21From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 6 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
From your letter of the 23d. June, a doubt has arisen, with respect to the name of the Person whom you recommend as Surveyor for North Kingstown. One of the Senators of your State informs me, that he is acquainted with Daniel Updike, but knows of no person by the name of Daniel Eldridge Updike. If they are not two distinct persons, it will be necessary to ascertain the true name of the...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 24 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 15th. instant, respecting ten Kegs of Brandy imported in the Brigantine Betsey from Bordeaux in violation of the thirty third Section of the act of the 3rd of march last, has been received. There appears to be reasonable ground for a presumption that the importation of the Brandy in kegs proceeded from ignorance of the law, and if no legal process is yet instituted with...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 27 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 15th instant has been duly received. Under the circumstances stated, I am pleased with the conduct which you have observed, in relation to the Brig Neptune, from Surinam. Should Mr. Arnold (as you say he threatens) commence a prosecution in the State Court, care must be taken so to conduct your defence as to admit of an appeal to the proper federal one. It will be of course...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 30 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Having considered the case of the Ship Warren, Capt Smith belonging to Messr. Brown & Francis, I find it necessary to communicate to you some remarks concerning it. I find from the letters of the Collector of Newport that this ship had departed from his district for India before my letter directing him to proceed against the Captain was received: and I learn from the papers that several days...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 19 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the case which is stated in your letter of the 8th instant concerning Welcome Arnold. If appearances of the kind continue, I am of opinion that the presumption of a design to evade the law will be sufficiently strong to justify an Officer in refusing the credit. If an action should be brought against the Officer for such refusal, means must be taken to examine all the parties...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 13 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter relative to the Ship Warren, and highly approve the vigilance and firmness, which you have Shewn in this case. It does not appear that any penalty or forfeiture is incurred by the vessel’s departure from your District, without papers, because she was not licensed , and not bound to a foreign port . But the Deputy Collector of Newport ought, as I understand the...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 24 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 24, 1792. “I have to reply to your letter of the 24th Ultimo, concerning the Renewal of licenses in certain cases. I incline to the opinion that regularly new licenses cannot be granted (except in the cases in which licenses are required to be surrendered previous to the going on foreign voyages) until the expiration of the term of the preceding ones; even though...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 24 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter containing a state of Facts in the case of the Cargo of the Sloop Nancy seized by the Collector of Alexandria. The Coasting Act renders it the duty of the Collectors to seize all Goods not contained in the Manifests of Vessels trading between two Districts in States that do not adjoin. Mr Lee therefo⟨re⟩ appears merely to have obeyed the injunctions of the...
29From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 11 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 27th. of December I have to observe, that under the existing laws , I consider it as indispensible to an entry at any customhouse, that the vessel be actually within the district appertaining to it. The question has occurred in the port of Philadelphia, where cases of the nature you mention, frequently happen. The legislature at a late stage of their session...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 2 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
You will receive by this opportunity an official Letter. The present you will consider as a private and friendly one. You will readily believe me, when I assure you, that all my prepossessions are in your favour, and that if there have been any faults on your side, I am ready to ascribe them to the excesses of virtues and good qualities, rather than to their opposites . But you will, I am...
31From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 1 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, June 1, 1791. “Your letter of the 24th Ultimo has been received. I approve the intention of the Surveyor to use generally the substitute for Dycas’s Hydrometer, the difference being so small. Yet, in any case, where that difference would convert one class of proof into another, Dycas’s must govern; unless it should appear by any imported Hydrometer of Dycas’s, which you...
32From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 10 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have, on consideration, deemed it expedient to authorize you to receive, in payment of duties, the notes of the Bank of Providence, payable in specie on demand. For the greater safety in so doing I have requested the President of that institution to furnish you with his signature, that of the Cashier and such Checks as may be sufficient to enable you to detect Counterfeits. It is my wish...
33From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 19 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letter of the 11th instant has come to hand. Your intended proceedings with regard to the seizure of Sugar You mention, appear to be proper, and conformable to the 13th Section of the Collection Law. I am, sir Your obedt Servt LS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence; copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Providence, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 25 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the seventh Section of the Act, “concerning the Duties on Spirits distilled within the United States &c,” and agree with you in the opinion, given in your letter of the 14th instant, that the abatement of two per Cent for leakage is to be made, on securing the Duty at the end of the quarter, from the whole quantity distilled during the preceding three months. The Supervisor...
35From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 14 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I do not think you will be justifiable in making a deduction from the legal rate of duty on Coffee, on account of its being broken, nor on cocoa, because of an inferiority of quality, they being in each instance as I presume the unmixed article, on which the Legislature has imposed an uniform impost, without providing a variation of duty in case of differences of quality. The shells of Coffee...
36From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 29 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th of August last, relative to seven Puncheons of Foreign Spirits entered at the Custom House in Providence by Arnold Rhodes, Master of the Sloop Bacon from Washington in North Carolina. I have therefore to request, that you will concur with the Supervisor of Rhode Island (who has been instructed for that purpose by the Commissioner of...
37From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 22 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Having received a letter from Mr. Arnold informing me that the delay of payment of his bond had proceeded from a part of the demand being controverted, I am to desire that, if not already given, you will suspend the notifications you were required to give to the Collectors out of your state, and that you will inform me particularly of the nature and circumstances of the controversy. I have...
38From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 6 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It is with regret I feel myself restrained by my sense of the meaning of the law from directing the refusal of Credit to Mr. Arnold on the removal of the teas which have been lately deposited by him; in consequence of the non payment of his Bond as mentioned by you. But I consider the allowance of subsequent credits upon teas deposited as no more than a continuation of a Credit already given...
39From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 11 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 31st Ultimo relative to the Schooner Alice, Jabez Andrus Master, has been received. The question, therein stated, turns upon the following points; whether the vessel belongs in the whole or in part to a Citizen or inhabitant of the United States; and if she was within four leagues of the coast, or within the limits of any district of the United States when the manifest was...
40From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 19 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, March 19, 1794. “I have to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of the 17th of last month. I approve of the employment of additional counsel in the suits of Messrs Arnold & Dexter.” LS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence; LC , RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Providence, National...
41From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 23 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 11th October has been duly received. Although, if it had occurred to you to forbear the institution of a suit, until application could have been made in due course for a remission of the forfeiture incurred, I should under the circumstances, of the case have approved of your conduct, yet it is certain, that you were strictly in order in every step you took and have furnished...
42From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 7 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I think it will be proper for the reasons in your letter of the 23d. ultimo, that you do not pay into the Providence Bank, for the account of the United States the monies you have in hand, and which you shall receive before the 20th. of May next. It is however my desire that you deposit the same in that institution to be passed to the credit of “the Collector of the district of Providence” and...
43From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Bourne, William Channing, John S. Dexter, and Jeremiah Olney, 25 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Since mine to you of the 22d. I have reason to believe that the information which gave occasion to that letter was a misapprehension of the party from whom I received it; but whose general accuracy left me no suspicion of such a possibility at the time. I hasten to give this intimation, that no inconveniences may ensue from my first communication. With perfect esteem I have the honor to be ...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 7 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been represented to me that a Brig, called the Trinidada, lately belonging to Messrs. Brown & Francis of your district, has arrived in the district of Wilmington on Delaware with a copy of a register issued from your Office which does not agree with the vessel in two material particulars. The register, which is No 25 & bears date on the 25th of Augt. 1790, appears, from the copy, to...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 9 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, September 9, 1794. “In answer to your favour of the 11th. of August last on the subject of the Suits brought against you by Arnold & Dexter, I shall just observe, that if an application to the General Assembly for a new Trial, can be effected in time, without precluding the right of ultimately resorting to the Court of the United States, there can be no objection to your...
46From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 13 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
That part of my letter of the 25th. Ultimo, which says that “the drawback cannot be allowed, unless the proof required of its having been actually landed at a foreign port is produced” is a mistake, arising from my not having at the moment adverted to the difference of the regulations concerning drawbacks, as applied to distilled Spirits, from those relating to other articles. The drawback may...
47From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 29 June 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
The original of your letter of the 9th. of April never came to hand. The copy in that of the 9th. of June arrived here while I was on a circuit, so that I did not receive it till a few days ago. It is the practice on the admission of honorary members to present them with diplomas. But there are no blanks in my possession and very few in that of the officers of the Society of this state. These,...
48From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, [6 October 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Your different favours have duly come to hand for which I thank you and for the trouble you have so obligingly taken to urge forward your delegation. Happily the affair has terminated to our wishes. But My Dear Sir I cannot refrain from being particularly anxious for the accession of your state to the new system. Tis very important to the whole Union & particularly to the Northern part of it...
49From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 18 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 18, 1790. “It appears on examination that the Sloop Sharlottes license ought to have been dated in July last, as you supposed.… I beg your attention to that part of my Circular letters, that instructs the Collectors to make weekly returns to this office, of their receipts and payments and of the Cash in their hands.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at...
50From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 8 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The monies which shall be deposited by you in the Bank of Providence, pursuant to my direction, will upon your forwarding to the Treasury a duplicate receipt of such deposits, be considered as payments made to the United States, and for which you will receive credit by regular warrants which will issue to cover such payments. I am Sir Your Obedt. Servant LS , Rhode Island Historical Society,...
51From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 17 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I take an opportunity as early as the hurry of business will permit, of transmitting to you my instructions and other communications to the several Collectors of the United States. As far as they may not be locally inapplicable to Rhode Island, I shall expect a careful observance of them. I am, Sir, Your obedt. Sert. Copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Providence, National Archives; copy,...
52From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 24 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed by your letter of the 14th. instant of the decision of the Court in the case of Messrs Arnold & Dexter. I approve of your intention to take measures for an appeal to the proper Court of the United States. I could wish that you would request the District Attorney to forward to me the pleadings in the cause, and the reasons upon which the Court founded its decision. With great...
53From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 8 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter relative to the case of the Brig Polly from Cape Francois and Charleston. There is no doubt that under the existing collection law, goods of the growth and manufacture of the United States can be relanded after exportation and they are not chargeable with duty on their importation into the United States as you will perceive by the 24th Section of the Act. I...
54From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 22 January 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, January 22, 1795. Encloses “the Copy of a letter from the Attorney General to me on the Subject of the Suits brought against you by Arnold & Dexter … also … the draughts of two Assignments to be signed by yourself and immediately returned to this Office.” LS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence; LC , RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Providence, June 17,...
55From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 7 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 29th. of June has been received. The Comptroller informs me that the forms for keeping and rendering your accounts, have been forwarded under cover to the Collector of Newbury Port; I doubt not they have since come to hand. I have generally authorised such boats as are requisite for the Surveyors & Inspectors to go on board of vessels, that is for harbour Service; for this purpose...
56From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 12 August 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
As my eldest son Philip , who lately graduated, will pass through Providence on his way to Boston, I give him this line barely to introduce him to you; since the time I have prescribed for his return will not permit the stay of more than a day at Providence. Yrs. with true regard ALS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence. Olney was collector of customs at Providence. Philip Hamilton...
57From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, [12 August 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
We have a question of very great importance depending in Congress, in which the vote of your state would be decisive. It relates to the place of meeting of the future Congress—Six states and a half prefer New York five and a half Philadelphia. When your delegates were here they voted with us on the intermediate questions; but when the final question came to be put Mr. Hazard’s scruples...
58From Alexander Hamilton to William Channing, Jeremiah Olney, and John S. Dexter, 12 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have yet to reply to your letter of the 3d. ultimo, and to acknowledge with approbation the attention which you have paid to the subject communicated in my letter of the 22d. Octr. I do not clearly understand whether the Stock which was deposited with the Commissioner of Loans, remains still in pledge, or not. If it does, I request that it may be released, and restored to the Bank. With...
59From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 1 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to reply to that part of your letter of the 31st. of March relating to certain vessels which escaped the Embargo. The question is whether an indictment generally will lie for disobeying the injunction of the law? This is the only mode of punishment if any exists. The Collector of Newport has been instructed to report these cases to the Attorney of the district in order that what shall...
60From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 28 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th Instant. Whatever constructions may have been put upon the Act for regulating the coasting trade, it is very certain that the law makes no provision for a second registry in the case as stated by you. It will be a natural conclusion therefore to suppose, that if any Ship or Vessel has been once registered agreeably to the forms...
61From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 12 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 4th instant I cannot but express my regret and disappointment, that you should have considered my letter of the 19th Ultimo as not sufficiently explicit to induce you to receive entries in case of collusive transfer. I have revised my letter, and to me it appears very explicit and very decisive. What more could I do, than give my opinion, that the appearances...
62From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 29 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Attorney for the District of Massachusetts will prosecute in the case of the Sloop Polly of Sandwich, which, as I learn from your letter of the 18th Ultimo, was licensed at your Office. It is probable he will have occasion for the license bond, which I request you will forward to him upon his application. I am, Sir, Your Obedt Servant. LS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence;...
63From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 25 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
On application to the Supervisor of the Revenue for Rhode Island he will furnish your Office on a temporary loan with the Sum of two thousand eight hundred & seven Dollars for the purpose of discharging the drawbacks &c as ⅌ the statement transmitted to me. You will receipt for this money as to be returned by you & pay it accordingly out of the Duties of import & tonnage. It will be necessary...
64From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 19 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to reply to your letter of the 26th ultimo. I take it for granted the parties alluded to will not on reflection do what is expected; because it is not certain that they will find the judicial construction as favourable as that of the Treasury, with which it is a rule, in a doubtful case, to lean in favour of the Merchants and because also, they might be sensible that the most convenient...
65From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 30 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I am obliged to you for the information contained in your letter of the 23d. Instant. It will be agreeable to me, that you purchase Scales, & Weights, for the use of the Port of Providence. I have permitted small Sail Boats fit for harbor service to be purchased or built by some of the Collectors, & will not object to one for the purpose mentioned in your letter. These purchases will no doubt...
66From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 25 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It will be agreeable to me that the Officers of the Customs in the District of Providence make return of the emoluments of their respective Offices for one year following the time of their entering upon their duty instead of the year mentioned in my circular letter of the 14 of April. You will be pleased to give them an early intimation of this. I shall not object to a small boat fit for...
67From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 23 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have before me your letter of the 3rd inst stating instances in which the law relatively to an Embargo has been transgressed. It is true that no specific penalty is imposed in this particular case but the question is, whether the parties are not indictable generally, for violating a legal prohibition, in the District court. You will please to refer the case to the Attorney of the District...
68From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 7 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The remark made by you on the additional two columns in the return of Tonnage appears to be just. Some other mode of obtaining the end must be devised, of which you will be informed. In the mean time you will insert the destination of vessels which appear in your return, so far as your knowledge of the fact renders it practicable. It would certainly have been preferable that you suffered the...
69From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 18 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Collector of Salem has communicated to me that a small quantity of goods were imported there from France by Mr. Cutts of Ports-mouth in April last, upon which the Duties were paid agreeably to the original Invoice, said to have been made out according to the depreciated state of Assignats. A like importation is said to have been made at the same time into Providence by the same Gentleman,...
70From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 31 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, July 31, 1792. “The Collector of Barnstable has informed me of a seizure made by him of one Hogshead of Rum, three Hogsheads of Molasses, one barrel of Sugar and two hundred and forty bushels of Salt, said to have been fraudulently landed out of the Sloop Polly of Sandwich. It is stated that the Vessel had left the District of Barnstable before the Collector had any...