Alexander Hamilton Papers

To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 29 November 1792

From George Washington

United States, Nov: 29. 1792.

It having been represented by the Director of the Mint1 that the late rise in the price of Copper, and the difficulty of obtaining it, render it improbable that the quantity authorised to be procured can be had, unless some part of it be imported by the United States; it is therefore thought proper that measures should be taken to obtain a quantity from Europe on the public account; and as it is estimated that the sum of Ten thousand dollars will be necessary for this purpose, you are hereby requested, if consistent with the arrangements of the Treasury, to have a bill for the above sum drawn on the Bankers of the United States in Holland,2 payable to Mr. Pinckney3 our Minister in Great Britain.

Go: Washington

LC, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.

1On November 28, 1792, David Rittenhouse wrote to Thomas Jefferson concerning the requirements of the Mint for copper (ALS, RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters, 1790–1799, National Archives). On the same day Jefferson wrote to Washington about the purchase of copper for the Mint (ALS, RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters, 1790–1799, National Archives).

2Willink, Van Staphorst, and Hubbard.

3Thomas Pinckney.

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