Alexander Hamilton Papers
Documents filtered by: Volume="Hamilton-01-18"
sorted by: editorial placement
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-18-02-0013

From Alexander Hamilton to Tench Francis, 5 January 1795

To Tench Francis1

Treasury department
January 5th 1795.

Sir

Inclosed I send you a letter from the Commissioner of The Revenue of the 3rd. instant2 respecting Mr. Copperthwaits mission.3

I will add to it that Mr. Copperthwaits power ought to be complete & absolute as to the management of the whole business, subject only to the instructions which he shall receive from hence.

It is necessary to efficacy & to avoid the embarrassments heretofore experienced that the direction should be concentered in one Agent. It will be satisfactory & may be usefull that where circumstances admit of it without delay or injury he should communicate with & consult Messrs. Clay & Habersham;4 but he ought to be authorised to decide and act according to his Judgment of what will promote the Public service.

Mr. Habersham will afford the pecuniary aid necessary out of the fund which have been placed in his hands for the purpose.

A letter will be written to those Gentlemen in conformity with this idea.5

With consideration & Esteem   I am Sir   Your Obedt. Servt.

Alexander Hamilton

Tench Francis Esq.

LS, Chicago Historical Society.

1For background to this letter, see Tench Coxe to H, December 22, 25–27, 1794; H to Coxe, December 29, 1794.

2Coxe to Francis, January 3, 1795 (LC, RG 75, Letters of Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, Relating to the Procurement of Military, Naval, and Indian Supplies, National Archives).

3Joseph Copperthwaite. See Coxe to H, December 25–27, 1794, note 37.

4Joseph Clay was a merchant in Savannah, and John Habersham was collector of customs in Savannah.

5Coxe to Habersham, January 5, 1795 (LC, RG 75, Letters of Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, Relating to the Procurement of Military, Naval, and Indian Supplies, National Archives).

Index Entries