15301Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on the Best Mode of Executing the Embargo, [26 March 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments, and the Attorney general of the U. S. at the President’s, on the twenty sixth day of march 1794. The resolution of congress, of this date being submitted to them by the President for their opinion as to the best Mode of executing the same; It is advised unanimously, that the governors of the several States ought to be called upon to enforce the said...
15302The Defence No. VIII, [15 August 1795], with enclosure (Hamilton Papers)
One of the particulars in which our Envoy is alleged to have fallen short of what might and ought to have been done respects the time for the surrender of the Western posts. It is alleged, that there ought either to have been an immediate surrender or some guarantee or surety for the performance of the new promise. Both parts of the alternative presuppose that Great Britain was to have no will...
15303Report on the Petition of the Merchants of Philadelphia Trading to India and China, 10 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of the House of representatives of the twentieth day of January last referring to him the petition of the Merchants of Philadelphia trading to India and China; Respectfully reports: That the subject of the said petition involves the consideration of the general policy, which ought to be pursued by the United States, in relation to the...
15304Enclosure (D.): [Sums of Appropriation to the End of the Year 1792], 19 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Statement Shewing the Sums of Appropriation to the End of the Year 1792. Which Will Probably Not Be Required to Satisfy the Same. Balances of appropriation unexpended on the 31st December 1792. Balance which will probably not be required. Balance which will be required dolls: Cents. dolls. Cts dolls: Cents For discharging the warrants issued by the late board of Treasury, 32,176. 73
15305Constitutional 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...
15306Introductory Note: To James Gunn, [22 December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
This letter concerns proposals for reorganizing the Army. This is a complicated subject, for it involves a series of bewildering statutes enacted by Congress concerning the Regular Army, Additional Army, Provisional Army, and Eventual Army. When the Constitution went into effect in 1789, the new government inherited an army which had served under the Continental Congress and which was the...
15307George Washington to ———, 30 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Headquarters, Ramapo, New Jersey, June 30, 1780. Returns “the Proof Sheet of the Proclamation … with some corrections.” Requests that five hundred copies be “struck off and forwarded … with great secrecy and dispatch.” LS , in the handwriting of H, The Sol Feinstone Collection, Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. Although the enclosure has not been found, it was...
15308Constitutional 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...
15309Receipt from William Pearce, [26 May 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
Received Philadelphia May 26. 1792 of Alexander Hamilton forty Dollars on account of the Society for establishing useful Manufactures. D , in the writing of H and signed by Pearce, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
15310[The Defence No. XXVII], [28 November 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
ADf , in the handwriting of Rufus King, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; The [New York] Herald; A Gazette for the Country , November 28, 1795. For background to this document, see the introductory note to “The Defence No. I,” July 22, 1795 . Except for a few phrases and sentences inserted by H, the draft of “The Defence No. XXVII” is in the handwriting of Rufus King.
15311Account with Tench Coxe, [24 August 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Recd. August 24th. 1790. from the hon. Alexr. Hamilton Esqr two hundred dollars, which I promise to repay on demand. ADS , Papers of Tench Coxe in the Coxe Family Papers at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. At the bottom of this document Coxe wrote: “(repaid in Philada. ⅌ Acct. in sundries & Cash).”
15312Continental Congress Report on a Letter from the President of Pennsylvania, 22 April 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee to whom was referred the letter from His Excellency The President of Pensylvania to the Delegates of that state of the 18th. instant report that in their opinion it is inexpedient for Congress to come to any formal decision on the subject of that letter. AD , Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. The committee consisted of H, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Wilson....
15313Philo Camillus No. 4, [19 August 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
For the Argus Camillus has stated several infractions of the Treaty of peace by us, besides that of the Trespass act, which according to the solution given by our own conduct to the question whether performance was to date from the provisional or definitive Treaty must have been prior to the British infraction by the detention of the posts —(viz) 1 An Act of South Carolina of March 26th 1784...
15314Candidates for Army Appointments from Connecticut, [November–December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Connecticut Captains 1 Austin Nichols Fairfield County Writes ill Wm. Edmond good constitution single man & in prime of life education equal to place active enterprising & on the whole qualified } Not very strong
15315Conversation with George Hammond, [2–10 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The executive government, though it will feel itself strengthened by, had not waited for, this approbation of the influential members of the community. It had long before been sensible of the necessity of immediately pursuing vigorous measures, and had been convinced that delay would confirm its opponents, and might probably commit, to the hazard of the contest, the preservation of its...
15316Conversation with George Hammond, [23 December 1794–5 January 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
Although I have had no reason to suspect, that this government has ever deviated from the resolution, which I have formerly attributed to it, of declining to enter into any political connexion with Sweden and Denmark, I have nevertheless, since the receipt of your Lordship’s last instructions, renewed my enquiries upon the subject, in an incidental conversation with Mr. Hamilton, from whom I...
15317Constitutional 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...
15318Candidates for Army Appointments from Tennessee, [November–December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Tennessee Captains 2 Arthur Crozier Knoxville good letter Clayborne —a young man of respectable character good talents & was a Merchant 3 Nathan B Markland Knoxville Clayborne . possesses qualifications for a valuable Officer surveyor young man of amiable Character & good talents 6 Charles Porter Judge Anderson —recommends him as well qualified respectable connexion & unexceptionable character 1
15319Notes for a Letter to Gouverneur Morris, [2–16 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
I explanation of fitting out privateers Charlestown put on footing of their being no law II Letter persisting in objection to it III reclaims Gideon Henfield IV very moderate answer that Courts will do right V Concerning Sloop Republican I Issuing Commissions a mere consular act—
15320Conversation with Arthur Fenner, [25–26 June 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
[Newport, Rhode Island, June 25–26, 1800.] “Some time in the summer past, I believe in July, General Hamilton, an entire stranger to me further than the knowledge of him from his public character, came to my house in company with Colonels Christopher & Jeremiah Olney, General Barton, & Colonel Ogdon. General Hamilton was very familiar, open, & candid. He at once began the election of the...
15321Report on Tonnage for the Year Ending September 30, 1790, 25 November 1791 [28 November 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
In further obedience to the order of the Senate, I have the honor to transmit a return of the Tonnage of all the vessels employed in the import, coasting, and fishing trades of the United States, for one year, ending on the 30th September, 1790. This document will be found to exhibit the degree in which American and foreign vessels participate in every branch of the commerce of the United...
15322Conversation with George Hammond, [24 February–7 March, 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
At Governor Simcoe’s desire I have the honor of inclosing the copy of a despatch, which I have received from that Gentleman, explanatory of the reasons that prompt him to decline a compliance with the request of the American Ministers (conveyed through me as stated in my No: 3) that he would contribute his assistance to their agent in the attempts to procure in that quarter a supply of...
15323Report on Exports for the Year Ending September 30, 1791, 17 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to an order of the House, of the 2d instant, I transmit an abstract of the goods, wares, and merchandise, exported from each State, from the 1st October, 1790, to the 30th September, 1791. ASP American State Papers, Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of the United States (Washington, 1832–1861). , Commerce and Navigation , I, 147. Journal of the House , I...
15324Introductory Note: From Andrew G. Fraunces, 16 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
This letter from Andrew Fraunces initiated a controversy over the payment of two warrants issued by the Board of Treasury in 1787 and 1789. Although Fraunces maintained that he had purchased these warrants in early May, 1793, it cannot be stated with certainty just how he obtained them or whether he ever actually owned them. During June, July, and August, 1793, Fraunces wrote to both Hamilton...
15325New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of July 19, [19 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—this article he thinks includes more than gent intend—in the Admiralty—& Chancery there is no Jury—“ to remain ” may be intended to qualify this—in some states—the trial by jury in both the Courts above ment[ione]d are in use—On treaties & Laws of nations—the supreme Judicial ought to be the last resort—difficult to remedy this—so as to agree to it—& not clash with other states—...
15326Circular Letter from the Officers of the Massachusetts Line of the Late Army, 28 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
We have had the honour to be appointed a Committee, by the Officers of the Massachusetts line of the late Army, to attend to and prosecute their memorial to the Congress of the United States, on the subject of compensation for the losses sustained by them and the soldiers who served during the war, in consequence of the singular manner in which their services have been acknowledged and...
15327Continental Congress Remarks on the Provisional Peace Treaty, [19 March 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton urged the propriety of proceeding with coolness and circumspection. He thought it proper in order to form a right judgment of the conduct of our Ministers, that the views of the French & British Courts should be examined. He admitted it as not improbable that it had been the policy of France to procrastinate the definite acknowledgmt. of our Independence on the part of G B in...
15328New York Assembly. Remarks on Report Concerning Citizens of New York who Loaned Money in Hartford during the American … (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 13, 1787. Hamilton spoke on the report of a “committee on the petition of those citizens of this state who have loaned their money during the late war, in Hartford, praying this state to take those monies on loan, and put them on the footing of other citizens, who loaned their money at the continental loan-office in this state.” Hamilton, according to the newspaper account...
15329The Federalist No. 54, [12 February 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. THE next view which I shall take of the House of Representatives, relates to the apportionment of its members to the several States, which is to be determined by the same rule with that of direct taxes. It is not contended that the number of people in each State ought not to be the standard for regulating the proportion of those who are to represent the...
15330Testimony at the Trial of Joshua Hett Smith, [2 October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Lieutenant-colonel Alexander Hamilton was next produced on the part of the Prosecution, and sworn. Q. Please to declare what you know respecting Mr. Smith, the Prisoner, declaring that he had been on board the Vulture , sloop-of-war, belonging to the enemy, and fetching a person on shore from that vessel? A. I was present when Mr. Smith, the Prisoner, made his Confession before the gentlemen...
15331New York Ratifying Convention. Sixth Speech of July 19, [19 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—combats the propriety of the word “ expresly ” congress one to regulate trade—now they must do a thousand things—not expresly given—Virginia say not given — Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. See “New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of July 19,” note 1 . H’s remarks were on the proposed explanatory amendment. It reads as follows: “That no...
15332Conversation with George Hammond, [March 10–April 17, 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 10–April 17, 1794 ] “I have the honor of transmitting … a letter … which on the 10th. of March I addressed to the Secretary of State on the subject of the encroachments by the citizens of Vermont on the territory occupied by his Majesty’s arms. To this letter I have not as yet received any answer, though both Mr. Randolph and Mr. Hamilton have assured me that the...
15333Schedule IV: Estimate of the Amount of Pensions for the Invalids, 17 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Dol. 90ths Dol. 90ths Taken from Returns, dated March 7, 1789, New-Hampshire 3,170 March 7, 1789, Massachusetts, 7,699 30 May 14, 1789, Connecticut, 7,302 45 Jan. 1st., 1789, New-York, 15,246 Feb. 2, 1789, New-Jersey, 4,733 6 July 5, 1786, Pennsylvania, 11,220 30 For 1787, Virginia, 9,276 60 58,647 81 Conjectural {
15334New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (John McKesson’s Version), [20 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
The Gentleman who spoke yesterday has been treated as having dealt in the flowry Fields of Immagination I agree if this Governt. is dangerous to the Liberties of the People let us reject it— Tho no Considerations of Danger should induce us to adopt a Governmt. radically bad—yet it was prudent to weigh those Moti[v]es which might induce us to attend those Considerations which involve public...
15335Continental Congress Report on a Letter from Captain John Paul Jones, [4 December 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 4, 1782. ] Report of a committee, consisting of Samuel Osgood, James Madison, and Hamilton on a request of Captain John Paul Jones for permission to serve on a campaign with the Marquis de Vaudreuil. The committee reported that, “Congress having a high sense of the merit and services of Capt Jones,” the permission be granted. D , in writing of James Madison, with...
15336The Examination Number XII, [23 February 1802] (Hamilton Papers)
From the manner in which the subject was treated in the fifth and sixth numbers of The Examination, it has been doubted, whether the writer did or did not entertain a decided opinion as to the power of Congress to abolish the offices and compensations of Judges, once instituted and appointed pursuant to a law of the United States. In a matter of such high constitutional moment, it is a sacred...
15337Enclosure: Schedule C, [3 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
SCHEDULE C Abstract of the Liquidated and Loan-Office Debt of the United States, on the 3d March , 1789. Dollars. 90ths. Registered Debt, 4,598,462. 78 Credits given to sundries on the treasury books, by virtue of special acts of Congress, which are not yet put on the Funded Debt, 187.578. 65 Certificates issued by the commissioner of army accounts, deducting those which have been...
15338The Continentalist No. IV, [30 August 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
The preceding numbers are chiefly intended to confirm an opinion, already pretty generally received, that it is necessary to augment the powers of the confederation. The principal difficulty yet remains, to fix the public judgment, definitively, on the points, which ought to compose that augmentation. It may be pronounced with confidence, that nothing short of the following articles can...
15339Enclosure: [Account Statement with the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures], [18 July 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Dr. Alexander Hamilton Esqr: In A/C with The Society for Establishing useful Manufactures Cr: 1793 1793 Feby. 20 To paid his draft on Benjamin Walker 300.00 Feby. 26 By Cash Advanced Wm. Pearce in Phila. at sundry times 2,340.90 June 8 To Wm. Duer’s Order on F. Ingraham 500 “ “ By ditto ditto George Parkinson