1Petition of Merchants and Masters of Vessels Trading from the City of Albany to the City of New York, [1–19 January … (Hamilton Papers)
To the Congress of the United States The Memorial & Petition of the Subscribers respectfully sheweth That Your Memorialists are Owners or Masters or both of coasting vessels employed ordinarily and exclusively in transporting articles between the Cities of New York and Albany. That by a late Act of Congress constituting the City of Hudson a Port of Entry the Port of Albany has been annexed to...
2The 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...
3To 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...
4From 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.
5From 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...
6The 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...
7The 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....
8Certificate 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...
9To Alexander Hamilton from William Heth, 11 January 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I should have written to you long since, but from some doubts that a packet to you might excite curiosity, in your Post Office , not knowing of what kidney , your post-master & his clerks may be. Capt Stratton who now takes charge of this, promises to deliver it in person, and tho it is without Signature, you will be at no loss to guess from whom it comes, as it serves to enclose the piece...
10To Alexander Hamilton from John Patterson, 12 January 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Lansingburgh [ New York ] January 12, 1796 . “A Journey to Kinderhook on particular business prevented my receiving the pleasure of your letter untill my return two days ago.… I enclose this to my oldest son who will wait upon you with it and receive your commands for his Brother John. Having said so much I must beg to add a few words more as to your intended Pupil.… I must request you will...
11From 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.
12To 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...
13To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 15 January 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you on the 16 Novr & on the 18th Decemr. You have not acknowledged the receipt of either of those letters, but as they were sent by Post I must suppose they got to your hand. Should that be the Case and any part of the Contents are not satisfactory, explain yourself freely, for I am entirely disposed to act in conformity with your desires in the business depending between us. I...
14To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 15 January 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
The question upon the Constitutionality of the Act imposing duties on Carriages, will I expect be determined by the Supreme Court the next month. I request you if possible to attend the trial as Counsel for the United States. Mr. Lee the Attorney General is now here & will be able to inform you of the time when the trial will come on, and will concert with you the measures proper to be...
15From 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...
16From 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...
17To Alexander Hamilton from Maturin Livingston, [20 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I this moment received your note of the 18th instant, and do not hesitate to give it an immediate answer. It is so long since the conversation alluded to in it took place, (and in which many of the company joined) that I can not now charge my memory with all that then passed. I well remember however generally, that the procedure of the town meeting at New York on the subject of the treaty, and...
18From 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...
19From 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...
20From 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. ]
21From 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...
22Certificate 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...
23To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Burrall, [25 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Our practice is to demand payment of Notes which fall due on the 4th. July, the day before, as in case of Sundays and Christmas days. This practice has prevailed in this Office and at the New York Bank from their first establishment. Yours respectfully ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Burrall was the cashier of the New York Office of Discount and Deposit of the Bank of the United...
24To Alexander Hamilton from Théophile Cazenove, 25 January 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, January 25, 1796. Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s letter of January 22, 1796 . Discusses legislation necessary for the ownership of land in New York State by aliens. LC , Gemeentearchief Amsterdam, Holland Land Company. These documents were transferred in 1964 from the Nederlandsch Economisch-Historisch Archief, Amsterdam. This letter, which is in French, was addressed to H in...
25To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Wilkes, [25 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
It has been the constant practice of the Bank, to demand payment on the 3d of July, for all notes which become payable on the 4th—that day being, by the regulations of the Bank, a holiday. I am with great respect Your obet Servt ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Wilkes was cashier of the Bank of New York. H needed this information for the case of Lewis v Burr . See Jonathan Burrall...
26From 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...
27From 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...
28To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 10 February 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I was preparing to answer your favor of the 22d ulto when I was informed that you are to be here on the 17th of this month which I am very glad of as it will give me the Oppy of adjusting the business personally & I hope to your Satisfaction. I am most truly Yrs LC , Robert Morris Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found. The purpose of H’s trip to Philadelphia was to argue the...
29To 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...
30Draft 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 .
31To 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...
32Opinion 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...
33To 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. ]
34To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 4 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
In pursuance of a concurrent Resolution of the two Houses of the Legislature of the third and fourth instant I desire You as a Counsellor at Law to defend in behalf of this State a certain Suit brought against Lewis Cornwall by or in behalf of Alexander Colden for the Recovery of a Farm sold to the said Lewis by the Commissioners of Forfeitures for the Southern District. You will herewith...
35To Alexander Hamilton from Gouverneur Morris, 4 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just now written to the President to communicate some Intelligence lately receiv’d from Paris. This I have done in Abstract but my Correspondent has written to me as follows: “The Government here are highly displeas’d with ours. You may easily guess the Reason. It is come to a very serious State. A Fleet is to be sent to our Shore with a new minister. A definitive Answer must be given...
36From 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. ]
37To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 6 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I am glad to see by your line of yesterday that you had got safe home. I am at present in treaty for the Sale of some Lands of Pennsa & perhaps some of the Tracts I proposed to you may be included in the sale. If they are, others shall be Substituted & you may rely that I will not lose a day unnecessarily in preparing & transmitting the Mortgages, but instead of putting the whole into one...
38Introductory 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....
39From 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...
40From 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....
41From 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. ]
42To 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...
43From 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.
44From 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...
45From 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. ]
46From 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....
47To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 12 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I am concerned to perceive by your letters of the 10th & 8th Inst a degree of solicitude which I did not expect or intend to excite. You will recollect that it was a point conceded by you that even after the Mortgage I might sell & change the Security for one equally Satisfactory, and as I was in Treaty for a Sale, I thought a delay untill that Treaty finished one way or the other was not of...
48To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 14 March 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to my promise I enclose herewith a List of the Lands which I propose to mortgage to you as Security for the debt due to Mr Church and I think the value more than Sufficient. For some of these Lands the Patents are issued, for some they are not issued, but the Patents are only considered as Evidence of Title, because when Warrants of Survey are granted the money is paid & a return of...
49From 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...
50Receipt from Morgan Lewis, [18 March 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
Received New York March 18th 1796 of Alexander Hamilton [Four thousand two hundred & fifty] Dollars in full for the consideration money of a lot and part of a lot of Ground adjoining thereto situate on the Broadway and Marketfield Street in the City of New York as particularly described in a certain indenture bearing date the first day of May MDCCXCIII made between Carlisle Pollock William...