1To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [19 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I acknowledge the recpt of Yours by Mr. Duer of the 13th Inst— one by the Post covering a Letter to the Comptrolle[r]—and another directing a return of the Duties in my office. The Letter to Mr Eveleigh shall be forwarded by the first Vessel and in respect to the Amt of Duties, I would beg leave to mention I furnished Your Assistant Secy Mr Duer with an Account therof in order to promote the...
2To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October, 1789. Acknowledges receipt of circular letter of October 2, 1789. Complains that method of filing returns requires so much clerical assistance that it imposes a very heavy financial burden on the collectors. LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
3To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] October, 1789 . Acknowledges receipt of 150 ship registers. LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
4To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 1 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 1, 1789. “In conformity to what I esteem your instructions, I yesterday paid the Bank of No America Thirteen Thousand Dollars.…” LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
5To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 6 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 6, 1789. Discusses maintenance and improvement of facilities for aiding navigation in the port of Philadelphia. Recommends that William Allibone be appointed superintendent. LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives; LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia. This letter is in reply to “Treasury Department Circular...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [16–31 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
My indisposition has prevented me from forwarding such remarks as I thought would have been of some use to you in directing the Revenue System but I hope soon to be able to lay them before you. Your letter of the 2nd Inclosing forms of keeping Accts I recd as also that of the 17th respecting the Bank and one covering a Letter to the Wardens. In respect to the Mode transmitted respecting weekly...
7To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 31 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] October 31, 1789 . Proposes the use of boats to prevent smuggling in Delaware Bay. LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
8To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 2 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, November 2, 1789. “The sum paid to the Bank for last month was 12,871 Dollars.…” LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
9To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] December 21, 1789. “… I have recd the different forms from the Comptroller and shall proceed immediately as therein directed, I would remark on two of them, that of the Tonnage Abstract directed to be countersigned by the N officer which I imagine was intended to be the Surveyor, for the N: O: has no documents to warrant him. In the weekly returns of Cash it is directed to...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
By the 1st Secto. of the Tonnage Act certain priveleges are granted to Vessells American built & owned, by the fifth Secto. of the Impost Act, by the 1 & 2nd of the Registering Act, certain Qualifications are directed to entitle Vessells to the benefts granted by any Law of the UStates, I have met with no small trouble & difficulty to put a proper construction on this business and indeed am...
11To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 24 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your three letters of 17th 18th & 21st I recd. I called on the President & Directors of the Bank, who at once agreed to your propositions. I shall forward the Cashiers Receipts & Pay to the Wardens agreeably to your directions. Before I recd Yours I was under the disagreeable necessity of putting a Bond in suit, my firm determination, being without express directions from You to the contrary...
12To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 26 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The Cashier of the Banks receipts for dollars is inclosed, with the opinion of some of our Merchants & Ship Carpenters on the Queries I had the honour of receiving from You. I expect further opinions from others which shall forward next post. In my return of Exports, You will have a thorough view of our Trade, as I shall give each place separate. Mr Bingham says he wrote You largely on the...
13To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 9 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] January 9, 1790 . “By this post I forward my Cash Acct for the last week.… A Vessell enters—and pays tonnage or does not pay—she is sold, or intends for another Port in the United States, and demands a License. Quere, should another Tonnage for the Year be demanded & paid?” LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
14To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 11 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] January 11, 1790 . “Inclosed is the Total amount of goods imported & the duties arising to the first Inst.… My Accts are ready for settlement and I intend as soon as the river shuts as business grows slack to carry them myself.” LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
15To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 18 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] January 18, 1790 . “… There is one branch of Revenue which if it did not interfere too much with some of the states would produce 100,000 Dollars ⅌ annm. I mean 2 ⅌ Ct on Sales at public Auction. This has no doubt fell under your knowledge, but if not you will give it a due decision.” LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
16To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 20 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] January 20, 1790 . Sends accounts and abstract of duties. Encloses “opinion of two more of our Merchants on some of your Queries.” LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia. The opinions presumably were in reply to the questions on domestic and foreign commerce which H had sent to the collectors of the customs on October 15, 1789 .
17To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 22 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] January 22, 1790 . “I inclose you the Exports of flour for the last year & our Inspector informs me he is confident the Quantity not returned to him would make the export not much less than 400,000 barrells.…” LC , Collector of Customs, Philadelphia.
18To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [25 January 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
From the Journals of Congress I see You have reported a Bill to the consideration of the Legislature respecting Duties, which gives me much pleasure even if the Imposts you wish to take place should not carry, as the deficiencies & contrarieties in our collection & Registering Acts may be remedied. The office of Naval officer as a controuling officer is absolutely necessary—but as the...
19To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 13 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] February 13, 1790 . Discusses two objects “intimately connected with your present plan, and also applicable to the present revenue Laws.” The first object “is that of having a Boat in our Bay which … is absolutely necessary to prevent smuggling.” The second “is that of stores” needed for goods deposited by merchants as security. LC , Copies of Letters to the Secretary,...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 15 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] February 15, 1790 . “… I … inclose a Letter received from a very worthy Man the Weigher of this Port, and formerly my Deputy—to You Sir I need not point out the necessity of having such an Officer independent from his Office—the Revenue depending so much upon it—please to bestow a small portion of your time to this subject.” LC , Copies of Letters to the Secretary, 1789–1790,...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 15 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
On my arrival here, I frequented places where I could hear the Sentiments of our Citizens respecting Your plan of funding the Debts of the Union. I found as I mentioned to you much want of information or in other words a want of real knowledge of your Plan, but I found some very loud in opposition, but to me who knew their connections I was not surprised. Harsh terms they used but on...
22To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 23 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In this Season when so great a Scarcity of Cash is so sensibly felt I dread to think of the Sums due on my books, within a Month they amount to better than 70,000 dollars. To prepare the parties I send notices fifteen days before the day of payment, and am in great hopes notwithstanding the times, I shall have few delinquents. My reason for mentioning this is to solicit your attention to the...
23To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 3 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] March 3, 1790 . Acknowledges receipt of $8,300 for payment of invalid pensions. LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
24To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 7 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] March 7, 1790 . Encloses “weekly Acct of Cash” and a “list of such persons as I have sued.” Has “proceeded in paying the Invalids.” LC , Copies of Letters to the Secretary, 1789–1790, Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia. H’s letter to Delany concerning the payments to invalids has not been found, but see H to Jedediah Huntington, January 30, 1790 ; H to John Haywood, February 2,...
25To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 23 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] March 23, 1790 . “It is with no small degree of diffidence I address you again on the Subject of a Boat in our Bay.… I am induced to request your sentiments on the subject—for the motives for smugling being encreased—means of prevention especially at first setting out should also be taken.…” LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
26To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [April 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April, 1790. ] “I forward my Abstract of Duties.… I wish not to be troublesome to you … but I request your attention to my situation for without disguise my Emoluments … are greatly inadequate to my services.” LC , Copies of Letters to the Secretary, 1789–1790, Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
27To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 4 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have provided some stores and am finishing another, which I think will be sufficient for the Custom house, and as soon as completed will give you the necessary return. I always thought the Law did not expressly give you the power of fixing Revenue boats but as such was necessary and mentioned in the Collection Law. The Superintendance vested in you I imagined would warrant the measure. As to...
28To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 5 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] May 5, 1790 . “I take the Liberty of troubling you with the inclosed Acct of the Marshall for the purpose of shewing You the necessity of making some allterations in the mode of process. You will at once perceive there can be no inducment to any of the inferior officers of the Revenue to give information—as in the End unless the seizure should be very valuable no emoluments...
29To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 24 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] May 24, 1790 . “I received your directions respecting the monies for the payment of the Invalids and the drafts that may be drawn by you both which shall be faithfully complied with. I also received your directions respecting seizures. A due account of which shall also be forwarded.…” LC , Copies of Letters to the Secretary, 1789–1790, Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia....
30To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 25 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] May 25, 1790 . Proposes that “the Office of the Inspector be at the Custom House.” Advocates “express directions for the Collection of the duties on home spirits and stills.” Proposes another “mode of prosecuting seizures … for as it stands at present … the Court receives all, and leaves no inducement to the Officers to be industriously attentive.” LS , Hamilton Papers,...