1To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 10 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
My last letter to the late Commrs of the Treasury was dated June 9th 1789. to which I received no answer, nor have I received any information from them since the 25th. of May last, and that was in a letter from their Secry. Not receiving any letter from them after the meeting of Congress under the New-Government; not from you since you was placed at the head of the Treasury, and Congress not...
2To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 8 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter and now transmit by the Post my receipts from the 1st. of Apl. to the last of Sepr. 1789 and from Oct. the 1st to the last day of Dece. 1789. I have authorized Benjamin Huntington Esqr. by a power of Attorney to receive on my account the sum of One thousand dollars which you advise me you shall be ready to advance on account of my Salary on the settlement of my...
3To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 30 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] March 30, 1790 . States that there is an error in his “Account Current of money received and paid” and that the “charge for my quarter’s salary commencing Oct. 1st. and ending Dece. 31 1789 instead of 150 Dollars is carried out 300 Dolls.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. For background to this letter, see Ellery to H, January 10 , March 8, 1790...
4To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, [June 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honour of receiving your letter of the 19th. the currt. with the Acts of the United States, and the copies of circular letters which accompanied it. I have not had time as yet to peruse them. I mean to read them with attention, and to act conformably to them. I wish that the forms of the papers to be used in the Custom Houses had been drawn, and transmitted by you to the several...
5To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 1 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] June 1, 1790 . “I have received your letter of the 17th. of the last month, and … now transmit to you … four bundles of Indents … and another package of blank Loan-Office Certife.… I have no bills of credit, known by name of the New Emissions. I find by the News papers that an appropriation is made by law for discharging the demands which exist against the United...
6To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 22 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] June 22, 1790 . “Your letter of the 7th. instant … did not come into my hands until the 19th.… I hope and trust that the computation of the Auditor will conform with my account.… I have authorized Benjamin Huntington, Esqr. to receive of you on my account Four hundred and Sixty Dollars and twenty six Cents, the sum which by your letter you are ready to pay.” LC ,...
7To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 6 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] July 6, 1790 . “Last Tuesday … Capt. Sheffield presented a protest … and requested that he might be permitted to unlade part of his cargo in order that he might take out his masts … and a permission was granted to him for that purpose. I shall take the foreign tonnage of him, and permit him to proceed to L Orient the place of his destination; but shall not give him a...
8To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 12 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] July 12, 1790 . “… I have read over the circular letter which contains the opinion of two eminent lawyers … which respects the exemption of Vessels under twenty tons from paying fees for their licences.… if Licensed Vessels under Twenty tons may trade between the difft. districts of the United States, or carry on the bank or whale fisheries … it would seem to me that a...
9To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 2 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] August 2, 1790 . States that the land on which the Newport lighthouse is located does not belong to the state of Rhode Island. Discusses means of eliminating smuggling in his district. Asks whether Section 40 of the Collection Law applies to both vessels owned by citizens of the United States and those owned by foreigners. LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport,...
10To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 9 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] August 9, 1790 . Asks whether drawbacks are allowable on pickled fish which has been imported, repacked, and then exported to the West Indies. LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. For H’s reply to this question, see “Report on Defects in the Existing Laws of Revenue,” April 22, 1790 ( PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New...
11To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 23 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] August 23, 1790 . “The arrival of the President of the U. S. the last Tuesday morning prevented my sending the returns last week. I send them this.… The Person appointed to collect Light Money by the Govr. of this State continues to do it, and the trade complains of being obliged to pay tonnage to the United States and Light money to the State. I wish for your...
12To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 14 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] September 14, 1790 . “… The Genl. Assembly of this State at their Session in Bristol, the last week repealed the Acts of the State relative to the Light House, and it is now expected that I should see that the light is kept.… I have engaged William Martin … to take care of it … until I shall have received directions from you. Nothing was done by the Genl. Assembly...
13To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 20 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] September 20, 1790 . Wishes to suggest some changes in the provisions of the Coasting Act. Proposes that Section 11 be changed so that when a ship or vessel is sold or transferred “a production of such bill of sale to the Collector by the owner be made a condition of his receiving a new Certificate of Registry.” States: “By the 12th Sec: when the master of a registered...
14To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 27 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
This letter will be accompanied by a weekly return of cash. In my last I ventured to offer some hints respecting the Coastg. Act, permit me in this to make some additional remarks, and to propose some other questions. By the 22nd. Sect: of that Act whenever the property of an enrolled vessel is changed the Owner or Owners thereof are required to make known such change to the Colle. of the...
15To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 5 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] October 5, 1790 . “… I wish to know whether it would be convenient to you to pay the balance due to me of Eighty four Dolls as late Commr. of the Loan Office in this State.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. For background to this letter, see Ellery to H, January 10 , March 8 , 30 , June 1 , 22, 1790 ; H to Benjamin Huntington, March 19, 1790
16To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, [11–18 October 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island, October 11–18, 1790. ] “I received your particular letter of the 27th of your circular letter of the 30th. of Sept. last.… I will make a provisional Contract with William Martin for his allowance for keeping the Light.… The Collection of Light money by the State has been discontinued.… I expect the Legislature will make a ⟨mo⟩tion of their right and title to the Light...
17To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 18 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] October 18, 1790 . Encloses a provisional contract made with William Martin “in conformity to your letter of the 27th of Sept.” Requests opinion whether, under the provisions of “The Act to provide more effecty. for the Collection of the Duties on goods &c,” duties are to be repaid on “Goods &c of the growth or manufacture of the United States or of this State …...
18To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 25 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] October 25, 1790 . “I received your letter of the 7th.,… with the Act of the United States therein enclosed. … Your idea is perfectly right that the Light money mentioned by me was for the purpose of supporting the Light-House establishments in this State, and distinct from the imposition you refer to to which Congress have declared their consent.… I have delivered to...
19To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 1 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] November 1, 1790 . Submits questions concerning the interpretation of “the second clause in the 17th. page” and “the 27th. page” of the Collection Law. States that the state legislature has postponed passage of a motion ceding its right and title to the Newport lighthouse to the United States. LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. See Sections 16 and...
20To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 8 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] November 8, 1790 . “… In my letter of the 12th. of July I expressed a wish that the fees for every service had been precisely ascertained. I hope that this will take place in the new Coasting Act.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Printed in this volume. See Ellery to H, September 20, 1790, note 1 (printed in this volume).
21To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 16 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] November 16, 1790 . “I have received your letter of the 29th of Octe. with the inclosed Acts.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Letter not found.
22To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 22 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] November 22, 1790 . “William Brightman Master of the Schooner Fly a British built vessel of the burthen of Twenty two tons & ¾ as measured by the Surveyor of this Port arrived here last tuesday and reported his vessel and Cargo consisting of about fifty Quintals of dried Codfish and ten Tons of Train Oil. Upon inquiry we found that he had no Register or any other...
23To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 17 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
On my return from the Eastward, where by extreme bad roads, and severe weather, I had been detained I found that four letters had been received from you. On the receipt of the first dated Nove. 14 in answer to mine of the 25th of Octe., the Registers of my late business as Continental Loan Offe. were immediately transmitted and delivered to Mr. Bowen. On receipt of the second, dated Dece. 6.,...
24To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, [25 January 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island, January 25, 1791. “… By the last Post I received the substitute hydrometer with the apparatus which you transmitted, with your letter of the 18th of the last month, and a description of Dycas’s Hydrometer, with directions for the use of it, and directions also for the use of the Substitute.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. “Treasury Department...
25To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 31 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] January 31, 1791 . “… The greatest part of the business of the Customs Houses is done by the Collectors, and yet the nett income of the Naval Officer and of the Surveyor of this port is far superior to mine.… Seventy three or Seventy four dollars for six months and one third of a months service it will be allowed is a very trifling consideration. Let me therefore...
26To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 31 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] January 31, 1791 . “… Imported, dutiable goods are exported to draw back the duty, and for want of a market are returned, may they be entered and landed on the duties being paid upon them or secured to be paid? The law respecting Drawbacks doth not appear to me to have had such cases in contemplation. I wish for your opinion on this subject. Nathan Saunders Master of...
27To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 15 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 31st. of last month on the 12th of this. It will be impossible for me to give the names of persons of this State suitable for 1st. 2nd. & 3d. mates of the Cutter now building in Connecticut by this Post. I will do it the next. When I sent forward a statement of the Cases of Hezekiah Usher & George Usher I was unacquainted with some circumstances which appeared on...
28To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 21 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] February 21, 1791. “Agreeably to your request I now give the names of such persons as have offered, and I think are suitable to hold offices on board the Cutters.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Letter not found. H had requested this information on January 31. See Ellery to H, February 15, 1791 .
29To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 7 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a weekly return of Cash on hand, and also a Certificate of Registry No. 13 issued at the Port of Dighton by H Baylies Collector Mh. 27th 1790, and delivered up on account of transfer of property. The Genl. Assembly of this State met at East Greenwich the last week. Previous to their meeting I requested two of the Deputies of this town to move for a cession of the right of the State...
30To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 15 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be accompanied by a weekly return of Cash, and by a Certificate of Registry No. 5 dated Jany. 22. 1790, granted by the Collector of Dighton, and delivered up on account of the transfer of property, and also the copy of an Endorsment of an Enrollment of the change of Master said Enrollment being No. 11 and issued from this office. Yesterday arrived here a Schooner named the Charming...