1From Alexander Hamilton to Jedidiah Huntington, 13 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I am favord with your Letter of the 7th. in Answer to mine of the 1st. I approve of the Measures you have taken relative to the Lighthouse—and shall be obliged to you to SuperIntend whatever relates to this Business, for the present; taking Care that the Disbursements be made with Œconomy; and that the accounts for the same be regularly Vouched— I am, Sir, Your most Obedt. Humble Servant. (...
2From Alexander Hamilton to President & Directors of the Office of Discount and Deposit at New York, 7 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have authorized David Austin Esquire Collector of New-Haven, to draw upon your institution for any sum not exceeding Two Thousand Dollars—If Mr. Austin therefore should make any use of this Credit, you will be pleased to honor his draughts within the limitation mentioned and transmit them to this Office; upon the receipt of which, the Treasurer will be directed to remit you a check fo r the...
3To Alexander Hamilton from Job Smith [1798] (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer will present you with a letter of recommendation in my favor from Judge Wickham of Orange County. I am at present so indisposed as not to be able to wait on you in person but hope to do so in the Course of a few days with further recommendations. I have the honor to be Sir Your honor’s much oblig ed hble Servt. ( ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
4To Alexander Hamilton from Adam Hoops, 22 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The slight acquaintance I have with you will certainly not be considered as an apology for the liberty I take in troubling you with a letter on a subject rather particular at a time when your mind must be occupied with matters of general & important concern—I must therefore throw myself on your indulgence for an excuse and will hope that when the nature of the case is taken into View I shall...
5To Alexander Hamilton from Frederick Augustus de Zeng, 28 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Happy as I feel with most of my Neighbours, to see you appointed Second in command in the Armies of this Country, I can not omit to take the Liberty to address you Sir, upon this so interesting Event, in the full persuation that the motive for doing it will be my best apologie—Having Spent nearly fifteen years in an actual militairy life partly in the Hessian Foot Guards, partly in the...
6To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 31 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. David Jones, the Son of the Comptroller, wishes for the Honor of being one of your aids; and (with his fathers approbation) purposes on his arrival at N. York, to wait upon you on the Subject. This young Gentleman has been my private Secretary, and I do him no more than Justice in assuring you, that while with me I was not only satisfied but pleased with his Temper Disposition & Behaviour,...
7To Alexander Hamilton from Nathan Levy, 1 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to enclose you from Genl. Lee & Genl Forrest, letters recommending me, to your Consideration as an officer in the Army—These Gentlemen both Know my Wish is to be immediately Under Your Orders, And that the Nearer to your person, you Can assign me a Station the More I Should be gratified—They have both hinted to me the improbability of Succeeding in this Application; from the...
8To Alexander Hamilton from Alexander Mowatt, 4 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
In Consequence of the polite Notice you were pleased to Afford my Application yesterday, I take the liberty to remind you that an Appointment to some Office in the Commissary’s department would be what I should wish, Any such to which you may suppose me Equal will be of Essential service to—sir Your Hble Servnt. ( ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). Acknowledges H’s letter of August...
9To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Van Schaack, 4 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
It will not, I presume, surprise you , my dear General Hamilton, that I, who was somewhat distinguished and punished for pertina c ious adherence to opinions and sentiments on great national questions diametrically opposite to those of your own on a former occasion, should now consider it my utmost pride and pleasure to think and act with those great luminous characters who effected the...
10To Alexander Hamilton from James De Haert, 4 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Having no family I should be glad to go in the army May I take the liberty of asking your recommendation to be appointed an officer If you consider me worthy and competent which it will confer great obligations on your most Obedt huml. Servt ( ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). H’s endorsement reads: "asking an appt in the army. A H."
11To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Van Schaack, 6 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Under an impression of my having the Honor of being known to you I am surrounded by applicants to have their names transmitted to you for admission in the army of the united states. To repel this ardent spirit, so necessary in the present crisis, may not be advisable. to encourage it would probably would impose upon you too much trouble—In this situation I will once more give you the trouble...
12To Alexander Hamilton from Lewis Tousard, 7 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I was extremely Sorry that my being on a public Mission at Baltimore prevented my waiting on you when you were lately in Philadelphia, and presenting you, or rather to the whole Army, my most Sincere congratulations on the choice the President has made of you for an Inspector General. Entirely devoted to the career which I have followed from my youth, which your kind interest procured me to...
13To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 9 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Among various applications for appointments connected with the Army is one from Mr. Fishburne Wharton a young Gentleman of this City, which I take the liberty to recommend to your consideration. Mr. Wharton belongs to a very respectable family of the Society of Friends—he is a Son of the late President Wharton—he is amiable virtuous & intelligent—his education has been good and in my opinion...
14To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Hoffman, 10 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Attached to the Government, and zealous to use my feble efforts in supporting the Independence of my Country, I take the liberty (tho’ I have not the honor to be known to you) to solicit your interest for my being appointed a Lieutenant in the Cavelry of the United States. I have written to my relation the Attorney General of the State of New York requesting him to inform you whether I merit...
15To Alexander Hamilton from Dowe Fondey, 17 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Received information of your arrival here—I hastened to this place under the pleasing reflection of seeing you in person, but unfortunately you had left this place the same day I arrived—In conversation with his honor the Lt. Governor—I was informed that my name in the list of Candidates for Military appointments was returned for a Captaincy. as my first and only application addressed to you...
16To Alexander Hamilton from Hunloke Woodruff, 17 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
In a Conversation with the Lieut. Governor he mentioned, that you had inquired, respecting a Mr John Cuyler, who had made application to the board of Warr, for the appointment of Surgeon or mate in some of the new raised Corps—It struck me—there was a mistake. As a Mr John McKinney a Young Man who had Studied with Doctor Mancius & myself, had made Application to the Warr Office, thro’ the...
17To Alexander Hamilton from Abraham Russel and John Stephens, Sr., 19 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The person who has the honour to wait on you with this having expressed to us his wish to join in the defence of his country the Army of the United states and having ask’d the favour of our recommending him if our intercession in his behalf may have any influence with you in procuring him some office we are happy to report that we have a personal knowledge of Garret DeBow he was born in this...
18To Alexander Hamilton from Bezaleel Howe, 19 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honour to Serve in the American Army—from the 20th of April ’75—to the Close of the War—and when the Melitia of this State was organised—after the peace; I commanded a Company of Infantry, for three years—in this Citty—in March ’91—I received—an appointment in the western army Commanded by Genl. Sinclare—and continued in that Service till the 17 of October ’96—when the Legion was...
19From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, 22 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Col Toussard, who will have the honor of delivering you this letter, is desirous of being appointed Inspector of Artillery. He has reason to hope that his wish is favoured by the Secretary at War—and seems to think that the intimation of my opinion may be useful to him. On the supposition that it accords with the views of the head of the War Department, I have no hesitation to add my...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Josiah Hedden, 28 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Being anxious to pursue a military life I have taken the Liberty of Soliciting through you a commission in the Regular army of the United States— Having only attained my Eighteenth year, I cannot with Propriety Solicit Higher Rank, than that of an Ensign, Should You on Enquiry into my Character Suppose me Competent to that appointment—you will confer a favor by giving me your Countenance and...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Livingston, 1 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
From the politeness You Shewed me at our Meeting at Ancram I am induced to beg the favor of You to recommend, a Nephew of mine by the Name of Robt. LeRoy Livingston to Command a Company in the Troops to be Raised in Defence of American Independence—he is a Gentleman a Man, Young in life, but has Prudence & Bravery—No Vices but what are the lot of Human Nature, & I will be be give my Parole for...
22To Alexander Hamilton from John Adams, 4 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your favour of the 22d. of August recommending Col Toussard to be Inspector of Artillery. I have no Reason to suspect that your entire Confidence in his Honor and Fidelity is misplaced. But as his native Country is France and his Speech betrays his original, I am very apprehensive that in a French War, neither the Army nor the People, would be without their Jealousies and...
23To Alexander Hamilton from George Shepherd, 19 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
On Fryday last, I called at your house and was very sorry when informed, you had left the City for Elizabeth Town, but was shortly expected to return. It was my intention to have called on you again, but the sailing of the vessel that evening prevented me, altho I am not personally acquainted with your honor, I trust you will excuse the liberty I have taken in addressing myselfe to you, as my...
24To Alexander Hamilton from William North, 25 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The Gentleman who will have the honor to present this, is my nephew, he wishes to receive an appointment in the Army, I have mentioned him to Mr McHenry for a Lieutenancy. If you think he will make an Officer I shall be oblidged by your having him appointed. His Grandfather was a Captain and in the Service of George the 2d, his father an ensign in the same service against the French in the war...
25To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Carroll of Carrollton, 9 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
When you have perused the subjoined testimonials, which I have copied from the originals, you will readily perceive, that nothing I can say, can add to the strong recommendations given to the gentleman, in whose behalf I take the liberty to address this letter to you. The Count de Moelien is desirous of employment in our army the line of his profession; bred a Soldier an inactive life neither...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel A. Barker, 17 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Having been lately informed by Mr Schuyler, that recommendations of persons qualified to serve as officers in the army were made to you, I take liberty of recommending to your consideration, Mr Elhanan W. Wheeler, a young gentleman, who is a native of the County of Worcester, State of Massachusets, now residing in the County of Dutchess—He has had a liberal education at the University of...
27To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Bland Lee, 20 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
A disposition to assist a meritorious officer induces me to address to you this letter. Tho’ some years have elapsed since I have had the pleasure of seeing you I trust that my motive will be deemed a sufficient apology. The Gentleman to whom I allude is Captn. Richard Scott Blackburn of the Artillery of the United States, now stationed at Norfolk and Commandant of the fort at that place. He...
28To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Carroll of Carrollton, 6 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I was favored the 30th past with your friendly & polite answer to my letter of the 9th. The writing on the opposite sheet will best explain the Count de Moëlien’s wishes. All I can add on the Subject, is to assure you of my firm persuasion, that if public policy, & the regulations which may be finally established Shall permit you to gratify the ardent desire the Count expresses of becoming one...
29To Alexander Hamilton from James F. Armstrong, 16 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I would not have troubled you at present had I not been solicited by Letter from Wm. S. Livingstons friends Since I saw you to address you on the subject of his application for a Midshipmans place in the Navy—But what Mrs. Armstrong told me you said to her on that head gives me full confidence that nothing will be wanting on your part should that subject come before you while at Phia....
30To Alexander Hamilton from Lewis Tousard, 19 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I beg leave to remind you of the letter which you was so kind as to write, in my favour, to the President, for the rank of Inspector of Artillery which, by the law of last July, is to be chosen from amongst the Officers of the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers. As I hear that you are to meet at Philadelphia with the President, the Commander in chief and the Secretary of war, my application...