1To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 9 February 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport, Rhode Island, February 9, 1795. Discusses “The cause United States vs Preserved Pierce junr.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Ellery incorrectly addressed this letter to H as Secretary of the Treasury. H had resigned from that position on January 31, 1795, and was succeeded by Oliver Wolcott, Jr. See H to George Washington, January 31,1795 ; Washington to H,...
2To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 5 January 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] January 5, 1795 . “This will be accompanied by the Accounts of Walter Channing Agent for fortifics in this Port, and his letter to me relative to said Accts and the purchase of land for said fortifics….” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Ellery was collector of customs at Newport. DS , RG 217, Miscellaneous Treasury Accounts, 1790–1894, Account...
3To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 14 December 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] December 14, 1794 . “I acknowledge the Receipt of your two letters of the 27th of the last month & I shall retain sufft. funds in my hands to discharge the allowances to fishing vessels which I estimate at about twelve hundred dolls.… Permit me to mention that advice has not been received of your decision in the case of the Fair American Benjamin Lee master, and of...
4To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 30 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] September 30, 1794 . “I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th. of this month; I shall do every thing in my power to secure a just issue in the case of Pierce. It is not the practice in this State to strike juries.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Letter not found, but see dealer’s catalogue description printed under this date....
5To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 9 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] September 9, 1794 . “I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st. of the last month with the Treasurer’s draughts … and shall attend to the directions therein contained.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Letter not found.
6To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 2 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island, September 2, 1794. In Ellery’s letter book below his letter to Hamilton on September 1, 1794 , the following notation appears: “Wrote a letter to the Secry of the 2nd. of Sept. 1794.” Letter not found. ] LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.
7To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 1 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed that a Statemt. of the Case of James Smith master and owner of the Schooner Fox of and from Halifax in Nova Scotia burthen about 18 tons will by direction of the District Judge be transmitted to you by this Post. The Schooner Fox arrived at Bristol in this District on the 9th. day of the last month about eight or nine o’clock in the morng. without any Cargo. On the same day the...
8To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 25 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] August 25, 1794 . “Your letter of the 13th. of this month expressing that great Inconveniences have arisen from my discontinuing to endorse the name of my office on my letters as heretofore directed surprized me very much. Whatever interruption , or omission of that kind has taken place must have been occasioned by a hurry of business, not an intention to forbear a...
9To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 19 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] August 19, 1794 . “Since my last have arrived here the Schooner St. George of Montego Bay … captured on the High Seas by the Frigate La Concorde; also the Brig Perserverance of St. John New Brunswick … bound last from Turks Island for Newyork and captured on the high Seas, by the Privateer Sans Pareille.… Inclosed are copies of the papers produced to me.… I wrote a...
10To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 19 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] August 19, 1794 . “The Sloop Aurora Hersey Bradford of Bristol master arrived not long since at the Port of Bristol in this District from the Port of Boston without a Register, or Enrollment and License, but with a Certified manifest from the Custom house there. By said proceeding both the Vessel and her cargo became subject to seizure and forfeiture; and upon Notice...
11To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, [1–6 August] 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island, August 1–6 ] 1794 . “On the 9th. day of May last the Schooner Harmony of Somerset whereof Preserved Pierce now is master or commander, an enrolled and licensed vessel arrived in this Port from Somerset in the District of Dighton laden with the produce and manufacture of the United States and desired to be endorsed master of said Vessel. I asked him for his papers, upon...
12To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 21 July 179[4] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] July 21, 179 [ 4 ]. “I have recd. your letters of the 7th. & 8th. of this month. Edmund Valentine and Guilford Grinnell paid their penalties, the United States have been credited for their part thereof.… The Proceedings in the case of the Joanna Danl. Anthony master which you mention as returned, have not been yet received by the District Judge. In my letter of the...
13To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 14 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] July 14, 1794 . “… Last week arrived in this Port the Brig Industry of Saint Vincent William Harrison late master bound from St Vincent to London … captured by a French private Ship of War called the La Liberte.… The Vessel is entered at the Custom House, and I suppose the Cargo will be entered & sold here.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.
14To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 6 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] July 6, 1794 . “I have recd. your Circular letter of the 17th of the last month.… I have also recd. your letter of the 26th. of the same month advising me that you had remitted the penalty incurred by George W. Topham. If that case required some penalty I do not perceive how any part of it could have fallen upon the goods; for by the Proviso in the 33 Sec: of the...
15To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 30 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] June 30, 1794 . “Your letter of the 9th of this month relative to a representation made to you by Messrs. Bourne & Malbone concerning certain vessels employed in bringing fire wood from Long island has been handed to me.… For your own part you confess you do not perceive a good ground for the doubt they entertain as to the sense of the law; neither could you undertake...
16To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 16 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] June 16, 1794 . “The Ship Fair American Benjamin Lee master bound from China to Newyork arrived here on the 12th of this month without a Manifest. I do not consider the Invoice exhibited a true copy of which goes with this Petition to be a manifest and thereby the master in my opinion has subjected himself to the Penalty in such case imposed by Law. He has petitioned...
17To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 16 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] June 16, 1794 . “I acknowledge the receipt on the 13th of this month of your Circular letter of the 28th. of the last month.… I have also received your letter by Mr. Malbone respectg. the Applicatn. of Messrs. Gibbs and Channing.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Letter not found, but see H to Ellery, June 7, 1794 . Francis Malbone was a Newport...
18To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 2 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] June 2, 1794 . “In my letter to you of the 5th. of May last I Inclosed a letter of request to me from Gibbs & Channing and now inclose a similar application from Thomas Dennis. These Gentlemen wish you would favour me with as early a reply as possible. Their cases are alike.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Dennis was a Newport shipowner and...
19To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 13 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with your request I now reply to Capt Wanton’s letter to the President. The Schooner Boyne did not arrive here at 10 o’clock A.M. the first day of April, nor did the Custom house boat bring her Register ashore, and deliver it to the Collector at 4 o’clock P.M. The Inspector, who went on board, declares that She arrived between 12 and 1 o’clock, and that the Captain came ashore...
20To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 12 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] May 12, 1794 . “I have received your letter of the 25th. of April in answer I presume to mine of the first of that month.… I have also received your two letters of the first of this month. That which relates to the Transport Ship Britannia, I showed to our Governour, and he made no objection to her Departure.… Last Thursday a British Sloop of War called the Nautilus...
21To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 5 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
By the last Post I recd. your Circular of the 18th and 23d. of last mo. the first inclosing the Acts of the 2nd, and of the 18th of Apl. relative to the Embargo, the last respectg. Swedish Vessels; also your letter concerning the Schooner Boyne dated Apl. 22nd. Last Saturday that Schooner sailed for New york, in consequence of a Letter written to Capt. John Wanton by the Governor of this State...
22To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 22 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday at noon I received by Express via Providence the Resolution of Congress of the 18 of this month continuing the present Embargo until the 25th. day of May next, and also the Resolution relative to the Embargo of the second of this month. On Tuesday last towards evening the Ship Britannia of London Edward Redman master arrived here under convoy the Bomb Ketch Vesuvius mounted with 12...
23To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 21 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] April 21, 1794 . “By this Post the Judge of the District Court will transmit to you a Statement of the case of the Sloop Nancy under 20 tons & licensed for the Coasting trade and under the command of Elisha Casey. She cleared from this Port Nove. 26th. 1793 for Wilmington No. Carolina … was blown off the Coast to St. Martins, there took in a quantity of salt, and...
24To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 14 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last of the 8th of this month I gave you an account of the departure of two Vessels belonging to Providence for foreign Ports in defiance of the embargo, the names of those Vessels and of their masters and the places to which they were respectively bound. One of them, the Brig Maria is owned by Samuel Butler, and Samuel Butler junior, Cyrus Butler, Seth Wheaton and Richard Jackson junr....
25To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 8 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Just after I had recd. the Resoln. laying an Embargo I was informed that there were in this Port two vessels which were cleared out at Providence for foreign Ports. I desired the Surveyor to inform the masters of them that they were under an Embargo, and must not proceed on their voyages. He did same. They waited upon me. I read the Act to them, told them that they might return to Providence;...
26To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 1 April 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 29th. of March last in the Afternoon I received your letter of the 26th. of the same month inclosing the Resolution of Congress laying an Embargo &c. As by the words of the Resolutn. the Embargo is laid on all ships and vessels in the Ports of the United States, whether already cleared out or not bound to any foreign port or place I apprehend that it comprizes foreign vessels bound to...
27To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, [18–25] March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] March [ 18–25 ] 1794 . “On the 17th. instant the Sloop Hannah of New york an enrolled and licensed vessel James Underhill master arrived in this Port from Long island in ballast only; but without a Manifest or Permit, and by his neglect has incurred the forfeiture of fifty dolls. As he lived out of the State, I issued a Writ against him, and he has petitioned the Judge...
28To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 11 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] March 11, 1794 . “I acknowledge the Rect. of your [letter] respectg. the case of Saml. Pearsal jr. master of the Sloop Nancy of Fairfield, and now represent the case of George W. Topham master of the Sloop Sarah Ann of Newport, a Registered vessel without a License. She arrived here on sunday last, and the next day the master came to the Custom house and produced a...
29To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 3 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] March 3, 1794 . “I have received your letter of the 7th of Feby. last acknowledging the reception of a duplicate Receipt of the Bank of Providence No. 58 for seven thousand Dolls.… I hope my Petition will not be forgotten.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport. Rhode Island. Letter not found. See Ellery to H, January 14, 1794 . See Ellery to H, December 3, 1792 ;...
30To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 10 February 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] February 10, 1794 . “By the last post I recd. your letter of the 31st. of Dece. last acknowledgg. the receipt of two duplicate Rects of the Bank of Providence No. 49. 53 amountg. to Fifteen thousand Dollars. Your letter too of the 23d. of Jany. last, concerning the forwardg. by the district Atto. of New york of the documents relative to the papers of the Enterprize...
31To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 3 February 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] February 3, 1794 . “A question has arisen respectg. the disposition of that part of the net proceeds of the sales of the Schooner Hannah which appertains to a Surveyor which I wish you would answer. I am in doubt whether it should be paid to the Surveyor of this Port, or of Bristol … the forfeiture of the Hannah was not incurred in either of those ports … for at the...
32To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 3 February 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
This Letter will be accompd. by a represent. of the case of Samuel Pearsall, junr. master of the Sloop Nancy. His Representn. is true as far as it concerns her being licensed—her tonnage, her arrival here, her being visited by an Inspector, her not having a manifest, her being wholly laden with the produce of the United States, and his payment of Twenty dollars. That part of it which relates...
33To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 14 January 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] January 14, 1794 . “I am much obliged by the assurances that the Object of my letter of the 26th. of Novr. will be duly attended to, communicated in your letter of the 28th. of the last month. I have transmitted to the Cashier of the Provid. bank seven thousand dolls, and expect to receive duplicate Rects therefor by the next Post.…” LC , Newport Historical Society,...
34To 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...
35To 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 .
36To 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...
37To 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...
38To 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. ]
39To 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....
40To 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...
41To 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...
42To 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...
43To 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.
44To 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...
45To 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....
46To 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...
47To 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...
48To 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,...
49To 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...
50To 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...