The United States in Congress having by their Act of the 7th. of August last Ordained “That all expences for the necessary support and maintenance of Light-houses, Beacons, Buoys &ca. within any Port or Harbour of the United States, should after the 15th. of August last, be defrayed out of the Treasury of the United States”; You will be pleased to transmit forthwith to this Office, as...
Inclosed is the copy of an Act for amending the “Act for registering and Clearing Vessels, regulating the Coasting Trade, and for other purposes,” which I transmit you for your Government. I am Sir Your humble servt. LS , to Charles Lee, Charles Lee Papers, Library of Congress; LS , to John Scott, Harvard College Library; LS , to William Webb, Princeton University Library; L[S] , to Otho...
I have reason to know, that some of the Collectors have conceived themselves authorised to make ye discount allowed by Law for prompt payment, after Bonds were given for securing the Duties. This is not in my opinion, the true construction of the Act. You will therefore under such circumstances avoid making the above discount. I am Sir Your Obedient Servant LS , to Jedediah Huntington, MS...
I observe that by the 24th. Section of the Act for Registering and Clearing vessels &c. it is provided, that Vessels bound to foreign parts should deliver manifests of their Cargoes to the Collectors of the Ports from which they are to sail. The object of this provision doubtless was to obtain a knowledge of the exports of the Country: to carry which into effect I am to desire that a regular...
Enclosed I send you agreable to an Intimation in a former letter the signatures of the president and Cashier of the Banks of North-America and New York; together with a general description of those notes, which will enable you to guard against Impositions and Counterfeits. Where the notes are payable to any particular person and not to bearer, you will take care that there is an indorsement of...
On Reflection, I have concluded to substitute the Form herewith transmitted for the Monthly returns required in mine of the 2d. Oct. instant, as less troublesome than the one there proposed; but I still mean that the Quarterly Returns should be conformable to the Model already furnished. I shall expect as soon as may be a Return of all the past according to that Model up to the last of...
A question has been submitted to me by the Collectors of certain ports, which being of a general nature, I have thought fit to make the subject of a circular instruction. It is this, whether the duties are demandable on importations after the first of August, and prior to the organisation of the Custom houses in the respective districts. After mature reflection on this point, I am of opinion...
I request you to procure and send me without delay the revenue laws of your State in force immediately preceding the Act of Congress laying a duty on imports; as well those relating to imports as others: the whole being wanted for information. Should it not be practicable to obtain the Revenue laws distinct from the other laws of the State, you will be pleased to procure and forward the whole,...
Having been applied to by the Collectors of several Ports, for my opinion on various points, which are of general concern, and in respect to which it is important that the same rules should be every where observed, I have concluded to make my answers to their inquiries the subject of a Circular letter. Some of those inquiries relate to the allowances to which the officers of the Customs are...
10Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 1 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The Comptroller of the Treasury will forward to you by this or the ensuing post the whole of the forms necessary for making your Returns to this Office, and rendering your Accounts at the Treasury. You will observe that in these general forms it is not required that you should make a Monthly Return of the Duties on Imports, and that in the Weekly return the Cash receipts and Disbursements (and...
11Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As one of the periods for the payment of Bonds taken for Duties is arrived, it is proper that the respective Collectors should be apprised of my expectation with regard to the conduct to be observed by them. It is, that if the Bonds are not paid, as they fall due they be immediately put in Suit. On this point, the most exact punctuality will be considered as indispensable . And accordingly it...
12Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 23 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
My opinion having been several times asked on the following points, I think it proper in order to produce uniformity of practice to convey it in a Circular Instruction. First—Whether the tonnage of foreign vessels ought to be taken from the Registers, or ascertained by admeasurement according to the principles of the third Section of the act for registering &c. I am of opinion that the latter...
13Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 30 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In my Circular letter of the 31st. of October last I directed you to claim the duties which had arisen on Imports since the first day of August last, and prior to the organisation of the Customhouses in the respective districts, and if the same was controverted by the parties liable thereto to prosecute this claim to a legal determination. As the decision in one case will probably form a rule...
14Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 27 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The adoption of the Constitution of the United States by the state of North Carolina, having raised a question concerning the operation of the 39th. Section of the Collection bill and the 3d. Section of the Act for suspending part of that Act and for other purposes; it is incumbent upon me to give my opinion upon the subject; which is, that they were virtually repealed by that adoption . Among...
15Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 17 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I find that the process marked out in my letter of the 30th. of November for calculating the allowance of 10 ⅌ Cent for prompt payment has by some of the Officers been misapprehended in one particular which is with regard to the first proviso of the 19th. Section of the Collection bill confining the discount to the excess of the Amount of the duties above 50 Dollars. As the same...
16Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 3 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
You will receive herewith an Act of Congress of the 8th. of february last entitled “An Act for giving effect to the several Acts therein mentioned in respect to the State of North Carolina and other purposes.” which I transmit for your government. I am Sir Your Obedt Servt. LS , to Charles Lee, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; L[S] , to Benjamin Lincoln, RG 36, Collector of...
17Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 30 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Having observed that the several Collectors have hitherto differed in the mode of transmitting to this office, the drafts of the Treasurer of the United States which have been drawn on them and paid: I now desire that those drafts with a receipt endorsed on them, may be transmitted, as soon as they are paid, to my Office , when they shall be covered by a regular Warrant, and your account...
18Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 16 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I herewith enclose for your government an Act entitled “an Act to prevent the exportation of goods not duly inspected, according to the laws of the several States.” I observe that the 27th. and 28th. sections of the coasting act have by some of the Collecters of the Customs been so construed as to require, that all licensed vessels of the burthen of twenty tons and upwards bound to any port...
19Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 13 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The second moiety of one years pensio⟨n⟩ will be payable to the Invalids on the fifth day of June next: The sum to be paid in your State is estimated to be Eight thousand two hundr⟨ed⟩ and fifty three dollars, which you will retain in your hands out of the Monies received by you for duties on Imports and Tonnage and pay the same upon such evidences as the Secretary at War shall direct,...
20Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 17 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
It appears probable that the public interests would be promoted by my receiving the earliest information when breaches of the Revenue Laws take place. I therefore request; that whenever a seizure shall be made within the sphere of your duty, you will transmit me by the first opportunity an account of the transaction, containing such particulars as will enable me fully to understand the case. I...
21Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 23 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Some very important objects in the business of the next sessions of the Legislature will render the early transmission of the several quarterly returns and accounts that will be due the 30th. instant indispensibly necessary. The early receipt of these papers is not only requisite for some extraordinary purposes of this Department, but information drawn from them will be particularly desired by...
22Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 30 September 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I request you to furnish me as soon as may be with the Forms of reports entries Oaths Bonds Certificates and other Documents & papers that shall have been adopted by you in the execution of the several laws which concern your Office. This will of course not include those papers or proceedings for which forms have been sent from this Department. Any papers of the nature above described...
23Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 1 October 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
It being intended that one of the Revenue Boats or Cutters shall be built in Connecticut I request that you will on receipt of this endeavor to agree with some proper persons for the building & fitting of a Vessel of a size suitable to the nature of the service. From my inquiries in the Port of New-York I find that a complete Vessel capable of keeping this Coast in the Winter season may be...
24Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 11 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Comptroller of the Treasury having happily recovered his health, and being consequently able to superintend as usual the business of his office, I am to request that you will in future make your applications to him on all questions or enquiries relative to the forms transmitted to you and to the mode of acting in cases arising under them. Such enquiries as you may have addressed to me...
25Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 18 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
You will have perceived by the Act of the last session, entitled an Act making further provision for the payment of the debts of the United States, that after the end of the present month the duties on distilled spirits are regulated according to certain classes of proof, to be determined by Dycas’s Hydrometer. Doubting whether it might be convenient to the several officers of the Customs to...
26Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 5 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The arrangements towards the payment of the ensuing Quarters interest to the public Creditors within your state require that the Commissioner of Loans for your state should be advised by every opportunity of the monies in your hands. This you will not fail to do by every post, & even by every private opportunity which shall present. I shall count on your punctuality. You will also pay to the...
27Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 21 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 21, 1791. On July 1, 1791, Meletiah Jordan wrote to Hamilton : “Your Letter (Circular) of the 21st March, observes I should inform you what Post Office would be most convenient for me to get my Letters from.” Circular not found. ]
28Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 14 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The House of Representatives having been pleased to direct me to examine and report upon the emoluments of the several Officers of the Customs, I find it necessary to enable me to form a satisfactory judgment upon the subject, that I be furnished with an accurate account, as much as possible in detail, of all the Monies received in the four quarters of the year 1790 by every Officer of the...
29Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 13 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I find instances that have occurred in some of the Custom-houses, of receiving the duties on goods by estimates formed upon the invoices, or the statements of the Masters and Owners of the vessels, and by other means than actual gauging, weighing, measuring, &c. This, it is manifest, is not conformable to law, and may lead to practices very injurious to the revenue. Neither is it necessary to...
30Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 26 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed you will find for your information, generally, and Government, in certain particulars, certain explanations & instructions concerning the two Acts, severally entitled “An Act repealing after the last day of June next, the duties heretofore laid upon distilled spirits imported from abroad, and laying others in their stead; and also upon spirits distilled within the United States and...
31Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 1 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this day written to the Captain of the revenue cutter building for the [Pennsya.] station and I enclose you the letter unsealed which you will deliver to him open after you have caused a copy of it to be made and kept for your own information. It will also be proper that you retain a copy of my circular instructions to him, which are likewise transmitted unsealed. You will perceive that...
32Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 1 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Bank of Maryland being in operation, and its paper having gone into circulation, it is my desire, that the cash notes (that is those payable in specie on demand) be received by you in discharge of all duties of impost and tonnage, arrising in your district under the laws of the United States, and that you will exchange whatever specie you may at any time have in your hands for those notes....
33Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 8 July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have already written to you in regard to the disbursements of the Revenue Cutter on your station, except the pay of the officers and men, and have now to request that you will duly attend to that business also, so as to have in your hands the entire agency. A form will be transmitted to you, in which you will make your quarterly returns at the same periods (though distinctly) as in the...
34Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, [8–12] July 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of two questions lately proposed to me, the first upon the impost Act., and the 2nd. upon the 41 section of the Collection law, I signify to you my opinion on the following points. 1st. That the teas called “ Young Hyson ” and “ Hyson skin ,” are not subject to the duties which, in the several cases are laid on Hyson, but to those only which are imposed on other Green teas;...
35Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 5 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Information has been given to me, that the Sloop Lurana, of Washington in North-Carolina, lately commanded by Thomas Eastwood, has been sold in Hispaniola to a person unknown, and there is some reason to apprehend that her certificate of registry has been disposed of with her, or retained for illicit purposes by the Captain. This certificate is numbered 28, and bears date at the port of...
36Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 20 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been suggested to me that the Grocers in one of the Seaport Towns of the United States have received applications from Persons concerned in foreign trade for the purchase of their Casks marked “Old Stock.” It will be quickly perceived that such a measure affords the strongest reason to suspect, that illicit practices, evasive of both the Revenue and impost are intended. To prevent the...
37Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 21 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It being necessary to fix the rates at which the additional rations for the Officers of the Cutters are to be paid for, I have determined, on consideration, to instruct you to allow to the Captain & other Officers of the Cutter, under your Agency, the sum of nine Cents for every ration which they shall not draw, and for which they shall prefer to receive payment in money. It will also be...
38Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 21 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It being necessary to ascertain correctly the state of the public monies in the several Custom-Houses, I enclose you a form of a return of bonds which may not be paid with punctuality, which it is my desire that you regularly transmit at foot of every monthly return of bonds, though there should be none unpaid, noting in the proper column that the fact is so. Those parts which are printed in...
39Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 11 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
An order having been transmitted to me from the honorable House of Representatives, to make certain returns, relative to the exports, imports and tonnage of the United States, I find it necessary to press your immediate transmission of all such documents as are to come from your Office, to the 30th of September last. A case, which has been represented to me, renders it necessary to intimate to...
40Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 17 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
On considering several representations which have been made to me relative to the rations for the cutters, I have determined on the following mode of conducting the business. A price not exceeding twelve cents for each man per diem may be agreed for by you with the Captain or any other person, who will contract to supply the necessary articles. It is hoped that this will enable you to conduct...
41Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 2 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It will prevent injury from accidents if the Collectors of the Customs, in all cases of the delivery of a Register to be cancelled, shall cut a hole in the like manner as is directed in the circular letter of the 21st of September last, in regard to the Registers therein mentioned. All certificates of Registry delivered up at any office, wherever issued, are hereafter to be transmitted to the...
42Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 2 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In a former letter you were constituted the Agent for the Cutter destined for the Station off Maryland. I have now to inform you that the authority of directing its movements is henceforward committed to you, subject to the instructions which shall be transmitted from this Department. I shall communicate this arrangement to the Captain of the Cutter on the Maryland Station. I am Sir Your...
43Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 6 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It is my wish that you transmit to this office a return of the public property, exclusive of cash and bonds, in the hands of all the officers of the customs in your district, that is to say, the scales, weights, boats, &c. which may be in the hands or charge of any officer of the customs, from the Collector to the Inspector or Inspectors. This return it will be fit that you also transmit with...
44Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 21 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In pursuance of arrangements with the Bank of the United States, I have to desire, that after the expiration of a month from the time of the receipt of this letter, you will discontinue the execution of my former instructions concerning the receipt, and exchange for specie, of the Cash Notes and Post Notes of the Banks of North-America and New-York. The regularity of the service requires that...
45Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 23 May 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to request, if in future you should have any particular communication to make to the Secretary of the Treasury, that you will designate Your Office upon the outside of your letters. I am, Sir, Your Obedt. Servant LS , The Turner Manuscript Collection at the Torrington Library, Torrington, Connecticut; LS , sold by Kingston Galleries, Inc., Lot 77, Catalogue No. 4; LS , Independence...
46Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 4 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The 17th section of the act, entitled, “An Act for raising a further sum of money for the protection of the frontiers, and for other purposes therein mentioned,” having abolished the rate heretofore annexed to the livre tournois of France; it becomes proper to give some general direction concerning the mode of estimating the value of goods imported from France. It will be understood that the...
47Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 8 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The 66, 67 and 68th sections of the Collection Law, make provision respecting the prosecution, receipt, appropriation and distribution of and for fines, penalties and forfeitures, under that act. The provision is less precise and clear than could be wished, and may require legislative revision. In the mean time it is indispensable that some arrangement should be made and observed; consulting...
48Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 11 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Some misapprehension having arisen in regard to the provisions concerning Manifests, contained in the 9, 10, 11 and 12th sections of the Collection Law, it becomes proper to enter into certain explanations—to convey the sense and expectations of this Department on the subject. It occurs, in the first place, that these Manifests are only required, where vessels are owned in whole or part by...
49Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 20 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It is with great satisfaction I have it in my power to acknowledge the zeal and good disposition, with which the Officers of the Customs generally have executed the instructions which have, from time to time, proceeded from the Treasury Department. I am happy to be able to say, that the instances of exception are few, and I ascribe such as have happened rather to an inaccurate view of the...
50Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 22 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
When an appeal was made to me, by certain Officers of the Customs, respecting the fees to which they were entitled under the Coasting Act, I took the only method then in my power, to aid my own judgment to a right decision. The Attorney General not being at the seat of Government, I applied to two of the most able Counsel in the city of New-York, (one of whom is the Attorney of the United...