351To 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...
352To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 12 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have maturely reflected on the subject of the within papers. I do not hesitate to give it as my opinion that if it were not for very peculiar personal circumstances the fittest arrangement upon the whole would be to consign the temporary execution of the Comptroller’s office to the Commissioner of the Revenue—But I could not advise this, because it could not fail for strong reasons to be...
353To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 25 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
The evening I had last the pleasure of seeing you, you asked my opinion whether any and what measures could be taken with the Senate with reference to the Treaty with Great Britain in the event of its not arriving before the adjournment of the Legislature—I mentioned as a hasty thought that I feared it would be impracticable to detain them long in expectation of a Treaty not arrived; but that...
354To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 6 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Hamilton, 6 July 1795. On 7 July, GW wrote Hamilton: “Your letter of yesterday is this moment received.”
355To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 9 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Hamilton, 9 July 1795. On 13 July, GW wrote Hamilton: “I have, in the regular course of the Posts, been duly favored with your letters of the 9th, accompanying your observations on the several articles of the treaty with Great Britain, and of the 10th supplimentary thereto.”
356To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 10 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Hamilton, 10 July 1795. On 13 July, GW wrote Hamilton: “I have, in the regular course of the Posts, been duly favored with your letters of the 9th, accompanying your observations on the several articles of the treaty with Great Britain, and of the 10th supplimentary thereto.”
357To 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.”
358To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 13 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Hamilton, 13 July 1795. On 14 July, GW wrote Hamilton: “I received your favor of yesterday, this moment.”
359To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 20 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Hamilton, 20 July 1795. On 29 July, GW wrote Hamilton: “Your letters of the 20th and 21st Instt found me at this place.”
360To 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.”
361To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 4 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving two days since your letter of the 31 Ulto. A great press of business and an indifferent state of health have put it out of my power sooner to attend to it. The incidents which have lately occurred have been every way vexatious and untoward. They render indispensable a very serious though calm and measured remonstrance from this Government, carrying among others...
362To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 16 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
About a fortnight since arrived here Mr Fristel with G. W. Fayette son of the Marquis. The former, who is in capacity of Tutor to the latter, requested me to mention their arrival to you, and that they meant to retire to some place in the neighbouring country ’till they should receive some direction from you. Thus at least I understood him—and accordingly they are gone to a house between...
363To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have noticed a piece in the Aurora under the signature of the Calm Observer which I think requires explanation and I mean to give one with my name. I have written to Mr Wolcott for materials from the Books of the Treasury. Should you think it proper to meet the vile insinuation in the close of it by furnishing for one year the account of expenditure of the salary, I will with pleasure add...
364To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
I received on the second instant your two letters of the 29th of October with the inclosures—An answer has been delayed to ascertain the disposition of Mr King, who through the summer has resided in the country and is only occasionally in Town—I am now able to inform you— he would not accept —Circumstances of the moment conspire with the disgust which a virtuous and independent mind feels at...
365To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 19 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 16 and 18 instant with their inclosures are received. An extraordinary pressure of profession[al] business has delayed my reply on the subject of Young La Fayette; in which another cause cooperated—I wished without unvieling the motives incidentally to sound the impressions of other persons of Judgment who I knew had been apprised of his being in the Country. The byass of...
366To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, La Fayette & his tutor have been here—I conversed with them concerning a future destination, as by way of consultation, without proposing any thing, and in a way best calculated to sooth. But I found that the idea of not being permitted to see you is very painful to them—though they both profess submission to whatever may be your decision & behave modestly. The declaration,...
367To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 24 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the [ ]. Young La Fayette is now with me—I had before made an offer of money in your name & have repeated it—but the answer is that they are not yet in want and will have recourse when needed. Young La Fayette appears melancholy and has grown thin—A letter lately received from his mother which speaks of something which she wishes him to mention to you (as I learn...
368To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, c.26–29 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to send you inclosed two letters one from Young La Fayette the other from his Preceptor —They appear reconciled to some further delay. I take the liberty to inclose copy of a letter to the Secy of State respecting Mr Cutting —I do not know upon the whole what sort of a man Mr Cutting is, and I have heared unfavourable whispers—But as to the particular subject of his ⟨claim⟩...
369To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 19 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer of this letter is Doctor Bolman whom you have heared of as having made an attempt for the relief of the Marquis la Fayette which very nearly succeeded—The circumstances of this affair, as stated by Doctor Bolman & Mr Huger, son of B. Huger of S[out]h Carolina deceased, who assisted, do real credit to the prudence management and enterprise of the Doctor and shew that he is a man of...
370To 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...
371To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 24 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive yesterday your letter of the 22. The course you suggest has some obvious advantages & merits careful consideration—I am not however without fears that there are things in the instructions to Mr Jay which good policy, considering the matter externally as well as internally, would render it inexpedient to communicate. This, I shall ascertain to day—A middle course is...
372To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I perceived by the News Paper that the resolution has been carried I have not been idle as far a⟨s⟩ my situation would permit but ⟨it⟩ will not be in my power as I had hoped to send you what I am preparing by this day’s Post. The next will carry it It does not however appear necessary that the Executive should be in a hurry. The final result in my mind, for reasons I shal⟨l⟩ submit in my next...
373To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 28 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I am mortified at not being able to send you by this post a certain draft—But the opinion that reasons ought to be given & pretty fully has extended it to considerable length & a desire to make it accurate as to idea & expression keeps it still upon the anvil—But it is so far prepared that I can assure it by tomorrow’s Post—Delay is always unpleasant. But the case is delicate & important...
374To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 29 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I wish the enclosed could have been sent in a more perfect State. But it was impossible—I hope however it can be made out & may be useful. It required more time to say all that was proper in a more condensed form. In considering the course to be pursued by the President it may be well he should be reminded that the same description of men who call for the papers have heretofore maintained that...
375To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 2 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
The express is this morning gone off with your letter to Young La Fayette. I foresaw when in Philadelphia certain machinations on this subject. I rejoice in the decision you have come to, in regard to the papers. Whatever may happen, it is right in itself—will elevate the character of the President—and inspire confidence abroad. The contrary would have encouraged a spirit of usurpation the...
376To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 9 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
It gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity of announcing to you one whom I know to be so interesting to You as the bearer of this Mr Motier La Fayette. I allow myself to share by anticipation the satisfaction which the Meeting will afford to all the parties—the more, as I am persuased, that time will confirm the favourable representation I have made of the person & justify the interest...
377To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
The letter of which the inclosed is a copy contains such extraordinary matter that I could not hesitate to send it to you. The writer is Mr G——M——. I trust the information it conveys cannot be true; yet in these wild times every thing is possible: Your official information may serve as a comment. very respectfully & affectly I have the honor to be Sir Yr Obed. Ser. ALS , DLC:GW ; copy, DLC :...
378To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 10 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
When last in Philadelphia you mentioned to me your wish that I should re dress a certain paper which you had prepared—As it is important that a thing of this kind should be done with great care and much at leisure touched & retouched, I submit a wish that as soon as you have given it the body you mean it to have that it may be sent to me. A few days since I transmitted you the copy of a letter...
379To 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...
380To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 1 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 29th was delivered me by Mr King yesterday afternoon. I thought I had acknowleged the Receipt of the paper inquired for in a letter written speedily after it—or in one which transmitted you a draft of a certain letter by Mr Jay. I hope this came to hand. I am almost afraid to appear officious in what I am going to say; but the matter presses so deeply on my mind that fearing...
381To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, c.16 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have received information this morning of a nature which I think you ought to receive without delay—A Mr Le Guen , a Frenchman, a client of mine and in whom I have inspired confidence, and who is apparently a discreet and decent man, called on me this morning to consult me on the expediency of his becoming naturalized, in order that certain events between France and the U. States might not...
382To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
I was in due time favoured with your letter of the 26 June & consulted the Gentleman you name on the subjects of it. We are both of opinion there is no power in the President to appoint an Envoy Extraordinary, without the concurrence of the senate, & that the information in question is not a sufficient ground for extraordinarily convening the senate—If however the President from his...
383To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 30 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to send you herewith a certan draft which I have endeavoured to make as perfect as my time and engagements would permit—It has been my object to render this act importantly and lastingly useful, and avoiding all just cause of present exception, to embrace such reflections and sentiments as will wear well, progress in approbation with time, & redound to future reputation—How...
384To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 10 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
About a fortnight since, I sent you a certain draft. I now send you another on the plan of incorporating. Whichever you may prefer, if there be any part you wish to transfer from one to another any part to be changed—or if there be any material idea in your own draft which has happened to be omitted and which you wish introduced—in short if there be any thing further in the matter in which I...
385To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 4 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two late letters, the last but one transmitting me a certain draft. It will be corrected & altered with attention to your suggestions & returned by Monday’s or Tuesday’s post —The idea of the university is one of those which I think will be most properly reserved for your speech at the opening of the session. A general suggestion respecting education will very fitly come...
386To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
I return the draft corrected agreeably to your intimations. You will observe a short paragraph added respecting Education. As to the establishment of a University, it is a point which in connection with military schools, & some other things, I meant, agreeably to your desire to suggest to you, as parts of your Speech at the opening of the session. There will several things come there much...
387To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 4 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have lately been honored with two letters from you, one from Mount Vernon the other from Philadelphia, which came to hand yesterday. I immediately sent the last to Mr Jay & conferred with him last night. We settled our opinion on one point—(viz.) That whether Mr Adet acted with or without instructi[o]n from his Government in publishing his communication, he committed a disrespect towards our...
388To 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...
389To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 10 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have been employed in makg and have actually completed a rough draft on the followg heads “ National University, Military Academy, Board of Agriculture, Establishment of such manufactories on public account as are relative to the equipment of Army & navy, to the extent of the public demand for supply , & excludg all the branches already well established in the country—The gradual &...
390To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 11 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
My anxiety for such a cou[r]se of things as will most promise a continuance of peace to the country, & in the contrary event a full justification of the President; has kept my mind dwelling on the late Reply to Mr Adet & though it is a thing that cannot be undone, yet if my ideas are right the communication of them may not be wholly useless for the future. The more I have considered that paper...
391To 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...
392To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 19 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Mrs De Neuville widow of Mr De Neuville formerly of Holland lately passed through this City. On her way she called upon me and announced her intention to make application to Congress on the grounds of the political services rendered the U. States by her husband, as in fact a principal cause of his pecuniary misfortunes—and expressed a wish that I would bring her case under your eye. I told her...
393To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 31 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
My late situation exposes me to applications which I cannot resist without appearing unkind. It is understood that Mr Walker is about to resign the place of naval Officer. Mr Jonathan Burrall Mr Rogers (Walkers Deputy) and Col. Giles (the present Marshall) have all three mentioned the subject to me and requested me to express my opinion of their qualifications to you. As to Mr Burrall there is...
394To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, c. January 1797 (Washington Papers)
The sitting of the Court and an uncommon pressure of business have unavoidably delayed an answer to your last favour. I have read with attention Mr Pickerings letter. It is in the main a substantial and satisfactory paper, will in all probability do considerable good in enlightening public opinion at home—and I do not know that it contains any thing which will do harm elsewhere. It wants...
395To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 28 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
The receipt two days since of your letter of the 21 instant gave me sincere pleasure. The token of your regard, which it announces, is very precious to me, and will always be remembered as it ought to be. Mrs Hamilton has lately added another boy to our Stock. She and the child are both well—She desires to be affectionately remembered to Mrs Washington & yourself. We have nothing new here more...
396To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 19 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
At the present dangerous crisis of public affairs, I make no apology for troubling you with a political letter. Your impressions of our situation, I am persuaded, are not different from mine. There is certainly great probability that we may have to enter into a very serious struggle with France; and it is more and more evident that the powerful faction which has for years opposed the...
397To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 2 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have before me your favour of the 27 of May. The suggestion in my last was an undigested thought begotten by my anxiety. I have no doubt that your view of it is accurate & well founded. It is a great satisfaction to me to ascertain what I had anticipated in hope, that you are not determined in an adequate emergency against affording once more your Military services. There is no one but...
398To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 8 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I was much surprized on my arrival here to discover that your nomination had been without any previous consultation of you—convinced of the goodness of the motives it would be useless to scan the propriety of the step. It is taken and the question is—what under the circumstances ought to be done? I use the liberty which my attachment to you and to the public authorises to offer my opinion that...
399To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 29 July–1 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 14th instant did not reach me ’till after the appointments mentioned in it were made. I see clearly in what has been done a new mark of your confidence, which I value as I ought to do. With regard to the delicate subject of the relative rank of the Major Generals, it is very natural for me to be a partial judge, and it is not very easy for me to speak upon it—If I know...
400To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 20 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
A necessary absence from this City prevented the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant till yesterday. It is very grateful to me to discover in each succeeding occurrence a new mark of your friendship towards me. Time will evince that it makes the impression it ought on my mind. The effect which the course of the late military appointments has produced on General Knox though not very...