51Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 22 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of arrangements lately taken with the Bank of North America, and the Bank of New York, for the accommodation of the Government, I am to inform you that it is my desire, that the Notes of those Banks, payable either on demand, or at no longer period than thirty days after their respective dates; should be received in payment of the duties, as equivalent to Gold and Silver, and...
52From Alexander Hamilton to Sir John Temple, 23 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The Collector of this Port has submitted to me ⟨a ques⟩ tion respecting the propriety of requiring an Entry ⟨at the⟩ Custom house of the British Packets. In order ⟨to a⟩ proper determination of this point, it is necessary ⟨that⟩ I should understand with certainty & precision ⟨the si⟩tuation of those Packets; under what Commissions ⟨they⟩ are Navigated, and what relation, if any, they bear ⟨to...
53From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, 24 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, September 24, 1789. On September 24, 1789, Duane wrote to Hamilton : “I called upon you within the time limited to give you my answer on the Communication which … you was pleased to make me this morning.” Letter not found. ] Duane was mayor of New York City.
54From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, [24 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
As I shall have occasion to draw on the several Collectors it is necessary that you should be acquainted with my Signature which you have here below I am Sir Your most humb Servt. L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1789–1807, Vol. 4, National Archives. Lincoln was collector of customs at Boston.
55From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 25 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
⟨Here⟩ with is a circular letter, the ⟨principal object of⟩ which relates to an arrangement with the ⟨Banks⟩ of North America and New York, founded upon an immediate accommodation to the public. I am not sufficiently acquainted with the constitution and operations of your Bank to determine posstively how far the receipt of their Notes in payment of the Duties would be a measure of prudence....
56Report on a Particular Statement of the Warrants Issued by the Late Superintendent of Finance, and by the Board of … (Hamilton Papers)
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives] The Secretary of the Treasury, in obedience to the order of the House of the 23d Sept. 1789, respectfully submits the settlement therein required, together with one of the whole anticipation on the taxes made by the late superintendant of Finance, at the time of resigning his office; on which a balance appears due of 93,463 20/90ths. dollars....
57From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Willing, 25 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, September 25, 1789. On October 1, 1789, Willing wrote to Hamilton : “Your Favor of the 25th Ult was received on the 29.” Letter not found. ]
58From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Harison, [26 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Taking it for granted that you will be appointed Atty General of the district I request your opinion as to the Bond required to be taken by the Collectors respecting the certificate of Registry of Vessels. Can it be taken directly to “The United States of America” or must it be in the name of the Collector? Will any bond to the United States of America be valid? The Question arises on the act...
59Treasury Department Circular to the Governors of the States, 26 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to an order of the House of Representatives of the 21st. Instant (Copy of which I have the honor to enclose) it becomes my duty to request your Excellency to procure and transmit to this Office the Documents and Information therein required. As the next Session of the Legislature will be on the first monday of January ensuing, it is greatly to be wished that the whole of the above...
60From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
It may happen that the Treasurer will draw upon you for the Compensation to the Senators and Representatives of New Hampshire as well as those of your State. The direction given to you with respect to the latter, is to extend to the former. I am Sir Your obedient Servant L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1790–1810, Vol. 2, National Archives. Samuel...
61Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 1 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The United States in Congress having by their Act of the 7th. of August last Ordained “That all expences for the necessary support and maintenance of Light-houses, Beacons, Buoys &ca. within any Port or Harbour of the United States, should after the 15th. of August last, be defrayed out of the Treasury of the United States”; You will be pleased to transmit forthwith to this Office, as...
62From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Clay, 2 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 2, 1789. On December 30, 1789 , Clay wrote to Hamilton: “I received your very obliging favour of the 2d Octr.” Letter not found. ] Clay was a Savannah merchant and planter who had served as paymaster general of the Continental Army in the Southern Department.
63Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 2 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As in the first establishiment of Revenue systems, imperfections and inconveniencies will naturally present themselves in practice, which could not have been foreseen in their formation; it is of the greatest moment, that the best information should be collected for the use of the Government as to the operation of those, which may have been adopted. To the obtaining this information, as it...
64From Alexander Hamilton to John Davidson, 3 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, October 3, 1789. Acknowledges receipt of Davidson’s “letter of the 24th of last month.” Sends directions for filing of surety bond. States that privileges to ships of the United States are to be extended to Rhode Island and North Carolina vessels until January 15, 1790. Copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to...
65Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 3 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is the copy of an Act for amending the “Act for registering and Clearing Vessels, regulating the Coasting Trade, and for other purposes,” which I transmit you for your Government. I am Sir Your humble servt. LS , to Charles Lee, Charles Lee Papers, Library of Congress; LS , to John Scott, Harvard College Library; LS , to William Webb, Princeton University Library; L[S] , to Otho...
66From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 3 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
From some returns which have already come to me I am led to fear that smuggling has already began in some parts of our eastern extremity. I have under consideration the business of establishing Guard boats, and will be much obliged to you for you[r] ideas on this subject—the usefulness of the thing, the kind of boats the plan upon which they ought to be established and the probable expence....
67From Alexander Hamilton to John Rice, 5 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 20th of September has duly come to hand. In regard to the enquiry you make, I am of opinion that the Law does not intend to allow a Vessel to proceed from one District to another, without paying or securing the Duties in the first; except when originally bound to another, and obliged from necessity to put into the Port at which she arrives as provided for in the twelvth...
68Treasury Department Circular to the Wardens of the Ports, 5 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
If any arrangement has been made at the Port where you reside for the support Maintenance and repairs of Light-houses, Beacons, Buoys &c. under your direction; you will be pleased to continue the charge and superintendence of the same in the usual manner, ’till you receive further Instructions from me on this subject, taking care that your expenditures for those objects be conducted with...
69From Alexander Hamilton to Marquis de Lafayette, 6 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have seen with a mixture of Pleasure and apprehension the Progress of the events which have lately taken Place in your Country. As a friend to mankind and to liberty I rejoice in the efforts which you are making to establish it while I fear much for the final success of the attempts, for the fate of those I esteem who are engaged in it, and for the danger in case of success of innovations...
70Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 6 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have reason to know, that some of the Collectors have conceived themselves authorised to make ye discount allowed by Law for prompt payment, after Bonds were given for securing the Duties. This is not in my opinion, the true construction of the Act. You will therefore under such circumstances avoid making the above discount. I am Sir Your Obedient Servant LS , to Jedediah Huntington, MS...
71From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Willing, 6 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 6, 1789. On October 13, 1789, Willing wrote to Hamilton : “We received your favor of the 6th inst.” Letter not found. ]
72From Alexander Hamilton to 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: “Mr hamilton, secretaire du Tresor, avoit remis confidentiellement à M. le Cte. de Moustier une notte pour l’informer que l’objet principal de la prochaine session du Congrès seroit l’arrangement des finances et pour le sonder si sa Majesté etoit disposée à donner aux Americains une...
73From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 7 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I think it probable you will have learnt, through other channels, before this reaches you, my appointment as Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. In this capacity the debt due from us to France will of course constitute one of the objects of my attention. Except with regard to a few laws of immediate urgency, respecting commercial imposts, and navigation, the late session of...
74From Alexander Hamilton to Stephen Higginson, 9 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 9, 1789. On October 27, 1789, Higginson wrote to Hamilton : “Your Letter of the 9th instant I rec’d.” Letter not found. ] Higginson was a Boston merchant and Federalist.
75From Alexander Hamilton to William Bingham, 10 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
There is a species of information highly requisite to the Government in adjusting the policy of its Treaties and Laws respecting Navigation for obtaining which with proper accuracy and detail no regular plan has ever yet been persued in this Country. It relates to the comparative advantages with which the Navigation of the United States and that of other Nations with whom they trade is or can...
76From Alexander Hamilton to John Fitzgerald, 10 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, October 10, 1789. Asks Fitzgerald for information concerning foreign and domestic commerce. LS , United States Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut. The letter is a duplicate of that sent to William Bingham on the same date. Fitzgerald was an Irish-born Virginia planter who had been one of George Washington’s aides-de-camp.
77Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 10 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I observe that by the 24th. Section of the Act for Registering and Clearing vessels &c. it is provided, that Vessels bound to foreign parts should deliver manifests of their Cargoes to the Collectors of the Ports from which they are to sail. The object of this provision doubtless was to obtain a knowledge of the exports of the Country: to carry which into effect I am to desire that a regular...
78From Alexander Hamilton to Catharine Greene, 10 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 10, 1789. The manuscript dealer’s catalogue description states that Hamilton explained to an unidentified woman the requirements for obtaining a loan in the United States. Letter not found. ] LS , sold at Samuel Freeman and Company, December 8, 1952; ALS , sold by Dodd, Mead and Company, New York City, November, 1903, Catalogue 69, Item 62. Catharine Greene was the widow of...
79From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Peters, [11 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I duly received yours of the 16 of September; of which my hurry has prevented me an earlier acknowledgement. On the subject of your letter I can only say that the present arrangements of the Treasury department include nothing which meets the object; and that every thing future must depend on legislative provision. For the present I can only assure you of my favourable impression of Mr....
80From Alexander Hamilton to James Madison, [12 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My Dear Sir for the line you was so obliging as to leave for me and for the loan of the book accompanying it; in which I have not yet made sufficient progress to judge of its merit. I dont know how it was but I took it for granted that you had left town much earlier than you did; else I should have found an opportunity after your adjournment to converse with you on the subjects...
81Treasury Department Circular to the Continental Loan Officers, 12 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As I am not certain in what light the Commissioners of the Loan Office in the several states may consider themselves with regard to their continuance in Office, under the old establishment, I think it necessary to apprise them, that the provision which has been made for their compensation does not extend beyond the 30th. June last; being the period to which warrants were issued by the late...
82Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 14 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed I send you agreable to an Intimation in a former letter the signatures of the president and Cashier of the Banks of North-America and New York; together with a general description of those notes, which will enable you to guard against Impositions and Counterfeits. Where the notes are payable to any particular person and not to bearer, you will take care that there is an indorsement of...
83Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 15 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
There is a species of information, which it will be convenient to you to obtain and which will be of important use to the Government: it respects the mode of Navigating of the several States; and of Foreign Nations. With a view to which I have framed a number of Queeries, to which as speedily as the requisite enquiries can be made, I request answers. Thought I do not consider it as a part of...
84Enclosure: [Questions Concerning the Navigation of the Several States], [15 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Questions concerning the navigation of the several States, and Foreign Nations to which answers are requested. What is the usual construction of the Vessels built in your State, and in those Foreign Countries, that trade with you (particularly France Great Britain the United Netherlands, Russia Denmark, and Sweden) as it respects their capacity for carrying an[d] sailing? What is the original...
85From Alexander Hamilton to John Rice, 16 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, October 16, 1789. “I am favored with yours of the 9th. instant transmitting your Return of Receipts and Payments to that day. Out of the Monies then stated to be in hand, you may exchange Notes of the Banks of New York and Philadelphia to the amount of Ten thousand Dollars.…” L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1772–1818, Vol. 6,...
86From Alexander Hamilton to Elie Williams, 17 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 10th Instant, in which you inform me, that you have drawn Bills on me on account of Issues under your first Contract, Supposed to be due in the Months of October, November & December, to the amount of Six Thousand Dollars, payable at Twenty, Fifty, and Eighty days. Although I have every disposition to facilitate the execution of your Contract (So far as I can...
87From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 19 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, October 19, 1789. “I have this day drawn on you … a sett of Bills of Exchange payable at Sight for Two thousand Dollars.…” L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1789–1807, Vol. 4, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Boston, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National...
88Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 20 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
On Reflection, I have concluded to substitute the Form herewith transmitted for the Monthly returns required in mine of the 2d. Oct. instant, as less troublesome than the one there proposed; but I still mean that the Quarterly Returns should be conformable to the Model already furnished. I shall expect as soon as may be a Return of all the past according to that Model up to the last of...
89From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [20 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your desire, I sit down to commit a few lines to the Post. Nothing worth particular mention has occured since your Departure; except a report brought by Mr. Keane from So. Carolina, that Mc. Gilivray the Indian Chief had, after a short conference, left our Commissioners, declaring that what they had suggested was only a repetion of the old Storey and inadmissible, or something to...
90From Alexander Hamilton to John Witherspoon, 20 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 20, 1789. On October 26, 1789, Witherspoon wrote to Hamilton : “On Saturday I had the Pleasure of receiving Yours of the 20th.” Letter not found. ] Witherspoon was president of the College of New Jersey (Princeton).
91From Alexander Hamilton to Tench Coxe, 26 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 26, 1789. On November 30, 1789, Coxe wrote to Hamilton : “by way of answer to the queries I had the honour to receive from you, the 26th of last month.” Letter not found. ]
92From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 26 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Pay to Baron De Steuben or bearer Fifty Dollars. New York October 26th. 1789. ADS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Bank of New York. Frederick William Augustus Henry Ferdinand, Baron von Steuben.
93From Alexander Hamilton to John Barney, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 21. instant and beg you to accept my thanks for it. The intimations of Zealous and intelligent citizens will always be received by me with attention and acknowledgement. The ideas contained in your Letter appear to me solid and judicious. As far as my reflections have gone they coincide very much with the views you entertain of the matter. But at present...
94From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Goodhue, [29 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I am duly favoured with your letter of the Eighteenth instant, and receive the observations you have been so obliging as to make, not only with candor but with thanks as a mark of your friendship and confidence. I am far from relying so much upon my own judgment, as not to think it very possible, I may have been mistaken in both the constructions on which you remark. Indeed I see abundant room...
95From Alexander Hamilton to Beverley Randolph, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter by the last Post without date I have had the honor of receiving. I perceive that you had concluded to defer directing the Amount of the State debt to be furnished, ’till a provision is made by the Legislature respecting Funds for discharging it. Allow me to remark Sir, that I am persuaded, for a variety of reasons, that the Amount of the debt, is the most material part of the...
96Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 31 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
A question has been submitted to me by the Collectors of certain ports, which being of a general nature, I have thought fit to make the subject of a circular instruction. It is this, whether the duties are demandable on importations after the first of August, and prior to the organisation of the Custom houses in the respective districts. After mature reflection on this point, I am of opinion...
97Conversation with George Beckwith, [October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Seventh. I have requested to see you on this occasion from a Wish to Explain Certain points, relative to our situation, and from a desire to suggest a measure, which I conceive to be both for the interest of Great Britain, and of this Country to adopt. We have lately Established a Government upon principles, that in my opinion render it safe for any Nation to Enter into Treaties with us,...
98From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Whipple, [1] November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November [ 1 ] 1789 . Has drawn five hundred dollars on him in favor of John Langdon. LS , Harvard College Library. Langdon, a New Hampshire merchant and legislator, was elected to the United States Senate in 1789.
99From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 2 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter which I have just received from Mr. Wolcott the auditor of the Treasury. The information which he wishes to obtain being essential to the proper settlement of several accounts of considerable moment, as they affect both the character and interest of the United States; I request the favour of you, Sir, if there be any document in the office of...
100From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 3 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November 3, 1789. “I observe by your Letter of the 11th. of October last, that the Registers for Vessells … had not come to hand.… Be kind Enough to inform me in your next, whether you have yet received them.” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Alexandria, Letters Received from the Secretary, National Archives.