51To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 6 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] April 6, 1792 . “… you will cause to be paid to Nicholas Ferdinand Westfall the sum of three hundred and thirty six Dollars out of the fund of Ten thousand Dollars appropriated for defraying the contingent charges of Government.…” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This letter was written in reply to H to Washington, April 5, 1792 .
52To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 6 April 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
You will lay before the House of Representatives such papers from your Department as are requested by the enclosed resolution. NB. The papers alluded to are such as relate to the Expedition under Genl. St. Clair. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. On April 4, 1792, the House of Representatives “ Resolved , That the President of the United States, be requested to cause the...
53To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [7 May 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
For carrying into execution the provisions in that behalf made by the Act intitled, “An Act for raising a farther sum of money for the protection of the Frontiers, and for other purposes therein mentioned,” I do hereby authorise you the said Secretary of the Treasury to agree and contract with The President Directors & Company of the Bank of the United States, with any other body politic or...
54To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [9 May 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
For carrying into execution the provisions of the Eleventh section of the Act intitled “An Act to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States,” I do hereby authorise you the said Secretary of the Treasury to subscribe by one or more subscriptions, on behalf and in the name of the United States, for such number of shares of and in the capital stock of the said Corporation as...
55To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [30 June 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
For carrying into execution the provisions of the third section of the Act intitled, “An Act making certain appropriations therein specified,” passed the Eight day of May in this present year. I do hereby authorise you the said Secretary of the Treasury in the name and on the credit of the United States to borrow of any body or bodies politic, person or persons whomsoever the sum of Fifty...
56To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 10 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury will cause to be paid to the Director of the Mint, Ten thousand Dollars for the purposes above specified. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This is a reference to an estimate by David Rittenhouse, director of the Mint. The estimate reads as follows: “Estimate of immediate Expenditures for the Mint. Dollars. Price of the House & Lot, to be paid on...
57To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 29 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have not yet received the new regulation of allowances to the Surveyors, or Collectors of the duties on Spirituous liquors; but this by the bye. My present purpose is to write you a letter on a more interesting and important subject. I shall do it in strict confidence, & with frankness & freedom. On my way home, and since my arrival here, I have endeavoured to learn from sensible & moderate...
58To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 1 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I learn with pleasure from the War Office, by the Secretary’s last dispatches, that our Northwestern frontier is in a state of tranquility: it may be construed into an indication that some of the messages which have been sent by Government have reached the hostile Tribes, and have occasioned them to deliberate thereon. Devoutly is it to be wished that the result may be favorable, both for...
59To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 5 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Since the date of my last dispatch to you of the 1st: instant, I have received your Letters of the 26. & 30 ulto., and have affixed my signature to the arrangement of Compensations to the Officers of Inspection in consequence of additional latitude given to the President of the United States by the Act of the last Session, intitled “An Act concerning the duties on spirits distilled within the...
60To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 13 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Under a blank cover, I returned signed the provisional Contract for the supply of the Lighthouse in New Hampshire. It is pleasing to find by the Letter from our Commissioners at Amsterdam, that the credit of the United States remains upon so respectable a footing in the United Netherlands. I am Dr. Sir, &c. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see...
61Enclosure: [Objections and Answers Respecting the Administration], [18 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
1 Object. The public Debt is greater than we can possibly pay before other causes of adding to it will occur; and this has been artificially created by adding together the whole amount of the Debtor and Creditor sides of the Account. Answer. The public Debt was produced by the late war. It is not the fault of the present government that it exists; unless it can be proved, that public...
62To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 22 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
This will merely inform you that your letter of the 10th. with its enclosure and that of the 11th. Inst: have been duly received; and that if the Regulations of your Department, mentioned in the former, are carried strictly into execution, the most happy consequences, it is to be hoped, will result from them. I am Sir &c. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. 1. Letter not found.
63To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 26 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 18th., enclosing answers to certain objections communicated to you in my letter of the 29th. Ulto. came duly to hand; and although I have not, as yet, from a variety of causes, been able to give them the attentive reading I mean to bestow, I feel myself much obliged by the trouble you have taken to answer them; as I persuade myself, from the full manner in which you appear...
64To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 31 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The enclosed Letter was written agreeably to the date, but, by an accident, was omitted when my other letters were sent to the post office on Monday last; since wch. ’till yesterday afternoon, I have been absent from home. On my return, amongst other Letters I found the enclosed from the Inspector of the 5th. survey in the State of North Carolina. The picture drawn by him of the temper of the...
65To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 7 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The last Post brought me your letter of the first instant, with the enclosures respecting the disorderly conduct of the Inhabitants of the Western Survey of the District of Pennsylvania, in opposing the execution of what is called the Excise Law; & of the insults which have been offered by some of them to the Officers who have been appointed to collect the duties on distilled spirits agreeably...
66To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 17 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your private letter of the 11th, accompanying an Official one of the 9th. came safe—as did your other private letter of the 9th. I feel myself obliged by the observations contained in the first, respecting the Proclamation. As the former Proclamations, on similar occasions, have been Countersigned by the Secretary of State, I have, for that reason, and for another which has some weight in my...
67To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 17 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letters of the 8 and 9. inst: are received. The latter came to me on Saturday morning by Express, from the Post Office in Alexandria. I gave the Proclamation my signature, and forwarded it in the afternoon of the same day, by a special Messenger, to the Secretary of State for his countersign. If no unforeseen delay happens, the return of it may be in time for Friday’s Post, so as to be...
68To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 21 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Under cover of this Letter you will receive the Proclamation which is just returned to me with the counter signature of The Secretary of State. I have erased the words “dictated by weighty reasons of public exigency,” & scored others with a pencil, which you are hereby authorised to take out or retain as you may think best. As the Instrument is drawn I could do no other than fill up one of the...
69To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 24 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letter of the 17th. instant came to my hands by the last Post. Under your statement of the conduct of Thomas Davis Freeman Surveyor of the Port of Plymouth and Inspector of the Revenue of the same, there can be no question with respect to the propriety of superceding him in Office; and from the character given of Mr. John Armistead of the place by the Collector and Inspector, and more...
70George Washington to Thomas Mifflin, 29 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed you will find the copy of a Proclamation, which I have thought proper to issue, in consequence of certain irregular and refractory proceedings, which have taken place in particular parts of some of the states, contravening the law therein mentioned. I feel an entire confidence, that the weight and influence of the Executive of (Pensylvania) will be chearfully exerted, in every proper...
71To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 1 October 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 22d. ulto., with it’s enclosures, came duly to hand. Lest any material disadvantage should result from delay, I have signed the Act which has been drawn by the Commissioner of the Revenue & approved by you, for arranging allowances to the Supervisors &c. and now forward it; but I would rather, if this is not likely to be the case, have it retained in your hands until my...
72Draft of George Washington’s Fourth Annual Address to Congress, [15–31 October 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
It is an abatement of the satisfaction, with which I meet you, on the present occasion, that in felicitating you on a continuance of the national prosperity, generally, I am not able to add to it information, that the Indian hostilities, which have for some time distressed our N Western frontier, have terminated. You will doubtless learn, with as much concern as I communicate it, that...
73George Washington to Edmund Randolph, [24 November 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
It appears to me necessary, that processes should issue without further delay upon the Indictments found at the last Circuit Court held at York Town in the Commonwealth of Pensylvania, in reference to the laws laying a duty on Spirits distilled within the United States—and proper, that they should be served by the Marshall of the District of Pensylvania, in person. I am to desire that the...
74To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 28 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury will cause to be paid to the Director of the Mint, the sum of Five thousand Dollars; to be applied to the purposes of said Establishment. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. On November 27, 1792, David Rittenhouse, director of the Mint, had requested Thomas Jefferson to procure five thousand dollars for current expenses ( ALS , RG 59, Miscellaneous...
75To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 29 November 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It having been represented by the Director of the Mint that the late rise in the price of Copper, and the difficulty of obtaining it, render it improbable that the quantity authorised to be procured can be had, unless some part of it be imported by the United States; it is therefore thought proper that measures should be taken to obtain a quantity from Europe on the public account; and as it...
76To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 1 January 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
After reading the enclosed letter return it to me. My sentiments on the general principle your are acquainted with. With the one handed, under this cover, do as shall seem best to you in the case before us, & let me know the result; or, if you chuse it, I am ready to confer further with you on the subject. I am always Your Sincere frd & sr ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. The...
77To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 17 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I transmit you a copy of a Letter from the Secretary of War to me, with the heads of instructions proposed to be given to the Commissioners who may be appointed to hold a Treaty with the Western Indians in the Spring. As I intend in a few days to call for the advice & opinion of the heads of the Departments on the points touched upon in the enclosed paper, I must request you will give it an...
78George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, 24 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the United States requests the attendance of the at Nine o’Clock tomorrow morning ; at the President’s house, on the subject of the note sent to the on the 17~. inst: and that the will bring with him such remarks as he may have committed to writing in pursuance of said note. At the same time the President will lay before the Heads of the Departments & the Attorney General some...
79George Washington to Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, 27 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
As the day is near at hand, when the President-elect is to take the oath of qualification, and no mode is pointed out by the Constitution or law; I could wish that you, mr Jefferson (Genl. Knox, or Colo. Hamilton) and mr Randolph could meet tomorrow morning, at any place which you may fix between yourselves; & communicate to me the result of your opinions as to time, place & manner of...
80George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox, [9 March 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Expecting that my private affairs will call me to Virginia on or before the 25 of this month, I have to request that you will lay before me, previous to that time, such matters within your Department as may require my attention or agency before I set out, as well as those which might be necessary for me to know or act upon during the time of my absence from the Seat of Government (which will...
81To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 13 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with an Act passed during the last Session of Congress entitled, “an Act providing for the payment of the first installment due on a loan made of the Bank of the United States,” I hereby desire that you will cause the payment of the first instalment to be made conformably to the said Act. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. 1 Stat. The Public Statutes at Large of...
82To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 20 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
It appears from your Report to me of the 18 instant, and the Statements accompanying it, that it will be proper to take measures for securing a Loan of Eight hundred thousand Dollars; as authorised by the Act, entitled “an Act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year 1793.” I have therefore to request that you will cause such a Power to be prepared for my signature as...
83To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [21 March 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
For carrying into execution the provisions in that behalf made by the Act, entitled, “An Act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven hundred & ninety three”; I do hereby authorise you the said Secretary of the Treasury to agree and contract with the President, Directors and Company of the Bank of the United States for a loan or loans to the United...
84George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, March 21st [–22] 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
To The Secretary of State—The Secretary of the Treasury—The Secretary of War and The Attorney General of the United States. Gentlemen, The Treaty which is agreed to be held on or about the first of June next at the Lower Sandusky of Lake Erie, being of great moment to the interests and peace of this Country; and likely to be attended with difficulties arising from circumstances (not unknown to...
85George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 22 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you a letter of the 26 Ulto from William Bingham Esquire to the Secretary of the Treasury together with the documents accompanying it. I desire your opinion on the following points arising upon these papers. I Whether the proceedings heretofore by the UStates in Congress assembled have transferred from Mr. Bingham to the public the consequences of the transaction in question so as to...
86To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 23 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Pay, or cause to be paid to the Secretary of State or to his order, the sum of Thirty nine thousand five hundred Dollars, which, in addition to five hundred Dollars furnished to Colo. Humphreys on the 14 of Augt. 1790, will complete the sum of forty thousand Dollars for the third year’s allowance under the Act concerning intercourse with foreign Nations. LC , George Washington Papers, Library...
87To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Pay to the Director of the Mint, or to his order, five thousand Dollars for the purposes of that establishment. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. David Rittenhouse.
88Enclosure: [Proclamation by George Washington], [April 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
By George Washington President of the U. S. of am⟨erica⟩ a Proclamation. Whereas every nation has a right to change and modify their constitution and Govt., in such manner as they may think most c⟨onducive⟩ to their welfare and Happiness. And Whereas they who a⟨ctually⟩ administer the governmt. of any nation, are by foreign nations ⟨to⟩ be regarded as its lawful Rulers , so long as they...
89To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 12 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
In due course of Post I have received your Letters of the 5 and 8 instant. & thank you for the information contained in them. Tomorrow I leave this for Philadelphia. The advices which I may receive this Evening by the Post, will fix my route by Baltimore (as usual)—or by the one I intended to have come—that is, by Reading, the Canals between the rivers, Harrisburgh, Carlisle &c. In either case...
90George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, 18 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The posture of affairs in Europe, particularly between France and Great Britain, places the United States in a delicate situation; and requires much consideration of the measures which will be proper for them to observe in the War betwn. those Powers. With a view to forming a general plan of conduct for the Executive, I have stated and enclosed sundry questions to be considered preparatory to...
91To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 5 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Before you dispatch the circular letter (of wch you enclosed me a Copy) to the several Collectors, I would speak to you respecting a particular clause in it. In the conversation you may have with a certain Gentleman to day Viscount de Noailles —I pray you to intimate to him gently, & delicately, that if the letters, or papers wch. he has to present, are (knowingly to him) of a nature which...
92To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 7 May 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
As I perceive there has been some mis-conception respecting the building of Vessels in our Ports wch may be converted into armed ones; and as I understand from the Attorney General there is to be a meeting to day, or tomorrow of the Gentlemen on another occasion, I wish to have that part of your circular letter which respects this matter reconsidered by them before it goes out. I am not...
93Enclosure: [An Act Making Allowances for Certain Services], [25 May 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
An act making allowances for certain services & contingencies in the collection of the Revenue during the year ending on the 30 day of June 1792. Whereas it has been found necessary to provide a compensation for the legal admeasurement of Stills during the year ending on the 30 day of June 1792. it is hereby established & declared, that there may & shall be allowed to the Collectors of the...
94To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 3 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Pay to the Director of the Mint, or his order, five thousand Dollars for the purposes of that Establishment. 5,000 Ds. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. On June 3, 1793, David Rittenhouse, the director of the Mint, transmitted his accounts to Thomas Jefferson and wrote: “I was unwilling to ask a further Sum of money on account of the Mint until the Treasurer had obtained a...
95To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [3 June 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
The question of admitting modifications of the debt of the US. to France, having been the subject of consultation with the heads of the Departments & the Attorney General, and an unanimous opinion given thereon which involves the enclosed propositions from the French Minister, you will be pleased, under the form of a report to me, to prepare what may serve as an answer, making it conformable...
96To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [6 June 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Upon a mature consideration of your communication to me of the 3d. instant, recommending a still further Loan in Holland, if obtainable, to the amount of 3,000,000 florins—and stating, that in case the recommendation should meet my ideas, my special approbation thereof would be proper, I have thought it necessary, in order to make the subject clear to my mind, before any steps are taken in it,...
97George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox, 12 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
As you are about to meet on other business, it is my desire, that you would take the enclosed application into consideration. It is not my wish, on one hand, to throw unnecessary obstacles in the way of gratifying the wishes of the applicants. On the other, it is incumbent on me to proceed with regularity. Would not the granting a Patent then, which I believe is always the concluding Act and...
98To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [20 June 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received & paid attention to your report of the 15 instant. The result is, that the Loan of 2,000,000 of florins ought, in my opinion, to be urged without delay, if it can be obtained within the limitations of the Law. The further proposal of borrowing 3,000,000 of florins in addition, I shall (seeing no inconvenience that will arise from the delay) take a few days longer to consider;...
99To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 22 July 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
A variety of matters which have called for immediate attention, have prevented my taking up your letter of the inst: enclosing one from our Commissioners at Amsterdam, dated the 1st of May last. It appears from that letter, that the reimbursement of one million of florins, due on the 1st of June 1793, has been prolonged for ten years; & that you have made considerable remittances to them. I...
100To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 27 July 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
After giving the subject of Loans the most attentive consideration I am able under the several explanations which have been required & received from you, my mind has resolved itself into the form of the enclosed paper. But if there is any material objection to the measure there directed unadverted to by me, I am ready & willing to hear it—otherwise it may be carried into effect without delay....