1To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 24 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The amount of the duties which have accrued in the district of Baltimore, from the 10th day of August to the 23d. Instant inclusive is two thousand six hundred and Seventy pounds, Sixteen Shillings and four pence according to the documents in my Office Vizt. Cash on hand £ 287.18.6 Bonds due @ 4 Months 1176.16.2 Ditto 6 Months 1206. 1.8 2670.16.4 Your Obedient Humble Servant ALS , Office...
2To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 8 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Letter (Circular) of the 22d. ulto., and am to inform you that, from Cape Henry to the extreme branches of the Susquehanna, all inclusive, there is not, that I ever heard of, a single Light House, Buoy, Beacon or other artificial object for navigators to be governed by. Consequently there is no superintendant; no Expence. The pilots of the Chesapeak for this State are...
3To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 23 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your circular letter of the 2d. October Inst came to hand the 20th. and I will observe the contents as timely as possible. The difficulties that have occurred in the Execution of the laws respecting the Customs have been infinite, and present themselves daily. The System itself is the most complicated and embarrassing of anything that has employed my attention and the Want of Official forms...
4To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 26 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In my letter of the 23d. Instant I took the Liberty to inclose a sketch of Journal entries as I now make them in my office for the purpose of keeping the public accounts. As that sketch was done in some haste, a further explanation may be necessary to its recommendation. A thousand causes combine to render the adjustment of the duties on a Cargo of Merchandize imported, immediately after the...
5To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 28 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, October 28, 1789. Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s “letter of the 15th. Instant, inclosing queries respecting the modes of Navigating.” ALS , Office of the Secretary, United States Treasury Department. “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” October 15, 1789 .
6To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, October 29, 1789. Asks for a ruling on the cases of the British ship Polly and the American ship Sarah . ADfS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives.
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To 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.
10To 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...
11To 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 .
12To 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.
13To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 18, 1789. Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s circular letter of November 30. Discusses difficulty of reconciling exemption of tonnage charges and fees for vessels of less than twenty tons with Section 23 of “An Act for Registering and Clearing Vessels, Regulating the Coasting Trade, and for other purposes.” Again asks “ Whether two thirds of a Dollar be payable to the...
14To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 31 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 31, 1789. Plans to send to Hamilton copies of Maryland’s revenue laws, information “respecting the Commerce and Shipping of this state,” and the answers to Hamilton’s “demands upon the subject of the Impost Laws.” ADfS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives. H had requested these laws in “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the...
15To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 25 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, January 25, 1790. Discusses the official value of the rix-dollars of Denmark, Sweden, and various German states. ALS , Personal Miscellany, Otho H. Williams, Library of Congress.
16To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 2 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I had, before the receipt of your circular letter of the 20th. Ulto, communicated to you “a statement of the amount of the emoluments which have accrued to the officers of this port respectively, under the existing regulations, up to the first of Jany.” I have communicated your letter to the Naval officer, and the Surveyor; and, that you may have the greater reliance on the statement, I will...
17Enclosure: [Abstract of Fees and Compensations Received and Paid], [2 February 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
To the Collector and the Naval Officer D. C to 12 September 1789. 233.23⅓ 17 October 364.26⅔ 3d. Decemr. 547.53⅓ 31 do. 273.26⅔ 709.15 } Dols. Cents 709.15 1,418.30 Surveyor to 24 August 9.66⅔ 2. Septr. 14.00.
18Enclosure: [Estimate of Emoluments of Collectors Office], [2 February 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Upon a presumption the propriety of which ought to be admitted, that the Importations of the 10th. of August to 31 Decmr. are equal to half the business of the Year at this port, a just estimate of the emoluments of the Collectors Office will appear thus. in addn. 6.51 The Gross amount of duties is 56,995.62½ 57,002.13½ Deductions on UStates bottoms 3,268.98. } 293.34
19To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 6 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, February 6, 1790. Will “cheerfully execute the pleasure of the President respecting the payment of pensions to Invalids in this State.” Transmits “Account Current against the United States, with Bond account; both accompanied with Notes to explain the circumstance of their disagreeing from the Weekly returns heretofore transmitted.” ALS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 13 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, February 13, 1790. Discusses problems arising under Sections 7, 12, and 22 of “An Act for Registering and Clearing Vessels, Regulating the Coasting Trade, and for other purposes.” ADf , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives. 1 Stat. The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America (Boston, 1845). 55–65 (September 1, 1789).
21To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, [15 February 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Baltimore, February 15, 1790. The description of this letter in the dealer’s catalogue reads: “Interesting letter about the legality of a matter relating to the Collection of duties at the port of Baltimore.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by Paul C. Richards, Autographs, Catalogue No. 4, Item No. 348.
22To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 20 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, February 20, 1790. Wishes “to know in what manner, and at what rate” the gauger is to be paid “for ascertaining the quantity of liquors, in bottles.” AL , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives.
23To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 3 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, March 3, 1790. States that in the Treasury circular of February 17, 1790, there is a discrepancy in the calculation of the discount for prompt payment of customs duties. AL , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives. The letter is incomplete.
24To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 18 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, March 18, 1790. “The arrangement made in this State by the Government thereof; for the payment of Invalids was by appropriations of the County taxes which were to be reimbursed out of the state Treasury. By this arrangement the unhappy sufferers were permitted to reside among their friends, and received their subsistence at home. In consequence there has been more attention, than...
25To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 6 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, April 6, 1790. “The Brigantine Providence, Arnold Briggs, from Rhode Island, arrived at this port the 22d. February last with a large variegated Cargo, Among the rest thirtytwo Casks of New England rum—an article subject to duty, from Rhode Island, if Manufactured there; and the contrary is not pretended.… A deduction of ten Per Cent was allowed from the duties on the Cargo.… But...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 24 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Baltimore, April 24, 1790 . On May 4, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Williams : “I have received yours of the 24th of April requesting my opinion with respect to the duty on the article of hemp.” Letter not found. ]
27To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, [1 May 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Baltimore, May 1, 1790. ] Itemizes expenses and then adds: “I have only to hope that compensation will be made to me for my services and expences; or that I shall stand excused for retiring from a service the reward of which must depend upon indirect measures.” ADfS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives.
28To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, [30 May 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Baltimore, May 30, 1790. The description of this letter reads: “stating facts relative to … vessels exempted from duties.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by Harvard Trust Company, 1962. This letter was written in reply to H to Williams, April 29, 1790 (printed in this volume).
29To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 31 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, May 31, 1790. “I am favored with a letter of the 18 Ulte from Messrs Bertier & Company of Philadelphia owners of a part of the goods irregularly landed from on board the Ship Vanstophorst in which they inform me ‘that the kind and favorable letter they recd. last night from the honorable the Secretary of the Treasury gave them the greatest hopes that I would be pleased to deliver...
30To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 4 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, June 4, 1790. “By a provision in the act for Registering and clearing vessels, regulating the Coasting trade &c. See 25th Section —Goods, wares, or merchandise of foreign growth, or manufacture, may be transported to and from the respective Ports of Philadelphia and Baltimore, into each other, through and across the State of Delaware, a manifest certified by the Officer of that one...
31To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 15 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, October 15, 1790. “The forms generally adopted by me in executing the Laws of this State and of Congress, were made conformably thereto; and as these laws have been frequently altered—particularly the state Laws, I have not many blanks now by me that will be of use in devising forms for the business of the Custom House, under the present System. Inclosed, with this letter, you will...
32To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 29 December [1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Brigantine Hope, No. 52, was registered in this district on the eleventh day of October last, at the instance of Mr. Stephen Zacharie the Owner. The Vessel was purchased for him at a foreign Port, where the laws of Congress was not sufficiently attended to and the form prescibed by the eleventh section of the law for Registering & clearing of Vessels &c was not observed. The Master...
33To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 26 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, January 26, 1791. Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s circular letter of December 18, 1790 . Returns a “broken thermometer with the expectation of being furnished with one that may be more safely conveyed.” ADfS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives.
34To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 26 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, January 26, 1791. “… there is an expedient (which I have some reason to suspect has been practised in this District) to elude the necessity of navigating ships by Masters Citizens of the United States , in order to entitle them to the privileges of American Bottoms, against which I do not discover any provision. It is thus. A Citizen, Owner of a ship, has her registered in due form,...
35To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 8 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, February 8, 1791. Explains apparent discrepancy in “last Weekly return of monies received and paid … from the 29th January to the 4. February 1791.” States that the “credit for Forfeitures” in “the preceeding return, to wit from the 22nd. to the 28 January … arises upon the Sales of two parcels of condemned Merchandize which ought to have been credited last year.” ADfS , RG 53, “Old...
36To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 14 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to remarks of the Comptroller, on my account Current, ending the 30th September last, I have had occasion to reply at some length. There will not probably be any essential difference between the final Opinion of the Comptroller and my own, on the subjects of his remarks, unless it may be on a charge for the rent of a publick warehouse. On that subject I had the honour to address you...
37To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 9 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, May 9, 1791. “I transmit you a copy of a report of the Surveyor of this district respecting a compari[s] on of Dycas’s Hydrometer with the Substitute. This is the first report which I have received upon the subject, and in consequence have directed the Surveyor to discontinue the use of the Substitute.” ADfS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives. This...
38To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 23 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor, now, to enclose you an acct. of the emoluments and disbursements of my office for the year 1790. The compensation of the Collector, you will observe, is small; and, when compared to the multifarious duties required of him, disproportioned to his services. A general view of the laws respecting duties will show that the Collector is, in his district, principally responsible for...
39Enclosure: Account Statement, [23 May 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Fees from the 1 January to the 31 March inclusive 274.18 Commission as allowed in a/c at the Treasury 90.30 364.48 Fees from 1st April to the 30 June inclusive 427.62 Commission allowed in a/c at the Treasury 294.36 721.98 Fees from 1st July to the 30 Septr. inclusive 298.30 Commission—in a/c at Treasury 62.15 360.45 Fees from 1st October to 31 Decemr. inclusive 337.14 Commission—in a/c at...
40To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 26 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your circular letter came to hand last evening. I do not apprehend, Sir, that you allude to any illegal, or improper receiving of duties in this office. The laws of Congress, according to my comprehension of their meaning, have always been adhered to here, with the utmost possible exactness; But as my conception of some parts of the “act to provide more effectually for the Collection of the...
41To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 4 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have, this day, received, under cover, a letter from you to Messrs. Elliot & Williams, which I shall forward by the first opportunity. This day, also, I have received a letter from Mr. E. Williams, dated “Fort Washington May 3d. 1791.” informing that he was preparing to leave that Country, and expected to be in Hagarstown in all this month, June. He also informs that he will forward in the...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 10 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
According to the advice of Physicians, and the importunity of some of my friends, I left Baltimore and business with an intention of going to the Sweet Springs for the recovery of my health, which is much impaired and am thus far on my Journey. I have here the honor of recieving your letter of the 4th instant with the papers relating to the seizure of Messrs. McRea and Morrisons goods. I...
43To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 13 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Brigantine Hawke, Robert Hathaway, Master, arrived at this Port the 28th February last from Havre de Grace, having on board sundry articles of Merchandize, the duties on which amounted to sixty one dollars and eighty four Cents agreeable to the enclosed abstract. The Brigantine Hawke was registered ninety eight tons, but some circumstance induced the Surveyor of this Port to remeasure her,...
44To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 3 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
There have lately been two importations of Horses from England into this port—two in each. It was customary, under the laws of this state, which were silent on the subject, to consider live Stock as neither goods, wares nor merchandize; and they were consequently admitted duty free. The Laws of Congress are silent also, and the custom is continued. But I am not confident enough to rely upon...
45To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 12 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 12, 1791. “I have no reason to doubt the probability of receiving a sufficient sum before the first of January next to pay 10,000 Dollars as you desire to Messrs. Elliot & Williams.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See H to Williams, December 7, 1791 .
46To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 12 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have very lately received a letter which has a reference to your circular of the 5th. of August; and upon reperusing the latter I discover that I have been very remiss, but I hope not censurable, for not replying to some parts of it sooner. My attention to the previous parts, and a supposition that I was not immediately concerned in the latter, produced in my mind, a temperory suspension of...
47To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 12 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Baltimore, December 12, 1791. According to its catalogue description, this letter relates to the “Registry of the Brig Dove, Josiah Parsons, master.” Letter not found. ] Sold by Harvard Trust Company, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1962. See H to Williams, December 6, 1791 .
48To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 14 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your instructions respecting the Brige. Trimmer and she shall be dispatched accordingly. What you say of disbursements of money actually made may make it necessary to inform you that in the case of the Brig Trimmer, and in others similar thereto (where the matter of illegality was duly reported without reserve, and manifestly without any intention of evading the law) the custom...
49To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 16 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I cannot discover by the acts of the Legislature that Collectors have any legal jurisdiction, or controul, over the Officers of the revenue cutters; or that they have, necessarily, any agency in that establishment further than to receive the reports of the Officers and to respect them as authentic documents whereby to ascertain the Cargoes of inwardbound vessels. I therefore conclude that the...
50To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, [3 January 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Baltimore, January 3, 1792 ] Sends “a small account of expences incidental to the receipt and delivery of twelve Bolts of Canvass, which by your order were sent from Boston to this place, and from hence to Norfolk.” Suggests that official papers be sent by water rather than by the post. ADf , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives.