Alexander Hamilton Papers
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From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 29 October 1790

To Sharp Delany1

Treasury Department Ocr. 29th. 1790

Sir

If the arrival of the vessel, that has put into this port in distress, was subsequent to the passing of the existing Collection-Law,2 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 money to pay for her repairs and expences, those goods must be entered, and she is liable to the Tonnage Duty.

I have considered the case you have put relative to the drawbacks of goods proposed to be exported by certain Gentlemen in the East India Trade. The directions of the Legislature on this point, as contained in the 36th page of the Collection-Law,3 are so clear and positive, that I do not consider any executive officer as authorised to depart from them, however expedient a reconsideration of this subject may appear, when they may find it necessary to enter upon a revision of their Commercial Acts.

I am, Sir, Your obedient Servt.

A Hamilton

Sharp Delany Esquire
Collr. Philada.

LS, Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia; copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Philadelphia, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives.

1This letter was written in reply to Delany to H, October 28, 1790.

2“An Act to provide more effectually for the collection of the duties imposed by law on goods, wares and merchandise imported into the United States, and on the tonnage of ships or vessels” (1 Stat. description begins The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America (Boston, 1845). description ends 167 [August 4, 1790]).

31 Stat. description begins The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America (Boston, 1845). description ends 173–74 (August 4, 1790).

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