1801. “I wrote to you my beloved from Poughkeepsie by post yesterday immediately on my arrival by Mr. Ephraim Hart of the tribe of Benjamin or Judah.… Mr. Burr, as a proof of his conversion to Federalism, has within a fortnight taken a very active and officious part against Renssalaer in favour of Clinton. Tell this to Mr. Church. And let me tell you what is of much more...
48421From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 30 January [1800] (Hamilton Papers)
You will easily imagine, My Dear Eliza, how much I have been relieved by the Post of today. My darling infant is then recovered. Happy news and very contrary to my apprehensions! Let us unite in thanks to that kind being who has thus far protected our little family and ourselves and let us endeavour as far as in us lies to merit a continuance of his favour. You do not mention the receipt of...
48422From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [18 October 1802] (Hamilton Papers)
I am thus far on my journey in good health. Tomorrow by eleven oClock I hope to reach Albany. This is the third letter I have written to you since we parted. I passed last night at Doctor Bards. The young couple seemed as usual in the like circumstances happy, and the rest of the company were in good spirits. Betsey Church talked of paying a visit to day to her uncle Philip. My former letters...
48423Form of Parole Offered to Henry Hamilton, [1 October 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
I do promise on my parole of honor that I will not depart out of the limits which shall from time to time be prescribed to me by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, or any other person having authority from him to prescribe or alter such limits: that I will not say or do any thing directly or indirectly to the prejudice of the United States of America or any of them: that I will hold...
48424From John Adams to John V. N. Yates, 15 December 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honour to write me Nov 1822 which has excited emotions too strong for faculties so enfeebled as mine to endure. Every humane christian & philosophical mind must appro ve the fine feelings and magnanimous sentiments which produced the assembly at Albany. Every lover of pathetic eloquence must be delighted with the speeches pronounced on that occasion....
48425Thomas Jefferson to James Hamilton (1786–1857), 9 September 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr Hamilton for the copy of his oration on the 4 th of July which he has been so kind as to send him, & especially for the kind sentiments towards himself which he has expressed in the note accompanying it, he is happy to see in the oration of mr Hamilton a warm adhesion to the genuine principles of the revolution, and trusts they will be handed down in all...
48426From George Washington to Brigadier General James Hamilton, 29 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honored with your polite Letter of the 25th Instant —and am much obliged by the favourable sentiments you are pleased to entertain of me. I feel for the situation of Capn Fetherstone, in whose favor you interest yourself, but yet It is not in my power to comply with your request in his behalf. I should hope he may secure his claim by writing to Sr Henry Clinton—and his friends...
48427Thomas Jefferson to James Hamilton, 4 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Apr. 16. came to hand yesterday. that which you mention to have been written by mr Robert Hamilton has never been recieved, nor any line on the subject till now. yours finds me just setting out on a journey from which I shall not return under a fortnight. in the meantime however I will engage mr M c lure to get orders on the bank from those of the subscribers who have deposited...
48428Thomas Jefferson to James Hamilton, 26 August 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
M r M c lure is just setting out for N. Carolina to attend the trial of some lawsuit in which he is engaged. altho’ he is very confident of success, yet law is so much of a lottery as to render the contrary possible. in that case he might be stopped for the costs of suit which he might not be able to pay down. were this to happen I would ask it as a personal favor to myself to pass your word...
48429From George Washington to James Hamilton, 24 April 1754 (Washington Papers)
It is with the greatest concern I acquaint you that Mr Ward Ensign in Captn Trents Company was compelld to surrender his small Fort in the Forks of Monongehele to the French on the 17th Instant: Who fell down from Venango with a Fleet of 360 Batoes and Canoes with upwards of one thousand Men and eighteen pieces of Artillery—which they planted against the Fort, drew up their Men and sent the...
48430From George Washington to James Hamilton, 4 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered to repair with the Detachment under your command, to Job Pearsals and John Kirkindalls; with whom you are to consult and advise upon the proper place to make your Head-Quarters. You are to take care to provide your Company with necessary provisions, agreeable to the Act of Assembly. And you are to be careful in sending out frequent scouting parties: and to use your...
48431Philadelphia Common Council to James Hamilton and Reply, 25 November 1748 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , December 1, 1748; also copy: MS Minutes, Philadelphia Common Council, The Free Library of Philadelphia. Franklin was chosen a member of the Philadelphia Common Council, Oct. 4, 1748. Mayor Charles Willing proposed, Nov. 24, a congratulatory address to James Hamilton, newly appointed governor, upon his arrival in Pennsylvania; the Council agreed, and named...
48432Thomas Jefferson to James Hamilton, 25 June 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of May 4. I informed you of the reciept of yours of Apr. 16. just as I was setting out on a journey, immediately on my return from which I would look to the having paiment made of the subscriptions to mr Maclure assigned to you. I am proceeding in that business, and, without awaiting it’s entire accomplishment, think it best to communicate it’s present state as below. the...
48433From Thomas Jefferson to James Hamilton and O. C. A. Mengen, 3 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the pleasure of inclosing you an extract of a letter I received from Majr. Genl. Phillips containing a proposition for the mutual accommodation of the Captives on both sides; I shall be very happy if it can be carried into execution, tho’ to bring it within our power it will be necessary that we furnish the mony of the State, and receive credit for it in gold and silver at the...
48434Thomas Jefferson to James Hamilton, 17 February 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of June 25. informed you that I had deposited in the bank of Richmond my own subscription of 50.D. with those of Geo. Gilmer & J. B. Magruder : and that of Aug. 26. informed you that mr Watson’s was just recieved, that I expected to recieve shortly those of mess rs Divers , Meriwether [’s]
48435From George Washington to James Hamilton, 17 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yours last night —Let nothing put you off your guard, and be prepared for the worst alarms. I would advise you to remain at Pearsalls until Captain [Colonel] Peytons return from escorting Governor Innes; and then you are to take Captain Minors’ post at Kirkendalls; as he is ordered at Colonel Peytons return, also to remove to the South-Branch. I hope there is no need of advising you to be...
48436From Alexander Hamilton to James A. Hamilton, [June 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
I have prepared for you a Thesis on Discretion. You may need it. God bless you. Your affectionate father. Hamilton, Reminiscences James A. Hamilton, Reminiscences of James A. Hamilton: or Men and Events, at Home and Abroad, During Three Quarters of a Century (New York, 1869). , 40. In describing this letter and its enclosure, James A. Hamilton wrote: “In 1804 a student in Columbia College...
48437Enclosure: [Thesis on Discretion], [June 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
The celebrated Dean Swift calls discretion an Aldermanly virtue. With all his great and estimable qualities he possessed very little of it himself; and thus was disposed to turn it into derision. But his own experience should have taught him, that if not a splendid it is at least a very useful virtue, and ought on that account to be cultivated and cherished. Sayings of ⟨this⟩ kind by...
48438From James Madison to James Hamilton Jr., 30 December 1826 (Madison Papers)
About the close of the last Session of Congs. I recd. from you a Copy in pamphlet form of your Speech on the Panama Mission. It being for some time thereafter uncertain where you would be found, my acknowledgments for the favor were neglected. If not too late, I beg leave now to offer them. The subject appears to have been very ably discussed on both sides; and your views of it, are to be...
48439James Madison to James Hamilton, Jr., 13 December 1828 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recd. the copy of your speech on the 28th. of Ocr. last; for which I am indebted to your politeness & tender my acknowledgments. I join very sincerely in all the praise which has been bestowed on the intellectual power & impressive eloquence by which it is distinguished But I am constrained to mingle with this just tribute, the remark that it comprizes doctrines in which I can not...
48440From Alexander Hamilton to James Hamilton, 22 June 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 31st of May last, which, and one other, are the only letters I have received from you in many years. I am a little surprised you did not receive one which I wrote to you about six months ago. The situation you describe yourself to be in gives me much pain, and nothing will make me happier than, as far as may be in my power, to contribute to your relief. I...
48441From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Hamilton, 4 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 4, 1800. “I have received your letter of the fourth of December, with the Treatise which it enclosed.…” Df , in the handwriting of H and Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
48442Thomas Jefferson to Paul Hamilton, 25 December 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed recommendation in behalf of mr Taggart as a candidate for a midshipman’s birth has already, I presume made it’s way to you through the channel of Cap t Jones mr Patterson , mr Biddle D r Rush E t c. it would be great presumption in me to expect to add any thing to what you already know of the merit of their recommendations. and yet, being personally un acquainted with the young...
48443Thomas Jefferson to Paul Hamilton, 23 January 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter would have been more properly addressed to yourself, or perhaps to the Secretary at War . I have no knolege at all of the writer; but suppose the best use I can make of his letter, as to himself or the public, is to inclose it to you for such notice only as the public utility may entitle it to. perhaps I should ask the favor of you to communicate it, with the samples, &...
48444Thomas Jefferson to Paul Hamilton, 27 September 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I am requested to introduce to you the bearer mr Henry L. Duffie of whom however I have no personal knolege, nor any information but thro’ the inclosed letter . the writer of it, mr Harrison of Lynchburg , is a merchant of that place, of reputation, and worthy of credit in whatever he states. knowing that certain elements of education are necessary to qualify a midshipman for his reception, I...
48445From James Madison to Paul Hamilton, 31 December 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of yesterday, signifying your purpose to retire from the Dept. which has been under your care. On an occasion which is to terminate the relation in wch. it placed us, I can not satisfy my own feelings, or the tribute due to your patriotic merits & private virtues, without bearing testimony to the faithful zeal, the uniform exertions, and unimpeachable integrity, with...
48446Thomas Jefferson to Paul Hamilton, 22 October 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, mr Beverly Roy Scott being desirous of entering the Naval service as a Midshipman, wishes it to be made known to you, and the grounds on which he presents himself for your favor. he is not personally known to me, altho’ his family is, which is respectable and wealthy: and he brings me a letter of recommendation from a friend whose correctness is such as satisfies me he would...
48447Thomas Jefferson to Paul Hamilton, 28 September 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
M r William Jordan Harris , a young gentleman of a neighboring county, being desirous of entering into the navy of the US. as a Midshipman, has requested me to be the channel of conveyance for his application. an antient connection with his family, and an intimate knolege of it’s great worth & respectability, make it a duty in me to decline no opportunity of doing what is their desire. with...
48448From James Madison to Paul Hamilton, 17 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
In order to fix the extent of the authorized loan, the time of opening it, & the dates of its several instalments, it is requisite that the monthly expenditures in the War & Navy Depts. should be known as far as may be practicable. Will the Secretary of the Navy be so good as to have the estimates to the end of the present year, made out in his Department and furnished to the Secretary of the...
48449Thomas Jefferson to Paul Hamilton, 21 December 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
With mr Thompson the bearer hereof I am entirely unacquainted personally, but am very intimately so with mr Fry , the writer of the inclosed letter, a man of extreme worth & too conscientious to recommend any person whose merit is not unquestionable. in asking faith to his testimony I do all which I can do justifiably to myself, and which my respect for you will permit. and indeed I owe many...
48450From James Madison to Paul Hamilton, 26 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 23. inclosing the report of the incident to Lt. Trippe on his way to N. Orleans. The conduct of the British commander, appears to have been highly reproachful; whatever may be the light in which that of Lt. Trippe ought to be viewed. The right of one Ship of war towards another not avowing or displaying hostility, can not extend beyond the means necessary to verify...