1From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, [12 August 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
We have a question of very great importance depending in Congress, in which the vote of your state would be decisive. It relates to the place of meeting of the future Congress—Six states and a half prefer New York five and a half Philadelphia. When your delegates were here they voted with us on the intermediate questions; but when the final question came to be put Mr. Hazard’s scruples...
2To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 23 August 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favr. of 12th. Inst. I Recd. not ’till yesterday haveing Just then Returned from the Country where I have been attending a Niece of mine who lays Dangerously ill. As your Communications are of a Delicate Nature, be assured Sr. I will hold them in the Fullest Confidence. Mr. A. Will be with you in the Question; Mr. H. I have not Seen. The principle Characters here are not So anxious about...
3To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 25 August 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
Since I had the Honor to address you 23rd. Inst. on the Subject of——; I have had the pleasure of a Full Conversation with Mr. A. He is Zealous in the matter and assures me he will go forward in one of the New York Packets by the last of this Week. I have wrote Mr. H. on the Subject and Warmly urged the Necessity of his going on with his Colleague Mr. A. and have made him an offer of a Draught...
4To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 10 September 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
I am Sorry to inform you that Mr. H. Cannot be prevailed on to attend Congress till after the Octr. Session of our Genl. Assembly which will be the last of the month, & which he means to attend, as he has been appointed a Representative for Charleston, Since his Return from New York. Mr. H’s Determination I have from a Gentleman in his Neighbourhood & well acquainted with his Politicks. I am...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, [6 October 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Your different favours have duly come to hand for which I thank you and for the trouble you have so obligingly taken to urge forward your delegation. Happily the affair has terminated to our wishes. But My Dear Sir I cannot refrain from being particularly anxious for the accession of your state to the new system. Tis very important to the whole Union & particularly to the Northern part of it...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 3 November 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favr. of 6th. Ulto. was duly Received. I thought proper to postpone Replying to it (till after the Session of the Genl. Assembly Should be over which Terminated on Saturday night last) in order that I might have it in my power to give you with more Certainty the proceedings of the Legislature on the Subject of the New Constitution; the Minority both in & out of the House took unwearied...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 4 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 4, 1790. Announces that Olney has been selected by the President to pay “pensions to Invalids for the Space of one year.” LS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence. On June 14, 1790, the Senate confirmed Olney’s appointment as collector of customs at Providence. This letter, except for the sums specified as owed to the “invalids,” is the same as the one...
8To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 12 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have Just been Honor’d with your favr. of 4th Inst. on the Subject of my being Designated by the President to pay the Invalid pensions of this State. You may be assured Sir that it affords me the most Singular pleasure to find that I am so much in the Remembrance of the President as to be Designated by him to Execute that Trust, and my Feelings Sir are no less Gratified in the Reflection...
9To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 7 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Permitt an old mittilary acquaintance to address you (with out apology) on a Subject particularly Interesting to himself and to request your Friendship and Influence with the President of the United States, to promote his Interests (So far as it shall in your opinion be consistant with propriety & the public Good) in Support of an application he has made to the President to be appointed to the...
10From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 14 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 14, 1790. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] ALS , sold at Merwin-Clayton, June 6, 1907, Lot 32.
11From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 17 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I take an opportunity as early as the hurry of business will permit, of transmitting to you my instructions and other communications to the several Collectors of the United States. As far as they may not be locally inapplicable to Rhode Island, I shall expect a careful observance of them. I am, Sir, Your obedt. Sert. Copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Providence, National Archives; copy,...
12To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 23 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my Return to Providence I have made enquiry Respecting fit persons to be Surveyors for Warren, Bristol & Pawcatuck River—but I cannot find but one person for the Port of Bri[s]tol, a Mr. Samuel Bozworth who is, as I am informed a very Good Character, & held the office under the State. Mr. Ellery probably may inform you of Suitable persons for the other Two ports. Danl. Updike as mention...
13To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 25 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, June 25, 1790. “Your favor of 17th. Inst. transmitting your instructions and communications to the several Collectors of the United States came to hand this day.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Providence, National Archives.
14To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 29 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, June 29, 1790. Asks Hamilton for the “forms of the several returns to be made from time to time.” Thinks that the surveyor should have a boat at Pawtucket to meet incoming ships. Asks for permission to purchase a set of scales and weights. Desires instructions on the collection of a tonnage duty which the state previously levied for defraying the cost of dredging the harbor. Copy,...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 30 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I am obliged to you for the information contained in your letter of the 23d. Instant. It will be agreeable to me, that you purchase Scales, & Weights, for the use of the Port of Providence. I have permitted small Sail Boats fit for harbor service to be purchased or built by some of the Collectors, & will not object to one for the purpose mentioned in your letter. These purchases will no doubt...
16From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 6 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
From your letter of the 23d. June, a doubt has arisen, with respect to the name of the Person whom you recommend as Surveyor for North Kingstown. One of the Senators of your State informs me, that he is acquainted with Daniel Updike, but knows of no person by the name of Daniel Eldridge Updike. If they are not two distinct persons, it will be necessary to ascertain the true name of the...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 7 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 29th. of June has been received. The Comptroller informs me that the forms for keeping and rendering your accounts, have been forwarded under cover to the Collector of Newbury Port; I doubt not they have since come to hand. I have generally authorised such boats as are requisite for the Surveyors & Inspectors to go on board of vessels, that is for harbour Service; for this purpose...
18To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 16 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, July 16, 1790. “Your favours of 6 & 7 Inst have been received. The name of the person recommended for Surveyor at the port of North Kingstown is Daniel Eldridge Updike. There is also another person of the same place by the name of Daniel Updike who is the State’s Attorney.… The forms transmitted by the Comptroller for Keeping the accots &c have been received.… In purchasing the...
19To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 19 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, July 19, 1790. “The rigging, Sails cables and anchors belonging to the Brig Happy Return, lately stranded at Dublin, arrived here on the fifteenth instant; presuming those articles were, at some rate or other dutiable, I demanded a bond of the owners to secure the duties until the exact amount could be ascertained.… Having promised … to postpone the final adjustment of the matter...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 2 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, August 2, 1790. “Enclosed are a Register and License given at the Custom House at New York for the Sloop Charlotte belonging to Warwick within this District;… in conformity to the law for registering vessels, it appeared to me to be necessary that she should be registered anew at this office, which has this day been done.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Providence,...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 18 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 18, 1790. “It appears on examination that the Sloop Sharlottes license ought to have been dated in July last, as you supposed.… I beg your attention to that part of my Circular letters, that instructs the Collectors to make weekly returns to this office, of their receipts and payments and of the Cash in their hands.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at...
22To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 23 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, August 23, 1790. Suspects that “a note for one hundred Dollars, issued … at the Bank of New York” is a counterfeit. Asks Hamilton for instructions. Asks if the expense of appraising imported goods should be defrayed by the importer or the government. Copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Providence, National Archives; ADfS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence.
23To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 27 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, August 27, 1790. “Enclosed is my Return of Cash for the last week.… Lest the original letter of which the enclosed is a duplicate, should have miscarried, I beg leave to call your attention to its contents. A small importation, besides the Sails &c was made by Messrs Jos & Wm Russell in the Brig Mary from Dublin, the duties on which remains unliquidated on account of those articles...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 1 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, September 1, 1790. “The Cashier of the Bank informs me that from the description of the Bank Bill contained in your letter of the 23d. Ulto. it is not supposed to be counterfeit.… Expence in appraising goods very seldom arises.… If it is the case of goods damaged or without invoice and it is insisted on, the importer for whose benefit or convenience it is made, seems to be...
25To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 2 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, September 2, 1790. “I herewith enclose my monthly return of Bonds for August, and the weekly one for Cash.… Your letter of the 20. and Mr. Coxe’s of the 19 of August covering several laws of the United States, have come to hand. I observe that the duties which have been collected upon Merchandise of the growth and manufacture of the United States, shipped for sale to foreign ports,...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 8 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, September 8, 1790. “A coasting vessel, of about 49. tons burthen, belonging to this place, having on board a quantity of cheese, stone lime, tow cloth &c manufactured in the United States, and to the amount of about forty Dollars in European Goods sailed the beginning of August for Alexandria in Virginia. On a previous application of the Capt and owners to me, I told them, that by...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 17 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The case of the Brig Happy Return as stated in your letter of 19th. July has lain over some time for consideration. If the owners prove to your satisfaction that the goods imported are all as they allege of the produce or manufacture of the United States, no duty is now to be paid as the new collection law gives relief to the owners of such articles brought back. You will examine however...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 24 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter containing a state of Facts in the case of the Cargo of the Sloop Nancy seized by the Collector of Alexandria. The Coasting Act renders it the duty of the Collectors to seize all Goods not contained in the Manifests of Vessels trading between two Districts in States that do not adjoin. Mr Lee therefo⟨re⟩ appears merely to have obeyed the injunctions of the...
29To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 1 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letters of the 7. & 24. of Sept relative to the Brig Happy-Return and the Sloop Nancy have been received: I am extremely sorry that my misconstruction of the Law should be the cause of so much trouble and expence to those concerned in freighting the Sloop Nancy, and shall therefore attend immediately to your recommendations respecting the seizure of the Cargo at Alexandria. She returned...
30To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 4 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
On the second instant I went to Newport and made oath to my declaration (of which the enclosed is a copy) relative to the case of the Sloop Nancy, Chrisr Thornton master, before the District Judge agreeably to your directions; excepting the presence of the Attorney of the United States who was absent. Mr. Marchant has enclosed it to the District Judge of Virginia, and it will be forwarded by...
31To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 22 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is my return of Cash for the last week, the balance of which being 555.30½ is in Specie. I also enclose an Account of a few articles of foreign manufacture, which were in June last, soon after this office was opened, exported (not for drawback) by Messrs Brown & Francis to the Cape de Verds: from whence they have within a few days past arrived in the same vessel, and been reported by...
32To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 29 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, October 29, 1790. “Enclosed is my Weekly return of Cash.… I also enclose a draft, which I have paid, of the Treasurer of the United States in favor of Wm Seton Esquire Cashier of the Bank of New York.… Since my last Messrs Brown & Francis have secured the payment of the duties on the returned articles therein mentioned.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Providence,...
33From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 6 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, November 6, 1790. On November 19, 1790, Olney wrote to Hamilton: “Your letter of the 6. instant … came to hand this day.” Letter not found. ] The letter of November 19, 1790, is a routine Treasury letter and has not been printed. It can be found in RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Providence, National Archives.
34To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 8 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, November 8, 1790. “The master of the Sloop Samuel of this place late commanded by John Arnold, being changed, I have this day certified on the Register, numbered 22., that Wm Flemming is the present master.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Providence, National Archives; LS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence.
35To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 12 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, November 12, 1790. “Enclosed is my return of Cash for the week past.… I also enclose a duplicate list of five Bank notes.… The Sloop Polly, James Munro Jr late master, registered in this office the 24. of July last, being sold out of the United States, the Certificate of Registry … was yesterday returned and the bond cancelled.” Copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at...
36To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 29 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Ship Warren, burthen about 281 Tons, belonging to Messrs. Brown & Francis of this Town, being bound on a Voyage to Calcutta, having part of her Cargo onboard, composed of the Articles contained in the enclosed copy of a Manifest, (since delivered) and not Registered under the present Government of the United States, sailed from hence on the 25th. instant, for Newport, there to take in the...
37From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 13 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter relative to the Ship Warren, and highly approve the vigilance and firmness, which you have Shewn in this case. It does not appear that any penalty or forfeiture is incurred by the vessel’s departure from your District, without papers, because she was not licensed , and not bound to a foreign port . But the Deputy Collector of Newport ought, as I understand the...
38To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 24 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, December 24, 1790. “I have this day received your letter of the 13. instant. Contrary to what Mr Brown informed me was his intention, the ship Warren did not return from Newport to this port; but having completed her lading there, she sails, as I am informed, about this time for India. I have only to add that she lay four days in the harbour of Newport without any Papers entitling...
39To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 27 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
It frequently happens, in the Winter Season, that vessels, belonging and bound to this place, are obliged by the Ice, to stop off Warwick-Neck, just without this district, and about eleven miles from hence, where they are almost always unavoidably detained 24 hours, and often from two to fifteen days, and as the river is now frozen up, and several vessels are daily expected from Sea: I ask the...
40To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 6 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, January 6, 1791. “I beg leave to call your friendly attention to the enclosed statement of the emoluments of this office; by which it appears that the net amount thereof will be only about 200 Dolls ⅌ annum. The extreme inadequacy of this sum to the services performed, obliges me to entreat of you to lay the matter before the Legislature for their information; not doubting but they...
41To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 10 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
By a misconception of the Law respecting the 10 ⅌ cent discount on goods imported in American vessels, which ’till within a few days, I supposed to cease on the first day of October last, the balance of 16.314 dolls & 45¼ cents which appears by my accounts transmitted on the 3. inst, to be due to the United States is 1.114 dolls & 72 cents more than it should be, this sum being the amount of...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 17 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The ships Vigilant and Hope, belonging and bound to this place from foreign Ports, were by distress of weather obliged, on the 25. & 27 December, to put into New London, where they were admitted to an entry, and the duties secured to be there paid. They have since arrived here with their Cargoes; and I observe, by an estimate of the duties on that of the Vigilant, that none were demanded on...
43To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 17 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, January 17, 1791. “I have promised the subscribers to the enclosed representation, relative to the value of the Rix dollar of Denmark, that I would lay the matter before you for your opinion and instructions thereon. If their presumption as to the meaning of the Legislature in fixing the rate of that coin is true, I suppose it will be right to refund the duties on their several...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 31 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, January 31, 1791. “The President of the United States being about to appoint the 1st. 2d. & 3d. Mates of the revenue Cutters, it will be of public service to obtain the names of some persons of your State suitable for those duties.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Providence, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National...
45To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 14 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, February 14, 1791. “The enclosed Letter to the Treasurer, covers the second Moieties (the first being transmitted the 10th. instant) of Two Bank Notes, amounting, ⅌ triplicate List herewith, to 127 Dollars.… I have … received your Letter of the 31st. Ulto., relative to the appointment of Mates to the Revenue Cutters. I have in view Two or Three Persons whom I could recommend as...
46To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 17 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, February 17, 1791. “In conformity to your Letter of the 31st. of January I now beg leave to make Jeremiah Greenman and Daniel Bucklin Junr., both of this Town, as Persons well qualified to fill the stations of First and Second Mates onboard the Revenue Cutter building in Connecticut.…” ADfS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence; copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at...
47To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 28 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, February 28, 1791. Asks Hamilton’s opinion on the “Construction of the Law, relative to the 12 ⅌ Cent allowed for Tare on Sugars &c.” Asks if the same “deduction for Tare is allowed” for “Cocoa in Bags” as for coffee. ADfS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence; copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Providence, National Archives. This is provided in Section 35 of “An...
48To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 3 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, March 3, 1791. “Enclosed are my Weekly Return of Cash No. 30, and Monthly Schedule of Bonds for Feby.… I have also just received your Letter of the 18th. of December last, together with the Hydrometer, intended as a substitute to Dycas’s, the Directions for their use.… Particular attention shall be paid to your Directions relative to this Instrument.…” ADfS , Rhode Island...
49To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 17 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, March 17, 1791. “I have received your Letter of the 5th. instant, relative to the Payment of Money in my hands to the Commissioner of Loans for this State: Your directions therein shall be punctually attended to.…” ADfS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence; copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Providence, National Archives. “Treasury Department Circular to the...
50To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 31 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, March 31, 1791. “I have received Mr. Coxe’s circular Letter of the 10th. instant. The Returns of Vessels built in this District, within the periods therein mentioned, shall be forwarded as soon as I can obtain a competent knowledge thereof. And should any Documents, relative to the Commerce, Manufactures &c. of this State, fall into my hands, they shall be transmitted agreeable to...