1From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 4 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Loring having been sent by Sir Henry Clinton to meet Mr Boudinot or any other person appointed by me for the purpose of effecting an exchange of prisoners; I have therefore to desire you (Mr Boudinot being absent from Camp) to hear any proposals Mr Loring may have to offer on this subject; and to do definitively whatever may be necessary towards the execution of a general exchange of...
2From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
The only material intelligence which I have obtained from New York or respecting the Enemy since your departure, is contained in the inclosed account, which I received yesterday from Captain Monroe. This in your communications with His Excellency Count D’Estaing, you will be pleased to shew him. As we shall have occasion for a great many boats, in case a cooperation between the Count & us...
3From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 18 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with Colonel Hamilton’s letter, mentioning your arrival early on the 11th at Philadelphia; and your being about to set off for Lewis town the morning on which it was written. I have attentively considered the object to which you more particularly refer, and am now to authorise you (provided the Count will not determine on a co-operation to the full extent of my...
4From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 21 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my Letters of the 10th & 18th I transmitted All the intelligence I had obtained, respecting the Enemy from the time of your departure to those two periods; and, by the present conveyance, I enclose You an Extract of a Letter from Major General Gates of the 15th. —By this you will perceive he was fully persuaded, that the Enemy were preparing to evacuate Rhode Island—and he expected, from...
5From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 25 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just now received a letter from Col. Hamilton, mentioning your having changed your position of Lewis Town, for that of little Egg harbour, and that you would write me more fully on your arrival at the furnace. In my last I informed you that the enemy had evacuated both their posts at Kings-ferry, since which no alteration has taken place, that has come to my knowlege. Things at Rhode...
6From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 30 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose You an Extract of a Letter of the 26th which General Greene has just received from Mr Bowen D.Q.M. Genl, dated in New port, announcing the evacuation of Rhode Island by the Enemy on Monday night last. The intelligence is not to be doubted, although by some means or another it has happened, that I have not received any advices from Genl Gates upon the subject, or a Letter from him...
7From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 1 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this day been favd with yours of the 26th ulto informing me of your removal to Great Egg Harbour. My letter of the 18th, which had not reached you, went, as you supposed, by way of Philada, and lest any accident may have happened to it, I inclose you a duplicate —Mine of the 30th ulto, which went thro’ Major Lee, informed you of the evacuation of Rhode Island: I have since recd a letter...
8From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 2 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since mine of yesterday I have received another letter from my confidential correspondent in New York dated the 29th ulto. He informs me that the 57th Regt Rawdons Corps and the Artillery mentioned in his last, were to sail on that day for Hallifax, and with them all the heavy ships of War except the Europa. The Daphne Frigate, with Sir George Collier and Colo. Stewart on board, was to sail...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 11 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Being absent from Head Qrs on a visit to the several Outposts of the Army, when your favor of the 2d Instant arrived—and not returning till last night—it was not in my power to answer it before. I am precisely in the predicament you are—with respect to the Count—his intentions or ultimate operations. I have not heard a single syllable about either since your departure, except what was...
10From George Washington to Lt. Col. Alexander Hamilton, 14 March 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Lt. Col. Alexander Hamilton, 14 March 1780 . Hamilton wrote GW on 17 March: “I duly received your letter of the 14th.”
11From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 2 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letter of the 1st of March I received sometime ago from Doctor Gordon which a variety of pressing business has prevented me from communicating to You before. I request your determination on the points contained in it, that I may transmit it to the Doctor. You will be pleased to return me his Letter with the Inclosure to which it refers. I am Dr sir Your Most Obt Servt Df , in...
12From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 29 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 19th came safe by the Doctr, who set out this morning for Philadelphia. I had, previous to the receipt of it, and without knowing that the Board of War had given any direction respecting the Armory at Albany, requested the Governor to exempt (if he could do it with propriety) the Citizens who were employed in it, from Military Services in cases of alarm, and had written to...
13From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 11 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your letter of the 25th of November by Major Farlie. Sincerely do I wish that the several State Societies had, or would; adopt the alterations that were recommended by the General meeting in May 1784. I then thought, and have had no cause since to change my opinion, that if the Society of the Cincinnati mean to live in peace with the rest of their fellow Citizens,...
14From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 10 July 1787 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your Communication of the 3d. When I refer you to the State of the Councils which prevailed at the period you left this City—and add, that they are now, if possible, in a worse train than ever; you will find but little ground on which the hope of a good establishment, can be formed. In a word, I almost dispair of seeing a favourable issue to the proceedings of the Convention,...
15From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 18 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor without date came to my hand by the last Post. It is with unfeigned concern I perceive that a political dispute has arisen between Governor Clinton and yourself. For both of you I have the highest esteem and regard. But as you say it is insinuated by some of your political adversaries, and may obtain credit, “that you palmed yourself upon me, and was dismissed from my family”; and...
16From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 10 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the Pamphlet, and for the Gazette contained in your letter of the 30th Ult. For the remaining numbers of Publius, I shall acknowledge myself obliged, as I am persuaded the subject will be well handled by the Author. The new Constitution has, as the public prints will have informed you, been handed to the people of this state by an unanimous vote of the Assembly; but it is not...
17From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 28 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your letter dated the 13th—accompanied by one addressed to General Morgan. I will forward the letter to Generl Morgan by the first conveyance, and add my particular wishes that he would comply with the request contained in it. Although I can scarcely imagine how the Watch of a British Officer, killed within their lines, should have fallen into his hands (who...
18From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 3 October 1788 (Washington Papers)
In acknowledging the receipt of your canded and kind letter by the last Post; little more is incumbent upon me, than to thank you sincerely for the frankness with which you communicated your sentiments, and to assure you that the same manly tone of intercourse will always be more than barely wellcome, Indeed it will be highly acceptable to me. I am particularly glad, in the present instance;...
19From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 18 October 1788 (Washington Papers)
A day or two ago the enclosed letters came to my hands. The watch of Genl Morgan you have for what it cost him—what he expects for it is also signified. It is a repeater with a chaced outer case with open work in parts—The Inner case is open, nearly in the whole—It is of an old fraction make, and appears to have seen better days—perhaps its chief merits lay in being a family piece, perhaps I...
20From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 6 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Count de Moustier affording a very favourable Conveyance for Captn Cochrans Watch, I have requested the favor of him to take charge of it—and he will deliver it to you accordingly with Mrs Washington’s & my best wishes for you & Mrs Hamilton. I am Dr Sir Your Obedt & Affe. Servt AL[S] , DLC : Hamilton Papers. See Hamilton to GW, September 1788 , and GW to Hamilton, 3 and 18 Oct. 1788 .
21From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 5 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I beg you to accept my unfeigned thanks for your friendly communications of this date—and that you will permit me to entreat a continuation of them as occasions may arise. The manner chosen for doing it, is most agreeable to me. It is my wish to act right; if I err, the head & not the heart, shall, with justice, be chargeable. With sentiments of sincere esteem & regard I am Dear Sir Your Obedt...
22From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 25 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
From a great variety of characters who have made a tender of their services for Suitable Offices, I have selected the following. If Mr Jay & you will take the further trouble of running them over to see if among them there can be found one, who, under all circumstances is more eligable for the Post Office than Col. O. —I shall be obliged to you both for your opinions thereon by Eleven...
23Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 13 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
The sum of two thousand five Dollars is necessary to be advanced to take up notes which were given for money advanced for the household of the President of the United States previous to the organization of the Treasury Department. This sum added to two thousand Dollars which you have already advanced for the purpose of taking up Notes, will compleat the payment of all Monies advanced for the...
24Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 28 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the U. States being very desirous that the several Accts of those Articles which were furnished by directions of Saml Osgood & William Duer Esqr in pursuance of a resolution of both houses of Congress of the 15th of April 1789 and deposited in the house provided for the President of the United States, for his use, should be settled & paid. He has, therefore, directed me to...
25From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 17 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
As I am uncertain of the condition & even the Office in which the papers containing accounts of our disbursments for subsistence of British prisoners remain; and as it is not improbable that some negotiations may (whenever our Union under the General Government shall be completed) take place between the United States & Great Britain, in which an accurate understanding of those Accots will...
26Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 18 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the President of the United States to send you the enclosed letter from General Hazen dated Decr 16th—and likewise a memorial from the same person of the 12th inst: together with the Copy of a letter written by the Presidents command in answer to the enclosed Memorial. I have the honor to be with perfect consideration Sir Your most Obedt Servt LB , DLC:GW . None of these...
27From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 4 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I feel myself very much obliged by what you sent me yesterday. The letter from Governor Johnston I return—much pleased to find so authentic an Acct of the adoption by No. Carolina of the Constitution. Yrs sincerely & affectly ALS , DLC : Alexander Hamilton Papers. GW mistakenly dated this letter 1789. Presumably GW is referring to Hamilton’s report on lighthouses, 3 Jan. 1790 . The letter from...
28Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 5 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
By direction of the President of the United States, I have the honor herewith to transmit to you a letter from the Governor of Virginia, dated December 18th, 1789, enclosing an Act (which is likewise sent you) of the general Assembly of that Commonwealth, passed Novr 13th 1789, to convey to the United States in Congress assembled certain Land for the purpose of building a Light House on Cape...
29Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 18 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
By order of the President of the United States, I do myself the honor to transmit you a letter from His Excellency Thomas Jefferson The Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the United States, dated at Paris Augt 27th 1789, and likewise the copy of a letter from Messrs Wilhem & Jan Willinck, N. & I. Van Stephorst & Hubbard to Mr Jefferson, dated at Amsterdam 13th Augt 1789 —both of which the...
30Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 13 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
New York, 13 July 1790. Encloses warrants for the superintendents of lighthouses requested that day by the Treasury Department. LB , DLC:GW . Lear had probably obtained the president’s signatures only that day on the ten commissions that Hamilton intended to forward to the lighthouse superintendents appointed since March 1790, when Hamiltion had explained to them why receipt of their...
31From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 13 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
The session of Congress having closed, and it being my intention to go to Virginia as soon as the public business will permit, and wishing to have my mind as free from public cares during my absence from the seat of government, as circumstances will allow; I am desirous of having such matters as may, by Law, or otherwise, require the Agency or sanction of the President of the United States,...
32From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 28 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Having thought fit to commit to you the charge of borrowing on behalf of the United States a sum or sums not exceeding in the whole Fourteen Millions of Dollars pursuant to the several Acts, the one entitled, “An Act making provision for the Debt of the United States”, the other entitled, “An Act making provision for the reduction of the Public Debt.” I do hereby make known to you, that in the...
33From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 20 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 10th instt relative to the establishment of the boats or Cutters for the protection of the revenue, I have to observe, That, if there appears to exist a necessity for equipping the whole number therein mentioned, the arrangement for building and stationing them, seems judicious, and is to me perfectly satisfactory. It is my wish that your Enquiries, respecting...
34From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 27 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Mr John Cogdell having resigned his appointment as Collector of the port of George town in south Carolina, I have to request that you will make enquiry respecting a proper person to succeed him. Mr Corbin Braxton having also resigned his appointment as Surveyor of the ports of Richmond and Manchester—Colonel Heth informs me that he has nominated Mr Z. Rowland to do the duties of the Office...
35From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 6 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 29th ulto. The papers concerning Capt. Lyde, put into your hands by the Vice President, which you say were enclosed to me, have not been transmitted—but from the recommendations in favor of Captain Williams, I think him entitled to a preference. Not being possessed of any commissions, I have to request (unless your farther enquiry should point to more proper...
36From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 26 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th inst: I received yesterday on my return from an excursion up the Potowmack. I acquainted you on the 15th instant that I had appointed Mr Woodbury Langdon Commissioner of Loans for the State of New Hampshire; but as it is probable from his brothers letter to you, that he will decline the appointment, I have now to inform you that I have no objection to Mr Keith Spence the...
37From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 4 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 28th ultimo—The measures which you have taken to forward the building and equipment of the revenue Cutters, and to procure information respecting proper characters to be appointed inferior Officers, meet my approbation. You will please to inform Captain Law of his appointment, and furnish him with instructions similar to those you have given to the other...
38From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 8 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letters of the 26th ult: & 1st Instt —The objection stated by you to the appointment of Mr Spence being conclusive, I now enclose a letter from Mr Wingate to me recommendatory of another Candidate, with my answer occasioned by the previous appointment of Mr Woodbury Langdon—but should that Gentleman finally determine not to accept, and you learn, on enquiry, that Colo....
39From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 10 November 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Alexander Hamilton, 10 Nov. 1790. On 11 Nov. 1790 GW wrote to Hamilton: “Since writing to you yesterday I have received your letter of the 6th inst:.”
40From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 2–6 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your indisposition has prevented me from giving you as much trouble in making my communications to Congress as otherwise, I might have done. The article of your Notes which respect the loan in Holland, I am somewhat at a loss to frame into a paragraph for the Speech, and therefore pray your assistance. I had got it as pr the enclosed, but upon a revision, it does not appear right. Be so good...
41From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 16 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
“An act to incorporate the Subscribers to the Bank of the United States” is now before me for consideration. The constitutionality of it is objected to. It therefore becomes more particularly my duty to examine the ground on wc. the objection is built. As a mean of investigation I have called upon the Attorney General of the United States, in whose line it seemed more particularly to be, for...
42From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 23 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received your sentiments with respect to the constitutionality of the Bill—“to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States.” This bill was presented to me by the joint Commee of Congress at 12 oClock on Monday the 14th instant. To what precise period, by legal interpretation of the constitution, can the President retain it in his possession, before it...
43Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 28 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President has commanded me to transmit the enclosed to you from Mr Thatcher and request that you will give it the consideration it may merit—The President also requests that you will take occasion to converse with some others of the gentlemen from Massachusetts on this subject—and to mention it likewise to some from New Hampshire. I have the honor to be very respectfully & sincerely Your...
44From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 15 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Having thought fit, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Act intitled “An Act repealing after the last day of June next the duties heretofore laid upon distilled Spirits imported from abroad and laying others in their stead & also upon spirits distilled within the United States and for appropriating the same” to divide the United States into the following fourteen districts namely one to...
45From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 15 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
By Virtue of the several Acts, the one entitled “An Act for raising and adding another regiment to the military establishment of the United States and for making further provision for the protection of the frontiers,” and the other entitled “An Act making an appropriation for the Purpose therein mentioned,” I do hereby authorise and empower you by yourself or any other person or persons to...
46From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 19 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Pay or cause to be paid to the Secretary of State Forty thousand Dollars to be applied to the purposes of the Act, entitled “An Act providing the means of Intercourse between the United States and foreign Nations” for which this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand at Philadelphia the nineteenth day of March, in the year one thousand seven hundred & ninety one. LB , DLC:GW . Under the...
47From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 4 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th Ult. came duly to hand. For the information contained in it—and for the notes which accompanied the same, I thank you. Every expedient, as I believe you know, is in operation to avert a War with the hostile Indian tribes—and to keep those who are in treaty with us in good temper; but I am nearly thoroughly convinced that neither will be effected, or, if effected, will...
48From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox, 4 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
As the public service may require that communications should be made to me, during my absence from the seat of government, by the most direct conveyances—and as, in the event of any very extraordinary occurrence, it will be necessary to know at what time I may be found in any particular place, I have to inform you that unless the progress of my journey to Savannah is retarded by unforeseen...
49From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 7 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letters of the 11th & 14th of last month—Concluding from ⟨Mr⟩ Shorts statement of his negotiation in Amsterdam, and from the opinions offered in your letter of the 11th, that the loan has been obtained on the best terms practicable, and that its application in the manner you propose will be the most advantageous to the United States, I do hereby signify my approbation of...
50From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 8 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr Cogdell, the Collector of Georgetown appearing on enquiry a proper Person to be appointed Inspector of Excise for that Survey—You will signify his appointment to that Office & transmit to him his instructions. Capt. Robert Cochran seems in all respects best qualified to command the revenue Cutter on this station, and I have in consequence appointed him to that Office. He is desired to apply...