31General Defense of the Constitution, [6 June] 1788 (Madison Papers)
...assertions, will condescend to prove and demonstrate, by a fair and regular discussion. It gives me pain to hear gentlemen continually distorting the natural construction of language; for, it is sufficient if any human production can stand a fair discussion. Before I proceed to make some additions to the reasons which have been adduced by my honorable friend over the way, I must take the...
32Eulogy on Nathanael Greene, [4 July 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I am now called upon to perform. All the motives capable of interesting an ingenuous and feeling mind conspire to prompt me to its execution. To commemorate the talents virtues and exploits of great and good men is at all times a pleasing task to those, who know how to esteem them. But when such men to the title of superior merit join that of having been the defenders and guardians of our...
33From Thomas Jefferson to William Drayton, 30 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
...them requiring water, and three growing on highlands. The rice of Carolina is said to have come from Madagascar, and DePoivre tells us it is the white rice which is cultivated there. This favors the probability of it’s being of a different species originally from that of Piedmont, and time, culture and climate may have made it still more different. Under this idea I thought it would be well...
34From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [5 August] 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
...should be considered as inimical to the interests of the Country; and recommending to the Citizens of Washington County to treat every person who had accepted or might thereafter accept any such office with contempt, and absolutely to refuse all kind of communication or intercourse with the Officers and to withold from them all aid support or comfort...beyond the Alleghany...
35To George Washington from Landon Carter, 31 October–2 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
...the Manœuvres of my dear Washington, whose happy success must treasure up the blessings, possibly of Millions yet Unborn; for without affecting to be enthusiastically religious I never read of a divine instrument of human happiness, but I carry the gratitude of ages, back to record the rembrance of such a friend to mankind. But let me not tire you with my own heartfelt expectations. Can you...
36New York Assembly. Remarks on an Act Granting to Congress Certain Imposts and Duties, [15 February 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
It becomes therefore necessary,—to obviate such misapprehension, if any exists, and to discharge my duty at all events,—to lay the subject fully before the committee, and to detail, at large, my reasons for wishing to see the bill in its present form prevail. will protect me I may safely confide in the candour of the committee; to that standard I chearfully submit.
37Enclosure: France and America, [2 October 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
...promise of compensation could at present have been expected from France, with the best intentions on our part. The state of her finances does not permit more. The enjoyment of the boon must have been in future. In all probability, by patience and perseverance a more convenient opportunity will occur for a favorable settlement of the matter, and early enough to meet the resources of France...
38To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 1 April 1795 (Adams Papers)
...sufferers by the Stadholders victory in 1787, have continued and still continue amid the great political changes now taking place in their Country. One article of creed at the present day is, that all the dissensions in the Republic heretofore, have merely been Struggles for power and Office, between two Cabals; a wicked faction with Orange, and a wicked faction without. That both have been...
39New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks (Francis Childs’s Version), [20 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
...operations of government have been distracted by their taking different courses: Those, which were to be benefited have complied with the requisitions; others have totally disregarded them. Have not all of us been witnesses to the unhappy embarrassments which resulted from these proceedings? Even during the late war, while the pressure of common danger connected strongly the bond of our...
40Draft of George Washington’s Seventh Annual Address to Congress, [28 November–7 December 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
present, the situa⟨tion⟩ of our public affairs has afforded just cause for mutual congratulation and for inviting you to join with me in profound gratitude to the Author of all Good for the numerous and signal...House of Representatives, You are all apprised, that a Treaty of Amity Commerce and Navigation has been negotiated with Great Britain, and that the Senate by the voice of two thirds...
41To John Adams from William Cunningham, 18 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
So much time has elapsed since the date of my letter in February, that I have dismissed all expectations of an answer....in the presence of his court to abash the overgrown courtiers who looked disdainfully on the inferiority of his stature? You must have swelled beyond the thought of yourself and of your sons, when you aim’d the stroke at the stature of Hamilton. I think that neither of...
42To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 6 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The attempt to dispossess a respectable Enemy, once in possession of our Western or Northern Frontier, will be found expensive, (beyond Calculation) difficult in the extreme, and at best of doubtful issue. For while He may derive powerful Aids, from the unconquerable animosities of the Savages, and the versatility of our own Erratics, we shall be exposed to... ...probabilities at......protect...