1American Jacobins, [1795–1796] (Hamilton Papers)
For the Minerva It is remarkable how uniform our Jacobins have been in blaming and vilifying our own Government and in excusing and justifying the conduct of the French towards us. Before there was ever the pretence of any subject of complaint against this Country France violated that article of her Treaty with us which stipulates that free ships shall make free goods. —This breach of Treaty...
2Relations with France, [1795–1796] (Hamilton Papers)
There are circumstances, which render it too probable that a very delicate state of things is approaching between the United States and France. When threatened with foreign danger, from whatever quarter, it is highly necessary that we should be united at home; and considering our partiality hitherto for France, it is necessary towards this Union, that we should understand what has really been...
3From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [27–30 December 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure to send you enclosed 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...
4[The Defence No. XXXV], [26 December 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
ADf , in the handwriting of Rufus King, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; The [New York] Herald; A Gazette for the Country , December 26, 1795. For background to this document, see the introductory note to “The Defence No. I,” July 22, 1795 . Except for some phrases, sentences, and two paragraphs inserted by H, the draft of “The Defence No. XXXV” is in the handwriting of Rufus King. On the...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 26 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Cutting has given to me a perusal of his papers, respecting his agency in revealing our seamen from British impress. He wished my opinion professionally respecting the validity of his claim, which I declined to give, because it would contradict certain maxims I have prescribed to myself with regard to public questions pending while I was part of the administration. But there are reasons...
6From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 24 December 1795 (Hamilton 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...
7[The Defence No. XXXIV], [23 December 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
ADf , in the handwriting of Rufus King, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; The [New York] Herald, A Gazette for the Country , December 23, 1795. For background to this document, see the introductory note to “The Defence No. I,” July 22, 1795 . Except for some words and phrases and one full paragraph inserted by H, the draft of “The Defence No. XXXIV” is in the handwriting of Rufus King.
8To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 22 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Have you seen or heard more of young Fayette since you last wrote to me on that subject? Where did he go to? Did you deliver him the letter I sent under cover to you for him? His case gives me pain, and I do not know how to get relieved from it. His sensibility I fear is hurt, by his not acknowledging the receipt of my letter to him; and yet, if considerations of a higher nature are opposed to...
9The Defence No. XXXIII, [19 December 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
The course thus far pursued in the discussion of the 18th article has inverted the order of it as it stands in the Treaty. It is composed of three clauses the two last of which have been first examined. I thought it adviseable in the outset to dispose of an objection which has been the principal source of clamour. The first clause, or that which remains to be examined, enumerates the articles...
10To Alexander Hamilton from John Lowell, Junior, 19 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, December 19, 1795. “I … enclose to you two notes of hand against two Gentlemen in New York for 750 dollars each. The money you perceive ought to have been long since paid and I am informed that the nonpayment has not been occasioned by inability. The notes were put into my hands to collect under the expectation that ye parties would have been in this place some time since. Having no...
11To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 18 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Your friendly letter of the 14th came to hand on the 16th. It should have been answered yesterday, but my engagements did not permit. I wrote to you on the 16th of Novemr last mentioning a Negotiation opened with Boston in consequence of which I expected to redeem $140,000 Deferred Debt which I have pledged there. This Negotiation was opened under the auspices of Mr Swan, but I begin to think...
12To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas FitzSimons, 17 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, December 17, 1795 . “Inclosed is the state of the Case depending between Mr. Church & Hollker, taken from the information given to me & submitted to Hollkers attorney here.… I have stated the facts as they Appear & in a Way that requires no evidence. If you approve them, after you have Named a Professional Man I will Name some other & let them chuse a third so that their decision...
13The Defence No. XXXII, [16 December 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
The 18th Article of the Treaty, which regulates the subject of contraband, has been grievously misrepresented. The objections urged against it with most acrimony are disingenuous and unfounded; yet while I make this assertion which I flatter myself I shall be able to prove, I shall not pretend to maintain that it is an article completely satisfactory. I even admit that it has one unpleasant...
14To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 16 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you Dunlap of this Morning, in it you have the foreign intelligence. Fenno Dunlap & others have erroneously stated that Mr Warder brought the Ratification of Great Britain—no official Dispatch has been received. Rutledge was negatived yesterday by the Senate. From present appearances the address to the President by the House will pass without a Debate. The Draft has been by agreement in...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 14 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
An extraordinary press of occupation has delayed an answer to your letter on the subject of Mr R . Though it may come too late, I comply with your request as soon as I can. The subject is truly a perplexing one; my mind has several times fluctuated. If there was nothing in the case but his imprudent sally upon a certain occasion I should think the reasons for letting him pass would outweigh...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 14 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 14, 1795. On December 18, 1795, Morris wrote to Hamilton and referred to “Your friendly letter of the 14th.” Letter not found. ]
17To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 14 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
The printer of Mr. Randolph’s vindication advertises that it will be published next Friday. The translation of Fauchet’s letter will be in it. This translation was made by Mr. Taylor at Randolph’s request; but Mr. Taylor, who desired the use of mine, told me that he had made but few variations. Now if I have mistaken the sense in any material passages, it is highly probable that they will be...
18The Defence No. XXXI, [12 December 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
I resume the subject of the two last papers for the sake of a few supplementary observations. The objections to the Treaty for not adhering to the rule “that free ships make free goods and enemy ships enemy goods” as being the relinquishment of an advantage which the modern law of Nations gives to Neutrals have been fully examined and I flatter myself completely refuted. I shall however add...
19[The Defence No. XXX], [9 December 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
ADf , in the handwriting of Rufus King, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; The [New York] Herald; A Gazette for the Country , December 9, 1795. For background to this document, see the introductory note to “The Defence No. I,” July 22, 1795 . Except for a few words inserted by H, the draft of “The Defence No. XXX” is in the handwriting of Rufus King.
20Draft of George Washington’s Seventh Annual Address to Congress, [28 November–7 December 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
I trust, I do not deceive myself, while I indulge the persuasion, that I have never met you at any period, when more than at the present, the situa⟨tion⟩ of our public affairs has afforded just cause for mutual congratulation and for inviting you to join with me in profound gratitude to the Author of all Good for the numerous and signal blessings we enjoy. The Termination of the long expensive...
21To Alexander Hamilton from John Habersham, 7 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, December 7, 1795. Encloses a letter from “Monsr. De Bordes, a French Gentleman, who was formerly an Officer in the Georgia Line.” Describes De Bordes’s service during the American Revolution. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Habersham served in the American Revolution in the First Georgia Continental Regiment. He was a member of the Continental Congress in 1785 and...
22From Alexander Hamilton to James Hardie, 7 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 7, 1795. “I have received your Letter of the 2d. instant. As I do not practice in the Mayor’s Court I cannot act for you as Attorney in the Cause you mention. But if you think my assistance at the Trial necessary—I shall be ready to give—if on knowing the Circumstances there appears a ground of Defence.” Copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
23[The Defence No. XXIX], [5 December 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
ADf , in the handwriting of Rufus King, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; The [New York] Herald; A Gazette for the Country , December 5, 1795. For background to this document, see the introductory note to “The Defence No. I,” July 22, 1795 . Except for minor changes in wording made by H, the draft of “The Defence No. XXIX” is in the handwriting of Rufus King. On a page attached to the...
24[The Defence No. XXVIII], [2 December 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
ADf , in the handwriting of Rufus King, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; The [New York] Herald; A Gazette for the Country , December 2, 1795. For background to this document, see the introductory note to “The Defence No. I,” July 22, 1795 . Except for a few phrases and sentences inserted by H, the draft of this essay is in the handwriting of Rufus King.
25To Alexander Hamilton from James Hardie, 2 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Princeton [ New Jersey ] December 2, 1795 . “… During the time of the yellow fever in New York, some business called me to that city. A person to whom I had rendered very considerable service served a writ upon me even in his own house & as it happened at a late hour I was sent to jail, where I continued for three days.… The trial will come on, during the Christmas week, when I shall endeavour...
26To Alexander Hamilton from James Butler, 1 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
(Tho’ I have not the honour of your acquaintance) I shall take the liberty of addressing you, to inform you of the real pleasure & satisfaction it gives me to read your Explanation in favour of the Ilustrious President. And to inform you of Some of his Charitable donations—I mean What came Within my knowledge, which I am Sure are but trifling if compar’d With the imense Charities he bestows,...
27To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 1 December 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have not been able to ascertain all the points upon which you requested me to write to you. In February 1780 a Comtee. reported a conference with the Minister of France, the substance of which was —That the King of Spain wished for an alliance with the United States, but that it was necessary that the United States should explain their claims precisely. That the Cabinet of Madrid, construed...
28[The Defence No. XXVII], [28 November 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
ADf , in the handwriting of Rufus King, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; The [New York] Herald; A Gazette for the Country , November 28, 1795. For background to this document, see the introductory note to “The Defence No. I,” July 22, 1795 . Except for a few phrases and sentences inserted by H, the draft of “The Defence No. XXVII” is in the handwriting of Rufus King.
29To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 28 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
If indisposition, or business of a pressing nature, should have prevented your looking into, and making a digest of the papers I sent you on the 16th. Inst I pray you to return them to me by the first Post after this letter is received. The meeting of Congress is near at hand and there is good reason to expect a punctual attendance of the members. I should be extremely unwilling therefore to...
30To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 28 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, November 28, 1795. Second letter of November 28 not found. ] In the “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries, two letters to H from Washington for November 28, 1795 , are listed.
31From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 26 November 1795 (Hamilton 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,...
32[The Defence No. XXVI], [25 November 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
ADf , in the handwriting of Rufus King, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; The [New York] Herald; A Gazette for the Country , November 25, 1795. For background to this document, see the introductory note to “The Defence No. I,” July 22, 1795 . Except for several words, phrases, and footnotes inserted by H, the draft of this essay is in the handwriting of Rufus King.
33To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 23 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed are letters for Mr. de la Fayette, and his Tutor. I leave them open for your perusal; and notwithstanding the request in my letter of the 18th. I shall cheerfully acquiesce in any measures respecting them which you (and others with whom you may be disposed to consult) may deem most eligible. As there can be no doubt, that the feelings of both are alive to every thing which may have...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 20 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 17th. which needed no apology as it will always give me pleasure to comply with any wish of yours connected with the public service, or your personal satisfaction. Good men, in the idea of your appointment to the office of Secretary of State, will find many consolations for your removal from one in which your usefulness was well understood. I wish it was easy...
35From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 19 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letters of the 16 and 18 instant with their inclosures are received. An extraordinary pressure of professional 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 my...
36The Defence No. XXV, [18 November 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
It will be useful, as it will simplify the Examination of the commercial articles of the Treaty, to bear in mind and preserve the Division that we find established by the 12. 13. & the 14. & 15. articles. Each respects a particular Branch or portion of the trade between the two Countries, the regulations whereof, differ from, and are severally independent of each other. Thus one is relative to...
37To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 18 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Having no doubt that the petition contained in the enclosed Gazette, will make its appearance in the Virginia Assembly; and nearly as little of its favourable reception in that body, I resolved to give you the perusal of it, at this moment. But my principal view in writing to you now, is, to request that you would desire young Fayette and his Tutor to proceed to this place without delay;...
38To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 17 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
The interest you take in all public measures of importance, and the peculiar solicitude you must feel at this time of general agitation, when so many are busy apparently to undermine the government which you so effectually laboured to establish, and have so eminently contributed to maintain—induce me, with that sincerity which I trust has ever marked my character, and that frankness which an...
39To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 16 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have a Negotiation in hand which will probably enable me to transfer to Mr Church the Deferred Debt which my Son agreed to pay him. Before I can speak positively a Correspondence which is opened with Boston must ripen, and I expect that the intercourse of a few Posts will reduce the matter to a certainty one way or other. I have $140,000 Deferred Debt deposited with the Treasurer of...
40To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 16 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
(Private & confidential) The papers herewith enclosed are so full, on the subject of my former request, that nothing more remains than to refer to them for every information I can give, as the ground work of the Superstructure you are to build. When you are done with them be so good as to return the whole to me again, with those sent before; together with the letter respecting young Fayette,...
41To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 16 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Private I sent you on Saturday an imperfect translation of Fauchets Letter I now send you a Copy of the original; you may at your discretion use the Letter, except causing copies to be taken, or suffering it to be printed. Mr. Randolph has intensively circulated a Letter in which he attributes his disgrace to the artifices of a “British Faction” —his Letter is accompanied with an explanatory...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Jean Marie de Bordes, 15 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, November 15, 1795. “… On the end of 1776 being recommended to you by General Washington, I was received and Served as a volunteer in your company of Artillery.… Few days after, from your company I was promoted to the duty of an aid-de-camp and temporaly acted as a Brigade-major… to the end of this memorable Campain. Called afterwards by peculiar reasons to the South of America, I...
43[The Defence No. XXIII], [14 November 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
ADf , in the handwriting of Rufus King, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; The [New York] Herald; A Gazette for the Country , November 14, 1795. For background to this document, see the introductory note to “The Defence No. I,” July 22, 1795 . Except for several words and phrases inserted by H, the draft of “The Defence No. XXIII” is in the handwriting of Rufus King.
44[The Defence No. XXIV], [14 November 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
ADf , in the handwriting of Rufus King, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; The [New York] Herald; A Gazette for the Country , November 14, 1795. For background to this document, see the introductory note to “The Defence No. I,” July 22, 1795 . Except for several words and phrases and one paragraph inserted by H, the draft of this essay is in the handwriting of Rufus King. The paragraph...
45To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 14 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, November 14, 1795. On November 16, 1795, Wolcott wrote to Hamilton : “I sent you on Saturday an imperfect translation of Fauchet’s letter.” Letter not found. ] Saturday was November 14, but Wolcott endorsed H to Wolcott, October 30-November 12, 1795 : “ansd. 13th. Nov. & sent on Copy of Fr—— Letters.…”
46From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 30 October[–12 November] 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you yesterday for a statement of the advances & appropriations for the Department of State. I am very anxious that Fauchet’s whole letter should appear just as it is —strange whispers are in circulation of a nature foreign to Truth & implicating honest men with Rascals. Is it to come out? Can’t you send me a copy? I will observe any conditions you annex. The secret Journals & other...
47The Defence No. XXII, [5–11 November 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
The analogy of the stipulation in the 10th article with stipulations in our other treaties and in the treaties between other Nations is the remaining topic of discussion. After this, attention will be paid to such observations by way of objection to the article as may not have been before expressly or virtually answered. The 20th. article of our treaty of Amity and Commerce with France is in...
48Explanation, [11 November 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
A very virulent attack has recently been made upon the President of the U States, the present Secretary of the Treasury, and myself as his predecessor in office, on the ground of extra payments to The President on account of his salary. The charges against all the three are no less heinous than those of intentional violation of the constitution, of the laws, and of their oaths of office. I...
49From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [11 November 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
At length I am able to send you the explanation I mentioned to you. The papers upon which it is founded are returned that you may compare & if necessary correct. You may by altering the body or by a note rectify any inaccuracy . You will observe marks in the margin which will require particular attention. A Let the distance if not so now be rightly stated. B insert the most usual sum or sums....
50To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 10 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
(Private) Your favor of the 5th. has been duly received, but nothing was said in it of young Fayette. I am willing, as I said in my last, to receive him under any circumstances, or in any manner you may conceive best; & wish to know what that is. Having, since I wrote to you on the 29th. ult received more agreeable—tho’ not conclusive—accounts from abroad, I pray you to suspend your...