Thomas Jefferson Papers
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To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Hamilton, 26 August 1791

From Alexander Hamilton

Philadelphia Aug. 26. 91

The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the Secretary of State. He returns the draft of Ratification with some alterations to conform more accurately to the fact which are submitted. The Secretary of State will recollect that there is another loan (the contract for which was also forwarded to him) concluded by Messrs. Willinks & Van Staphorsts and of which likewise a Ratification is desired. To possess the Secretary of State fully of the nature of the powers and course of the transactions in both cases, the drafts of the powers as well to the Commissioners as to Mr. Short are sent herewith. When the Secretary of State has done with them he will please to return them.

RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 26 Aug. 1791 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Hamilton to Willink, Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 28 Aug. 1790 (printed in Syrett, Hamilton description begins Harold C. Syrett and others, eds., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, New York, 1961–1979, 26 vols. description ends , vi, 580–5). (2) Hamilton to William Short, 1 Sep. 1790 (printed in same, vii, 6–15).

The instruments of ratification pertained to two loans that were negotiated in the Netherlands in order to help the United States pay its foreign debt. The first loan, which was negotiated by Willink, Van Staphorst & Hubbard in January 1790, was for 3,000,000 florins, and the second, which was negotiated by William Short in conjunction with this firm in March 1791, was for 2,500,000 florins. Texts of the ratifications of both loans, signed by Washington and dated 1 Sep. 1791, are in DLC: Washington Papers; the ratification of the first loan is printed in Fitzpatrick, Writings description begins John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington, Washington, 1931–1944, 39 vols. description ends , xxxi, 353–4.

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