21From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 21 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Captain Porter of the Revenue Cutter Active having communicated to me, that he has reasons to be dissatisfied with the conduct of his third Mate Mr. James Forbes, I have to desire that you will make proper enquiry into the affair, in which the Naval Officer is requested to assist; communicating to me the result. Enclosed is an extract of Captain Porters letter for your information. I am Sir...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 3 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I received by the hands of Mr. Richmond your letter on the subject of the stock standing in your name on the public books. Though, according to the letter of the law, the prohibition to dispose appears to be retrospective as well as future, I am of opinion that it is consistent with sound legal construction to confine the latitude of the expression, so as to admit of the alienation and...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 1 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Post of to day brought me your letter of the 29th of October, which I immediately communicated to the President, and hasten to make known to you his consent to your undertaking the voyage recommended to you. It is not doubted that due care will previously be taken to secure the proper management of the public business in your absence. My most sincere and cordial wishes for the restoration...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 29 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I herewith transmit you the copy of a letter written by the Collector of Salem to the Attorney for the District of Massachusetts respecting certain Persons, who, it is stated, have left that State and gone to Baltimore, being indebted to the United States for duties bonded, without leaving sufficient property to secure the debt. I have to request that you will take such measures as you shall...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 16 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I request that you will have enquiry made on board the Cutter Active , whether she is in possession of a double set of arms muskets, pistols, &ca. The Collector of New York was directed to furnish each Cutter with ten muskets and bayonets, twenty pistols, two chissels, one broad axe and two lanthorns. These articles, it appears, have been shipped by Mr Lamb for each of the Cutters—but none...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 7 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 28. June 1791 the Collector of New York was instructed to furnish each of the Revenue Cutters with Ten Musquets and Bayonets, Twenty Pistols, one broad axe, one Chissel of the large and one of the smallest size, and two Lanthorns. I am informed by the Collector of Norfolk that those articles were not received by him; though Mr. Lamb of New York states to me, they were shipped in the...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 14 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I duly received your Communication of the 4th instant, concerning the difference which has been discovered between the instruments, used for ascertaining the proof of distilled spirits. The circumstance is very much to be regretted but I do not at present see that it admits of remedy as to the past. The impossibility of ascertaining what is right, is a great objection to restitution, even if I...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 14 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I am glad to learn from the letter of Mr Delozier of the 25th of July in-closed in yours of the 27th “That the difference between the Inspector of the Revenue and the Inspectors of the Customs had subsided, and that the latter were perfectly disposed to perform the services required of them, by the Secretary of the Treasury, whenever they may be directed by the Inspector of the Revenue.”...
29From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 13 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 13, 1792. “The President having signified to me his intention to appoint David Porter, the present first mate in the cutter Active, master of the said Cutter, in the room of Simon Gross, who has resigned; I have to request, that you will notify the intended appointment to Mr Porter.…” LS , Columbia University Libraries. See George Washington to H, August 5, 1792 .
30From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 11 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 11, 1792. “I enclose you an Advertizement, concerning proposals for the supply of rations for the Western Posts, which I request you will have inserted in the paper of your City, stiled ‘the Maryland Journal & Baltimore Advertizer’ to continue untill the 29th of Septr next.…” LS , Columbia University Libraries. This advertisement reads as follows: “Notice is hereby...
31From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 4 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 4, 1792. “I am informed that there is a vessel in Your Port for Amsterdam; which will sail about the 10th instant. I enclose You a letter for Messrs Willink & van Staphorst, which I request may be forwarded by that vessel.…” LS , Columbia University Libraries. This is presumably a reference to H to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and...
32From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 25 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
After the receipt of this you will divide your deposits between the Bank of Maryland and the Branch of the Bank of the United States, until the first of October ensuing, and thenceforth deposit the public money wholly in the said Branch. The same vouchers, as hereto-fore, must be taken and forwarded from each. I am, Sir, Your Obed Servant. P.S. It is at your discretion either to divide...
33From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 19 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It was with real reluctance and regret that I found myself, as I conceived, in a situation, not only to be justified but constrained to use a stile of expostulation in my letter of the 28th. of last month. It is my earnest wish that the public business committed to my superintendance may proceed with harmony and cordiallity between myself & those united with me in the execution of it. And I...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 18 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this day decided upon the two cases of Zacharie Coopman and Company, on behalf of Mr. Nichols, and of John Stump. In both I have remitted the interest of all parties, Upon the petitioner’s paying for all actual and necessary disbursements. Duplicates of my decision go, by the mail of this day, to the Clerk of the District Court, at Baltimore. I am, Sir, with consideration, Your Obedt...
35From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 18 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Commissioner of the Revenue has laid before me copies of three letters, one of the 3rd. of May from you to the Surveyor of Baltimore, another of the 9th of May from him to you, and a third of the 7th of June from him, in capacity of Inspector of the Revenue for the port of Baltimore, to the Supervisor, communicating the correspondence between you and him and stating certain embarrassments...
36From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 9 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I feel myself not a little a delinquent in regard to a certain paper you forwarded it to me. I will now explain the reasons of its non appearance. Though I thought it a merited & a very good reproof on certain folks as well as calculated to throw useful light on transactions interesting to the fame of our deceased friend—as the business depending was taking a favourable turn when I received...
37From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 8 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 4th instant, concerning the Cutter, Active, I refer you to mine of the 5th. With regard to the addition of 10 ⅌ Ct to be made to the several rates of duties, in respect to all goods, Wares and Merchandizes imported in Ships or Vessels not of the United States, agreeably to the 2d Section of the Act “making further provision for the payment of the debt &ca,” I am...
38From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 5 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have before me your letters of the 18th of March, 18th of April, 8th & 27th of May. I do not observe that it is stated how the Officers who were absent came to be so; so that I am at some loss to judge whether the absence was justifiable or not. I am however rather of opinion that their compensations follow their commissions, as public Officers , and that so long as they are retained in...
39From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 29 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 22d instant, and am extremely sorry to perceive the difficulties you mention. It is not in my power to authorise your dispensing with the execution of the laws, as explained by your standing instructions from the Treasury; but as I have always a desire to give every convenient and prudent facility to commerce, I have made an eventual engagement to the Bank of...
40From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 28 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
An uncommon press of business has prevented my thanking you sooner for your private letter of the . Your ideas of the manner of conducting a certain business have a remarkable correspondency with my own. I think one might venture to ensure success, humanly speaking, on such a plan, and every other will be precarious and critical. I flatter myself the general principles of it will govern future...
41From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 14 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed that a Brig which frequents Your port, and was, or is now the Hope, of Baltimore, is owned by a Mr Gernon. It is my wish to be informed whether it appears, and how, that Mr Gernon is a Citizen of the United States, how long he appears, by the Register, to have owned the Hope, and whether she goes and comes between Your District and any one particular foreign port or island. There...
42From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 12 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The charges on the canvas intended for the Maryland Cutter appear to be proper objects of debit to that vessel. The sum of one dollar and fourteen Cents may therefore be charged in her disbursements. You will perceive that my Circular letter of the 2d instant will prevent future expence of postage to the Collectors in receiving Registers from one another. I am, Sir, Your Most Obed Servant. LS...
43From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 10 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a statement of the case of the Brig Trimmer from the Judge of the District Court of Maryland, and have determined to remit the forfeitures and penalties incurred by the vessel, goods and captain, on the repayment of the disbursements of money actually made. As the season of the year is critical, and the vessel may, if detained, be caught by the ice, I request that you will...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 10 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been represented to me by Mr. Kearney Wharton of Philadelphia, that some hardship has fallen on him in consequence of the want of proper instruments to ascertain the strength of a parcel of Rum belonging to him and lately imported by Messrs. Oliver and Thompson from Antigua. Though I have not yet decided how far it may be proper to make these revisions, I wish that measures may be taken...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 7 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I request that You will pay to Messrs Elliot and Williams ten thousand Dollars on the first of January next, on account of their contract with the united States of the 27th September instant, taking duplicate receipts, one of which to be transmitted to the Treasury. You will of course retain money in Your hands for the purpose and in case there should not be a probability of a Sufficient sum...
46From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 6 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It is understood that a brig called the Dove formerly of Glocester in Massachusetts and commanded by Josiah Parsons has been sold in Europe, under circumstances that give rise to some apprehensions in regard to the misuse of her certificate of registry. I wish to be informed, if it has been returned to your office and when. I am, Sir, Your obedt. servant LS , Columbia University Libraries.
47From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 5 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
If the Supervisor of the District of Maryland should apply to you for four hundred Dollars, you will advance him that sum, which he will repay to you out of the duties on Spirits distilled within his district as soon as a sufficient sum shall be received. You will nevertheless take duplicate receipts and transmit one to the Treasury. The state of the business does not permit that this sum...
48From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 17 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
There will not be found any provision for the payment of Mr. Edward Swift, whom Captain Gross has shipt to do the duty of Mr. James Forbes now absent, unless Mr. Forbes from a sense of justice and propriety allows it to be done out of his money. It would be well for you to intimate this to Captain Gross, and the more so as he in a former instance made an appointment of his officers, which can...
49From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 11 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have, on consideration, concluded to authorise you to allow the Officers and crew of the revenue cutter twelve cents per ration, instead of nine cents, mentioned in my circular letter of the 21st September. But the allowance claimed for expences of board is inadmissible; their pay and rations must be considered as a full compensation. I am, Sir, Your Obed Servant. LS , Columbia University...
50From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 11 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 3rd instant has been received. There can be no doubt that horses and other live stock imported from foreign countries must be considered as an object of trade, or vendible commodity, and of course as subject to duties. To obviate the adoption of this rule in a general sense, I think it however necessary to observe that I consider negroes to be exempted from duties on...