1To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, [September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The Subject which you have mentioned was in a great Measure new to me. However I cannot hesitate as to the Validity of a Bond given to the United States, the People of which I think form one great Body politic for all the important Purposes of Government. The Constitution speaks of “Controversies to which the United States Shall be a Party” as forming a Branch of the Judicial Power; and I can...
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...
3To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 12 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In Consequence of your Letter of the 10th. Instant, I have considered the Power of Attorney Enclosed to me, and am of Opinion that it is not sufficient for the Transfer of the Certificate which it refers to. It cannot be imagined that the Securities of the United States are negotiable in a Manner less guarded than the promisory Notes or Bills of Exchange of Individuals, and it has been...
4To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 12 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letter of the 3d. Instant was left at my House during my Absence upon the Circuit, or it would have recieved an earlier Answer. I have since my Return considered the Case therein mentioned, with the several Acts referred to; and the Result in my Mind is notwithstanding the peculiar Wording of the repealing Clause that the Conduct of the Collectors is to be considered as warranted by Law....
5To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, [9 October 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Question proposed to me by the Secretary of the Treasury respecting Loss sustained by Robbery from public Officers during the late War, has been maturely considered, and I am of Opinion that the Officers are not chargeable on that Account unless Negligence can be imputed to them. 9 Octr. 1790 ADf , New-York Historical Society, New York City. Harison was United States attorney for the...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 4 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It is a Misfortune in our Legislation that particular Regulations of other Countries have been adopted without considering their Dependence upon the System to which they belong. Hence our Laws in many instances become unprovisional & Questions important in their Consequences & difficult to be resolved must necessarily arise. The fifth Section of the Registring Act is nearly copied from the...
7To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 17 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honored by your Letter of the 15th., and beg Leave to assure you that the Business it alludes to, & every other Subject in which the Public is interested will at all Times command the Attention of Sir Your most obedt Servt. LC , New-York Historical Society, New York City.
8To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 8 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Immediately upon the Receipt of your Letter of the 1st. Instant, I sent for Mr. McComb, and proposed his executing the Contract transmitted to me, and that a proper Surety should be substituted in the Place of Mr. Cruger. Upon the latter Subject I am informed that no Difficulties will arise, but with Respect to the Contract itself Mr. McComb alledges that a Mistake has taken Place. The first...
9To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 14 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Affair of Christopher Bancker having been previous to the Promulgation of the Law of the United States respecting Crimes, was not cognizable by any of the national Tribunals. It was therefore laid before a State Grand Jury which was sitting when Mr. Hardy was in this Place, and both Mr. Hammond and that Gentleman were examined upon the Occasion. To my great Surprise no Indictment was...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 29 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving your Letter of the 26th. and shall pay due Attention to the Contents. The Questions proposed, are in themselves of great Importance & not free from Difficulties. They must therefore require mature and deliberate Consideration. Inclosed you will find the Contract entered into with John McComb Junr. & a Bond to secure the Performance of it. Mr. Cruger not having left...
11To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 24 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Having attentively considered the Questions contained in your letter of the 26th. Ultimo, I am fully of opinion that the power to pardon which the Constitution has vested in the President of the United States cannot extend to affect the rights of Individuals. The principles of the Common Law of England upon this Subject appear to be founded in good sense and I think must govern where-ever they...
12To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 28 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 28, 1791. “Inclosed is my Account against the United States as far as the same has been audited. There are some services relating to Persons still in Confinement which will be included in my future Accounts when their Fate is ascertained.…” LC , New-York Historical Society, New York City.
13To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 9 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In Consequence of your Directions to the Collector of this Place a Suit was commenced against Anthony Libbey upon the registring Act, for not bringing a duplicate Manifest of his Cargo from the Port he belonged to in the District of Maine. His Cargo had been previously landed and disposed of by Permission from the proper Officers who did not suspect any Misconduct. Upon an Examination into the...
14To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 4 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 4, 1792. On June 26, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Harison : “I shall be mindful of the intimation in your letter of the 4th instant.” Letter not found. ]
15To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 31 December 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 31, 1792. On January 5, 1793, Hamilton wrote to Harison : “Mr. Le Roy has not yet appeared, with the Powers and Receipts mentioned in your letter of the 31 of December.” Letter not found. ] Harison was United States attorney for the District of New York. Herman Le Roy, a New York City merchant and bank director.
16To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 21 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I feel myself infinitely obliged to you for your late confidential Communication. The Principles you have stated are perfectly just, and your Hints will be carefully attended to. It has been very unfortunate that I should be sent from New York at so important a Period; but whilst your Officers are without Salaries they cannot possibly neglect the Business upon which they depend for their daily...
17To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 16 May 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Permit me to call your Attention to the present State of the Laws for mitigating or remitting Forfeitures or Penalties. The first Act upon this Subject was passed the 26th. of May 1790 and has been continued by the Legislature. It extends only to such as arise under the Laws for collecting Duties of Impost and Tonnage and for regulating the Coasting Trade. Hence it was supposed necessary when...
18To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 10 July 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. John G. Fraunces has been with me respecting two Drafts of the late Comrs. of the Treasury, purchased by him as he alledges from one Jasper Murdock. These Certificates or Drafts he acknowledges to have been the Property of Mr. Duer & to have been sold improperly by the Agency of Azariah Williams. The Purchase Money with Interest and Extra Premiums now amounts to a considerable Sum of Money...
19Alexander Hamilton and Richard Harison to Richard Bayley, 19 July 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
We have looked into the Act to prevent the bringing in & spreading of Infectious Diseases in this State. By one of its provisions every Vessel arriving from parts beyond Sea, having on Board forty passengers, is subject to Quarantine of Cause, & may be removed to the place assigned for the same. We think that where the numbers of passengers is so great, the Health Officer may take a reasonable...