To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 15 October 1794
From Tench Coxe1
Treasury Department, Revenue Office, October 15, 1794. “It appears extremely probable that the supply of Whiskey for 1795 may require some share of your attention at Pittsburg.2 Mr. Carrington3 was authorized to procure the whole in consequence of the disorders which prevailed in the western parts of Pennsylvania.…4 75,000 rations are required this day by the Secy. at War to be deposited in advance at Fort Washington for the service of 1795 of which I have given Mr Carrington notice.5 Messrs. Scott & Ernest are also required to furnish at the post 111.000 rations, & at Pittsburg 3600 rations for wh they have asked the amot: of 37,000 Drs. For this I have made application at your office.6 Very great importations of bale goods are received & expected from G Britain; so that the clothing contractors7 are much pleased, and do not expect to import much if any goods.…”8
LC, RG 75, Letters of Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, Relating to the Procurement of Military, Naval, and Indian Supplies, National Archives.
1. Coxe was in charge of procuring military supplies. See H to Coxe, April 4, 1794.
2. H had left Philadelphia with George Washington on September 30, 1794, for western Pennsylvania. See H to Washington, September 24, 1794, note 2.
3. Edward Carrington, supervisor of the revenue for the District of Virginia.
4. For information concerning the Whiskey Insurrection, see “Deposition of Francis Mentges,” August 1, 1794; H to Washington, August 5, 1794.
5. Coxe to Carrington, October 15, 1794 (LC, RG 75, Letters of Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, Relating to the Procurement of Military, Naval, and Indian Supplies, National Archives).
7. Thomas Billington and Guy Bryan. See Coxe to H, second letter of October 15, 1794.
8. On October 10, 1794, Billington and Bryan had informed Coxe that because of “the Uncertainty of a sufficient supply, of goods in the present market necessary for the Clothing,” it would be necessary to import clothing for the Army (ALS, RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters, 1790–1799, National Archives).