31To Alexander Hamilton from Amanda Coe, 2 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, September 2, 179 ⟨ 6 ⟩. Encloses ten dollars and asks for Hamilton’s assistance in securing her release from prison. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Amanda Coe had been found guilty of forgery in the New York Supreme Court in May, 1796. Soon afterwards the Court made the following ruling: “The people vs. Amanda Coe. On Conviction of Felony, Forgery & uttering &c. The...
32To 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...
33To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 17 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, May 17, 1796. On May 31, 1796, Coxe wrote to Hamilton and referred to “my Letter of the 17th. inst.” Letter not found. ] Coxe, who had been first a Loyalist and then a Patriot during the American Revolution, was a member of the Continental Congress in 1787 and 1788, Assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury from 1790 until the abolition of that office in 1792, and commissioner...
34To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, [12 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Owing to the absence of Mr Whelen the matter with his concern was not settled till just before my late illness. I am now just getting out. The Pattersons take back their balance, about 10,000 Ds in their Lands and we take a moiety of the remainder. Out of these Mr Church will have to the amount of his remaining 17¾ tracts, taking none but what have been ours, and by a fair draughting Lot. I...
35To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 31 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Whelen & I do not understand that he had made a proposition to you to let Mr. Church take back what remains in their Hands of Mr. Church’s original interest in the lands sold him & Company. You will find on a revision of my Letter of the 17th. inst. that it does not convey that Idea and you will perceive on reflection that it could not. The matter stood thus. When you were here at the...
36To Alexander Hamilton from John Browne Cutting, 16 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 16, 1796. “You were good enough to offer me last Decr. what I little thought I should have occasion to accept in May—letters to any of your friends in Congress. Business of greater moment than my claim has incessantly occupied the Secretary of State ever since the documents that support it have been in his possession.… I therefore presume to request of you a single line to...
37To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Dayton, 15 January 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, January 15, 1796. “Your letter of the 4th is before me.… There cannot, I presume, exist a doubt as to my right to a portion of the Certificates alluded to in your letter.… Mr Stevens the elder declared before his death to my father that he would transfer them to me.… The short Interrogatory respecting our political prospect with which you conclude your letter, cannot be answered...
38Enclosure: Jonathan Dayton to Theodore Sedgwick, [12 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I cannot forbear my dear friend to congratulate you on your appointment to a seat in the Senate, altho it is impossible for me not to lament your separation from the House of Representatives where you could have been more useful. I know you too well to suppose that you can regard with indifference the preparations which are making for the approaching election of a President. Is not the success...
39Enclosure: Jonathan Dayton to Theodore Sedgwick, [13 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
This will be delivered to you by a young man who was going to transact some business up the North river, & whom, since writing the other letter, I have engaged to call upon you with it, & to bring me your answer. Every moments reflection serves only to impress me more with the importance of our fixing upon some plan of cooperation to defeat the designs of Mr. J——’s friends. If Mr. A. cannot...
40To Alexander Hamilton from Germain Pierre Decrosses, 16 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 16, 1796. “j’ai eu l’honneur de me presenter chez vous ce matin, mais je nai pas eu celui de vous y rencontrer. je quitte sous huit-jours cette terre hospitaliére pour aller dans un pays ou se trouvent réunis tous les fléaux qui peuvent affliger l’humanité. des raisons d’une grande importance me font desirer d’être recû citoyen americain. je suis resident ici dans cette ville...
41Account with Archibald Drummond, 4 October 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Col: Hamilton To Archibd Drummond, Dr. 1795 Decr. 22d. 1 large slate 4/6 £ “ 2 Pencils 2/6 1 Copy 2/0 11.6 1 Ashes Grammr. 2/6 24 1 Espinasses 1.18 . 4 papers ink powdr.
42To Alexander Hamilton from William Duer, 2 January 179[6] (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 2, 179 [ 6 .] “Will you pardon me, my dear Sir, in requesting of you if you can make it Convenient, a second Loan of Fifty Dollars in the Course Ten Days. I shall be able to return it to you, and first Fifty you was kind Enough lend me.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Duer, a prominent New York City businessman and speculator, had served as Assistant to the...
43To 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...
44Federal Republican, [12 December 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
For the Minerva. To the Citizens of New-York. Fellow Citizens, Elections in Republics are always of importance. The approaching one may with truth be said to be peculiarly so. No one can doubt that the steady and prosperous course of our government, hitherto is very much owing to the well deserved weight and influence of the excellent and beloved patriot, who now fills the presidential chair,...
45To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Fleury, 28 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I hope you have not quitte forgotten an old friend of yours; almost escaped to the misfortunes of our bloody revolution. I have preserved till now my head, but lost the greatest part of my fortune, and my most assured and important propriety is now, what is due to me by the united states. Till the year 1789 I have touched at paris, by the hands of their banker grand the interests of what was...
46To Alexander Hamilton from John C. Glover, 16 November 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, November 16, 1796. Asks what action should be taken in regard to damages “sustained” by the ship Mary “in case the Broker will not pay the damages when due.” L, in the handwriting of Richard Hughes, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Glover was a New York City merchant. John Henry, an insurance broker. Under the date of November 12, 1796, the following entry appears in H’s Cash...
47To Alexander Hamilton from Peter Goelet, 27 June 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
According to Your Request I have examind the Accounts and find that You paid the first Instalment on the 17 of December 1795 £ 605.13.4 is 1514.18 The Second payment on the 6 April 1796 £605.13.4 Int £14.2.4 is 619.15.9 1549.47 £ 1225.9.2 Ds 3063.65 With Sentiments of Respect I am Sir Your Most Humble Servant Copy, Miscellaneous Chancery Papers, American Iron Company, Clerk of the Court of...
48To Alexander Hamilton from Peter Goelet, 25 June 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I have found Your Deeds for the Lands You Mentioned but no Receipt or other Papers with it. Inclosed have a Copy of that part of the Conditions of the Sales You Request. I am with Respt S Y Vy Copy, Miscellaneous Chancery Papers, American Iron Company, Clerk of the Court of Appeals, Albany, on deposit at Queens College, New York City. For an explanation of the contents of this letter, see the...
49Receipt from Peter Goelet, [4 October 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Received New York Octo 4 1796 of Alexander Hambleton Esqr. Six Hundered and fourty One pounds being principle and Interest on the third Instalment of the Purches Money for Lands bught at Acction belonging to the American Iron Company as mentioned in the Receipt of the first payment. £641 Copy, Miscellaneous Chancery Papers, American Iron Company, Clerk of the Court of Appeals, Albany, on...
50To Alexander Hamilton from William Greene, 9 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 9, 1796. States his determination to abide by whatever opinion Hamilton “should form” in “the case of Messr. John Calogan & Sons.” Discusses his dispute with the firm of Shaw and Randall over a cargo of wine and the writ issued against him for £10,000 damages. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Greene, a native of England, was a New York City merchant with an extensive...
51To Alexander Hamilton from James Greenleaf, 27 July 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
The indispensible necessity of an immediate tho’ short respite from business united with Motives of Interest and an unbounded Attachment to reputation induce me to make a proposition to you of a pretty extraordinary Nature but which after due Reflection I flatter myself will be deemed not unworthy your Attention. My engagements of every possible Nature do not exceed Twelve Hundred Thousand...
52To Alexander Hamilton from James Greenleaf, 30 July 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I must leave the City for Philada on Monday, to return in about a week—if before my departure you can with convenience give an answer on the proposition made to you, it will oblige me. If the general principle marked by me should meet your approbation, I shall have no objection to making very important alterations to square with your wishes relative to the pursuit of other objects. believe me...
53To Alexander Hamilton from Hall and Stimpson, 20 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, September 20, 1796. On October 24, 1796, Hall and Stimpson wrote to Hamilton : “We wrote you the 20th. Septr.” Letter not found. ] James Hall and Charles Stimpson were partners in a mercantile firm located at No. 67, Long Wharf, Boston.
54To Alexander Hamilton from Hall and Stimpson, 24 October 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, October 24, 1796. “We wrote you the 20th. Septr. respecting the cause that was left in your hands by Mr Stimpson against Mr Isaac Riley as a partner of Seth Wetmore; but not having heard from you respecting it and there being a report that you have since been engaged in behalf of Riley—the Gentlemen who are Creditors here and have supposed that you was taking the necessary steps of the...
55From 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...
56From 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...
57From 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...
58From 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...
59From 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...
60From 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...
61From 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...
62From Alexander Hamilton to Phineas Bond, 15 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Two days since a letter was delivered to me with a declaration of the bearer that it came from Mr. Lyston. On opening the cover, I found nothing except a letter from Capt Cochran (which though not addressed would appear to have been written to some public agent of Great Britain) and a declaration of David Wilson and Thomas Marshall respecting the ship Eliza . The superscription of the packet...
63From Alexander Hamilton to James Greenleaf, 30 July 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I have carefully reflected upon the subject of your letter of the 27th. instant. Though the data which it presents authorise an expectation of large pecuniary advantage and though I discover nothing in the affair which an Individual differently circumstanced might not with propriety enter into—yet in my peculiar situation, viewed in all its public as well as personal relations, I think myself...
64From Alexander Hamilton to John Marshall, 14 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York April 14, 1796. On April 25, 1796, Marshall wrote to Hamilton : “Yours of the 14th only reached me by the mail of this evening.” Letter not found. ] Marshall was practicing law in Richmond, Virginia, at this time. In February, 1796, he had made his first and only appearance before the Supreme Court of the United States as an advocate for the defendant in the case of Ware v Hylton ,...
65From Alexander Hamilton to Hall and Stimpson, 5 November 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 5, 1796. On the back of a letter from Hall and Stimpson, dated October 24, 1796 , Hamilton wrote: “Answered Nov 5, 1796.” Letter not found. ]
66From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 8 November 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
A few days since I wrote you my opinion concerning the good policy of supporting faithfully Pinckney as well as Adams . The following extract of a letter from Mr. Wolcott of the 6th instant serves to confirm it— “The Fœderal Ticket is lost in this State. There are still hopes that Mr. Adams will be elected but nothing more. I hope Mr. Pinckney will be supported as the next best thing which can...
67From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [16 June 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received information this morning of a nature which I think you ought to receive without delay. A Mr. Le Guen , a Frenchman, a client of mine and in whom I have inspired confidence, and who is apparently a discreet and decent man, called on me this morning to consult me on the expediency of his becoming naturalized, in order that certain events between France and the U States might not...
68From 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...
69Receipt to Pierre Van Cortlandt, Junior, [17 June 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Received of Pierre Van Cortlandt Jun Esqr Two hundred Dollars on account of his fathers bond. ADS , Mrs. Robert Crimmins, Darien, Connecticut. Van Cortlandt, son of the first lieutenant governor of New York, had studied law in H’s law office. See H’s Cash Book, March 1, 1782–1791, note 3 . He was a member of the New York Assembly from Westchester County in 1792, 1794, and 1795. An entry in H’s...
70From Alexander Hamilton to Herman LeRoy, William Bayard, and James McEvers, 16 December 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 16, 1796. Discusses the Holland Land Company’s interest in Robert Morris’s proposed negotiations with the Seneca Indians. ALS , Gemeentearchief Amsterdam, Holland Land Company. These documents were transferred in 1964 from the Nederlandsch Economisch-Historisch Archief, Amsterdam. LeRoy, Bayard, and McEvers were partners in a New York City mercantile firm which represented...
71From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 28 December 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I received yesterday your’s by Post, which I communicated immediately to the Directors of both Banks, that is, so much as concerned each party. It has been very consolatory to the Bank of New York & will do good. All will be well. Mr. Alexander McComb applied, while I was in Office, respecting some land he & Edgar had purchased of the Public and on which they had made a partial payment which...
72From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [28 July 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have not lost sight of the negotiation with the Bank though it labours & I have thought it best to let it lie bye till the President returns. Mc.Cormick is violent against it & plays on little jealousies, & what is still more efficacious private interests; representing the consequent inability of the Bank to accommodate the Merchants, many of whom from the unfortunate issue of some late...
73From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 30 July 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I had written you a short line previous to the Receipt of your letter of the 26th to which indeed I can add nothing material. It will, as things stand, be imprudent to push the point of a further loan till the President arrives —for though a majority of the Directors are well disposed to the thing, they are afraid of McCormick’s clamours and want the sanction of the President to controul &...
74From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Harison, 17 May [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] May 17 [ 1796 ]. “I have seen Mr. Blanchard. He will do what we talked of, except as to the loan of the further sum, which he intirely declines. I will thank you to send for Bouvier and ascertain his final determination; in order that it may be known whether hostilities must ensue or not.…” ALS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. Richard Harison was United States...
75From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, [10 November 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 10, 1796. On November 19, 1796, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “I … find your letter of the 10 Inst.” Letter not found. ]
76From Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Church, [19–20 June 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
If you knew the power you have to make happy You would lose no opportunity of writing to Betsey & me; for we literally feast on your letters. But our impatience increases as the prospect becomes more promising; and you must permit us ever to chide Mr. Church for his tardiness. Expectations must be converted into realities. Life is too short to warrant procrasti[nati]on of the most favourite...
77From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [21 December 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I did not understand by your letter of the 17th. of November whether you meant or not to authorise the immediate commencement of the sale of Stock. If you think this measure will become indispensable, it may be well to anticipate the execution; though indeed sales of Stock are at this juncture nearly impracticable. Yet I imagine it will be agreeable to the Bank to have permission to...
78From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Poor Duer has now had a long & severe confinement—Such as would be adequate for no trifling crime. I am well aware of all the blame to which he is liable and do not mean to be his apologist—though I believe he has been as much the dupe of his own imagination as others have been the victims of his projects. But what then? He is a man—he is a man with whom we have both been in habits of friendly...
79From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 21 September 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Some time since Mr. McCormick spoke to me about the case of his Kinsman Mr. Pitcairn whom Mr. Monroe had prevented from exercising the functions of Consul. I can, in justice, inform you that this Gentleman is well considered in our City and that his political principles have been understood to be very friendly to the French Revolution; nor have we any doubt that his sentiments towards our own...
80From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Williamson, [17–30 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Some arrangements which I have lately made with Robert Morris Esquire for the benefit of my Brother in Law Mr. Church render it interest⟨ing⟩ to me to know from you the precise extent of the Western line of the tract of land you purchased of that Gentleman—I mean a line which was run from the Pensylvania line to Lake Ontario—by whom it was run, how far the accuracy of it may be depended...