1From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [5 May 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
In conformity to the intimation you were pleased to honor me with on evening last I have reflected on the etiquette proper to be observed by the President and now submit the ideas which have occurred to me on the subject. The public good requires as a primary object that the dignity of the office should be supported. Whatever is essential to this ought to be pursued though at the risk of...
2To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
In conformity to the intimation you were pleased to honor me with on evening last I have reflected on the etiquette proper to be observed by the President and now submit the ideas which have occurred to me on the subject. The public good requires as a primary object that the dignity of the office should be supported. Whatever is essential to this ought to be pursued though at the risk of...
3From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [20 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your desire, I sit down to commit a few lines to the Post. Nothing worth particular mention has occured since your Departure; except a report brought by Mr. Keane from So. Carolina, that Mc. Gilivray the Indian Chief had, after a short conference, left our Commissioners, declaring that what they had suggested was only a repetion of the old Storey and inadmissible, or something to...
4To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 20 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your desire, I sit down to commit a few lines to the Post. Nothing worth particular mention has occurred since your Departure; except a report brought by Mr Keane from So. Carolina, that McGilivray the Indian Chief had, after a short conference, left our Commissioners, declaring that what they had suggested was only a repe[ti]tion of the old Storey and inadmissible, or something...
5From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [3 January 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury having, in consequence of the Act for the Establishment and support of Light houses, directed his Enquiries to that object begs leave most respectfully to submit the result to The President of the United States of America New Hampshire. In this State is only one Light house situated on a point of land on the Island of New-Castle, three miles from Portsmouth,...
6To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 3 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury having, in consequence of the Act for the Establishment and support of Light-houses, directed his Enquiries to that object begs leave most respectfully to submit the result to The President of the United States of America. New Hampshire. In this State is only one Light house situated on a point of land on the Island of New-Castle, three miles from Portsmouth,...
7From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [31 January 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I have made the inquiry of General Schuyler which you directed. He says that he thinks Kirkland’s fidelity may be relied on; but does not entertain a very favourable opinion of his judgment or veracity. He says also that there is a Mr James Deane at Onieda who is a man of more discernment discretion and integrity, and who may probably be got here in twelve days. I shall make the inquiry you...
8From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [29 March 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury begs leave respectfully to inform the President of the United States of America, That, in order to be able to furnish in the course of the ensuing month for the compensation of the members of Congress, & the Officers and Servants of the two houses, a sum of about sixty thousand dollars; for the payment of the Salaries of the Civil List to the end of the present...
9To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 29 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury begs leave respectfully to inform the President of the United States of America, That, in order to be able to furnish in the course of the ensuing month for the compensation of the members of Congress, & the officers and Servants of the two houses, a sum of about sixty thousand dollars; for the payment of the Salaries of the Civil List to the end of the present...
10From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 6 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to inform the President of the United states of America, that he has received a letter from the Governor of Virginia intimating that it is necessary an election should be made of the particular spot upon which it may be deemed proper to erect the intended Light house on Cape Henry, after which the Cession will be completed. The said Secretary having...
11To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 6 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to inform the President of the United states of America, that he has received a letter from the Governor of Virginia intimating, that it is necessary an election should be made of the particular spot upon which it may be deemed proper to erect the intended Light house on Cape Henry, after which the Cession will be completed. The said Secretary having...
12From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 28 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury conceives it to be his duty most respectfully to represent to the President of the United states, that there are, in his judgment, objections of a very serious & weighty nature to the resolutions of the two houses of Congress of the twenty first instant, concerning certain arrears of pay due to the Officers and soldiers of the Lines of Virginia and North Carolina....
13From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 28 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, May 28, 1790. Submits “five Contracts made by the superintendant of the Light house, piers &c on the river and Bay of Delaware” and recommends that these Contracts be approved. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
14To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 28 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United states, for his approbation, five Contracts made by the superintendant of the Light house, piers &c. on the river and Bay of Delaware, and the letter received with them. After due examination in this Office, the Contracts appear advantageous to the United states. Should they be approved, immediate...
15I. The Opinion of Alexander Hamilton, 28 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury conceives it to be his duty most respectfully to represent to the President of the United States, that there are in his judgment, objections of a very serious and weighty nature to the resolutions of the two Houses of Congress of the twenty-first instant, concerning certain arrears of pay, due to the Officers and soldiers of the Lines of Virginia and North...
16From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [29 May 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects of the President of the United states and submits to his consideration some remarks on the Resolutions, which have passed the two Houses respecting the Lines of Virginia and North Carolina. The Secretary has taken this method of communication as the one best calculated to place the subject under the eye of the President with least trouble to...
17To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 29 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President of the United states and submits to his consideration some remarks on the Resolutions, which have passed the two Houses respecting the Lines of Virginia and North Carolina. The Secretary has taken this method of communication as the one best calculated to place the subject under the eye of the President with least trouble to...
18From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [18 June 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United states for his consideration, a Contract (with the letter that accompanied it) betwen William Allibone Superintendant of the Light-house, Beacons, Buoys & public Piers on the river and Bay of Delaware and Abraham Hargis, Keeper of the Light-house at Cape Henlopen. The yearly Salary of £130. altho’...
19To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 18 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United states for his consideration, a Contract (with the letter that accompanied it) betwen William Allibone Superintendant of the Light-house, Beacons, Buoys & public Piers on the river and Bay of Delaware and Abraham Hargis, Keeper of the Light-house at Cape Henlopen—The yearly Salary of £130. altho’...
20From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 21 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United states, for his approbation, the enclosed Contract for timber, boards, Nails and Workmanship, for a Beacon to be placed near the Light-house on Sandy hook; the terms of which, he begs leave to observe are, in his opinion favourable to the U. States. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
21To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 21 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United states, for his approbation, the enclosed contract for timber, boards, Nails and workmanship, for a Beacon to be placed near the Light-house on Sandy-hook; the terms of which, he begs leave to observe, are, in his opinion favourable to the U. States. LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed contract has not...
22From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 26 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to inform the President of the United states, that he has received a letter from the Collector of Charleston in South Carolina, from which he learns that some misconception has arisen as to the nature of the qualifications of Mr. Thomas Hollingsby, who on the joint recommendation of the Collector & commissioners of Pilotage for that port...
23From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 26 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to inform the President of the United states that the Collector of Charleston in south Carolina has stated to him, that a proposal has been made by James Robinson of Newport, Rhode Island, to the Collector, through the Commissioners of Pilotage of that Port, to supply six hundred gallons of spermaceti Oil, for the use of the Light house,...
24To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to inform the President of the United states, that he has received a letter from the Collector of Charleston in South Carolina, from which he learns that some misconception has arisen as to the nature of the qualifications of Mr Thomas Hollingsby, who on the joint recommendation of the Collector & commissioners of Pilotage for that port...
25To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to inform the President of the United states that the collector of Charleston in south Carolina has stated to him, that a proposal has been made by James Robinson of Newport, Rhode Island, to the collector, through the commissioners of Pilotage of that Port, to supply six hundred gallons of spermaceti Oil, for the use of the Light house,...
26From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [8 July 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Memorandum of the substance of a Communication made on Thursday the Eighth of July 1790 to the Subscriber by Major Beckwith as by direction of Lord Dorchester. Major Beckwith began by stating that Lord Dorchester had directed him to make his acknowlegements for the politeness which had been shewn in respect to the desire he had intimated to pass by New York in his way to England; adding that...
27To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 8 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Memorandum of the substance of a Communication made on Thursday the Eighth of July 1790 to the Subscriber by Major Beckwith as by direction of Lord Dorchester. Major Beckwith began by stating that Lord Dorchester had directed him to make his acknowlegements for the politeness which had been shewn in respect to the desire he had intimated to pass by New York on his way to England, adding that...
28To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 15–22 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
In my second interview with Major Beckwith which was on Thursday the 22d instant I spoke to him nearly as follows. I have made the proper use of what you said to me at our last interview. As to what regards the objects of a general nature mentioned by you, though your authority for the purpose from Lord Dorchester is out of question, and though I presume from his Lordship’s station &...
29From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [15 July 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
In my second interview with Major Beckwith which was on Thursday the 22d. instant I spoke to him nearly as follows I have made the proper use of what you said to me at our last interview. As to what regards the objects of a general nature mentioned by you, though your authority for the purpose from Lord Dorchester is out of question, and though I presume from his Lordship’s station & character...
30From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 5 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 5, 1790. “The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United states a contract … for shingling two houses, and building a breast-work for the foundation of the light-house at Cape-Henlopen He begs leave to offer an opinion, that the terms of this agreement appear to him advantageous to the United states.” LC , George...
31To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Treasury Department [New York], 5 Aug. 1790. Submits a contract made by William Allibone, superintendent of the lighthouse on the Delaware River, with Thomas McHam and observes that the terms of the agreement appear advantageous to the United States. LB , DLC:GW . For previous correspondence concerning contracts for the Delaware River and Bay establishments, see Hamilton to GW, 28 May 1790...
32From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [23 August 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President of the United States and sends him the Draft of a power concerning the intended Loans. If any thing more particular should occur to the President it may be the subject of a distinct instruction. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. For information concerning this document, see Tobias Lear to H, August 26, 1790...
33From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [26 August 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully begs leave to submit to the President of the United States copies of a letter from Messrs. Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorst & Hubbard of the 25th. day of January last, and of an answer thereto of the 7th. day of May following. The President will perceive that the last mentioned letter was formed upon a plan not to discourage...
34From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 26 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 26, 1790. “The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United States a new contract made by William Allibone, Superintendant of the Light-house and other establishments on the Delaware, with Abraham Hargis as Keeper of the said ligh house.…” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See Allibone to H, August...
35To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Treasury Department [New York], 26 Aug. 1790. Submits a new contract made by William Allibone, superintendent of the lighthouse and establishments on the Delaware River, with Abraham Hargis as keeper of the Cape Henlopen in place of the previous contract, of which GW did not approve. “The Secretary humbly begs leave to remark, that the terms of the contract . . . appear to him consistent with...
36To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully begs leave to submit to the President of the United States copies of a letter from Messrs Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorst & Hubbard of the 25th day of January last, and of an answer thereto of the 7th day of May following. The President will perceive that the last mentioned letter was formed upon a plan not to discourage the...
37From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 28 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the U. States for his determination a request from the Naval officer of the District of New York. The Secretary humbly remarks, that it appears desireable, as far as possible, to avoid absences of such important Officers for so long a duration, but that if the nature of the reasons should induce the...
38To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 28 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the U. States for his determination a request from the Naval Officer of the District of New York. The Secretary humbly remarks, that it appears desireable, as far as possible, to avoid absences of such important Officers for so long a duration, but that if the nature of the reasons should induce the...
39From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 3 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your direction I conversed the day after your departure with the Secretary of State on the subject of an Agent for conducting the Loans to be made abroad. I stated to him, that you had expressed to me a preference of Mr. Shorts being employed, if he could be spared the requisite time from France, without injury to the affairs depending there; and that I conceived it wou’d be...
40To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 3 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your direction I conversed the day after your departure with the Secretary of State on the subject of an Agent for conducting the Loans to be made abroad. I stated to him, that you had expressed to me a preference of Mr Shorts being employed, if he could be spared the requisite time from France, without injury to the affairs depending there; and that I conceived it wou’d be...
41From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 10 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The public service appearing to require the early establishment of the boats or cutters for the protection of the revenue, agreeably to the provision made by the Legislature in their last Session, I do myself the honor respectfully to submit to you what has occured upon that subject. Cutters from forty to fifty feet keel being deemed by experienced persons the most eligible, my enquiries have...
42To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 10 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
The public service appearing to require the early establishment of the boats or cutters for the protection of the revenue, agreeably to the provision made by the Legislature in their last Session, I do myself the honor respectfully to submit to you what has occured upon that subject. Cutters from forty to fifty feet keel being deemed by experienced persons the most eligible, my enquiries have...
43From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 15 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The urgent avocations, in which I have been engaged, towards putting, in a train of execution, the laws of the last session, affecting my department, and a desire of reflecting maturely, and giving the reasons for the result of my reflections, fully, have caused me to delay, longer than I wished, the answers to the questions, with which you honored me, and I hope will excuse the delay. The...
44To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 15 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
The urgent avovations, in which I have been engaged, towards putting, in a train of execution, the laws of the last session, affecting my department, and a desire of reflecting, maturely, and giving the reasons for the result of my reflections, fully, have caused me to delay, longer than I wished, the answers to the questions, with which you honored me, and I hope will excuse the delay. The...
45Enclosure: Answers to Questions proposed by the President of the United States to the Secretary of the Treasury., 15 … (Washington Papers)
Question the first “What should be the answer of the Executive of the United States to Lord Dorchester, in case he should apply for permission to march troops through the territory of said States from Detroit to the Mississippi?” Answer In order to a right judgment of what ought to be done in such case, it may be of use previously to consider the following points. First. Whether there be a...
46XV. Opinion of the Secretary of the Treasury, 15 September 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Answers to Questions proposed by The President of the United States to the Secretary of the Treasury Question the first “What should be the answer of the Executive of the United States to Lord Dorchester, in case he should apply for permission to march troops through the territory of said States from Detroit to the Mississippi? Answer In order to a right judgment of what ought to be done in...
47From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 18 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor respectfully to inform you that on the 15th. inst: your Commission to William Winn as Surveyor of the port of Winton in N. Carolina was brought to my Office by a gentleman from that State. Conceiving it an irregular mode of procedure in a case of that nature, I have written to Mr. Winn a letter of which the enclosed is a copy. In the mean time I have deemed it my duty to lay...
48To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 18 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
[New York] 18 Sept. 1790. Informs GW “that on the 15th inst: your Commission to William Winn as Surveyor of the port of Winton in N. Carolina was brought to my Office by a gentleman from that State. Conceiving it an irregular mode of procedure in a case of that nature, I have written to Mr Winn a letter of which the enclosed is a copy. In the mean time I have deemed it my duty to lay the...
49From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 21 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Doctor Craigie has communicated to me, a letter from Mr. Daniel Parker to him, dated, London the 12th of July, which mentions that he had just seen Mr. De Miranda, who had recently conversed with the Marquis Del Campo, from whom he had learnt that the Court of Spain had acceded to our right of navigating the Mississippi. Col: Smith has also read to me a passage out of another letter of the 6th...
50To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 21 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Doctor Craigie has communicated to me, a letter from Mr Daniel Parker to him, dated, London the 12th of July, which mentions that he had just seen Mr De Miranda, who had recently conversed with the Marquis Del Campo, from whom he had learnt that the Court of Spain had acceded to our right of navigating the Mississippi. Col: Smith has also read to me a passage out of another letter of the 6th...