1Alexander Hamilton and John Armstrong, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 23 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Do me the favor to learn from the President, & inform me by the bearer, whether mister Lee’s resignation was purely voluntary on his part, or was occasioned by any circumstance dissatisfactory to the President. The reason to the enquiry is that I may regulate my expressions to him accordingly. I presume no such circumstance has occured; but for greater caution I ask. Yrs &c. LB , DLC:GW . For...
2Cabinet Opinion, 13 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of the departments and the attorney General, at the house of the President, of the United States, the subject of affording an auxiliary force to Major General Wayne for the purpose of enabling him to make a vigorous and offensive campaign against the hostile Indians being considered, it is advised, that he be authorised, to call for two thousand mounted volunteers...
3Cabinet Opinion on Relations with Spain and Great Britain, 20 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting this day of the heads of departments at the President’s on summons from him, a letter from Messrs Viar & Jaudenes dated June 18. & addressed to the Secretary of state, was read: whereupon it is the opinion that a full detail of the proceedings of the U.S. with respect to the Southern Indians, & the Spaniards be prepared, and a notification as to the particular matters charged in...
4Cabinet Opinion on the Rules of Neutrality, 3 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
August 3. 1793 The foregoing rules having been considered by us at several meetings, and being now unanimously approved, they are submitted to the President of the United States. DS , in George Taylor, Jr.’s writing, DLC:GW ; copy (letterpress copy), DLC : Jefferson Papers; LB , DLC:GW ; Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC : Jefferson Papers; copy, DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–1795,...
5Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers and Prizes, 5 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments & the Attorney general at the Secretary of state’s office Aug. 5. 1793. The case of the Swallow letter of marque at New York, desired to be sent out of our ports, as being a privateer. it is the opinion that there is no ground to make any new order on the subject. The Polly or Republican, in the hands of the Marshal at New York, on a charge of having...
6Cabinet Opinion on the Little Sarah [Petite Démocrate], 8 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting at the State house of the city of Philadelphia July 8. 1793. Present the Secretary of state, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary at War. It appears that a brigantine called the Little Sarah has been fitted out at the port of Philadelphia, with fourteen cannon, & all other equipments indicating that she is intended as a Privateer to cruise under the authority of France, &...
7Cabinet Opinion on the Recall of Edmond Genet, 23 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
At meetings of the heads of departments & the Attorney General at the President’s on the 1st & 2d of Aug. 1793. On a review of the whole of mister Genet’s correspondence & conduct, it was unanimously agreed that a letter should be written to the Minister of the U.S. at Paris, stating the same to him, resuming the points of difference which had arisen between the government of the U.S. & mister...
8Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers, 17 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments at the President’s this day, on summons from him, a letter from mister Genet of the 15th inst. addressed to the Secretary of state on the subject of the seizure of a vessel by the Govr. of New York as having been armed, equipped & manned in that port with a design to cruize on the enemies of France, was recd as also the draught of an answer prepared by...
9Cabinet Opinion on Sending an Agent to the Choctaws, 1–5 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
That an Agent be sent to the Choctaw nation to endeavor secretly to engage them to support the Chickasaws in their present war with the Creeks, giving them for that purpose arms and ammunition sufficient: and that it be kept in view that if we settle our differences amicably with the Creeks, we at the same time mediate effectually the peace of the Chickasaws & Choctaws, so as to rescue the...
10Cabinet Opinion on the Polly (Republican) and the Catherine, 12 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
The President having required the opinions of the heads of the three departments on a letter from Governor Clinton of the 9th inst. stating that he had taken possession of the sloop Polly, now called the Republican, which was arming, equipping & manning by French & other citizens to cruize against some of the belligerent powers, and desiring to know what further was to be done, and they having...
11Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers, 3 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
That The Minister of the French Republic be informed that the President considers the U. States as bound pursuant to positive assurances, given in conformity to the laws of neutrality, to effectuate the restoration of, or to make compensation for, prizes which shall have been made of any of the parties at war with France subsequent to the fifth day of June last by privateers fitted out of...
12Cabinet Opinions on the Roland and Relations with Great Britain, France, and the Creek Indians, 31 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the Heads of departments & Attorney General at the President’s on the 31st day of Aug. 1793. A letter from mister Gore to mister Lear, dated Boston Aug. 24. was read, stating that the Roland, a privateer fitted out at Boston & furnished with a commission under the government of France, had sent a prize into that port, which being arrested by the Marshal of the district by...
13Enclosure: Minutes of Prisoner Exchange Negotiations, 10–14 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Minutes of the proceedings of the Commissioners, on the part of His Excellency General Washington and of His Excellency General sir Henry Clinton. The Commissioners being met, agree to the following preliminaries. That copies of the powers should be interchanged, and they were interchanged accordingly. That the limits of the neutral ground should extend three miles round Amboy, that Town being...
14To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 26 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
We are honored with two letters from Your Excellency of the 10th and 21st; to the contents of which we beg leave to assure you of our strictest attention—That of the 18th is not yet come to hand—it is not improbable it has gone round by Lewis Town, which has occasioned the delay. Col. Hamilton wrote to Your Excellency from Philadelphia acquainti⟨ng⟩ you with our arrival there and our intention...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 8 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys letter of the 30th of October reached us yesterday. We hope before this you will have received our two letters of the 26th of October and 1st instant. We have received no late advices from the Southward, which confirms us in the ideas of our last—Major Lee will no doubt have communicated to Your Excellency what he mentions to us, that the enemy are preparing at New York for a...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail and Lt. Col. Alexander Hamilton, 1 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brigadier General Duportail and Lt. Col. Alexander Hamilton, 1 Nov. 1779 . Duportail and Hamilton wrote GW on 8 Nov. : “We hope before this you will have received our two letters of the 26th of October and 1st instant.”
17To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 2 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
We last night received the honor of Your Excellency’s letter of the 25th of October—On the 26th we had the pleasure of advising you fully of our situation and motives for coming to this place. We have since received no further intelligence of the Count—his operations—or ultimate intentions; on which account and from the late period of the season, we have given over all expectation of any thing...
18Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 4 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 4 Jan. 1793. Presents his compliments and writes that “The Statements went in yesterday, and are copying for the President.” LB , DLC:GW . Hamilton is referring to the four statements that comprised his “Report on Foreign Loans” of 3 Jan. to the U.S. House of Representatives. For the text of Hamilton’s report, see Syrett, Hamilton Papers, Harold C. Syrett et al., eds. The Papers...
19To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 24 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secry of the Treasury presents his respects to The President. He finds it will be impracticable for him without injury to the public service to leave town on Monday , but he will do it the day after & overtake the President. However he begs leave to inform the President that from the information received, there is no prospect of a pretty general assembling of the Pennsylvania & N. Jersey...
20To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 4 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
The circumstance of having offered my late report to Congress to the two houses which rendered two copies necessary & the extreme press of business in the office in preparing for my resignation prevented my sending you a manuscript copy of that Report. I have now corrected a printed copy for you which I have the honor to send herewith. With true respect & attacht I have the honor to be Sir Yr...
21To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 15 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to transmit herewith for the President’s signature, the draft of a passport upon application from the French Minister, which is also enclosed. LB , DLC:GW . On this date GW "Signed a passport for the vessel L’aimable of port de paix (St. Domingo) now at Phila. to depart in ballast & to proceed to sd. Island" ( JPP Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of...
22Enclosure: Report on Edmond Genet’s Debt Proposal, 23 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury upon two Letters from the Minister plenipotentiary of France to the Secy of State severally bearing date the 11. & 14 of November inst. respectfully reports to the President of the United States as follows. 1. The object of these Letters is to procure an engagement that the bills which the Minister may draw upon the sums, which according to the terms of the...
23To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 6 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr Chew having confirmed the character received by you, of Mr Barratt, I have written to Mr Vining requesting him to ascertain whether the appointment will be acceptable to him. Mr Houston of Georgia declines the offer made to him, on the score of want of a familiar acquaintance with figures, and its being inconsistent with the State of his affairs, to translate himself wholly to the seat of...
24To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 21 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
A law having passed to inable the President to cause a loan to be made in aid of the current receipts from the Public revenues, it is urgent that measures should be taken without delay for carrying it into effect. The enclosed statement shews the probable situation of the Treasury to the end of the ensuing quarter as far as materials are now possessed and manifests the necessity of an...
25To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
In conformity to the intimation you were pleased to honor me with on evening last I have reflected on the etiquette proper to be observed by the President and now submit the ideas which have occurred to me on the subject. The public good requires as a primary object that the dignity of the office should be supported. Whatever is essential to this ought to be pursued though at the risk of...
26To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 19 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 12th instant. My avocations have not permitted me sooner to comply with your desire. I have looked over the papers & suggested alterations & corrections; and I have also numbered the paragraphs I. II. III &c. in the order in which it appears to me eligible they should stand in the Speech. I thought upon full reflection you could not avoid an allusion to your...
27To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 25 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President of the United States & encloses the drafts of two passports for the President’s signature. One for the Schooner Commerce, now in this Port; and the other for the Schooner Eagle at Baltimore. Colo. Smith of Baltimore has applied, thro’ the Secry of State, for a Passport for a small vessel (name & Captain not known) to be sent...
28To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 15 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to The President—incloses him a letter which Mister Coxe has just brought to him for his perusal. It is conceived that a reply may be given to this Letter, by Mister Coxe, which being published with the letter, may do good. If the President sees no objection, the idea will be pursued. Augt 15. 1794. It is said that papers have been received...
29To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to your Excellency lately on a very confidential subject and shall be anxious to know as soon as convenient whether the letter got safe to hand. The bearer Shattuck thinks he can point out the means of apprehending Wells & Knowl ton the two persons whom Your Excellency was authorised to have taken into custody. I have desired him to call upon you to disclose the...
30To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 17 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secy of the Treasury presents his respects to the President of the U.S. & encloses herewith the draft of a Passport, requested by mister Hammond for a vessel intended by him to be dispatched to Halifax, and which the Secretary understood from the Secy of State was to be granted by the President. LB , DLC:GW . For the request for a passport by British minister George Hammond “for the sole...
31To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 8 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inform you, that the result of my enquiries concerning the character of Capt: Jonathan Maltbee, is, that he is a man of fair character and an experienced & good Seaman, who might be expected to execute his duty faithfully as the Commander of a revenue Cutter. I do not learn however, that either he or Capt. Law are remarkable for their activity. The principal point of...
32To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 7 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I found young La Fayette here and delivered him your letter, which much releived him. I fancy you will see him on the first day of April. Mr Livingston’s motion in the House of Representatives concerning the production of papers has attracted much attention —The opinion here of those who think is that if the motion succeeds, it ought not to be complied with—Besides that in a matter of such a...
33To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 9 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of your private letter of the 26th of August. The feelings and views which are manifested in that letter are such as I expected would exist. And I most sincerely regret the cause of the uneasy sensations you experience. It is my most anxious wish, as far as may depend upon me, to smooth the path of your administration, and to render it prosperous and happy. And if any...
34To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday after the departure of the Post I received your letter of the 3d. I have since seen the answer to Adet. I perceive in it nothing intrinsically exceptionable but something in the manner a little epigrammatical and sharp. I make this remark freely, because the Card now to be played is perhaps the most delicate that has occurred in your administration—And nations like Individuals...
35To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 11 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Herewith is an official letter submitting the draft of a Proclamation. I reserve some observations as most proper for a private letter. In the case of a former proclamation I observe it was under the seal of the U. States and countersigned by the Secretary of State. If the precedent was now to be formed I should express a doubt whether it was such an instrument as ought to be under the seal of...
36To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 25 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to Your Excellency a day or two ago by express—Since that a Committee appointed on the communications from you have had a meeting, and find themselves embarrassed. They have requested me to communicate our embarrassments to you in confidence and to ask your private opinion. The army by their resolutions express an expectation that Congress will not disband them previous to a settlement...
37To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 8 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
The present situation of the United States is undoubtedly critical and demands measures vigorous though prudent. We ought to be in a respectable military posture, because war may come upon us, whether we choose it or not and because to be in a condition to defend ourselves and annoy any who may attack us will be the best method of securing our peace. If it is known that our principal maritime...
38To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 11 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Hamilton, 11 July 1795. In a postscript to his letter to Hamilton on 13 July, GW wrote: “I was almost in the act of sending the enclosed letter to the Post Office when your favor of the 11th was put into my hands.”
39To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 2 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to send the President some additional communications from the Supervisor of Ohio District. The State of that scene renders the arrangement with regard to District Attorney delicate & important. LB , DLC:GW . On 18 Aug., during the recess of Congress, GW had commissioned Thomas Marshall to be supervisor of the revenue for the District of Ohio and also...
40To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 9 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith the Copy of a letter from the Comptroller of the Treasury of the 7th instant containing substantially the information requisite to a judgment of the motives, which determined the Treasury to persist in declining for the present the payment of the warrants stated by Mr Fraunces to be in his possession. These principally turn upon the following...
41To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 25 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President. has the honor to transmit a Memorial from Colo. Waissenfelt, which came enclosed to him. LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed memorial from Frederick Weissenfels has not been found, but it may have been a letter requesting appointment to a federal position (see Weissenfels to GW, 2 May 1789 , and notes).
42To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 4 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to The President of the United States—He has just ascertained that General Matthews would not accept—His son is older than was believed—29 years of age & has a family As he will have the benefit of his fathers influence which is considerable and is a young man of real merit & as the appointment of any other candidate would be subject to the...
43To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 16 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
It appears probable that advantages will result from giving to the Citizens at large information on the subject of the disturbances which exist in the Western parts of Pennsylvania. With this view, if no objection to the measure should occur to you, I would cause a publication to be made of the Report which I had the honor to address to you, dated the 5th instant. With the most perfect respect...
44To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 21 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Hamilton, 21 July 1795. On 29 July, GW wrote Hamilton: “Your letters of the 20th and 21st Instt found me at this place.”
45To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 18 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President. the enclosed permit has been prepared on the intimation of the Secretary of State, for the Spanish Comissioners. The Secretary is not informed whether the doubt on the subject of mister Hammond’s application was removed. The return of the enclosed will be considered as the evidence that it was. LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed...
46To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 30 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
As I flatter myself I may indulge a consciousness that my services have been of some value to the public, at least enough to merit the small compensation I wish, I will make no apology to your Excellency for conveying through you that wish to Congress. You are able to inform them if they wish information, in what degree I may have been useful— and I have entire confidence that you will do me...
47To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 20 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
A belief that the occasion to which they may be applicable is not likely to occur, whatever may have been once intended, or pretended in terrorem , has delayed the following observations in compliance with your desire—and which are now the result of conferences with the Gentleman you named. The precise form of any proposition or demand which may be made to or of the Government must so...
48To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 29 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United States, a contract made by the Collector of the District of Washington in North Carolina, for the stakage of all the shoals & channels of that State to the Northward of the District of Wilmington, which have been heretofore thus designated. The former stakes having generally fallen to decay, or...
49To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 27 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have embraced the first moment of leisure to execute your wish, on the subject to which the enclosed Notes are applicable—They are neither so accurate nor so full, as I should have been glad to make them: but they are all that my situation has permitted. Nothing new has occured in my Department worth mentioning —I thought that the following extract of a letter from Mr King might not be...
50To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Treasury Department [New York], 5 Aug. 1790. Submits a contract made by William Allibone, superintendent of the lighthouse on the Delaware River, with Thomas McHam and observes that the terms of the agreement appear advantageous to the United States. LB , DLC:GW . For previous correspondence concerning contracts for the Delaware River and Bay establishments, see Hamilton to GW, 28 May 1790...