541From Alexander Hamilton to Cyrus Griffin, 15 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 15, 1791. “I am under the necessity of returning you the papers in the cases of Messrs. McRae and Morrison, which you will find enclosed. There is no legal proof that the goods have ever paid duty. The Collectors & Deputy Collectors of the customs are not vested with the general power of administring oaths. The Deposition of Mr. Fraser before the Deputy Collector of...
542Reports on Exports for the Year Ending September 30, 1790, 15 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I do myself the honour to transmit thro’ you to the House of Representatives, a General Return of the Exports of the United States, abstracted from Custom-House Returns, commencing on the various days in August, 1789, whereon they were respectively opened, and ending on the 30th of September last. From inadvertence in some of those offices, the space of time prior to the 1st of October 1789,...
543Conversation with George Beckwith, [16 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Lt. Colonel Beckwith. The newspapers of yesterday and of this day mention communications to the two Houses, from The President, on the subject of a commercial treaty with us, and although no particulars are stated, yet enough is expressed to convey an impression to the public mind, that we are not disposed to form any such treaty. I have in former conversations had the honor of declaring my...
544Notes on Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on the Constitutionality of an Act to Establish a Bank, [16–21 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Power to lay & Collect taxes ascertain subject of taxation declare Quantum prescribe mode of Collection This an infinite chapter ordain the manner of accounting creation of districts & ports of officers duties powers & capacities compensation penalties exemption what places to be paid at oaths ☞ in what to be paid Drawback Cutters Mode of recovery
545From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [21 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President of the United States to request his indulgence for not having yet furnished his reasons on a certain point. He has been ever since sedulously engaged in it, but finds it will be impossible to complete before Tuesday or Wednesday morning early. He is anxious to give the point a thorough examination . LC , George Washington...
546From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [23 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President and sends him the opinion required which occupied him the greatest part of last night. The Bill for extending the time of opening subscriptions passed yesterday unanimously to an order for engrossing. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. In the George Washington letter book this letter follows H’s signature on...
547Draft of an Opinion on the Constitutionality of an Act to Establish a Bank, [23 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has perused with great attention the opinions of the Secretary of State and of the Attorney General concerning the constitutionality of the bill for establishing a National Bank and proceeds to execute the order of the President for submitting the reasons which have induced him to view the subject in a different light. It will naturally have been expected...
548Final Version of an Opinion on the Constitutionality of an Act to Establish a Bank, [23 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury having perused with attention the papers containing the opinions of the Secretary of State and Attorney General concerning the constitutionality of the bill for establishing a National Bank proceeds according to the order of the President to submit the reasons which have induced him to entertain a different opinion. It will naturally have been anticipated that, in...
549From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 23 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to your note of this morning, just deliver’d me, I give it as my opinion that you have ten days exclusive of that on which the Bill was delivered to you, and sundays. Hence in the present case if it is returned on Friday at any time while Congress are setting, it will be in time. It might be a question, if returned after their adjournment on Friday. I have the honor to be with...
550Report on the Holland Loan of Three Million Florins, [24 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the orders of the President of the United States as signified in his speech at the opening of the present session Respectfully informs the Senate and House of Representatives That the terms of the Loan of Three Millions of florins mentioned by the President as having been negotiated in Holland are as follow. The rate of Interest is five per Cent,...