1From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 22 January 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed I transmit to you, the Copies of three several petitions of Jacob Quincy, and John McCalpin to the Judge of the District Court of the District of Maine. I have therefore to request that after maturely considering the facts stated in the said Petitions and the suggestion concerning your Deputy you will be pleased to inform me, whether what is alledged did happen and also what is the...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 27 November 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have found it necessary, in order to provide for the punctual payment of the Allowances to fishing Vessels , which will become due on the 31st of the ensuing month to authorise the Collectors of the several Districts in Massachusetts to draw on you, when the funds in their hands shall be inadequate to discharge the demands upon them. The Collectors who may have occasion to resort to this...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 19 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 19, 1794. “A temporary absence from the seat of Government added to a great pressure of public Business since my return has prevented me from replying sooner to your favor of the 8th July last. As it was not in my power to do anything in the case stated by you untill it came properly before me—I have in consequence of an application from the parties themselves,...
4From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 7, 1794. “A warrant has issued this day in your favor … for Eight Thousand, Eight hundred and forty nine dollars and twenty five Cents … for Spermiceti Oil for the use of the Light Houses in the United States.…” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters and Papers re Lighthouses, Buoys, and Piers, 1789–1819, Vol. 3, National Archives. See Tench Coxe to H,...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
What sail Cloth shall we use for the Frigates that of Domestic or that of Foreign Manufacture? National pride & interest plead for the former if the quality be really good. But is it really good? Objections are made; that which is principally insisted upon is that it shrinks exceedingly. Let me know with certainty what Experience has decided. I ask your opinion because I rely on your...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 26 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, June 26, 1794. “Inclosed is a copy of a letter to me from the collector of Barnstable, being an application for a Boat for the use of the Inspector at Tarpentine cove. I request your opinion as to the public utility of keeping such a boat at the place mentioned.” L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1789–1807, Vol. 4, National Archives;...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 19 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, June 19, 1794. “I have to request that the draft of the Collector of York mentioned in your letter of the 21st. of march last may be paid, as in other cases of fishing bounties.” L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1790–1810, Vol. 2, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Boston, National Archives; copy, RG 56,...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 16 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 19th of march last, containing an explanation of the affair between the officers of the Customs and the british Consul. Though I thought it proper to notice the circumstance, I was beforehand persuaded that what has been done did not proceed from any culpable motive. I still however am of opinion that the hint of public resentment ought to have been avoided...
9From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 14 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, June 14, 1794. “Your letter of the 21st of January last in the hurry of business got out of view. The instruction therein requested, respecting the Schooner Flora and Schooner Greyhound is however no more required; the appraisements of those Vessels and Cargoes having been since received. It appears that the money you lodged in the branch Bank of New York on account of the...
10From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 1 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, May 1, 1794. “The difficulty stated in your letter of the 10th of April with regard to certain claims for drawback can only be obviated by an application to Congress, there being no where a power vested to dispense with the proof which is required by law of the landing of the goods in a foreign country.” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
A paper of which the inclosed is a copy was put into my hands by a Gentleman by way of information. It is said, that the original was addressed to the British Consul at Boston. I request from You an explanation of this affair. The threat of the resentment of the Citizens was a circumstance, if it existed, particularly unguarded and improper in an official communication. With much consideration...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 1 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 1, 1794. On March 20, 1794, Lincoln wrote to Hamilton: “Your letters of the 10th: Ulto & first instant have been received.” Letter of March 1 not found. ]
13From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, James Lovell, and Thomas Melville, 20 February 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 20, 1794. “I am to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, respecting the Petition of the Inspectors and to assure you that early and proper attention will be paid to the subject.” 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,...
14From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 22 January 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th Instant having reference to certain doubts arising out of the 61st Section of the Collection Law. As it is expected this matter will shortly undergo Legislative revision, I forbear for the present any particular remark on the subject. I am with great consideration Sir your obedt. Servant L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 21 January 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, January 21, 1794. On February 1, 1794, Lincoln wrote to Hamilton : “By this mornings post your letter of the 21st. Ulto was received.” Letter not found. ]
16From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 5 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I have found it necessary in order to provide for the punctual payment of the allowances to fishing vessels which will become due on the 31st inst to authorise the Collectors of the several districts in Massachusetts to draw on you, when the funds in their hands shall be inadequate to discharge the demands uppon them. The Collectors who may have occasion to resort to this resourse have been...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 6 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
To the circumstances already mentioned in my letter of Yesterday it must be ascribed that certain communications of the 27th of August last from the Deputy collector have not received an earlier attention. My opinion on the case in question is, that the drawback claimed by Mr. Foster cannot be allowed unless the oath of the master and mate be procured, as prescribed by law, in addition to the...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 5 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I had prepared an answer to a letter from your Deputy of the 22d of August last, when the late calamity in Philadelphia, and my indisposition caused a temporary interruption in the current business of this Department. My circular of the 4th of August will have informed you, that prizes brought in, or sent in, by armed vessels, originally fitted out of our ports are not to be admitted to entry....
19From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 15 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The office of discount and deposit at Boston, having at my request paid draughts of sundry Collectors for bounties to Fishing Vessels to the amount of 32,970 Dollars and 47 Cents, I am to request that you will as fast as you shall be in cash on account of the duties on imports and Tonnage replace that advance to the above amount; taking duplicate receipts for each payment according to the form...
20From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 23 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, May 23, 1793. “You will herewith receive a package of Sea letters, which I request you to distribute among the Collectors of your State, as they shall apply for them. A further and a larger parcel will be forwarded to you, for the same purpose in a few days.…” L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1789–1807, National Archives; copy, RG...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 16 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, May 16, 1793. Authorizes payment to Moses Hays for “14,000 Gallons best pressed spermaceti oil, supplied for the Northern & Eastern light houses.” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters and Papers re Lighthouses, Buoys, and Piers, 1789–1819, National Archives. See H to George Washington, second letter of May 8, 1793 .
22From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 22 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 22, 1792. “Pursuant to an application from John Lee Esqr, Collector of Penobscot, I have to request that you will supply him with a dozen Certificates of Registry without delay.” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury and Others, 1789–1809, Vol. 1, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,”...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 10 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 10, 1792. “The Collector of Wiscassett has applied to this Office for a supply of blank Certificates of Registry. I have to request that you will, for the present, transmit him a dozen blanks without delay. He has been directed to apply in future to you in due time—naming the quantity required.…” L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 17 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November 17, 1792. “The Collector of Frenchmans Bay in his letter to me dated October the 1st, which has just come to hand, applies for some blank certificates of Registry. I have informed him in the enclosed letter that he will be supplied from your office in the usual course. This I request may be done without loss of time.…” L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston,...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 18 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received the petition of John Mackay, Master of the Ship Charlotte, praying for a mitigation or remission of the damages found against him by the Jury, together with a statement of facts on the same subject from the District Judge of Massachusetts. As the fine was in the discretion of the Jury the imposition of one so considerable as two hundred and fifty Dollars furnishes a presumption...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have concluded upon consideration of the circumstances represented in your letter of the 20th. instant to authorize the sale of the Revenue Cutter as you propose. In the building of a new one, I must recommend care to be taken, that the vessel be of a proper size; and that her cost be within the limits mentioned in your letter. I am with great consideration Sir Your obedt Servant LS , RG 36,...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, September 29, 1792. “I have duly received your letter of the 14th Instant, purporting a request from Mr Thomas …: however grateful it might be to me, to promote the plan undertaken by Mr Thomas, I cannot dispense with the law to do it.” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1789–1807, Vol. 4, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to the...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 3 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, September 3, 1792. Informs Lincoln that “a Warrant has this day issued on the Treasurer in your favor, as Agent to John Lowell, Attorney for Jonathan Jackson, late Marshall of the District of Massachusetts, for the sum of Nine hundred & Sixty four dollars and thirty Cents.” Requests a receipt. LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1789–1818...
29From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 27 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 27, 1792. “I received your letter of the 17th Instant, enclosing an application from Mr Foster for the payment of certain drawbacks. As the case is stated, it is such an one, in which the Law is precise: & there is no discretionery power vested in me.…” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1789–1818 (vol. unnumbered), National...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 14 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 14, 1792. “It had been intimated to me, previous to the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant, that a dissimilar construction was given in the Custom Houses to the laws which relate to the importation of Teas &ca.… The mode adopted at your office appears to be comformable to the sense of the law.” L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the...
31From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 7, 1792. “I have directed a Thermometer to be sent to You, which I request You will please to forward to the Collector of Machias.…” 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...
32From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 6 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
You were perfectly right in making the seizure, announced in your letter of the 26th Ultimo. I do not see that any thing can be done in respect to the Drawback you mention. No payment on that account can be made until the requisite evidence is produced; and there might be circumstances which would altogether preclude the possibility of producing that evidence. L[S] , RG 36, Collector of...
33From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 2 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, August 2, 1792. “I have directed a packet to be sent to you by water, containing two Thermometers which I request you will forward by a safe conveyance; the one to the Collector of Barnstable, and the other to the Collector of Frenchman’s bay.” L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1789–1807, Vol. 4, National Archives; copy, RG 56,...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 21 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In the District of Edgar-town there is a Harbour called Holmes hole, where the Collector has appointed an Inspector (Ebenr Smith). It is represented to me, that many vessels come to anchor in that harbour, which are destined for other ports, and it is thought expedient to keep a boat there, for the purpose of boarding vessels, receiving manifests, and to transmit them to the ports, to which...
35From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 27 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have before me your letter of the 6th instant. I refer you to the 45th Section of the Act, commonly called the Excise law, where you will find a penalty of five hundred Dollars, for making use of untrue certificates. This Section would be applicable in the case you state, as the certificate accompanying the Rum must be deemed untrue relatively to the article. I am of opinion that, though...
36From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 13 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
⟨It appears by⟩ a letter which I have received from ⟨the Collector of Bermuda⟩ Hundred that Captain Silas ⟨Dogget, of the Ship George⟩ of Boston on clearing at his Office for a ⟨foreign port⟩ (Ostend) in May 1791, delivered up a trading license, issued at Boston, which, it is stated, was immediately transmitted to you, and a certificate of the delivery granted to Dogget. From Ostend the...
37From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 2 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 4th of March remains yet to be answered. The question there stated is in substance, whether a Citizen residing out of your state, coming to Boston, and there purchasing a Vessel, must necessarily take and subscribe the oath or affirmation required by law, before the Collector of the District where such Citizen usually resides , in order to obtain a certificate of Registry...
38From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 2 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In my letter of the 22d of march I communicated my desire, that you would pay weekly into the Boston branch of the Bank of the united States, the monies arising in Your office, which it was my intention to have passed immediately to the credit of the Treasurer of the united States. I find it necessary to observe however, that the public service will require Your retaining a sufficiency to...
39From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 22 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Commissioner of Loans will receive by this post my instructions relative to the quarter’s interest on the public debt. After retaining the sum of six thousand Dollars, in specie, to pay certain Bills of the Commissioner of Loans in New Hampshire, you will be pleased to pay into the Boston Branch Bank the remaining specie and notes of the Bank of the United States which will be in your...
40From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 5 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, March 5, 1792. “It is probable that Treasury draughts in favour of the commissioner of loans of New Hampshire to the extent of 6000 Dollars will be directed to you, which I request you to pay, together with such sums as shall be presented to you in the like draughts by the Commissioner of Your state, towards payment of the interest for the accruing quarter.” L[S] , RG 36,...
41From 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...
42From 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. ]
43From 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...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 24 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The President has received a petition from the keeper of the light house at Portland (Joseph Greenleaf) setting forth that his compensation is fixed below the rate at which he can afford to perform the service. It is understood that it was not a matter of contract, but that it was fixed at that rate after his appointment to the duty. Your opinion on the sufficiency of the allowance and on the...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 18 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is an application which has been made to the President. I request your opinion, as to the competency of the present allowance, or as to what would be a competent one, if you think the present deficient. When you communicate it, you will please to send back the representation now transmitted. I am, with great consideration, Sir, Your Obed Servant. LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at...
46From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 17 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 2nd instant has been duly received. You were perfectly right in charging the Schooner Industry with the rate of foreign Tonnage. As the fact stands, it does not appear that the law authorises a restitution; and the parties, in pursuing a second voyage without a Register, after having been once indulged, and admonished, and after sufficient time and opportunity were given...
47From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 12 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 4th Ultimo, inclosing a duplicate receipt, No 345, of the Bank of Massachusetts for a payment of twenty five thousand Dollars, made by you into that Bank. With regard to the boatmen, I fully approve of your idea, upon the strength of what you suggest, that the service will not suffer by dismissing three of them during the winter season. I am, Sir, with great...
48From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 18 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The post of this day brought me your letter of the 7th instant. I am pained that my having desired a second return of your purchases of the public debt should have caused you uneasiness. Be assured that an idea of inattention on your part had no share in producing that request. Your first statement with the vouchers was handed over to the Auditor, and was not particularly in my mind, when I...
49From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The account rendered by Capt. Williams will be transmitted for Examination to the accounting officers of the Treasury, of which I request you to inform him. The account you give of the Conduct of the Jury in the Cases of Capt. Davis and his mate is such as to create great uneasiness. I approve your intention of having a jury for the next experiment from Suffolk. It is certainly proper that on...
50From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The law making provision for the reduction of the public debt requiring that an account of the purchases should be laid before Congress within the first fourteen days of each session, and as I am informed that only a part of the purchases made by you, yet appears on the books of the Treasury, I am to request that you will without delay have this business completed and all such stock as may...