1To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 17 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 17, 1789. States that the port of Philadelphia lacks funds for the maintenance of aids to navigation in the Delaware River. Asks that United States funds be used for that purpose. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. Allibone was master warden of the port of Philadelphia.
2To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 26 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 26, 1789. Discusses aids to navigation in Delaware Bay and River. Suggests appointment of a superintendent for the entire Delaware district. Mentions a pending bill in Pennsylvania legislature which would cede to United States all state-owned navigational aids in Delaware River. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States,...
3To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 5 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, October 5, 1789. On April 29, 1790, Allibone wrote to Hamilton : “I did make mention of it in a letter of mine dated October 5th last.” Letter not found. ]
4To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 12 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 12, 1789. Discusses methods of maintaining “the Several Establishments” for aiding navigation “in the Bay and River Deleware.” Asks to be appointed superintendent of that district. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. For background to this document, see Sharp Delany to H, October 6, 1789 .
5To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 12 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 12, 1789. “Some of my Friends, on finding I had an Inclination to apply for the appointment of Superintendant of the light house, Beacons Buoys and publick Piers, have put Into my hands A Recommendation … addressed to the president, which I have … Enclosed to him.… I … am at A loss whether to attend at the seat of government in person or not and should consider it as A...
6To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 13 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 13, 1789. Asks Hamilton’s approval for payment of a pilot’s claim as reward for salvaging a floating beacon. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
7To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 21 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] October 21, 1789 . “Your Circular letter of the fifth Instt. came only to my hands this day.… The principal matters requested thereby have been sent forward by me sometime ago particularly the description of the Nature & Extent of the Several Establishments for the safety of the Navigation.…” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States,...
8To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 14 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, December 14, 1789. “I have the Honor to enclose an account of monies we are now actualy in advance, on acct. of the united states, for support of the several establishments in the Bay and River Deleware, amounting to six hundred and Ten pounds Seven shillings and seven pence.… I need only add that being thus much in advance on account of the united states, we are left without...
9To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 7 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, January 7, 1790. Has received Hamilton’s letter of December 21, 1789 , and the necessary funds to maintain the aids to navigation in the Delaware River. LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. Letter not found.
10To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, [13 February 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 13, 1790. ] Encloses “Some observations Respecting Further Improvements in the Bay & River Delaware.” Sends a copy “of the Conveyance of A Lot of Land on Cape May.” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
11To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 5 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, April 5, 1790. “… Agreeably to your circular letter, of the fifth of October last, the several establishments in the Bay and River Deleware have had every necessary attention paid to them.… A scarcity and rise in the article of oyl is likely to take place owing to the demand for the European Market, and the moment any is landed here it is bot. up for that purpose, this has...
12To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 29 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, April 29, 1790. “I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated april 21st Informing me of my appointment as Superintendant of the Light House and other establishments in the Bay and River Deleware, and containing Instructions for my Government therein, but find that no official Information had reached you, of the Legislature of Pennsylvania having made Cession...
13To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 29 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] April 29, 1790 . Discusses proposals for improving navigation in Delaware River and Delaware Bay. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
14To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, [April 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia [ April, 1790 ]. Asks Hamilton’s opinion on Allibone’s recommendations for improving navigation in the Delaware River and Delaware Bay. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. See Allibone to H, April 29, 1790 .
15To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 6 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 6, 1790. Proposes that supplies for the following year be purchased immediately to take advantage of favorable prices. Plans to inspect all navigational aids in Delaware River and Delaware Bay at the end of May. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
16To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 22 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 22, 1790. “I herewith Transmit … five several Contracts for supplies and services for the establishments in the Bay and River Deleware.… There will be two others sent forward as soon as they can be effected one for Keeping the light House & one for repairs of Piers.” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
17To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 6 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 6, 1790. Encloses “A Contract with Abraham Hargis as keeper of the light House” at Henlopen. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
18To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 15 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 15, 1790. Encloses a maintenance contract for the Delaware River establishment. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
19To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 3 [July] 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia , [ July ] 3, 1790 . “Having returned by this day from a visit of Inspection to the several establishments in the Bay & River Including the light house, it was not without Concern I found your letter of the 22d of last month. Accompanied by the Contract made with abraham Hargis and communicating the disinclination of the President of the United States to approve the allowance of...
20To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 5 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, July 5, 1790. Describes “a visit of Inspection to the several establishments” under Allibone’s supervision. Intends to draw up contracts for the repair of buoys, piers, and beacons. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
21To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 1 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 1, 1790. Expresses concern over delays in the approval of the contracts for repairs on the Cape Henlopen lighthouse and for the lighthouse keeper’s salary. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
22To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 20 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 20, 1790. Complains of the difficulty of obtaining contractors for maintenance work on the aids to navigation in the Delaware River. Urges Hamilton to expedite approval of the contract for the repairs to the Cape Henlopen lighthouse. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
23To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 21 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 21, 1790. “Enclosed herewith is a new Contract with Abraham Hargis as keeper of the Light House at Cape Henlopen.… Mr. Hargis in agreeing to a reduction of his Sallary expresses a full confidence that when his comparative situation with respect to other Keepers of Light Houses, is fully Investigated, it will be augmented again, And alledges in support of that expectation...
24To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 1 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 1, 1790. “Enclosed herewith is Contract with Thomas Connaroe for repairs of all the Publick Piers oposite to Reedy Island.… When this with all the other Contracts made for Supplies and Repairs are compleated, these Establishments will be in Such good condition that there is every reason to expect that after the present year, the annual expenditure therefor will be...
25To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 25 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] October 25, 1790 . “Enclosed Herewith is accounts of the Expenditures in the Office of Superintendance of the Light House at Cape Henelopen &c., from the first of July to the first of October from which there appears A Ballance in my hands of three hundred and fifty four Dollars and Twenty Eight & one half Cents.… Part of the afforesaid Ballance has been Since paid away and as...
26To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 25 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 25, 1790. Describes “repairs of the Piers Opposite to Reedy Island.” LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
27To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 1 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, November 1, 1790. “I have annexed an abstract of Contracts and Services for which payment will be due in the Course of the present month to which I have added Estimate of the Expenditures for the present year up to the fifteenth of August Next.… It will appear from this abstract and Estimate that it is probable not more than three thousand five hundred Dollars will be wanted for...
28To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 28 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, December 28, 1790. Discusses “the design of Erecting Piers Opposite to the Borough of Chester” on the Delaware River. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Estimates, Delaware, National Archives.
29To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 24 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, January 24, 1791. Proposes that two beacon boats on the Delaware River, both of which are “far advanced in a state of decay,” be replaced. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. H’s endorsement reads: “The within proposition appears eligible but Mr [Tench] Coxe will consider it & give me his opinion.”
30To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 22 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] April 22, 1791 . “I have herewith enclosed a Contract with Joseph Anthony & Son, for the supply of Oil for one years Consumption of the Lighthouse at Cape Henlopen.… I have also enclosed a Contract with John Wilson for Building a Beaconboat to replace the One used at Brown Shoal, it being in a State of decay as will not admit of its being depended upon for another year.…” ALS...
31To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, [28 June 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, June 28, 1791. ] Reports on the condition of navigational aids in the Delaware River in the vicinity of Philadelphia. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
32To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 28 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 28, 1791. Encloses estimates for “the Present quarter” and for “one year comencing the 15th of August.” Reports that the navigational aids in the Delaware River “are now in good order.” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. Allibone was superintendent of lighthouses, beacons, buoys, public piers, and...
33To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 23 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] December 23, 1791 . “I have the Honor to call your attention to a Short report on the state of the establishments under my care as follows: The Light House in good order and well Supplied with every thing Necessary for the ensuing Season—the Publick Piers in good repair. The usual exhanges of Beacons & Buoys and those which were relieved brot. up and deposited in their usual...
34To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 9 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] February 9, 1792. “Sometime about the setting in of the winter … the Inspector for Port Penn, having discovered that a Large quantity of the filling of the second Pier had been taken out, and several Coasters laying there at the same time, his suspicions led him to challenge them therewith, but as all persisted in denying the fact; And their Hatches being laid he could not...
35To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 13 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] March 13, 1792 . “Unpleasant as the task is, to be the Bearer of bad tidings, it has fallen to my lot; and it is no less then the entire loss & destruction of one of the Piers at mud Island, by the Breaking up of the Ice on thursday last, when the whole body thereof moved at once, with the flood tide and a heavy easterly wind, which forced it with great Violence for A long...
36To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 16 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] March 16, 1792 . “Having Particularly Inspected the Condition of the Piers at mud Island, I have the honor to report, that the Pier destroyed by the Breaking up of the Ice, was not Removed intirely from its bed as at first Represented, But that all the upper part thereof Below low water mark was Torn away and now lays sunk. Just against the back part or upper side of what...
37To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, [27 March 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to Enclose a statement of what mony will be wanted in discharge of the engagments in the Office of Superintendant of the Delaware Light House &c for the present quarter up to the thirty first Instant and am with Highest Respect your most Obedient. Humble Servant ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. “Statement...
38To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 27 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] April 27, 1792 . Encloses “a Coppy of an Invoice of Oil, which has been delivered this day by Joseph Anthony & Son, agreeably to Contract.” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. See H to George Washington, April 24, 1792 , and Tobias Lear to H, April 25, 1792 .
39To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 30 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] April 30, 1792 . “Since delivering the estimates and observations for Building a Pier at mud Island. I have made careful Enquiry into the vallue of the articles estimated. The result whereof is that the Smiths ask from 6d to 6d½ for that kind of Iron work, And the Price of Building Stone of Inferiour quality is 5/4 at the whaves & that of Superiour is 6/10. the Delaware paving...
40To George Washington from William Allibone, 12 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
at the request of A number of my fellow citizens I take the liberty of Offering myself A candidate for the appointment of superintendance of the Several Establishments for the security of the navigation in the Bay and River Deleware, that I am thus late in making my application arises from the following causes, it not being well understood that a general apointment of that kind was to be made,...