31To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 25 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] August 25, 1794 . “Your letter of the 13th. of this month expressing that great Inconveniences have arisen from my discontinuing to endorse the name of my office on my letters as heretofore directed surprized me very much. Whatever interruption , or omission of that kind has taken place must have been occasioned by a hurry of business, not an intention to forbear a...
32To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 2 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The last proviso of Sec: 66 of the Colln. Law runs thus “And provided, That no action or prosecution shall be maintained in any case under this Act; unless the same shall have been commenced within three years next after the penalty of forfeiture was incurred.” On this proviso questions have arisen, concerng. which I request your opinion. 1st. Whether the issuing a Writ within three years next...
33To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 23 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] May 23, 1791 . “On the 16th. of this month I received your Circular letter of the 14th. of Aprl. last.… The Tare allowed in this District is calculated upon every One hundred and twelve pounds, and this was the practice in this State before it adopted the new Constitution. The merchants here have lately objected to this mode of taring, and say that the allowance ought...
34To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 18 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] July 18, 1791 . “… The Light-House has been examined by the Carpenter, who covered it, accompanied by the Surveyor of this Port, and the former reports that the Lead upon the Platform in which the Lanthorn stands, is cracked in several places, that the water passes through the crack and falls upon the Wall and inside Wooden work, & that fifteen pieces of sheet lead...
35To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 14 December 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] December 14, 1794 . “I acknowledge the Receipt of your two letters of the 27th of the last month & I shall retain sufft. funds in my hands to discharge the allowances to fishing vessels which I estimate at about twelve hundred dolls.… Permit me to mention that advice has not been received of your decision in the case of the Fair American Benjamin Lee master, and of...
36To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 17 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter of the 30th of may last concerning the entry of vessels and their Cargoes captured and brought into our ports by the ships of war and privateers of France, and of five Sea letters in a blank wrapper freed by you. Permit me to ask whether vessels so captured and brought into our ports, and sold to citizens of the United States may be registered....
37To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 26 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to my expectation the Sloop Betsy is condemned, and is to be sold on the 14th. day of the next month. I should be happy to receive your direction with respect to the conduct of the Officers of the Customs as to the sale of said Sloop, prior to the day of sale; and it would add to my happiness if at the same time you would give me your opinion how the monies arising from the sale...
38To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, [11–18 October 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island, October 11–18, 1790. ] “I received your particular letter of the 27th of your circular letter of the 30th. of Sept. last.… I will make a provisional Contract with William Martin for his allowance for keeping the Light.… The Collection of Light money by the State has been discontinued.… I expect the Legislature will make a ⟨mo⟩tion of their right and title to the Light...
39To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 15 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be accompanied by a weekly return of Cash, and by a Certificate of Registry No. 5 dated Jany. 22. 1790, granted by the Collector of Dighton, and delivered up on account of the transfer of property, and also the copy of an Endorsment of an Enrollment of the change of Master said Enrollment being No. 11 and issued from this office. Yesterday arrived here a Schooner named the Charming...
40To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 5 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] March 5, 1792. “I have received a Letter from the Assist. Secry of the Treasy. in which he informs me that … two Thermometers will be forwarded … and mentions that it appears proper that you should be informed, in what cases I would find an Hydrostatic balance useful.… I have written to the Surveyor of Pawcatuck to send me his broken Thermometer, as soon as I receive I...
41To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 3 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Permit me in this letter to pursue the Story of the Sloop Polly of Sandwich. The Surveyor arrived at Bed-ford on the 27th of last month; and upon consulting with the Colle. of New Bed-ford was informed by him that the Sloop was in the District of Edgar-town; but as Edgar-town was distant, from Nashawina, the navigation difficult, and the prevailing winds opposed to making harbour in Martha’s...
42To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 31 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] January 31, 1791 . “… The greatest part of the business of the Customs Houses is done by the Collectors, and yet the nett income of the Naval Officer and of the Surveyor of this port is far superior to mine.… Seventy three or Seventy four dollars for six months and one third of a months service it will be allowed is a very trifling consideration. Let me therefore...
43To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 22 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] June 22, 1790 . “Your letter of the 7th. instant … did not come into my hands until the 19th.… I hope and trust that the computation of the Auditor will conform with my account.… I have authorized Benjamin Huntington, Esqr. to receive of you on my account Four hundred and Sixty Dollars and twenty six Cents, the sum which by your letter you are ready to pay.” LC ,...
44To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 19 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] August 19, 1794 . “Since my last have arrived here the Schooner St. George of Montego Bay … captured on the High Seas by the Frigate La Concorde; also the Brig Perserverance of St. John New Brunswick … bound last from Turks Island for Newyork and captured on the high Seas, by the Privateer Sans Pareille.… Inclosed are copies of the papers produced to me.… I wrote a...
45To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 25 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your three Circular Letters of the 4th 8th & 11th. of this month; and shall pay due attention to the Explanations and directions contained in them. By the 14 Sec: of the Act for registering and clearing vessels &c “if any ship or vessel after having been registered in pursuance of this act, shall in any manner whatever be altered in form or burthen” &c. “such vessel shall be...
46To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 9 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 27th. of last month. Always attentive to the business of the Cession of the Light-House &c I applied to leading members of the House, a bill was preferred at the Session which began and finished last week. It passed the Lower House unanimously, but it was stopped in the Upper House; by the opposition made to it principally by the Governour, who as I am...
47To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 4 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is my weekly return of monies received and paid, and a monthly return of bonds a certife of Regy. No. 66 granted at this port, & a Cerf. on account of transfer of propy., the copy of an endorsment of the change of master on Regy. No. 4 and a like copy on Enrollment No. 9, also four draughts made on me by the Treasr. of the U. S. in favour of Jabez Bowen Commr. of Loans viz No 1616, &...
48To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 18 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] October 18, 1790 . Encloses a provisional contract made with William Martin “in conformity to your letter of the 27th of Sept.” Requests opinion whether, under the provisions of “The Act to provide more effecty. for the Collection of the Duties on goods &c,” duties are to be repaid on “Goods &c of the growth or manufacture of the United States or of this State …...
49To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 21 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] April 21, 1794 . “By this Post the Judge of the District Court will transmit to you a Statement of the case of the Sloop Nancy under 20 tons & licensed for the Coasting trade and under the command of Elisha Casey. She cleared from this Port Nove. 26th. 1793 for Wilmington No. Carolina … was blown off the Coast to St. Martins, there took in a quantity of salt, and...
50To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 1 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] November 1, 1790 . Submits questions concerning the interpretation of “the second clause in the 17th. page” and “the 27th. page” of the Collection Law. States that the state legislature has postponed passage of a motion ceding its right and title to the Newport lighthouse to the United States. LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. See Sections 16 and...
51To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, [18–25] March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] March [ 18–25 ] 1794 . “On the 17th. instant the Sloop Hannah of New york an enrolled and licensed vessel James Underhill master arrived in this Port from Long island in ballast only; but without a Manifest or Permit, and by his neglect has incurred the forfeiture of fifty dolls. As he lived out of the State, I issued a Writ against him, and he has petitioned the Judge...
52To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 26 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] March 26, 1792 . “On the 24th of this month I received your letter of the 12th. respecting an application to the Bank of Providence for the Sum of Six hundred and ten dollars. This Sum, with the Sum of Nineteen Hundred and fifty five dolls. sixty eight ninetieths to be provided for drawbacks which will be due the 10th of April … and the further sum of five hundred and...
53To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 21 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] May 21, 1792 . “… I wish to be favoured with your instructions respecting the case of the Brig Chance, a Statemt. of which I sent to you on the 2nd. of Apl. last, with an explanation respectg. the Thermometer mentioned in my letter of the 9th. of the same month, and with your directions relative to the tare of Sugars mentioned in my letter of the 5th. of last March,...
54To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 13 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letters of the 26th. & the 30th. of May last. To the explanations and instructions, and the act respecting further provisn. for collecting the duties on Teas, and for prolonging the term for the payment of the duties on Wines inclosed in the first I shall pay attention. In answer to the last, Capt. Smith left his coasting papers with me agreeably to law, and his license...
55To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 1 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 29th. of March last in the Afternoon I received your letter of the 26th. of the same month inclosing the Resolution of Congress laying an Embargo &c. As by the words of the Resolutn. the Embargo is laid on all ships and vessels in the Ports of the United States, whether already cleared out or not bound to any foreign port or place I apprehend that it comprizes foreign vessels bound to...
56To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 6 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] September 6, 1791 . “I have recd. your letter respecting the article of Pumpings, and shall attend to your directions. Please to favour me with an answer to my letter of the 6th. of June relative to the lawful portion of the compensations Surveyors are to receive for Regrs &c., to the question in my letter of the 4th. of July Should not every vessel receive her first...
57To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 23 September 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] September 23, 1793 . “… The Office of District Attorney for this District has become vacant by the death of Mr. Channing. After having been confined to his house between two and three months he died last Saturday morning. I make this early communication; because the Interest of the United States may require that the vacancy should be soon filled.…” LC , Newport...
58To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 4 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Since writing the long letter on the preceeding pages I find a case will probably occur in this Custom house altogether new, and in which unless I am early favoured with your direction I may incurr censure embarrassment and expence. The case may be stated thus. A is indebted by bond to the United States for duties, the day of payment arrives, instead of discharging the debt he suffers a...
59To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 5 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] December 5, 1791. “I have recd. your letters of the 16th & 17th of the last month, and the contents of them will be duely regarded. The construction you give to the Provision in the Act of the 3d. of March 1791 I am happy to find corresponds with the opinion I had entertained.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Letter not found. Letter not...
60To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 6 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] July 6, 1790 . “Last Tuesday … Capt. Sheffield presented a protest … and requested that he might be permitted to unlade part of his cargo in order that he might take out his masts … and a permission was granted to him for that purpose. I shall take the foreign tonnage of him, and permit him to proceed to L Orient the place of his destination; but shall not give him a...
61To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 2 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] August 2, 1790 . States that the land on which the Newport lighthouse is located does not belong to the state of Rhode Island. Discusses means of eliminating smuggling in his district. Asks whether Section 40 of the Collection Law applies to both vessels owned by citizens of the United States and those owned by foreigners. LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport,...
62To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 29 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote a letter to you by the Post, last Friday, because I wished to receive as early an information on the subjects mentioned in it as might be convenient. I am informed that the situation and circumstances of Thomas Cotterell late owner of the Sloop Betsy are such that if the prosecutions to which he is liable should be commenced against him, and be successful he and his family would be...
63To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 16 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] November 16, 1790 . “I have received your letter of the 29th of Octe. with the inclosed Acts.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Letter not found.
64To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 29 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] April 29, 1793 . “I acknowledge the Receipt of your Circular Letter of the 29th. of March last.… As a War has been declared between the French and British Nations, the Port of Newport is easily accessible, and it may be convenient for the Ships of War and Privateers of the French Nation to bring into it Vessels which they may capture from the British on this coast,...
65To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 23 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] December 23, 1793 . “I have recd. your letter of the 9th of this month. The sum wh. will probably be required to Discharge the allowances to fishg. vessels … will amount to about fifteen hundred Dollars.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” December 9, 1793 .
66To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 15 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
This letter will be accompanied by a Statement of fees &c recd. and expenditures made by me from Oct. 1, 1791 to Oct. 1792. and by similar Statements from the Inspector &c &c in this District; by the quarterly return required exceptg a Return of distilled Spirits exported, and a return of Exports, and their value which will be transmitted by the next Post. I have not received the expected...
67To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 28 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In the last Proviso of the 2nd. Sec: of the Act concerning certain fisheries &c. the quantity of fish when dried and cured fit for Exportation is to be ascertained according to the weight when actually sold ; which account of the weight &c. shall in all cases be produced and sworn or affirmed to before the Collector of the District to entitle the owner, his agent or lawful representative to...
68To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 1 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th and of the 20th of the last month, the first in answer to mine of the 4th. respectg. the Sale of property on board vessels abroad, the 2nd in answer to mine of the 10th of the same month respectg. the credit on salt &c; and hope to be favoured, as soon as you can make it convenient, with answers to my letter of the 20th....
69To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 30 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 9th of this month on the twentieth. The monies I had collected approached so nearly to the sum wanted to discharge the drawbacks due on distilled Spirits exported, that I thought it more adviseable to advance the deficiency, than to apply for it to the Bank of Providence. It has been advanced by the office, the drawback due on the 26th. of June last is paid,...
70To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 5 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
By the last Post I recd. your Circular of the 18th and 23d. of last mo. the first inclosing the Acts of the 2nd, and of the 18th of Apl. relative to the Embargo, the last respectg. Swedish Vessels; also your letter concerning the Schooner Boyne dated Apl. 22nd. Last Saturday that Schooner sailed for New york, in consequence of a Letter written to Capt. John Wanton by the Governor of this State...
71To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 28 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 26th. of this month arrived in this Port the Sloop Betsy of Providence James Munro junr. master. He reported that he took in his Cargo consisting of Fifty four Hogsheads & ten bbls of Molasses, One hundred and thirty five barrels of sugar, part of a piece of broad Cloth, and one Umbrella at Cape Francois, proceeded therewith to Charleston So. Carolina, but not finding a suitable market,...
72To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 30 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] September 30, 1794 . “I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th. of this month; I shall do every thing in my power to secure a just issue in the case of Pierce. It is not the practice in this State to strike juries.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Letter not found, but see dealer’s catalogue description printed under this date....
73To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 22 July 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] July 22, 1793 . “… Inclosed… is a Representation made by our Boatmen, of the rise of provisions and fire wood since the establishment of the Custom House, and of the inadequacy of their present pay to their support, The Representation so far as it respects provisions and fire-wood, is true.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.
74To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 22 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] November 22, 1790 . “William Brightman Master of the Schooner Fly a British built vessel of the burthen of Twenty two tons & ¾ as measured by the Surveyor of this Port arrived here last tuesday and reported his vessel and Cargo consisting of about fifty Quintals of dried Codfish and ten Tons of Train Oil. Upon inquiry we found that he had no Register or any other...
75To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 18 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The bark Polly Ebenezer Shearman master, which sailed from this Port for Hamburgh May 25th 1791 arrived here from that place on the 14th. of this month with a valuable cargo, and on the 15th. the master delivered a report and manifest in writing. Among other articles specified therein are four casks containing gin; which Gin being in casks of less than fifty gallons capacity, and not in cases...
76To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 3 February 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] February 3, 1794 . “A question has arisen respectg. the disposition of that part of the net proceeds of the sales of the Schooner Hannah which appertains to a Surveyor which I wish you would answer. I am in doubt whether it should be paid to the Surveyor of this Port, or of Bristol … the forfeiture of the Hannah was not incurred in either of those ports … for at the...
77To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 11 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] July 11, 1791 . “… Inclosed is a statement of the case of the Brig Seven Brothers, and of the case of Joseph Finch late master of her. I have applied to the Carpenter who covered the Light-House to examine the condition of it. He could not attend this business the last week, but said he will attend it this and make report.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport,...
78To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 11 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] March 11, 1794 . “I acknowledge the Rect. of your [letter] respectg. the case of Saml. Pearsal jr. master of the Sloop Nancy of Fairfield, and now represent the case of George W. Topham master of the Sloop Sarah Ann of Newport, a Registered vessel without a License. She arrived here on sunday last, and the next day the master came to the Custom house and produced a...
79To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 6 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received a letter from the Surveyor of the Port of Warren some time ago inclosing a letter from you of the 13th. of Decr. 1790. relative to the lawful portion of the compensations the Surveyors are respectively to receive for their services. It is I am sensible my duty to pay them their lawful portions of fees received by me; but a dispute has arisen between the Surveyors of Warren &...
80To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 20 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 31st. of the last month respecting the Sloop Polly of Sandwich. On the 30th. of last June I received a letter from the Collector of Barnstable, informg. me of the seizure he had made, and of the departure of said Sloop for Providence with some articles of foreign produce, as he supposed concealed under a deck load of pine wood. I immediately directed the...