1From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 12 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the circumstances you state in your Letter of the 6th inst. respecting vessels owned by Citizens of Rhode Island. I am of opinion that those vessels in the case you mention, are Subject to the Same Tonnage to which registered vessels owned by Citizens of the united States without License are liable: because if they were to enjoy all the privileges of coasting vessels, they...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 7 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 28. June 1791 the Collector of New York was instructed to furnish each of the Revenue Cutters with Ten Musquets and Bayonets, Twenty Pistols, one broad axe, one Chissel of the large and one of the smallest size, and two Lanthorns. I am informed by the Collector of Norfolk that those articles were not received by him; though Mr. Lamb of New York states to me, they were shipped in the...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 7 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I request that You will pay to Messrs Elliot and Williams ten thousand Dollars on the first of January next, on account of their contract with the united States of the 27th September instant, taking duplicate receipts, one of which to be transmitted to the Treasury. You will of course retain money in Your hands for the purpose and in case there should not be a probability of a Sufficient sum...
4From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 13 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 13, 1792. “The President having signified to me his intention to appoint David Porter, the present first mate in the cutter Active, master of the said Cutter, in the room of Simon Gross, who has resigned; I have to request, that you will notify the intended appointment to Mr Porter.…” LS , Columbia University Libraries. See George Washington to H, August 5, 1792 .
5From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 17 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
There will not be found any provision for the payment of Mr. Edward Swift, whom Captain Gross has shipt to do the duty of Mr. James Forbes now absent, unless Mr. Forbes from a sense of justice and propriety allows it to be done out of his money. It would be well for you to intimate this to Captain Gross, and the more so as he in a former instance made an appointment of his officers, which can...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 31 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The device intimated to me in your letter of the 26th. of January, I consider as a mere evasive expedient, which ought not to protect the owner of the vessel from a prosecution for perjury. It is my desire therefore that if any such case should occur you may direct proceedings on that ground against the offender. I am, Sir, Your obedt. Servant LS , Columbia University Libraries.
7From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 14 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I am glad to learn from the letter of Mr Delozier of the 25th of July in-closed in yours of the 27th “That the difference between the Inspector of the Revenue and the Inspectors of the Customs had subsided, and that the latter were perfectly disposed to perform the services required of them, by the Secretary of the Treasury, whenever they may be directed by the Inspector of the Revenue.”...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 10 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Richmonds letter of the 1 instant. It is inconceivable to me what can produce so great a disproportion between the price of Rations in Baltimore and Philadelphia. At all events I am determined not to give the Price demanded, untill convinced by experience, that there is no Alternative. To ascertain this fact, I have to request that you will purchase...
9From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, Robert Purviance, and George Gale, 23 January 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Certain charges (of which the Collector is in possession) have been brought by William Thompson, first mate of the Revenue Cutter Active against the commander. To enable me to judge what ought to be done in the case, I have concluded to request that the Collector, Naval Officer, and the Supervisor of the Revenue will form a Board, for the purpose of examining into the facts, and report to me...
10From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 25 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
After the receipt of this you will divide your deposits between the Bank of Maryland and the Branch of the Bank of the United States, until the first of October ensuing, and thenceforth deposit the public money wholly in the said Branch. The same vouchers, as hereto-fore, must be taken and forwarded from each. I am, Sir, Your Obed Servant. P.S. It is at your discretion either to divide...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 10 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been represented to me by Mr. Kearney Wharton of Philadelphia, that some hardship has fallen on him in consequence of the want of proper instruments to ascertain the strength of a parcel of Rum belonging to him and lately imported by Messrs. Oliver and Thompson from Antigua. Though I have not yet decided how far it may be proper to make these revisions, I wish that measures may be taken...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 26 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, May 26, 1794. On June 5, 1794, Williams wrote to Hamilton : “I can … answer your letter of the 26th Ultimo.” Letter not found. ]
13From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 27 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, June 27, 1793. Directs “surrender of Prize to French Privateer.” Letter not found. ] Sold by Harvard Trust Company, 1962.
14From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 7 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letters of the 26th and 29th. of October have duly come to hand. The difficulties you state as arising from some provisions (and the want of others) in the laws of Impost and Tonnage are doubtless well founded, and indicate the propriety of some future correction of the System. With regard to the method of keeping accounts, by the establishment of the Treasury Department, the Forms are...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 24 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
An account has been transmitted by Mr. Porter, One of the Officers of the Cutter, for the time prior to the date of his Commission. It will be proper that you transmit to the Treasury some information, carefully taken, of the time when each of the Officers commenced effectual and continued service in the preparations for & fitting of the Cutter. I am, Sir, Your most Obed servant LS ,...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 11 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 3rd instant has been received. There can be no doubt that horses and other live stock imported from foreign countries must be considered as an object of trade, or vendible commodity, and of course as subject to duties. To obviate the adoption of this rule in a general sense, I think it however necessary to observe that I consider negroes to be exempted from duties on...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 18 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this day decided upon the two cases of Zacharie Coopman and Company, on behalf of Mr. Nichols, and of John Stump. In both I have remitted the interest of all parties, Upon the petitioner’s paying for all actual and necessary disbursements. Duplicates of my decision go, by the mail of this day, to the Clerk of the District Court, at Baltimore. I am, Sir, with consideration, Your Obedt...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 20 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The remarks you propose to make upon the coasting law will be very acceptable, as the new bill stands postponed ‘till the next Session of Congress. I shall at all times wish for such observations as may occur to the Collectors on the Subject of the Revenue & Trade laws. I am of opinion that a consular certificate will not justify you, in paying a drawback. The Agents for Mr. Stephen Zacharie...
19From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 19 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It was with real reluctance and regret that I found myself, as I conceived, in a situation, not only to be justified but constrained to use a stile of expostulation in my letter of the 28th. of last month. It is my earnest wish that the public business committed to my superintendance may proceed with harmony and cordiallity between myself & those united with me in the execution of it. And I...
20From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 14 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed that a Brig which frequents Your port, and was, or is now the Hope, of Baltimore, is owned by a Mr Gernon. It is my wish to be informed whether it appears, and how, that Mr Gernon is a Citizen of the United States, how long he appears, by the Register, to have owned the Hope, and whether she goes and comes between Your District and any one particular foreign port or island. There...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 6 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been represented to me by Messrs. Sherman & Procter of New Bedford, that some things which they deem improper have taken place. The Substance of the information is that their Brig Hawk, Hathaway Master, was remeasured in Baltimore altho she had been measured in New Bedford prior to her sailing [and was possessed of a Register of the U States] that she was registered anew in Baltimore,...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 1 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Post of to day brought me your letter of the 29th of October, which I immediately communicated to the President, and hasten to make known to you his consent to your undertaking the voyage recommended to you. It is not doubted that due care will previously be taken to secure the proper management of the public business in your absence. My most sincere and cordial wishes for the restoration...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 5 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have before me your letters of the 18th of March, 18th of April, 8th & 27th of May. I do not observe that it is stated how the Officers who were absent came to be so; so that I am at some loss to judge whether the absence was justifiable or not. I am however rather of opinion that their compensations follow their commissions, as public Officers , and that so long as they are retained in...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 27 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
You will retain, in your hands, such monies as you shall receive after this letter reaches you ’till the whole sum shall amount to ten thousand Dollars; which is destined as an advance to Messrs. Elliot and Williams, and for the payment of which you will receive directions as soon as their bond with the proper sureties shall be received by me. I remain with great consideration Sir Your...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 26 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 15th. instant is come to hand, together with the forms of Custom House papers in use with you, for which I thank you. I observe what you say on the subject of Manifests. The idea has evidently been derived from a similar regulation lately introduced in Great Britain; and it is said that the effect there has evinced its utility. It is true as you remark, that as no method of...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 9 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of a Statement made to me by Mr Samuel Dodge, Agent for procuring materials &c. for the fortification, I have directed the Treasurer to remit you the further sum of 1700 Dollars in bills upon you, payable to you or your order, which you will endorse to the agent in proportion to the further progress of expenditure, agreeably to my instructions of the 3d of April last. I should...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 26 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Samuel Smith Esqr. has applied for a passport for a small vessel to be sent in Ballast to the Island of Bermuda which is herewith enclosed. Mr Smith not being possessed of the names of the Vessel and Master they are left blank in the paper to be inserted by you. Another passport has been granted for Captain Kean Master of the Schooner Eagle, bound for St Domingo in ballast, and with passengers...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 3 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I received by the hands of Mr. Richmond your letter on the subject of the stock standing in your name on the public books. Though, according to the letter of the law, the prohibition to dispose appears to be retrospective as well as future, I am of opinion that it is consistent with sound legal construction to confine the latitude of the expression, so as to admit of the alienation and...
29From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 25 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Commissioner of Loans for the state of Maryland, after allowing for the Eight thousand dollars with which you furnished him, and a sum of five thousand dollars remitted him, in notes of the Bank of Maryland, would be deficient about five thousand five hundred Dollars of the sum requisite for the payment of the interest which will be payable in your state, upon the public debt on the first...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 5 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 5, 1794. On March 20, 1794, Williams wrote to Hamilton : “Your letter of the 5th Instant … was duly received.” Letter not found. ]