51To Alexander Hamilton from Nicholas Cruger, 3 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] October 3, 1789. “Most sincerely do I Congratulate you on your Late appointment. I had Promis’d Mr. Harrison my Law business when ever you Declin’d it. I must therefore begg you will send me … [various] Papers [in your possession] which I mean to Put into his hands.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Cruger was a member of a prominent merchant family of New York City...
52To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Jones, [4 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I am of Opinion that the Duties upon Goods imported into any District after the first Day of August and before a Custom House was established and organized in such District are recoverable by Action of Debt in the Name or by Information on Behalf of the United States against the Importers. The Acts for Collection of the Duties and regulating the coasting Trade suppose and some of their...
53To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 5 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, October 5, 1789. On April 29, 1790, Allibone wrote to Hamilton : “I did make mention of it in a letter of mine dated October 5th last.” Letter not found. ]
54From James Madison to Alexander Hamilton, [ca. 5 October] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The bearer will deliver two of your books which have been some time in my hands. I add to them a pamphlet recd. not long since from France. I can not recommend it because I have not read it. The subject tho’ a hackneyed is an interesting one, and the titles of some of the chapters promising. You will soon discover how far it may be worth your perusal. The inclosed letter to Genl. Schuyler...
55To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 6 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 6, 1789. Discusses maintenance and improvement of facilities for aiding navigation in the port of Philadelphia. Recommends that William Allibone be appointed superintendent. LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives; LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia. This letter is in reply to “Treasury Department Circular...
56To Alexander Hamilton from Comte de Moustier, 7–8 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 7–8, 1789. In a letter to the Comte de Montmorin on October 30, 1789, Louis G. Otto wrote: “le Cte. de Moustier a repondu [to Hamilton] ‘qu’il pensoit que si cette demande etoit faite officiellement, elle pourroit etre accueillie favorablement et qu’il se flattoit de pouvoir aussitôt après son arrivée en procurer la certitude au gouvernement Americain.’” Letter not found. ]...
57To Alexander Hamilton from Jedediah Huntington, 7 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this day the Honour of receiving your Letter of the 1st. inst. Upon my entering into Office I found the Light house at this Port furnished with Oil for three or four days only and no Provision made for further Supply. I immediately purchased a little for temporary use and have since laid in a Stock for the Winter. The Light House is built of Stone & the walls are good but the Roof was...
58To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 8 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, October 8, 1789. “I perceive that His Excellency the President of the United States has been pleased to appoint you Secretary of the Treasury I therefore presume that it is my duty to transmitt Quarterly returns to you, of the Official proceedings in the Loan-Office, of which I have the honor to be a Commissioner, in the same manner as I have hitherto done to the late Commissioners of...
59To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 8 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Letter (Circular) of the 22d. ulto., and am to inform you that, from Cape Henry to the extreme branches of the Susquehanna, all inclusive, there is not, that I ever heard of, a single Light House, Buoy, Beacon or other artificial object for navigators to be governed by. Consequently there is no superintendant; no Expence. The pilots of the Chesapeak for this State are...
60To Alexander Hamilton from John Rice, 9 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, October 9, 1789. On October 16, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Rice : “I am favored with yours of the 9th instant.” Letter not found. ]
61To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Hiller, 10 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Salem, Massachusetts ] October 10, 1789 . “… there is neither Lighthouse, Beacon nor Buoy within this District of Salem & Beverly.…” Extract, RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “B,” New Hampshire and Massachusetts, National Archives. This letter is in reply to “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” October 1, 1789 . Hiller was collector of the customs for...
62To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 10 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 10, 1789. “In compliance with … your letter of the 1st inst. respecting Light Houses, Beacons &c I have to inform you that there is one Light House in this District at the entrance of the harbour of this Port situate on a point of land on the Island of New Castle placed without the walls of Fort William & Mary which commands the entrance.…” Copy, RG 56,...
63To Alexander Hamilton from Elie Williams, 10 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed herewith you will receive the Contract executed by Mr. Elliot, whom I fortunately met here: and We request that you will be pleased to forward, to us, the duplicate which was executed in New York. You will also receive, duly executed by us and our securities, the bond for our performance of the contract; As we receive no equivalent to this obligation we must rely, Sir, upon your...
64To 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.
65To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 11 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 11, 1789. Encloses an account “of Rects & payts to the 3rd October instant & also for the week ending the 10th Inst.” Copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Portsmouth, National Archives; LC , fragment, RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent, 1789–1790, Vol. 1, National Archives.
66To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 12 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 12, 1789. Discusses methods of maintaining “the Several Establishments” for aiding navigation “in the Bay and River Deleware.” Asks to be appointed superintendent of that district. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. For background to this document, see Sharp Delany to H, October 6, 1789 .
67To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 12 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 12, 1789. “Some of my Friends, on finding I had an Inclination to apply for the appointment of Superintendant of the light house, Beacons Buoys and publick Piers, have put Into my hands A Recommendation … addressed to the president, which I have … Enclosed to him.… I … am at A loss whether to attend at the seat of government in person or not and should consider it as A...
68To Alexander Hamilton from Jacob Wray, 12 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Hampton, Virginia, October 12, 1789. “Your letter of the first Instant came to hand yesterday we have no Lighthouse Beacon or Buoys in this District but if a Lighthouse was fixed on Cape Henry & also Smaller Lights on old point Comfort & New point Comfort it would inlighten the great Chesapeek Bay as the most wild & dangerous part of the Bay it would gain the Blessing of Thousands.…” ALS , RG...
69To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 13 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 13, 1789. Asks Hamilton’s approval for payment of a pilot’s claim as reward for salvaging a floating beacon. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
70To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Fitch, 13 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New Haven [ Connecticut ] October 13, 1789 . Encloses a letter describing the navigational aids in the port of New Haven. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “C,” Connecticut and New York, National Archives. This letter is in reply to “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” October 1, 1789 . Fitch was collector of the customs at New Haven. Elias Shipman to...
71To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 13 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The sum of two thousand five Dollars is necessary to be advanced to take up Notes which were given for money advanced for the household of the President of the United States previous to the organization of the Treasury Department. This sum added to two thousand Dollars which you have already advanced for the purpose of taking up Notes, will compleat the payment of all Monies advanced for the...
72To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Willing, [13 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
We received your favor of the 6th. inst. and agreeable to your request we resolved to furnish the Treasury with the 20 000 dollars on Loan. This sum has since been paid to the Treasurer and his receipt taken for the amount the payment has been made 5000 dollars in our Banks notes and the residue in post notes at 30 days from the instant we dont find it prudent at present to Issue the Postnotes...
73Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 13 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
The sum of two thousand five Dollars is necessary to be advanced to take up notes which were given for money advanced for the household of the President of the United States previous to the organization of the Treasury Department. This sum added to two thousand Dollars which you have already advanced for the purpose of taking up Notes, will compleat the payment of all Monies advanced for the...
74To Alexander Hamilton from William Lindsay, 14 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Norfolk [ Virginia ] October 14, 1789 . “In reply to your circular Letter of the 1st Inst respecting Light Houses &c I have to inform you that there is no establishment of the Kind in this District. Inclosed is an Estimate of a Light House intended to be built on Cape Henry prior to the late War.… I observe by the Collection Law, that the Collector is to provide (with the approbation of the...
75To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Hussey, 15 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Sherbourne [ Massachusetts ] October 15, 1789 . Describes aids to navigation in the waters surrounding Nantucket Island. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “B,” New Hampshire and Massachusetts, National Archives. This letter was in reply to “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” October 1, 1789 . Hussey was collector of the customs at Nantucket and...
76To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [16–31 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
My indisposition has prevented me from forwarding such remarks as I thought would have been of some use to you in directing the Revenue System but I hope soon to be able to lay them before you. Your letter of the 2nd Inclosing forms of keeping Accts I recd as also that of the 17th respecting the Bank and one covering a Letter to the Wardens. In respect to the Mode transmitted respecting weekly...
77To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Lawrence, Junior, 16 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, October 16, 1789. “When I look around me and see distress penury and want stare me in the face with all their horrors and no prospect of Employ, Judge my Dear Sir how dreadfull must be my sensations, such being Actually my Situation … if Sir it is in your power to afford me Employ let me entreat you do it [and] save me and my family from distress.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
78To Alexander Hamilton from John Rice, 16 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, October 16, 1789. Reports on the maintenance of navigational aids in Boston harbor. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “B,” New Hampshire and Massachusetts, National Archives. This letter is in reply to “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” October 1, 1789 .
79To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Goodhue, 18 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Salem, Massachusetts, October 18, 1789. On October 29, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Goodhue : “I am duly favoured with your letter of the Eighteenth instant.” Letter not found. ] Goodhue, a Salem merchant and a Massachusetts state senator, was elected to the House of Representatives in 1789. As a Congressman, Goodhue played a major role in drawing up the revenue laws.
80To Alexander Hamilton from Philemon Gatewood, 19 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Norfolk, Virginia, October 19, 1789. On November 7, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Gatewood : “I have duly received your letter of the 19th. of October.” Letter not found. ] Gatewood was naval officer at Norfolk and Portsmouth.
81To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 20 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, October 20, 1789. “… if any change in this present mode of discharging the Interest on the Domestic Debt should be thought necessary, still I presume some office similar to the present, or somehow aiding the public creditors in obtaining their Interest in an expeditious & cheap manner will be established in the Several States or Districts, in which case I shall hope to be continued in...
82To Alexander Hamilton from William Constable, 20 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I shall answer your letter with strict accuracy as soon as I am able, which will be next Week at furthest; but I have been confined to my room for a Week past almost, so that I have all that leeway to bring up. If You are in immediate want of the required information the following may be taken as data. Wines Cost & Chgs delivered at N. yk exclusive of Impost Madiera ⅌ G’n of London particular...
83To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 21 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] October 21, 1789 . “Your Circular letter of the fifth Instt. came only to my hands this day.… The principal matters requested thereby have been sent forward by me sometime ago particularly the description of the Nature & Extent of the Several Establishments for the safety of the Navigation.…” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States,...
84To Alexander Hamilton from John Barney, [21 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Baltimore, October 21, 1789. ] On October 29, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Barney : “I have duly received your letter of the 21 instant.” Letter not found. ] Presumably John Holland Barney, brother of Commodore Joshua Barney of the Revolutionary Navy.
85To Alexander Hamilton from John Rice, 22 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, October 22, 1789. Discusses the acquisition of two small boats for the revenue service. Believes that reducing the number of entry ports would increase rather than prevent smuggling. ADfS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury and Others, 1789–1818, Vol. 11, National Archives.
86To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 23 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your circular letter of the 2d. October Inst came to hand the 20th. and I will observe the contents as timely as possible. The difficulties that have occurred in the Execution of the laws respecting the Customs have been infinite, and present themselves daily. The System itself is the most complicated and embarrassing of anything that has employed my attention and the Want of Official forms...
87To Alexander Hamilton from John Rice, 24 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, October 24, 1789. On November 7, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Rice : “I am favored with your Letter of the 24th. Ultimo.” Letter not found. ]
88To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Johnston, 25 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Edenton [ North Carolina ] October 25, 1789 . States that “The General Assembly of the State of North Carolina has directed” that $18,136 and 30/90 “be paid on Account of their proportion, of Interest, on the Foreign Debt due from the United States.…” Walter Clark, ed., The State Records of North Carolina (Goldsboro, North Carolina, 1903), XXI, 568; LC , Governor’s Letter Book, North Carolina...
89To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 26 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In my letter of the 23d. Instant I took the Liberty to inclose a sketch of Journal entries as I now make them in my office for the purpose of keeping the public accounts. As that sketch was done in some haste, a further explanation may be necessary to its recommendation. A thousand causes combine to render the adjustment of the duties on a Cargo of Merchandize imported, immediately after the...
90To Alexander Hamilton from John Witherspoon, 26 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
On Saturday I had the Pleasure of receiving Yours of the 20th. It is very flattering to me that you suppose I can render any Assistance by Advice in the important Duties of your present station. It is true that from the very earliest part of Life It has been a favourite Object with me to attend to the State of Society & the Operation & Influence of political Causes & among the rest Money as a...
91To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 27 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letter of the 9th instant I rec’d; and sensible of the utility of the information you request, I shall give you what Aid I can, and shall readily communicate with you upon the important Subjects you mention, as health and leisure will permit. We have now arrived to that period, as I conceive, when every thing national should assume the appearance of System and Stability; and I am happy to...
92To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Being obliged to attend our Legislature the first of next month it will be out of my power to collect examine and prepare the necessary facts relative to your queries, at least till after the end of the session; and as a majority of the house of delegates is said to be antifederal I can form no judgement of its duration. Be assured I was not only made exceedingly happy by your appointment but...
93To Alexander Hamilton from Beverley Randolph, [1–28] October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 26th. of September, inclosing several Resolutions of the Congress of the United States. The amount of the public debt of this state can be furnished immediately, but I conceive this would be incomplete unless accompanied by a statement of the funds provided for the discharge of it. This Statement cannot now be prepared as the...
94To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 28 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, October 28, 1789. Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s “letter of the 15th. Instant, inclosing queries respecting the modes of Navigating.” ALS , Office of the Secretary, United States Treasury Department. “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” October 15, 1789 .
95To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 29, 1789. Describes the safeguards needed to check smuggling in New Hampshire. Presents merchants’ complaints concerning the method used for calculating ships’ tonnage for levying the tonnage tax. LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent, 1789–1790, Vol. 1, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Portsmouth, National...
96To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, October 29, 1789. Asks for a ruling on the cases of the British ship Polly and the American ship Sarah . ADfS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives.
97To Alexander Hamilton from Jedediah Huntington, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New London [ Connecticut ] October 29, 1789 . “Having just returned from the Genl Assembly of this state where a public Engagement called me & the post going out I have only to acknowledge the Honour of your several Communications.…” ALS , New London Customs House Records, Federal Records Center, Boston. On October 7, 1789, in a letter printed in this volume, Huntington acknowledged receipt of...
98To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Smith, 30 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Machias, District of Maine, October 30, 1789. On December 4, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Smith : “Your letter of the 30th of October came to hand a few days since.” Letter not found. ] Smith was collector of customs at Machias.
99To Alexander Hamilton from William Constable, [21–31 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Clarett imported in Bottles stands from 3/ to 5/. ⅌ Bottle as in quality—annexed you have Invo. 16 Hhds of French Wines from Bordeaux. ₶ 4 Hhds Palus Wines (Clarett) Vintage 1786 210. 2 Margaux “ 1785 300. 2 Cantenac “ “ 275.
100To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 31 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] October 31, 1789 . Proposes the use of boats to prevent smuggling in Delaware Bay. LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.