2201From Alexander Hamilton to John Barney, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 21. instant and beg you to accept my thanks for it. The intimations of Zealous and intelligent citizens will always be received by me with attention and acknowledgement. The ideas contained in your Letter appear to me solid and judicious. As far as my reflections have gone they coincide very much with the views you entertain of the matter. But at present...
2202From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Goodhue, [29 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I am duly favoured with your letter of the Eighteenth instant, and receive the observations you have been so obliging as to make, not only with candor but with thanks as a mark of your friendship and confidence. I am far from relying so much upon my own judgment, as not to think it very possible, I may have been mistaken in both the constructions on which you remark. Indeed I see abundant room...
2203From Alexander Hamilton to Beverley Randolph, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter by the last Post without date I have had the honor of receiving. I perceive that you had concluded to defer directing the Amount of the State debt to be furnished, ’till a provision is made by the Legislature respecting Funds for discharging it. Allow me to remark Sir, that I am persuaded, for a variety of reasons, that the Amount of the debt, is the most material part of the...
2204To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 29, 1789. Describes the safeguards needed to check smuggling in New Hampshire. Presents merchants’ complaints concerning the method used for calculating ships’ tonnage for levying the tonnage tax. LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent, 1789–1790, Vol. 1, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Portsmouth, National...
2205To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, October 29, 1789. Asks for a ruling on the cases of the British ship Polly and the American ship Sarah . ADfS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives.
2206To Alexander Hamilton from Jedediah Huntington, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New London [ Connecticut ] October 29, 1789 . “Having just returned from the Genl Assembly of this state where a public Engagement called me & the post going out I have only to acknowledge the Honour of your several Communications.…” ALS , New London Customs House Records, Federal Records Center, Boston. On October 7, 1789, in a letter printed in this volume, Huntington acknowledged receipt of...
2207To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Smith, 30 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Machias, District of Maine, October 30, 1789. On December 4, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Smith : “Your letter of the 30th of October came to hand a few days since.” Letter not found. ] Smith was collector of customs at Machias.
2208To Alexander Hamilton from William Constable, [21–31 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Clarett imported in Bottles stands from 3/ to 5/. ⅌ Bottle as in quality—annexed you have Invo. 16 Hhds of French Wines from Bordeaux. ₶ 4 Hhds Palus Wines (Clarett) Vintage 1786 210. 2 Margaux “ 1785 300. 2 Cantenac “ “ 275.
2209To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 31 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] October 31, 1789 . Proposes the use of boats to prevent smuggling in Delaware Bay. LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
2210To Alexander Hamilton from John Rice, 31 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, October 31, 1789. On November 16, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Rice : “Since your Letter of the 31st. of October last.” Letter not found. ]
2211Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 31 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
A question has been submitted to me by the Collectors of certain ports, which being of a general nature, I have thought fit to make the subject of a circular instruction. It is this, whether the duties are demandable on importations after the first of August, and prior to the organisation of the Custom houses in the respective districts. After mature reflection on this point, I am of opinion...
2212To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, [November–December 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
At our last interview you expressed a wish that I would make such remarks on the impost laws as in my opinion would have a tendency to increase the revenue in a way as little burdensome and as conformable to the wishes of the people as possible. The cheerfulness discovered by the merchants in general doing business at this Port in paying the established duties on merchandise evinces to me that...
2213From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I just hear of an opportunity for Albany & sit down to tell you I am well. Mr. Eveleigh is arrived but so indisposed as to be of no assistance to me which I fear will prevent my journey to Albany; but of this I shall write with more certainty on Sunday. I trust the next post will bring me a line from my love informing me of her & my Children’s safe arrival & health. I am a solitary lost being...
2214To Alexander Hamilton from Sylvanus Bourne, 1 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, November 1, 1789. Asks Hamilton to “Give me leave Dr Sir to request the favr of being in your remembrance should any situation in the Treasury Department occur in which my abilities may be equal to rendering my Country service.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Bourne applied for several posts in the government in 1789 and 1790. In June, 1790, George Washington appointed him...
2215To Alexander Hamilton from Gaspard Joseph Amand Ducher, 1 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
je félicite très sincèrement les états unis de l’amérique d’avoir publius pour leur comptrôlleur général des finances; je vous prie de lui recommander un homme qui je Crois peut être employé utilement, le capitaine jocelin très connu de notre ami le Colonel Wadsworth qui vous donnera a son égard tous les renseignements que vour pouvez désirer. je n’entends pas que publius soit tellement occupé...
2216From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Whipple, [1] November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November [ 1 ] 1789 . Has drawn five hundred dollars on him in favor of John Langdon. LS , Harvard College Library. Langdon, a New Hampshire merchant and legislator, was elected to the United States Senate in 1789.
2217To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 2 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, November 2, 1789. “The sum paid to the Bank for last month was 12,871 Dollars.…” LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
2218From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 2 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter which I have just received from Mr. Wolcott the auditor of the Treasury. The information which he wishes to obtain being essential to the proper settlement of several accounts of considerable moment, as they affect both the character and interest of the United States; I request the favour of you, Sir, if there be any document in the office of...
2219Receipt from Van Horne and Clarkson, [2 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Received New york, November 2d. 1789 from Alexander Hamilton Esqr. Three hundred & Seventy dollars Sixty Six Cents for Passage of Mrs. Church & three Servants, on board the Ship Sandwich for Falmouth: John Harris Esq Commander. DS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. David M. Clarkson and Garritt Van Horne were merchants located at 13 Hanover Square, New York City. Angelica Church, wife of...
2220To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 2 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In examining the Accounts of Monsr. Le Ray de Chaumont with the United States, it appears to me to be important that the powers of the American Ministers and agents at the Court of versailles relative to procuring monies and supplies, and settling accounts on the part of the United States should be ascertained. If these sentiments should receive your approbation, I beg leave to submit to your...
2221From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 3 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November 3, 1789. “I observe by your Letter of the 11th. of October last, that the Registers for Vessells … had not come to hand.… Be kind Enough to inform me in your next, whether you have yet received them.” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Alexandria, Letters Received from the Secretary, National Archives.
2222To Alexander Hamilton from Jedediah Huntington, 4 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New London, Connecticut, November 4, 1789. On November 17, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Huntington : “I perceive by your Letter of the 4th instant.” Letter not found. ]
2223To Alexander Hamilton from Israel Ludlow, 4 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ November 4, 1789. On May 13, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Ludlow : “Your letter of the 4th. of November … has some time since been received.” Letter not found. ] Ludlow was a New Jersey surveyor and land speculator. When he wrote this letter, he was in what is now the state of Ohio where he was serving as the chief surveyor for the Miami Purchase.
2224To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 4 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Hartford, November 4, 1789. On November 8, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Wadsworth : “Mr Pomeroy has delivered me your Letter of the 4th Instant.” Letter not found. ]
2225From Alexander Hamilton to Jedediah Huntington, 6 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November 6, 1789. “I have this day drawn on you in favor of Mr James Watson the sum of One Thousand Dollars in a sole Bill of Exchange. You will be pleased to pay the said sum, and transmit the Bill in Lieu of Specie to the Treasurer of the united states.…” ALS , New London County Historical Society, New London, Connecticut. Watson, a New York merchant and financier and a...
2226From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 6 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 6, 1789. On November 13, 1789, Morris wrote to Hamilton : “I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 6th Instant.” Letter not found. ]
2227To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 6 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Hartford, November 6, 1789. On November 12–14, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Wadsworth : “I am just favoured with your’s of the 6th instant.” Letter not found. ]
2228To Alexander Hamilton from Angelica Church, [5–7 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Me voila mon tres cher bien en mer et le pauvre coeur bien effligé de vous avoir quitté. I have almost vowed not to stay three weeks in England. My Baron desires me to write beaucoup de petits folies but I am not much disposed for gaity, and yet I endeavor already to make myself tolerable to my fellow passengers, that my sweet friends advice may not be lost on me. Do my dear Brother endeaver...
2229From Alexander Hamilton to Philemon Gatewood, 7 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 19th. of October. I am of Opinion that the true construction of the act is, that the duties on the whole Cargo must be paid or secured in the first District at which a Vessel arrives; except where she puts in from necessity, as provided for by the twelfth Section of the Collection Bill. Consequently she cannot in any other case proceed with a part of her...
2230From Alexander Hamilton to John Rice, 7 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November 7, 1789. “I am favord with your Letter of the 24th. Ultimo Enclosing your Weekly Return.… The mode you practise in taking Bonds to secure the Duties on Goods … is certainly proper.… The Harbour Boats you mention in your Letter of the 22d. I have no Objection to, but wish as soon as possible to have an Estimate of their Expence.” L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs...
2231To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 7 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, November 7, 1789. “With this letter, I inclose my Weekly return.… You will … greatly facilitate the Work and insure uniformity therein (I presume in every other Office as well as mine) if you will please to order printed forms to be furnished.… It may be consistent for me to mention that no appointments of Officers in the Department of the Customs reached this place before Saturday...
2232From 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...
2233From Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Church, [8 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
After taking leave of you on board of the Packet, I hastened home to sooth and console your sister. I found her in bitter distress; though much recovered from the agony, in which she had been, by the kind cares of Mrs. Bruce and the Baron. After composing her by a flattering picture of your prospects for the voyage, and a strong infusion of hope, that she had not taken a last farewell of you;...
2234From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 8 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Pomeroy has delivered me your Letter of the 4th Instant. It is doubtless of very great consequence to break up the Gang you mention; and expence for that purpose ought not to be spared. As you are at the source of information, may I request you to undertake the management of the business, and to furnish whatever money may be requisite for pursuing it with effect, drewing upon me for the...
2235From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Harison, [9 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I will thank you jointly with Mr. Jones for an opinion on the inclosed Questions. As they are of a nature to excite critical attention, I shall be glad of care in the consideration of the subject. Though I would mean to reserve my own opinion, I should not be sorry for an opportunity of pointing out some particulars in a personal interview before your opinion is made up. Tomorrow Morning...
2236Enclosure: To Samuel Jones and Richard Harison, [9 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury requests the opinion of Council on the following points, arising on the Act for Registering & Clearing Vessels regulating the Coasting Trade & for other purposes— 1st By the 22d Section it is provided that every Vessel of Less than Twenty Tons shall procure a license from the Collector of the District to which she belongs purporting that such Vessel is exempt...
2237To Alexander Hamilton from Alexander Macwhorter, 9 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
November 9, 1789. “Being informed that there are some offices under you and in your department which are not supplied with clerks, I take the liberty of addressing … to you in behalf of Mr. Samuel Beebee a citizen of New York and son in law of mine as a person I believe well qualified to be a clerk in some such place. He has been unfortunate in the sea trade during the war and since, and...
2238To Alexander Hamilton from Vincent Gray, 10 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, November 10, 1789. On November 25, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Gray : “I am favoured with your two Letters of the 10th and 11th Instant.” Letter of November 10 not found. ] Gray was deputy collector of customs at Alexandria.
2239To Alexander Hamilton from Vincent Gray, 11 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, November 11, 1789. On November 25, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Gray : “I am favoured with your two letters of the 10th and 11th Instant.” Letter of November 11 not found. ]
2240To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, [11] November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last Letter I suggested, that a good Officer might, for want of support, be borne down by the combined ⟨w⟩eight of people in trade. Since then, there has a case arisen ⟨i⟩n point. in the port where I mentioned your having a ⟨g⟩ood Collector, such persons have been appointed Inspectors, as were wholly unfit for the Office, by the influence of people in Trade. One of them has been already...
2241To Alexander Hamilton from Jedediah Huntington, 11 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New London, Connecticut, November 11, 1789. On November 24, 1787, Hamilton wrote to Huntington : “I acknowledge the receipt of your’s of the 11th. instant.” Letter not found. ]
2242From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, [12–14 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
November 12. 1789 The above is a copy of a letter transmitted you some days since. I am just favoured with your’s of the 6th instant; and have informed Mr. Butler of the train in which the business has been put and referred him to you. I did not think it adviseable to take arrangements with him here, as I could not be certain, but that in consequence of my letter you would commence operations....
2243To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Otis, 12 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Barnstable [ Massachusetts ] November 12, 1789 . “Yours of the 5th. ultimo receiv’d respecting the Expence of Light Houses, Beacons & Buoys &c in this District, I would inform you that there never was any Expence of that Kind within the same.… But a Light-House erected to the Northward of Cape-Codd Harbour, would be the Means of saving many Lives.…” LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received,...
2244From Alexander Hamilton to John Fitzgerald, 13 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 13, 1789. The catalogue description of this letter reads as follows: “… seeking information regarding the distilleries in the State of Virginia and to which he puts many questions he wants answered regarding materials, size, location, etc.” Letter not found. ] LS , sold at Stan V. Henkels, Jr., May 17, 1932, Lot 167.
2245To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 13 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 6th Instant, and should have replyed to the Contents by the last Mail, had not other Engagements prevented it. I always understood that if the Bank stock was to be replaced, I was to pay the Dividends, but as Interest must be allowed on the amount of the Warrants deposited, during the time that payment is delayed, I also understood that the...
2246To Alexander Hamilton from John Habersham, 14 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Savannah, November 14, 1789. “… In answer to your letter of the 1st. ultimo, I have to inform you, that the only public Convenience we have in this Port and Harbour, is a Light House on the Island of Tybee.…” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. Habersham was collector of customs at Savannah. “Treasury Department Circular to...
2247To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 14 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, November 14, 1789. “Herewith I will transmit you my Weekly Return, in which you will notice that I have, in part of monies received, One thousand dollars in bank Notes; having exchanged Twenty three dollars, and forty-four Cents Specie to make the sum nett. The Notes are all small and their number makes it a business of too much hurry, and subjection to error to prepare them on...
2248From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Willing, 14 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 14, 1789. On November 18, 1789, Willing wrote to Hamilton : “I have just received your Favor of the 14th Instant.” Letter not found. ]
2249From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Willing, 15 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 15, 1789. On December 9, 1789, Willing wrote to Hamilton : “We Reced your favor … of the 15th.” Letter not found. ]
2250To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, [16 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The letr. sent to your care, be pleased to return. Your undertaking is truely arduous but I trust as you progress in the work, difficulty will vanish. From your situation you must be able to form with some certainty an opinion concerning the domestic debt. Will it speedily rise, will the interest accruing command specie or any thing nearly as valuable, what will become of the indents already...