1To John Adams from Charles Lee, 26 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to Congress a report in pursuance of their resolution of the 3d of March, 1795, respecting the title to the land situate in the south western parts of the United States, claimed by certain companies in that resolution described under a law of the state of Georgia, passed the 7th day of January in the year 1794. It is accompanied with all the charters, treaties, and...
2To 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.
3To 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. ]
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To 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. ]
7To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 24 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Alexandria [ Virginia ] December 24, 1789 . “… Having sent a copy of your queries to some of the principal merchants in this state, I have the answer of one of them Mr. Alexander Donald of Richmond, this Gentleman formerly and since the American Independence has been extensively engaged in the Commerce of this State, and I take the liberty to enclose his letter as one containing a description...
8To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 31 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The people here concerned in trade have been long accustomed to a due execution of Impost laws and have been in the habit of punctuality in payment of their duties so that I hope there will seldom be occasion to apply to legal remedies. Your instruction as expressed in your letter to me of the 18th. Instant shall be duly obeyed. A Vessel which was Registered in Rhode Island in the year 1787...
9To 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...
10To 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. ]
11To 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...
12To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 20 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Within the last ten days a process was served on Captain William Simpson of the Brig Ranger on account of the Penalty for a false entry of his Cargo 70 pairs of Cotton Stockings having been omitted. By the laws of Virginia special bail is not required in cases of prosecutions for penalties except in certain instances where the same is demanded by the Acts of Assembly. The Laws of the Congress...
13To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 8 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Circular letter of the 23rd December Ultimo. and have the satisfaction to find your opinion on the several points therein stated corresponds with what has already been done in my Office as occasion has required except with regard to Vessels going in Ballast for an outward cargo or to finish her load of an outward Cargo, from one District into another and in such cases I...
14To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 29 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The amount of my fees under the collection law from the 1st. of August 1789 to the 1st. of Jany 1790 $294.40 Amount of my fees, under the coasting law within the same period } 46.40 Amount of my Commissions, on the sums paid, within the same period } 23.42 364.22 Having stated above the gross amount of the emoluments of my office suffer me to add an account of the charges which have been...
15To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 30 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, June 30, 1790. On July 9, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lee: “These are to acknowlege the receipt of … your Letter of the 30th June.” Letter not found. ] Because it pertains to routine Treasury Department matters, H’s letter to Lee has not been printed.
16To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 15 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, January 15, 1790. On February 18, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lee : “Your Letter of the 15th of January last duly came to hand.” Letter not found. ]
17To 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...
18To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 29 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, June 29, 1790. On July 17, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lee : “Your letter of the 29th June has been duly received.” Letter not found. ]
19To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 6 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, December 6, 1789. On December 18, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Lee : “I have received your Letter of the 6th instant.” Letter not found. ]
20To 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...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 31 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, December 31, 1789. On February 12, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lee : “Your letter of the 31st. of December came duly to hand.” Letter not found. ]
22To 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...
23To 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...
24To 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...
25To 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...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 21 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Upon the River Powtomack there are five Collectorships, two in Maryland and three in Virginia. I will forbear to give my opinion till more mature consideration, what alterations ought to be made, but, at present I can venture to say that they are not all necessary, either for mercantile convenience, or for the better collection of the revenue. The distance from Georgetown to Alexandria is...
27To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 30 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of instruction upon the subject of calculating the duties, accompanied with the opinions of counsel concerning the fees under the coasting law. As to the former the practice of my office has corresponded with your directions since the receipt of the form of making quarterly returns. As to the latter the opinion of the learned Counsel agree with my own and according...
28To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 25 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, June 25, 1790. On July 4, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lee acknowledging receipt of Lee’s “letter of the 25th Ultimo.” Letter not found. ]
29To 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...
30To 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 .
31To 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...
32To 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...
33To 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 .
34To 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 .
35To George Washington from Charles Lee, 22 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
There is reason to believe unless the Congress during their present Session shall make some addition to the fees or emoluments now allowed to the Attornies of the United States in the several Districts, that some of the most useful of those Officers will resign and their vacancies I fear it will be found impossible to fill with fit persons. None but eminent Counsel ought to be called to those...
36To 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...
37To 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...
38To George Washington from Charles Lee, 14 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have examined the journals of the House of Representatives and also of the Senate respecting your message to Congress of the 18th of February 1793 accompanied with a report and plot of the territory of the United States on Patowmack. In each House an order was made that the message lie on the table. On the next day the Clerk of the House of Representatives delivered to the Senate a message...
39To 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...
40To George Washington from Charles Lee, 20 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Attorney General having considered the information contained in Mr Wolcott’s note of the 19th instant most respectfully reports. That it affords reasonable ground to believe that the Republic of France has serious expectations to obtain from the King of Spain all or a part of his territories on the continent of North America, and contemplating a separation in government of the Western from...
41To 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...
42To George Washington from Charles Lee, 8 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have been reflecting on the train of measures to be pursued respecting the western posts which yesterday seemed to meet your approbation. The subject was new to me then, and therefore I hope you will excuse me for presenting to your better judgment the result of mine on the letter proposed to be written to Lord Dorchester. That part of it which is to express an acquiescence on your part in...
43To 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...
44To George Washington from Charles Lee, 12 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Alexandria [Va.], 12 Sept. 1790. Informs GW of his readiness to comply with the secretary of the treasury’s orders to provide the president with any required funds in his hands. ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. Alexander Hamilton wrote to the collector of customs at Alexandria on 26 Aug. 1790 that “I had this morning the honor of a Message from the President of the United States...
45To George Washington from Charles Lee, 3 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having long served as the custom house officer of South Patowmack and I trust with the approbation of my country, I have been induced to express my wishes to be reappointed in the same department least my silence should be misunderstood. I pray leave at this time to mention Mr Richard Marshall Scott as a person from long experience in this line of business capable and deserving of any office...
46To George Washington from Charles Lee, 4 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Attorney General having taken into mature consideration “the act for the relief and protection of American Seamen” which grew out of the bill “for the relief and protection of American Seamen” passed in the house of representatives of the United States on the 28th march 1796 and afterwards amended in the Senate, the opinions of William Lewis and William Rawle thereupon, the letter from the...
47To 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...
48To George Washington from Charles Lee, 7 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
After bestowing the best consideration upon the several matters mentioned in your letter of the 6th I had formed an opinion that our minister plenipotentiary at Paris, ought not to be permitted to continue there, any longer than until the arrival of his Successor; and that it was not only expedient but absolutely necessary that he should be immediately recalled and another minister appointed....
49To 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...
50To 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...