27701To Alexander Hamilton from John Chaloner, [1788] (Hamilton Papers)
[Philadelphia, 1788.] Discusses proposals for the settlement of John Holker’s “protested Bills the property of Mr. Church— amt—£1500 Stg.” LC , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. This letter concerns the complicated affairs of Daniel Parker and Company in which both John Holker and John B. Church were involved. As the negotiations and litigations for the settlement of Parker’s...
27702To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Banks, 1 January 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Richmond, January 1, 1789. “I recd. your letter of the 12 Ulto.… I suppose I shall be entitled to Costs of Suit with Foltz & Lorenz for the recovery of which ’tis my wish that you either take or cause measures to be taken.… Mr. Constable has a mercantile Reputation.… I shall at present leave him cloak’d under that Reputation until I see a fit oppy to attack him and it more seriously than to...
27703To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 4 January 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ January 4, 1789. On January 29, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Sedgwick : “I thank you for your two letters of the 4th and 7th instant.” Letter of January 4 not found. ]
27704To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Rush [5 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
A worthy friend of mine, & formerly my pupil Dr Rodgers has lately removed from our city to New York. Permit me to solicit a small share of your extensive influence in his favor. I do not expect that former medical connections should be given up to serve him. It will be eno’ from you—if when his name is mentioned in company you bear a testimony from his old preceptor that he is a gentleman of...
27705To Alexander Hamilton from Moses Hazen, 6 January 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 6, 1789. Solicits Hamilton’s aid as an attorney in a controversy with one of the officers who served under Hazen during the Revolution and who was trying to collect a “Note of hand” from Hazen. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Hazen was brevetted a brigadier general during the Revolution. He settled in Vermont where he owned land.
27706To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 7 January 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ January 7, 1789. On January 29, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Sedgwick : “I thank you for your two letters of the 4th and 7th instant.” Letter of January 7 not found. ]
27707From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Jones, [21 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
As in our conversations on the important subject of a representation in the ensuing Congress I had the pleasure to perceive that you were inclined to pursue a moderate and accommodating line of conduct; and as I have reason to believe that representations will be made of the sense of this city calculated to nourish a spirit of pertinacity in the Majority of the Assembly which may counteract...
27708To Alexander Hamilton from William Constable, 22 January 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] January 22, 1789 . “… I called at your House to see You but found you surrounded with so many people on Business that I would not interrupt you. I hand you Gouverneur’s power of attorney which authorizes me to mortgage his Estate.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Isaac Gouverneur.
27709To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, [23 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Our city are about applying to the legislature for an incorporation, and among other lights have availed themselves of the corporation act of your city. As experience points out many defects, wch. do not at first strike the observation, you will very much oblige me by noting such things as you would advise us to avoid. If there are any matters which have been omitted, or if there are any...
27710From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, [25 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 25, 1789. ] On February [5–28], 1789, Wadsworth wrote to Hamilton : “Your favor of the 25 Jany came in good time.” Letter not found. ]
27711From Alexander Hamilton to James Wilson, [25 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
A degree of anxiety about a matter of primary importance to the new government induces me to trouble you with this letter. I mean the election of the President. We all feel of how much moment it is that Washington should be the man; and I own I cannot think there is material room to doubt that this will be the unanimous sense. But as a failure in this object would be attended with the worst...
27712To Alexander Hamilton from George Webb, 28 January 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Richmond, January 28, 1789. “Some discoveries which I have made since my return from New York respecting the conduct of Mr. Simon Nathan, in the Business confided to his management by Mr. Foster Webb junr and myself, enduces me to trouble you.… The discoveries … fully evince the fraudulent Intentions and Practices of Mr. Nathan, and at the same time afford evidence which will substantiate a...
27713From Alexander Hamilton to John Holker, [29 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I certify that I am willing and do hereby accept the brief reposed in me as a Commissioner by virtue of a certain instrument bearing date the thirty first day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred and Eighty Eight made between Daniel Parker by his Attorney Andrew Craigie John Holker William Duer Samuel Rogers by the said Andrew Craigie Royal Flint and divers Creditors of the...
27714From Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Sedgwick, [29 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for your two letters of the 4th and 7th instant which arrived here during my absence at Albany from which place I have but recently returned. I believe you may be perfectly tranquil on the subject of Mr. Adam’s election. It seems to be certain that all the middle states will vote for him to Delaware inclusively and probably Maryland. In the South there are no candidates thought of...
27715To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, [5–28] February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favor of the 25 Jany came in good time. Our Votes were given agreeably to your wishes Washington 7—Adams 5. Governor Huntington 2. By letters from Carrington I learn that Clinton is the antifederal Vice President but I think we have nothing to fear. I believe N Hampshire will give Adams 4. Massachusetts 6—Georgia 6 as letters from Georgia say he will have at least so many—which with ours...
27716From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas McKean, 10 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 10, 1789. “I duly received the letter which you did me the honor to write me of the 2d of Decr. last.… With regard to your Bond against Dowdle, when I first received it I made diligent inquiry after him, but I found that his situation and principles were equally desperate & that to make any attempt to recover the money would be to add fruitlessly to your loss.…” ALS ,...
27717To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Turnbull, 10 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Petersburg, Virginia, February 10, 1789. “I am possessed of a Bill on you … dated the 10th May 1788 for £57 Virga. money, being endorsed … to me.… You will be so obliging as to give me Information, how this matter stands and what probability there is, of any recovery being made.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Turnbull was a merchant of Petersburg, Virginia.
27718Appointment as Member of Committee of Correspondence, 11 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 11, 1789. On this date Hamilton and twelve others were appointed “a committee to correspond with the other counties on the subject” of the election of Robert Yates as governor and Pierre Van Cortlandt as lieutenant governor of New York State. New-York Packet , March 3, 1789. The committee of correspondence was appointed “at a numerous and respectable meeting of citizens at...
27719From Alexander Hamilton to Pierre Van Cortlandt, [16 February 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
By the direction of the Committee I transmit you the inclosed letter. I doubt not Sir you will believe me to be sincere when I assure you that I should be much more happy if circumstances permitted me to be the channel of a very different application. But such is the situation of our state that personal attachments are obliged to yield to public necessity. As I allow myself to hope Sir that...
27720From Alexander Hamilton to the Supervisors of the City of Albany, [18 February 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The last Tuesday of April next being the day appointed by law for the election of a Governor for the ensuing three years; the great importance of making a wise choice in the present peculiar situation of our local and national affairs, appears to have made a deep impression on the minds of considerate men in the different parts of the state. On the eleventh instant, a numerous meeting of...
27721To Alexander Hamilton from the Electors of Queens County, 19 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Jamaica [ New York ] February 19, 1789 . Several “electors and freeholders” of the County of Queens on this date informed “the Committee of Correspondence of New-York” that they had received a letter “from some members of your committee.” As recommended by the New York Committee, the “electors and freeholders from Flushing, North Hempstead, Jamaica, and Newtown” had nominated Robert Yates for...
27722Introductory Note: H. G. Letters, [20 February 9–April 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
There is little doubt that Hamilton wrote the “H.G.” letters. Although he never said as much, many anonymous newspaper writers stated that he wrote them. For example, “William Tell,” whose attacks on Hamilton were so scurrilous that Francis Childs finally refused to print them in The [New York] Daily Advertiser , repeatedly named Hamilton as the author of the “H.G.” letters (see The Daily...
27723H. G. Letter I, 20 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 18th instant, has duly come to hand, and entitles you to my particular thanks. In return I shall endeavor fully to comply with your request, and furnish you, in a series of letters, with all the materials in my power, to enable you to judge what conduct it will be proper for you to pursue, in relation to the ensuing election for Governor. Your influence is considerable; and...
27724H. G. Letter II, 21 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Shortly after the breaking out of the war with Great-Britain, Mr. Clinton received an appointment as brigadier-general, in which capacity he served until he was elected governor of the state, some time in the early part of the year 1777. In both these situations, from the condition of the state, which, during the greatest part of the war was its principal theatre, Mr. Clinton was frequently...
27725H. G. Letter III, 22 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
You mention towards the close of your letter, two reports circulating in your county, which you say operate to the advantage of Mr. Clinton; the one, that at the time he first took the chair of government, “the great men” as they are insidiously called, declined the station, through apprehension of the dangers that might attend it. Not less willing then to set him up as a mark for the...
27726Election Circular, [23–28 February 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
As it will evidently be of great use in the ensuing election to have some Gentlemen of activity in each ward to superintend the business and promote activity among the electors the Committee appointed to forward the election of John Laurence Esquire will be much obliged by your assistance for those purposes, in the ward to which you belong, and request the same accordingly. With this view they...
27727H. G. Letter IV, 24 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
You will perceive, my dear Sir, from the sketch, I have given you, that though the present Governor has a just title to credit for his exertions in the late revolution; yet the degree of credit to which he is truly entitled has been immodestly exaggerated. It is to be wished, nevertheless, for the honor and interest of the state, that his administration since the peace was proportionably...
27728H. G. Letter V, 25 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In your’s of the 23d instant, which has just come to hand, you observe that there are persons in your county, who entertain favourable impressions of the present governor, for the good order preserved in this city, upon the evacuation of it by the British troops; and which you say is ascribed to his moderation, care and decision. This is an idea, not confined to your county. Mr. Clinton and...
27729H. G. Letter VI, 26 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I shall now proceed to give you a brief history of the Governor’s administration since the peace, as it respects the United States; from the whole of which, preferring the evidence of actions , to that of professions , I am persuaded you will agree with me, that there is satisfactory proof of his being an enemy to the AMERICAN UNION. The facts from which I shall draw this conclusion are of the...
27730From Alexander Hamilton to the Citizens of New York, [26 February 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The Committee appointed by the Meeting at Bardin’s Tavern, on Monday evening, for the purpose of carrying into execution the views of the meeting respecting the election of Mr. John Lawrence, as a representative of this district in Congress, having understood that a meeting was held this evening at the Coffee house in opposition to that nomination, which has been adjourned till to-morrow...
27731H. G. Letter VI, 27 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last I stated a number of facts tending to prove that Mr. Clinton is not a friend to the UNION. I would not be understood, that either of these facts singly would authorise such a conclusion, but that it is the result of them collectively. Many men, of whose good intentions, I have no doubt, have entertained similar sentiments with him on several of the points stated; but I am mistaken...
27732Speech at a Political Meeting, 27 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 27, 1789. A newspaper writer who signed himself “A Spectator” reported that Hamilton stated at a political meeting in New York City: “that as the residence of Congress would doubtless be esteemed a matter of some import to the city of NewYork, and as it would certainly be contended for— Our representative should be a man well qualified in oratory to prove, that this city is...
27733H. G. Letter VII, 28 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The embarrassments experienced in carrying through the first plan, the increase of the national debt, and other circumstances induced Congress to devise a new system of impost, which was finally agreed upon on the 18th of April 1783. In this system, the appointment of the officers, to collect the duties, was referred to the several states, which it was supposed would remove the principal...
27734H. G. Letter VIII, 2 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The second particular, which I have stated as evidence of Mr. Clinton’s enmity to the union, is, that he has treated Congress as a body in a contemptuous manner. A proof of this exists in his refusal to convene the legislature of this state, in the year 1786, upon pressing and repeated applications of Congress; sheltering himself under the frivolous pretence, that the constitution did not...
27735From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, [3 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
It is in my opinion intirely necessary that the Common Council should be convened this day in order to pass an act for appropriating the City Hall to the use of Congress. This act should be published in the papers & notified by yourself, or if you are not well enough by a committee or member of your board to the senators & representatives as they arrive. The Philadelphians are endeavouring to...
27736From Alexander Hamilton to the Electors of the City and County of New York, [3 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Having been appointed by two different, and very numerous meetings of the inhabitants of this city, among other purposes, for that of forwarding the election of John Lawrence, Esq. as the representative of this district in Congress, we think it our duty to state to such of you as may not have been present at those meetings, what we understand to have been the motives to his nomination, and the...
27737H. G. Letter IX, 3 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have mentioned as a third circumstance tending to prove the enmity of the Governor to the UNION, “That his behaviour towards the individuals composing Congress has been of a nature calculated to give them just cause of disgust.” I am well informed, that his Excellency never made a visit to, or had any intercourse of civilities with either of the two last Presidents of Congress. This neglect...
27738H. G. Letter X, 4 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Sometime in the latter part of the year 1785, or beginning of 1786, the state of Virginia proposed the holding a convention for the purpose of devising some system of commercial regulations for the United States. This state among others acceded to the proposition; and the deputies from different states appointed pursuant to it met at Annapolis in the fall of 1786. But the number actually...
27739H. G. Letter XI, 6 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
One of the circumstances stated to you in mine of the 26th of February, to shew that the Governor is unfriendly to the UNION, is that he prejudged and condemned the new Constitution before it was framed. This fact has been long since given to the public; to which no other answer, that I have heard, has been made by his Excellency, or his friends, than that he as a citizen had a right to...
27740H. G. Letter XI, [7 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The next in order of the circumstances, alledged in proof of the unfriendly disposition of the Governor to the Union, is that he opposed the new constitution after it appeared, with unreasonable obstinacy . To judge of the propriety of this observation, it ought to be recollected, that the merits or demerits of that constitution must after all, be in a great measure a speculative question,...
27741H. G. Letter XII, 8 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The seventh of the circumstances enumerated in proof of his Excellency’s enmity to the Union is, That he has continued his opposition to the new constitution even since its adoption by this state. There are two kinds of opposition, direct and indirect. The Governor must have been an idiot to have rendered himself chargeable with the first kind. It would have brought the resentment of the whole...
27742H. G. Letter XIII, 9 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The last of the circumstances mentioned by me in my letter of the 26th of February, as evincive of the inimical disposition of the governor towards the union, is that he is unfriendly to the residence of Congress in this city. This may be inferred from the disrespectful manner in which he has treated that honorable body, aggregately and individually, as detailed in some former letters; and...
27743Motion Intended to Be Made at a Meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati, 11 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March 11, 1789 . At a meeting of the New York Society of the Cincinnati “held on the 11th of March, at the Holland Lodge, Hamilton informed the Society that he intended to move at the next meeting, for the following By-Law, to be annexed to those already established by the Society, to wit: ‘That each Treasurer of the Society, before he enters upon the execution of his office,...
27744Subscription to the New-York Manufacturing Society, [17 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 17, 1789. ] On this date Hamilton’s name was listed as one of the subscribers to the New-York Manufacturing Society. The [New York] Daily Advertiser , March 17, 1789. The New-York Manufacturing Society had been organized on January 7, 1789. At a later meeting it was resolved to raise a fund by subscription for the establishment of a woolen factory, the shares to be £10 each....
27745From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, [18 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Some short time after the evacuation of this City, on the occasion of certain irregularities committed (I think by Sears and others in regard to Rivington) The Council for the temporary government came to some resolution, or agreed upon some proclamation of a spirited nature for discountenan[c]ing such proceedings which was delivered to the Governor to publish. He kept it in his hands and did...
27746H. G. to Marinus Willett, [19 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I perceive by this day’s Advertiser that you have thought proper to come forward, with an air of triumph, to contradict a fact alledged in my sixth letter respecting a proclamation of the council for the temporary government of the southern district. You have been pleased to preface it with some general observations, and among the rest to make a profession of your faith in the virtue of the...
27747From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 22 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you on Wednesday evening, respecting the circumstances attending the suppression of a certain proclamation issued by the Council for the temporary Government of the Southern district, on account of the conduct of Sears Lamb and Willet in stopping Rivington’s press. It runs in my mind very strongly, that I was informed by Mr. Benson & yourself that the Governor had stayed the...
27748Marinus Willett to H. G., [23 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Marinus Willett informs H___ G___, that it is not his wish to divert him from the pursuit of his plan of defamation. M. Willett, is no letter writer, he had it only in view by a plain and candid relation to detect a false representation of a transaction in which he was a principal. It is by no means his intention to intrude on the public by investigating the causes which led to the...
27749H. G. to Marinus Willett, [24 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
H___ G___, for public reasons does not think it expedient to relinquish the character in which he appears in the newspapers; nor does he consider it as necessary to do so, for either of the purposes mentioned by Mr. Willett. Mr. W___ being a mere volunteer in the business, can at any rate have no claim to such a relinquishment. He will do well to recollect, that he did not confine himself to...
27750To Alexander Hamilton from Phineas Howell, 24 March 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Newburgh [ New York ] March 24, 1789 . States that a meeting of freeholders of Newburgh “by a very great majority” had nominated Robert Yates for governor and Pierre Van Cortlandt for lieutenant governor. The [New York] Daily Advertiser , March 30, 1789. Howell was chairman of a meeting to consider a circular letter from “a committee of the citizens of the city and county of New-York, of the...