1Credentials of the Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress, 6 February 1775 (Adams Papers)
Resolved, that the Hon. John Hancock Hon. Thomas Cushing Esquires Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Pain Esquires appointed by the last provincial Congress “to represent this Colony on the 10th of May next or sooner if necessary, at the American Congress, to be held at Philadelphia” be and they hereby are, authorized and impowered “with the Delegates from the other American...
2To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Adams mentioned to me last evening that you wanted to know the state of our forts, the number of men we have to support the lines and the number of cannon in the town and vicinity of Boston. She desired I would write upon those matters. We have on Fort Hill in Boston a square fort about an hundred feet Curtin with four Bastions, a good ditch with pickets therein; a small fort at...
3To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Congress, a few days since, received your letter of the 19 of April last which announced to them that you had been received by the States General of the United provinces in the quality of Minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America—an event interesting and important—besides a participation in the general joy occasioned hereby my private feelings are perfectly gratified that...
4To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 April 1789 (Adams Papers)
At my last interview I mentioned to your Excellency my apprehensions that there were some influential characters in the United States, who, if a change of the constitution could not be effected in the first instance would endeavour to destroy the influence of the new government and make it subservient to the views of the different States I see no reason since to change my opinion but am rather...
5To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
I have just been honoured by the receipt of your favor of the 8 th. instant— I have not time, as I must soon leave town, to observe now on that part of it which is in answer to a sentiment of mine on which we seem to differ— There is no proposition, to which I can more fully accede than to the one which affirms how important it is to People that the President, the vice President, the Senate...
6To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 14 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure a few days since of receiving your kind favor of the 19 th. ult o — When I first saw the new constitution I was very apprehensive that the President would not be able to maintain his ground and preserve such a stand, on the stage of our political theater, as to keep up that equilibrum essential to our enjoying all those blessings which are derived from a constitution in...
7To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
The exertions of disappointment & of antifederalism have had little effect I congratulate you My dear sir most sincerely on the happy event— When you left us no arrangment was made for the return of the few dollars you received of me—As I do not know what would be most convenient for you whether to forward the money or for me to draw on you I take the liberty to say now that when ever it shall...
8To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 11 September 1793 (Adams Papers)
Before this can reach you, you will be informed that our attempts to establish a peace with the hostiles tribes of Indians North of the Ohio has been ineffectual; and lest you should be perplexed with vague and uncertain accounts of the state of the business I have now taken up my pen to give you a short detail of the matter.— On my arrival at Niagra the 25th. of May I was informed by the...
9To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 14 September 1795 (Adams Papers)
I return your letters with my most cordial thanks for the sight of them—In the perusal I have been highly gratified and informed and have been confirmed in the idea that if our Jacobins intend to sap the foundation of our present constitution and thereby bring on a serious contest now is the momint for them to attempt their mad pursuit while the powers of Europe have full employ at home and...
10To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed will be presented to you by a committee from a number of Citizens on Monday next at half fast ten oClock should you at that time be at Quincy and in a situation to receive them—Our mutual friend Mr. Jonathan Jackson is with me & proposes to return here to meet our brethren Vzt. Colo: Daws Dr. Mason Mr Higginson Judge Wendal J Jackson B Lincoln With sincere wishes for your...
11To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed address stands as first written. When you shall have both before you you will greatly oblige the Committee by selecting which shall the most fully comport with your own feelings.—The alterations between the Copy I left on Saturday and the address delivered on monday were the result of ideas highly respectful; which I will more fully explain when I shall call on monday next in the...
12To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 7 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
When Mr. Shaw was the other day at my office he mentioned to Mr. Weld my assistant that he had been informed that my drafts had been refused at every bank in this town. I have not, nor have I had a right to draw, nor have I drawn, on any bank but that of the branch where as Collecter I lodge the public monies and draw them as the public service and my duty requires.— My having, with General...
13To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Revd. Mr. Evens call to tender his services as a Chaplain to the troops now raising—In that Character he passed thro our long Contest with Great Britain to great acceptance. He joined my family during the seige of York town I not only became atteached to him as a friend, but as a Gentleman well qualified & disposed to discharge with fidelity the duties of his station. I think him now...
14To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
Monies recd. by the President of the U. S. from Benjn. Lincoln Collector at Boston. 1799 April 12. P. recd of this date—being the amt. due to Presdt. for his compensation to 4 Mar: 1799 Ds. 6,000 June 5. P. recd. of this date 2,000 Augt. 23. P. ditto—Co 2000 Sept: 25. P. ditto—Co 2000 30.
15To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
The late collector of Portsmouth Mr. Whipple has often spoken and written to me respecting his removal from Office and wished me to converse with you on the subject which I declined being persuaded of the impropriety of the measure without evidence to substantiate the facts he set up. But at last upon his admitting the Justice of his removal upon the proof adduced in the case and giving up all...
16To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
The same reasons which prevented my having the honour of dining with you yesterday now exist, and deny me the pleasure of doing it to day—From the confidence I have that your wishes are that every officer should be at his post, when his duties as such manifestly require it I persuade my self that you will not charge me with with neglect in these instances.— Believe me my dear sir in /...
17To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 27 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Major Hatch has shewn to me the draft of a system he has formed for discharging a number of Cannon at the same instant and proposed so to connect the balls by chains and sharpened Knives so as to cutt their way thro every body which shall come in contact with them.—I have not any pretentions to that kind of science on which their operation must be founded. I therefore hope that my silence...
18To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
The extreme bad traveling for some time past has prevented my calling and paying to you the debt of my most dutiful Gratitude While I sympathise with my country in the loss which they have sustained by the events of the late election it is some consolation that you will suffer less by the change than any other of your fellow citizens in the Union. Some few of them may be ingrateful for your...
19To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, [November–December 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
At our last interview you expressed a wish that I would make such remarks on the impost laws as in my opinion would have a tendency to increase the revenue in a way as little burdensome and as conformable to the wishes of the people as possible. The cheerfulness discovered by the merchants in general doing business at this Port in paying the established duties on merchandise evinces to me that...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 1 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, December 1, 1789. “I have been honoured with the receipt of your favor of the 20th Ulto.… The plan which you have adopted of receiving the bills of the Bank aforesaid, is, in my opinion judicious & important as it relates to all the ports saving those in the county of Lincoln as it will accomodate the people, and have a tendency to leave the circulating cash so dispursed as best to...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, December 9, 1789. “Some of the merchants are in opinion that some allowance, in weighing should be made in weighing sugars as they are daily lightning, we have not made any. Ought we to do it? We had a few days since a quantity of wine entered from some port in France it is now represented as being bad & not worth the duties. There are other wines represented as similar. What, if any...
22To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, December 16, 1789. On January 19, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lincoln : “I am favored with your letter of the 16th. of last month.” Letter not found. ]
23To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
On my return from Georgia I met on file in our office your questions concerning the navigations of the several States and foreign nations. An answer to those questions has been delayed from various causes. No one however has contributed more to produce it than a want of information in me, respecting some of them at the time I first saw them. I have since had an opportunity of knowing many...
24To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, December 26, 1789. “… your Circular letter of the 18th. just came to hand and I am happy to inform you that I have anticipated your orders and early adopted that line of conduct which I thought would secure that punctuality in the payment of bonds.… I have the pleasure now to inform you that we have not … had any person a delinquent for a moment.…” ADf , Collector of Customs at Boston,...
25To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, [1789] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, 1789. ] Discusses the difficulty of distinguishing between goods on which duties have been paid and those on which they have not been paid. Proposes a system of branding casks, chests, and boxes, and marking bales to prevent smuggling. LC , RG 36, Letters from the Treasury and Others, 1789–1818, Vol. 11, National Archives.
26To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, January 20, 1790. Discusses the type of boat that should be used to prevent smuggling. States that “As all drawbacks on goods … & bounties paid on articles exported too often operate as Caches on the revenue of a country the greatest barriers possible should be placed around it to prevent the practice of frauds of every kind.” ADf , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from...
27To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, January 26, 1790. Discusses the problems involved in the re-exportation of imported wines. Suggests placing imported raisins, lemons, pepper, and pimento on the enumerated list, and states that the additional levies would produce a “handsome” sum. ADf , RG 36, Letters from the Treasury and Others, 1789–1818, Vol. 11, National Archives.
28To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 27 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston ] January 27, 1790 . “Your faver of the 20th respecting Christopher Sadler is before us. In the morning of his arrival he came directly to the office with his papers in order to enter his vessel. His papers from Hallifax Nova Scotia were regular. He appeared to be very unhappy on his finding his mistake and applied for advice and has attended fully to the directions given him. No...
29To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your directions I now Inclose the return of the fees of the several officers of the district of Boston and Charlestown together with an account of all the money paid to the weighers, gaugers, which was received by them respectively from the 10th. of August to the end of December last. At one view you will see what ⅌ Cent the collection in this district has cost. The emoluments of...
30To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 7 February [1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[Boston] February 7 [1790.] Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s “several favors of the 27th. 28 & 30th Ulto.” Explains why the collector at Biddeford has not received registry blanks. States that the “payment of the Invalids will be undertaken with pleasure.” ADf , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury and Others, 1789–1818, Vol. 11, National Archives. Letter of...
31To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
To reduce things involved in confusion, to a state of order, in all cases requires labour and attention. The task is increased by the magnitude of the object, and is rendered perplexing indeed, where there are a deficiency of means and where different interests ably supported, and stubbornly adhearred to, must be combined for the completion of the system in view. To devise a scheme, which...
32To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 19 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, March 19, 1790. “I have written to the several keepers of the light-houses in this State, excepting the keeper of the light house at Plymouth, informing them that the President of the United States has been pleased to continue them in their present appointments.… Mrs. Thomas the widow the late General Thomas, not Warren has been considered as the keeper of the light house at...
33To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, March 24, 1790. States that “General Warren is going in the Morning to the City of New York to settle his public accounts as a Member of the Navy board, in this State.” Recommends General Warren’s son, Henry, for “an office in the revenue.” Copy, RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury and Others, 1789–1818, Vol. 11, National Archives. James Warren of Plymouth,...
34To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 6 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, April 6, 1790. “I have just now had with me Mr. Thomas, son of the late General Thomas, whose Mother has the care of Light house at Plymouth. When she was first appointed to that trust he was a minor otherwise he probably would have had the appointment himself. He is a Young Gentleman of a good character and I think is a fair candidate for the appointment under the United States. I...
35To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 15 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
By the 27 Section of the Coasting act it is provided that all vessels therein described & under certain circumstances shall enter within 24 hours after arrival. As no penalty is annexed to a nonperformance of the injunction in the law little attention is now paid to it, & the attention is daily decreasing, indeed it seems to decrease with the knowledge that there is no forfiture on a breach of...
36To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, May 25, 1790. On June 8, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lincoln : “I have received your favor of the 25th of May.” Letter not found. ]
37To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 27 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, May 27, 1790. “Your circular letter of the 17th. instant on the importance of your receiving the earliest information when breaches of the revenue law should take place came to hand by the tuesday post.… About five weeks since information was given that two trunks of merchandise had been in the night landed from on board the Ship Neptune Capt James Scott from London. On search the two...
38To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 1 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, June 1, 1790. “A district court for the Masst district was held here this day. The case of the Ship neptune the two trunks of Merchandize & of the Molasses and liam mentioned in my last have been called & are all gone by default.…” LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letter Book, 1790–1797, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Boston, National Archives....
39To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, [1 July 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, July 1, 1790. ] Recommends Barzillas Delano “as a suitable person” to be the keeper of the lighthouse at Portland Head. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “B,” New Hampshire and Massachusetts, National Archives.
40To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 1 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, July 1, 1790. States that the lighthouses on Thacher and Plum Islands need to be repaired and that the cost of the work will be $137.83⅓. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “B,” New Hampshire and Massachusetts, National Archives; LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letter Book, 1790–1797, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Boston, National...
41To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, July 3, 1790. “Your favour of the 24th Ulto. came by the last post. I have seen one of the Gentlemen to whom was committed the building the light-house at Portland and find that the house is fifty eight feet in height that it must be raised Eight feet higher which will cost about one hundred dollars. The whole expence which has been incurred for the land the Light-house and for a...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The time will soon arrive when we may expect that large quantities of pickled & dryed fish will be imported here from Nova Scotia. Upon their arrival they are charged with a duty, on the pickled fish seventy five Cents ⅌ barrel & on the dryed fish fifty cents ⅌ Quintal. These fish are not consumed in the United States and are entitled to a draw back upon their being exported to a foreign...
43To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 17 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I now take up my pen to give you an account of the seizure of the Schooner Bee of about 30 Tons from Nova-Scotia and to relate the circumstances which led to & have taken place in consequence thereof. On Wednesday last I had information that a Schooner of about Thirty five tons from Nova-Scotia had been for some days in the offing but had run in at night; that lighters had taken out of her a...
44To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 23 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last I suggested my apprehensions that we should suffer by having thrown in upon us the fish from Nova Scotia. I am hourly more and more confirmed in the idea and that we shall pay the bounty on much more fish than we shall like. Our vessels are permitted to fish on the coast of Nova-Scotia and make the fish on shore. Many of them are in this practice and return in the fall with the...
45To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Herewith I forward the receipts which ought to have been sent on upon the receipt of the registers. Our stock is nearly out. I wish for one hundred more as soon as they can be conveniently forwarded. A warrent from the Treasury No 502 date July 27 for 2900 dollars was presented to me this morning for payment the money was told out & a receipt was wrote on the back of the warrent. But on Mr....
46To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, August 5, 1790. “I have been honoured with the receipt of your favor of the 30th. Ulto. by this evenings post. Immediately on knowing that the Act of this State making a Cession of the lighthouses &c had not been forwarded, I applied to the secretary for a copy of it which I obtained and have the pleasure to inclose.…” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “B,” New Hampshire...
47To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 17 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, August 17, 1790. States that members of the lighter that unloaded fish illegally from the schooner from Nova Scotia “had no idea that they were breaking the law of the United States.” Asks approval for oil contract for lighthouses. States that “the Light Houses at the Gurnet are nearly ready to tumble down from the want of repairs.” LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letter...
48To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Sometime since, a Cargo of Sugars were imported into this Town, among them, were two or three tons of the worst kind, indeed it could hardly be called Sugar; it sold for about 2/5ths of what the remainder of the Cargo sold for, can any allowance be made on account of the duty? The British Consul arrived here a few days since, with his family, he has brought a quantity of household furniture....
49To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 31 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I received by the last post a letter under the date of the 24 instant from Mr. Coxe Assistant secy in which he says The Secy of the Treasury has instructed me to inform you that he has urgent occasion for the returns of bonds taken in your office which were formally requested to be made in monthly schedules. I was much surprised on finding those observations as I could not or could any in the...
50To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, September 3, 1790. “Herewith you will receive my account current & the necessary papers to the first of July.… A few days since we put our hands on two bags of Coffee. If we are not deceived by the informant, such facts will turn up in evidence as deeply to involve the captain of the vessel.… A British ship came here a few days since from Ireland had nothing on board saving a few...