From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, 1 May 1794
To William Ellery
T. D. May 1st 1794
Sir
The case stated in your letter of the 8th of April with regard to certain vessels which violated the law laying an embargo,1 ought to be reported to the District Attorney,2 in order that he may judge whether the parties are not indictable for disobeying an injunction of the law and what may be proper to be done.
You have been already instructed3 in regard to the Schooner Boyne.4 Inclosed I transmit you the Copy of a letter from Capt Wanton to the President relating to the transaction.5 I request that you will reply to that part of it which respects your conduct and declarations in the affair.
I am Sir, with great consideration Your obedt. Servt
Wm Ellery Esq.
Collector Newport
Copy, Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford.
1. See “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” March 26, 1794. See also “Cabinet Meeting. Opinion on the Best Mode of Executing the Embargo,” March 26, 1794; Ellery to H, April 1, 1794; Jeremiah Olney to H, March 31, April 3, 1794; H to Olney, April 23, 1794.
2. Ray Greene.
3. H’s letter to Ellery, which has not been found, was dated April 22, 1794. See Ellery to H, May 5, 1794.
5. For the letter from John Wanton, commander of the fort at Newport, Rhode Island, to George Washington, see Bartholomew Dandridge to H, April 19, 1794, note 2.