23761To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 28 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United states, for his approbation, five Contracts made by the superintendant of the Light house, piers &c. on the river and Bay of Delaware, and the letter received with them. After due examination in this Office, the Contracts appear advantageous to the United states. Should they be approved, immediate...
23762To George Washington from Hugh Williamson, 28 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
While you are considering of a proper Person for Governor of the Territory ceded by North Carolina I take the Liberty of requesting that you would be so good as to enquire whether Mr William Blount would not probably discharge that Trust with Honour to himself and advantage to the Public. Those People who had most of them been separated from the State for some Years, have been toren by...
23763To James Madison from John Parrish, 28 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
The evening myself & Friends left New York thou gave it as thy opinion the subject that induced Friends had address’d Congress had better not be revived during the present Session unless some Instances should appear that any of the States were in the Practice of fiting out foreign Vessels for the African trade or American bottoms to supply foreigners with slaves which appears by the Voats of...
23764I. The Opinion of Alexander Hamilton, 28 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury conceives it to be his duty most respectfully to represent to the President of the United States, that there are in his judgment, objections of a very serious and weighty nature to the resolutions of the two Houses of Congress of the twenty-first instant, concerning certain arrears of pay, due to the Officers and soldiers of the Lines of Virginia and North...
23765To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 27 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, May 27, 1790. “Your circular letter of the 17th. instant on the importance of your receiving the earliest information when breaches of the revenue law should take place came to hand by the tuesday post.… About five weeks since information was given that two trunks of merchandise had been in the night landed from on board the Ship Neptune Capt James Scott from London. On search the two...
23766To Alexander Hamilton from Jedediah Huntington, [27 May 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Brig Maria James Stephenson Master Luke Fortune Consignee Arrived here in Feby last from Grenada—where she was put in Seizure for a Breach of the Laws of Trade. She sails under a british Register. It is said she has since been condemned at Grenada. The Captain repents his assisting in bringing her away and demands her Register of me that he may carry her back. Luke Fortune the Consignee...
23767From James Madison to Ambrose Madison, 27 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have this moment your favor of the 16th. The inclosed papers will shew you that the project of asuming the State debts is revived & likely to employ further time. I hope we shall be able to defeat it, but the advocates for it are inconceivably persevering as well as formidable in point of numbers. The bill for funding the other debt is gone thro’ and will pass the 3d. reading in the H. of...
23768From James Madison to Eliza House Trist, 27 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
N. York May 27 [1790]. I have been some days in debt for your favor of the 19th. instant. I am glad the book for Browze arrived in time and was of the right sort. I had some doubts on the latter point. You have more than your share of the Influenza in the third attack of which you complain. I hope you are well of it by this time. It has spared very few in this place. I have had a full measure,...
23769From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 27 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A periodical headach has put it out of my power for near a month to attend to any business, or correspondence public or private, and such is my present situation that, favorable as the opportunity is by Mr. Crevecoeur, I had not meant to venture to write to you. But the receipt of yours of Mar. 25. has decided me to try it. On my arrival in Virginia, as there was a vessel just sailing for...
23770From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 26 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The preceding Circular letter of the 30th of March, having been refered to by the Comptroller of the Treasury, in a letter from him, to you dated yesterday, it is now sent forward, that you may comprehend his meaning; heretofore it has been omitted, on account of the arrangement made for the Loan with the Bank, you will find by the enclosed letter of the 20th Instant my intention that the...
23771From Alexander Hamilton to the President and Directors of the Bank of New York, 26 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of a Letter lately Sent to the several Collectors of the Customs therein mentioned. I presume the object of it will be agreeable to you, as it will be serviceable to the institution under your direction. I am to request that you will direct your cashier to give duplicate receipts for Such Sum deposited, expressive of its being on account of the united States. The monies...
23772From Alexander Hamilton to the President and Directors of the Bank of North America, 26 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 26, 1790. On May 29, 1790, the president and directors of the Bank of North America wrote to Hamilton : “We have reced your Letter of the 26th Inst.” Letter not found. ] Thomas Willing was president of the Bank of North America.
23773From James Madison to the Governor of Virginia, 26 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a copy of the instruction given by the Secretary of the Treasury on the subject of our inspection laws, which has been put into my hands for that purpose; and am with the highest respect, Sir, Your Most Obedt. humble servant, RC and enclosure ( Vi ). Enclosure in a clerk’s hand. Addressed and franked by JM. Docketed by a clerk, “Done June 5h. 1790.” See Governor of...
23774To James Madison from Fontaine Maury, 26 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
It having been suggested to the Inhabitants of this place and Falmouth, that the people of the Lower Counties have presented a petition to Congress, praying the removal of the naval office to Urbanna, I have been solicited to request you will so far Interest yourself as to have the Business delayed, untill we can have an opportunity of forwarding from the Inhabitants of this Town a Petition,...
23775To James Madison from Beverley Randolph, 26 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
I am much obliged by your attention to the Business of the Inspection Laws of this State. I will thank You to request the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish me with a Copy of his Instructions to the Custom House officers on that Subject. I had Hopes that the Decision of the House of Representatives upon the assumption of the State Debts would have been final. No Proposition has been before...
23776To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 26 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Quelque attentif que je sois dans ma solitude aux affaires générales de l’Europe, elles sont encore un Chaos pour moi, et pour les plus clairvoyants, et elles le seront jusqu’à-ce que tout soit arrangé en France.—Delà, ou d’une funeste Contrerévolution (laquelle pourtant me paroît aussi absurde, aussi impossible aujourd’hui, qu’une bombe qui feroit sauter la France entiere comme un Magasin à...
23777Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, 16–25 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
I last evening receiv’d your Letter without a date but believe it was your last as you mention Mrs Smiths removal want of some Furniture &c. mr Cranch will attend to the Packing & Sending them directly— I hope you have receiv’d my last letter. you will find by that mrs Norton for whome you have been so kindly anxious was much better & had escap’d what we so much feard but She is as thin as a...
23778From John Adams to Thomas Crafts, Jr., 25 [May] 1790 (Adams Papers)
I have received with a mixture of pleasure and gloomy melancholy your favour of the 17 th. What motives the eastern members can have to support the silly petition of Franklin and his Quakers, I never could conceive: but it was not that conduct which sowered the minds of the Southern members against an assumption of the State debts. The seat of government is more likely to have had such an...
23779To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 25 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] May 25, 1790 . Proposes that “the Office of the Inspector be at the Custom House.” Advocates “express directions for the Collection of the duties on home spirits and stills.” Proposes another “mode of prosecuting seizures … for as it stands at present … the Court receives all, and leaves no inducement to the Officers to be industriously attentive.” LS , Hamilton Papers,...
23780To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, May 25, 1790. On June 8, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lincoln : “I have received your favor of the 25th of May.” Letter not found. ]
23781To Alexander Hamilton from John Scott, 25 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Chester, Maryland, May 25, 1790. On June 3, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Scott : “I have received your letter of the 25th Ulto.” Letter not found. ] Scott was collector of customs at Chester.
23782From George Washington to the United States Senate, 25 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
United States [New York] Gentlemen of the Senate, May 25th 1790. I nominate the following persons to fill the offices affixed to their names—viz. Samuel Jasper, to be Surveyor of the Port of Currituck-Inlet in the State of North Carolina. Nathaniel Wilkins, to be Collector of the Port of Cherry Stone in the State of Virginia, in the place of George Savage, who has resigned. Henry Deering, to...
23783From James Madison to the Governor of Virginia, 25 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
Previous to the receipt of your favor on the subject of the arrears to the Virginia line, a proposition for remedying the abuses which have taken place, had been made and was under consideration. It has since passed the two Houses in the form which corresponds with the idea suggested by you. I take the liberty of inclosing a copy, though it has not yet been submitted to the President. As soon...
23784To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 25 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Since we wrote last Martha and myself have determined to settle immediately on our farm. We have concluded that the advantage of constant employment in interesting tho’ trivial affairs will more than ballance the many inconveniences we must put up with. On her account alone those inconveniences deserve regard, and she is so certain that they cannot affect her happiness as to be impatient to...
23785To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 24 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] May 24, 1790 . “I received your directions respecting the monies for the payment of the Invalids and the drafts that may be drawn by you both which shall be faithfully complied with. I also received your directions respecting seizures. A due account of which shall also be forwarded.…” LC , Copies of Letters to the Secretary, 1789–1790, Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia....
23786From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 24 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter from the Surveyor of your district upon the subject of boats for the use of the officers of the Customs. I have thought it necessary to the more frugal and certain collection of the revenue to permit that boats might be purchased or built merely for harbor service, and to this, if you find it will be œconomical, or that it is necessary to ensure the faithful payment of...
23787To George Washington from John Collins, 24 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
In all the Vicissitudes of time, and changes of Sentiments that have taken place in the united states, I have uniformly believed that the most essential happiness of our Country, ultimately depended, upon the establishment of an efficient executive power, under one federal head; being the only means, to obtain that tone to government necessary, to answer the ends of its institution; the...
23788To George Washington from Thomas Bee, 23 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Death of Mr Drayton having caused a Vacancy in the Fœderal Court for this State, I am induced to Offer myself as a Candidate for the Office I requested Mr Izard and Major Butler on a former Occasion to mention my Name to your Excellency, but your absence from New York, prevented them doing so in time. The reason of my not writing to you then myself was that I apprehended an application...
23789To George Washington from William Scudder, 23 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that a Body of Troops are to be Raised for the defence of the Frontiers—I would beg the liberty to mention, that during the late War, I took an active Part in the cause of the Country as early as Seventeen Hundred & Seventy five, & in the Service in July 1779 I was taken a Prisoner by the Indians at Fort Schuyler, and from a long Captivity in Canada, with a number of Misfortunes...
23790From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson, 23 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I was glad to receive your letter of April 25. because I had been near two months without hearing from any of you. I hope you will now always write immediately on receiving a letter from me. Your last told me what you were not doing: that you were not reading Don Quixot, not applying to your music. I hope your next will tell me what you are doing. Tell your Uncle that the President after...
23791To Thomas Jefferson from Mary Jefferson, 23 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your affectionate letter when I was at presqu’isle but was not able to answer it before I came here as the next day we went to uncle Bolings and then came here. I thank you for the pictures you was so kind as to send me and will try that your advise shall not be thrown away. I read in don quixote every day to my aunt and say my grammer in spanish and english and write and read in...
23792From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 23 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A lingering head-ach still prevents me from answering fully your favors of April 23. and May 3. Having taken the bark till it ceased to produce any effect, I discontinued for some days. I shall resume it to day, and hope it will remove the small and feeble returns which still keep me from business. In my letter of the last week to Patsy, I mentioned the state of the President. He is now...
23793William Short to John Jay, 23 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The constitutional question of the right of war and peace , which I mentioned to you in my last, has occupied the assembly without interruption since that time. It was finally decided yesterday evening as you will see by the articles of the decree which I have the honor to inclose you. It seems to have given general satisfaction. The ministry and aristocratic party are contented because they...
23794Enclosure II: Memorial of James Piggot and others to Arthur St. Clair, 23 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
We your Petitioners, beg leave to represent to your Excellency the state and circumstances of a number of distressed but faithful subjects of the united States of America, wherein we wish to continue, and that under your immediate Government; But unless our principal agrievance can be removed by your Excellency’s encouragement, we shall despair of holding a residence in the State we love. The...
23795To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 22 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 22, 1790. “I herewith Transmit … five several Contracts for supplies and services for the establishments in the Bay and River Deleware.… There will be two others sent forward as soon as they can be effected one for Keeping the light House & one for repairs of Piers.” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
23796From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 22 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, May 22, 1790. “You will be pleased to examine and settle the Account, of Mr. Devens for supplying the Light Houses in your District, and for expences since the 15th of August, and so far as found right, & duly Vouched, to pay the same. The acct. & Vouchers you will then be pleased to transmit to this Office. I observe the opinion of the Attorney for the Massachusetts...
23797To George Washington from Thomas Wignell, 22 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Mr Wignell, with the utmost respect and deference, has the Honor of transmitting to the President of the United States, two copies of the Contrast. AL , DLC:GW . Thomas Wignell (d. 1803), an English actor, was a cousin of actor and theatrical manager Lewis Hallam. After performing in David Garrick’s Drury Lane Company, Wignell came to America in 1774. He performed with Hallam’s American...
23798To George Washington from George Clinton, 21 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
With this I do myself the Honor to inclose You Copies of Letters from Lieut. Colonel Woolsey, Judge Platt, Justice Moor, and other Inhabitants of this State residing on the West Banks of Lake Champlain containing all the Information which I at present have on the Subject to which they relate. Your present Indisposition will not permit me personally to attend You on this Business and I have...
23799To George Washington from Ebenezer Thompson, 21 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Tho I am not insansiable that your Excellency must be troubled with many applications of this nature, Yet as it is probable that this state will in a few days adopt the Constitution and Laws of the Union, I take the liberty to request that you will be pleased to appoint me to the office of Collector of the Revenue for the port and District of Providence, an office which I now Sustain Under the...
23800Enclosure: William Davies to Beverley Randolph, 21 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of an Order of the House of Representatives, that the Commissioners of the General Board should report the amount of the Claims of the several States, mr Gilman and mr Kean, Genl Irvine being absent, thought proper to report no. 1, which mr Madison calls a libel on the State. North Carolina and Georgia are also Stigmatized, but their Vengeance seems more particularly directed at...
23801To Thomas Jefferson from George Gilmer, 21 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Your request respecting our mutual friend Col. Lewis, should have been complied with long ago, but immediately on his being emancipated from the medical department, A Cardinal fit of the Gout, agreable to my prayer, seized me, with unusual violence, which relieved all my other complaints; having been under an horrid arrest for Six weeks, in which time Col. Lewis has not been seen but once, I...
23802To Thomas Jefferson from De Lormerie, 21 May 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Lorsque je donnois a Monsieur Le Marquis de Marnésia la Lettre de recommandation que j’ai Eu l’honneur de vous Ecrire pour lui, un de ses amis M. Didier notre Vicaire Apostolique en Sçioto, me témoigna le plus grand Desir de participer au même avantage. Quoique je n’aie le Plaisir de connoitre ce Monsieur que par M. De Marnésia, le Caractère public dont il est revètu le rendent recommandable...
23803V. Second State of the Report on Weights and Measures, [April–20 May 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state, to whom was referred by the house of representatives to prepare and report a proper plan or plans for establishing uniformity in the currency, weights and measures of the U.S. in obedience thereto makes the following report. To obtain uniformity in measures, weights, and coins, it is necessary to find some measure of invariable length, with which, as a standard, these...
23804John Jay’s Charge to the Grand Juries of the Eastern Circuit, 12 April–20 May 1790 (Jay Papers)
The Charge of Chief Justice Jay to The Grand Juries on the Eastern circuit— at the Circuit Courts held in the Districts, of New York on the 4 th .— of Connecticut on the 22 Day of april, of Massachusets on the 4 th . and of New Hampshire on the 20 Day of may 1790.— Whether any People can long govern themselves in an equal uniform & orderly manner, is a Question which the advocates for free...
23805From John Adams to William Smith, 20 May 1790 (Adams Papers)
Your agreable favour of the 24 th of April, was brought to me in season and I thank you for it; though my thanks are not in good season.—Your sentiments concerning the assumption of the State debts, the encouragement of American navigation and the establishment of a national bank, are conformable to those of about one half The Continent and contrary to those of the other half. How shall we...
23806To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 20 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Since I had last the pleasure of writing to you, I have learnt with uneasiness, that some gentn. in Congress have had an Idea of stopping the progress of the funding System, with a view to compell an assent to the assumption of the State Debts. This Idea demands a very careful & cool attention before it be practised upon. The situation of things is to me critical & important. Shd. the question...
23807To Alexander Hamilton from Beverley Randolph, 20 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have had the Honour to receive your Letter of the 8th. instant. As soon as Colonel Carrington shall report to me the spot upon which the Light House is to be erected the cession to the United States shall be compleated. I am respectfully &c. LC , Archives Division, Virginia State Library, Richmond; copy, RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National...
23808Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 20 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
An opinion that it will conduce as well to the public convenience, as to that of your Office, has induced me to direct, that the Monies you may receive after this letter shall get to hand, be remitted from time to time, and untill further orders to the Bank of North America established in Philadelphia there to be passed to the credit of the Treasurer of the United States. It will be necessary...
23809To George Washington from Arthur Fenner, 20 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
Having been lately elected, by the Freemen of this State, to the office of their first Magistrate, I therefore embrace this early oppertunity of assuring you of the sincere regard which I, in common with the Citizens in general, feel for your Excellency personally. Admist the Universal Applause and the grateful Acknowledgements of United America singular indeed would it be, if the Citizens of...
23810From John Jay to Sarah Livingston Jay, 20 May 1790 (Jay Papers)
I arrived here last Evening, and this morning rec d . your Favor of the 13 th . Instant, together with the Packets mentioned in it, and which I am glad were sent on; there being among them some Dispatches of a public Nature which are interesting. I had hoped that you and our little ones would have escaped the Influenza; and feel no little anxiety at learning that has not been the case. The Day...