21From John Adams to Alexander Hamilton, 21 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
M r Charles Adams, my Second son, the Bearer of this Letter, I beg leave to introduce to you.— He took his degree at our University of Cambridge this Year, and is destined to the Study of the Law.— I wish to get him into some office in New York, and should give the Preference to yours But there are two Contingencies, one possible the other probable in the Way. The first is that Congress may...
22To Alexander Hamilton from John Adams, [21 July 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Charles Adams, my second son, the Bearer of this Letter, I beg leave to introduce to you. He took his degree at our University of Cambridge this year, and is destined to the Study of the Law. I wish to get him into some office in New York, and should give the Preference to yours. But there are two Contingencies, one possible the other probable in the way. The first is that Congress may...
23Promissory Note from William Duer, [29 July 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Forty days after Date I promise to pay to Alexander Hamilton on order for Value received the Sum of Two thousand Specie Dollars. ADS , New-York Historical Society, New York City. Duer, financier and merchant, had been appointed secretary of the Board of Treasury in March, 1786. He was soon to serve under H as Assistant to the Secretary of the newly organized Treasury Department. H’s signature...
24To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Jones, [5 August 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The Duties to be collected are imposed only upon Goods imported into the United States after the first of August. Consequently no Goods imported on or before that Day are charged with those Duties. And I am of Opinion that all such Goods may be carried to and landed at any other Port of the United States Duty free. The Act regulating the Collection of the Duties requires the Master or Person...
25Receipt from John Murray, 15 August 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 15, 1789 . On this date Hamilton wrote and Murray signed a receipt which reads as follows: “the above account is in consequence of directions given me by Mr. Hamilton from motives of Charity to provide for the burial of Abbe Mott & the amount is now paid to me by him Aug 15. 1789.” DS , in writing of H, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Murray was a New York City merchant....
26To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, [September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The Subject which you have mentioned was in a great Measure new to me. However I cannot hesitate as to the Validity of a Bond given to the United States, the People of which I think form one great Body politic for all the important Purposes of Government. The Constitution speaks of “Controversies to which the United States Shall be a Party” as forming a Branch of the Judicial Power; and I can...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Jones, [September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I Are the duties recoverable on goods imported between the first of August and the time the custom house was organised in a state recoverable? II May vessels arriving in any port leave that port without paying or securing the duties prior to the expiration of 48 hours and go where they please or not? III May they only go prior to the same period to another state? IV May they after that period...
28Schedule III: A Statement of the Anticipation of Monies on the Public Credit, 11 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The Register having accurately stated the account of warrants drawn by the late Commissioners of the Board of Treasury on the Treasurer of the United States, and having examined the amount of monies actually received by the said Treasurer, certifies, that the excess of warrants drawn beyond the said Treasurer’s actual receipts, amounts to the sum of One Hundred Eighty-nine thousand, Nine...
29Appointment as Secretary of the Treasury, [11 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Know Ye, that reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Patriotism, Integrity, and Abilities of Alexander Hamilton of the City of New York in the State of New York, Esquire, I have nominated, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, do appoint him Secretary of the Treasury of the said United States, and do authorize and empower him to execute and fulfil the Duties of that...
30Conversation with Comte de Moustier, [13 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Projet de M. hamilton, pour liquider les arrérages de la dette tant domestique qu’Etrangére des Etats Unis. Observations de M. de Moustier à ce sujet. Le 13. de ce mois, M. Hamilton à qui j’avois été faire la veille mon compliment sur sa nomination à la place de Secretaire du Departement des Finances, vint chés moi et m’entretint du projet qu’il avoit de proposer que le Congrès fit un emprunt...
31From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 13 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, September 13, 1789. On September 19, 1789, Delany wrote to Hamilton : “I acknowledge the recpt of Yours … of the 13th Inst, one by the Post covering a Letter to the Comptrolle[r].” Letter not found. ] Delany was appointed collector of customs at Philadelphia on August 4, 1789.
32From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Meredith, 13 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Permit me to congratulate you on your appointment as Treasurer of the United States, and to assure you of the pleasure I feel in anticipating your co-operation with me in a station, in which a character like yours is so truly valuable. I need not observe to you how important it is, that you should be on the ground as speedily as possible. The call for your presence you will be sensible, is...
33Treasury Department Warrant No. 1, [13 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
To the President, Directors & Company of the Bank of New York. Pay to Samuel Meredith Treasurer of the United States, or Order, the Sum of Twenty thousand Dollars; being the Amount of a Loan agreed to be made by the said Bank to the Secretary at War, in pursuance of an Appropriation made by an Act of Congress of the twentieth day of August 1789: for which this shall be your Warrant. Given...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Willing, 13 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
You will probably have learned ere this reaches you, my appointment to the Office of Secretary of the Treasury. To the acceptance of this arduous trust, I have been not a little encouraged by the hope that my inviolable attachment to the principles which form the basis of public credit is so well and so generally understood as to insure me the confidence of those who have it most in their...
35From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [13 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
It is with pleasure I am able to inform you that you have been appointed Auditor in the Department of the Treasury. The salary of this office is 1500 Dollars. Your friends having expressed a doubt of your acceptance, I cannot forbear saying, that I shall be happy to find the doubt has been ill founded; as from the character I have received of you, I am persuaded you will be an acquisition to...
36From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 13 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Duer my assistant goes to Philadelphia to transact some business with the bank there in which your co-operation will probably be wanted. He will give you the necessary explanations; and I doubt not will have your acquiescence in whatever may be requisite to complete his arrangments. The other principal Officers of the Department not being on the spot some informality may be unavoidable....
37From Alexander Hamilton to Arthur Lee, Walter Livingston, and Samuel Osgood, [14 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Having in consequence of my appointment as Secretary of the Treasury determined on William Duer Esquire as my Assistant, I have concluded from his situation with the late board that a delivery of the books papers and seal belonging to the department should be made to him. If this mode is agreeable to you I need only add that he is authorised on my part to carry it into execution. I have the...
38Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 14 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The exigencies of Government require that I should without delay be informed of the amount of the Duties which have accrued in the several States, and of the Monies which have been already received in payment of them, and the periods at which the remainder will fall due. In this absolute precision is not expected, but a General Statement accurate enough in the main to be relied on. I request...
39To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Walker, 15 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have not had much time to consider the Subject on which I promised to give you my opinion nor to make the necessary previous enquiries. I will however give you my thoughts as they occur at the moment. The public Accounts under the old System were divided into several branches say 1st. The Army Accounts.—comprehending only the Pay & Commutations of the Line of the Army. 2d— the Accounts of...
40To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Peters, 16 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ September 16, 1789. On October 11, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Peters : “I duly received yours of the 16 of September.” Letter not found. ] Peters, who had served as secretary and president of the Board of War during the American Revolution, was speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly when this letter was written. He had recently declined the office of comptroller of the Treasury. In April, 1792,...
41To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 17 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 17, 1789. States that the port of Philadelphia lacks funds for the maintenance of aids to navigation in the Delaware River. Asks that United States funds be used for that purpose. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. Allibone was master warden of the port of Philadelphia.
42To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 17 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your favour of the 13th instant, by which I am informed that I have been appointed Auditor in the department of the Treasury. I embrace this first opportunity to give you notice that I have proceeded to this place on my way to New York, and that immediately upon my arrival there, I will do myself the honour to wait on you, for the purpose of acquiring such...
43Schedule IV: Estimate of the Amount of Pensions for the Invalids, 17 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Dol. 90ths Dol. 90ths Taken from Returns, dated March 7, 1789, New-Hampshire 3,170 March 7, 1789, Massachusetts, 7,699 30 May 14, 1789, Connecticut, 7,302 45 Jan. 1st., 1789, New-York, 15,246 Feb. 2, 1789, New-Jersey, 4,733 6 July 5, 1786, Pennsylvania, 11,220 30 For 1787, Virginia, 9,276 60 58,647 81 Conjectural {
44From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel A. Otis, [18 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton will be obliged to Mr. Otis for certified extracts from the journals of the Senate respecting his own appointments that of the Door Keep Assistants &c & will be glad to know whether he has any & what Clks & when appointed. He wishes this information without delay. Friday Morning AL , RG 46, First Congress, 1789–1791, Letters Relating to Fiscal Matters, National Archives. Otis was...
45To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [19 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I acknowledge the recpt of Yours by Mr. Duer of the 13th Inst— one by the Post covering a Letter to the Comptrolle[r]—and another directing a return of the Duties in my office. The Letter to Mr Eveleigh shall be forwarded by the first Vessel and in respect to the Amt of Duties, I would beg leave to mention I furnished Your Assistant Secy Mr Duer with an Account therof in order to promote the...
46Report on the Estimate of the Expenditure for the Civil List and the War Department to the End of the Present Year, [19 … (Hamilton Papers)
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives] The Secretary of the Treasury , in obedience to the Order of the House of Representatives of the 17th instant, Respectfully reports, That the schedule No. 1, contains an estimate of the total expenditure of the civil list, for the present year, amounting to two hundred and forty-three thousand three hundred and thirty-three dollars, and 78...
47Schedule I: Estimate of the Expenditure for the Civil List of the United States for the year 1789, 19 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
First. In relation to the late Government . For Congress Dol. 90ths. Dol. 90ths. THE annual allowance made by the United States, in Congress assembled, the 23d August 1787, including the salaries of the private Secretary & Steward, house rent, and expences of the household, is thereby fixed at 8,000 dollars per annum; which being estimated to the 3d of March, the time fixed for proceedings to...
48Schedule II: General Estimate of Money requisite for the War Department for the year 1789, 19 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Pay of the Troops. Artillery. Dol. 90ths. Dol. 90ths. 1 Major, 12 mo. at 45 dol. pr. mo. 540 4 Captains, 35 1,680 8 Lieutenants, 30 2,880 1 Surgeon’s mate, 30
49To Alexander Hamilton from Christopher Gore, 20 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Be pleas’d to accept my sincere acknowledgments for the politeness and attention, you discover’d in rectifying the mistake made in a conversation with mr Badcock. To lie under the imputation of acting in a character different from the one I assum’d was painful—to be consider’d in this light by one whose reputation is the boast of America was the most distressing of all circumstances that coud...
50To Alexander Hamilton from John Rice, 20 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, September 20, 1789. On October 5, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Rice : “Your Letter of the 20th of September has duly come to hand.” Letter not found. ] Rice was deputy collector of customs at Boston. In August, 1789, Benjamin Lincoln, the collector at Boston, was named by Washington to be one of three commissioners to negotiate a treaty with the southern Indians. In the autumn of 1789,...