Alexander Hamilton Letters for the years 1769 thru 1802

St Croix - 14 November 1769

Ned, my ambition is prevalent, so that I contemn the grovelling condition of a clerk, or the like, to which my fortune condemns me, and would willingly risk my life, though not my character, to exalt my station.

Morristown, NJ - 5 April 1777

The opinion I advanced respecting the enemy's not moving before the beginning of May, seems to be shaken, though not entirely overthrown, by some present appearances.

Smiths Clove, NY - 22 July 1777

Your favour of the eighteenth, from Saratoga, reached me yesterday Your pronouncing Fort Edward among the other forts, indefensible, surprises me a little, as it is entirely contrary to the representations of several gentlemen of judgment

Philadelphia, PA - 4 August 1777

The misfortune at Ticonderoga, has produced a very disagreeable alteration in our affairs, and has thrown a gloom upon the favourable prospect which the campaign previous to that event afforded.

unknown - 18 September 1777

I did myself the honour to write you a hasty line this evening, giving it as my opinion that the city was no longer a place of safety for you. I write you again lest that letter should not get to hand.

Fishkill, NY - 2 November 1777

I understand, from Colonel Morgan, that all the Northern army were marching down on both sides the river, and would probably be to-morrow at New Windsor

Albany, NY - 5 November 1777

By inquiry, I have learned that General Patterson's brigade, which is the one you propose to send, is by far the weakest of the three now here, and does not consist of more than about six hundred rank and file fit for duty.

New Windsor, NY - 9 November 1777

I cannot forbear confessing, that I am astonished and alarmed beyond measure, to find that all his Excellency's views have been hitherto frustrated, and that no single step of those I mentioned to you has been taken

New Windsor, NY - 10 November 1777

I am pained, beyond expression, to inform your Excellency that, on my arrival here, I find every thing has been neglected and deranged by General Putnam

New Windsor, NY - 12 November 1777

The enemy appear to have stripped New York very bare. The people there (that is, the Tories) are in a very great fright.

unknown - 12 November 1777

I have been endeavouring to collect the best idea I could of the state of things in New- York, in order the better to form a judgment of the probable reinforcement gone to General Howe.

Peekskill, NY - 15 November 1777

The troops now remaining with General Putnam will amount to about the number you intended, though they are not exactly the same. He has detached Colonel Charles Webb's regiment to you.

Allentown, PA - 26 June 1778

We have halted the troops at this place. The enemy, by our last reports, were four miles from this (that is, their rear), and had passed the road which turns off towards South Amboy, which determines their route towards Shrewsbury.

, NJ - 28 June 1778

The result of what I have seen and heard concerning the enemy is, that they have encamped with their van a little beyond Monmouth Court-House, and their rear at Manalapan's River, about seven miles from this place.

Black Point, NJ - 20 July 1778

Inclosed I transmit your Excellency a letter from Count D Estaing. He has had the river sounded, and finds he cannot enter. He will sail for Rhode Island to-morrow evening

Newark, NJ - 23 July 1778

The Count had received his expected despatches from Congress, and was to sail, as I mentioned before, the first fair wind.

unknown - 14 March 1779

This is, to raise two, three, or four battalions of negroes, with the assistance of the government of that state, by contributions from the owners, in proportion to the number they possess.

Liberty Pole -

Agreeable to your request, and my promise, I sit down to give you my ideas of the defects of our present system, and the changes necessary to save us from ruin.

Amboy, NJ - 17 March 1780

The enemy are still in the dark about their fleet and army gone that way, as we gather from the Commissioners. They pretend to have little European news, though a vessel arrived two or three days since from England

unknown - 8 June 1780

I have seen the enemy. Those in view I calculate at about three thousand. There may be, and probably are, enough others out of sight.

unknown - 22 November 1780

Some time last fall, when I spoke to your excellency about going to the southward, I explained to you candidly my feelings with respect to military reputation, and how much it was my object to act a conspicuous part in some enterprise

New Windsor, NY - 18 February 1781

Since I had the pleasure of writing you last, an unexpected change has taken place in my situation. I am no longer a member of the General's family.

De Peysters Point, NY - 27 April 1781

It is become necessary to me to apply to your excellency, to know in what manner you foresee you will be able to employ me in the ensuing campaign. I am ready to enter into activity whenever you think proper

unknown - 30 April 1781

I was among the first who were convinced that an administration by single men was essential to the proper management of the affairs of this country.

De Peysters Point, NY - 2 May 1781

I am extremely sorry to have embarrassed you by my late application, and that you should think there are insuperable obstacles to a compliance with it.

Dobbs Ferry, NY - 10 July 1781

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Philadelphia, PA - 0 March 1782

Your heart, my Meade, is peculiarly formed for enjoyments of this kind. You have every right to be a happy husband, a happy father. You have every prospect of being so. I hope your felicity may never be interrupted.

Philadelphia, PA - 1 March 1782

The difficulties I experienced last campaign in obtaining a command, will not suffer me to make any farther application on that head.

Philadelphia, PA - 1 March 1782

I wish them to be sensible that it is not a diminution of zeal which induces me voluntarily to withdraw my services, but that I only refrain from intruding them, when circumstances seem to have made them either not necessary or not desired

unknown - 4 June 1782

The whole system, (if it may be so called,) of taxation in this state, is radically vicious, burthensome to the people, and unproductive to government.

Poughkeepsie, NY - 22 July 1782

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Albany, NY - 10 August 1782

nothing will interrupt our friendship. Mine for you is built on the solid basis of a full conviction that you deserve it, and that it is reciprocal, and it is the more firmly fixed, because you have few competitors.

Philadelphia, PA - 7 February 1783

The state of our finances was perhaps never more critical. I am under injunctions, which will not permit me to disclose some facts that would at once demonstrate this position; but I think it probable you will be possessed of them through another cha

Philadelphia, PA - 17 March 1783

Our affairs wear a most serious aspect, as well foreign as domestic. Before this gets to hand, your Excellency will probably have seen the Provisional Articles between Great Britain and these States.

Philadelphia, PA - 25 March 1783

The army, by their resolutions, express an expectation that Congress will not disband them previous to a settlement of accounts, and the establishment of funds. Congress may resolve upon the first, but the General opinion is that they cannot constitu

Philadelphia, PA - 25 March 1783

Here I write as a citizen zealous for the true happiness of this country; as a soldier, who feels what is due to an army which has suffered every thing, and done much for the safety of America.

unknown - 11 April 1783

The idea of not attempting to separate the army before the settlement of accounts, corresponds with my proposition. That of endeavouring to let them have some pay, has also appeared to me indispensable.

Philadelphia, PA - 15 April 1783

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Philadelphia, PA - 25 July 1783

All have united in the warmest approbation of your conduct. I cannot forbear telling you this, because my situation has given me access to the truth

unknown - 23 November 1785

The Society of this State met some short time since, and took into consideration the proposed alterations in the original frame of the Institution. Some were strenuous for adhering to the old Constitution, a few for adopting the new, and many for a m

New York, NY - 3 July 1787

The prevailing apprehension among thinking men is, that the Convention, from the fear of shocking the popular opinion, will not go far enough. They seem to be convinced, that a strong, well-mounted Government, will better suit the popular palate, tha

unknown - 30 October 1787

I am much obliged to your Excellency for the explicit manner in which you contradict the insinuations mentioned in my last letter. The only use I shall make of your answer, will he to put it into the hands of a few friends.

New York, NY - 17 October 1790

A British packet arrived yesterday. The accounts she brings are all of a warlike aspect.

Philadelphia, PA - 13 November 1790

This is the first symptom of a spirit which must either be killed, or will kill the constitution of the United States. I send the resolutions to you, that it may be considered what ought to be done.

Philadelphia, PA - 10 April 1791

It is to be lamented that our system is such as still to leave the public peace of the Union at the mercy of each State Government.

Philadelphia, PA - 22 September 1791

I have received a letter from the Minister of France, of which the inclosed is a copy.

Philadelphia, PA - 18 August 1792

I am happy to be able, at length, to send you answers to the objections which were communicated in your letter of the 29th of July.

Philadelphia, PA - 3 September 1792

There is really, my dear sir, a crisis in the affairs of the country, which demands the most mature consideration of its best and wisest friends.

Philadelphia, PA - 19 November 1792

I have carefully reflected on the application of Mr. Ternant, for an additional supply of money for the use of the Colony of St. Domingo, on account of the debt due to France, which I regard more and more as presenting a subject extremely delicate an

Philadelphia, PA - 18 December 1792

Willingly, however, would I relinquish my share of the command to the anti-federalists, if I thought they were to be trusted. But I have so many proofs of the contrary, as to make me dread the experiment of their preponderance.

New York, NY - 10 August 1802

Positively and unequivocally I declare, that no such nor similar order, nor any intimation nor hint resembling it, was ever by me received, or understood to have been given.