1Instructions to Colonel Christopher Greene, 8 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have directed General Varnum to send your regiment and that of Colonel Angel to Red bank, by a rout which has been marked out to him. The command of that detachment will of course devolve upon you; with which you will proceed with all expedition and throw your self into that place. When you arrive there you will immediately communicate your arrival to Col: Smith, commander of the Garrison at...
2To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 26 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
We have halted the troops at this place. The enemy, by our last reports, were four miles from this (that is their rear) and had passed the road which turns off towards South Amboy, which determines their rout towards Shrewsbury. Our reason for halting is the extreme distress of the troops for want of provisions—General Wayne’s detachment is almost starving—and seem both unwilling and unable to...
3Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Stephen Moylan, 7 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
7 July 1778 . Conveys GW’s wish that Moylan “collect the whole of the cavalry , without delay, as well the unarmed as the armed, and after a little refreshment, and getting the horses shod &c. proceed moderately towards the North river to join the army.” Cavalry “accoutrements” that arrived “to the Eastward” were “ordered immediately on—These will meet us shortly, it is to be hoped on the...
4To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 20 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I transmit your Excellency a letter from the Count Destain. He has had the River sounded and finds he cannot enter. He will sail for Rhode Island tomorrow evening; in the mean time he is making demonstrations to deceive the enemy and beget an opinion, that he intends to operate in this quarter. He would sail immediately but he waits the arrival, or to hear, of a frigate which carried...
5To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 23 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to Your Excellency the evening of the 20th by Major Neville. I remained in the neighbourhood of Black Point ’till the afternoon following. The Count had received his expected dispatches from Congress and was to sail, as I mentioned before, the first fair wind. At Brunswick yesterday, Mr Caldwell joined me. He was immediately from the Point and brought intelligence that the fleet got...
6Substance of a Conference with La Luzerne, 16 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Minister opened the conference by observing, that The Council of Massachusettes had represented to him the disadvantages, which their commerce was likely to suffer from the late misfortune in Penobscot, and the advantages which would result, if His Excellency Count D’Estaing could detach a few ships of the line and frigates to be stationed upon their coast, for protecting their commerce...
7To 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...
8To 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.”
9To 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...
10To 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...
11To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
On our present plan, It appears to me the quantity of ammunition proposed by General Knox for the Artillery is insufficient. A larger consumption may be necessary—The Stone houses in which the enemy may attempt to defend themselves may be obstinate and we should have it in our power by the severity and duration of our fire to bring them to reason. I take the liberty to suggest these matters,...
12To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 17 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 14th and shall not fail in conjunction with General St Clair to attend to the military object of it. I am much obliged to your Excellency for the communication of your Southern advises—The enemy are still in the dark about their fleet and army gone that way as we gather from the Commissioners —They pretend to have little European news, though a vessel arrived...
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 Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 2 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely sorry your Excellency has been troubled with the affair to which the papers transmitted in your letter of this morning relate. Admitting the possibility of Doctor Gordons not being the author of what I must always call a calumny, and had he not been an irreconcileable enemy to plain dealing, the matter might have been brought to a very easy issue, without the necessity of an...
15VIII. To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 8 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have seen the enemy; those in view I calculate at about three thousand—there may be and probably enough are others out of sight—They have sent all their horse to the other side except about fifty or sixty—Their baggage it is agreed on all hands has also been sent across and their wounded—It is not ascertained that any of their infantry have passed to the other side —There are four or five...
16To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, September 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Marquis De la Fayette by your order proposed New York as the object of the intended cooperation and assured the Count De Rochambeau that by a certain period we should have fourteen thousand Continental troops and six thousand militia, and shortly after four or six thousand more. It is of great importance to us that it should appear we are ready and in condition to act; our allies not—It...
17To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 25 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will see by the enclosed we are too late—Arnold went by water to the Vulture —I shall write to General Greene advising him without making a bustle to be in readiness to march and even to detach a Brigade this way, for though I do not believe the project will go on, it is possible Arnold has made such dispositions with the Garrison as may tempt the enemy in its present weakness to make the...
18XI. To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 22 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Sometime last fall when I spoke to your Excellency about going to the Southward, I explained to you candidly my feelings with respect to military reputation, and how much it was my object to act a conspicuous part in some enterprise that might perhaps raise my character as a soldier above mediocrity. You were so good as to say you would be glad to furnish me with an occasion. Wh⟨en⟩ the...
19To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 19 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Mr Renselaar who has the direction of the Armory here tells Me that the Board of War, write him they are unable to support it any longer, on the present establishment for want of supplies—and propose to him to endeavour to have it carried on by contract. This he declares is impossible—The armory must either continue on the present footing or cease. As far as I understand the matter, there is...
20To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 10 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
I am requested by Mr Oudinarde to transmit you the Inclosed Account —I observed to him that it was a little extraordinary the account had not been presented before; and that it was probable your accounts with the public had been long since closed, and that, by the delay, you may have lost the oppurtunity of making it a public charge, as it ought to have been. But as the person was very...
21To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 25 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
Major Fairly is just setting out on a visit to You I believe on some business relating to the Cincinnati—The society of this state met some short time since and took into consideration the proposed alterations in the original frame of the Institution— Some were strenuous for adhering to the old constitution a few for adopting the new and many for a middle line—This disagreement of opinion and...
22To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 3 July 1787 (Washington Papers)
In my passage through the Jerseys and since my arrival here I have taken particular pains to discover the public sentiment and I am more and more convinced that this is the critical opportunity for establishing the prosperity of this country on a solid foundation—I have conversed with men of information not only of this City but from different parts of the state; and they agree that there has...
23To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 11 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
You probably saw some time since some animadversions on certain expressions of Governor Clinton respecting the Convention—You may have seen a piece signed a Republican, attempting to bring the fact into question and endeavouring to controvert the conclusions drawn from it, if true—My answer you will find in the inclosed. I trouble you with it merely from that anxiety which is natural to every...
24To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 30 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to Your Excellency for the explicit manner in which you contradict the insinuations mentioned in my last letter—The only use I shall make of your answer will be to put it into the hands of a few friends. The constitution proposed has in this state warm friends and warm enemies. The first impressions every where are in its favour; but the artillery of its opponents makes some...
25To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 13 August 1788 (Washington 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 this 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 gratify...
26To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, September 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s friendly and obliging letter of the 28th Ulto came safely to hand. I thank you for your assurance of seconding my application to General Morgan. The truth of that affair is, that he purchased the watch for a trifle of a British soldier, who plundered Major Cochran at the moment of his fall at York Town. I should be deeply pained my Dear Sir if your scruples in regard to a...
27To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 18 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your last two letters have duly come to hand & the Count De Moustier has delivered me the watch you committed to his charge. Your obliging attention to this matter claims my particular acknowledgements. I will make no apology for asking you to take the additional trouble of forwarding the inclosed to the General—I take the liberty of passing it through you that you may by perusing the contents...
28To 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...
29To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 20 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your desire, I sit down to commit a few lines to the Post. Nothing worth particular mention has occurred since your Departure; except a report brought by Mr Keane from So. Carolina, that McGilivray the Indian Chief had, after a short conference, left our Commissioners, declaring that what they had suggested was only a repe[ti]tion of the old Storey and inadmissible, or something...
30To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 1789–1795 (Washington Papers)
Mr Hamilton will with pleasure execute the command of the President by the time appointed and have the honor of waiting upon him. AL , CtY .
31To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 3 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury having, in consequence of the Act for the Establishment and support of Light-houses, directed his Enquiries to that object begs leave most respectfully to submit the result to The President of the United States of America. New Hampshire. In this State is only one Light house situated on a point of land on the Island of New-Castle, three miles from Portsmouth,...
32To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 29 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury begs leave respectfully to inform the President of the United States of America, That, in order to be able to furnish in the course of the ensuing month for the compensation of the members of Congress, & the officers and Servants of the two houses, a sum of about sixty thousand dollars; for the payment of the Salaries of the Civil List to the end of the present...
33To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 6 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to inform the President of the United states of America, that he has received a letter from the Governor of Virginia intimating, that it is necessary an election should be made of the particular spot upon which it may be deemed proper to erect the intended Light house on Cape Henry, after which the Cession will be completed. The said Secretary having...
34To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 28 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United states, for his approbation, five Contracts made by the superintendant of the Light house, piers &c. on the river and Bay of Delaware, and the letter received with them. After due examination in this Office, the Contracts appear advantageous to the United states. Should they be approved, immediate...
35To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 29 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President of the United states and submits to his consideration some remarks on the Resolutions, which have passed the two Houses respecting the Lines of Virginia and North Carolina. The Secretary has taken this method of communication as the one best calculated to place the subject under the eye of the President with least trouble to...
36To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 18 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United states for his consideration, a Contract (with the letter that accompanied it) betwen William Allibone Superintendant of the Light-house, Beacons, Buoys & public Piers on the river and Bay of Delaware and Abraham Hargis, Keeper of the Light-house at Cape Henlopen—The yearly Salary of £130. altho’...
37To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 21 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United states, for his approbation, the enclosed contract for timber, boards, Nails and workmanship, for a Beacon to be placed near the Light-house on Sandy-hook; the terms of which, he begs leave to observe, are, in his opinion favourable to the U. States. LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed contract has not...
38To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to inform the President of the United states, that he has received a letter from the Collector of Charleston in South Carolina, from which he learns that some misconception has arisen as to the nature of the qualifications of Mr Thomas Hollingsby, who on the joint recommendation of the Collector & commissioners of Pilotage for that port...
39To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to inform the President of the United states that the collector of Charleston in south Carolina has stated to him, that a proposal has been made by James Robinson of Newport, Rhode Island, to the collector, through the commissioners of Pilotage of that Port, to supply six hundred gallons of spermaceti Oil, for the use of the Light house,...
40To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 8 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Memorandum of the substance of a Communication made on Thursday the Eighth of July 1790 to the Subscriber by Major Beckwith as by direction of Lord Dorchester. Major Beckwith began by stating that Lord Dorchester had directed him to make his acknowlegements for the politeness which had been shewn in respect to the desire he had intimated to pass by New York on his way to England, adding that...
41To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 15–22 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
In my second interview with Major Beckwith which was on Thursday the 22d instant I spoke to him nearly as follows. I have made the proper use of what you said to me at our last interview. As to what regards the objects of a general nature mentioned by you, though your authority for the purpose from Lord Dorchester is out of question, and though I presume from his Lordship’s station &...
42To 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...
43To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Treasury Department [New York], 26 Aug. 1790. Submits a new contract made by William Allibone, superintendent of the lighthouse and establishments on the Delaware River, with Abraham Hargis as keeper of the Cape Henlopen in place of the previous contract, of which GW did not approve. “The Secretary humbly begs leave to remark, that the terms of the contract . . . appear to him consistent with...
44To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully begs leave to submit to the President of the United States copies of a letter from Messrs Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorst & Hubbard of the 25th day of January last, and of an answer thereto of the 7th day of May following. The President will perceive that the last mentioned letter was formed upon a plan not to discourage the...
45To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 28 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the U. States for his determination a request from the Naval Officer of the District of New York. The Secretary humbly remarks, that it appears desireable, as far as possible, to avoid absences of such important Officers for so long a duration, but that if the nature of the reasons should induce the...
46To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 3 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your direction I conversed the day after your departure with the Secretary of State on the subject of an Agent for conducting the Loans to be made abroad. I stated to him, that you had expressed to me a preference of Mr Shorts being employed, if he could be spared the requisite time from France, without injury to the affairs depending there; and that I conceived it wou’d be...
47To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 10 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
The public service appearing to require the early establishment of the boats or cutters for the protection of the revenue, agreeably to the provision made by the Legislature in their last Session, I do myself the honor respectfully to submit to you what has occured upon that subject. Cutters from forty to fifty feet keel being deemed by experienced persons the most eligible, my enquiries have...
48To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 15 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
The urgent avovations, in which I have been engaged, towards putting, in a train of execution, the laws of the last session, affecting my department, and a desire of reflecting, maturely, and giving the reasons for the result of my reflections, fully, have caused me to delay, longer than I wished, the answers to the questions, with which you honored me, and I hope will excuse the delay. The...
49Enclosure: Answers to Questions proposed by the President of the United States to the Secretary of the Treasury., 15 … (Washington Papers)
Question the first “What should be the answer of the Executive of the United States to Lord Dorchester, in case he should apply for permission to march troops through the territory of said States from Detroit to the Mississippi?” Answer In order to a right judgment of what ought to be done in such case, it may be of use previously to consider the following points. First. Whether there be a...
50To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 18 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
[New York] 18 Sept. 1790. Informs GW “that on the 15th inst: your Commission to William Winn as Surveyor of the port of Winton in N. Carolina was brought to my Office by a gentleman from that State. Conceiving it an irregular mode of procedure in a case of that nature, I have written to Mr Winn a letter of which the enclosed is a copy. In the mean time I have deemed it my duty to lay the...