1New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for the Relief of Merchants in the City of New York, [20 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton supposed that it was agreed on all hands, that some relief should be granted—there was, he said two questions before the committee, one, if they would put them on a footing with the other citizens; and the other, if they did not merit something more. If said he, you receive their certificates, and grant them your own, you extend to them only that relief which you have already...
2New York Assembly. Remarks on the Quotas to be Assigned the Several Counties of New York, [22 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton did not suppose that any arguments would have much influence on the decision of this question. There is no criterion to go by and we fall into the greatest uncertainty—a gentleman has told us plainly, that he has been intriguing, and making the best bargain he could for his county. He would not say that New-York had made any conditions—he hoped that the intrigues might not have...
3Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Number of Votes Required in Congress to Override a Presidential Veto, [12 … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton added his testimony to the fact that 2/3 in N. York had been ineffectual either where a popular object, or a legislative faction operated; of which he mentioned some instances. 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...
4New York Assembly. Report on the Petition of Margaret Livingston, 13 February 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 13, 1787. On this date Hamilton reported on behalf of a committee of which he was chairman on a petition from Margaret Livingston and others: “Proprietors in part of the Township of New-Stamford, in the County of Ulster, praying leave to present a bill for the partition of the said Township.” New York Assembly Journal Journal of the Assembly of the State of New York...
5New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Granting to Congress Certain Imposts and Duties, [15 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
There appears to me to have been some confusion in the manner of voting on the two preceding clauses of this bill; the first, for granting the impost to the United States, having been carried by a majority of one, and the last, for making the officers employed in the collection accountable to them, having been lost by a much larger majority. I was induced to hope, from the success of the first...
6From Alexander Hamilton to John B. Church, 6 December 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 6, 1787. On December 6, 1787, Hamilton wrote to Angelica Church “I this morning wrote a short and hasty line to your other self.” Letter not found. ]
7Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Necessity for a National Government, [19 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton , assented to the doctrine of Mr. Wilson. He denied the doctrine that the States were thrown into a State of Nature. He was not yet prepared to admit the doctrine that the Confederacy, could be dissolved by partial infractions of it. He admitted that the States met now on an equal footing but could see no inference from that against concerting a change of the system in this...
8New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act to Institute an University Within This State, [24 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton hoped the house would not recommit the bill. There was no doubt he said but the legislature possessed the right to give this power. There were frequent examples of the kind in Great Britain, where this power has been granted. No disadvantage he said could arise from it; on the contrary, many would be the benefits. He therefore wished the bill might be finished—as no doubt existed...
9Constitutional Convention. Remarks on Signing the Constitution, [17 September 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton expressed his anxiety that every member should sign. A few characters of consequence, by opposing or even refusing to sign the Constitution, might do infinite mischief by kindling the latent sparks which lurk under an enthusiasm in favor of the Convention which may soon subside. No man’s ideas were more remote from the plan than his were known to be; but is it possible to...
10From Alexander Hamilton to William Neilson, 21 September 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] September 21, 1787 . “You will recollect the cause of Hayton against van Kleeck put into my hands by you.… I hope it will not be inconvenient to you [to] take care of my Costs.” ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Neilson was an alderman and merchant of New York City.
11New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for Settling Intestate Estates, Proving Wills, and Granting Administrations, [14 … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton said that he did not rise to oppose the motion of the gentleman who last spoke. He should probably vote with him on the question; but he confessed he did not view it in quite so clear a light as that gentleman appeared to do. There appeared to him to be difficulties in the case, which he would candidly lay before the house to assist its judgment. The objection is that a new court...
12New York Assembly. Resolution on the Call of a Convention of the States, [17 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Resolved , (if the Honorable the Senate concur) that the Delegates of this State, in Congress of the United States of America, be, and they hereby are instructed, to move in Congress for an Act recommending to the States composing the Union, that a Convention of Representatives from the said States repectively, be held, and meet at a time and place to be mentioned in such recommendation, for...
13Constitutional Convention. Remarks in Support of a Three-Year Term for Members of the House of Representatives, [21 June … (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Hamilton urged the necessity of 3 years. There ought to be neither too much nor too little dependence, on the popular sentiments. The checks in the other branches of Governt. would be but feeble, and would need every auxiliary principle that could be interwoven. The British House of Commons were elected septennially, yet the democratic spirit of ye. Constitution had not ceased. Frequency...
14New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Acknowledging the Independence of Vermont, [28 March 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Chairman, The counsel for the petitioners has entered into a large field of argument against the present bill. He has endeavoured to shew that it is contrary to the constitution, to the maxims of sound policy and to the rights of property. His observations have not been destitute of weight. They appear to have the more force, as they are to a certain degree founded in truth. But it is the...
15New York Assembly. Remarks on an Amendment to an Act Relative to Debts Due Persons Within the Enemy’s Lines, [12 April … (Hamilton Papers)
Went into a committee on the bill to repeal the citation acts.… Mr. Hamilton advocated the bill with great ability and candor; he mentioned the bad effects of the present laws; the difficulties that the courts of justice threw in the way of them—and the impossibility ever to amend them is such a manner as to have them acted upon. He urged the influence the opinion of our courts ought to have...
16Constitutional Convention. Remarks in Opposition to the Payment of Members of the National Legislature by the States … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton renewed his opposition to it. He pressed the distinction between State Govts. & the people. The former wd. be the rivals of the Genl. Govt. The State legislatures ought not therefore to be the paymasters of the latter. 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...
17New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill on Places at Which the Legislature Shall Meet, [16 April 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill to establish the places at which the ordinary sessions of the Legislature shall be holden. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton, according to leave, brought in the said bill, entitled An act to establish the places at which the ordinary sessions of the Legislature shall be holden , which was read the first time, and ordered a...
18New York Assembly. Remarks on the Petition of John Maunsell, [16 January 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton could see no reason why this petition should not be treated as well as others; it was customary to commit, but it did not follow that the prayer must be agreed with, no, if the committee think it improper they will say so; for his own part he did not feel himself alarmed at such an application. The legislative power of granting he should not now give an opinion on, he observed...
19New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act for Regulating the Fees of Officers and Ministers of the Court, [21 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
On the different paragraphs which determined the allowance for certain services—much debate ensued. Col. Hamilton expressed a hope that the house would not carry matters to an extreme; It would, he thought, be as improper to make the fees of the profession too low as to make them too high. Gentlemen who practised the law, if they were men of ability, would be paid for the services required of...
20New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill on Bankrupts and Their Estates, [26 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill respecting bankrupts and their estates. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton, according to leave, brought in the said bill, entitled An act respecting Bankrupts and their Estates . New York Assembly Journal Journal of the Assembly of the State of New York (Publisher and place vary, 1782–1788). , 1787, 67–68. The bill introduced...
21Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Ineligibility of Members of the House of Representatives for Other Offices … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton. Evasions cd. not be prevented—as by proxies—by friends holding for a year, & them opening the way &c. 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). , 155. Robert Yates’s version of H’s speech reads: “The...
22New York Assembly. Remarks on a Motion that Five Delegates be Appointed to the Constitutional Convention, [16 April … (Hamilton Papers)
I think it proper to apprise the house of the gentlemen on some of whom I wish their choice to fall, and with a view to which I bring forward the present motion. Their abilities and experience in the general affairs of the country cannot but be useful upon such an occasion. I mean Mr. Chancellor [Robert R.] Livingston, Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [Egbert] Benson, and Mr. [John] Jay. The particular...
23New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill for Dividing the Manor of Livingston, [18 January 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill, for dividing the District of the Manor of Livingston. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton according to leave brought in the said bill entitled, An act for dividing the district of the Manor of Livingston , which was read the first time, and ordered a second reading. New York Assembly Journal Journal of the Assembly of the...
24New York Assembly. Report on the Petition of Joanna Morris, 24 February 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 24, 1787. As chairman of a committee, Hamilton reported on a petition of Joanna Morris “on behalf of herself and the other Children of Roger Morris, and Mary his wife, setting forth, that the said Roger and Mary have been attainted, and their Estates sold and … praying a law to restore to them the remainder of the said estate.” Hamilton reported that it was unnecessary for...
25Alexander Hamilton’s Notes, [18 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Introduction I Importance of the occasion II Solid plan without regard to temporary opinion . III If an ineffectual plan be again proposed it will beget despair & no government will grow out of consent IV There seem to be but three lines of conduct I A league offensive and defensive, treaty of commerce, & apportionment of the public debt.
26New York Assembly. Motion for Leave to Bring in a Bill for the Speedy Trial and Punishment of Grand Larceny, [1 March … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton moved for leave to bring in a bill for the speedy trial and punishment of such persons as shall commit any offence under the degree of Grand Larceny. Ordered , That leave be given accordingly. Mr. Hamilton according to leave, brought in the said bill, entitled, An act for the speedy Trial and Punishment of such persons as shall commit any offence, under the degree of Grand Larceny...
27Constitutional Convention. Remarks on Equality of Representation of the States in the Congress, [29 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton observed the individuals forming political Societies modify their rights differently, with regard to suffrage. Examples of it are found in all the States. In all of them some individuals are deprived of the right altogether, not having the requisite qualifications of property. In some of the States the right of suffrage is allowed in some cases and refused in others. To vote for a...
28From Alexander Hamilton to William Pierce, [20–26 July 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
As the inclosed contains details relating to your private affairs it is judged most delicate to put it under cover to you. Permit me to use the privilege of a friend to say that ⟨whatever⟩ appeared to you offensive in the conduct of Mr. Auldjo seems to have been a verry natural result of disappointments on his side, to which your disappointments gave birth, influenced too, perhaps, in some...
29New York Assembly. Remarks on the Claim of New York City to Fort George, [16 April 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton proposed a resolution, which would set aside the order of the day, and answer the purposes much better, in his opinion; it was to direct the attorney general to enquire into the claim of the corporation to the Fort St. James, and its dependencies, now called fort George; and that the commissioners of the land office have a survey made of the property of the state therein; and that...
30New York Assembly. Second Speech on the Address of the Legislature to Governor George Clinton’s Message, [19 January … (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton, I am sorry sir that I have to address you a second time, when I have already taken up so much of your attention, but as it is universally allowed to be a question of great importance, I trust I shall be excused for entering into a further discussion. I said in setting out in my former arguments, that the question was improperly stated, that it was put upon a wrong ground, that it...