1Enclosure B: Extracts from the Secretary of War’s Letters to the Late Major General Greene, [10 July 1782–22 January … (Hamilton Papers)
“The sufferings of your troops have impressed me with the deepest concern, and the very painful sensations, which your relation of them excites, are powerfully enhanced, that these distresses should have been the lot of an army, not only entitled, by special contract, to better fare, but whose meritorious and gallant exertions under the most extreme difficulties, merited a very different fate;...
2Enclosure C: Extract of a Letter from Major General Greene, to Major General Lincoln, Secretary at War, 11 November 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
“I am taking measures to obtain clothing for the troops. We have on hand but a small part of our winter clothing, and after what we shall be obliged to issue to those troops going northwardly, we shall have but a small pittance left. I imagine, our purchases will amount to not less than forty thousand dollars, for which I shall draw bills on the Financier; and, as I provide the clothing, at...
3Enclosure No. 2: Extract of a Letter from Major General Greene to Major General Lincoln, Secretary at War, 19 December … (Hamilton Papers)
“You will see by some of my former letters, that, in consequence of your orders, I had taken measures, to provide such articles of clothing, as were necessary to complete the troops with their winter clothing. Messrs. Banks and Company have furnished most of the articles we shall want, and will provide the rest. Mr. Hamilton, the clothier, had instructions to contract with such as would supply...
4Enclosure E: [Nathanael Greene to John Banks], 25 December 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
The comfortable condition, in which you have put the army, from the large supply of blankets and clothing furnished it, claims my particular acknowledgments; for, although I expect the public will make you a reasonable compensation, yet, as you were the only person, who had the will and the means to serve us, our obligation is equally great. I am happy to find, that most, if not all our...
5Enclosure F: Robert Forsyth to Nathanael Greene, 29 December 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
Some days ago, I was honored with your answer to my letter of resignation; the very warm approbation, given of my conduct in public service, gives me most singular pleasure and satisfaction, and makes me hope for that countenance and aid in private life, which I enjoyed, while I had the pleasure to serve under your command. I must beg your attention to a brig of Mr. Banks’s, which he loaded at...
6Enclosure No. 5: John Banks’s Certificate, [ca. 3 January 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
It having been suggested from an interpretation of my letter of October 1782, to Mr. James Hunter, that the honorable Major-General Greene was interested, or intimated a desire of holding a commercial connection with me in Charleston; I do, therefore, as well for the sake of removing such an idea, as to avert from myself any mischief, that a heedless surmise, expressed in a confidential letter...
7Enclosure O: [John Banks’ Statement], 3 January 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
It having been suggested, from a misinterpretation of my letter of October 1782, to Mr. James Hunter, that the honorable Major General Greene was interested, or intimated a desire of holding a commercial connection with me in Charleston—I do, therefore, as well for the sake of removing such an idea, as to avert from myself any mischief, that a heedless surmise, expressed in a confidential...
8Enclosure No. 3: Extract of a Letter from Major General Greene to Major General Lincoln, Secretary at War, 2 February … (Hamilton Papers)
“Lieutenant Colonel Carrington has closed a contract with Mr. Banks for the subsistence of the army, at something [less] than eleven pence sterling. It is high, but it could not be had lower. There was not an offer made but by Mr. Banks, although I wrote to all the principal men in the country. People have not that spirit for engaging in business, here, as with us. “I shall get the troops...
9Enclosure G: [Nathanael Greene to Robert Morris], 2 February 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 18th of September, by Mr. Hayward, with the Bills enclosed, I forgot to acknowledge in my last. He promises me the money very soon; Mr. Drayton also promises to pay me very shortly. The clothier’s, quarter master’s and medical departments, together with the bills drawn for two months pay for the officers, give me no small uneasiness, for fear the amount should exceed your...
10Enclosure H: [Edward Carrington to Hugh Rutledge], 4 February 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
The pressing necessities of the army, the late season of the year, and the difficulty of conveying information through the country, in it’s present situation, have prevented that extensive notice of contracts for the subsistence of the troops, which could be wished. General Greene, very early after the contracts were directed to be made, wrote to every character, whose circumstances and views...
11Enclosure No. 4: Copy of a Letter from Major General Greene to Major General Lincoln, Secretary at War, 5 February 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
An idle surmise of Mr. Banks, and an improper curiosity of General Scott in the State of Virginia, may give an unjust complexion to the late transaction respecting the measures taken to obtain clothing, as the Governor of Virginia writes, that it was considered a mere speculation for private emolument. For fear, such rumors should spread to my disadvantage, I take the liberty to enclose you a...
12Enclosure K: [Edward Carrington to Nathanael Greene], 18 February 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
I do myself the honor to hand you herewith, a Contract entered into by Mr. John Banks, for the subsistence of the troops in the service of the United States, in the States of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, for the present year. I am really concerned, that we have been obliged to close this contract, on the execessive high terms agreed to, but the circumstances, under which we had...
13Enclosure M: [Note from Joseph Banks], 7 May 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
Whereas the honorable General Greene did, in the month of April last past, become security for us, John Banks, James Hunter and Robert Forsyth, as for themselves as others concerned, in the sum of thirty two thousand one hundred and twenty five pounds, sterling money, unto Messrs Neucomen and Collett, Harris and Blackford, and James Warington, merchants, Charleston. We, the afternamed, Do, by...
14Enclosure N: [Robert Forsyth to William Allen Deaz], 2 September 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
To all to whom these presents shall come, be seen, or made known,— Greeting. Whereas Benjamin Johnston of the County of Culpeper, in the State of Virginia, in and by his bond or obligation, bearing date, the twenty eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty, became bound to Robert Forsyth, then of the Town of Fredericksburg, in the penal sum of ten...
15Enclosure Q: Letter from Robert Forsyth, 3 March 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
It having been insinuated by some, and propagated by others, that the honorable General Greene was concerned in the Charleston speculation, with John Banks and Company, and with the contract for the army, I do hereby certify, that the General was in no ways interested in either, with the said Copartnership.
16Enclosure A: [From Nathanael Greene], 22 August 1785 (Hamilton Papers)
Misfortunes are more or less painful, as they have been brought upon us by folly, extravagance, or imposed by public necessity. Those of the latter kind may be distressing, but cannot be dishonorable. I have long struggled with difficulties, in which I was involved, while in command to the southward, and which I should have laid before Congress, at an earlier period, but from a hope, that I...
17Enclosure L: [Agreement between John Banks and Neucomen & Collect], [1 May 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
Know all men by these presents, That We, John Banks, for Hunter, Banks and Company, merchants, Richmond, Virginia, and Nathaniel Greene, are held and firmly bound unto Neucomen and Collett, merchants, Charleston, in the sum of seventeen thousand four hundred and eighty seven pounds, eleven shillings, sterling money of Great Britain, for the faithful payment of which, we bind ourselves, our...
18Enclosure U: Letter from Charles Pettit, 16 March 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favor of the 11th instant was handed to me yesterday-afternoon, desiring my evidence respecting General Greene’s disappointment of monies, he expected from Banks and Company, which were to have been paid in Philadelphia. How far the facts, within my knowledge, and the circumstances arising from my transactions, will tend to establish the material points, I am not ascertained; but I shall...
19Enclosure R: Letter from Edward Carrington, 2 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Towards the latter end of the year 1782, when the engagement of the State of South Carolina, to supply the southern army with provisions, was to expire, the honorable Robert Morris, Superintendant of Finance, wrote to General Greene, to have a contract formed for supporting the army, from the first of January 1783. General Greene requested my assistance in the business, and public notice, as...
20Enclosure S: Letter from Edward Carrington, 2 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Sometime in the early part of the year 1783, during General Greene’s residence in Charleston, I received a message from him, requesting my attendance at his quarters. Upon my coming there, I met with General Wayne. General Greene told us, he had desired our attendance, in order that we might be present at an interview, he was about to have with Mr. John Banks, whom he had sent for—that he had...
21Enclosure T: Letter from Anthony Wayne, 31 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Being called upon by the widow and the executors of the late Major General Nathaniel Greene, to relate such circumstances with regard to the situation of the army, and of the transactions between a certain Mr. John Banks and the General, as came within my knowledge, as second in command in the Southern District; I think it unnecessary to go into a minute detail of every circumstance respecting...
22Enclosure V: Letter from Nathaniel Pendleton, 4 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of an application from the executors of the late General Greene, to relate what I know, concerning his securityship, for the payment of certain monies for John Banks and others, I have written the following statement of facts, which is all, I can remember; and many of them happening so long since, and having no written memorials to refer to, I cannot exactly ascertain or...
23Enclosure W: Letter from William Burnet, 21 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your favor of the 19th instant, informing me, that it had been suggested, that General Greene was a partner with the House of John Banks and Company—that the evidence of their partnership had been in my possession, I having received it among my sons papers; and that General Greene, in his life-time, induced me, by some means or other, to relinquish the said evidence to him; and...
24Enclosure X: Letter from John Mathews and Richard Hutson, 30 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
We feel ourselves happy, in this opportunity, afforded us, of attempting to do justice to the injured reputation of the late Major General Greene, whose eminent services to this Continent in general, must have greatly endeared his memory to every true friend to the American revolution; and whose distinguished and effectual exertions, for the recovery of this State, from the possession of the...
25Enclosure Y: Letter from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 2 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Having been requested to relate all that I know of General Greene’s connection with the late John Banks and Company and to declare, how far interested he was in their speculations, and having acquired, in my professional line, a considerable knowledge of their affairs, I think myself bound to give the following information. In the summer or autumn of the year 1782, John Banks, and some other...
26Enclosure Z: Letter from William Washington, 6 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
It gives me much pleasure, that I have it in my power, to state an occurrence, which cannot fail, with an unprejudiced mind, to remove every suspicion relative to an improper connection in speculation in trade, between the late General Greene, and John Banks and Company, in the spring of 1783. Several days after a report had prevailed in Charleston, and it was generally believed, that an...
27Alexander Hamilton’s Second Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of the House of Representatives of the fifteenth day of January 1790 has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit to the subject of Manufactures and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the United States, independent on foreign nations, for military and other essential...
28Alexander Hamilton’s Third Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of the House of Representatives of the fifteenth day of January 1790 has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of manufactures; and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the United States, independent on foreign nations for military and other essential...
29Alexander Hamilton’s Fourth Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of the House of Representatives, of the 15. day of January 1790, has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of manufactures and particularly to the means of promoting such, as will tend to render the United States independent on foreign nations, for military and other essential...
30Alexander Hamilton’s First Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, [27 January–4 February] 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department } the 1790. [to be left out—or pro last read 1790] The Secretary of the Treasury, in obedience to the order of the house of Representatives of the fifteenth day of January last, has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of Manufactures, Stands and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the...