1From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 12 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I find it necessary to be more fully informed as to some particulars attending the case stated to me by Messrs. Warder & Co. on the 6th. Instant. It is said in your Notes and additions to their statement that the Teas were surveyed by the Wardens with the consent of the Collector. I wish to know, if the appointment was made by you according to the directions of the 16th. Section of the then...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 13 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Duer my assistant goes to Philadelphia to transact some business with the bank there in which your co-operation will probably be wanted. He will give you the necessary explanations; and I doubt not will have your acquiescence in whatever may be requisite to complete his arrangments. The other principal Officers of the Department not being on the spot some informality may be unavoidable....
3From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 8 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Hurry of business has prevented my answering till now your favours of the 21st of December and 9th of January. I am of opinion that in strictness after the passing of the Registering Act, nothing but the Register or Enrollment could be evidence of an American bottom, or entitle a vessel to the privileges of one. Yet where from absence it was impossible for a vessel (“evidently and bona fide”...
4From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 10 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, October 10, 1791. “Your letter of the 5th instant has been received. The requisite instructions relative to the boat have been forwarded to the Collector of Wilmington.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Philadelphia, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives. Letter not found. The collector of customs at...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 29 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
You will please to obtain a certificate from the Cashier of the Bank of North America, expressing the sums paid in the said Bank by you in the course of the present month, upon which a warrant shall be issued for the amount. You will not fail transmitting the said certificate by Thursday’s mail, in order that it may reach me on Saturday. I am Sir Your Obed’t Serv’t ALS , Mrs. Arthur Loeb,...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 28 January 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
The best reply that I can make to your letter on the subject of the Eliza’s Cargo is, to furnish you with an Abstract of Mr. Elders statement to the Judge and a copy of your certificate subjoined thereto. These documents will go to shew, that the opinion expressed in my letter to you of the 22d. instant was not loosely founded. I am with consideration Sir Your Most Obedt. Servt. Copy,...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 31 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, July 31, 1790. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] ALS , sold at Thomas Birch’s Sons, December, 1891, Item 95.
8From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 4 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed, that a doubt has been made, whether in order to obtain the Credit for two years , for the duties on Teas, according to the Act making provision for the collection of the Duties by law, imposed on Teas and to prolong the term for the payment of the duties on Wines, it is necessary that the Teas be deposited in conformity to the regulations prescribed in the Act—it being contended...
9From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 3 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Treasury Department, October 3, 1792. The dealer’s catalogue description reads: “Reminding … Delany … that his quarterly reports are overdue.” Letter not found. ] LS , sold at Sotheby’s, May 23, 1984, Sale 5187, in Item 120. Delany was collector of customs at Philadelphia.
10From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 11 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, January 11, 1792. “I think it proper that you make an immediate demand of the difference between foreign Tonnage and foreign Impost and those duties of Tonnage & impost which have been paid at the several entries of the Brig Lydia, which have taken place since the 8th of October 1790.… It is my intention to write to Richd. Carrington Esquire of Richmond in Virginia upon...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 9 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the application made to you by the Gentlemen concerned in the damaged goods imported in the Betsey from Liverpool, and I am of opinion, that your answer to them is conformable with the Law. The legislature having thought proper to make the measures prescribed by the Act, requisite to obtaining the allowance for damage, it is not in the power of any executive officer to...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 12 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been represented to me by a Committee of the Merchants of Philadelphia, that the Delaware Pilots have entered into a combination very inconvenient to the movements of their vessels, and which may produce injury to the National commerce and Revenue. The officers of the Revenue Cutter being acquainted with the River and bay of Delaware, and the chief mate Mr. Roach being a Pilot of the...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 24 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 20th instant, enclosing one to you from Mr. William Bell of the same date. The Certificate mentioned in the latter was not found in your inclosure. I am always disposed to exercise the discretion that may be vested in me by the laws for the reasonable benefit of the fair trader in cases and under circumstances that admit of relief from me. Considerable...
14From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 21, 1789. “An application has been lately made to me by the Board of wardens of the Port of Philadelphia for the reimbursement of a Sum of money by them expended for the maintenance and Support of the Light house, Beacons &ca in the Bay and River Delaware.… As it is necessary that these Establishments Should be properly Supported, you will advance to Wm Allibone...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 28 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Act imposing duties on the Tonnage of Ships or Vessels declares that this charge shall accrue when vessels “shall be entered in the United States from a foreign port or place.” That entry can never have preceded the application for a Register for a new Ship, and consequently the Tonnage cannot be then demanded. New Vessels applying for coasting licences are charged upon a different...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, [February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the case of the two vessels belonging to the port of Philadelphia which have arrived at the capes of Delaware. The law does not authorize the receiving in any custom house, reports and entries of vessels that are not within the district to which it appertains. The Only method therefore, as it appears to me, by which the owners can effect an entry in this or any other case is...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 13 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 13, 1792. “I received with your letter of the 26th Ultimo an estimate of the Duties which have accrued in your Office during the third quarter of the present year amounting to 402,540 dollars. It does not appear, whether the expences that have occurred during the quarter, are deducted from the sum. If not, I request to be informed of the amount.…” LS , Bureau of...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 30 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, April 30, 1790. “I have not yet answered that part of your Letter of the 13th of February which relates to the employing of Boats for the Security of the revenue.… I am not empowered to authorise boats for that purpose.… On the Subject of Stores for the Safe keeping of goods I refer you to my Letter of the 24th march.” LS , Yale University Library. Letter not found.
19From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 28 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, July 28, 1792. “I have this day decided upon the case of Asa Gilbert. There being no appearance of fraud in the transaction, the interest of all parties in the forfeiture is remitted to him, upon his paying the legal Duties and all reasonable costs and charges.…” LS , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
20From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 29 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
If the arrival of the vessel, that has put into this port in distress, was subsequent to the passing of the existing Collection-Law, she is not liable to Tonnage; provided all the requisitions of the Law, in such cases, are duly complied with, but if she has left behind her any goods, not licensed by you to be sold, either on account of their perishable nature, or for the purpose of procuring...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 5 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The section of the collection law relative to the tares to be allowed at the Custom house upon the several species of goods therein mentioned appears to require that the allowance ⅌ Centum upon Coffee in bags } be computed upon the hundred pounds, do. in bales do. in casks pepper in bales do. in casks and that the allowance ⅌ centum upon sugars (other than loaf) in hogsheads & boxes be...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 8 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received yesterday an application from Messrs. R & J Potter, Knox, Henderson & others, relative to the claim of additional duties on Goods ⅌ the ship Kitty from London. Having no statement of facts from your office, I am uncertain how far all those things, that may concern the rights of the United States, have occurred to the Applicants, & can, therefore, only give a conditional instruction...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 16 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I wish you to ascertain who is the present owner of the Brig Lydia commanded by Captain Vancise, of what place he is a resident, whether he is a Citizen of the United States, when he became owner of that vessel, and where he purchased her. Should application be made for a new register for that Vessel, I wish to receive immediate information, and that you suspend the issuing of it until you...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 27 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 27, 1792. On the back of a letter which Delany wrote to Hamilton on October 4, 1792, the following words are written: “27 December Answered.” Letter not found. ]
25From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 21 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, June 21, 1792. Requests “enquiries concerning a fit Character to serve as third mate in the Revenue Cutter on the Pennsylvania Station.” LS , Dr. Charles W. Olsen, Chicago, Illinois.
26From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 19 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, November 19, 1790. On December 2, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Delany : “I have received this morning your letter in answer to mine of the 19th. ultimo.” Letter not found. ]
27From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 24 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to your letter of this day, I incline to the opinion, that the laws respecting drawbacks ought to be so construed as to admit the entry of goods, wares and merchandise for exportation, if made within twelve calendar months, from the time such goods, wares or merchandise were entered at the custom-house and the duties paid or secured —as equivalent to the actual exportation. In...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 2 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, July 2, 1792. “I have this day decided upon the case of Hollingsworth, Shallcross, Lovering and Le Maigre. There being no appearance of fraud or wilful negligence in the transaction, the interest of all parties in the forfeiture is remitted to the Petitioners, upon their paying costs and charges.…” LS , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia; LC , RG 56, Letters to the Collector...
29From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 8 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed there is reason to believe, that a vessel belonging to Elizabeth Town in New Jersey has been employed by a merchant in Philadelphia to run a cargo of rum, by carrying the hogsheads in the hold and a quantity of shingles on the Deck. The intelligence comes to me in such a way as to render it proper that you know it for the purpose of giving the necessary intimation to the officers...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 13 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, July 13, 1792. “I have desired eleven Hydrometers to be sent to Your Office, which I request you will please to forward by water to the Collectors of the several ports.…” LS , from the original in the New York State Library, Albany.