101To Alexander Hamilton from Angelica Church, [5–7 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Me voila mon tres cher bien en mer et le pauvre coeur bien effligé de vous avoir quitté. I have almost vowed not to stay three weeks in England. My Baron desires me to write beaucoup de petits folies but I am not much disposed for gaity, and yet I endeavor already to make myself tolerable to my fellow passengers, that my sweet friends advice may not be lost on me. Do my dear Brother endeaver...
102To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 6 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Hartford, November 6, 1789. On November 12–14, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Wadsworth : “I am just favoured with your’s of the 6th instant.” Letter not found. ]
103To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 7 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, November 7, 1789. “With this letter, I inclose my Weekly return.… You will … greatly facilitate the Work and insure uniformity therein (I presume in every other Office as well as mine) if you will please to order printed forms to be furnished.… It may be consistent for me to mention that no appointments of Officers in the Department of the Customs reached this place before Saturday...
104To Alexander Hamilton from Alexander Macwhorter, 9 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
November 9, 1789. “Being informed that there are some offices under you and in your department which are not supplied with clerks, I take the liberty of addressing … to you in behalf of Mr. Samuel Beebee a citizen of New York and son in law of mine as a person I believe well qualified to be a clerk in some such place. He has been unfortunate in the sea trade during the war and since, and...
105To Alexander Hamilton from Vincent Gray, 10 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, November 10, 1789. On November 25, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Gray : “I am favoured with your two Letters of the 10th and 11th Instant.” Letter of November 10 not found. ] Gray was deputy collector of customs at Alexandria.
106To Alexander Hamilton from Vincent Gray, 11 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, November 11, 1789. On November 25, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Gray : “I am favoured with your two letters of the 10th and 11th Instant.” Letter of November 11 not found. ]
107To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, [11] November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last Letter I suggested, that a good Officer might, for want of support, be borne down by the combined ⟨w⟩eight of people in trade. Since then, there has a case arisen ⟨i⟩n point. in the port where I mentioned your having a ⟨g⟩ood Collector, such persons have been appointed Inspectors, as were wholly unfit for the Office, by the influence of people in Trade. One of them has been already...
108To Alexander Hamilton from Jedediah Huntington, 11 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New London, Connecticut, November 11, 1789. On November 24, 1787, Hamilton wrote to Huntington : “I acknowledge the receipt of your’s of the 11th. instant.” Letter not found. ]
109To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Otis, 12 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Barnstable [ Massachusetts ] November 12, 1789 . “Yours of the 5th. ultimo receiv’d respecting the Expence of Light Houses, Beacons & Buoys &c in this District, I would inform you that there never was any Expence of that Kind within the same.… But a Light-House erected to the Northward of Cape-Codd Harbour, would be the Means of saving many Lives.…” LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received,...
110To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 13 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 6th Instant, and should have replyed to the Contents by the last Mail, had not other Engagements prevented it. I always understood that if the Bank stock was to be replaced, I was to pay the Dividends, but as Interest must be allowed on the amount of the Warrants deposited, during the time that payment is delayed, I also understood that the...
111To Alexander Hamilton from John Habersham, 14 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Savannah, November 14, 1789. “… In answer to your letter of the 1st. ultimo, I have to inform you, that the only public Convenience we have in this Port and Harbour, is a Light House on the Island of Tybee.…” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. Habersham was collector of customs at Savannah. “Treasury Department Circular to...
112To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 14 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, November 14, 1789. “Herewith I will transmit you my Weekly Return, in which you will notice that I have, in part of monies received, One thousand dollars in bank Notes; having exchanged Twenty three dollars, and forty-four Cents Specie to make the sum nett. The Notes are all small and their number makes it a business of too much hurry, and subjection to error to prepare them on...
113To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, [16 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The letr. sent to your care, be pleased to return. Your undertaking is truely arduous but I trust as you progress in the work, difficulty will vanish. From your situation you must be able to form with some certainty an opinion concerning the domestic debt. Will it speedily rise, will the interest accruing command specie or any thing nearly as valuable, what will become of the indents already...
114To Alexander Hamilton from Mungo Mackay, 16 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, November 16, 1789. “A very respectable Body of the Merchants of this Metropolis having thought proper to communicate to us, the Members of the Boston Marine Society, a Copy of their proposed application to the President of the United States on the subject of the Pilotage of this Bay & Harbour, accompanied by a request that the Society wou’d state the present defects of that Business...
115To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 16 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, November 16, 1789. Encloses “Weekly return of receipts and payments to the 14th instant.” Asks if duties are to be calculated on the basis of a ship’s manifest. LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent, 1789–1790, Vol. 1, National Archives.
116To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas FitzSimons, 18 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, November 18, 1789. “Our Collector is much embarrassed on Account of the dutys on the Goods imported into this port between the 1st. of August when the Continental Impost was to take place and the 7th when he received his Commission. He Continued to act as an officer of the State till the latter Period and took bond for the payment of the dutys during that time. I need not point...
117To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison and Samuel Jones, [18 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
In Consequence of the Application of the ninth Instant made to us by the Secretary of the Treasury, we have considered the several Questions proposed upon the Act for registering & clearing of Vessels &ca. passed the 22d Day of last September, and are of Opinion 1. That Vessels of less than twenty Tons licenced as the Act directs, are exempt from Tonnage, because the Act having declared that...
118To Alexander Hamilton from William Smith, 18 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, November 18, 1789. “I have the honor to inclose you a Letter from the Boston Marine Society with a Letter for the President of the United States from the Merchants of Boston.…” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “B,” New Hampshire and Massachusetts, National Archives. Smith was secretary of the Boston Marine Society. Mungo Mackay to H, November 16, 1789 .
119To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Willing, 18 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received your Favor of the 14th Instant. the explanation you have drawn up in the Official Instrument now sent me, is Substantially ye purport of the Original Agreement as we understood it. I have now the pleasure to return you one of the two papers executed under the Seal of this Institution and my own Signature as president. We had never any Idea of passing the produce of the...
120To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, 19 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I was too much indisposed for some time after the receipt of your favor of the 12 Octr. to comply with the request in it, and since my arrival here and recovery I have till now been without a conveyance to the post office. The supplemental funds which at present occur to me as on the whole most eligible are 1. an excise on home distilleries. If the tax can be regulated by the size of the Still...
121To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 19 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. a letter of the 6th ult. from Mr. Anspach, stating the necessity of his being furnished with two or three thousand dollars, to pay some arrears due to himself, Mr. Wolfe, Mr. Dill, & a few others who were employed in the late department of the Quarter Master General—that the payment of those arrears, particularly his, Mr. Wolfe’s & Mr. Dill’s will enable them to complete the...
122To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 19 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, November 19, 1789. Encloses for Samuel Meredith one thousand dollars in “the previous parts of the Notes mentioned in the within list.” ALS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives.
123To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 20 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Frenchman’s Bay [ District of Maine ] November 20, 1789 . “Received yours of the 14th. of September this day.… I must inform you there is but one vessel belonging to this District that follows coasting, neither is there one that follows foreign trade. The vessels in this Port consist of fishing and as it is forbidden that no foreign vessel shall bring or land goods in this District you must...
124To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, [20–28 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer will deliver two of your books which have been some time in my hands. I add to them a pamphlet recd. not long since from France. I can not recommend it because I have not read it. The subject tho’ a hackneyed is an interesting one, and the titles of some of the chapters promising. You will soon discover how far it may be worth your perusal. The inclosed letter to Genl. Schuyler...
125To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 21 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I am directed by the President of the United States to enclose and send to you, a letter addressed to him from Thomas Newton Junr. Esquire of Norfolk, dated October 24th. 1789, containing an estimate made by Commissioners appointed by the States of Maryland and Virginia of the cost of building a lighthouse on Cape Henry in Virginia—an account of materials which were placed on the spot for that...
126To Alexander Hamilton from John Witherspoon, 21 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Saturday last in the Afternoon I went to New York & called upon you that Day & next Day agreeably to my promise in my Answer to Yours which I hope you received, but was not so fortunate as to find you at home & therefore must put off my intended Conversation to a future Opportunity which I hope will be very soon. In the mean Time I take the Liberty to inform You that I have been told Mr Sharp...
127To Alexander Hamilton from John Davidson, 24 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Annapolis, November 24, 1789. On December 8, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Davidson : “I have duly received your letter of the 24th of November.” Letter not found. ]
128To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Gorham, 24 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ November 24, 1789. On December 8, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Gorham : “I am favored with your Letter of the 24th of last Month.” Letter not found. ] Gorham was a Charlestown, Massachusetts, legislator and merchant.
129To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Grymes, 23 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to address you on an interestg subject to my self, and am happy that fortune has placed you in the station, to render your Country the service you will undoubtedly do her. I am to acquaint you that I am entitled to 1/6 of a Ship called the Aurora chartered 10 or 12 years past by Mr. Morris in behalf of the Country, Mr. Morris inform me he is likely to get his accts settled this winter...
130To Alexander Hamilton from William Bingham, [25 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Some particular Avocations that have engaged my Attention Since the receipt of your Letter of the 10 October, (with which I was honoured) have prevented my Sending an earlier Communication in reply to it. Inclosed are Answers to the Several Queries, which I hope will embrace the Objects you were desirous of being more fully acquainted with. I have made Some Observations on the Operation of the...
131Enclosure: [Answers to Queries Concerning the Navigation of the Several States], [25 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Answers to Queries concerning the Navigation of the Several States, & foreign Nations 1 Vessels built in this State for the West India & European Trade, are generally betwixt 180 & 300 Tons, & are not So flat bottomed as those of G Britain Holland & Sweden & are Somewhat fuller than those of France. They do not carry quite as much according to their Tonnage, as the British Dutch or Swedish...
132To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 25 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Frenchman’s Bay, District of Maine, November 25, 1789. On December 24, 1789, Jordan wrote to Hamilton : “I wrote you the … 25th of November last.” Letter not found. ]
133To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 25 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this day recd. your letter of the 19th. instant. It is in some sort anticipated by mine of last week. But the inclosed letter to Mr. Peter Anspach is to request him with Mr. Wolfe’s assistance to present you with a statement of the debts intended to have been provided for by the anticipation you mention, & which yet remain unsatisfied. The documents are in his hand. I remarked in my...
134To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 26 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, November 26, 1789. Asks that a uniform ruling be made on “the propriety of measuring Foreign Vessels that have Registers.” Requests instructions on the levying of tonnage and import taxes on foreign ships that enter Portsmouth but also intend to call at other United States ports. LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent, 1789–1790, Vol.1, National...
135To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Mifflin, 27 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, November 27, 1789. “… the Comptroller General of this State hath made considerable Progress in the Statement of the public Debts of Pennsylvania … and I … will … transmit to you in four weeks from this Date all the Information required.…” Hazard, Pennsylvania Archives , XI Samuel Hazard, ed., Pennsylvania Archives (Philadelphia, 1855). , 641. This letter is in reply to “Treasury...
136To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 28 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the U States being very desirous that the several Accots. of those Articles which were furnished by directions of Saml. Osgood & William Duer Esqr. in pursuance of a resolution of both houses of Congress of the 15th. of April 1789. and deposited in the house provided for the President of the United States, for his use, should be settled & paid. He has therefore, directed me to...
137To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Osgood, 28 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, November 28, 1789. Acknowledges Hamilton’s letter of November 16, 1789. Sends a detailed report on the present condition of the Post Office Department with suggestions for improving its efficiency and increasing postal revenue. LC , RG 28, Records of the Postmaster General, Letter Books, 1789–1794, National Archives. Osgood was appointed Postmaster General on September 26, 1789....
138To Alexander Hamilton from Beverley Randolph, 28 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Severe Indisposition prevented my answering your Favour of the 29th. of October, sooner than the present Moment. I now do myself the Honour to transmit an Abstract of the Public Debt of Virginia. No Funds have ever been established for the redemption of any part of the Principal, but the Legislature have heretofore made annual provision for the payment of the Interest. While the state...
139To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 29 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The principles of a plan for adjusting the accounts of the sevral States with the United States, which by your permission, I submit to your consideration is founded on these Ideas that I believe it will appear from an examination of the Acts of Congress, that All the requisitions upon the States for money contain the following conditions. 1st. That the sums required, shall not be considered...
140Enclosure: [Schedule of the Accounts of the Several States], [29 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Proportions of 500. as required by the Act of Congress of the 22d. of Nov. 1777. Balances of Recs. and expenditures as stated by Comrs. of Accounts Balances chd. as quotas of the several States Credits on final settlemt. not transferable. New Hampshire 20 24. 20.
141To 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...
142To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 30 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The letter of Octob. the 7th. which you did me the honor to write me was delivered two days ago by Mr. McCartey, & yesterday I received the duplicate by Count de Moustier. Some time before, the debt of the United States to France had been brought into view by Mr. Necker in a memorial which he delivered to the national assembly on the subject of their finances, & which I inclosed in my No. 10...
143To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 30 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, November 30, 1789. Asks “whether Bonds for Duties shall be put in Suit immediately after they shall fall due or whether one or more days notice shall be given.” LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs, 1789–1790, Vol. 1, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Portsmouth, National Archives.
144To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Willing, 30 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 25th. did not reach me till yesterday noon. I call’d the Directors at 9 oClock this Morning and by the enclosure to the Treasurer with the Post Notes also sent him you will see that your application for a further Loan of twenty thousand dollars has been complied with; and I have no doubt that you will send forward a Treasury Warrant indorsed by the Secretary for the Amount...
145To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, [November–December 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
At our last interview you expressed a wish that I would make such remarks on the impost laws as in my opinion would have a tendency to increase the revenue in a way as little burdensome and as conformable to the wishes of the people as possible. The cheerfulness discovered by the merchants in general doing business at this Port in paying the established duties on merchandise evinces to me that...
146To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 1 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, December 1, 1789. “I have been honoured with the receipt of your favor of the 20th Ulto.… The plan which you have adopted of receiving the bills of the Bank aforesaid, is, in my opinion judicious & important as it relates to all the ports saving those in the county of Lincoln as it will accomodate the people, and have a tendency to leave the circulating cash so dispursed as best to...
147To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Randall and William Heyer, 1 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 1, 1789. “We have been informed by the Pilots that the Beacon on Sandy Hook has been blown down, and entirely destroyed by the late Storm.…” LS , in writing of William Heyer, RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “C,” Connecticut and New York, National Archives. Randall and Heyer were New York City port wardens.
148To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 2 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 2, 1789. “Your private letter of the 25 Ulto. by the post, came safe to hand. The Words in my Letter, which you have taken Notice of, were intended merely as a reason for the appology which a deviation from the mode of remittance prescribed required; I regret that they escaped me, because they conveyed an allusion which was not designed as a reference to ‘any expression of...
149To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 3 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 3, 1789. Sends abstracts of all Maryland laws “related to Imposts , and Tonnage .” Promises to send all “Acts which relate to other branches of the revenue.” ALS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives. This letter is in reply to “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” November 25, 1789 .
150To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 3 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 3, 1789. “… not knowing whether it may not be expedient for you to draw for the Specie reported in my last weekly return, I have omitted, to remit the Bank Notes . If no Warrant from you should be presented in two days; I will remit the bank Notes by the next post.…” ALS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives.