61New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for Regulating Elections, [24 January 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
A debate arose upon the clause, authorising the inspector or any other person to require the person offering himself to poll, to take an oath of abjuration of ecclesiastical as well as civil obedience. Mr. Hamilton declared the constitution to be their creed and standard, and ought never to be departed from; but in the present instance it was proper first to examine and inquire how far it...
62New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for Regulating Elections, [30 January 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton, the more he thought upon this subject, the more clearly he discovered its mischievous tendency, for nothing was more evident to him than that it put every unlettered person greatly in the power of the inspector—and when we consider the great number of which this class of men consist in some places of one half or one third of the whole district, it is easily perceivable that...
63Campaign Broadside, 12 April 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
From a sincere Attachment to yourselves, and a Regard to our mutual Interest, we are induced to apprize you of our Opinions on a Subject, which we view as of the most essential Consequence to both. YOUR Countrymen in New-York, in Union of Sentiment with the true Friends of America, have long lamented the want of a FIRM, NATIONAL GOVERNMENT; without which they consider Property as insecure, and...
64Draft of an Act to Incorporate the Freeholders and Inhabitants of Marbletown, [January–February 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January–February, 1788. ] In 1788, Hamilton drafted an “Act to incorporate the Freeholders and Inhabitants of Marble-town.” ADf , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. The draft was presumably submitted to the New York legislature. If so, the legislature refused to act on it, for the town of Marbletown was incorporated by a general act of incorporation dated March 7, 1788 (see “An...
65Constitutional Convention. Motion on Citizenship Requirement for Membership in the House of Representatives, [13 August … (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton was in general agst. embarrassing the Govt. with minute restrictions. There was on one side the possible danger that had been suggested On the other side, the advantage of encouraging foreigners was obvious & admitted. Persons in Europe of moderate fortunes will be fond of coming here where they will be on a level with the first Citizens. He moved that the section be so altered...
66Second Draft of an Act for Raising Certain Yearly Taxes Within This State, [9 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Plan of Specific Taxation to be substituted to the Present mode by assessment: Together with the supposed product and the appropriation of each tax. I Land tax of 3 pence per acre upon all meadow land. 2 d. per acre upon all arable land. Suppose in the whole state about 40.000 farmers each farm containing upon an average 10 acres of meadow and 40 acres of arable land; The prod⟨uct⟩ of this tax...
67From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [28 August 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you some days since, that to request you to inform me when there was a prospect of your finishing as I intended to be with you, for certain reasons, before the conclusion. It is whispered here that some late changes in your scheme have taken place which give it a higher tone. Is this the case? I leave town today, to attend a circuit in a neighbouring County, from which I shall...
68New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Concerning Wrecks at Sea, [3 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton was not satisfied with the punishment of fines and imprisonment to be inflicted on those persons who despoil’d the distressed of their property; persons cast away, were objects of commiseration, and every person who was so callous as to add to their misfortune, deserved more severe punishment. In England it was made death without benefit of clergy, this he thought too severe, and...
69New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill on the Independence of Vermont, [14 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill, to authorise the delegates of this State in Congress, to accede to, ratify and confirm, the independence and Sovereignty of the people inhabiting the district of country, commonly called Vermont. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton according to leave, brought in the said bill entitled, An act to authorise the Delegates of [ t...
70Constitutional Convention. Nomination of William Jackson as Secretary of the Constitutional Convention, 25 May 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 25, 1787. On this date Hamilton nominated Major William Jackson as secretary of the Constitutional Convention. Gaillard Hunt and James Brown Scott, eds., The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America. Reported by James Madison (New York, 1920), 18. Of the many editions of Madison’s notes of debates in the...
71Constitutional Convention. Notes Taken in the Federal Convention, [1–26 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Notes for June 1, 1787] [Madison] 1— The way to prevent a majority from having an interest to oppress the minority is to enlarge the sphere. Madison 2— Elective Monarchies turbulent and unhappy— Men unwilling to admit so decided a superiority of merit in an individual as to accede to his appointment to so preeminent a station. If several are admitted as there will be many competitors of...
72New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for Regulating Elections, [6 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton observed that when the discriminating clauses admitted into the bill by that house, were introduced, he was restrained by motives of respect for the sense of a respectable part of the house, from giving it any other opposition, than a simple vote. The limited operation, they would have, made him less anxious about their adoption: but he could not reconcile it to his judgment, or...
73New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Acknowledging the Independence of Vermont, [14 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
The public have reason to regret your indisposition, as it deprives them of the satisfaction they would otherwise have received from reading verbatim , the judicious speech of that zealous patriot Col. Hamilton, on his bill for recommending to Congress to admit into the union the assumed state of Vermont. As there has and still continues to be much contrariety of opinion on this interesting...
74Petition to the Corporation of the City of New York in Common Council, 21 March 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 21, 1787. Hamilton was one of eighteen petitioners who, on this date, requested the New York City Common Council to remove a statute of William Pitt located “in the most central Part” of Wall and Smith Streets. The statue, the petition stated, “greatly obstructs the free Passage of Carriages &c., through both Wall & Smith Streets.” DS , Municipal Archives and Records Center,...
75Constitutional Convention. Remarks in Favor of a Motion Increasing the Number in the House of Representatives, [8 … (Hamilton Papers)
Col: Hamilton expressed himself with great earnestness and anxiety in favor of the motion. He avowed himself a friend to a vigorous Government, but would declare at the same time, that he held it essential that the popular branch of it should be on a broad foundation. He was seriously of opinion that the House of Representatives was on so narrow a scale as to be really dangerous, and to...
76Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Ratification of the Constitution, [10 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton . No Convention convinced of the necessity of the plan will refuse to give it effect on the adoption by nine States. He thought this mode less exceptionable than the one proposed in the article, and would attain the same end. Hunt and Scott, Debates Gaillard Hunt and James Brown Scott, eds., The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Which Framed the Constitution of the United...
77New York Assembly. Report on a Petition from George Fisher, [8 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton, from the Committee to whom was referred the petition of George Fisher, reported, that they have enquired into the circumstances of his case, and are of opinion that it will be proper to grant him relief, either by taking back the land mentioned in his petition, and returning the deposit money, or by setting off to him so much of the land as will amount to the deposit money, in...
78From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, [19 May 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I acknowlege my delinquency in not thanking you before for your obliging letter from Richmond. But the truth is that I have been so overwhelmed in avocations of one kind or another that I have scarcely had a moment to spare to a friend. You I trust will be the less disposed to be inexorable, as I hope you believe there is no one for whom I have more inclination than yourself—I mean of the male...
79New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for Repealing Part of the Trespass Act, [21 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
On motion of Col. Hamilton, the house went into a committee on the bill for repealing part of the trespass act. Mr. Hedges in the chair. Col. Hamilton said that this amendment to the trespass law, was only to repeal that part which was in violation of the public treaty. The courts of justice were at present in a delicate dilemma, obliged either to explain away a positive law of the state or...
80Constitutional Convention. Second to James Madison’s Motion on Amending the Constitution, 10 September 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 10, 1787. On this date, Hamilton seconded the following motion made by James Madison: “The Legislature of the U.S. whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem necessary, or on the application of two thirds of the Legislatures of the several States, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part thereof, when the...
81Constitutional Convention. Withdrawal of a Motion, [10 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col: Hamilton withdrew the remainder of the motion to postpone art XXII, observing that his purpose was defeated by the vote just given. Hunt and Scott, Debates Gaillard Hunt and James Brown Scott, eds., The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America. Reported by James Madison (New York, 1920). , 543. In “Constitutional Convention....
82Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, [15 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton cannot say he is in sentiment with either plan— supposes both might again be considered as federal plans, and by this means they will be fairly in committee, and be contrasted so as to make a comparative estimate of the two. Yates, Secret Proceedings and Debates Robert Yates, Secret Proceedings and Debates of the Convention Assembled at Philadelphia, in the Year 1787, For the...
83New York Assembly. Report on the Petition of William Edgar, 13 February 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 13, 1787. As chairman of a committee Hamilton on this date issued a report on “the petition of William Edgar, and others, proprietors of lands in the patent commonly called the Oneida purchase, praying leave to bring in a bill for the partition of the said tract of land.” New York Assembly Journal Journal of the Assembly of the State of New York (Publisher and place vary,...
84From Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Church, [6 December 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
I this morning wrote a short and hasty line to your other self and did not then expect I should have been able to find a moment for the more agreeable purpose of dropping a line to you. Your husband has too much gallantry to be offended at this implication of preference. But I can not, however great my hurry, resist the strong desire I feel of thankg you for your invaluable letter by the last...
85Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Abolition of the States, [19 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton coincided with the proposition as it stood in the Report. He had not been understood yesterday. By an abolition of the States, he meant that no boundary could be drawn between the National & State Legislatures; that the former must therefore have indefinite authority. If it were limited at all, the rivalship of the States would gradually subvert it. Even as Corporations the...
86New York Assembly. Report on the Petitions of Samuel Thompson, Josiah Gale, and Lemuel Conckling, 24 March 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 24, 1787. Hamilton, as chairman of a committee on “petitions of Samuel Thompson, Josiah Gale and others, and Lemuel Conckling,” recommended that “the said petitions ought to be taken into consideration, when the House shall proceed upon a report of Mr. Attorney general, on the cases of Elijah Hunter and others.” New York Assembly Journal Journal of the Assembly of the State of...
87From Alexander Hamilton to The Daily Advertiser, [15 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton, in his absence from New York on public duty (with how much propriety and temper his fellow citizens must decide) has been attacked by name, as the Writer of a publication printed in Mr. Childs’ paper of the 21st of July last. In fixing that publication upon him, there is certainly no mistake; nor did he ever mean to be concealed. He left his name with the Printer, to be disclosed...
88Constitutional Convention. Plan of Government, [18 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
A I The Supreme Legislative Power of the United States of America to be vested in two distinct bodies of men—the one to be called the Assembly the other the senate; who together shall form the Legislature of the United States, with power to pass all laws whatsoever , subject to the negative hereafter mentioned. B II The Assembly to consist of persons elected by the People to serve for...
89New York Assembly. Remarks on the Petition of Catharine Livingston, [13 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
The committee on Catharine Livingston’s petition, reported, that the state ought to receive their debt from her in loan-office certificates. Mr. Hamilton did not approve of extending partial relief, many others might be in similar circumstances, and he wished the bill to be brought in on general principles, as by this means, the house would avoid being troubled with repeated particular...
90New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill Granting Privileges to Columbia College and Erecting a … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill, to render more effectual, the act granting privileges to Columbia College, and erecting a University within this State. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton, according to leave, brought in the said bill, entitled, An act to render more effectual an Act, entitled, An Act for granting certain Privileges to the College,...