1Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 23 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
It being highly expedient that the Marshall should be immediately charged on the Books of the Treasury with the monies which you might advance to him in pursuance of my letter to you of the 2nd of July 1793 I have to request that the receipts for all payments already made, or made by you hereafter to the said Marshall may be immediately transmitted to this Office. I am with consideration sir...
2Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 19 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have concluded to request that all repairs necessary for keeping the Revenue Cutter in about the same condition in which it was originally fitted may henceforth be directed by you, without special reference to the Treasury. In giving this instruction however, I must particularly recommend to guard against what may be deemed an habitual disposition in masters of Vessels, to extend equipments...
3Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 17 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you herewith an Act of the last session of Congress, entitled, “An Act in addition to the Act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States.” This Act is relative to objects which have been already committed to your attention by my letter of the 4th, of August 1793; serving to invigorate the means of repressing practices which are as contrary to good order as dangerous...
4Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 3 April[–4 June] 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Congress having made provision for Fortifying the port of [Boston] in your district it becomes necessary to engage some fit person as Agent to procure materials tools and labourers, and to be charged with the disbursement of all monies which are to be disbursed in the execution of the business. The sum estimated for the fortification of [Boston] is [Drs 8749 ²⁸⁄₁₀₀] in addition to this there...
5Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 28 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
An act has just passed the Legislature prohibiting for a limited time the exportation of arms and ammunition, &c. a copy of which is herewith enclosed for your Government. I request that you will particularly enjoin it upon the proper officers to pay an immediate and strict attention to the due execution of the said act. The enclosed is a translation of a Decree of the National Convention,...
6Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 23 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
It is understood that by virtue of the seventeenth article of our Treaty with Sweden, vessels of that nation are exempted from the operation of the embargo, now in force, in the ports of the United States, pursuant to the resolutions of Congress of the 26th of March and 18th instant. You will therefore upon application grant clearances, as usual, to such Swedish vessels as may happen to be in...
7Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 18 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
You will herewith receive for your Government a resolve of Congress of the second instant, relatively to the embargo. Another resolution has just passed for continuing the embargo to the 25th. day of May next, which is herewith transmitted. With great consideration I am Sir Your obedient Servant LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury and Others, 1794–1813,...
A Provisory arrangement has been agreed upon with the Ambassador of Great Britain contained in a letter from the Secretary of State to him dated the 26th December last, to ascertain the losses by detention, waste, or spoliation, sustained by such vessels the property of subjects of Great Britain, as have been or shall be captured by French Privateers armed and equipped in the Ports of the...
It has been made a question whether by the sixth section of the Act entitled “An Act for raising a farther sum of money for the protection of the frontiers and for other purposes therein mentioned,” the allowance to one fishing vessel is still restricted to the sum of one hundred and seventy Dollars for one season, as prescribed by the preceding Act concerning fisheries of the United States...
10Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 9 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
From your weekly statement of Cash I calculate that you will have sufficient funds in your hands to discharge the allowances to fishing vessels, which will become due in your District on the 31st instant. You will therefore pay those allowances agreeably to the instructions heretofore given for that purpose. I request however that you will furnish me with an estimate of the sum which will be...
11Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 4 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
It appearing that repeated contraventions of our neutrality have taken place in the ports of the United States, without having been discovered in time for prevention or remedy, I have it in command from the President, to address to the collectors of the respective districts a particular instruction on the subject. It is expected, that the officers of the customs in each district, will in the...
12Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 27 July 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
It having been represented that the number of men heretofore allowed on board of the revenue Cutters has proved to be insufficient, the President of the united States has consented to the full complement of mariners, agreeably to the 7th Section of the act of the 2d of march last, entitled “An Act supplementary to the act intitled An Act to provide more effectually for the collection of the...
13Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 25 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
It appears that the summary of the amount of Duties on Imposts and Tonnage which accrued within your district during the first Quarter of the present Year has not yet come to hand. The importance of Punctuality in this particular, was strongly indicated by my Letter of the 12th of October 1792. The delay embarrasses me, and is a cause of regret. I hope for your exertions to avoid a similar...
14Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 30 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
It being the opinion of the Executive, that there is no general law of the land, prohibiting the entry and sale of goods captured by foreign powers at war—and consequently that such entry and sale are lawful; except in cases where a prohibition is to be found in the treaties of the United States— It becomes the duty of this Department to make known to you, that the entry of vessels captured...
15Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, [13–16] May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
It being necessary in the present state of War among the principal European powers, that all ships and vessels belonging to the citizens of the United States, should be furnished as soon as possible with sea letters, for their more perfect identification and security, you will find within this inclosure copies of two several documents of that kind, signed by the President of the United States,...
16Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 23 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
You will find enclosed the copy of a proclamation lately issued by the President of the United States, respecting the war at present existing between certain Powers of Europe therein named. The preservation of the peace of the country is so very important to its interests, and that must depend so materially upon the conformity of the conduct of our citizens to the spirit which is manifested by...
17Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 29 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
A question has been made—“What is to be the voucher to a Collector, for entering anew a Vessel which has been altered in form only?” The 6th Section of the Act, concerning the Registering and Recording of Ships or Vessels, having made provision only for the case of an alteration in burthen. I answer, that the form of a Certificate of Registry, prescribed by the 9th Section of that Act,...
18Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 13 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Proof has been filed in the office of the Collector of Newbury Port, agreeably to the 13th section of the act, entitled, “An act for registering and clearing Vessels, regulating the coasting Trade, &c.” of the loss of two Certificates of registry, of the following numbers and description, viz. No. 42, dated Newbury Port the 19th of April 1790, granted to Benjamin Joy, owner and master of the...
19Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 22 February [5–March] 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I have made the following arrangement with the Bank of the united States for the accommodation of the merchants whose bonds for duties shall become payable between this date and the last day of the ensuing march. The Bank will discount during the period mentioned, the notes of such merchants as are endebted to the Custom house, for 30 days, for the respective sums that shall become payable....
20Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 22 January 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is an act, entitled, “An act concerning the registering and recording of ships or vessels,” passed the 31st of December last. This act is to take effect after the last days of March next. The forms of the certificates of Registry therein prescribed, will be immediately prepared and transmitted by the Register of the Treasury. Copies of all certificates which shall be granted pursuant...
21Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 25 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Pursuant to the discretion vested in me by the sixth section of the act, entitled, “An Act making alterations in the Treasury and War Departments,” I have concluded to commit the immediate superintendance of the Collection of the duties of impost and tonnage to the Comptroller of the Treasury. You will therefore henceforth correspond with that officer, relatively to all matters arising out of...
22Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 12 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I request that henceforth immediately at the close of every quarter, you will furnish me with a summary of the amount of all Duties, which shall have accrued in your Office, during such quarter. It will at the same time be requisite to state the Drawbacks (if any) and the payments to Inspectors and other charges by computation, where the true amount cannot immediately be ascertained, in order...
23Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 23 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Some very important objects in the Business of the Business of the next session of the Legislature will render the early transmission of the several quarterly returns and accounts that will be due the 30th inst. indispensibly necessary. The early receipt of these papers is not only requisite for some extraordinary purposes of the Department, but information drawn from them will be particularly...
24Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 8 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I am to request your attention to the in-closed Paper and that in the Columns opposite the described Article of Merchandise or Package (for containing them,) the rates of Freight which are paid from your Port to the Countries expressed in the Head Lines be inserted, and returned to me as early as the Inquiry will admit. With great consideration I am Sir Your obedient Servt. LS , to Jeremiah...
25Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 31 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to an order of the Senate of the United States, passed on the 7th of May last, a copy of which is herewith transmitted, I have to request that you will furnish me, immediately after the first of October next with the particular statements required by the said order. From these a general Abstract is to be formed at the Treasury; and as Uniformity in the mode of stating the receipts...
26Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 27 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It would be of use in regard to the Return of exports, which is transmitted quarterly to this Office by the Collectors, if the exported articles were uniformly arranged in alphabetic order. With a view to this, I enclose you a form of such an alphabetical arrangement, and request that for the future you will have the articles of exports inserted in the said Return, agreeably to that form;...
27Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 6 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It is the opinion of the Attorney General, that by force of the 8th section of the “Act for raising a further sum of money for the protection of the Frontiers, and for other purposes therein mentioned,” the regulation, requiring the immediate payment of the duties on imported articles, when the amount should not exceed fifty dollars, is repealed in all cases, except those relating to Salt,...
28Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 23 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
On a revision of the Act concerning the Post Office, I find the construction communicated in my Circular of the 25th ultimo to be erroneous, the 10th section of that Act expressly imposing specific rates of postage, according to circumstances, for every letter or packet carried from one port to another , in the United States, by sea, not only in packet boats or vessels, the property of, or...
29Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 22 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
When an appeal was made to me, by certain Officers of the Customs, respecting the fees to which they were entitled under the Coasting Act, I took the only method then in my power, to aid my own judgment to a right decision. The Attorney General not being at the seat of Government, I applied to two of the most able Counsel in the city of New-York, (one of whom is the Attorney of the United...
30Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 20 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It is with great satisfaction I have it in my power to acknowledge the zeal and good disposition, with which the Officers of the Customs generally have executed the instructions which have, from time to time, proceeded from the Treasury Department. I am happy to be able to say, that the instances of exception are few, and I ascribe such as have happened rather to an inaccurate view of the...
31Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 11 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Some misapprehension having arisen in regard to the provisions concerning Manifests, contained in the 9, 10, 11 and 12th sections of the Collection Law, it becomes proper to enter into certain explanations—to convey the sense and expectations of this Department on the subject. It occurs, in the first place, that these Manifests are only required, where vessels are owned in whole or part by...
32Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 8 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The 66, 67 and 68th sections of the Collection Law, make provision respecting the prosecution, receipt, appropriation and distribution of and for fines, penalties and forfeitures, under that act. The provision is less precise and clear than could be wished, and may require legislative revision. In the mean time it is indispensable that some arrangement should be made and observed; consulting...
33Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 4 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The 17th section of the act, entitled, “An Act for raising a further sum of money for the protection of the frontiers, and for other purposes therein mentioned,” having abolished the rate heretofore annexed to the livre tournois of France; it becomes proper to give some general direction concerning the mode of estimating the value of goods imported from France. It will be understood that the...
34Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 23 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to request, if in future you should have any particular communication to make to the Secretary of the Treasury, that you will designate Your Office upon the outside of your letters. I am, Sir, Your Obedt. Servant LS , The Turner Manuscript Collection at the Torrington Library, Torrington, Connecticut; LS , sold by Kingston Galleries, Inc., Lot 77, Catalogue No. 4; LS , Independence...
35Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 21 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In pursuance of arrangements with the Bank of the United States, I have to desire, that after the expiration of a month from the time of the receipt of this letter, you will discontinue the execution of my former instructions concerning the receipt, and exchange for specie, of the Cash Notes and Post Notes of the Banks of North-America and New-York. The regularity of the service requires that...
36Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 6 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It is my wish that you transmit to this office a return of the public property, exclusive of cash and bonds, in the hands of all the officers of the customs in your district, that is to say, the scales, weights, boats, &c. which may be in the hands or charge of any officer of the customs, from the Collector to the Inspector or Inspectors. This return it will be fit that you also transmit with...
37Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 2 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In a former letter you were constituted the Agent for the Cutter destined for the Station off Maryland. I have now to inform you that the authority of directing its movements is henceforward committed to you, subject to the instructions which shall be transmitted from this Department. I shall communicate this arrangement to the Captain of the Cutter on the Maryland Station. I am Sir Your...
38Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 2 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It will prevent injury from accidents if the Collectors of the Customs, in all cases of the delivery of a Register to be cancelled, shall cut a hole in the like manner as is directed in the circular letter of the 21st of September last, in regard to the Registers therein mentioned. All certificates of Registry delivered up at any office, wherever issued, are hereafter to be transmitted to the...
39Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 17 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
On considering several representations which have been made to me relative to the rations for the cutters, I have determined on the following mode of conducting the business. A price not exceeding twelve cents for each man per diem may be agreed for by you with the Captain or any other person, who will contract to supply the necessary articles. It is hoped that this will enable you to conduct...
40Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 11 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
An order having been transmitted to me from the honorable House of Representatives, to make certain returns, relative to the exports, imports and tonnage of the United States, I find it necessary to press your immediate transmission of all such documents as are to come from your Office, to the 30th of September last. A case, which has been represented to me, renders it necessary to intimate to...
41Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 21 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It being necessary to fix the rates at which the additional rations for the Officers of the Cutters are to be paid for, I have determined, on consideration, to instruct you to allow to the Captain & other Officers of the Cutter, under your Agency, the sum of nine Cents for every ration which they shall not draw, and for which they shall prefer to receive payment in money. It will also be...
42Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 21 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It being necessary to ascertain correctly the state of the public monies in the several Custom-Houses, I enclose you a form of a return of bonds which may not be paid with punctuality, which it is my desire that you regularly transmit at foot of every monthly return of bonds, though there should be none unpaid, noting in the proper column that the fact is so. Those parts which are printed in...
43Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 20 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been suggested to me that the Grocers in one of the Seaport Towns of the United States have received applications from Persons concerned in foreign trade for the purchase of their Casks marked “Old Stock.” It will be quickly perceived that such a measure affords the strongest reason to suspect, that illicit practices, evasive of both the Revenue and impost are intended. To prevent the...
44Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 5 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Information has been given to me, that the Sloop Lurana, of Washington in North-Carolina, lately commanded by Thomas Eastwood, has been sold in Hispaniola to a person unknown, and there is some reason to apprehend that her certificate of registry has been disposed of with her, or retained for illicit purposes by the Captain. This certificate is numbered 28, and bears date at the port of...
45Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, [8–12] July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of two questions lately proposed to me, the first upon the impost Act., and the 2nd. upon the 41 section of the Collection law, I signify to you my opinion on the following points. 1st. That the teas called “ Young Hyson ” and “ Hyson skin ,” are not subject to the duties which, in the several cases are laid on Hyson, but to those only which are imposed on other Green teas;...
46Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 8 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have already written to you in regard to the disbursements of the Revenue Cutter on your station, except the pay of the officers and men, and have now to request that you will duly attend to that business also, so as to have in your hands the entire agency. A form will be transmitted to you, in which you will make your quarterly returns at the same periods (though distinctly) as in the...
47Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 1 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this day written to the Captain of the revenue cutter building for the [Pennsya.] station and I enclose you the letter unsealed which you will deliver to him open after you have caused a copy of it to be made and kept for your own information. It will also be proper that you retain a copy of my circular instructions to him, which are likewise transmitted unsealed. You will perceive that...
48Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 1 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Bank of Maryland being in operation, and its paper having gone into circulation, it is my desire, that the cash notes (that is those payable in specie on demand) be received by you in discharge of all duties of impost and tonnage, arrising in your district under the laws of the United States, and that you will exchange whatever specie you may at any time have in your hands for those notes....
49Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 26 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed you will find for your information, generally, and Government, in certain particulars, certain explanations & instructions concerning the two Acts, severally entitled “An Act repealing after the last day of June next, the duties heretofore laid upon distilled spirits imported from abroad, and laying others in their stead; and also upon spirits distilled within the United States and...
50Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 13 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I find instances that have occurred in some of the Custom-houses, of receiving the duties on goods by estimates formed upon the invoices, or the statements of the Masters and Owners of the vessels, and by other means than actual gauging, weighing, measuring, &c. This, it is manifest, is not conformable to law, and may lead to practices very injurious to the revenue. Neither is it necessary to...