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...
81To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 22 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed by the Surveyor of the Port of No. Kingstown, that it is common for fishing Vessels belonging to that Port to bring grindstones, and the masters of them declare that the rough Stones are taken from shores in the Brith. Dominions as ballast and manufactured by the hands on board on their passage home. On this information permit me to raise the following questions. Supposing on...
82To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 3 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] January 3, 1792 . “The Light House has been repaired.… I wish for your opinion on this Question. Is a master of a vessel who is convicted of swearing falsly thereby disqualified from acting in future in that capacity?” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. See Ellery to H, July 18 , November 11, 1791 .
83To 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...
84To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 13 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] August 13, 1792 . “I have received your Circular letters of the 20th of the 22nd. (inclosg. a copy of a letter to you from the Atty. General of the 21st. of June) and of the 23d. of the last month. With regard to the last, I am happy to find that I had construed the Post office Act rightly.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. “An Act to establish...
85To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 11 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] November 11, 1793 . “On friday last the Surveyor for the Port of Bristol by my direction seized the Schooner Hannah of Bristol Samuel Townsend master last from St Croix for running a number of Hogsheads of Rum amounting in value to upwards of four hundred dollars.… The seizure was made in pursuance of an information made by two inhabitants of Tiverton in this State....
86To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 16 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] July 16, 1792 . “I have recd. your letter of the 25 of June last, advising me that my accounts as Superintendant of the Light house on James Town Island from the 13th. of Sept. to 31st. of Decr. 1791 have been adjusted at the Treasy. and that there is stated to be due from the United States to me the Sum of Seven hundred and thirty seven dollars & fifty three and one...
87To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 20 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] December 20, 1791 . “… I transmitted to the bank of Providence by water last friday seven thousand Dollars under the care of an Inspector. The money arrived safe but he has not had an opportunity to return with the Cashiers Receipts. I expect him this day, and will send on a receipt by the first post.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.
88To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 10 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Circular of the 21st. of last month, and shall observe your directions contained in it. I have also received your letter of the 23d. of the same month with the marginal part of Certife. of Registry No. 60. I wish to know whether cancelled bonds for Registers may be delivered up to the obligors, or destroyed. I don’t know that they can be of any use after cancelment, and...
89To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 8 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Just after I had recd. the Resoln. laying an Embargo I was informed that there were in this Port two vessels which were cleared out at Providence for foreign Ports. I desired the Surveyor to inform the masters of them that they were under an Embargo, and must not proceed on their voyages. He did same. They waited upon me. I read the Act to them, told them that they might return to Providence;...
90To 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...
91To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 4 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] June 4, 1792 . “I have received your letter circular of the 22nd. of the last month and will correspond in future with the Commissioner of the Revenue touching all matters relating to the Light house establishment and take his directions thereon.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.
92To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 9 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 19th and that part of your letter of the 26th of the last month which respects fictitious sales &c permit me to observe, that I had been seasonably informed by the Colle. of Providence District of the delinquencies of Mr. Arnold respectg. a certain bond, that I had reason to suspect that he intended to transfer his property in the Samuel to Stephen Dexter, and...
93To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 9 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] January 9, 1792 . “This will be accompd. by a Statement of the case of Josh. Elliott master of the Sloop Industry from St Martins and destined for the district of New Haven.… It appears to me … that it was the intention of the Legislature that the manifest should be made out before the vessels departure from a foreign port for the United States, but as this is not...
94To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 14 January 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] January 14, 1794 . “I am much obliged by the assurances that the Object of my letter of the 26th. of Novr. will be duly attended to, communicated in your letter of the 28th. of the last month. I have transmitted to the Cashier of the Provid. bank seven thousand dolls, and expect to receive duplicate Rects therefor by the next Post.…” LC , Newport Historical Society,...
95To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 16 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] June 16, 1794 . “I acknowledge the receipt on the 13th of this month of your Circular letter of the 28th. of the last month.… I have also received your letter by Mr. Malbone respectg. the Applicatn. of Messrs. Gibbs and Channing.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Letter not found, but see H to Ellery, June 7, 1794 . Francis Malbone was a Newport...
96To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 9 February 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport, Rhode Island, February 9, 1795. Discusses “The cause United States vs Preserved Pierce junr.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Ellery incorrectly addressed this letter to H as Secretary of the Treasury. H had resigned from that position on January 31, 1795, and was succeeded by Oliver Wolcott, Jr. See H to George Washington, January 31,1795 ; Washington to H,...
97To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 25 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] October 25, 1791 . “Yesterday the Brig: Seven Brothers was condemned, no person appearing to claim her, and defend against the Libell. The person referred to in my letter of the 10th. of this month, who was a seaman on board the Sloop Betsy when the breach of the Revenue laws was made for which she was forfeited, and for whom a summons was issued, appeared before the...
98To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 30 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] December 30, 1793 . “The Schooner Hannah is condemned. The Evidence was so strong against her, and the Vessel is of so little value that the Owners did not think proper to put in claim.… I shall pursue the Capt. & Mate with writs, continue my endeavours to find out the vessel, which received the Rum out of the Schooner, and who were employed in that business; and do...
99To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 2 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island, September 2, 1794. In Ellery’s letter book below his letter to Hamilton on September 1, 1794 , the following notation appears: “Wrote a letter to the Secry of the 2nd. of Sept. 1794.” Letter not found. ] LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.
100To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 13 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] March 13, 1792 . “… I wish for a supply of Registers having only seven on hand; and I should be very happy if an allowance and compensation for my services could be made to me before the adjournment of Congress.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. On April 5, 1792, H submitted to Congress his “Report on Compensation of Officers Employed in the...