To George Washington from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 4 April 1795
From Oliver Wolcott, Jr.
Treasury Dept. April 4th 1795.
The Secretary of The Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to The President of the United States, the enclosed communication from the Commissioner of the revenue stating the terms upon which a contract has been made for procuring nine chains for the use of the Buoys stationed off St Mary’s river, the harbour of Charleston, and the entrance of Chesapeak bay.1
It appears to the Secretary that a ratification of the Contract, would be for the interest of the Public service.2 All which is most respectfully submitted to the consideration of the President of the United States.
Olivr Wolcott Jr
Secy of the Treasury.
LB, DLC:GW.
1. Wolcott was referring to a letter of 16 March from Tench Coxe. For buoys in St. Marys River, which formed the boundary between southern Georgia and East Florida, Coxe reported the need for three chains and a spare. Two chains were required for buoys at Charleston, S.C., and three for those at the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay. William Allibone had drawn up a contract with Matthew Van Dusen to acquire the above equipment for “eight pence half penny per pound.” Coxe reported that prices in South Carolina and Virginia were “stated to be much higher, and it is presumed the chains will be still more in Georgia, where … the collector of St Mary’s thinks they cannot be made.” Reports indicated that in Philadelphia “nine chains more could not be procured at the same price” (DNA: RG 26, Lighthouse Letters).
2. No action on GW’s part has been identified, but on 23 April, Coxe sent Wolcott a letter requesting warrants to pay for the chains (DNA: RG 26, Lighthouse Letters).