Alexander Hamilton Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-17-02-0438

From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 17 December 1794

To Henry Knox1

Treasury department
Decr 17. 1794

Sir,

In reply to your letter of this date2 I have the honor to inform you, that no general Instructions have gone from this department to the Collectors relative to the purchase of the Lands on which Fortifications might be erected,3 from an expectation, that the information necessary for the Government of the Treasury would come in course through the Channel designated in your letter to me of the 24th of July last.

The enclosed memorandum exhibits a view of all the cases in which Cessions and Purchases have been made or measures taken to effect the Object thereof.4 The Treaty for the purchase of the Land on which the fortifications are erecting at Baltimore is suspended for the present on account of a very material difference in Opinion with respect to the value of it.5

I am Sir, respectfully,   Your most obedient Servant,

A Hamilton.

Copy, RG 233, Reports of the Secretary of War, Third Congress, National Archives.

1This letter was enclosed in a report of the Secretary of War to the House of Representatives dated December 19, 1794 (ASP description begins American State Papers, Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of the United States (Washington, 1832–1861). description ends , Military Affairs, I, 71–107).

2Letter not found.

3The purchase of lands for fortifications was provided for by “An Act to provide for the Defence of certain Ports and Harbors in the United States” (1 Stat. description begins The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America (Boston, 1845). description ends 345–46 [March 20, 1794]). See Knox to H, March 29, 1794.

4Copy, RG 233, Reports of the Secretary of War, Third Congress, National Archives. This memorandum is printed in ASP description begins American State Papers, Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of the United States (Washington, 1832–1861). description ends , Military Affairs, I, 106–07.

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