1001[From Alexander Hamilton to the Gazette of the United States], [18 January 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[Philadelphia] Gazette of the United States , January 18, 1792. According to Philip Marsh (“Hamilton’s Neglected Essays, 1791–1793,” The New-York Historical Society Quarterly , XXXII [October, 1948], 289), “The writer … [of this unsigned communication to the Gazette of the United States ] sounds very like Hamilton.” No conclusive evidence, however, that H was its author has been found.
1002From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 18 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Sufficient time having been given to the owners and commanders of vessels to provide regular manifests, according to the last collection law, I am of opinion that the clauses you refer to should now be enforced. You will do well to let this idea be communicated immediately among the Gentlemen in Trade, as the season admits of their taking measures to make it known. Their possessing the Pilots...
1003From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 18 January 179[2] (Hamilton Papers)
I have learnt with infinite pain the circumstance of a new Bank having started up in your City. Its effects cannot but be in every view pernicious. These extravagant sallies of speculation do injury to the Government and to the whole system of public Credit, by disgusting all sober Citizens and giving a wild air to every thing. It is impossible but that three great banks in one City must raise...
1004From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 21 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Treasury Department, January 21, 1792. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] LS , sold by Stan V. Henkels, Jr., October 11, 1927, Lot 170.
1005From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 23 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, January 23, 1792. “The President of the United States having determined to add to the allowance of the keeper of the light house at Portland head the sum of twenty dollars per annum, you will be pleased to make the same known to him.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Boston, National...
1006Report on Estimates of Receipts and Expenditures for 1791–1792, [23 January 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, in obedience to the order of the House of Representatives of the 19th instant, respectfully makes the following, Report: At the close of the year 1790 there was a considerable surplus of revenue beyond the objects of expenditure, which had required a provision to that period; which surplus, by an act of the 12th. of August in that year, was appropriated to the...
1007Enclosure (A): [Statement of Expenditures Made], 23 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Amount of monies appropriated by an act of the 11th. of February 1791, making appropriations for the support of government during the year 1791, and for other purposes $ 740,232.60 Sum appropriated by an act of the 3d. March 1791, towards effecting a recognition of the treaty with the Emperor of Morocco } 20,000.00 Sum appropriated by an act of the same date, for raising another regiment, and...
1008Enclosure (B): [Estimate of the Nett Product of the Public Revenues], 23 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Import duties for 1791. Quarter ending the 31st March } { $ 314,881.11 Quarter ending the 30th June (A) 1,345,303.49 Quarter ending the 30th September 919,570.66 Quarter ending the 31st December (B.) 600,000.00 Total nett product of Imports for 1791 $3,179,755.26. Duties on home-made Spirits from the 1st of July to the last of December (C.) 150,000.00 Total nett Revenue, 1791
1009Enclosure (C): [Estimate of Annual Expenditures], 23 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Dollars Cents For the support of the civil establishments of the government, including 40,000 dollars for foreign affairs 368,653.56 Stated expenditure of the War department including 25,000 for Indian affairs 382,731.61 Pensions to Invalids 87,463.60 Interest on the public debt, foreign and domestic 838,848.77 including the amount of the State debts assumed 2,849,194.73 Total annual...
1010Report on the Public Debt and Loans, 23 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Pursuant to the order of the House of Representatives of the first of November 1791, directing the Secretary of the Treasury, “to report to the House the amount of the Subscriptions to the loans proposed by the act making provision for the Public Debt, as well in the debts of the respective States as in the domestic debt of the United States, and of the parts which remain unsubscribed,...
1011From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 23 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, January 23, 1792. Submits “the draft of a Report, pursuant to an order of the House of Representatives of the first day of November last.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See “Report on the Public Debt and Loans,” January 23, 1792
1012From Alexander Hamilton to Philip Schuyler, 24 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, January 24, 1792. On January 29, 1792, Schuyler wrote to Hamilton : “Your favor of the 24th instant I received yesterday.” Letter not found. Schuyler, who was H’s father-in-law, had been elected to the short term as United States Senator from New York in 1789 and was defeated for re-election by Aaron Burr in 1791. He was then elected to the fifteenth New York Senate, which met...
1013From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 24 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I feel great satisfaction in knowing from yourself, that your institution rejects the idea of coalition with the new project, or rather Hydra of projects. I shall labour to give what has taken place a turn favourable to another Union; the propriety of which is as you say clearly illustrated by the present state of things. It is my wish that the Bank of New York may, by all means, continue to...
1014From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, 25 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, January 25, 1792. On January 26, 1792, Jefferson wrote to Hamilton and referred to information “mentioned in your letter of yesterday.” Letter not found ].
1015From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [25 January 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton presents his respects to the President & submits the following alterations in the Letter— instead of “I shall be glad ” to say “it is my desire” or “it appears adviseable” that you prepare &c. Instead of “When our Constituents ” say “When the Community are called upon for considerable exertions, to relieve a part, which is suffering under the hand of an enemy, it is desireable to...
1016From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, [27 January 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, January 27, 1792. Letter not found. ] Letter recorded in Jefferson’s list of letters written and received ( AD , Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress).
1017From Alexander Hamilton to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 27 January … (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, January 27, 1792. “The Treasurer of the United States has been directed to draw upon you a Bill, at ten days, for 95.947½ Guilders, in favor of Mr. Jefferson, the Secretary for the Department of State, to which I request you to pay due honor.” Copy, RG 233, Reports of the Treasury Department, 1792–1793, Vol. III, National Archives. This letter was enclosed in H’s “Report...
1018From Alexander Hamilton to the President and Directors of the Bank of the United States, 28 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In order to a final arrangement on the subject, I have the honor to recapitulate to you the suggestions made by me in our late conference. First I am authorized to make known the wish of the President of the United States, that the provision in the 11th. Section of the Act constituting your institution may be carried into effect, and to take with the Bank the requisite arrangements for that...
1019From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 28 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
You will find herewith duplicate of my letter of the 30th of November last—Since which I am without any of your favours. It is with sincere pleasure, I embrace the opportunity of congratulating you on your appointment to the Hague as Minister Resident. This will afford you a better opportunity of watching and appreciating the course of Circumstances. You will consequently be obliged less to...
1020From Alexander Hamilton to George Gale, 1 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 20th Ultimo, and shall consider the several suggestions contained in it. The subject of compensation will come into view when the law shall be under revision. I am, Sir, with great consideration, Your Obed. Servant. LS , Northwestern University Gale was supervisor of the revenue for the District of Maryland. Letter not found. In “Report on the...
1021From Alexander Hamilton to Baron von Steuben, 1 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 1, 1792. On February 5, 1792, von Steuben wrote to Hamilton : “Votre lettre du 1 mier me parvient hier.” Letter not found. ] H had become friendly with von Steuben during the American Revolution when the baron was inspector general of the Continental Army. At the close of the war von Steuben settled in New York and engaged in the development of a large tract of land...
1022From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 2 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 2, 1792. Questions two entries in Delany’s “account with the United States.” States: “The Register of the Ship Blum Hoff Lady has been transmitted to me by the Collector of Burlington. He mentions that this vessel departed from his district without any papers, and that she has since sailed from Philadelphia. I wish to be informed if she brought any goods into your...
1023Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 2 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In a former letter you were constituted the Agent for the Cutter destined for the Station off Maryland. I have now to inform you that the authority of directing its movements is henceforward committed to you, subject to the instructions which shall be transmitted from this Department. I shall communicate this arrangement to the Captain of the Cutter on the Maryland Station. I am Sir Your...
1024Treasury Department Circular to the Captains of the Revenue Cutters, 3 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this day written to the Collector of Boston informing him, that in addition to his duty as agent for the cutter under your command, she is henceforward committed to his general direction, subject only to the instructions which shall be from time to time received from this department. You will therefore receive and execute his orders, and you will make your communications to him,...
1025From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 4 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 4, 1792. On February 15, 1792, Lincoln wrote to Hamilton : “Your two letters one under the 2d & the [other] under the fourth instant came to hand this evening.” Letter of February 4 not found. ]
1026From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 4 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 4, 1792. “I request that You will advance to the Supervisor of the District of Rhode Island the Sum of Two hundred Dollars, to be repaid to You by the said Supervisor, as soon as he shall be in cash.…” LS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence; copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Providence, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at...
1027From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 4 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 4, 1792. Transmits “a Contract between the Superintendant of the establishments on Delaware river, & Thomas Conaroe the elder, for repairing the public Piers adjacent to Reeding Island.…” States “that the charge is not disproportioned to what has been usually paid in other similar cases.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. William Allibone.
1028From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Whipple, 4 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 4, 1792. On February 28, 1792, Whipple wrote to Hamilton: “Your letter of the 4th. instant I had the honor to receive.” Letter not found. ]
1029Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 6 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It is my wish that you transmit to this office a return of the public property, exclusive of cash and bonds, in the hands of all the officers of the customs in your district, that is to say, the scales, weights, boats, &c. which may be in the hands or charge of any officer of the customs, from the Collector to the Inspector or Inspectors. This return it will be fit that you also transmit with...
1030From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 7 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I think it will be proper for the reasons in your letter of the 23d. ultimo, that you do not pay into the Providence Bank, for the account of the United States the monies you have in hand, and which you shall receive before the 20th. of May next. It is however my desire that you deposit the same in that institution to be passed to the credit of “the Collector of the district of Providence” and...
1031From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 9 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It appearing from documents in the Treasury, that there remain at this time a number of draughts unpaid, which were drawn by the Treasurer upon the Collector of Norfolk and others, in the months of April, May, June, July &ca last, and lodged in the Bank of New York for sale; I request that you will cause a statement to be transmitted to this office, of all the Treasurers draughts, which may...
1032From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 10 February 179[2] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 6th instant. The full and confidential communication you make is equally acceptable and necessary. I sincerely hope the Petitioners for a New Bank may be frustrated; but I fear more than I hope. General Schuyler will do every thing in his power against them. Every day unfolds the mischievous tendency of this mad scheme. The enemies to Banks & Credit are in a...
1033From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, 11 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 11, 1792. On February 27, 1792, Ellery wrote to Hamilton and referred to “Your letter of the 11th of this month in answer to mine of the 16th of Jany.” Letter not found. ]
1034From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [13 February 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to communicate to the President some letters which have recently come to hand respecting the execution of the Excise Law in Kentuckey. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Letters not found. “An Act repealing, after the last day of June next, the duties heretofore laid upon Distilled Spirits imported from abroad, and laying others in...
1035From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 14 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 14, 1792. On March 5, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Appleton : “In mine of the 14th ultimo, I instructed you to dispose of the draughts.” Letter not found. ] Appleton was commissioner of loans for Massachusetts.
1036From Alexander Hamilton to John Kean, 14 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
You will herewith receive a Warrant upon the Treasurer in your favor for 225 ³³⁄₁₀₀ dollars, for the purpose of paying certain dividends of interest due to non subscribing Creditors. In the doing of which you will be guided by the Abstracts accompanying this, certified by the proper Officers of the Treasury. I am with great consideration, Sir, Your Obedt servt LS , Ohio Historical Society,...
1037From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 14 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your several favours of Sept. 23d. Oct. 10th. & Dec. 1st. It appears to me probable that your movement towards Antwerp produced the appearance of a four per cent loan, and I hope from it in the result good effects. Inclosed you will find a copy of a letter of the same date with this to the Commissioners in Holland. You will easily comprehend the motives which dictated the turn...
1038From Alexander Hamilton to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 14 February … (Hamilton Papers)
I am just honored with your several favours of Nov 21st & 24th & December 2d. I learn with regret the disappointment, which has attended your endeavour, to procure a loan for the united states, at the reduced rate of four per cent interest. Your success would doubtless have been as interesting, to the credit of this country, as it would have been pleasing, both to the President of the united...
1039From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, 15 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 15, 1792. On March 5, 1792, Ellery wrote to Hamilton : “I … received a letter of the 20th. of the last month from the Assist. Secry … and a Letter from you Sir, of the 15th. of the same month.” Letter not found. ]
1040From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [17 February 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
If I understood the President aright, in a conversation some days since, it was his pleasure that a Mr. William Alexander of Rowan County in the State of North Carolina should be nominated as Inspector in place of Mr. Dowel who declined & whose commission I delivered to the President. If he has not mentioned the thing to you, will you ask his orders concerning it? ’Tis of importance the place...
1041From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 18 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It appears from the abstract of unclaimed interest, rendered by the Commissioner of loans of your State, that you have a credit on his books for 337⁵⁰⁄₁₀₀ Dollars, being the amount of interest on 15,000, 6 per Cent and 15,000, 3 per Cent Stock, for the quarter ending the 31st of March 1791. This Stock is supposed to have been purchased by you under the Act making provision for the reduction of...
1042From Alexander Hamilton to John Tayler, 18 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Capt Williamson who will deliver you this, was formerly a British Officer. He comes to this Country to take the direction of a settlement about to be made in the Western parts of our State, by a Company of Gentlemen in England, who purchased a tract of land from Mr. Morris. He has I understand become a Citizen of The United States, and is, I am well assured, very friendly to them. He appears...
1043From Alexander Hamilton to Abraham Ten Broeck, 18 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, February 18, 1792. Introduces Captain Charles Williamson. ALS , Davenport Library, Bath, New York. A resident of Albany, Ten Broeck was a lawyer, land speculator, and prominent New York Federalist. The contents of this letter are the same as that of H to John Tayler, February 18, 1792 .
1044From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [18 February 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to communicate for the information of the President a letter which he had just received from the Supervisor of North Carolina. The complexion of things there tho’ not pleasing is rather better than worse. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found. The supervisor of the revenue for North Carolina was William Polk.
1045From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 20 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 20, 1792. “I duly received your letter of the 29th Ultimo, and am of opinion that you may safely accept an entry made under the appointment by Mr Cuthbert transmitted to me in that letter.” LS , RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives. Lee was collector...
1046Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 21 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In pursuance of arrangements with the Bank of the United States, I have to desire, that after the expiration of a month from the time of the receipt of this letter, you will discontinue the execution of my former instructions concerning the receipt, and exchange for specie, of the Cash Notes and Post Notes of the Banks of North-America and New-York. The regularity of the service requires that...
1047From Alexander Hamilton to Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 22 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowlege your letter of yesterday. You will find enclosed warrants on the Treasurer for the sums you desire, that is to say, one in favour of yourself for Eight thousand three hundred and twenty five Dollars, the other in favour of Mr. De la forest, Vice Consul General of France for Twenty two thousand Dollars. The amounts of these warrants will be paid by the Treasurer...
1048From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 23 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to inclose to the President of the United States, a contract made by the Superintendant of the Lighthouse on the Island of New Castle in the State of Hampshire with Titus Salter for supplying, keeping, lighting, & superintending the occasional repairs of that building. The terms of this Contract being the same as those in the last...
1049From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [24 February 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The President is right. The person intended is Joseph McDowell the younger; and a more precise designation would be by adding, “ of Pleasant Garden. ” But I imagine it will be well to defer the matter ’till the general nomination of the Officers of Inspection is made to the Senate, & to include this case. Yrs. &c LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See H to Lear, February 17,...
1050From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [24 February 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to return the President the papers received from Mr. Lear, which he has carefully perused, and will wait on the President tomorrow at ten o’Clock accordingly. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The papers which H received from Tobias Lear were apparently the same ones that the President sent to the Secretary of State on February 24,...