2081To Alexander Hamilton from Beverley Randolph, 5 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I did myself the Honour on the 28th. of last Month to transmit to you an abstract of the Public Debt of Virginia. Lest by any Accident, that Letter should miscarry I now forward a Duplicate of it as well as of the Abstract. I beg leave to observe in addition to my former letter that there is a debt due from this state which is not included in the Estimate because it cannot be accurately...
2082To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 6 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, December 6, 1789. On December 18, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Lee : “I have received your Letter of the 6th instant.” Letter not found. ]
2083From Alexander Hamilton to John Davidson, 8 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 8, 1789. “I have duly received your letter of the 24th of November and thank you for the information it contains.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collectors at Bridgetown and Annapolis, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives. Letter not found.
2084From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Gorham, [8 December 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I am favored with your Letter of the 24th of last Month Enclosing Proposals from yourself and Mr. Oliver Phelps, for the Supply of the Garrisons of West Point, and Springfield for the Ensuing Year; and agreably to your request have to inform you that the Supply has been Undertaken by the former Contractor at Eight Cents, and four tenths of a Cent per Ration. I am, with Sentiments of Esteem, ...
2085To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, December 9, 1789. “Some of the merchants are in opinion that some allowance, in weighing should be made in weighing sugars as they are daily lightning, we have not made any. Ought we to do it? We had a few days since a quantity of wine entered from some port in France it is now represented as being bad & not worth the duties. There are other wines represented as similar. What, if any...
2086To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Willing, 9 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
We Reced your favor of the 3 Ins with its inclosures. One of the 15th being your Official Article of Agreement Respecting the third Loan being for twenty thousand Dollars the Recet of which you now acknowledge and say that the Treasr would by the same post send us a warrant for the Amot. We have only this moment Reced the Warrant from the Treasurer which has prevented our Returning [it] till...
2087To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 14 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, December 14, 1789. “I have the Honor to enclose an account of monies we are now actualy in advance, on acct. of the united states, for support of the several establishments in the Bay and River Deleware, amounting to six hundred and Ten pounds Seven shillings and seven pence.… I need only add that being thus much in advance on account of the united states, we are left without...
2088To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 15 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer will herewith deliver to you a Book of accounts transmitted to me by Mr. Jefferson, and which in my opinion should be deposited in your office. With great esteem and regard &c. LC , Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. An asterisk was placed at this point and the words “of Silas Deane” inserted as a footnote. Deane was one of the congressional agents sent to France...
2089To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 16 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
A few days ago I forwarded to you, per post, a “state of our navigation,” which I presume you have received. I have the honour to transmit you in this inclosure some notes upon two subjects, one of them of great importance, that may be useful when arranging our affairs with France and Spain. The rough draughts of these papers were made a few weeks before I received your letter, and I then...
2090From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 16 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 16, 1789. “The Register of the Treasury transmitted to you lately in pursuance of my Directions … Registers for Vessels.… You will oblige me in distributing them with as much dispatch as possible.…” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1790–1817, Vol. 4, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Boston, National...
2091To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, December 16, 1789. On January 19, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lincoln : “I am favored with your letter of the 16th. of last month.” Letter not found. ]
2092From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
You will use your best Exertions to pay into the Bank of north America all the Monies you can collect to the 27th. day of this month inclusive, & transmit to my office, a Certificate from the Cashier purporting the whole Sum which the Bank has received of you as Collector of the Customs of the Port of Philadelphia, to that day: after which you will defer your next payments to Bank till the...
2093To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Grymes, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you some weeks past upon some interesting business to my self and desired an immediate answer, I fear my letter has miscarried as I have had no answer, therefore I must trouble you again on the subject. Mr. Robt. Morris has informed me that he expected, that the insurance of a Ship called the Aurora would be paid this winter in Certificates, (I suppose by you), which I wish to know...
2094To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Last night a Man returned from Ruport in the State of Vermont with information that the two Cranes were their & had counterfeited the Bank Notes of New York. One of them had been taken & let go on his securing the party he had cheated, but the true reason for leting him go was that he was the Second in the business & a plan is laid to catch the principal but I shall delay sending after them...
2095To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As I am uncertain of the condition & even the Office in which the papers containing accounts of our disbursments for subsistence of British prisoners remain; and as it is not improbable that some negotiations may (whenever our Union under the General Government shall be completed) take place between the United States & Great Britain, in which an accurate understanding of those Accots. will...
2096From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Willing, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 17, 1789. On December 24, 1789, Willing wrote to Hamilton : “I reced by the last post yours of the 17th Inst.” Letter not found. ]
2097To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I am directed by the President of the United States to send you the enclosed letter from General Hazen dated Decr. 16th. and likewise a Memorial from the same person of the 12th. inst. together with the Copy of a letter written by the Presidents command in answer to the enclosed Memorial. I have the honor to be with perfect consideration Sir Your most Obedt. Servt. LC , George Washington...
2098From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 18, 1789 . “I have received your Letter of the 6th instant, with the laws of Virginia accompanying it.…” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Alexandria, Letters Received from the Secretary, 1789–1795, National Archives. Letter not found. H had requested the revenue laws of each state in “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” November 25,...
2099Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As one of the periods for the payment of Bonds taken for Duties is arrived, it is proper that the respective Collectors should be apprised of my expectation with regard to the conduct to be observed by them. It is, that if the Bonds are not paid, as they fall due they be immediately put in Suit. On this point, the most exact punctuality will be considered as indispensable . And accordingly it...
2100To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 18, 1789. Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s circular letter of November 30. Discusses difficulty of reconciling exemption of tonnage charges and fees for vessels of less than twenty tons with Section 23 of “An Act for Registering and Clearing Vessels, Regulating the Coasting Trade, and for other purposes.” Again asks “ Whether two thirds of a Dollar be payable to the...
2101To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 19 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 15th October inclosing queries Concerning the Navigation of the several States remains to be answered In hopes of obtaining other information than what had fallen under my own observation prevented an earlier Answer. The enquiries that I have had opportunity of making have furnished but little addition. I now inclose answers to those queries—on Some of which I shall here...
2102From Alexander Hamilton to William Allibone, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 21, 1789. On January 7, 1790, Allibone wrote to Hamilton : “I had the Honor of receiving your letter of the 21st. of December last.” Letter not found. ]
2103From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 21, 1789. “An application has been lately made to me by the Board of wardens of the Port of Philadelphia for the reimbursement of a Sum of money by them expended for the maintenance and Support of the Light house, Beacons &ca in the Bay and River Delaware.… As it is necessary that these Establishments Should be properly Supported, you will advance to Wm Allibone...
2104To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] December 21, 1789. “… I have recd the different forms from the Comptroller and shall proceed immediately as therein directed, I would remark on two of them, that of the Tonnage Abstract directed to be countersigned by the N officer which I imagine was intended to be the Surveyor, for the N: O: has no documents to warrant him. In the weekly returns of Cash it is directed to...
2105To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
By the 1st Secto. of the Tonnage Act certain priveleges are granted to Vessells American built & owned, by the fifth Secto. of the Impost Act, by the 1 & 2nd of the Registering Act, certain Qualifications are directed to entitle Vessells to the benefts granted by any Law of the UStates, I have met with no small trouble & difficulty to put a proper construction on this business and indeed am...
2106To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, December 21, 1789. “… I now inclose my Weekly Return to the 19th instant agreeably to the new Form leaving out Bonds &c. In the Forms recd. I do not observe any mention of Goods deposited for the security of the duties which the Law admits of. I shall therefore place them till otherways directed in Accots. with Bonds which I conceive will be the proper place for...
2107To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
On my return from Georgia I met on file in our office your questions concerning the navigations of the several States and foreign nations. An answer to those questions has been delayed from various causes. No one however has contributed more to produce it than a want of information in me, respecting some of them at the time I first saw them. I have since had an opportunity of knowing many...
2108Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 23 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
My opinion having been several times asked on the following points, I think it proper in order to produce uniformity of practice to convey it in a Circular Instruction. First—Whether the tonnage of foreign vessels ought to be taken from the Registers, or ascertained by admeasurement according to the principles of the third Section of the act for registering &c. I am of opinion that the latter...
2109From Alexander Hamilton to Tench Coxe, 24 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your obliging favours of the 30th of November, and 16th instant, with the communications accompanying them, have been duly received. Accept my best acknowledgments for the attention you have paid to my request; and believe that I mean not a mere compliment, when I say that your compliance with it has procured me much useful information, and many valuable observations. I have not leisure to add...
2110To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 24 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your three letters of 17th 18th & 21st I recd. I called on the President & Directors of the Bank, who at once agreed to your propositions. I shall forward the Cashiers Receipts & Pay to the Wardens agreeably to your directions. Before I recd Yours I was under the disagreeable necessity of putting a Bond in suit, my firm determination, being without express directions from You to the contrary...
2111To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 24 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Frenchman’s Bay [ District of Maine ] December 24, 1789 . “… I wrote you the 20th. & the 25th. of November last.… In my last I gave you some particular information of the situation of this District. There is but one Vessel in this District at present that consists of more than 30 tons burden or thereabouts, our vessels are small and follow what we call shore fishing & as it is the law of the...
2112From Alexander Hamilton to Beverley Randolph, 24 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been duly honored with your favors of the 28th. of November & 5th. of December, with their inclosures. And I beg leave to make my acknowledgments for the attention which has been paid to their early transmission. I presume in the account transmitted the arrears of Interest have been added to the principal. Should the contrary be the case, permit me to request, that a statement of those...
2113To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Willing, 24 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I reced by the last post yours of the 17th. Inst with all its enclosures respecting the protest of the Treasury Drafts on Norfolk & this day they have been laid before the Directors. I thank you for the trouble you have taken in your free and full explanation of this disagreeable transaction. The mistake made in the Office considering the early State of the business, was a natural One, & I...
2114To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 25 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Frenchman’s Bay, District of Maine, December 25, 1789. On March 15, 1790, Jordan wrote to Hamilton : “I did myself the pleasure to write you the 24th. 25th. & 29th. December.” Letter of December 25 not found. ]
2115To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 26 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The Cashier of the Banks receipts for dollars is inclosed, with the opinion of some of our Merchants & Ship Carpenters on the Queries I had the honour of receiving from You. I expect further opinions from others which shall forward next post. In my return of Exports, You will have a thorough view of our Trade, as I shall give each place separate. Mr Bingham says he wrote You largely on the...
2116To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, December 26, 1789. “… your Circular letter of the 18th. just came to hand and I am happy to inform you that I have anticipated your orders and early adopted that line of conduct which I thought would secure that punctuality in the payment of bonds.… I have the pleasure now to inform you that we have not … had any person a delinquent for a moment.…” ADf , Collector of Customs at Boston,...
2117To Alexander Hamilton from John Scott, 26 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Chester, Maryland, December 26, 1789. “I beg the favor of you to give me your advice & direction in the following matter. A Ship arrives at Baltimore District, lands her Cargo and then comes into this District to load, brings a permit for that purpose from the office of Baltimore, the Ship’s papers are stop’t there, & the officers there oblige the Capt. of the Ship to return to their office...
2118To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 28 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] December 28, 1789 . “By the direction of the President of the United States, I have the honor to transmit to you all the letters & certificates which have come to his hands from, or relating to, Mr. Samuel Caldwell of Philadelphia upon the subject of his application for an Office under the United States.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See Lear to H, October,...
2119To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Mifflin, 28 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 28, 1789. On December 31, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Mifflin : “I have the honor of your letter of the 28th instant.” Letter not found. ]
2120To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 29 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Frenchman’s Bay [ District of Maine ] December 29, 1789 . Repeats information contained in his letter of December 24, 1789. LC , RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Gloucester, Machias, and Frenchman’s Bay, National Archives.
2121To Alexander Hamilton from John Lee, 29 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Penobscot [ District of Maine ] December 29, 1789 . Describes in detail the Penobscot customs district and the problems peculiar to it. LS , Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford. Lee was collector of customs at Penobscot.
2122To Alexander Hamilton from Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 29 December … (Hamilton Papers)
[ Amsterdam, December 29, 1789. On January 25, 1790, Willink, Van Staphorst, and Hubbard wrote to Hamilton : “We had the Honor to address you the 29 Ulto.” Letter not found. ]
2123To Alexander Hamilton from Peter Anspach, 30 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 30, 1789. Transmits an account of the debt owed by the United States to the creditors of the quartermaster general’s department. ALS , Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts; ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston; ADfS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. For background to this letter, see H to Anspach, December 5, 1789 ; Timothy Pickering to H, November...
2124To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Clay, 30 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Savannah, December 30, 1789. “I received your very obliging favour of the 2d. Octr last respecting a claim of the United States on me for a sum of money of the new emission & tho’ under the peculiar circumstances of this business I can’t think myself responsible yet ’tis my wish to see the United States secured in the same as soon as possible & shall do every thing in my power for that...
2125To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Fosdick, 30 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Portland, District of Maine, December 30, 1789. On February 8, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Fosdick “Your letter of the thirtieth of December, 1789.” Letter not found. ] Fosdick was collector of customs at Portland and Falmouth.
2126Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 30 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In my Circular letter of the 31st. of October last I directed you to claim the duties which had arisen on Imports since the first day of August last, and prior to the organisation of the Customhouses in the respective districts, and if the same was controverted by the parties liable thereto to prosecute this claim to a legal determination. As the decision in one case will probably form a rule...
2127To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 31 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, December 31, 1789. On February 12, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lee : “Your letter of the 31st. of December came duly to hand.” Letter not found. ]
2128From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Mifflin, 31 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of your letter of the 28th instant, inclosing one to you from the Comptroller General of your State. I can only regret, that my delay has accrued, and take it for granted, that the business will receive all the dispatch which may be practicable. I shall be sorry if any inconvenience results to the public Creditors of your state from the cessation of the payment of Indents...
2129To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 31 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 31, 1789. Plans to send to Hamilton copies of Maryland’s revenue laws, information “respecting the Commerce and Shipping of this state,” and the answers to Hamilton’s “demands upon the subject of the Impost Laws.” ADfS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives. H had requested these laws in “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the...
2130From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [1789–1795] (Hamilton Papers)
[ 1789–1795 .] Encloses the decision of the Federal District Court of Connecticut on the petition of Captain Timothy Savage. Suspects Savage of intent to defraud. LS , Yale University Library. The MS is a fragment without date or place.