Alexander Hamilton Papers

To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 12 July 1790

From William Ellery

Newport [Rhode Island] July 12, 1790. “… I have read over the circular letter which contains the opinion of two eminent lawyers …1 which respects the exemption of Vessels under twenty tons from paying fees for their licences.… if Licensed Vessels under Twenty tons may trade between the difft. districts of the United States, or carry on the bank or whale fisheries … it would seem to me that a fee for their licences is demandable.… I cannot conceive that it was the intention of the Legislature of the United States that its servants should do something for nothing. I could have wished that the fees for every Service had been precisely ascertained.…”

LC, Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.

1See Richard Harison and Samuel Jones to H, November 18, 1789 (PAH description begins Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New York and London, 1961– ). description ends , V, 521–22), a copy of which was enclosed in “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” November 30, 1789 (PAH description begins Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New York and London, 1961– ). description ends , V, 575–78).

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