1Treasury Department Warrant No. 1, [13 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
To the President, Directors & Company of the Bank of New York. Pay to Samuel Meredith Treasurer of the United States, or Order, the Sum of Twenty thousand Dollars; being the Amount of a Loan agreed to be made by the said Bank to the Secretary at War, in pursuance of an Appropriation made by an Act of Congress of the twentieth day of August 1789: for which this shall be your Warrant. Given...
The exigencies of Government require that I should without delay be informed of the amount of the Duties which have accrued in the several States, and of the Monies which have been already received in payment of them, and the periods at which the remainder will fall due. In this absolute precision is not expected, but a General Statement accurate enough in the main to be relied on. I request...
In consequence of arrangements lately taken with the Bank of North America, and the Bank of New York, for the accommodation of the Government, I am to inform you that it is my desire, that the Notes of those Banks, payable either on demand, or at no longer period than thirty days after their respective dates; should be received in payment of the duties, as equivalent to Gold and Silver, and...
In obedience to an order of the House of Representatives of the 21st. Instant (Copy of which I have the honor to enclose) it becomes my duty to request your Excellency to procure and transmit to this Office the Documents and Information therein required. As the next Session of the Legislature will be on the first monday of January ensuing, it is greatly to be wished that the whole of the above...
The United States in Congress having by their Act of the 7th. of August last Ordained “That all expences for the necessary support and maintenance of Light-houses, Beacons, Buoys &ca. within any Port or Harbour of the United States, should after the 15th. of August last, be defrayed out of the Treasury of the United States”; You will be pleased to transmit forthwith to this Office, as...
As in the first establishiment of Revenue systems, imperfections and inconveniencies will naturally present themselves in practice, which could not have been foreseen in their formation; it is of the greatest moment, that the best information should be collected for the use of the Government as to the operation of those, which may have been adopted. To the obtaining this information, as it...
Inclosed is the copy of an Act for amending the “Act for registering and Clearing Vessels, regulating the Coasting Trade, and for other purposes,” which I transmit you for your Government. I am Sir Your humble servt. LS , to Charles Lee, Charles Lee Papers, Library of Congress; LS , to John Scott, Harvard College Library; LS , to William Webb, Princeton University Library; L[S] , to Otho...
8Treasury Department Circular to the Wardens of the Ports, 5 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
If any arrangement has been made at the Port where you reside for the support Maintenance and repairs of Light-houses, Beacons, Buoys &c. under your direction; you will be pleased to continue the charge and superintendence of the same in the usual manner, ’till you receive further Instructions from me on this subject, taking care that your expenditures for those objects be conducted with...
I have reason to know, that some of the Collectors have conceived themselves authorised to make ye discount allowed by Law for prompt payment, after Bonds were given for securing the Duties. This is not in my opinion, the true construction of the Act. You will therefore under such circumstances avoid making the above discount. I am Sir Your Obedient Servant LS , to Jedediah Huntington, MS...
10Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 10 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I observe that by the 24th. Section of the Act for Registering and Clearing vessels &c. it is provided, that Vessels bound to foreign parts should deliver manifests of their Cargoes to the Collectors of the Ports from which they are to sail. The object of this provision doubtless was to obtain a knowledge of the exports of the Country: to carry which into effect I am to desire that a regular...
11Treasury Department Circular to the Continental Loan Officers, 12 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As I am not certain in what light the Commissioners of the Loan Office in the several states may consider themselves with regard to their continuance in Office, under the old establishment, I think it necessary to apprise them, that the provision which has been made for their compensation does not extend beyond the 30th. June last; being the period to which warrants were issued by the late...
12Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 14 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed I send you agreable to an Intimation in a former letter the signatures of the president and Cashier of the Banks of North-America and New York; together with a general description of those notes, which will enable you to guard against Impositions and Counterfeits. Where the notes are payable to any particular person and not to bearer, you will take care that there is an indorsement of...
13Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 15 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
There is a species of information, which it will be convenient to you to obtain and which will be of important use to the Government: it respects the mode of Navigating of the several States; and of Foreign Nations. With a view to which I have framed a number of Queeries, to which as speedily as the requisite enquiries can be made, I request answers. Thought I do not consider it as a part of...
14Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 20 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
On Reflection, I have concluded to substitute the Form herewith transmitted for the Monthly returns required in mine of the 2d. Oct. instant, as less troublesome than the one there proposed; but I still mean that the Quarterly Returns should be conformable to the Model already furnished. I shall expect as soon as may be a Return of all the past according to that Model up to the last of...
15Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 31 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
A question has been submitted to me by the Collectors of certain ports, which being of a general nature, I have thought fit to make the subject of a circular instruction. It is this, whether the duties are demandable on importations after the first of August, and prior to the organisation of the Custom houses in the respective districts. After mature reflection on this point, I am of opinion...
16Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs in Massachusetts, 20 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have heretofore directed you to receive in payment of the duties the notes of the Banks of North America and New York. I now desire that you will also receive those of the Bank of Boston, and will exchange whatever specie you may at any time have in your hands for those notes. In order to guard you against Counterfeits in this instance, I shall request the Directors of that Bank to send you...
17Treasury Department Circular to the Governors of the States, 21 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Not having received any acknowledgement of my Letter of the 26th Septr, transmitting the Copies of two resolutions of the house of Representatives of the 21st of the Same month; and conceiving the information which relates to the debts of the Several States, and the public securities of the union in their Treasuries, to be an object of a very important nature, I have the honor to inclose...
18Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 25 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I request you to procure and send me without delay the revenue laws of your State in force immediately preceding the Act of Congress laying a duty on imports; as well those relating to imports as others: the whole being wanted for information. Should it not be practicable to obtain the Revenue laws distinct from the other laws of the State, you will be pleased to procure and forward the whole,...
19Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 30 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Having been applied to by the Collectors of several Ports, for my opinion on various points, which are of general concern, and in respect to which it is important that the same rules should be every where observed, I have concluded to make my answers to their inquiries the subject of a Circular letter. Some of those inquiries relate to the allowances to which the officers of the Customs are...
20Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 1 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The Comptroller of the Treasury will forward to you by this or the ensuing post the whole of the forms necessary for making your Returns to this Office, and rendering your Accounts at the Treasury. You will observe that in these general forms it is not required that you should make a Monthly Return of the Duties on Imports, and that in the Weekly return the Cash receipts and Disbursements (and...
21Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As one of the periods for the payment of Bonds taken for Duties is arrived, it is proper that the respective Collectors should be apprised of my expectation with regard to the conduct to be observed by them. It is, that if the Bonds are not paid, as they fall due they be immediately put in Suit. On this point, the most exact punctuality will be considered as indispensable . And accordingly it...
22Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 23 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
My opinion having been several times asked on the following points, I think it proper in order to produce uniformity of practice to convey it in a Circular Instruction. First—Whether the tonnage of foreign vessels ought to be taken from the Registers, or ascertained by admeasurement according to the principles of the third Section of the act for registering &c. I am of opinion that the latter...
23Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 30 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In my Circular letter of the 31st. of October last I directed you to claim the duties which had arisen on Imports since the first day of August last, and prior to the organisation of the Customhouses in the respective districts, and if the same was controverted by the parties liable thereto to prosecute this claim to a legal determination. As the decision in one case will probably form a rule...
24Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 20 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Motives friendly to the Interests of the Officers of the Customs, as well as to the advancement of the public service, induce me to desire that I may be as soon as possible furnished with a Statement of the amount of the emoluments which have accrued to them respectively under the existing regulations, up to the first of January. As this letter will only be addressed to the Collector of each...
25Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 27 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The adoption of the Constitution of the United States by the state of North Carolina, having raised a question concerning the operation of the 39th. Section of the Collection bill and the 3d. Section of the Act for suspending part of that Act and for other purposes; it is incumbent upon me to give my opinion upon the subject; which is, that they were virtually repealed by that adoption . Among...
26Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 17 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I find that the process marked out in my letter of the 30th. of November for calculating the allowance of 10 ⅌ Cent for prompt payment has by some of the Officers been misapprehended in one particular which is with regard to the first proviso of the 19th. Section of the Collection bill confining the discount to the excess of the Amount of the duties above 50 Dollars. As the same...
27Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 3 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
You will receive herewith an Act of Congress of the 8th. of february last entitled “An Act for giving effect to the several Acts therein mentioned in respect to the State of North Carolina and other purposes.” which I transmit for your government. I am Sir Your Obedt Servt. LS , to Charles Lee, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; L[S] , to Benjamin Lincoln, RG 36, Collector of...
28Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 30 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Having observed that the several Collectors have hitherto differed in the mode of transmitting to this office, the drafts of the Treasurer of the United States which have been drawn on them and paid: I now desire that those drafts with a receipt endorsed on them, may be transmitted, as soon as they are paid, to my Office , when they shall be covered by a regular Warrant, and your account...
29Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs in Massachusetts Except Boston, 30 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In mine of the 20th. November last I directed you to take duplicate receits for all monies remitted by you to the Bank of Massachusetts on account of the United States; one of which was intended to be transmitted to the Treasurer and the other to be retained by you. As some of the Collectors have not sent on this receit under an impression that the same should accompany their quarterly...
30Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs in Georgia Except Savannah, 6 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to desire that you will remit all monies, which you may now have on hand, or hereafter receive on account of the Customs, to John Habersham, Esquire Collector for the port of Savannah, taking duplicate receipts for the same, one of which to be transmitted to my Office, and the other to be retained by you. This mode of payment you will continue till otherwise directed by me. I am, Sir,...
31Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 16 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I herewith enclose for your government an Act entitled “an Act to prevent the exportation of goods not duly inspected, according to the laws of the several States.” I observe that the 27th. and 28th. sections of the coasting act have by some of the Collecters of the Customs been so construed as to require, that all licensed vessels of the burthen of twenty tons and upwards bound to any port...
32Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 13 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The second moiety of one years pensio⟨n⟩ will be payable to the Invalids on the fifth day of June next: The sum to be paid in your State is estimated to be Eight thousand two hundr⟨ed⟩ and fifty three dollars, which you will retain in your hands out of the Monies received by you for duties on Imports and Tonnage and pay the same upon such evidences as the Secretary at War shall direct,...
33Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 17 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
It appears probable that the public interests would be promoted by my receiving the earliest information when breaches of the Revenue Laws take place. I therefore request; that whenever a seizure shall be made within the sphere of your duty, you will transmit me by the first opportunity an account of the transaction, containing such particulars as will enable me fully to understand the case. I...
34Treasury Department Circular to the Continental Loan Officers, 17 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
There are in the possessions of the late Loan Officers of the United States, several specie of public paper the holding of which must be inconvenient to them, while they ought, in propriety to be at the Seat of Government. I therefore request that on the receipt of this letter you will be pleased to forward to me the Indents, blank Loan Office Certificates, bills of Credit, known by the name...
35Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors and Surveyors of the State of Virginia, 18 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed through one of the representatives of the State of virginia, that some co-operation with the executive of that State on the part of the Officers of the Customs is necessary to the perfect execution of the Tobacco inspection Law. That acts directs, that the Tobacco inspectors Shall by every boat or other craft loaded with Tobacco, Send a List of the marks weights &ca of every...
36Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 31 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the United States having been pleased to appoint you to the Office of Commissioner of loans in virtue of the Act making provision for the debt of the United States, I transmit your Commission and a copy of the law under which you are to act. On the receipt of this letter you will proceed to qualify yourself for the duty, by taking the oath required, before one of the Judges of...
37Treasury Department Circular to the District Attorneys, 31 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
A confidence in your disposition to promote the public interests, has induced me to trouble you on a subject in which the safety of Government is concerned. The 12th. section of the Act of the Legislature of the 4th instant “making provision for the debt of the United States” subjects the quantum and sufficiency of the Security to be given by the Commissioners of the New Loans to my judgment...
38Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 16 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, September 16, 1790. On September 23, 1790, Nathaniel Appleton wrote to Hamilton : “I recd. your circular Letter of 16th Inst.” Circular not found. ]
39Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 16 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have already transmitted a Copy of an act of Congress passed on the fourth day of August 1790, making provision for the debt of the United States, & I now transmit such forms as have been devised for the government of your conduct as Commissioner of Loans in the State of ——. On the opening of your Office, two books will be provided by you for the purpose of receiving subscriptions, agreably...
40Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 23 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Some very important objects in the business of the next sessions of the Legislature will render the early transmission of the several quarterly returns and accounts that will be due the 30th. instant indispensibly necessary. The early receipt of these papers is not only requisite for some extraordinary purposes of this Department, but information drawn from them will be particularly desired by...
41Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 30 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I request you to furnish me as soon as may be with the Forms of reports entries Oaths Bonds Certificates and other Documents & papers that shall have been adopted by you in the execution of the several laws which concern your Office. This will of course not include those papers or proceedings for which forms have been sent from this Department. Any papers of the nature above described...
42Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 1 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
It being intended that one of the Revenue Boats or Cutters shall be built in Connecticut I request that you will on receipt of this endeavor to agree with some proper persons for the building & fitting of a Vessel of a size suitable to the nature of the service. From my inquiries in the Port of New-York I find that a complete Vessel capable of keeping this Coast in the Winter season may be...
43Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 6 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The alteration of one of the proposed instructions for conducting your Office rendered an addition of a Column for Certificates of the Register of the Treasury necessary in the form M. It was however overlooked. You will therefore determine whether either of the two Columns for Certificates issued by State Commissioners intended for those States wherein there have been two is unnecessary in...
44Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 7 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
It is necessary to inform you that the late Loan Officers Certificates for Interest due on the public Debt are to be received only at the New Loan Office for the State wherein such Interest Certificates were issued. The Certificates contemplated, are those given in lieu of the Indents or facilities signed by M. Hillegas Josh. Hardy or Henry Kuhl. As there will probably be presented to you...
45Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 11 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I find there are some certificates for interest issued in lieu of “ Indents of Interest ” in the State of Georgia, which express that they are for as many Dollars (as by recurrence to the records of the principal Certificates) would have been the Interest, if those certificates had been for specie, although they are liable to liquidation, at various rates according to their dates. I think it...
46Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 13 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I find from a letter from one of the Commissioner of Loans that it is conceived, certificates of the state debts cannot be subscribed to the new Loan, unless they express that they are issued for services or supplies toward the prosecution of the late war. By this construction all certificates containing a simple acknowlegment of debt to a certain amount, and all certificates for monies loaned...
47Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 1 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Doubts have arisen in one of the Loan Offices whether the Certificates to be issued for sums subscribed to the new Loan should be signed by the Commissioner. This being necessary, I am to request that if any have gone from your Office without your name, you will apply for them to the holders and add your signature. An opinion has been communicated to me by one of the Loan Officers that...
48Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 19 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Several applications have been made by subscribers and transferrees of the new loan for more than one certificate for the sum belonging to them respectively. I am of opinion on further reflection that it will greatly promote the convenience of the Stockholders and so far favorably affect the public debt; and therefore authorize you to accommodate all those who define it, with certificates of...
49Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 30 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
A danger to the United States has been suggested from the Certificates for transfer from the Treasury to the several Loan Offices and from one Loan Office to another or to the Treasury. It is observed that the writing, which is expressive of the rate of Interest , and that which is expressive of the time when interest will accrue are capable of being taken out as in the case of Pierces Notes...
50Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 11 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Comptroller of the Treasury having happily recovered his health, and being consequently able to superintend as usual the business of his office, I am to request that you will in future make your applications to him on all questions or enquiries relative to the forms transmitted to you and to the mode of acting in cases arising under them. Such enquiries as you may have addressed to me...