1To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 18 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I observe you have brought forward the amendments you proposed to the federal Constitution. I have given them a very careful perusal, and have attended particularly to their reception by the public. The most decided friends of the constitution admit (generally) that they will meliorate the government by removing some points of litigation and jealousy, and by heightening and strengthening the...
2To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 9 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
From the manner in which you have been pleased to communicate with me both verbally & otherwise I have been led to write to you without reserve and with less ceremony perhaps than could be justified but that I generally had in view the public good. I trusted you would believe that such was my end, and therefore hesitated not to trouble you. On no occasion perhaps has such an apology been more...
3To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 17 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your message from Mr. Dawson, and am at a loss to account for my letter not reaching you sooner. I presume our Clerks must have let the post slip them the first time, and that it has lain over till the next. I am informed Mr. Jefferson is expected to arrive soon. The affair in which you were good enough to make me known to him is now decided on. I find it necessary to regain the papers...
4To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 20 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I am favored with your letter of the 18th. from wch. I find the ground of apprehension, particularly refer’d to by me, entirely removed. In regard to the probable effects of a position on Delaware or Susquehannah upon the Convention of Virginia could they have foreseen it, I am convinced they would have been fatal. I remember well that I learned from the letters of yourself and one or two...
5To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 28 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
I received information of the nomination of Mr. O. yesterday. He is certainly a very suitable character, and well entitled to this place from his former employments. I have to make you my Apologies for the trouble I have given you, and my acknowlegements for such good offices as you have rendered, the extent of which I am sure was as great as your Ideas of public good would admit. I am well...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 30 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
It was my wish to have forwarded to you sooner, the enclosed paper, No. 6, by way of answer to the queries I had the honour to receive from you, the 26th of last month, but I could not revise the facts with sufficient care, till this time. You will observe, I have pursued a mode different from that which the form of the queries pointed out, thinking that “ a present state of the navigation of...
7To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 16 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
A few days ago I forwarded to you, per post, a “state of our navigation,” which I presume you have received. I have the honour to transmit you in this inclosure some notes upon two subjects, one of them of great importance, that may be useful when arranging our affairs with France and Spain. The rough draughts of these papers were made a few weeks before I received your letter, and I then...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, [1790] (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to send you a very interesting report made in March last by a Comme. of the British Privy Council upon the subject of their corn trade. The two first paragraphs of the 7th page appear to merit particular attention, and more especially the last of them against which you will observe I have placed an index☞. The paragraph in page 22, marked with an index favors exceedingly the...
9I. Tench Coxe to John Jay, 25 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
An ingenious Artist of this City has informed me within a few days that he has made a discovery which has been for some time a desideratum both in Science and Commerce. It is connected with the Uniformity of weights and measures, and as that object has been refered to the Secretary of State whose Duties I presume you discharge till you enter on those of your judicial station I do myself the...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, [February 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
to british Goods and habits in trade than any other Circumstance. Mr. De Marbois & Mr. De Cheamont & the Count de Moustier & Mr. de la forest in Newyork have so far enterd into those Ideas that in several conversations with them they have conceded to me that it was therefore the Interest of france to promote the growth of manufactures in America & nothing is more evident in my View of things....
11To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 5[–9] March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I observe that your report upon the public debt contains some intimations of an intention of establishing a national Bank, and I learn from other gentlemen at New York that something of the kind is proposed. I do not know any of the outlines of the plan but think it may be useful to lay before you the enclosed paper which was published here during the contest concerning our Bank. It was my...
12To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 21 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I am sorry to find that the Rhode Island Convention have adjourned without determining in favor of the Constitution. This conduct is however so far favorable as it may be deemed a proof that they are not violently bent against it. The general causes of the conduct of that State are perfectly well understood, but I wish much to know as far as you have collected them and are at liberty to...
13To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 31 March 1790 (Madison Papers)
I recd. your favor of the 28th. instant by yesterdays post. I find the idea of a landed fund for the encouragement of manufactures is an old one in my mind. On looking over the little address to the frds of Manufactures in 1787 I observe I have hinted it there. You will excuse me therefore, if I wish not to part with it sooner than can be avoided. An infringement of the constitution is a...
14To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 6 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 6, 1790. On May 1, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Coxe : “Yours of the 6th of the same month also came to hand.” Letter not found. ]
15To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 6 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to enclose you a further consideration of the affairs of R. Island —and two of the papers of which I sent the origls. to Col. H. You will see they will be objects of treaty & consequently must require to be reserved. That which relates to our Navigation is comprized in sixty pages & I have not any person to copy it at this time. In haste yr. respectful & obedt. Servt. RC...
16To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 27 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 27, 1790 . On May 1, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Coxe : “I have just received your letter of the 27th of April.” Letter not found. ]
17To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 4 May 1790 (Madison Papers)
As I know you lodge at Mrs. Ellsworths I take the liberty of troubling you wth. a request that you will oblige me so far as to engage a chamber for me in her house. And if possible one exposed to the South tho it should be in the upper story. I expect to leave Philadelphia for my fathers seat to Morrow, and shall return my sulkey from thence and proceed in the Stage so as to reach New York on...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 19 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
[ New York ], 19 June 1790 . “Isle of France coffee can be procured in Philadelphia for 18d. or one fifth of a dollar ⅌ pound,” in 100 ℔. packages. If TJ wishes one at that price, he will obtain it. “West India coffee is sold at 15d. and 16d.” RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 20 June 1790 and so recorded in SJL .
19To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 9 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I find by several letters from New York that the bill relative to the residence has hitherto stood its ground, which affords a further hope that this agitating business will be settled by the present Attempt. It has really become necessary for the Government has been exceedingly depreciated by it even here. Many who consider it as a great Object, still think it not worth the expence of time,...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, [10 July 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I am now at my father’s on my way to Jersey to spend a day or two with my two eldest Children before I finish the time proposed for my Absence. The public Creditors had a small meeting last Night, and appointed a new standing Committee. They appeared moderate & prudent, but solicitous for a good funding System. They did not attempt any business or resolutions, but left every thing in the...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 23 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Matthew Carey of Philadelphia wishes for the honor of conversing with you on the republication of the several treaties of the United States. Tho he cannot expect to insert them in his Museum by your Authority , he justly conceives it of great importance that they be strictly true copies. I proposed to have done myself the honor of waiting upon you with him to ask for him the favor of such...
22Account with Tench Coxe, [24 August 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Recd. August 24th. 1790. from the hon. Alexr. Hamilton Esqr two hundred dollars, which I promise to repay on demand. ADS , Papers of Tench Coxe in the Coxe Family Papers at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. At the bottom of this document Coxe wrote: “(repaid in Philada. ⅌ Acct. in sundries & Cash).”
23Tench Coxe’s First Draft, September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of the house of Representatives of the fifteenth day of January last has applied his attention at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of manufactures, and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the United states independent on other nations for military and other essential...
24Tench Coxe’s Second Draft, [September 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, in obedience to the order of the house of Representatives of the fifteenth day of January last, has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of manufactures, and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the United States independent on foreign Nations for military and other essential...
25To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, [15 November 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you two books & five papers found in the files relative to Mint & coinage —also the weights of the principal coins of the Nations you mentioned taken from the Bank information. Tomorrow afternoon the Assays are to be made. I have not yet got the copper cost & charges. I find the old dollar (the best) in Sir I. N.s tables, which is 17.12 gr. valued at 4/6 would make the Dutch Ducatoon of...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, [23 November 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the honor of taking leave of you in New York I have made some Enquiries upon the subject of the fisheries, but from their inattention and want of facility in committing their knowledge to paper even persons concerned in the prosperity of this branch of commerce have yielded little Information. I have however collected from various sources some facts, that may assist to elucidate...
27II. Tench Coxe’s Notes on the Dutch and Prussian Fisheries, [ca. 23 November 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Notes on the Dutch Fisheries . 1st the Whale fishery. The whale Fishery was carried on previous to the year 1645 by the Groenland or northern Company, who had obtained an exclusive right from the Government for that purpose. Their charter expired in the Year 1741, after which the business declined so much, that the States found little enducement to renew the privilege, but declared the fishery...
28III. Tench Coxe’s Notes on the American Fisheries, [ca. 23 November 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Since the discovery of the Compass every nation, adjacent to the Ocean, has manifested great and constant solicitude about the fisheries within their intermediate reach; and the skillful and enterprizing have extended their views to the most remote foreign Scenes. The two greatest naval powers of Europe have discovered very high ideas of this object by their free use of bounties and...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 26 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you a return of the piscatory articles exported from the United States in one year, one month, and ten days, excepting fourteen quarterly returns from twelve ports which have not yet been received. Among these are Boston, Newyork Charleston and five small ports of Massachusetts and Main. From the irregular Manner in which the first returns were made it was...
30IV. Tench Coxe to the Secretary of State, 29 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Coxe has the honor to enclose to Mr. Jefferson a letter containing some further information concerning the fisheries: also the table of prices refer’d to in his notes, and a little estimate of the profits of the cod fishery. Mr. Anthony was bred to the Sea out of Rhode Island, is a man of judgment and probity, and is now a partner of one of the principal houses in Philadelphia, who do half...
31To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, [31 December 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
You will find enclosed a very rough copy of Leslies improvement of the proposition of Hatton and Whitehurst —for an invariable Standard of length, capacity & weight. This is his original corrected &ca. by me of wch. Mr Jefferson has the fair copy. Genl. S. will be able to make it out. The printed roll contains a plan of state finance proposed by Mr. R Morris, which having relation to the Bank...
32To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, [August 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The account of the Chinese trade is in many respects similar to information and conformable to experience I have had. I do not observe any thing contrary to what I have heard from authority. The accot. of the East India trade is minute so far as it goes, and gives some useful information. The increase of the consumption of the finer kinds of Teas deserves notice. The quantity of Specie (at 2...
33To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 13 January 1791 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Coxe has the honor to request a few Minutes conversation with Mr. Madison this Evening at 7 or ½ after 7 OClock on the subject of the Enquiries he made at the Treasury. If agreeable he will call on Mr. M. at his lodgings for that purpose, unless he shall be informed by a Note directed to him at the Treasury, before three OClock that it will not be convenient then. In that Case he wishes...
34To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 14 January 1791 (Madison Papers)
I have the Honor to enclose you a paper No. 3 on which the estimate was founded relative to the proportions of foreign & American Articles exported from Pennsylvania. The Estimate has slipt out of the paper & cannot now be found but it resulted in 4,000000 Drs. of Amn. produce & manufactures & 1,500,000 of foreign. This is above common years owing to the great prices of wheat & flour in 1789,...
35To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 25 January 1791 (Madison Papers)
In pursuance of the intention I had the honor to intimate to you last week I have commenced the collection of the documents necessary to make out the various statements. On Saturday evening I sketched out a plan for the Tonnage which will exhibit all the information, I think, that can be extracted from the returns of the collectors in their present form. It is as follows—A statement of Tonne....
36To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 27 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to receive this afternoon your note relative to the value of the transportation of the whole produce of the United States to foreign markets. By this I understand the amount of the freight money that would be paid by the owners of our produce to the owners of the vessels in which they are laden, if they were always different persons. In the very imperfect state of the documents...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, [30 January? 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Coxe has the honor to inform Mr. Jefferson that pitch is certainly 11/ ⅌ 112℔ i.e. dutied to exclusion as a manufacture. Tar 11d. ⅌ barrl. and turpentine ⅔ ⅌ Cwt. Mr. Remsen’s copy of Mr. Coxe’s very rough minutes, corrected, is enclosed, also the amount of fur duties in England equal to 15 and 20 ⅌ Ct. ad valorem at the medium prices. Mr. Coxe will not fail to send the Return of Exports...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 1 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment the honor of your note with the Return of exports which is for about 13. Months and 20 days. The odd time is from about 10th. Augt. to 30th. Septr. when little Tobacco, rice, or grain is at market. When I conjectured the amount of our exports yesterday it was principally founded on an opinion that our imports came nearly to that sum, which was the result of a statement made...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 4 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
A large mail was received yesterday at the Treasury office in which was contained the enclosed letter. Presuming upon the care of the postmaster I did not look at the Superscription of the letter with much attention, and opened it as if to the Secretary of the Treasury. On reaching the 3d. or 4th. line, which has relation to a subject unconnected with the business of this department I was led...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 5 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Coxe has the honor to enclose to Mr. Jefferson some notes upon navigation marked [A] which he prepared at the request of the Chairman on the Navigation Committee. That subject being now refer’d to Mr. Jefferson by the house of representatives Mr. Coxe takes the liberty of depositing these papers with him in the hope that they may be of some use. Mr. C. also has the honor to enclose a...
41Enclosure: Thoughts on the Navigation of the United States, and concerning further means of encouraging it, 5 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The following propositions are freely hazarded by way of opening the subject. None of them should be tenaciously insisted on, nor will they it is hoped be hastily rejected. If on reflexion they shall appear reasonable and safe, they may serve to guide us in this interesting and difficult enquiry. It is affirmed then— If the members of the legislature from the several parts of the union should...
42To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 14 March 1791 (Madison Papers)
Mr. T. Coxe will be very much obliged to Mr. Madison if he can inform him what is the estimated amount of the debt of the Citizens of Virginia to the British Merchants; and, if he knows it, of those of any other state. He understands the following to be the debt of So. Carolina. Principal due in 1775 £ 2,000,000. Interest from 1775 to 1791 (deducting the 7 years from 1776 to 1783) is 9 years...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, [14 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 14 Mch. 1791 ]. As result of conversation with Attorney General this morning, he submits to the Patent Board an advertisement George Parkinson is willing to publish. It places before all affected by his patent “the several objects, and the most minute information can be obtained from the drawings, model and descriptions which remain in the office of State.”—He was again so...
44To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, [19 March 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Jefferson has sent for the Bills of 99000 Guilders, which on application to Mr. Meredith, are said to have been countermanded. I had transmitted to Mr. Jeffn. the three letters of advice to be sealed by a wafer to the Bills. Will you be good enough to give me your instructions as Mr. Jefferson’s opty will be tomorrow. yr. most obedt. Servant ALS , Papers of Tench Coxe in the Coxe Family...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 20 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have for some time entertained an opinion that it would be an useful Service to the United States to demonstrate to every man of Candor in the British Nation the very great errors and deviations from fact, which are to be found in Lord Sheffields pamphlet. I have also believed that it would inspire confidence in the minds of our countrymen, and of the foreign nations, who are in alliance...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 15 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia ], 15 Apr. 1791 . Encloses return of tonnage for one year, including several customhouse returns not received when Register made up former statement. It is in the form shown TJ in Feb., “except the interesting additions … exhibiting the European—African—Asiatic—West Indian and other Subdivisions of the American commerce, which have been since added. As far as my mind has been...
47I. Tench Coxe to Thomas Jefferson, 16 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The vacancy produced in the Treasury department by the death of the Comptroller has occasioned me to take the liberty of making this communication to you. It will not appear unnatural, that a person in my situation should be led, by the relation the offices of the Treasury bear to each other, to entertain a wish for the appointment, and I should, at as early a moment as decorum permitted, have...
48II. Tench Coxe to the President, 16 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with the greatest hesitation that I contribute to the unpleasing circumstances that are obtruded on your mind by too numerous applications for public office. The decease of the Comptroller of the Treasury having created the necessity of an appointment, I most humbly beg leave to present myself to your consideration. The relation which exists between the offices of the Treasury and the...
49To John Adams from Tench Coxe, 20 April 1791 (Adams Papers)
Mr T. Coxe has the honor respectfully to enclose to the V. President of the United States a return of the licensed fishing vessels for one year, in which are included above 5000 Tons, which were not reported from the Custom houses, when the Registers abstract was furnished— MHi : Adams Papers.
50To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 20 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia ], 20 Apr. 1791 . He received TJ’s note while at breakfast. He will take up consular returns this evening and note such ideas as worthy TJ’s consideration.—He encloses abstract of licensed fishing vessels, including all returns on which reliance may be placed. Greater part of difference between present and last return apparently due to deficient customhouse returns. But it may...