1To Alexander Hamilton from William M. Smith, [1796–1800] (Hamilton Papers)
Your kindness in taken me under your Paternage claims my warmest returns of Gratitude. let me beg that you Receive the thanks of that sincere heart, that never has, nor I hope never will be ungratefull. I believe in the worse of Time’s when Men Soul’s trembled at danger, when most was Alarm’d at a for boding Storm. a few, a Virtuous few Stood. I humbly trust I am one of them. remember that...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Herman LeRoy, William Bayard, and James McEvers, [4 March–18 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered with attention the draft of instructions to Mr. Bayard, which appear to me full and judicious. There are but two points upon which I would submit a reflection or two— I It is prescribed that no money shall be advanced for any quantity of land purchased more than in the proportion of the intire sum to the intire quantity. It is possible that this restriction may be...
3From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Take my ideas and weigh them of a proper course of conduct for our administration in the present juncture. You have called Congress—tis well. When the Senate meets (which I should be glad to see anticipated) send a Commission extraordinary to France. Let it consist of Jefferson or Madison Pinckney & a third very safe man, say Cabot . Proclaim a Religious solemnity to take place at the Meeting...
4To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 31 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your Letter of March 30th. and I consider it as a great acquisition. It developes the origin of a circumstance which came to my knowledge at the close of the last session which filled my mind with inexpressible surprize. To you I will say but in the most perfect confidence that the President had determined on instituting a Commission, but it would not have been composed as you now...
5To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 30 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I believe I mentioned in my last, that I was going to sketch a state of facts relative to Mr. Pinckney’s mission for publication. I now inclose it. That the facts should be known to our citizens was deemed important. I thought it highly important that the Representatives should come together impressed with the sentiments of their constituents on the reprehensible conduct of the French...
6Enclosure: A Statement of Facts Relative to General Pinckney’s Mission to France, [30 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
General Pinckney, appointed minister plenipotentiary from the United States to the French Republic, left Philadelphia near the end of September, and arrived at Paris the 5th of December last, in the evening. On the 6th, he sent, by his secretary, to Mr. Monroe his letters of recall; and immediately afterwards waited on Mr. Monroe, who shewed him a letter from M. Delacroix, the French Minister...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [30 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Every one who can properly appreciate the situation of our Affairs at this moment, in all the extent of possible circumstances, must be extremely anxious for such a course of conduct in our Government which will unite the utmost prudence with energy. It has been a considerable time my wish that a Commission extraordinary Madison Pinkney Cabot should be constituted to go to France to explain...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 29 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
The post of yesterday brought me your letter of the day before. I regret that the idea of a Commission extraordinary appears of doubtful propriety. For after very mature reflection I am intirely convinced of its expediency. I do not understand the passage you cite as excluding the reception of a special extraordinary Minister but of an ordinary resident Minister. It seems impossible that the...
9To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 27 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote a few lines from Mr Nicholsons house on Saturday whilst waiting to see Mr Mather; he did not come there untill I was obliged to come away, but Mr Nicholson informs me he came afterwards and that they are likely to effect an Arrangement for the Bill of Exchange and that Mr Mather has written to stay any proceedings in New York untill they hear again from him. This being a debt of Mr...
10The Warning No. VI, [27 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
It has been seen that the Governt of France has an indisputable title to the culpable preeminence of having taken the lead in the violation of neutral rights; and that the first instance on the part of the British Government is nearly a month posterior to the commencement of the evil by France. But it was not only posterior—it was also less comprehensive. That of France extended to all...
11To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 26 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 25th I was favoured with your letter of the 22d. The first measure of calling Congress together had been determined on by the President the preceding evening; and I had the draught of the proclamation inclosed, in my hand, to present to him, when I received your letter. Some other of the measures suggested had been contemplated; and all will receive attention from me & my colleagues. I...
12To Alexander Hamilton from Uriah Tracy, 23[–24] March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
You will probably remember, I applied to you for James Johnson of Salisbury in Connecticut, for the purchase of a tract of Land lying in that Town, of which you had the care & disposal. Johnson has lately written me, that the sale is not yet completed & wishes me to pursue the business, as he is still very desirous of purchasing the Land. You will recollect how far the negociation has...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [22 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
It is now ascertained that Mr Pinckney has been refused and with circumstances of indignity. What is to be done? The share I have had in the public administration added to my interest as a Citizen make me extremely anxious that at this delicate Crisis a course of conduct exactly proper may be adopted. I offer to your consideration without ceremony what appears to me such a course. First. I...
14To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 19 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I shall not fail to call the attention of the senate to the insecure state of the port of New York and to detail the distressing consequences which must result should the Metropolis be laid under contribution, be conflagreated, or possessed by a hostile foreign power: but I apprehend nothing more will be done than Authorizing the Governor to take measures for Its security, If a war with some...
15To Alexander Hamilton from William Laight, 14 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March 14, 1797 . “Had there not been frequent Instances in many respectable Offices in this City where Events of a similar kind have been effected, which I am now solicitous of obtaining, I should deem it presumptuous to address you on the Subject: Let this, in addition to the solicitude of a Parent for the Establishment of a Son in the line of his Profession be my Apology. Edward...
16To Alexander Hamilton from William Tilghman, 13 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, March 13, 1797. Replies to Hamilton’s letter of March 10, 1797 , and answers questions concerning provisions on naturalization in Maryland’s constitution and statutes. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
17The Warning No. V, [13 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have asserted, that the conduct of Great-Britain towards us and other neutral powers has been at no period so exceptionable, as that of France at the present juncture. A more distinct view of this truth may be useful, which will be assisted by a retrospect of the principal acts of violation on both sides. Tho the circumstance was cotemporarily disclosed in all of our newspapers, yet so blind...
18To Alexander Hamilton from William Hamilton, 10 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Greenock, Scotland, March 10, 1797. On May 2, 1797, Hamilton wrote to William Hamilton : “Some days since I received with great pleasure your letter of the 10th of March.” Letter not found. ] William Hamilton was H’s uncle .
19From Alexander Hamilton to William Tilghman, 10 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 10, 1797. “… You will oblige me by letting me know what have been the laws & practice of Maryland with regard to naturalization—pointing me to the parts of its Constitution & laws which respect the subject. I have under consideration an important question of Insurance in which this inquiry is necessary.” ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Tilghman was born...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 9 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment received yours of yesterday with the deed to Mr Cottringer for which accept my thanks. Mr Ralph Mather the last endorser of the bill on which Mr Bridgon threatens to bring suit, has opened a negotiation here with Mr Nicholson respecting it, and as I hope an arrangement will be made so as to satisfy the owners of sd Bill you will be good enough to prevail on them to wait the...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 8 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 28 ulto. the Bank of England stopped payment in Specie. And since every Bank in Great Britain has followed the Example; the Directors say the Bank is more than Solvent, exclusive of their capital Stock invested in the Funds. Committees of the two House of Parliament, which have examined the affairs of the Bank, confirm by their Report the Declaration of the Directors, and Associations...
22To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 8 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
You have herewith the Copy of a letter from Mr Bridgen to me & my reply which you will cause to be delivered, if they will apply to Mr Nicholson the business will be accomplished with him but if they possitively will not, I must request you to adjust the matter on my behalf on the best terms & longest time you can obtain. I am impatiently waiting an Answer to my last letter on the business...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 8 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 8, 1797. On March 9, 1797, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “I have this moment received yours of yesterday.” Letter not found. ]
24Bill from James Robinson, [7 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
1796 Augt: 13th Alexander Hamilton Esqr: To James Robinson for fence 42 boards @ 1/ £2–2. 32 half Do: @ /6d 16. 18 posts @ 2/ and 12 lb Nails @ ½ 2–10. 7 days Labour carpenters @ 11/ 3–17. 4 Loads cartage @ 2/ 8. £9–13 Received New York March 7. 179[7] of Alexander Hamilton the amount of the above account being for the use of the lot of John Barker Church in broad way. DS , Hamilton Papers,...
25To Alexander Hamilton from William Patterson, 5 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Kingston ] Ulster County [ New York ], March 5, 1797 . “As you are the only persen I think I Can with Safty apply too to assist me in giting my Militerie Lot as it is well known I have faithfull Served my Country it gives me the more Confidence to Crave your assistance. I must inform you that I have found my Discharge and have it Now in my Possession. I have found Blanchar the Person who...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 3 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
On the day I wrote you last, Mr Westerloe left at my House Yours of the 23d. I expect the pleasure of his company soon. I hope Mr Bridgon’s Clients will as was proposed in my last letter to you come or send to Mr Nicholson who is disposed to put their demand upon the most satisfactory footing in his power, & I expect the business may be so settled as that the Money will be forth coming sooner...
27From Alexander Hamilton to William Beekman, [1 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 1, 1797. ] “Having reconsidered the case of your Uncle (Wm. Beekman’s) Will with the authorities—I advise the Devisees to claim all that by the Partition became his several property & which in my former opinion with Mr. Evertson was considered as passing by his Will, not merely a proportion equal to his interest before Partition in the part which remained to him after...
28To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 27 February 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Tilghman authorizes me to tell you that our Law respecting endorsements is exactly the same as the Law of England & that 20 ⅌ Ct is the Amot of Damages on protested Bills drawn here upon Europe. Mr. Nicholson is returned to this City & I think the holders of his bill should Apply to him for payment. I think he would make some arrangement with them so as to secure the payment and allow...
29The Warning No. IV, [27 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The emissaries of France when driven from every other expedient for extenuating her depredations have a last refuge in the example of Great Britain. The Treatment which we receive from France (say they) is not worse than that which was received from Great Britain. If this apology were founded in fact it would still be a miserable subterfuge. For what excuse is it to France, or what consolation...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [26 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The present inimitable course of our public affairs proves me to be a very bad politician so that I am afraid to suggest any idea that occurs to me. Yet I will give over my timidity & communicate for your consideration a reverie which has struck me. It is a fact, that the resentment of the French Government is very much levelled at the actual President. A change of the person (however...
31From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 23 February 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 23, 1797. On March 3, 1797, Morris wrote to Hamilton and referred to “Yours of the 23d.” Letter not found. ]
32To Alexander Hamilton from Gerard Bancker and Philip Livingston, 22 February 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 22, 1797. “In our Character of Executors, we are Trustees for a Number of persons who do not think the Claims of Mr. & Mrs. Ricketts well founded, and who would suppose us blameable, if we afforded them any Facilities, Whatever therefore may be our own inclinations, we are advised to put the Claimants to their Bill for discovery, and to submit ourselves to the Chancellor,...
33The Warning No. III, [21 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
The Paris Accounts inform us that France has lately exercised towards Genoa an act of atrocious oppression, which is an additional and a striking indication of the domineering and predatory Spirit by which she is governed. This little Republic, whose territory scarcely extends beyond the walls of her metropolis, has been compelled, it seems, to ransom herself from the talons of France by a...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [17 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I groan My Dr. Sir at the disgraceful course of our affairs. I pity all those who are officially in their vortex. The behaviour of Congress in the present crisis is a new political phœnomenon. They must be severally arraigned before the Bar of the Public. How unfortunate that our friends suffer themselves by their passiveness to be confounded in the guilt. Yrs. truly ALS , Connecticut...
35From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [15 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Geave me leave to recall to your recollection and acquaintance Mr. De Talon the bearer of this, who, as he informs me, goes to Europe on private business. I need not observe that he is an interesting man, as you know all his titles to the attention, which your situation will permit you to afford. You must not think, I forget you, because I do no write (for this is only my third letter). I am...
36From Alexander Hamilton to Hall and Stimpson, 11 February 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 11, 1797. “The suits against Riley as a Partner of Wetmore are expected to be matured for Trial at the ensuing Circuit Court which begins the 20th of March. I should of course want the original documents to establish the Copartnership and the original notes & acknowleged accounts to establish the respective demands of the parties. As the measures preparatory to Trial are...
37From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [10 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
If I recollect right, Chancellor Livingston while Secy for foreign Affairs reported a censure upon Our Commissioners who made the peace with G Britain for not obeying their instructions with regard to France. Will you favour me in confidence with the real state of this business? I was at the time a member of Congress. It was immediately on the arrival of the provisional articles. I trust my...
38To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 9 February 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favour of the 4th only reached me Yesterday. I will get Mr Tilghman or Mr Lewis to write to you on the point you desire. In the mean time as I am anxious to have the Land business settled, I think it best to have the papers assigned to Mr Garrett Cottringer in such manner as to Vest him with the right for the present and as that he may release or convey to me my or my order hereafter. The...
39The Warning No. II, [7 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Independent of the commands of honor, the coolest calculations of interest forbid our becoming the instruments of the Ambition of France, by associating with her in the War. The question is no longer the establishment of liberty on the basis of Republican Government. This point, the enemies of France have ceased to dispute. The question now is whether she shall be aggrandized by new...
40To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 6 February 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your Letter of the 16. of Decr. and I need not express the Satisfaction which the information that it contained afforded me, the Probable termination of the Election of Pr. the general Temper of the Country, & the Effect likely to be produced by Mr. Adet’s notes are such as I had not only hoped but expected; if by prudence & Firmness, which have hitherto kept...
41From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [6 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 23 of Jany with its inclosure, for which I am much obliged to you. I have read it with great pleasure. It is a substantial satisfactory paper will do good in this Country & as to France I presume events will govern there. Is it not proper to call upon the Merchants to furnish your Department with statements & proofs of the spoliations which we have suffered...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, [4 February 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, February 4, 1797. Letter not found. ] Letter listed in Rufus King’s “Memorandum of private Letters, &c., dates & persons, from 1796 to Augt 1802,” owned by Mr. James G. King, New York City.
43From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 4 February 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 4, 1797. On February 9, 1797, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “Your favour of the 4th only reached me Yesterday.” Letter not found. ]
44To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 1796–January 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 1796–January, 1797. At this time, McHenry “suggested to Hamilton the establishment of a permanent navy yard, and enclosed a draft of his departmental report in which he tried not to censure his predecessors.” Letter not found. ] Steiner, James McHenry Bernard C. Steiner, The Life and Correspondence of James McHenry (Cleveland, 1907). , 180, note 1. Although Steiner dates this...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have been reading the report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the subject of direct taxes. I think it does him credit. The general principles and objects are certainly good. Nor am I sure that any thing better can be done. I remember, however, that I once promised you to put in writing my ideas on the subject. I intended to have done it and communicated them to the Secretary. My hurry &...
46Enclosure: [Ideas on the Subject of Direct Taxes], [January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
A Million of Dollars per annum to be raised on buildings and lands on the following plan I Upon inhabited dwelling houses thus— Upon every such house of the description and denomination of a log house at the rate of 20 Cents for each room or apartment thereof exclusive of Garret & Cellar Upon every other inhabited dwelling house of two rooms or apartments, exclusive of Halls or Entries...
47From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [25–31 January 1797] (Hamilton 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...
48From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [31 January 1797] (Hamilton 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 (Walker’s 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...
49To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 30 January 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I am sorry to have so long delayed an answer to your letter of the 23d. but we have been unusually occupied, and the decrees you referred to were not readily found: that of the 28th of May 1793 I have now discovered in a printed volume of the proceedings of the Convention for that month. So I now inclose you copies— 1st of the decree of May 9th 1793, violating our treaty, by rendering neutral...
50To Alexander Hamilton from John Dunn, 28 January 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Dublin [ Ireland ] January 28, 1797. “I take the liberty of enclosing to you an account current furnished to me by Mr. John Barclay of Philadelphia relative to a fund in his hands by me anxiously desired to be entrusted to your care—A late account of some unfortunate circumstances occurring in Mr. Barclay’s affairs makes me anxious in the extreme that the Property in his hands should be...