1001To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 23 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my Return to Providence I have made enquiry Respecting fit persons to be Surveyors for Warren, Bristol & Pawcatuck River—but I cannot find but one person for the Port of Bri[s]tol, a Mr. Samuel Bozworth who is, as I am informed a very Good Character, & held the office under the State. Mr. Ellery probably may inform you of Suitable persons for the other Two ports. Danl. Updike as mention...
1002To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Knox, 24 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 24, 1790. On August 5, 1790, in Schedule B of his “Report on Additional Sums Necessary for the Support of Government,” Hamilton referred to “The Secretary at War in his Letter to the sec’y of the Treasury dated 24 June 1790.” Letter not found. ]
1003To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 25 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, June 25, 1790. On July 4, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lee acknowledging receipt of Lee’s “letter of the 25th Ultimo.” Letter not found. ]
1004To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 25 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, June 25, 1790. “Your favor of 17th. Inst. transmitting your instructions and communications to the several Collectors of the United States came to hand this day.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Providence, National Archives.
1005To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [26 June 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I am at a loss how to construe the late Act extending the Revenue Laws to R Island and request your opinion & directions as soon as may be on the subject. The Impost Laws lays a duty on all goods imported into the United States from & after the first of August 1789. R Island not being one at the time the Act passed, could not be looked on as in the Union. The Act extending the Impost & Tonnage...
1006To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Newton, Junior, 27 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Norfolk [ Virginia ] June 27, 1790 . “Your favor of the 17th I received.…” Agrees to select the site for the Cape Henry lighthouse. Proposes that a small lighthouse be constructed at “old Point Comfort.” LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. For the background to this letter, see H to Randolph, June 19, 1790 . Letter not found.
1007To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 29 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the United States approves of the proposal, communicated to him on the 26th Inst. by the Secretary of the Treasury, made by James Robinson to the Collector of Charleston in South Carolina, to supply six hundred Gallons of Spermaciti Oil for the use of the Light-house, at two shillings and six pence per Gallon. The President of the United States likewise assents to the removal...
1008Enclosure: [Return of the Persons Appointed for the Superintendance of Light-Houses, Beacons, Buoys], [29 June 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Return of the persons appointed by the President of the United States, for the Superintendance of certain Light-houses, Beacons, Buoys and public Piers in the United States. 1790. In the State of Massachusetts. March 10th. Benjamin Lincoln, Boston, Superintendt. of all the Light-houses, Beacons Buoys & public piers in the State of Massachsetts. Do. Thomas Knox, Supert. of the Lighthouse,...
1009To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 29 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, June 29, 1790. On July 17, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lee : “Your letter of the 29th June has been duly received.” Letter not found. ]
1010To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 29 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, June 29, 1790. Asks Hamilton for the “forms of the several returns to be made from time to time.” Thinks that the surveyor should have a boat at Pawtucket to meet incoming ships. Asks for permission to purchase a set of scales and weights. Desires instructions on the collection of a tonnage duty which the state previously levied for defraying the cost of dredging the harbor. Copy,...
1011To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 30 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, June 30, 1790. On July 9, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lee: “These are to acknowlege the receipt of … your Letter of the 30th June.” Letter not found. ] Because it pertains to routine Treasury Department matters, H’s letter to Lee has not been printed.
1012To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 1 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Frenchman’s Bay [ District of Maine ] July 1, 1790 . “Herewith I have the honour to transmit to you one Register, one Enrolment, my Account current for the last Quarter, Abstract of Duties on Tonnage, Abstract of pay to Inspectors &c with the necessary Vouchers.… I have concluded to remit the Ballance in my hands to the Bank of Boston agreeable to your letter of March 29th.… The Schooner...
1013To 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.
1014To 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...
1015To Alexander Hamilton from Peter Anspach, 2 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In my memorial of yesterday to Congress and which I am informed has been referred to you I forgot to deliver a Copy of the a/c paid by Mr. Quackenbush, to his attorney for defending suits brought against him by Public creditors; I also in a letter from Col. Pickering to me, dated in March 1789 I recd one inclosed from him, addressed to the late Board of Treasury; which not reaching me until...
1016To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Harwood, 2 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Annapolis ] July 2, 1790 . “I received your Letter of the 18th. Ulto. and in obedience to your direction, I have concelled the Indents, blank Loan Office Certificates, New Emission Money in the manner directed, the package I have forwarded to Otho H Williams at Baltimore with directions to Ship it to you.…” LS , Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore. Letter not found.
1017To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 3 [July] 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia , [ July ] 3, 1790 . “Having returned by this day from a visit of Inspection to the several establishments in the Bay & River Including the light house, it was not without Concern I found your letter of the 22d of last month. Accompanied by the Contract made with abraham Hargis and communicating the disinclination of the President of the United States to approve the allowance of...
1018To 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...
1019To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 4 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] July 4, 1790 . Asks that “the dates of the Warrants, which are to be issued for the Superintendants of the Light houses &c … be affixed to the names on the enclosed lists.” Copy, RG 26, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records, National Archives.
1020To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 5 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, July 5, 1790. Describes “a visit of Inspection to the several establishments” under Allibone’s supervision. Intends to draw up contracts for the repair of buoys, piers, and beacons. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
1021To 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...
1022To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 9 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I find by several letters from New York that the bill relative to the residence has hitherto stood its ground, which affords a further hope that this agitating business will be settled by the present Attempt. It has really become necessary for the Government has been exceedingly depreciated by it even here. Many who consider it as a great Object, still think it not worth the expence of time,...
1023To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 9 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
You were so kind as to say you would write to our bankers in Holland to answer my draught for a part of the balance due me for salary etc. I suppose in fact it will be necessary to clear their minds on the subject, for tho’ they know that the diplomatic expences in Europe were paid on the funds in their hands, yet as I am here they will naturally expect your instructions should accompany my...
1024To 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...
1025From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton, 9 [July] 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
You were so kind as to say you would write to our bankers in Holland to answer my draught for a part of the balance due me for salary &c. I suppose in fact it will be necessary to clear their minds on the subject, for tho’ they know that the diplomatic expences in Europe were paid on the funds in their hands, yet as I am here they will naturally expect your instructions should accompany my...
1026To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, [10 July 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I am now at my father’s on my way to Jersey to spend a day or two with my two eldest Children before I finish the time proposed for my Absence. The public Creditors had a small meeting last Night, and appointed a new standing Committee. They appeared moderate & prudent, but solicitous for a good funding System. They did not attempt any business or resolutions, but left every thing in the...
1027To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Newton, Junior, 11 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Norfolk [ Virginia ] July 11, 1790 . “I wrote you the 27th of last month, this serves to cover a Certificate of two of the most able seamen we have in these parts, of the most proper spot for erecting a Light house, the stone which was formerly intended for the purpose, will be in the two acres, as that is reserved by our act of Assembly I imagine it will make no differance. The Gentlemen are...
1028To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 12 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letter of the 3d. Instant was left at my House during my Absence upon the Circuit, or it would have recieved an earlier Answer. I have since my Return considered the Case therein mentioned, with the several Acts referred to; and the Result in my Mind is notwithstanding the peculiar Wording of the repealing Clause that the Conduct of the Collectors is to be considered as warranted by Law....
1029To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 12 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] July 12, 1790 . “… I have read over the circular letter which contains the opinion of two eminent lawyers … which respects the exemption of Vessels under twenty tons from paying fees for their licences.… if Licensed Vessels under Twenty tons may trade between the difft. districts of the United States, or carry on the bank or whale fisheries … it would seem to me that a...
1030To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 13 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] July 13, 1790 . Encloses “the Warrants for the Superintendants of the Lighthouses &c.” LS , RG 26, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records, National Archives; copy, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1031Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 13 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
New York, 13 July 1790. Encloses warrants for the superintendents of lighthouses requested that day by the Treasury Department. LB , DLC:GW . Lear had probably obtained the president’s signatures only that day on the ten commissions that Hamilton intended to forward to the lighthouse superintendents appointed since March 1790, when Hamiltion had explained to them why receipt of their...
1032To Alexander Hamilton from George Cabot, 16 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Beverly [ Massachusetts ] July 16, 1790 . Recommends Colonel Joshua Orne for the position of collector at Marblehead. ALS , Applications for Office under George Washington, Library of Congress. Orne had served in Lee’s Additional Continental Regiment, 1777–1778. He was not appointed to the Marblehead post.
1033To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 16 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, July 16, 1790. “Your favours of 6 & 7 Inst have been received. The name of the person recommended for Surveyor at the port of North Kingstown is Daniel Eldridge Updike. There is also another person of the same place by the name of Daniel Updike who is the State’s Attorney.… The forms transmitted by the Comptroller for Keeping the accots &c have been received.… In purchasing the...
1034To 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...
1035To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 19 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, July 19, 1790. “The rigging, Sails cables and anchors belonging to the Brig Happy Return, lately stranded at Dublin, arrived here on the fifteenth instant; presuming those articles were, at some rate or other dutiable, I demanded a bond of the owners to secure the duties until the exact amount could be ascertained.… Having promised … to postpone the final adjustment of the matter...
1036To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 20 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Conveyances to and from this place rarely offer, which, I suppose, prevented my receiving your favor of May 13th until a few days past. In appointments to public employments, when I had such to make, I am not conscious that personal considerations ever influenced my choice. The same principle determines me to be satisfied, and, if you will allow the expression, to approve of your appointment...
1037To 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...
1038To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 23 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have delayed to answer your favor of the 21st. June in expectation that I should be enabled to inform the moti⟨v⟩es which induced the Legislature again to Negative a motion for the Cession of the Light house. I am informed that the house of Representatives rejected the report of a Committee for Cedeing the Light house & 3 Acres of Land which included the ground Occupied for a parade &...
1039To Alexander Hamilton from Morgan Lewis, 26 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I perceive by the public Prints that Congress have rejected the Revennue System you offered them. Which Circumstance puts a period to my Expectations of being enabled to return to the City. It has not however, in my Mind, weakened my Obligations to you. I feel the weight of them as sensibly, as if your Wishes with Regard to me, had been compleatly gratified. Instances of disinterested...
1040Enclosure: [Schedule] B: Additional Estimate for Which No Provision Hath Been Made by Congress, 28 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Dollars. Cts. Dollars. Cts. Amount of Orders drawn by the late superintendant of Finance, and stated by the Secretary of the Treasury in his Report to the House of Representatives made in Obedience to their Order of 17th. Septr. 1789 93,463 21 Indian Affairs under the late Government. For the Extinguishment of Indian Claims in pursuance of the Acts of Congress of the 22 October 1787 and 2...
1041To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 31 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
By your direction I have examined the accounts of the several Loan officers, who serv’d under the late ordinance of Congress, and have now the honor to communicate my observations thereon. The accounts of Nathaniel Gilman, of New Hampshire, Nathaniel Appleton, of Massachusetts, William Ellery of Rhode-Island, William Imlay of Connecticut, John Cochran of New York, James Ewing of New Jersey,...
1042To Alexander Hamilton from Pierpont Edwards, August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ August, 1790. “George Smith, John Caldwell & John Morgan … are men of good standing … and may be taken as sureties.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by Anderson Galleries, February 16, 1906, Lot 75. For background to this letter, see “Treasury Department Circular to the District Attorneys,” August 31, 1790 . Edwards was United States attorney for the district of Connecticut. Extract taken...
1043To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 1 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 1, 1790. Expresses concern over delays in the approval of the contracts for repairs on the Cape Henlopen lighthouse and for the lighthouse keeper’s salary. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
1044To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 2 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, August 2, 1790. “Enclosed are a Register and License given at the Custom House at New York for the Sloop Charlotte belonging to Warwick within this District;… in conformity to the law for registering vessels, it appeared to me to be necessary that she should be registered anew at this office, which has this day been done.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Providence,...
1045To 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,...
1046To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [3 August 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
It is with no small degree of uneasiness that I so often trouble You, but the solicitations of those concerned oblige & urge me to it. I recd. Your answers respecting the Ship Brigida, and Mr Ingersolls Vessell, in regard to this last I made the objections you notice, but could not get answers sufficiently satisfactory for me to proceed. The Captn is now sent forward to give You information....
1047To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 3 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have had the honor of recieving both the original & duplicate of your letter of the 29th. of May. Mine of the 4th. of April had not then reached you. In it I mentioned the subject of a conversation I had a few days before with Mr. Necker —the hopes he had founded on the unauthorized loan made at Amsterdam & his impatience, occasioned by the distressing penury of French finances, to know the...
1048To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 4 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] August 4, 1790 . Encloses commissions for persons appointed to the customs service in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1049To 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....
1050To 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...