61To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 1 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 1, 1796. On April 2, 1796, Hamilton wrote to King : “Thank you for yours of yesteday.” Letter not found. ]
62From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 2 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Thank you for yours of yesteday. I have no copy of the paper sent. The greatest part went in the original draft though considerably reformed according to joint ideas & somewhat strengthened by new thoughts. A letter I have received tells me that it came to hand after the ground which was acted upon had been formally considered & taken in Council & that it is reserved for future use in the...
63From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 2 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
The express is this morning gone off with your letter to Young LaFayette. I foresaw when in Philadelphia certain machinations on this subject. I rejoice in the decision you have come to, in regard to the papers. Whatever may happen, it is right in itself—will elevate the character of the President—and inspire confidence abroad. The contrary would have encouraged a spirit of usurpation the...
64Admission to Practice Law in the United States Circuit Court for the New York District in the Eastern Circuit, [6 April … (Hamilton Papers)
That Alexander Hamilton, Josiah Ogden Hoffman, Brockholst Livingston and Peter Stephen Du Ponceau be and they are hereby respectively admitted to practice as Counsellors of this Court. Whereupon they were respectively qualified as Counsellors and respectively subscribed the oath on the roll of Counsellors. D , RG 21, Minutes, Trial Notes, and Rolls of Attorneys of the United States Circuit...
65From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [8 April 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have done something but not what I intended. The sitting of two Courts & my professional engagements there prevent the execution of my plan. I no longer withold the paper lest circumstances should render it of any use. Most Affecy & resp ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. The New York Court of Chancery met in New York City on the last Tuesday in March; the New York Supreme Court...
66From 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...
67To Alexander Hamilton from Justus Erich Bollmann, 10 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 10, 1796. On April 13, 1796, Bollmann wrote to Hamilton : “A few days ago I had the pleasure to inclose You a copy of a letter which I had written to the President of the United States.” Letter not found. ] Bollmann to Washington, April 10, 1796 ( ALS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress).
68To 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.
69To Alexander Hamilton from Justus Erich Bollmann, 13 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
A few days ago I had the pleasure to inclose You a copy of a letter which I had written to the President of the United States. In consequence of that I was called on Friday last to the State office, where Mr. Pickering told me that the President had some inclination to make a new effort to relieve the Marquis, and desired me at the same time to communicate to him by writing my Ideas on this...
70From 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 ,...
71From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 15 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
A letter by yesterday’s Post from our Friend Ames informed me that the Majority (57 concurring) had resolved in a private Meeting to refuse appropriations for the Treaty. A most important crisis ensues. Great evils may result unless good men play their card well & with promptitude and decision. For we must seize and carry along with us the public opinion—& loss of time may be loss of...
72To 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...
73To 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...
74To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 17[–18] April [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
In general I agree in the Course you recommend. Separate Bills will be reported to the House this morning, providing for the Sp. Ind. & Alg. Treaties—they will pass the H. and be sent to the Senate by the middle of the week. I percive no impropriety in adding to the first of these Bills recived by the Senate, and in succession to each of them if requisite, a Provision for the Br. Treaty. Such...
75From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 18 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your letter received to day. Our Merchants here are not less alarmed than those of Philadelphia & will do all they can. All the insurance people meet to day. The Merchants & Traders will meet tomorrow or the next day. A Petition will be prepared & circulated among the other citizens. I regret that a certain communication was not made. Indeed I think the Executive will be...
76To Alexander Hamilton from Woodbury Langdon, 18 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth [ New Hampshire ] April 18, 1796 . “I conceive it will be necessary for you to have the original note which I hold against Michael Wentworth deceased, in order to settle matters with Mr. Edward Goold. I intended to have left it with you on my return from Philadelphia, but forgot it when I was with you last.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Langdon was a Portsmouth, New...
77To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 18 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 18, 1796. On April 20, 1796, Hamilton wrote to Wolcott : “I have received your letter of the 18th. instant.” Letter not found. ]
78To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 20 April [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The Petitions of the Merchants and others will be printed today, and it is said they have been signed by almost every Merchant & Trader in the City —Pettit, Barclay, & some few others are exceptions. A counter Petition has been very industriously carried through the City and its Suburbs; and though very few merchants, Traders, or principal mechanicks have signed it, it will shew a long...
79From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [20 April 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterdays Post brought me a letter from you which gave me pleasure. The papers will apprize you of the proceedings of the Merchants & Traders here on yesterday. There is among them also “unexampled unanimity” & as far as I can judge the current is in our favour throughout the City. Persons to day are going through the different wards. Yrs. sincerely P.S. Our friends in the House will do well...
80From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 20 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 18th. instant. The money paid me for you shall be placed to your Credit in the Office of Discount & Deposit as you desire. The British Ministry are as great fools, or as great rascals, as our Jacobins—else our Commerce would not continue to be distressed as it is by their Cruisers, nor would the Executive be embarrassed as it now is by the new proposition....
81From Alexander Hamilton to the Citizens Who Shall be Convened This Day in the Fields in the City of New York, [22 April … (Hamilton Papers)
You have been called together by a description, which necessarily makes your meeting a partial one and excludes a great proportion of your Fellow Citizens, that is as those “who are determined to support the Constitution of the United States, and approve of the proceedings of the House of Representatives with regard to the British Treaty .” As to the first part of the description, those “who...
82To Alexander Hamilton from Walter Livingston, 22 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Livingston Manor [ New York ] April 22, 1796 . Asks Hamilton to serve as his attorney in a suit against “the Executors of my late brother Robt. C. L. for the recovery of my ⅓ of three Bonds given to him by Mr. Robt. Morris for £3333 23/68 pensy. Curry. each—as a doceur for not biding for the Lands held by Massachusets in this State.… to Consult with Mr. Saml. Jones, respecting the Action...
83From Alexander Hamilton to Fisher Ames, 23 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 23, 1796. On April 23, 1796, Hamilton wrote to Rufus King : “I have written to Ames this day.” Letter not found. ]
84From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [23 April 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your two letters & shall this day attend to the one which requires it. I see however no objection to it as it stands & I do not now perceive how the further object you aim at could be accomplished in the manner you seem to desire. I have written to Ames this day concerning the course of things in our City. He will communicate to you as, I have not time to repeat. We are...
85From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 24 April [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I return you a certain draft, with a little substitute for the close of it proposed by Mr. J—— with an eye to your suggestion. Our Petition went yesterday by express. It had more than 3200 signers which is within about 300 of the highest poll we ever had in this City on both sides , at the most controverted election. Nothing can more clearly demonstrate our unanimity & I feel no doubt of equal...
86To Alexander Hamilton from John Marshall, 25 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 14th only reachd me by the mail of this evening. I had been informed of the temper of the house of representatives & we had promptly taken such measures as appeard to us fitted to the occasion. We coud not venture an expression of the public mind under the violent prejudices with which it had been impressd, so long as a hope remaind that the house of representatives might...
87To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 25 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Unadvised of the measures pursuing at New York, relative to the treaty with Britain, It was not deemed prudent to convene the citizens here on the Subject, until we received information from your city. On Saturday morning the mail arrived, and the Herald announced what had been done —about forty Citizens were immediately convened, and unanimously agreed to petition in the words of the new York...
88To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Platt, 26 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 26, 1796. Asks Hamilton to join with his attorneys, Robert Troup and Brockholst Livingston, in a case before the New York Supreme Court on the following day. States that “The Amount of the Debt is too triffling to ask any interposition of you as Counsel, on the Defendant side, but the Consequences of it’s possible result may involve a Question of the first magnitude to all...
89To Alexander Hamilton from William Lewis, 27 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 27, 1796. On April 27, 1796, Robert Morris wrote to Hamilton : “Mr. Lewis … says he has written you two letters, the last of them this morning.” Letter of April 27 not found. ]
90Introductory 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...
91To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, [27 April 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter without date arrived within this half hour & in consequence I run down to Mr Lewis from whom I am just returned he says he has written you two letters, the last of them this morning & it was sent to the Post Office before I got there. If Mr Lewis does me justice he will tell you that I called on him more than once with a strong desire to finish the business. I am mortified not a...
92To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Rochefontaine, 28 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, April 28, 1796. Asks for Hamilton’s “advice in a very disagreeable case” concerning the aftermath of an abortive duel between Rochefontaine and Lieutenant William Wilson. Describes the case, his continuing difficulties with Wilson and other officers at West Point, and submits “a few Queries which I would wish you to favor with your opinion upon and as soon as convenient, in order...
93To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 29 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your favour of the 20th. The affair with Bond stands thus, & is truly attended with some perplexing circumstances. The communication states, that provisional orders have been given for the surrender of the Posts whenever the House of Representatives shall have indicated an intention to give effect to the Treaty & when an article shall have been negociated explanatory of the sense...
94To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 1 May [1796] (Hamilton Papers)
In committee of the whole on friday it was resolved by the casting vote of Muhlenburgh the chairman, to make provision by Law for carrying the Treaty with England into Effect. Yesterday the Resolution of the Committee of the whole was passed in the House by 51. against 48. A proposition to prefix to the Resolution a Preamble declaring the Treaty to be injurious to the Interest of the US. and...
95To 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...
96Enclosure: John Marshall to Rufus King, 19 April 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I pray you to excuse my seeming inattention to the subject alluded to in yours by the last mail. Having never been in habits of correspondence with Mr. H. I coud not by letter ask from him a decision on the proposition I was requested to make him without giving him at the same time a full statement of the whole conversation & of the persons with whom that conversation was held. In doing this I...
97To Alexander Hamilton from William Tatham, 2 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Being fully satisfied that the sentiments of our two very young Representitives in this Country holding the appointments of Charge de Affairs and Consul, of the United States are so different from those you have openly avowed that you will not be amongst the number of their correspondents, a knowledge of your public Character without a personal acquaintance induces me to communicate to you...
98To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 3 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
By a letter this moment received from Colo S. Ogden dated yesterday I learn that he was but then going to N York to accomplish the business I mentioned to you, the sale of 50,000 Acres of Genesee Lands in order to enable me to discharge Colo smiths mortgage. This done, I can give you the Security mentioned in my last and probably your influence with Mr Walker & Mr. seton may help in point of...
99From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [4 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last I have received two or three letters from you. The late turn of the Treaty question makes us all very happy. I hope no future embarrassment will arise. I am intirely of opinion that P.H declining Mr. P—— ought to be our man. It is even an idea of which I am fond in various lights. Indeed on latter reflection, I rather wish to be rid of P.H, that we may be at full liberty to take...
100To Alexander Hamilton from William Lewis, 4 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 4, 1796. “When I wrote you a few lines some days since I intended writing you more fully before this time, & this I should have done had I not soon after been informed by Mr. Morris that finding you to be very desirous to have security within the State of New York he had written to you offering you a security of lands within that state which he had no doubt but you would most...
101From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [5 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
After reading seal & hand on the inclosed. If such things are to be you cannot leave the Senate. Jay is against it at all events till the European storm is over. We must all think well of this business. Adieu Yours Affey Copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. The endorsement on this letter reads: “The enclosed letter was for the Pt. RK.” The enclosure was a letter from H to Washington,...
102From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [5 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The letter of which the inclosed is a copy contains such extraordinary matter that I could not hesitate to send it to you. The writer is Mr. G—— M——. I trust the information it conveys cannot be true; yet in these wild times every thing is possible. Your official information may serve as a comment. Very respectfully & affectly I have the honor to be Sir Yr Obed ser ALS , George Washington...
103To 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...
104To 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...
105From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 9 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 9, 1796. On May 10, 1796, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “Your letter dated April 9th. but which was written yesterday, I presume, came to hand this Morning.” [ Letter not found. ]
106To 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...
107From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [10 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a letter which I will thank you to hand to its destination. While I have my pen in my hand, give me leave to mention a particular subject to you. Mr. Pinckney, it is said, desires to return to the U States. In this case a successor will be wanted. If we had power to make a man for the purpose, we could not imagine a fitter than Mr. King . He is tired of the Senate & I fear will...
108To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Rochefontaine, 10 May 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point by Peekskill, May 10, 1796. “I have had the honor to transmit to you in the course of last week, a Letter detailing the affair which passed between Mr Wilson, a Lieut. in the Corps, and myself; the Injuries offered on both sides had been settled agreeably to the rules of honor adopted by gentlemen, and in consequence of a Particular agreement made by the two seconds; two days after...
109Introductory Note: To George Washington, [10 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The opening paragraph of this letter contains the first reference in Hamilton’s extant correspondence to the preparation of Washington’s Farewell Address. Washington first conceived of the idea of a valedictory address in 1792, when he thought that he would retire at the end of his first term in March, 1793. In May, 1792, he asked James Madison to draft a farewell address, and Madison complied...
110From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [10 May 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
When last in Philadelphia you mentioned to me your wish that I should re dress a certain paper which you had prepared. As it is important that a thing of this kind should be done with great care and much at leisure touched & retouched, I submit a wish that as soon as you have given it the body you mean it to have that it may be sent to me. A few days since I transmitted you the copy of a...