1The Defence No. XXXVI, [2 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
It is now time to fulfil my promise of an examination of the constitutionality of the Treaty. Of all the objections which have been contrived against this instrument, those relating to this point are the most futile. If there be a political problem capable of complete demonstration, the constitutionality of the Treaty in all its parts is of this sort. It is even difficult to believe that any...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Dayton, 4 January 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 4, 1796. On January 15, 1796, Dayton wrote to Hamilton : “Your letter of the 4th is before me.” Letter not found. ] Dayton, a veteran of the American Revolution, had served in the New Jersey Assembly in 1786, 1787, and 1790 and was a Federalist member of the House of Representatives from 1791 to 1799. Dayton was Speaker of the House from March 4, 1795, to March 3, 1799.
3From Alexander Hamilton to Jedidiah Morse, [4 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
You will confer a favour upon me by permitting me to render you the little service which may be in my power on the present occasion & without compensation. Be assured it will give real pleasure & let that be my recompence. Mr. Kent & I have conferred on your affair. It is necessary for us to see the book in question in order to a safe opinion. Can one be had? With respect & esteem Sir Your...
4The Defence No. XXXVII, [6 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
It shall now be shewn, that the objections to the Treaty founded on its pretended interference with the powers of Congress tend to render the Power of making Treaties in a very great degree if not altogether nominal. This will be best seen by an enumeration of the cases of pretended interference. I The power of Congress to lay taxes is said to be impaired by those stipulations which prevent...
5The Defence No. XXXVIII, [9 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The manner in which the power of Treaty as it exists in the Constitution was understood by the Convention, in framing it, and by the people in adopting it, is the point next to be considered. As to the sense of the Convention, the secrecy with which their deliberations were conducted does not permit any formal proof of the opinions and views which prevailed in digesting the power of Treaty....
6Certificate on Robert Lenox, [11 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I certify, that I have an impression on my memory as strong as a circumstance so remote, and of such a nature admits, of my having towards the close of our late war with Great Britain, understood from some of the officers charged on the part of the United States, with the affair of prisoners and from officers of our army, who had been prisoners with the British, that Robert Lenox, now of this...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Church, 13 January 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 13, 1796. On February 19, 1796, Angelica Church wrote to Hamilton : “Your letters of January the 13th are received.” Letters not found. ] Angelica Church was Elizabeth Hamilton’s sister and the wife of John B. Church, an Englishman. H managed Church’s business affairs in the United States.
8From Alexander Hamilton to Maturin Livingston, [18 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have been informed that not long since at Philadelphia, in presence of a number of persons, you made mention of the altercation which happened between us on the Eighteenth of July last, and by direct comments or insinuations endeavoured to convey the idea that I had acted with want of spirit on that occasion. I owe it to myself to inquire of you what foundation, if any , there may be for...
9From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [19 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The Bearer of this letter is Doctor Bolman whom you have heared of as having made an attempt for the relief of the Marquis la Fayette which very nearly succeeded. The circumstances of this affair, as stated by Doctor Bolman & Mr. Huger, son of B Huger of St Carolina deceased, who assisted, do real credit to the prudence management and enterprise of the Doctor and shew that he is a man of sense...
10From Alexander Hamilton to Maturin Livingston, [21 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
It is not my wish to cavil nor can I as a reasonable man have any desire to pursue the question between us further than a due regard to my own delicacy may demand. But having weighed maturely the contents of your letter of yesterday I am obliged to think that it is not sufficiently explicit. The course of your own ideas and conduct hitherto must afford you a consciousness whether on the...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Théophile Cazenove, 22 January 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 22, 1796. “Upon Sounding the members of the Legislature, I find that great difficulties will attend a bill so formed as to confirm absolutely & without limitation, existing titles, notwithstanding the alienisation of those who may have acquired Lands —But that a proposition to confirm them, upon the condition of a transfer, within a term of 15 a 20 years, to Citizens, or of...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 22 January 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 22, 1796. On February 10, 1796, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “I was preparing to answer your favour of the 22d ulto.” Letter not found. ]
13From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 22 January 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Give me leave to recommend to your civilities Mr. Winstanly the bearer of this an English Gentleman who came to this City some years. After former generosity and carelessness of temper disposes of a little fortune, he has assumed the business of Landscape Painting and in pursuance of his plan visits your County, which also he is desirous through curiosity of seeing before he goes to Europe. He...
14Certificate on John Hanson by Anthony L. Bleecker, Peter S. Curentius, Alexander Hamilton, John Lamb, and Hercules … (Hamilton Papers)
We the Subscribers do certify that we were acquainted with Capt John Hanson deceased in his life time, and at an early period of the Revolution of the United States, and have satisfactory grounds to believe that he was firmly attached to the cause of the Revolution and to the liberties of this Country. We also certify, that we particularly recollect as eye Witnesses his conduct on a certain...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, [29 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
If the News Papers till truth it would appear that Massachusettes has anticipated New York. But it is intended by our friends in the Legislature to give some pointed discountenance to the propositions. It was expected that it would have been done to day, but by the divergings of some men who seek popularity with both sides, they have gotten into an unnecessary debate upon the propositions in...
16From 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...
17Draft on the Bank of the United States, [18 February 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Cashier of The Bank of The United States Dollars 46 Pay to Mr. Bicknel or bearer Forty six Dollars ADS , Library Company of Philadelphia. Robert Bicknell, a resident of Philadelphia, was proprietor of that city’s New York and Baltimore stages. For H’s trip to Philadelphia, see Robert Morris to H, February 10, 1796, note 2 .
18Opinion on the Claim of Oliver Pollock, [27 February 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
At the request of Mr. Pollock I certify that I have a distinct recollection that in the course of conversations with him, respecting his pecuniary claims on the United States, he expressed the idea of his having further claims on the United States beyond those admitted and liquidated; and that I have also some recollection, but indistinct and imperfect, that when a warrant came to be issued...
19From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 5 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 5, 1796. On March 6, 1796, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “I am glad to see by your line of yesterday.” Letter not found. ]
20Introductory Note: To George Washington, [7 March 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
This letter contains the first references in Hamilton’s extant correspondence to what proved to be a protracted dispute over the Jay Treaty in the House of Representatives. The Senate approved the Jay Treaty on June 24, 1795, and the United States ratified it on August 14, 1795. Following British ratification on October 28, 1795, the ratifications were exchanged at London on that date....
21From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [7 March 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I found Young La Fayette here and delivered him your Letter which much relieved him. I fancy you will see him on the first day of April. Mr. Livingston’s motion in the House of Representatives, concerning the production of papers has attracted much attention. The opinion of those who think here is, that if the motion succeeds, it ought not to be complied with. Besides that in a matter of such...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [7–10 March 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are two letters which I will thank you to hand on. I have just seen Livingston’s Motion concerning Instructions &c. My first impression is that the propriety of a compliance with the call, if made, is extremely doubtful. But much careful thought on the subject is requisite. Yrs truly PS. I hand you also a letter from Mrs. Church to Mr. Beametz —which I will thank you to send to Mr....
23From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 8 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 8, 1796. On March 12, 1796, Morris wrote to Hamilton and referred to “your letters of the 10th & 8th Inst.” Letter of March 8 not found. ]
24From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 10 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 10, 1796. Letter not found. ] Clinton, a veteran of the American Revolution, was a member of the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1776. He served as governor of New York from 1777 to 1795. MS list of letters entitled “General Hamilton to Governor George Clinton,” Columbia University Libraries.
25From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 10 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor duely to receive Your Excellency’s letter of the 4th instant. I did not immediately answer it from an indistinct and confused recollection that a state of things existed in reference to the opposite party which did not permit my being concerned for the State. It now appears that I was not mistaken, and that I cannot with propriety execute Your Excellency’s desire. With perfect...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 10 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 10, 1796. On March 12, 1796, Morris wrote to Hamilton and referred to “your letters of the 10th and 8th Inst.” Letter of March 10 not found. ]
27From Alexander Hamilton to William Loughton Smith, [10 March 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I observe Madison brings the power of the House of Representatives in the case of the Treaty to this Question Is the Agency of the House of Representatives on this subject deliberative or Executive? On the sophism that this Legislature and each Branch of it is essentially deliberative & consequently must have discretion will he, I presume, maintain the freedom of the House to concur or not....
28From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 16 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for letter of the . My opinion on the resolution when it first appeared was that the President should answer in substance as follows. (viz) “That it could not be admitted as a right of course in the House of Representatives to call for & have papers in the Executive department essentially those relating to foreign negociations which frequently embrace confidential matters. That...
29From Alexander Hamilton to Barent Bleecker, 20 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I presume you have been informed that pursuant to the power given to me by yourself and the other parties concerned, I purchased at Auction the lands in Cosbys Manor claimed by the Trustees of the Ringwood Iron Company. These lands being in the whole 6761 acres cost £2422.13.10 payable ¼ part down one other ¼ on the first Tuesday of next month (April) one other ¼ on the First Tuesday of...
30From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 24 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor to receive yesterday your letter of the 22. The course you suggest has some obvious advantages & merits careful consideration. I am not however without fears that there are things in the instructions to Mr. Jay which good policy, considering the matter externally as well as internally , would render it inexpedient to communicate. This I shall ascertain to day. A middle course...