51To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 5 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] March 5, 1792. “I have received a Letter from the Assist. Secry of the Treasy. in which he informs me that … two Thermometers will be forwarded … and mentions that it appears proper that you should be informed, in what cases I would find an Hydrostatic balance useful.… I have written to the Surveyor of Pawcatuck to send me his broken Thermometer, as soon as I receive I...
52To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 13 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] March 13, 1792 . “… I wish for a supply of Registers having only seven on hand; and I should be very happy if an allowance and compensation for my services could be made to me before the adjournment of Congress.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. On April 5, 1792, H submitted to Congress his “Report on Compensation of Officers Employed in the...
53To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 19 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] March 19, 1792 . “By the last Post I received a Letter from the Comptroller, inclosing a Statement of my Account from the first of July to the 30th. Septr 1791, by which I find that my charge for Scales & weights for the Port of Bristol … was rejected being unauthorized by you. Scales & Weights were absolutely necessary for that Port.… Please, Sir, to signify your...
54To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 26 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] March 26, 1792 . “On the 24th of this month I received your letter of the 12th. respecting an application to the Bank of Providence for the Sum of Six hundred and ten dollars. This Sum, with the Sum of Nineteen Hundred and fifty five dolls. sixty eight ninetieths to be provided for drawbacks which will be due the 10th of April … and the further sum of five hundred and...
55To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 2 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] April 2, 1792 . “This letter will be accompanied by a weekly return of monies received and paid … and also a Statement of the case of the Brig Chance, and papers respectg. the same. I shall refrain from prosecuting Capt. Corey.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. The brig Chance was owned by John Innis Clarke and Joseph Nightingale, Providence...
56To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 9 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] April 9, 1792 . “I have received your letter of the 21st. of this last month. As you are apprehensive that the expence of an hydrostatic balance for each of the Custom Houses would be found too great, I have no longer a wish for one. I have received two Thermometers covered with a common wrapper directed to me; but not attended by any letter. On the particular wrapper...
57To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 17 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] April 17, 1792 . “I should have been very happy to have received by the last Post your direction to borrow of the Providence Bank the Sum … wanting on the 10th of this month to pay the drawbacks which would then be due on distilled Spirits exported from this District. They who were entitled to receive drawbacks at that time have frequently applied for payment, and...
58To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 23 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] April 23, 1792 . “I have written so fully already respecting the Provision necessary for the payment of drawbacks, that I have only to add to what I wrote on the 17th instant, that John Cooke’s & Caleb Gardner’s bonds are both paid. I have not had the pleasure of receiving a line from you by the two last Posts. I hope next friday to receive authority from you to...
59To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 7 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] May 7, 1792. “I have received your letter of the 25th of the last month and have borrowed and received of the Supervisor Two thousand, three hundred and thirty three dollars, which will be sufft. to pay all the drawbacks which are due. To preclude the possibility of any delay the Surpervisor on the Receipt of your letter dispatched his Clerk to this place for the...
60To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 21 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] May 21, 1792 . “… I wish to be favoured with your instructions respecting the case of the Brig Chance, a Statemt. of which I sent to you on the 2nd. of Apl. last, with an explanation respectg. the Thermometer mentioned in my letter of the 9th. of the same month, and with your directions relative to the tare of Sugars mentioned in my letter of the 5th. of last March,...
61To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 4 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] June 4, 1792 . “I have received your letter circular of the 22nd. of the last month and will correspond in future with the Commissioner of the Revenue touching all matters relating to the Light house establishment and take his directions thereon.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.
62To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 11 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] June 11, 1792 . “I have recd. your Letter inclosing sundry Acts of Congress, and also your Letter of the 30th of the last month respectg. the Brig Chance, and have communicated the same and a State of the case to the Atty. of the District.… By a letter from the Comptroller of the 29th. of the last month it appears that I am not yet credited for the Scales & Weights I...
63To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 25 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your three Circular Letters of the 4th 8th & 11th. of this month; and shall pay due attention to the Explanations and directions contained in them. By the 14 Sec: of the Act for registering and clearing vessels &c “if any ship or vessel after having been registered in pursuance of this act, shall in any manner whatever be altered in form or burthen” &c. “such vessel shall be...
64To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 10 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I recd. a letter from the Collr. for Providence last saturday in which he observes that he had received a letter from you referring him to a circular one dated the 6th. of February last, relative to notifying to other Collrs when a bond for duties is put in suit, and desires me to furnish him with a copy as soon as possible if I had received such an one, as he had not. I have not received any...
65To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 16 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] July 16, 1792 . “I have recd. your letter of the 25 of June last, advising me that my accounts as Superintendant of the Light house on James Town Island from the 13th. of Sept. to 31st. of Decr. 1791 have been adjusted at the Treasy. and that there is stated to be due from the United States to me the Sum of Seven hundred and thirty seven dollars & fifty three and one...
66To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 16 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] July 16, 1792 . “I have recd. your Circular of the 25th. of June and another letter of the 2nd. of July last, to which a due regard will be paid.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Letter not found.
67To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 30 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 9th of this month on the twentieth. The monies I had collected approached so nearly to the sum wanted to discharge the drawbacks due on distilled Spirits exported, that I thought it more adviseable to advance the deficiency, than to apply for it to the Bank of Providence. It has been advanced by the office, the drawback due on the 26th. of June last is paid,...
68To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 6 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] August 6, 1792 . “I have recd. your Circular Letter of the 6th of February last, and three other letters of the 21. 25. & 26 of the last month.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. See Ellery to H, July 10, 1792 . None of these letters have been found.
69To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 13 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] August 13, 1792 . “I have received your Circular letters of the 20th of the 22nd. (inclosg. a copy of a letter to you from the Atty. General of the 21st. of June) and of the 23d. of the last month. With regard to the last, I am happy to find that I had construed the Post office Act rightly.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. “An Act to establish...
70To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 20 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 31st. of the last month respecting the Sloop Polly of Sandwich. On the 30th. of last June I received a letter from the Collector of Barnstable, informg. me of the seizure he had made, and of the departure of said Sloop for Providence with some articles of foreign produce, as he supposed concealed under a deck load of pine wood. I immediately directed the...
71To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 27 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Last friday evening I was informed that a Sloop stripped of her sails lay in a small harbour called Slocum’s harbour in Nashawina islands, which as I am told is about 15 miles from the main land, and about 7 or 8 miles from Marthas vineyard and about forty miles from this place. The circumstances of a vessel stripped at this season of the year, and the place where she lay induced a suspicion...
72To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 28 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In the last Proviso of the 2nd. Sec: of the Act concerning certain fisheries &c. the quantity of fish when dried and cured fit for Exportation is to be ascertained according to the weight when actually sold ; which account of the weight &c. shall in all cases be produced and sworn or affirmed to before the Collector of the District to entitle the owner, his agent or lawful representative to...
73To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 3 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Permit me in this letter to pursue the Story of the Sloop Polly of Sandwich. The Surveyor arrived at Bed-ford on the 27th of last month; and upon consulting with the Colle. of New Bed-ford was informed by him that the Sloop was in the District of Edgar-town; but as Edgar-town was distant, from Nashawina, the navigation difficult, and the prevailing winds opposed to making harbour in Martha’s...
74To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 4 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Since writing the long letter on the preceeding pages I find a case will probably occur in this Custom house altogether new, and in which unless I am early favoured with your direction I may incurr censure embarrassment and expence. The case may be stated thus. A is indebted by bond to the United States for duties, the day of payment arrives, instead of discharging the debt he suffers a...
75To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 10 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] September 10, 1792 . “I have received your letter of the 6th. of August. The Construction of the Attorney General contained in the first paragraph, and which it is your desire should be practiced upon I think I understand; but the doubt in my mind which occasioned my stating a case, and raising a question thereon in my letter of the 30th of July last still remains.… I...
76To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, [14–21] September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] September [ 14–21 ] 1792 . “Your circular Letter of the 27th. of the last month, I received on the 14th of this month. Its contents will be duly attended to.… I wish to be informed whether shaken casks exported in order to be set up and filled with West India Produce for importation into the United States; and Hay, Oats or other Provender for Live Stock are to be...
77To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 24 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 7th. of this month enclosing part of the margin of Certife. of Registry No. 61 and your Circular Letter of the 11th of the same month enclosing an Order of the Senate of the United States, and a wrapper inclosing Letters to the Surveyors of the several ports in this District excepting the Surveyor of this Port. The letters to all the Surveyors, excepting the...
78To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 1 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th and of the 20th of the last month, the first in answer to mine of the 4th. respectg. the Sale of property on board vessels abroad, the 2nd in answer to mine of the 10th of the same month respectg. the credit on salt &c; and hope to be favoured, as soon as you can make it convenient, with answers to my letter of the 20th....
79To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 9 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 19th and that part of your letter of the 26th of the last month which respects fictitious sales &c permit me to observe, that I had been seasonably informed by the Colle. of Providence District of the delinquencies of Mr. Arnold respectg. a certain bond, that I had reason to suspect that he intended to transfer his property in the Samuel to Stephen Dexter, and...
80To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 15 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
This letter will be accompanied by a Statement of fees &c recd. and expenditures made by me from Oct. 1, 1791 to Oct. 1792. and by similar Statements from the Inspector &c &c in this District; by the quarterly return required exceptg a Return of distilled Spirits exported, and a return of Exports, and their value which will be transmitted by the next Post. I have not received the expected...
81To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 30 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
My bondsmen as Commr of the Loan-Office have applied to me to know whether my bond had been cancelled. It was not in my power to give them positive information. If my accounts as Commr of the Loan-Office have been adjusted and found to be right as I presume they have, I wish that bond may be transmitted to me; unless it is cancelled, or it should be contrary to usage to deliver up bonds under...
82To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 6 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your circular letter of the 12th of the last month, and will pay a due regard to the request contained in the first paragraph thereof, and to your opinion on the case stated in the second. A Vessel bound to a foreign port is compelled by distress of weather to put into the port of Newport, and it is necessary in order to repair her, or to procure supplies for the crew; or because...
83To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 3 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] December 3, 1792 . “No allowance having been made to me for my services from the time I opened my Office to the 30th. of June 1792 by Congress at their last Session, and the addition of an half per centum and fifty dolls. per annum to my other emoluments then granted, to commence on the first of July, being inadequate to a decent maintenance, I have addressed a...
84To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 18 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 16th of this month I recd. yours of the 5th. inclosed in a letter from the President of the Providence Bank. No bonds for duties will fall due in this District this present month. I should very much regrett that no report was made on my Petition during the last Session of Congress, was I not sensible that besides other important business your attention was called to one engaged in a...
85To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 8 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] April 8, 1973 . “… Inclosed is the declaration of Aaron Usher late master of the Sloop Flying Fish of Bristol of the burthen of nineteen and an half tons. It is true that he took passage from Cape Francois in the Brig Sally of Newport Elisha Brown master, arrived here on the twenty ninth day of March last, and on the same day delivered up his License; and I believe...
86To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 29 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] April 29, 1793 . “I acknowledge the Receipt of your Circular Letter of the 29th. of March last.… As a War has been declared between the French and British Nations, the Port of Newport is easily accessible, and it may be convenient for the Ships of War and Privateers of the French Nation to bring into it Vessels which they may capture from the British on this coast,...
87To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 27 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] May 27, 1793 . “… Last saturday evening I recd. a letter from you dated containing directions for filling Sea Letters, and enclosing four of these Letters. The day before I received them, I received two Sea-Letters in a blank wrapper directed to me and freed Oliver Wolcott. It gave me great Satisfactn to receive your particular directions for filling Sea Letters, and I...
88To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 3 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] June 3, 1793 . “When Aaron Usher returned I made all the inquiry I could into the cause of his departure from the American coast, and the sale of his Vessel at Port au Prince. I asked for his protest. He answered he had made none. I told him it would have been proper to have made one at Hispaniola. He said it might; but it would have cost him as much as his vessel was...
89To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 17 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter of the 30th of may last concerning the entry of vessels and their Cargoes captured and brought into our ports by the ships of war and privateers of France, and of five Sea letters in a blank wrapper freed by you. Permit me to ask whether vessels so captured and brought into our ports, and sold to citizens of the United States may be registered....
90To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 15 July 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] July 15, 1793 . “By the last post I recd. your letters of the 25th, 28th and 29th of the last month.… I shall be attentive to, and inquisitive about the circumstances of vessels which shall sail to foreign ports without delivering up their licenses, as required in the second, and for the answer to my question concerng. captured vessels contained in your letter of the...
91To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 22 July 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] July 22, 1793 . “… Inclosed… is a Representation made by our Boatmen, of the rise of provisions and fire wood since the establishment of the Custom House, and of the inadequacy of their present pay to their support, The Representation so far as it respects provisions and fire-wood, is true.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.
92To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 26 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] August 26, 1793 . “I have received your Circular Letter to the Collectors of the Customs containing an Instruction concerning contraventions of our neutrality, which instruction I shall cause to be executed in this District, as far as it is in my power with the greatest vigilance activity, care and impartiality. I have written to the Surveyors in this district and...
93To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 23 September 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] September 23, 1793 . “… The Office of District Attorney for this District has become vacant by the death of Mr. Channing. After having been confined to his house between two and three months he died last Saturday morning. I make this early communication; because the Interest of the United States may require that the vacancy should be soon filled.…” LC , Newport...
94To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 4 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] November 4, 1793 . “Inclosed is a statemt. of the case of Caleb Brown owner and master of the Sloop Deby. Her License issued from the Custom house in this Port before the new Coasting Act took place, and on the second day of last March, She saild from the Port of Pawcatuck on her fishing voyage, but had no permit separate from her Licence.… He has paid the duties on...
95To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 11 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] November 11, 1793 . “On friday last the Surveyor for the Port of Bristol by my direction seized the Schooner Hannah of Bristol Samuel Townsend master last from St Croix for running a number of Hogsheads of Rum amounting in value to upwards of four hundred dollars.… The seizure was made in pursuance of an information made by two inhabitants of Tiverton in this State....
96To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 26 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island, November 26, 1793. On January 14, 1794, Ellery wrote to Hamilton and referred to “my letter of the 26th. of Novr.” Letter not found. ]
97To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 2 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The last proviso of Sec: 66 of the Colln. Law runs thus “And provided, That no action or prosecution shall be maintained in any case under this Act; unless the same shall have been commenced within three years next after the penalty of forfeiture was incurred.” On this proviso questions have arisen, concerng. which I request your opinion. 1st. Whether the issuing a Writ within three years next...
98To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 16 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport, Rhode Island, December 16, 1793. “I received your private and confidential letter of the 20th. of Novemr. last on the seventh of this month, and should have answered it by the last post, but I wished for time to discover if I could whether a third person I had in view would accept if he should be appointed District Attorney. I have avoided taking any part in the contest for that...
99To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 23 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] December 23, 1793 . “I have recd. your letter of the 9th of this month. The sum wh. will probably be required to Discharge the allowances to fishg. vessels … will amount to about fifteen hundred Dollars.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” December 9, 1793 .
100To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 30 December 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] December 30, 1793 . “The Schooner Hannah is condemned. The Evidence was so strong against her, and the Vessel is of so little value that the Owners did not think proper to put in claim.… I shall pursue the Capt. & Mate with writs, continue my endeavours to find out the vessel, which received the Rum out of the Schooner, and who were employed in that business; and do...