To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 2 August 1790
From William Ellery
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.1 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.2
LC, Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.
1. See “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” October 1, 1789 ( , V, 415–16).
2. For Section 40 of “An Act to regulate the Collection of the Duties imposed by law on the tonnage of ships or vessels, and on goods, wares and merchandises imported into the United States”, see 48–49 (July 31, 1789). See also “Report on Defects in the Existing Laws of Revenue,” April 22, 1790 ( , VI, 373–97), and H to William Webb, May 5, 1790 ( , VI, 404).
Ellery endorsed this letter: “Answered.” H’s answer has not been found.