To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 1 September 1791
From Philip Schuyler
Albany September 1st 1791.
Dr Sir
Mr. Henry Glen1 has Exhibited certain accounts of expences accrued by him as an Agent for Indian Affairs appointed by the board of Commissioners in the Northern department, to the Auditor of the Treasury2 he informs, objections arise to the liquidation on a Supposition that they were not presented within the time limited by the late Congress.3 The inclosed Copy of a Certificate given by Mr. Barber4 the Commissioner in the part of the United States to settle accounts with the citizens of this State will Evince that application was made to him at an early day.5
Mr Dow6 one of the Commissioners whose accounts are also with the Auditor was appointed by the board to receive what monies were granted for the Indian service, to pay it out, and to account, requested me to apply to Mr. Barber when here to know when he would attend to the Settlement of his account. Mr. Barbers reply to me was Substantially the same as that given by him to Mr: Glen.
I have advanced to an amount exceeding Fifteen hundred Pounds, and delivered my accounts to Mr. Dow, who if he had been in Cash would have discharged it, it is inclosed in his account and if Mr. Dow, or Mr. Glen had not even attempted an adjustment of their accounts I conceive it ought not to injure the individual Claimants as they applied for payment to the Officers who contracted the debts and who received their accounts, and who was to discharge them when enabled by the public. Anxious for an adjustment of both these accounts permit me to intreat your interference as far as may be proper & Consistent with your Situation.
The bearer Mr. Van Ingen7 is Empower’d by Mr. Glen to Solicit the Settlement of his Accounts.
I am Dear Sir Affectionately Yours &c
Honble. Alexander Hamilton Esqr.
Copy, Schuyler Papers, MS Division, New York Public Library.
1. Glen, a Schenectady, New York, merchant, had been a member of the Provincial Congress, a deputy quartermaster during the American Revolution, and a member of the New York Assembly in 1786 and 1787.
2. Oliver Wolcott, Jr.
3. On March 17, 1785, Congress adopted the following resolution: “Resolved, That all persons having unliquidated claims against the United States, be, and they are hereby required, within twelve Months from the date hereof, to deliver a particular abstract of such claims to some Commissioner in the State in which they respectively reside, who is authorised to settle accounts against the United States; And any person or persons, neglecting to deliver their claims as aforesaid, shall be precluded from any adjustment of the same, except at the board of treasury …” (, XXVIII, 169).
4. William Barber’s full title was commissioner of accounts for the State of New York. He had been appointed in accordance with a congressional resolution of February 20, 1782, which stated that such “a commissioner for each State … be appointed,” and that among other things he was “fully empowered and directed to liquidate and settle, in specie value, all certificates given for supplies by public officers to individuals, and other claims against the United States by individuals for supplies furnished the army, the transportation thereof, and contingent expences thereon, within the said State …” (, XXII, 84–85).
5. On March 17, 1786, Glen submitted a petition to Congress “stating that as Agent for the Comrs. of Indian Affairs in the northern department he performed services and Advanced considerable sums of money his accounts for which are not finally adjusted or settled and praying that William Barber Comr. for the State of New York may be permitted to settle his Accts. and issue a certificate for the balance as from several circumstances his certificates are of more immediate value than those issued by the board of treasury” (, XXX, 116). For Barber’s statement on Glen’s claim, see H to Glen, June 26, 1792, note 3 (, XI, 570). The petition was submitted to the Board of Treasury, but no report from the board has been found. Glen petitioned Congress again on February 3, 1795, and February 16, 1796, with no results (, II, 313, 444; III, 260).
6. Volkert P. Douw. This claim was presumably related to “a certain quantity of Provisions furnished for the Oneida Indians under the directions of Philip Schuyler, and Volker P. Dow Commissioners of Indian Treaties for the Northern District in the year 1780 …” (, XXX, 208).
7. William Van Ingen, a resident of Schenectady, New York, was Glen’s son-in-law.