Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by D. APPLETON & COMPANY, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. PREFACE. THE archives of the Government of the United States having been recently opened to me by the authority of the Library Committee of Congress, I have found a mass of material of great value, much of it hitherto unused. These documents would, had their existence been known, have made a large addition to the Works of Alexander Hamilton, recently edited, the autograph letters written by him in behalf of Washington, while a member of his staff, and now in the department of State, exceeding a thousand in number. Others have been traced in private collections. These all relate to the period of the American Revolution, comprised in this and the succeeding volume. A wider field of view being obtained, I resolved to enlarge the plan of this work, and to embrace in it both a history and a biography. My object is to present a faithful, honest narrative-a series of authentic statements, which will bear the closest scrutiny, and thus be of service to my country. CONTENTS OF VOLUME I. The American Union-New York under the Dutch-Conquest by England- Religious Feuds-Political Differences-Taxation - Liberty of Press- Albany Convention-Plan of Union-Treaty of Paris-Sugar Act-Com- mittees of Correspondence-Stamp Act-Popular Excitement-Stamp Act -Congress-Popular Violence--Repeal of Stamp Act-Parliamentary Tax- ation-Non-Importation-Episcopate in America-Farmers' Letters-New York in Opposition-Committees-Philip Schuyler-Virginia-Massachu- setts-Trade with Indians-Supplies to Troops-Address of a Son of Liberty-Voted a Libel-Schuyler in Opposition-Election by Ballot- Liberty Pole-Riots in New York-McDougall Imprisoned-Boston Mas- Nevis Birth-place of Hamilton His Descent and Education-Letter to Stevens-Studies-Describes a Hurricane-At School in New Jersey- Visits Princeton-Enters King's College-Religious Impressions-Destruc- tion of Tea-Boston Port Bill-Quebec Bill-New York Committee-A Congress proposed-Meeting in the Fields-Hamilton's Speech-Election First Continental Congress-Defence of Ministry, by A. W. Farmer-Full tility-New York Commotions-Capture of Crown Point and Ticonderoga 58 Councils at New York-Schuyler-Proceedings of Congress-New Army- Hamilton appointed Captain of Artillery-His Studies-Initiative idea of a National Government-Howe near New York-Washington in command -Tryon-Putnam-Battle of Long Island-Retreat to Harlem-Hamil- ton's first interview with Washington-Movements of Armies-Battle of White Plains- Hamilton's conduct-Armies retire - Fort Washington captured-Washington crosses the Hudson-Pursuit by the British-Stand at the Raritan-Hamilton-Battles of Trenton and Princeton-Post at - Conduct of General Lee--Remonstrances of Washington--Capture of Lee--Heath -Sullivan in command-Gates-John Adams-His alarm and flight- Return and Censure of Washington-Nathaniel Greene-John Sullivan- Hamilton to Committee of New York-Washington as to his Staff-Hamilton 172 |