1To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 8 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Your note of the 5th. instant accompanying the information given to you by G.—— M.—— on the 4th. of March, came safe on friday. The letter he refers to, as having been written to me, is not yet received; but others from Mr. Monroe of similar complexion, and almost of as imperious a tone from that government, have got to hand. That justice & policy should dictate the measures with which we are...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 27 October 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 17th instant found me at Albany attending the Supreme Court. I have no copy of the Treaty with G B at hand, but I am well satisfied from memory that the true interpretation of that Treaty, enforcing in this respect the true Rule of neutrality, forbids our permitting the sale of a prize taken & brought in by a French National Ship, equally as if by a Privateer —and that the...
3From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 9 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
It gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity of announcing to you one whom I know to be so interesting to You as the bearer of this Mr. Motier La Fayette. I allow myself to share by anticipation the satisfaction which the Meeting will afford to all the parties—the more, as I am persuased, that time will confirm the favourable representation I have made of the person & justify the...
4To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 3 November 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
After my letter of yesterday was despatched to you, the draught of the answer to Mr. Adet was presented for my approbation, with the opinions of the Gentlemen about me, that it would be expedient to publish it, and without delay. It appeared also, by information from the Secretary of State, that as far as public opinion had been expressed on the occasion, that this measure was looked to, &...
5Introductory Note: From Robert Morris, [27 April 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
This letter is the first in Morris’s correspondence with Hamilton that refers to a debt which Benjamin Walker was trying to collect from Morris. Hamilton became involved in this matter because both men consulted him about it on more than one occasion and because the debt in question became inextricably intertwined in Morris’s efforts to pay a debt which he owed to John B. Church, who was the...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 9 June 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I called at your house the morning of my departure but you was not then up. While I was in the City we had a little conversation concerning an affair of an arrangement with Swan for effecting a remittance to Holland. I intended to have resumed it for two reasons, one because it has been represented to the disadvantage of the Conduct of the Treasury, another because Swan who lodged at the same...
7To Alexander Hamilton from Gerrit Boon, 26 January 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Oldenbarneveld [ New York ] January 26, 1797. Discusses the case of Herman LeRoy, William Bayard, and Boon v Peter Servis and others . ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Boon, a native of the Netherlands, was an agent of the six Dutch banking firms which formed the Holland Land Company on February 13, 1796. H was an attorney for the company. For background to this letter, see...
8To Alexander Hamilton from Edward Stevens, [7 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Almost ever since your Departure I have been confined to my Chamber by a severe and obstinate Catarrh. Tho’ much better, at present, my Health is still so much deranged, that I dread encountering the Warmth of the Summer Months in this City. I have therefore, determined to take a Voyage to Sea, and as I shall visit St. Croix, before my Return, Mrs. Stevens has concluded to accompany me with...
9To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 8 December 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I intended to have sent you Bank notes. Disappointments which are in this City day by day happening have prevented, but the above draft of Joseph Higbie in favor of Garrett Cottringer for $1000 will be honored and you can have it discounted, so that I hope this Remittance will answer the Purpose and you will Credit me for the same. I am truly Yrs J Higbies draft 8 Decr at 30 ds on Robinson &...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 2 May [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed letter will give you all the information that we have on the Subject to wh. it relates. It seems problematical whether PH. can be induced to agree in the arrangement —some circumstances of which I have lately heard incline me to believe that he will not. Our session will close by the first of June provided no farther impediment is thrown in the way of the Provision for giving...
11[From Alexander Hamilton to the Citizens of New-York], [13 December 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The [New York] Argus. Greenleaf’s New Daily Advertiser , December 27, 1796. In reprinting this handbill signed by “A True American,” the Argus stated that on December 13, 1796, “three thousand of the following hand-bill were slily pushed under the knockers and doors of the citizens under cover of the darkness of the night.” The Argus suggests, but does not categorically state, that H wrote...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas FitzSimons, 4 February 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 4, 1796. Hamilton endorsed a letter from FitzSimons dated December 17, 1795 : “Ansr. Feby. 4 179[6] agreeing & naming Mr. Lewis —Referees to decide as Judges in Chancellory Law & Fact.” Letter not found. ] FitzSimons, a native of Ireland, was a Philadelphia merchant. He was a Federalist member of the House of Representatives from 1789 to 1795. This is presumably a...
13To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 6 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 6, 1796. Second letter of September 6 not found. ] In the “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries, two letters from Washington to H September 6, 1796, are listed.
14To Alexander Hamilton from Angelica Church, [19 February 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letters of January the 13th are received but no plan of the lot, and no description of the house. I am sensible how much I trouble I give you, but you will have the goodness to excuse it, when you know that it proceeded from a persuasion that I was asking from one who promised me his love and attention if I returned to America; If friendship is only a name, for what do I exchange ease and...
15To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 11 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Immediately after the publication of the Letter from the french Government to their Minister Barthelemi at Basle, announcing their determination to seize the cargoes of neutral vessels destined to the English Ports, I wrote to Mr. Monroe informing him that the Br. Gov. disavowed the having issued any recent order for the capture of neutral Cargoes bound to french Ports as alledged in the...
16To 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...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [21 July 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I communicated your letter to Mr. Jay & now give you our joint sense. Considering the nature of the transaction and what must necessarily have been presumed to be the intent, & that the authority is on a public subject & between two nations, we think that a decision by two out of three commissioners must be sufficient. We know nothing but an immediate personal interest in property which may be...
18To 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...
19To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 10 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter dated April 9th. but which was written yesterday, I presume, came to hand this Morning and I have since the receipt of it and of one from Colo Ogden seen Colo Walker who tells me that he left power with you to adjust with the latter the business of the Mortgage formerly granted by me to Colo W. Smith on behalf of Mr Pulteney &c., therefore I presume it has been settled in some way...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Fisher Ames, 13–14 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 13–14, 1796. On April 15, 1796, Hamilton wrote to Rufus King and referred to “A letter by yesterday’s Post from our Friend Ames. Letter not found. ] Ames was a Federalist member of the House of Representatives from Massachusetts.
21To Alexander Hamilton from Robert G. Harper, 4 November 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
In passing thro’ this state, My dear sir, and South Carolina, I have taken some pains to ascertain the state of public opinion respecting the leading points of federal politicks, and have enjoyed considerable opportunities of doing so, particularly in the latter state. I believe it will not be disagreeable or wasteful to you to hear the result. I do not believe the states east of the Hudson...
22To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Cowper, 16 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
About three weeks past I Recd two letters, one from the post Master of Philadelphia Coining one bearing the Signature of A. Hamilton True Copy of which I now Send you with the Deposistion of Caleb Haskins who Recd the letters at Suffolk and dld. them to Robert Patton post master Philadelphia. Also Send you Copys two others which Came at the Same time and was Conveyed to Philadelphia and back...
23To Alexander Hamilton from John Lowell, Junior, 15 June 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, June 15, 1796. An entry in H’s Law Register, 1795–1804, under the date of June 20, 1796, reads: “See Letter Lowel June 15.” Letter not found. ] Lowell was a Boston attorney and the son of John Lowell, United States judge for the District of Massachusetts. For background to this letter, see Lowell to H, December 19, 1795 . AD , partially in H’s handwriting, New York Law Institute, New...
24To 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...
25To Alexander Hamilton from Walter Livingston, 17 June 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Livingston Manor, New York ] June 17, 1796 . “In examining my fathers papers yesterday I found a receipt of yours in the following words Viz. Received New York June 8. 1786 of Robert C. Livingston Esquire Twenty five Dollars as a retainer for the Manor of Livingston. Alex Hamilton. I have taken the liberty to mention this because my brother, Henry who is gone down with an intention to...
26To 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.
27From Alexander Hamilton to William Cooper, [16 December 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter with a Post note of a thousand dollars on account of the Mortgage of the lands formerly Holkers in which Mr. Church is interested. The papers respecting this affair in my possession will be looked up & sent to Mr. Laurance by Mondays Post. This letter will serve you as a Receipt. Yrs. truly ALS , from a typescript furnished by an anonymous donor. Cooper, the founder...
28To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 13 February 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
In the moment I was closing & dispatching my letters to the Post Office, I learnt from the Attorney General of the U.S. that you would be here on the 17th. My mind being continually uneasy on Acct. of Young Fayette, I cannot but wish (if this letter should reach you in time, and no reasons stronger than what have occurred against it) that you would request him, and his Tuter, to come on to...
29From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 8 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 6th. by the bearer. The draft was sent forward by Post on Tuesday. I shall prepare a paragraph with respect to the University & some others for consideration respecting other points which have occured. With true respect & attachment I have the honor to be Sir Yr. very obed serv ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library. For background to this letter, see...
30To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 3 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Charleston, South Carolina, March 3, 1796. On June 5, 1796, Pinckney wrote to Hamilton : “I wrote to you the 3d: of last March.” Letter not found. ]