To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Hamilton, 9 May 1793
From Alexander Hamilton
Treasury Department May 9. 1793
Sir
I have this moment received your Letter of yesterday.
It appears to me, as it does to you, that the position of the Collectors of the Customs will render them the most convenient channel of distribution for the Passports; nor do I perceive, that it can interfere with their other duties.
It will be equally agreeable to me, that they be transmitted either directly from your office, or through this department. If you prefer the latter, which I shall with pleasure facilitate, I will request you to cause them to be sent in the first instance to me … when I will put them in the usual course of conveyance. With great respect I have the honor to be Sir Your obedient servant
Alexander Hamilton
P.S. Inclosed is the copy of a letter from the Collector of New York to Mr. Coxe of the 7th instant, which is transmitted for your consideration.
RC (DLC: Madison Papers); ellipsis in original; at foot of text: “The Secretary of State”; endorsed by TJ as received 9 May 1793 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: John Lamb to Tench Coxe, New York, 7 May 1793, acknowledging Coxe’s letter of 2 May 1793 transmitting ten sea letters for American vessels, asking for a further supply as soon as possible for the great number of such vessels about to sail, and passing on the inquiry of merchants here as to whether they will receive “similar papers to prevent their vessels from being carried into the ports of the other belligerent powers” (Tr in DLC).
On this day Tench Coxe transmitted another copy of the enclosure to TJ directly (RC in DLC; subjoined to Tr of Lamb to Coxe, 7 May 1793; in Coxe’s hand; endorsed by TJ as received 9 May 1793 and so recorded in SJL).