1From John Adams to Charles Lee, 29 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
Esteeming very highly the opinion & character of your friend General Marshall, I thank you for inclosing his letter of the 3d of March in yours of the 14th which I have received. The nomination of Murray has had one good effect at least It has shown to every observing & thinking man, the real strength or weakness of the constitution, & where one part of that weakness resides It has also...
2From John Adams to Charles Lee, 20 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I request you take into your immediate consideration, the inclosed original Letter signed and to consult with the Attorney of the District, and such other Learned Counsel, as you shall judge proper in confidence and report to me your opinion with theirs upon these questions 1st Whether the Letter is in any and in what parts criminal— 2d. If criminal at all, under what Species of Crime it is to...
3From John Adams to Charles Lee, 16 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I transmit you a copy of a resolution of the Senate of the United States, passed in Congress, on the fourteenth of this month, by which I am requested to instruct the proper law officers, to commence & carry on a prosecution against William Duane, Editor of the newspaper, called the Aurora for certain false, defamatory, scandalous & malicious publications, in the said newspaper of the...
4From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, Jr., 20 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States requests The Secretary of State and the Attorney General to take into their Consideration the 3.ss of the 2d Article of the Constitution of the United States. “He (the President) shall from time to time give for Congress, information of the State of the Union and recommend to their consideration, such measures as he shall judge necessary and Expedient. He may...
5From John Adams to Charles Lee, 28 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I request the favor of your sentiments, concerning the communications, which ought to be made to the legislature at the opening of their approaching session. Your observations on the rebellion in Pennsylvania & the means employed for its suppression, the negotiation with St Domingo, the interuption of the board of commissioners, the mission to France & on all other subjects, relative to the...
6From John Adams to Charles Lee, 15 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is my design to remain here, and at New york, till the day of the Meeting of Congress, or at least within a few days of it.— You will oblige me by giving me your Opinion whether the Epidemical Distemper in Philadelphia, is so dangerous to the Lives or health of the Members as to render a Proclamation necessary to convene Congress at some other place; and by committing to Writing and...
7From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 20 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Questions 1. Among the three Criminals under sentence of death is there any discrimination in the essential Circumstances of their Cases which would would justify a determination to pardon or reprieve one or two and execute the other? 2. Is the Execution of one or more, so indispensably demanded by public Justice and by the Security of the public Peace, that Mercy cannot be extended to all...
8From John Adams to Charles Lee, 21 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received Yesterday the opinion of yourself the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of the Navy on the Case of the Prisoners under Sentence of death for Treason, formed, as I doubt not under the full Exercise of Integrity and humanity. Nevertheless as I differ in opinion, I must take on myself alone the responsibility of one more appeal to the humane and generous natures of the...
9From John Adams to Charles Lee, 10 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The session of congress approaches faster than I can prepare for it in the afflicted State of my family & tottering state of my frame. I request you to consider, whether congress can meet in Philadelphia with safety to their persons, & also to write me your sentiments of the particulars, which ought to be inserted in the speech. I shall be obliged by the long continued sickness of Mrs Adams &...
10From John Adams to Charles Lee, 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 10th. I am told that Mr Lewis is of opinion that Fries Crime amounts not to Treason. Can you give me a minute of his reasons? I am MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
11From John Adams to Charles Lee, 29 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received last evening your favor of the 19th & thank you for communicating to Mr John Read the determination to Appoint him agent for the United States respecting British claims under the treaty of 1794 I have received solicitations and recommendations for several other persons; but see no reason to alter the opinion we formed before I left you. I have accordingly written to the Secretary of...
12From John Adams to Charles Lee, 19 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Congress have seen such a Necessity of an able Commander in Canada, as to destine you to that most arduous Service. I tremble for your Health, yet I hope the Campaign will rather promote it than otherwise. We want you att N. York. We want you at Cambridge. We want you in Virginia. But Canada seems of more Importance than any of those Places. And therefore you are sent there. I wish you as...
13From John Adams to Charles Lee, 13 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Favour of the fifth Inst. I this Moment received, and give me Leave to assure you that no Letter I ever received, gave me greater Pleasure. In truth sir I have been under some Apprehensions, that a certain Passage, in a very unfortunate as well as inconsiderate Letter, might have made Some disagreable Impressions on your Mind: I was indeed relieved in some Degree by Accounts...
14Enclosure: John Adams to James McHenry, Timothy Pickering, Oliver Wolcott, Junior, and Charles Lee, 24 January 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the U S. requests the Secy of State, the Secy of the treasury, the Secy of War and the Atty. general to take into consideration the state of the nation and its foreign relations especially with France. These indeed may be so connected with these, with England Spain Holland and others that perhaps the former cannot be well weighed without the other. If our Envoys extraordinary...
15From John Adams to Charles Lee, 21 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have read your report of the 17th of May relative to the conduct of Dr Stephens and Mr. Mayer & the documents under the labell useful. I have also read the report of the late Secretary of State of May 12th on the same subject & agree with both, that the conduct of Dr. Stephens ought to be approved and that Mr Mayer ought to be removed from his office. Mr. Hammond may be appointed to succeed...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Lee, 11 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Justin G. Turner, Los Angeles (1959) The Bearer Monsr. Arundel is directed by the Congress to repair to Gen. Schuyler, in order to be employ’d by him in the Artillery Service. He purposes to wait on you on his Way, and has requested me to introduce him by a Line to you. He has been an Officer in the French Service, as you will see by his Commissions; and professing a Good Will to our...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Lee, 19 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
One page reproduced in facsimile in Samuel T. Freeman sales catalogue, February 17, 1947, p. 7; full text reprinted from The Lee Papers (4 vols., New York, 1871–74), I , 313. I rejoice that you are going to Canada. I hope the Gout will not have the courage to follow you into that severe Climate. I believe you will have the Number of Men you wish for: I am told there will be 2,000 more: but...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 18 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, March 18, 1791. Directs Lee to supply funds for any notes George Washington may desire to exchange on the President’s southern tour. LS , RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives. This is the same letter that was sent to John Daves on this date.
19From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 9 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Lowrey a Merchant in your district presented at the Treasury some time ago the within certificate of your Deputy when he was informed that the direction to refund at the office where the Tonnage was received had been given in a circular letter to the Collectors of the 20th. August 1790. To prevent further difficulty a memorandum of the date of the letter was made on the back of the...
20From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 24 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
You were right in declining to pay the order which was made upon you by the District Court in relation to Charles Page. It was altogether irregular, and of course I cannot authorise its being complied with. I am with consideration Sir Your obedient ser ALS , RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 13 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
As it is possible The President of the United States may have occasion for some Money in Alexandria, you will retain for his own use one thousand Dollars. The receipt of any of the Gentlemen of his family for such part of the said sum as he may desire, when transmitted to this office will be duly covered with a warrant. I am, Sir, Your obedt Servant LS , RG 56, Letters to and from the...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 26 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, April 26, 1790. “I have directed the Treasurer to draw on You for 3075 Dollars.…” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Alexandria, Letters Received from the Secretary, National Archives.
23From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 26 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I had this morning the honor of a Message from the President of the United States signifying his wish, that the Monies for which he may have occasion during his absence from the seat of Government may be found in your office. I have therefore to request that you will pay to the order of the President of the United States any monies he may desire. I am Sir Your Obedient Servant Copy, RG 56,...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 20 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 20, 1792. “I duly received your letter of the 29th Ultimo, and am of opinion that you may safely accept an entry made under the appointment by Mr Cuthbert transmitted to me in that letter.” LS , RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives. Lee was collector...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 18 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Sufficient time having been given to the owners and commanders of vessels to provide regular manifests, according to the last collection law, I am of opinion that the clauses you refer to should now be enforced. You will do well to let this idea be communicated immediately among the Gentlemen in Trade, as the season admits of their taking measures to make it known. Their possessing the Pilots...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 1 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
An enquiry was made at this Office, during your absence from Alexandria relative to the case of Teas arriving in your district not accompanied with certificates. In consequence of which I request that you would inform the Surveyor, that in all cases wherein the marking of the packages or other circumstances prove the Teas to have been imported since the first of April last, the production of a...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 30 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 30, 1792. “In my letter to you of the 4th Ultimo I did not mention that a boat would be to be procured for harbour service, in the room of the one which has been delivered to the Collector of Cedar Point. This is however to be understood, and if it has not already been done, I request that a suitable one may be provided.…” LS , RG 56, Letters to and from the...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 4 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, July 4, 1790. “A Bill of the Treasury of the United States on you No. 370 for 1000 Dollars is received at this Office with your letter of the 25th Ultimo.” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Alexandria, Letters Received from the Secretary, National Archives. Letter not found.
29From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 3 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to reply to your letter of the 5th of July. The instruction respecting the mode of computing the additional ten ⅌ Cent on the new Duties is founded on the following reasoning. The words of the Section which relate to that addition are “The addition of 10 ⅌ Cent made by the Second Section of the ‘Act making further provision for the debts of the United States’ to the rates of Duties on...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 4 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to request that the Boat mentioned in your letter of the 11th of April last may be delivered to the Collector of Cedar Point. In your letter, under date the 21st of September last, was enclosed a copy of an order of the District Court for compensating Charles Page, who was called as a Witness in the suit against William Simpson, which, agreeably to my Circular letter of the 8th Ultimo,...
31From 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,...
32From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 16 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this day decided upon the case of Thomas Triplett. I could not consider the excuse which was alleged as a sufficient cause to induce a total remission. The interest of the United States is remitted to him, and he is to pay fifty Dollars for the benefit of persons, other than the United States. [That is to say there is a total remission on paying fifty Dollars & reasonable Costs &...
33From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 31 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 31, 1792. Encloses a copy of a letter which he has received from Francis Cabot. Concludes that if Lee is “satisfied of the truth of what is alleged, and no prosecution has been commenced, it will be agreeable to me that the wine be surrendered.” LS , RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 11 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
An application has been made to me for a boat for the use of the Customs at one of the ports on the Potomack below Alexandria. I am informed that the boat belonging to your district is found too large for harbour service, and that it would be more convenient to the Surveyor to have a small boat fit for the purpose to board vessels within a short distance of the Town. I wish to be informed if...
35From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 12 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 12, 1791. On September 21, 1791, Lee wrote to Hamilton : “Your letter of the 12th. shall be duly attended to.” Letter not found. ]
36From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 10 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Gray’s letter of the 9th Ultimo, relative to the seizure made by you of the Ship Washington, and of five Casks of Brandy, has been received. To obviate inconveniencies which the Owners might suffer by a delay, I have no objection to an immediate restoration of the Vessel and Brandy, provided the parties enter into Bond, with sufficient security, conditioned, that they will abide the event...
37From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 24 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, September 24, 1790. “In this enclosure you will find ⟨a⟩ letter for you transmitted to me by the collector of Providence. You will find also a copy of my answer to the letter which covered that to you. I request from you an account of the Cargo which the Nancy carried from Alexandria to Providence.…” LS , RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National...
38From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 12 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 12, 1790. “Your letter of the 31st. of December came duly to hand. A vessel partly the property of Citizens of Rhode Island can neither be registered as, nor admitted to the privileges of an American bottom.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives. Letter not found.
39From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 2 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have made a remittance to William Heth Esq. Collector of Bermuda Hundred in Notes of the Bank of North America, made payable to him, which I request you to exchange for specie should any of them be offered by the holders. The Cash included in your returns as well as that received in the current week may be used for that purpose, if requisite. I am Sir, your obedient servant. LS , Charles...
40From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 31 January 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, January 31, 1793. On February 7, 1793, Lee wrote to Hamilton : “In answer to your letter of the 31st. of last month.” Letter not found. ]
41From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 17 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, July 17, 1790. “Your letter of the 29th June has been duly received. I thank you for the information therein communicated.” LS , Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Nebraska. Letter not found.
42From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 10 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, October 10, 1790. “The purchase of a Boat such as is generally described in your letter of the 25th Ulto. has been authorized in some of the Districts & I have no objection to your procuring one for the Port of Alexandria.…” LS , RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National...
43From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 18 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 15th of January last duly came to hand. To your first & second queries you will find answers in former Letters. To your third I reply in the negative. I do not consider the jurisdictions of Alexandria & George Town as concurent in a sense which could supercede the rule to be observed in other cases. I remain Sir Your Obedt servt Copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small...
44From 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.
45From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 17 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November 17, 1789. “Several of the Officers of the different Ports within your State, have applied at this Office for Registers for Vessels. I find that there was a Delay in your receiving those which were forwarded to you.… As I presume however that all, which have been forwarded, have now come to hand, I am to request your Attention (if not already done) in distributing...
46Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 15 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
There is a species of information, which it will be convenient to you to obtain and which will be of important use to the Government: it respects the mode of Navigating of the several States; and of Foreign Nations. With a view to which I have framed a number of Queeries, to which as speedily as the requisite enquiries can be made, I request answers. Thought I do not consider it as a part of...
47To 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.
48To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, [7 January 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, January 7, 1792. On January 17, 1792, Hamilton wrote to George Washington : “The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to communicate to the President a letter of the 7th. of January 1792. from the Collector of Alexandria.” Letter not found. ]
49To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Lee, 7 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I forgot before I left London to desire You wou’d (if Mr. Durden shoud write to me on the subject of the Springsborough estate) direct it to me at Sir Charles Bunbury’s Barton near Bury St. Edmonds Suffolk. I shoud ask ten thoushand pardons for this liberty, and intreat You to believe me, Dear Sir, Your most obedient Servant Alexander Durdin, a Dublin...
50To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 26 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely glad that Morris is so far recover’d that there is a probability of his leaving Philadelphia Where I left him (as I thought) in a very bad way from the effects of his Southern expedition—I have the sincerest love and affection for him—his excellent qualities, his good sense and integrity must endear him to evrybody who knows him—Eustace I consider as my adopted Son. considering...