61To George Washington from Charles Lee, 18 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have conversed with Mr Rawle on the petition of Daniel Hamilton for a pardon of his offence and on the petition of Daniel Leet and others for a general pardon of all those concerned in the late western insurrection to whom the clemency of government has not yet been extended. We concur in opinion that so long as any offender keeps himself out of the power of that court to which he is...
62To George Washington from Charles Lee, 29 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have examined with care the journals of the house of representatives and I have not met with any act of your administration which contradicts your present opinion relative to the right of that house to participate in making treaties, or any other part of your intended message. Col. Pickering was desired to express this as my opinion, and least he should omit it I have thought it necessary to...
63To George Washington from Charles Lee, 26 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
It is my opinion that the house of representatives have not a right by the constitution to demand and obtain the papers described in their resolution of the 24th instant without the consent of the President. I am not acquainted with those papers, but supposing they contain nothing which may not be disclosed to the public I think it will be expedient under the circumstances of this particular...
64To George Washington from Charles Lee, 20 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have very little doubt, that Mr John Marshall would not act as a commissioner under the treaty with Great Britain for deciding on the claims of creditors. I have been long acquainted with his private affairs and I think it almost impossible for him to undertake that office. If he would, I know not any objection that subsists against him—1st He is not a debtor, 2d He cannot be benefitted or...
65To George Washington from Charles Lee, 18 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Upon the Petition of Robert Randall the Attorney General reports most respectfully to the President of the United States That to attempt to corrupt the intergrity of a member of the legislature in his legislative functions, by offering to him a bribe in money, land or other valuable commodity is an offence indictable at common law and most properly cognisable in a court of justice. It is a...
66To George Washington from Charles Lee, 30 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 19th to which I take the earliest opportunity of answering. In expressing my willingness to accept the office of Attorney General of the United States, I do it with the utmost diffidence of my competency and can only assure you I will endeavour to discharge its important duties with diligence and fidelity. I had been arranging for a retired life, but...
67From George Washington to Charles Lee, 19 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Office of Attorney Genl of the U. States is not yet filled. The reason why it is not Genl Lee, at my request, will frankly relate to you. If you could make it convenient, and agreeable to yourself to accept it, I should derive pleasure therefrom, both from public & private considerations; being persuaded that the duties of the Office will be well executed, and because I should be much...
68To George Washington from Charles Lee, 18 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Some time ago I received from mr Gill your letter with the papers accompanying it for the purpose of preparing an instrument according to your instructions, which I regret could not have been done before now on account of my absence with my family from town on account of the Small pox. Only last teusday we returned and I mention this to excuse mr Gill as well as myself for the delay which has...
69From George Washington to Charles Lee, 27 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
If you will be so good as to let me know what I am indebted to you on acct of Colvills Estate—or any other—I will pay the money before I return, or leave the same for my manager to do. I am—Dr Sir Your obedt Servt ALS , DeHi . No reply has been found, but GW’s farm manager, William Pearce, recorded a payment of £28.09.9 to Lee on 3 July (Mount Vernon Accounts, 1794-1797).
70From George Washington to Charles Lee, 1793 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Charles Lee, 1793. An ADfS of this letter was offered for sale on 5 Dec. 1889 as item 334 in Bangs & Co., Catalogue of a Valuable Collection of Autographs. The catalog entry reads: “Written at Mt. Vernon. This is the first draft of the letter and is interesting, showing how careful Washington was to make corrections before sending off the clean copy.”
71To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 12 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Having resigned the Office of Collector, at the District of Alexandria, my successor who I have heard is to be John Fitzgerald, will to-morrow commence his official duties. To him, I have supposed myself bound to pay the balance of public monies and of public bonds due from me at this time, and his receipt I shall transmit to the Comptroller, that he may be debited with the amount. To him also...
72To George Washington from Charles Lee, 4 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
The objects which I have in veiw at this time will not permit me conveniently to continue in the Office of Collector at Alexandria which you were pleased to entrust to me. About the 12th of this month I shall have occasion to leave town and previously it is my wish to deliver up all my official books documents & papers to my successor and I am therefore to request that you will be pleased to...
73To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 7 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 31st. of last month I am to inform you, that there were in the mail as I suppose at the time of the robbery on the 28th. of last month a paid Treasury Draft of 1000 dollars, cancelled and receipted in the usual manner, a more description of which is contained in the annexed copy of the receipt now in this office; also a weekly return from my Office, a duplicate...
74From 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. ]
75To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 1 January 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Alexandria [ Virginia ] January 1, 1793 . Transmits a statement of “Tonnage, Duties, payments, and drawbacks, during the last quarter.” Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives. This letter was written in reply to H’s “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” October 12, 1792 .
76To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 4 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Alexandria [ Virginia ] December 4, 1792 . Reports that no bounties on fishing vessels will be payable “within this District for the present year.” Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives. Lee was collector of customs at Alexandria, Virginia. See “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” October 25, 1792 .
77To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 30 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
A considerable sum in cut silver is now in my Office, which has been accumulating for some time past, as in no case except now and then it has been in my power to pay any part, in discharge of a Treasury Draft. An offer to pay this kind of money to a holder of a warrant upon this Office, gives dissatisfaction, and supposing this kind of money might be useful at the mint, I have thought it my...
78From 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...
79From 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...
80To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 14 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your two letters of the 20th and 22d July last have been received, the latter accompanied with the opinion of the Attorney General upon the subject of fees under the Coasting Law; and as his opinion differs from your own, and each Collector is left to act according to Law at his peril, I have been embarrassed whether the practice of this Office, ought to be conformed to the opinion of the...
81From 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...
82From 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 &...
83To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 5 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Circular of the 25th. June last, has been received in which among other things is explained how the additional 10 per Cent on the duties upon Goods, imported in Vessels not of the United States is to be computed; I shall conform to your instruction though I own had I not received it, the computation would have been made on the total Duties without distinguishing the old from the new...
84From 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,...
85To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 11 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, April 11, 1792. On July 4, 1792, Hamilton acknowledged the receipt of Lee’s letter of April 11, 1792. Letter not found. ]
86From 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...
87To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 29 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 18th. Instant and I shall act conformably to it with respect to the clauses of the Collection Law, to which it refers. As to the appointment of a person to measure vessels, in considering the parts of the Coasting Law, which apply to the subject, more particularly the third and thirty first sections, I have conceived that the measurement of every vessel ought...
88From 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...
89To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 11 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Due pains were taken by me in causing to be published the several parts of the last Collection Law, which were necessary to be known to the Merchants, for regulating their conduct. The 9th. and 10th. Sections are not accurately observed in scarcely any one instance; for the Manifest thereby required is generally made after the vessels arrival to its port of destination. The account of the...
90To 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. ]
91To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 8 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Ship Washington and the Brandy that were seized here, have been delivered up to the Owners, they having given bond with security to abide the legal decision of the seizure. I am Sir! respectfully Your most Obedient Servant Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives. For background to this letter, see H to Lee, November 10, 1791 .
92From 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...
93From 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...
94From 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...
95To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 21 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 12th. shall be duly attended to. The Scale Beam and Chains, Scale plates and Triangle intended for the Collector of George Town have arrived and will be forwarded to him by the first opportunity. The inclosed is a copy of a claim in favour of Charles Page which is submitted to you for your direction as to the payment expected from me. Without further authority from the...
96From 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...
97From 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. ]
98From 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...
99To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 20 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Circular of the 5th. of August and due attention shall be observed respecting the Certificates of Registry therein mentioned. I have returned an account of Decked Vessels up to the 1st. of March last and of Imports and Exports to the 1st of July last; also of the Inward Tonnage to the last mentioned period; and the best account of the outward Tonnage in my power to make...
100To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 3 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Alexandria [ Virginia ] July 3, 1791 . “In answer to your letter of the 13th of May, I shall make the following observations. Within this District the practice has been to ascertain the Duties, by Guaging, Weighing and Measuring in all cases where those operations are required by Law. The Authority of an Inspector put on board a vessel coming from an other District into this, has been...
101From 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...
102From 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.
103From 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...
104To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 22 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Application has been made to me by Mr. William Lowry of this Town for the refund of the foreign Tonnage paid upon the Entry of the Brig Rachel on the 24th day of April last who alledges that this case is within the relief of the Act of the last Session of Congress entitled an act Imposing Duties on the Tonnage of Ships or Vessels. Before the late change of Government the Brig Rachel had an...
105To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 16 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of 24th. September last covering a letter to me from the Collector of Providence, and your answer to him respecting the Sloop Nancy, Christopher Thornton master. The Merchants to whom she was consigned at Alexandria have informed my deputy Mr Gray that she returned without any Cargo on board when she left our Town, and whatever she had on board on her arrival at...
106From 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...
107To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 25 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, September 25, 1790. On October 10, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lee concerning the “purchase of a Boat such as is generally described in your letter of the 25th Ulto.” Letter not found. ]
108To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 25 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Officers of the Customs are sometimes put to inconvenience in boarding vessels as they arrive. Hitherto they have been obliged to use such as the Merchants would lend. I think it would be proper that a small boat should be provided for the use of this District the cost of which may be computed at from seventy to one hundred Dollars, and with your directions such an one shall be procured as...
109From 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...
110From George Washington to Charles Lee, 20 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 12th. About Six hundred dollars may supply my wants between this and my arrival in Philadelphia. At present I have no immediate call. Mrs Washington and myself, during our stay at this place, will at all times be glad to see Mrs Lee & yourself, and other friends & acquaintances without ceremony. I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Hble Servt ALS (facsimile),...