George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 10 October 1791

To Alexander Hamilton

Mount Vernon 10th Octobr 1791.

Sir,

Your letter of the 30th September enclosing a Contract entered into by the Collector of Wilmington in North Carolina with James McStephens & Henry Toomer for the stakage of the shoals of Cape Fear river, I have duly received. As I approve of the Contract, I have transmitted the same with my approbation to the Collector of Wilmington.1

I wrote to you from the head of Elk, informing you of my having made enquiries for a proper character to fill the office of Supervisor of the District of Delaware, & that the weight of information which I collected, was in favor of one Andrew Barratt &c. Whether a Commission was ever filled up for him, or what was done in the matter, you have not informed me. I now however, transmit to you a letter from the Hone Jno. Clayton Esqr., by which it appears that no person has been appointed, & that he has recommended his son to you as a fit character to fill that Office. I wish you to look into this business, and to let me know what, or whether anything has finally been done therein.2 I am Sir, Your Most hble Servt

G: Washington

LB, DLC:GW.

1Alexander Hamilton sent GW from Philadelphia on 30 Sept. the contract for staking the shoals of the Cape Fear River that the deputy collector of Wilmington, N.C., had made with James McStephens & Henry Toomer. Hamilton found no reason to object to the terms and requested that if GW approved, he have his secretary so inform collector James Read of Wilmington (DLC:GW). GW sent the contract to Read this day with his approval (LB, DLC:GW).

2GW wrote from Head of Elk, Md., on 16 Sept. and apparently had not yet received either of the copies of Hamilton’s reply of 6 October. No letter from Joshua Clayton recommending his eldest son, James Lawson Clayton (1769–1833), has been found. For the appointment of Andrew Barratt, see GW to Hamilton, 16 Sept., n.2.

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