1To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Nearly one year since I solisited your permission to me, to retire from my present office as the Collector of the District of the Customs for the District of Boston & Charlestown, for reasons then stated, that request you kindly accepted only wishing that I would postpone my retirement to the close of the first quarter this year; In my answer I acquiesced on the proposal and observed that your...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Bing this morning honoured by your kind & friendly reply to my expressed desire of resignation as Collector I should be untrue both to my former professenal and my present gratefull feelings if I did not immediately assure you that your inclination now discovered to me as to the time shall be a Law in my mind. I have the honour of being My Dear Sir with the most perfect esteem, your obedient...
3To James Madison from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 September 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Benjamin Lincoln. 5 September 1805, Boston . “Your request of the 10th. of July last has been attended to. The fine Muslins nor the Diaper could not be procured here & a Billit of the Sweet meats & Coffee is inclosed.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 217, First Auditor’s Accounts, no. 18,370). RC 1 p.; cover sheet addressed to JM at Washington and redirected to Philadelphia; docketed by...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Lincoln, 18 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with pleasure that I announce to you the safe arrival of Nine Packages for the President of the United States Shipped by Stephen Cuetralun Junr—Comercial Agent of said States at Marseilles in the Brig Albion John Dagget Master to my care and a request that I would forward them to you by the very first opportunity prompted by duty and inclination every attention will be paid to the...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Lincoln, 7 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your esteemed favour of the 27h: ulto. has been received—Capt. Spear master of the Ship Fair American declined receiving any pecuniary consideration for freight of the packages which I received & forwarded to you; they were stored in the public store & reshipped by the public boat men so that the only expence was the duties the Amount of which is $20.34 I am sir with very great consideration...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Lincoln, 13 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday your ten packages were Shipped on Board the Schooner Alert Azariah Smith Master enclosed you will find his receipt I hope they will arrive safely I am sir with the highest consideration your most Obedient servant RC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Sep. and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure not found. For the ten...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I just now received your letter of the 19h instant the articles mentioned have been received are now in the public store and will be held there untill an opportunity shall offer of sending them to Washington or Alexandria I have the honour of being with very great consederatn your most Obedient & most humble servant. RC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ...
8To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
The extreme bad traveling for some time past has prevented my calling and paying to you the debt of my most dutiful Gratitude While I sympathise with my country in the loss which they have sustained by the events of the late election it is some consolation that you will suffer less by the change than any other of your fellow citizens in the Union. Some few of them may be ingrateful for your...
9To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 27 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
Major Hatch has shewn to me the draft of a system he has formed for discharging a number of Cannon at the same instant and proposed so to connect the balls by chains and sharpened Knives so as to cutt their way thro every body which shall come in contact with them.—I have not any pretentions to that kind of science on which their operation must be founded. I therefore hope that my silence...
10To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
The same reasons which prevented my having the honour of dining with you yesterday now exist, and deny me the pleasure of doing it to day—From the confidence I have that your wishes are that every officer should be at his post, when his duties as such manifestly require it I persuade my self that you will not charge me with with neglect in these instances.— Believe me my dear sir in /...
11To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
The late collector of Portsmouth Mr. Whipple has often spoken and written to me respecting his removal from Office and wished me to converse with you on the subject which I declined being persuaded of the impropriety of the measure without evidence to substantiate the facts he set up. But at last upon his admitting the Justice of his removal upon the proof adduced in the case and giving up all...
12To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
Monies recd. by the President of the U. S. from Benjn. Lincoln Collector at Boston. 1799 April 12. P. recd of this date—being the amt. due to Presdt. for his compensation to 4 Mar: 1799 Ds. 6,000 June 5. P. recd. of this date 2,000 Augt. 23. P. ditto—Co 2000 Sept: 25. P. ditto—Co 2000 30.
13To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Revd. Mr. Evens call to tender his services as a Chaplain to the troops now raising—In that Character he passed thro our long Contest with Great Britain to great acceptance. He joined my family during the seige of York town I not only became atteached to him as a friend, but as a Gentleman well qualified & disposed to discharge with fidelity the duties of his station. I think him now...
14To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday, My Dear General, your favour of the 17th Ulto—I have seen the Manufacturer of Glass and have given to him the different sizes you have written for and the Number of each. He cannot accomodate you, at this moment, with the largest panes of the best kind of Glass he therefore wishes three week in which time he will have the whole ready boxed for Shiping; After I [s]hall...
15To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 7 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
When Mr. Shaw was the other day at my office he mentioned to Mr. Weld my assistant that he had been informed that my drafts had been refused at every bank in this town. I have not, nor have I had a right to draw, nor have I drawn, on any bank but that of the branch where as Collecter I lodge the public monies and draw them as the public service and my duty requires.— My having, with General...
16To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed address stands as first written. When you shall have both before you you will greatly oblige the Committee by selecting which shall the most fully comport with your own feelings.—The alterations between the Copy I left on Saturday and the address delivered on monday were the result of ideas highly respectful; which I will more fully explain when I shall call on monday next in the...
17To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed will be presented to you by a committee from a number of Citizens on Monday next at half fast ten oClock should you at that time be at Quincy and in a situation to receive them—Our mutual friend Mr. Jonathan Jackson is with me & proposes to return here to meet our brethren Vzt. Colo: Daws Dr. Mason Mr Higginson Judge Wendal J Jackson B Lincoln With sincere wishes for your...
18To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 14 September 1795 (Adams Papers)
I return your letters with my most cordial thanks for the sight of them—In the perusal I have been highly gratified and informed and have been confirmed in the idea that if our Jacobins intend to sap the foundation of our present constitution and thereby bring on a serious contest now is the momint for them to attempt their mad pursuit while the powers of Europe have full employ at home and...
19To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 July 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure to forward the enclosed letter from our Treasurer which will give the best Light I can obtain on the question you submitted to me. Are the people mad! With the highest esteem and the warmest affection I am your friend & ob servant ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See Lincoln to H, July 10, 1795 .
20To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 10 July 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I early received your favour respecting the debts paid by this State and immediately applied to the Treasurer of the State as the only person from whom I could receive that information you wished. He has been engaged in settling his acct & paying off the interest now due on our State debt. As soon as that shall be over he will make every exertion to gratify my wishes. With great esteem I am ...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 27 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, August 27, 1794. “I called a few days since for the settlement of a number of Bonds a collection of the money due on which had been suspended as the duties arose on goods which afterwards were exported. Many of the people come and say that they have not yet received their certificates of the landing of the Goods in a foreign port the reason of which arises from the detention the...
22To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Captain Magee returned here a few days since from a long voyage to the Northwest shores of America Canton &c. He has been absent about three years during which time he has sailed about fourteen thousand leagues. He left Boston in a new ship with two new suits of sails one of Boston manufactured cloth and one foreign. I asked him particular respecting the Boston duck and had for answer that...
23To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 8 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, July 8, 1794. On August 19, 1794, Hamilton wrote to Lincoln and referred to “your favor of the 8th July last.” Letter not found. ]
24To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, [5] July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have diligently, directly and indirectly made my enquiries respecting the comparitive value of the duck manufactured in this town with that which has been imported and on the whole after giving the subject a full and I think an impartial discussion must say that the sail cloth manufactured here is to be preferred to that which is foreign. Had this question been put to me two years ago I am...
25To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
The post last evening brought me your letter of the 26th. Ulto. The copy of a letter from the Collector of Ba[r]nstable said to be inclosed has not come to hand. You mention that the letter relates to a request from him for a boat for the use of the inspector at Tarpentine Cove. I cannot find such a place within the district of Barnstable. There are now in the Office two Masters of vessels...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 17 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, May 17, 1794. “… By the inclosed you will see that we have made a different estimate of the value of Livres from the estimate in Philadelphia. This creates discontent among the Merchants here and makes it necessary for me to lay the matter before you for your direction.” LC , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston; LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letter Book, 1790–1797,...
27To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 10 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, April 10, 1794. “A number of our Captains, who commanded vessels which have been arrested by the British and are now detained with their Cargoes in the west Indies, are returned without that evidence of their having landed their Cargoes which by law is necessary to their drawing bounties &c. What shall be done in these cases?” LC , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston; LC , RG 36,...
28To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, April 3, 1794. “A Vessel has lately arrived here navigated by a number of American masters who say that they purchased her in the British west indies that she was an American Vessel condemned as a lawfull prize. The vessel was undoubtedly owned in this State and is now here without papers. Can she have new ones? If new ones To whom should they be granted?” LC , Massachusetts Historical...
29To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, March 26, 1794. “Your circular letter of the 17th instant came to hand just now by post. We have not now or have we ever had an idea of relaxing in that part of our duty which required from us a monthly Schedule of Bonds to be returned into your office.… If there have been any omissions towards the close of the last year we can only observe as an apology that one Clerk whose business...
30To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 21 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, March 21, 1794. On June 19, 1794, Hamilton wrote to Lincoln and referred to “your letter of the 21st. of march last.” Letter not found. ]
31To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 19 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter under the 7th instant just now arrived by post. I hasten to answer it hoping that the conduct of the officers will not appear to you in the same point of light, after an explanation of the business is had, as it did when you received the information to which you refer. By the enclosed Copy you will perceive that you had nearly a state of facts. On the 16th. Ulto. Captain Williams...
32To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 1 February 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
By this mornings post your letter of the 21st. Ulto. was received As also a letter covering one directed to our Minister at the Court of Great Britain. We have a vessel now loading & will sail in a few days for Amsterdam so that your letter directed to Messrs. Willink & Van Staphorst will go directly to its address in Holland agreeably to your wishes. LC , Massachusetts Historical Society,...
33To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, James Lovell, and Thomas Melville, 31 January 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, January 31, 1794. On February 20, 1794, Hamilton wrote to Lincoln, Lovell, and Melville : “I am to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo.” Letter not found. ] Lincoln was the collector, Lovell the naval officer, and Melville the surveyor of the port of Boston.
34To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 21 January 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
On the receipt of your letter of the 19th. Ulto Not seeing the British Consul I wrote him a note of which No 1 is a copy—No 2 is a copy of His answer. As you have confined my attention, at present, to the Jane—Lovely lass and Prince William Henry which vessels it is said have not been in this district I cannot take any measures with him to ascertain the damages of the Gray hound & Flora of...
35Enclosure: Benjamin Lincoln to Thomas MacDonough, 14 January 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I am authorised, in conjunction with you, to appoint persons to establish the value of such Vessels & Cargoes the property of the subjects of Great Britain as have been captured by French privateers armed and equipped in the ports of the United States between 5th of June and the seventh of august last and which have been restored. At present however my attention is called to three only the...
36To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, [8 January 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, January 8, 1794 ] “By the 61st: Section of the Act intit⟨led⟩ ‘to provide more effectually for the collection of duties &c’ … it is necessary that the importer should be the exporter to intitle him to the suspension of his bond. A practice is now crept into Existance which creates a vast deal of confusion & delay in doing the business in this office for most of the importers come &...
37To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 31 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, December 31, 1793. “In your circular letter under the date of Decr 20th Instant You request that all my acct to the end of the year should be promptly rendered. Those for the third quarter will be presented herewith, the fourth will follow some time in Jany. The reasons why we are so late with our third quarter arise from the sickness of my Clerks one of which is yet confined and...
38To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 11 September 1793 (Adams Papers)
Before this can reach you, you will be informed that our attempts to establish a peace with the hostiles tribes of Indians North of the Ohio has been ineffectual; and lest you should be perplexed with vague and uncertain accounts of the state of the business I have now taken up my pen to give you a short detail of the matter.— On my arrival at Niagra the 25th. of May I was informed by the...
39To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I had too little time with you when in Philadelphia. Your particular engagments forbid my calling on you as often as under different circumstances I should have called. One question in particular was left unsettled the application of Mr. Joseph Blake respecting the quallity of some wines he imported. The Comptroller was in opinion that there could not any consideration be made for its being of...
40To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 December 1792 (Adams Papers)
The exertions of disappointment & of antifederalism have had little effect I congratulate you My dear sir most sincerely on the happy event— When you left us no arrangment was made for the return of the few dollars you received of me—As I do not know what would be most convenient for you whether to forward the money or for me to draw on you I take the liberty to say now that when ever it shall...
41To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 15 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, November 15, 1792. “Your Circular letter to the Collectors of the Customs under the date of Octr 25 has been received by me. In that letter I am requested to furnish you as early as possible with an estimate of the amount of bounties payable in this district on fishing vessels. It is out of my power to comply with the request with any degree of Exactness as we have not more than ten or...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Our Cutter proves to be a very dull sailer, after various experiments by altering the Standing of the masts the bowsprit and altering the Sails to make her sail better, is consequently a very improper Vessel for the business assigned her. We have now an opportunity to Sell her for a Sum, with the Saving of the pay & rations for the hands, which would build one of fifty odd tons, a Size large...
43To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 14 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
My knowledge of your wishes to support the manufactures of your Country will apologize I hope for the trouble of this Letter on the subject of tipes. Mr. Thomas of this State has it in contemplation to print the bible in two different small sizes. To do it on terms which will give him a profit among the importers he is under the [necessity] of importing tipes sufficient for the whole work...
44To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 17 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
At the request of Mr. Foster a merchant in this town I in-close his letter to me stating his situation relative to the draw back of some duties due on a quantity of Coffe exported. His confidence that you will direct the payment on the evidence offered makes it necessary that I should lay the matter before you for your decision thereon. I am &c LC , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston; LC...
45To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, [3 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, August 3, 1792. On August 14, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Lincoln and acknowledged receipt “of your letter of the 3rd instant.” Letter not found. ]
46To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston ] July 26, 1792 . “A few days since the Brig Sally arrived here from Amsterdam with a quantity of Ginn on board part of which was in Keggs or Anchors as they are called. This was such an open violation of the Law, after full time had passed for the interested to have know their duty & interest if proper attention had been paid to them, that I could not persuade my self that I should...
47To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Notwithstanding our wishes to the contrary, we are too often impelled to call your attention from the more important duties of your Office to circumstances trivial indeed compared therewith. However painful the measure we cannot avoid it & preserve that uniformity in the different Offices so much to be desired, as thereby the general interest is promoted & the minds of the People kept in a...
48To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 6 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, June 6, 1792. “I mentioned to you under the 15 Feby last that we had put our hands on four hogs. N E Rum in old we[s]t India Casks. The matter came to trial yesterday. It was admitted that the rum was distilled in Portland but contended that the duties were duly paid. This being proved the spirits were acquitted. If these things can be practised with impunity a wide door will be opened...
49To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 12 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, May 12, 1792. “I have received your Letter of the 2d. instant. The manner in which you have directed the lodgment of the money will obviate all the difficulties which I supposed might take place under your first order.… I wish to know how I shall settle the price of goods imported from France. Their paper seems to be in a depreciated state and the goods charged proportionately high.…”...
50To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 31 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
As you have often expressed a wish to establish uniformity among all the officers commissioned in different districts to perform similar duties I am induced to mention an instance wherein from the want of similarity questions arise which leaves us quite at a loss how to determine the length of Vessels from the registers some inserting therein the real length & some the length after the...