1To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, [October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Vessels built in our State for the Tobo. Business are generally constructed for the Stowage of that article & a Ship of 200 Tons ought to carry 400 Hogshead. Vessels of foreign Nations are not always so constructed as to stow in proportion which must depend in a great measure on the trade intended when they are framed but the English French Dutch & Scot[c]h Ships in generally carry in...
2To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 20 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, June 20, 1791. On June 30, 1791, Hamilton wrote to Fitzgerald : “Yours of the 20th of June came duly to hand.” Letter not found. ] Fitzgerald, a neighbor of George Washington, had served as one of his aides during the American Revolution. In 1793 he succeeded Charles Lee as collector of customs at Alexandria.
3To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 21 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It is with great reluctance I write you particularly as Congress is sitting & I am satisfied you have full employment for every moment of your time, yet I cannot forbear soliciting your kind assistance in favor of establishing a Branch of the National Bank in this town, to effect which a memorial is forwarded to the Directors stating some of the Advantages which would result to the public from...
4To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 5 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
By this time you will probably have received from Mr Charles Lee a letter resigning the Collectorship of this Port[.] This Gentleman has for a length of time past informed me of his intentions & always wished that I should make application to succeed him[.] in this however I was undetermin’d untill Governor Lee on his way from the Northward insisted on it in such positive terms that I promised...
5To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 17 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Last evening a British Schooner, from New Providence bound to Norfolk arrived here as prize to the Privateer Sans Culotte. The Prize Master says, she was taken off Cape Hatteras, and by application of the French Vice Consul here is desirous of being admitted to an entry; this I refused until I could hear from you. The necessity of some general rule of conduct on this and similar occasions is...
6To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 25 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
It was only by last Post that I was honor’d by the receipt of your letter of the 28th past & how to account for the detention I am entirely at a loss since its coming to hand I have made every enquiry respecting the Price to be procured for flour, & am offer’d only 31/ & 33/ ⅌ Barrell paid in 90 days the flour to be all deliver’d at this place. Flour would be higher if American bottoms could...
7To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 31 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
I am duly honor’d by the receipt of your Duplicate under Cover of your letter of 24th Inst. since when I have made the most diligent enquiry rispecting the flour & Tobacco, & cannot say any thing more flattering on the Subject than was contain’d in my letter by Saturday’s Post, which I hope you have e’er this received—indeed I have not been actually offer’d more than 31/ & 33/ @ 90 days but I...
8To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, [July 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
By an Act of Congress in the Year 1790, the Gold Coins of France, England, Spain and Portugal were made a legal tender, in the receipt and payment of all monies received and paid by virtue of said Act, at the rate of 89 cents for every penny-weight thereof. By an Act past last Session, the Gold Coins of Britain and Portugal were made a legal tender after the 1st. Instant, at the rate of 100...
9To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 3 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honor’d by the receipt of your letter of the 19 past & would have answer’d it in course had Mr Moore been in town It was only Yesterday I could go into the business with him, & upon going to examine the house found a Woman of the name of Jackson with a family of Children in it—she told me her Husband was gone to Boston & that she did not expect his return in less than three weeks,...
10To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 20 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Alexandria [ Virginia ] August 20, 1793 . Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s “Circular letter to the Collectors of the Customs of the 4th. Instant.” Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives.
11To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 11 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
On my return last night from the General Court at Anapolis, I found myself honor’d by two letters from you, one of Monday on private business, & the other covering your Answer to the resolves of the town meeting, which were enclosed to you. You will be pleased to observe that the Publick Papers join the Eighth Resolution with the others which, I dont know why, were seperated in the Copy sent,...
12To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 23 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Hearing this Morning that the Surveyor of this District was about to resign, I could not in justice to the Individual, or my own sense of propriety in the Office which I have the honor to hold, forbear solliciting your attention to Mr Vincent Gray; who was Mr Lee’s Deputy & continues to be mine[.] his constant & Vigilant attention, his strict impartiallity, & his knowledge of the business,...
13To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 20 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The Surveyor of this District having some time ago sent in his resignation to the President and a few days since gone to live out of the District, I found myself under the necessity of making a temporary appointment, and have accordingly nominated Mr. Vincent Gray to act until your instructions arrive, which I flatter myself will not be disagreeable to you. The President will of course have...
14To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 2 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I am duly honored by the receipt of letters of the 21st and 26th. Ulto. to which regular attention has been paid. In yours of the 21st. you say that “Schedules have been received from you up to the 1st. of February which implies as much punctuality as could have been expected.” In this quotation I suppose there must have been an error as a schedule to the first of March was regularly...
15To George Washington from John Fitzgerald, 14 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
When I last had the honor of dining with you in this town, I mention’d the information given by some people in Maryland to the executive of that state respecting the Estate of Thomas Digges, & wishing to bring it under the confiscation Law[.] This Business is now drawing to a Crisis, & it may possibly be brought to trial next Month in the General Court[.] I am possess’d of a great variety of...
16To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 2 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Alexandria [ Virginia ] August 2, 1794 . “A violent Rheumatic complaint, by which I am afflicted without intermission, obliges me to have recourse to the Berkley Springs.… Mr Gray will superintend the business of my Office during my absence.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives; typescript furnished by the National Society, Daughters of the American...
17To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 13 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, October 13, 1794. On October 28, 1794, Oliver Wolcott, Jr., wrote to Fitzgerald: “Your letter of the 13th instant to the Secy of the Treasury has been rec’d in this office.” Letter not found. ] Fitzgerald was collector of customs at Alexandria, Virginia. Wolcott’s letter to Fitzgerald continues as follows: “It is deemed to be a clear principle that no person can become...