To George Washington from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 6 July 1796
From Oliver Wolcott, Jr.
Treasury Department July 6. 1796.
The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully transmits to the President of the United States a Letter from the Commissioner of the Revenue dated the 5th instant, covering a provisional contract entered into by William Allibone superintendent of the Light house establishment for the Bay of Delaware, with Garret Hulsecamp for placing & manageing the floating Beacons & Buoys in the said bay of Delaware.
Proposals for executing the business in question were received from several other persons; but as the one made by Hulsecamp was the lowest & perhaps not unreasonable considering the advanced price of living, the Secretary is of opinion that it will be for the interest of the U. States if the President should think proper to approve of the said provisional contract between the Superintendent & Garret Hulsecamp.1 All which is most repectfully submitted to the consideration of the President U.S.2
Olivr Wolcott Jr
Secy of the Treasury
LB, DLC:GW.
1. Garret Hulsekamp (died c.1812) was a pilot for the Delaware bay and river.
Commissioner of the Revenue Tench Coxe wrote Wolcott on 5 July 1796 that Hulsekamp was “an old pilot of Philadelphia” and had provided “satisfactory Sureties. … The former contract was at two hundred pounds, & many efforts have been made by the late contractor to procure an advance. He has lately resigned and made an Oral offer at 934 Dollars” (DNA: RG 29, Lighthouse Letters). Hulsekamp’s contract, dated 4 July, offered him $750 per year for tending the beacons and buoys; it received GW’s approval on 12 July (DNA: RG 29, Lighthouse Deeds and Contracts).
2. GW replied to Wolcott from Mount Vernon on 13 July: “The contract entered into between William Allibone, Superintendent of the Light House establishment for the Bay of Delaware, and Garret Hulsecamp, for placing and managing the floating Beacons & Buoys in the said Bay, of Delaware, is returned approved.
“It is to be presumed that these contracts are not more frequent than necessary; yet, as they are so often repeated; and are heavy in the aggregate, for the above mentioned Bay; it may not be inexpedient to make indirect enquiries whether these frequent renewals is the result of real necessity. And to what account the old materials are carried” (ALS, CtHi: Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Papers; LB, DLC:GW). Wolcott acknowledged this letter when he wrote GW on 23 July.