1To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 10 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
My last letter to the late Commrs of the Treasury was dated June 9th 1789. to which I received no answer, nor have I received any information from them since the 25th. of May last, and that was in a letter from their Secry. Not receiving any letter from them after the meeting of Congress under the New-Government; not from you since you was placed at the head of the Treasury, and Congress not...
2To John Adams from William Ellery, [ca. 6] March 1790 (Adams Papers)
Engaged as you are in public business, and this State not having shown a disposition to join the Union I did not wonder, although I could not but regret, that my letter should remain so long unanswered.— I wish that our affairs now afforded a prospect of a speedy accession.— Before you receive this letter you will have heard of the proceedings of our Convention.— They met, framed a bill of...
3To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 8 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter and now transmit by the Post my receipts from the 1st. of Apl. to the last of Sepr. 1789 and from Oct. the 1st to the last day of Dece. 1789. I have authorized Benjamin Huntington Esqr. by a power of Attorney to receive on my account the sum of One thousand dollars which you advise me you shall be ready to advance on account of my Salary on the settlement of my...
4To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 30 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] March 30, 1790 . States that there is an error in his “Account Current of money received and paid” and that the “charge for my quarter’s salary commencing Oct. 1st. and ending Dece. 31 1789 instead of 150 Dollars is carried out 300 Dolls.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. For background to this letter, see Ellery to H, January 10 , March 8, 1790...
5To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, [June 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honour of receiving your letter of the 19th. the currt. with the Acts of the United States, and the copies of circular letters which accompanied it. I have not had time as yet to peruse them. I mean to read them with attention, and to act conformably to them. I wish that the forms of the papers to be used in the Custom Houses had been drawn, and transmitted by you to the several...
6To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 1 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] June 1, 1790 . “I have received your letter of the 17th. of the last month, and … now transmit to you … four bundles of Indents … and another package of blank Loan-Office Certife.… I have no bills of credit, known by name of the New Emissions. I find by the News papers that an appropriation is made by law for discharging the demands which exist against the United...
7To 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 ,...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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,...
11To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 9 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] August 9, 1790 . Asks whether drawbacks are allowable on pickled fish which has been imported, repacked, and then exported to the West Indies. LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. For H’s reply to this question, see “Report on Defects in the Existing Laws of Revenue,” April 22, 1790 ( PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New...
12To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 23 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] August 23, 1790 . “The arrival of the President of the U. S. the last Tuesday morning prevented my sending the returns last week. I send them this.… The Person appointed to collect Light Money by the Govr. of this State continues to do it, and the trade complains of being obliged to pay tonnage to the United States and Light money to the State. I wish for your...
13To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 14 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] September 14, 1790 . “… The Genl. Assembly of this State at their Session in Bristol, the last week repealed the Acts of the State relative to the Light House, and it is now expected that I should see that the light is kept.… I have engaged William Martin … to take care of it … until I shall have received directions from you. Nothing was done by the Genl. Assembly...
14To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 20 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] September 20, 1790 . Wishes to suggest some changes in the provisions of the Coasting Act. Proposes that Section 11 be changed so that when a ship or vessel is sold or transferred “a production of such bill of sale to the Collector by the owner be made a condition of his receiving a new Certificate of Registry.” States: “By the 12th Sec: when the master of a registered...
15To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 27 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
This letter will be accompanied by a weekly return of cash. In my last I ventured to offer some hints respecting the Coastg. Act, permit me in this to make some additional remarks, and to propose some other questions. By the 22nd. Sect: of that Act whenever the property of an enrolled vessel is changed the Owner or Owners thereof are required to make known such change to the Colle. of the...
16To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 5 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] October 5, 1790 . “… I wish to know whether it would be convenient to you to pay the balance due to me of Eighty four Dolls as late Commr. of the Loan Office in this State.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. For background to this letter, see Ellery to H, January 10 , March 8 , 30 , June 1 , 22, 1790 ; H to Benjamin Huntington, March 19, 1790
17To 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...
18To 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 …...
19To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 25 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] October 25, 1790 . “I received your letter of the 7th.,… with the Act of the United States therein enclosed. … Your idea is perfectly right that the Light money mentioned by me was for the purpose of supporting the Light-House establishments in this State, and distinct from the imposition you refer to to which Congress have declared their consent.… I have delivered to...
20To 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...
21To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 8 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] November 8, 1790 . “… In my letter of the 12th. of July I expressed a wish that the fees for every service had been precisely ascertained. I hope that this will take place in the new Coasting Act.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Printed in this volume. See Ellery to H, September 20, 1790, note 1 (printed in this volume).
22To 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.
23To 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...
24To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 17 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
On my return from the Eastward, where by extreme bad roads, and severe weather, I had been detained I found that four letters had been received from you. On the receipt of the first dated Nove. 14 in answer to mine of the 25th of Octe., the Registers of my late business as Continental Loan Offe. were immediately transmitted and delivered to Mr. Bowen. On receipt of the second, dated Dece. 6.,...
25To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, [25 January 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island, January 25, 1791. “… By the last Post I received the substitute hydrometer with the apparatus which you transmitted, with your letter of the 18th of the last month, and a description of Dycas’s Hydrometer, with directions for the use of it, and directions also for the use of the Substitute.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. “Treasury Department...
26To 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...
27To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 31 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] January 31, 1791 . “… Imported, dutiable goods are exported to draw back the duty, and for want of a market are returned, may they be entered and landed on the duties being paid upon them or secured to be paid? The law respecting Drawbacks doth not appear to me to have had such cases in contemplation. I wish for your opinion on this subject. Nathan Saunders Master of...
28To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 15 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 31st. of last month on the 12th of this. It will be impossible for me to give the names of persons of this State suitable for 1st. 2nd. & 3d. mates of the Cutter now building in Connecticut by this Post. I will do it the next. When I sent forward a statement of the Cases of Hezekiah Usher & George Usher I was unacquainted with some circumstances which appeared on...
29To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 21 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] February 21, 1791. “Agreeably to your request I now give the names of such persons as have offered, and I think are suitable to hold offices on board the Cutters.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Letter not found. H had requested this information on January 31. See Ellery to H, February 15, 1791 .
30To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 7 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a weekly return of Cash on hand, and also a Certificate of Registry No. 13 issued at the Port of Dighton by H Baylies Collector Mh. 27th 1790, and delivered up on account of transfer of property. The Genl. Assembly of this State met at East Greenwich the last week. Previous to their meeting I requested two of the Deputies of this town to move for a cession of the right of the State...
31To 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...
32To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 21 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be accompanied by my weekly return of Cash, the copy of a memorandum of the change of master on a Certifict. of Registry No. 5 which issued from this Office, and with a draft No. 728 dated 9th Novr 1789 drawn upon me by Saml. Meredith Tr. in favour of the Cashr. of bank of New york for one hundred Dollars. Your letter of the 5th. of this month did not come to hand until the 18th. On...
33To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 28 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is my weekly return of Cash and a Certificate of Registry No. 15, dated at the Port of Dighton March 30 1790, and delivered up on account of transfer of property. On the Twenty first day of this month I received a letter from the Commr. of loans informing me that on inquiry of Col. Olney he found, that he would be able to furnish as much money as would be wanted to pay the first...
34To 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,...
35To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 19 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received two pressing letters, one from the Surveyor of the Port of Warren & Barrington and the other from the Surveyor of the Port of East-Greenwich respecting boats for their Ports, extracts from which I now present to you. “Agreeably to your request, (writes Mr. Phillips) I shall describe the Port of Warren and Barrington, and the parts adjoining. The Port of Warren lies on Palmer’s...
36To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 25 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The 21st. of this month I received a thermometer which by your direction was sent to me from New york by Mr. Lamb. By some accident the bulb was broken in its way from Philadelphia to this place. It came broken to me. As it was made at Philadelphia, and I suppose the maker is furnished with spare tubes I have remitted it to Mr. Lamb with a request that he would transmit it immediately to you....
37To 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...
38To 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...
39To 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 &...
40To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 6 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 3d. instant I recd. your circular letters of the 13th. & 25th of May last. I do not recollect that in any instance duties on goods brought into this district have been ascertained otherwise than on the actual landing thereof, and by the measuring, weighg. & gauging, where those operations are required by law. A particular attention will be paid to your direction in that respect. Your...
41To 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...
42To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 26 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] June 26, 1791 . Encloses weekly return and requests Hamilton “Please to inform me for what ports or places Consuls are appointed, and of the names of the Consuls for the respective places.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.
43To 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, &...
44To 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,...
45To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 18 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is my Statement of fees &c. on which I beg leave to make a few remarks. The number of Certifs. of Regy. and Enrollments issued in this, will probably be less than in the last year, and for the following reasons. Upon adopting the Constitution by this State the last year a number of vessels belonging to it were without those papers, which will not want them this; and the property of...
46To 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...
47To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 25 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] July 25, 1791 . “… A person usually residing in this District, is in the District of Boston & Charlestown and there purchases a vessel; is he obliged to take the Oath or Affirmation, required by law previous to the making a Registry or granting a Certificate, before the Collector of this District omitting in said oath or affirmation and inserting what is to be omitted...
48To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 2 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be attended by a weekly return of monies received and paid, a monthly schedule of bonds; a List of a Post-note of the North American Bank for One hundred and ninety five Dollars, No. 8080, dated Philadelphia 9th. July 1791, one moiety whereof was transmitted by the last post, and the other moiety is now transmitted by this. The District Court which met here this day adjourned to the...
49To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 8 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] August 8, 1791 . “… On the 4th. of this month arrived here the Sloop Dove Pardon T. Slocum master from Surinam and imported among other articles one hogshead and one barrel of Pumpings. Pumpings is a compound of the drainings from casks of sugar in the holds of vessels, and bilge water; which being pumped up is preserved in casks for sale. By distillation it yields...
50To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 23 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be accompanied by a weekly return of monies recd. and paid, and the copy of an endorsment on Certife No. 22 granted Apl. 23d. 1791 at this Port. To your letter of the 10th of this month, requesting the particular circumstances that led to a remeasurement of the Brig Sally &c I would answer; that the property of said Brig having been transferred to Messrs Lyon and Lawrance citizens of...