51To Alexander Hamilton from William Polk, [6 October 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ October 6, 1792. On November 3, 1792, Tench Coxe wrote to Polk: “The Secretary of the Treasury has just sent to this office your letter to him of the 6th of October.” Letter not found. ] Polk was supervisor of the revenue for the District of North Carolina. LC , RG 58, Letters of Commissioner of Revenue, 1792–1793, National Archives.
52To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Willing, 3 February 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
The President & Directors of the Bank of the United States acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st. Ulto. & feel with peculiar sensibility the notification of your Resignation; With sincerity they offer their best wishes, that you may be as happy in private, as your administration has rendered you useful, in public life. They recollect with extreme satisfaction the liberal and...
53To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, [20–28 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer will deliver two of your books which have been some time in my hands. I add to them a pamphlet recd. not long since from France. I can not recommend it because I have not read it. The subject tho’ a hackneyed is an interesting one, and the titles of some of the chapters promising. You will soon discover how far it may be worth your perusal. The inclosed letter to Genl. Schuyler...
54Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 18 December 1789 (Washington 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 LB , DLC:GW . None of these...
55To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 31 December 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Forced to meander on my ride home to close as far as I could the various matters which I considered under my care I never got to Richmond until the 29th. when Col. Carrington gave to me your favor of the 19th Decr. I am sure you understand too well my conviction of your constant efforts to give comfort to the late army with me, to suppose that I could for a moment impute to want of exertion in...
56To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 15 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
A few days after the receipt of your favor covering letters for the Supervizor of Vermont and Mr Jacob Cuyler I wrote you and my Eliza, but as I have not had a line from you since I fear my letters have not come to hand. I entreated Eliza to let me know when she would set out from Philadelphia for this place, that I might engage a good and discreet master of an Albany Sloop to bring her to...
57From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 12 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
In due course of Post I have received your Letters of the 5th and 8th instant. & thank you for the information contained in them. Tomorrow I leave this for Philadelphia. the advices which I may receive this Evening by the Post, will fix my route by Baltimore (as usual)—or by the one I intended to have come—that is, by Reading, the Canals between the Rivers, Harrisburgh, Carlisle &a—In either...
58To Alexander Hamilton from Archibald Mercer, 30 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I am requested to acknowledge rect. of your favour of 14th Inst. to the Governor and Directors of the Society for establishing useful Manufactories. It is with pleasure I inform you that your observations in general conincide with the opinion of the board of Directors, and that they will esteem as a favour any communication you may be disposed to favour them with from time to time. It is with...
59To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe and Richard Harrison, 2 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In addition to the Circumstances relative to the Case of the Secretary at War, transmitted from the Comptrollers office for our determination we have the honor to state to you the following facts for the purpose of obtaining the Attorney generals opinion after a knowledge of them. We find that the first appearance of the claim in question, in any form, is in an account current dated at the...
60To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 18 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter dated the 3d. inst. inclosing a Copy of the instructions you have forwarded to Mr. Short, came to my hands by the mail of Wednesday. The appointment of that gentleman to negotiate the Loans in Holland, and the Instructions you have given for his government, meet my approbation. The first as no inconvenience it is conceived will result from his absence from Paris, is a measure of...
61To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 25 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the Honor this day to transmit to you a Contract with Mr. John McCauley for the Copper work &c of the Tybee Lighthouse for the purpose of procuring the presidents decision thereon. In addition to this there is a Former Contract with John McCauley for the Copper work of the Cape Fear Lighthouse not yet approved it was transmitted the 18th. of February. The appointment of the Keeper for...
62To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 10 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, December 10, 1790. “On the receipt of your letter of the 1st of June last containing directions respecting the Lighthouse in this State, I made proposals to the person employd by the State in the care of the Fort & Lighthouse, but having reason to expect the Cession of the latter by the Legislature then in Session the Contract was delayed; On the rising of the Court...
63To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I had too little time with you when in Philadelphia. Your particular engagments forbid my calling on you as often as under different circumstances I should have called. One question in particular was left unsettled the application of Mr. Joseph Blake respecting the quallity of some wines he imported. The Comptroller was in opinion that there could not any consideration be made for its being of...
64To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 16 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I am happy to find by a New York paper, that the Result of the late Inquiry into your official Conduct is perfectly consistant with the Expectations of your Friends. It is there represented as being voluminous, and in a variety of Respects interesting. Be so good as to send me a copy. I wrote to you lately a confidential Letter, under Cover to the President. My Dispatches to Mr Randolph were...
65To Alexander Hamilton from John Lee, 20 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Penobscot, District of Maine, September 20, 1790. On November 13, 1790, Hamilton wrote to David Sewall : “The day before yesterday a letter from the Collector of Penobscot of the 20th. of September … came to hand.” Letter not found. ] Sewall was judge for the District of Maine.
66To Alexander Hamilton from Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholaas Hubbard, 1 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The Situation of affairs here, as we had the honor to point it out to you in our Respects of 4 & 28 Ulto. naturally urged our every attention, to provide for the support of the Credit of the United States, at the fast approaching Period of the first of June, when was to be paid f.1.000.000.—Reimbursement “ 470.000.—Interest All the monies in our hands, having been more than absorbed by the...
67To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 17 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am honoured with your Letters of the 11th & 14th. The sale of the Bills on Amsterdam shall be arranged at the rate of 6 ⅌ Ct Interest for the term of Credit agreeable to your desire, and furnished in a few days. Mr Hill was this day paid the Seven thousand Dollars, and Inclosed in his receipt for the same which is Charged to the United States. I have the Honor to be &c LC , Bank of New York,...
68To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 10 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] February 10, 1792. “On the third of this month the Sloop Hannah William Corey master from Martinico and destined for the District of Providence arrived in this District, but could not enter the first mentioned district on account of the ice.… Capt. Corey appeared at the Custom House for the first time & reported on the morning of the 7th. of this month. The reason of...
69To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 10 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, July 10, 1794. “I received your Letter of June 24, & have noted your observations relative to Copper & Iron for the Frigates. I believe the decision to resort to England for the Copper is right.… We have here had much experience, by trial, of the qualities of the Duck manufactured in this Town.… I have cloathed a number of Vessels with our Duck & it has certainly worn better than...
70To Alexander Hamilton from Nathan Keais, 10 December 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Washington, North Carolina, December 10, 1794. On January 31, 1795, Oliver Wolcott, Jr., wrote to Keais: “The Secretary of the Treasury has referred your letter of Decr. 10 to this office to which I reply.” Letter not found. ] Keais was collector of customs at Washington, North Carolina, and inspector of the port of Washington. ADf , Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford. The remainder of...
71To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 9 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] April 9, 1792 . “I have received your letter of the 21st. of this last month. As you are apprehensive that the expence of an hydrostatic balance for each of the Custom Houses would be found too great, I have no longer a wish for one. I have received two Thermometers covered with a common wrapper directed to me; but not attended by any letter. On the particular wrapper...
72To Alexander Hamilton from Jedediah Huntington, 7 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this day the Honour of receiving your Letter of the 1st. inst. Upon my entering into Office I found the Light house at this Port furnished with Oil for three or four days only and no Provision made for further Supply. I immediately purchased a little for temporary use and have since laid in a Stock for the Winter. The Light House is built of Stone & the walls are good but the Roof was...
73To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 31 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
When I reported to you that I had contracted for the Cutter to be built in this State I mentioned that she was to be compleated fit for the sea that is with riging sails boats &c for 1440 dollars. After Captain Williams was appointed master he suggested to me his wishes that there might be some deviation from the plan I had given and on which the agreement was founded. On this I wrote to the...
74To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 7 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Frenchman’s Bay [ District of Maine ] May 7, 1794 . “I beg leave to inform you of the particulars of two seizures made in this District. The first was eleven Grindstones part of a Cargo landed at Mount Desert out of a Nova Scotia vessel contrary to the Revenue Laws from there transported to Union River where they were siezed. The other seizure is a Vessel & Cargo found proceeding to Sea during...
75To Alexander Hamilton from John Scott, 25 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Chester, Maryland, May 25, 1790. On June 3, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Scott : “I have received your letter of the 25th Ulto.” Letter not found. ] Scott was collector of customs at Chester.
76To Alexander Hamilton from Christopher Richmond, 26 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, June 26, 1794. “Your letter addressed to the collector of this port relating to the Interest on Zacharie, Coopman, & cos bonds came to my hands Yesterday. In answer thereto I have thought it best to Transmit a copy of the Interest account against them made out on the fourth of June by Mr. Delozier. From this it is probable you will obtain the best Information upon the Subject, that...
77To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 8 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] March 8, 1791 . Transmits “a commission for Stephen Keyes, Collector of Allburgh in Vermont.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Vermont was admitted to the Union on March 4, 1791. On the same day Keyes, a Burlington, Vermont, merchant, was appointed collector of Alburg.
78To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 14 July 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your favor of yesterday, this moment, when I am on the eve of a journey to Virginia. The opinion which you have given as to its being necessary to submit the new article to the Senate being in direct opposition to that of the Secretaries and the Attorney general, has occasioned some embarrassments with me. For I always understood it to be the sense of the majority of the Senate,...
79To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 3 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, May 3, 1791. “Your circular Letter 8th April is received. An Account agreably to the form sent shall be transmitted as soon as possible. I now inclose you a Statement of the United States Act Current as it stands in my Book the balance of 26385.83 is deposited in the Massachusetts Bank.…” LC , RG 53, Massachusetts State Loan Office, Letter Book, 1785–1791, Vol. “259–M,” National...
80To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Guest, August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New ] Brunswick [ New ] Jersey, August, 1791 . Urges Hamilton to establish at New Brunswick “the public Manufactory” of the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Guest, who had originally been a tanner by trade, was one of New Brunswick’s leading businessmen.
81To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 8 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, Revenue Office, May 8, 1794. “I have the honor to request, that a warrant may be issued, in the name of Matthew Spillard, for (five) five hundred Dollars, as an advance to him, on a/count of his contracts for supplying Rations to the Troops of the United States at the Post of Philadelphia.” LC , RG 75, Letters of Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, Relating to the...
82To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 27 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, May 27, 1790. “Your circular letter of the 17th. instant on the importance of your receiving the earliest information when breaches of the revenue law should take place came to hand by the tuesday post.… About five weeks since information was given that two trunks of merchandise had been in the night landed from on board the Ship Neptune Capt James Scott from London. On search the two...
83To Alexander Hamilton from James Taylor and Abishai Thomas, [28 June 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
On the 18th. Instant Mr. Thomas had the Honor to address you on the Subject of the pensions paid to invalids by the state of N. Carolina, since which we have found that payments made by that State to Widows & orphans of deceased officers are in the same predicament. We therefore respectfully request that with your answer to Mr. Thomas’s letter you will favour us with your sentiments on the...
84To Alexander Hamilton from George Gale, 20 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ January 20, 1792. On February 1, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Gale : “I have received your letter of the 20th. Ultimo.” Letter not found. ] Gale was supervisor of the revenue for the District of Maryland.
85To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Nourse, 27 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honour to enclose a certificate of the sums issuable from the Treasury of the United States for the payment of Interest becoming due to the several creditors on the books of the Treasurey on the 30th June 1794. and to the Trustees for the redemption of the Public debt for Interest arising to the same period upon the Stock standing in their names and in the name of Samuel Meredith in...
86To Alexander Hamilton from James Duff, 8 July 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Cadiz, July 8, 1793. Has “brought to a conclusion the depending concerns of the Ship Tartar” and sends Hamilton “as attorney to John Church Esqr. for ⅛ proportion thereof … a note of an a/c for that object on which you are credited for the whole of your said proportion of the proceeds.” Copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Duff was British consul at Cadiz. DS , Hamilton Papers, Library...
87To Alexander Hamilton from Gerrit Boon, 26 January 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
Oldenbarneveld [ New York ] January 26, 1797. Discusses the case of Herman LeRoy, William Bayard, and Boon v Peter Servis and others . ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Boon, a native of the Netherlands, was an agent of the six Dutch banking firms which formed the Holland Land Company on February 13, 1796. H was an attorney for the company. For background to this letter, see...
88To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 11 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, October 11, 1789. On November 3, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Lee : “I observe by your Letter of the 11th. of October.” Letter not found. ] Lee was collector of customs at Alexandria.
89To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Nourse, 27 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In the returns from the Treasury Dept. which will be laid before you in pursuance of your Directions founded on the order of the Senate of the United States of May 7. 1792 there will be wanting an Account of the Contingent Expences of the Treasury Department, for Wood, rent and other payment, which have not been considered as forming a Part of the Expence of any particular Office, but which...
90To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 23 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] January 23, 1792 . “Yesterday I recd. your Circular Letter of the second of this month, and shall observe your directions.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.
91To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 27 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Frenchman’s Bay [ District of Maine ] November 27, 1792 . “… I have also to own receipt of another Thermometer which I am sorry to say has arrived in the same situation as the former.… I find that the Letters I receive from your Office are much retarded by being directed to the care of General Lincoln they remain at the Post Office in Boston & never sent to his Office, while they were directed...
92To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, [24 November 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful compliments to the Secretary of the Treasury, and incloses him a note from mr Droz, the coiner, which he forgot to deliver to him to-day when he had the honour of waiting on him. It came to hand yesterday. ALS , letterpress copy, Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress. For Jean Pierre Droz, see H to Jefferson, April 22, 1790 .
93To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 14 January 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
It may be useful in the case of the suit for the carriage tax in Virginia, that the Attorney General be apprized, that by the laws of Virginia, the magistrates, singly, have exclusive Jurisdiction in all cases wherein the sum does not amount to six Dollars. The Carriage tax on some classes, is only one Dollar. The suit however may be brought for the tax upon a Coach or a Chariot, which are Ten...
94To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 12 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 12, 1789. “Some of my Friends, on finding I had an Inclination to apply for the appointment of Superintendant of the light house, Beacons Buoys and publick Piers, have put Into my hands A Recommendation … addressed to the president, which I have … Enclosed to him.… I … am at A loss whether to attend at the seat of government in person or not and should consider it as A...
95To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 15 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
By the Presidents command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury a letter from Mr. Governr. Morris to the president respecting the Debt of the United States in France; which the President requests the Secretary to take into consideration, and to draft such an answer as will be proper for the President to give to Mr. Morris on this subject. LC , George Washington...
96To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 29 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I took occasion to mention to you while I was absent from my Office, that a necessary attention to my health required my leaving Baltimore for a time. My stay in the Country was attended with so many indications of returning health that I thought the time well spent; and was returning home full of confidence that business would again be a pleasure to me when a very unexpected and violent...
97To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 1 December 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, Revenue Office, December 1, 1794. Requests “that a Warrant may be issued for two thousand Dollars in the name of Levi Holingsworth & Son, as Agents for Richd. Edwards, George Leonard, Levi Holingsworth & Paschall Holingsworth, on a/count of the contract for furnishing Kentledge & Iron Cannon ball.” LC , RG 75, Letters of Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, Relating to...
98To Alexander Hamilton from Christopher Gore, 20 April 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have hitherto delayed answering the letter, you did me the honor to write under date 28 Febry, in hopes of being able to obtain such information on the subject as woud be agreeable to you, & afford a reasonable expectation of an adoption, by the government, of your propositions respecting the unsubscribed debt. But I am sorely mortified to find that many from whom you had a right to expect...
99To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Notwithstanding our wishes to the contrary, we are too often impelled to call your attention from the more important duties of your Office to circumstances trivial indeed compared therewith. However painful the measure we cannot avoid it & preserve that uniformity in the different Offices so much to be desired, as thereby the general interest is promoted & the minds of the People kept in a...
100To Alexander Hamilton from Daniel Stevens, 28 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Charleston, South Carolina, August 28, 1794. On September 18, 1794, Tench Coxe wrote to Stevens: “The Secretary of the Treasury has transmitted to me your letter of the 28 Ulto.” Letter not found. ] Stevens was supervisor of the revenue for South Carolina. LC , RG 75, Letters of Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, Relating to the Procurement of Military, Naval, and Indian Supplies,...