201To Alexander Hamilton from John Habersham, 14 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Savannah, November 14, 1789. “… In answer to your letter of the 1st. ultimo, I have to inform you, that the only public Convenience we have in this Port and Harbour, is a Light House on the Island of Tybee.…” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. Habersham was collector of customs at Savannah. “Treasury Department Circular to...
202To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Loudon, 22 May 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Tho’ you may have no predilection to serve one printer more than another, as all of them, may have been obliging to you—yet, give me leave to mention a few Arguments, which I shall offer to convince you that my claims are better founded than some others, now candidates for the public printing. 1. I have one of the best offices in this City—consequently, having good hands, can do Printing work,...
203To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, [16 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The letr. sent to your care, be pleased to return. Your undertaking is truely arduous but I trust as you progress in the work, difficulty will vanish. From your situation you must be able to form with some certainty an opinion concerning the domestic debt. Will it speedily rise, will the interest accruing command specie or any thing nearly as valuable, what will become of the indents already...
204To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] October, 1789 . Transmits several letters relating to Samuel Caldwell. ALS , Applications for Office under George Washington, Library of Congress. Caldwell had been state tonnage inspector at Philadelphia up to 1789. Although he asked for a Federal appointment for the same job in April, 1789, applied for the surveyorship of the port in July, and asked for the post of lighthouse...
205To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 2 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, November 2, 1789. “The sum paid to the Bank for last month was 12,871 Dollars.…” LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
206To Alexander Hamilton from Sir John Temple, 23 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As I have nothing to do with the Packet boats ⟨more⟩ than to deliver my dispatches to the Masters of them, ⟨I am⟩ very ignorant of their Establishment. Mr Foxcroft, ⟨Agent⟩ for the British Packets, can, with Accuracy, answer ⟨the q⟩uestions you have this day written to me about. I am with great Respect, Sir your most Obedient Humble Servant ALS , PRO: F. O. Transcripts or photostats from...
207To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 26 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, November 26, 1789. Asks that a uniform ruling be made on “the propriety of measuring Foreign Vessels that have Registers.” Requests instructions on the levying of tonnage and import taxes on foreign ships that enter Portsmouth but also intend to call at other United States ports. LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent, 1789–1790, Vol.1, National...
208To Alexander Hamilton from John Chaloner, [1788] (Hamilton Papers)
[Philadelphia, 1788.] Discusses proposals for the settlement of John Holker’s “protested Bills the property of Mr. Church— amt—£1500 Stg.” LC , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. This letter concerns the complicated affairs of Daniel Parker and Company in which both John Holker and John B. Church were involved. As the negotiations and litigations for the settlement of Parker’s...
209To Alexander Hamilton from William Constable, 20 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I shall answer your letter with strict accuracy as soon as I am able, which will be next Week at furthest; but I have been confined to my room for a Week past almost, so that I have all that leeway to bring up. If You are in immediate want of the required information the following may be taken as data. Wines Cost & Chgs delivered at N. yk exclusive of Impost Madiera ⅌ G’n of London particular...
210To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Smith, 31 May 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, May 31, 1789. Acknowledges receipt of a letter from Hamilton enclosing “a Bond from Mrs. Hammond of Baltimore to Thomas & Richard Lee of Leeds bearing date the 20th. Sepr. 1788.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Smith was practicing law in Baltimore at the time this letter was written. In 1801, he was appointed Secretary of the Navy by Thomas Jefferson. Letter not found....
211To Alexander Hamilton from William Hull, 29 June 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Newton [ Massachusetts ] June 29, 1789 . Requests Hamilton to accept “Mr. Charles Jackson, Son of General Michael Jackson,” as a law clerk. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Hull, after service in the American Revolution, practiced law in Newton, Massachusetts.
212To Alexander Hamilton from Gaspard Joseph Amand Ducher, 1 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
je félicite très sincèrement les états unis de l’amérique d’avoir publius pour leur comptrôlleur général des finances; je vous prie de lui recommander un homme qui je Crois peut être employé utilement, le capitaine jocelin très connu de notre ami le Colonel Wadsworth qui vous donnera a son égard tous les renseignements que vour pouvez désirer. je n’entends pas que publius soit tellement occupé...
213Receipt from Van Horne and Clarkson, [2 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Received New york, November 2d. 1789 from Alexander Hamilton Esqr. Three hundred & Seventy dollars Sixty Six Cents for Passage of Mrs. Church & three Servants, on board the Ship Sandwich for Falmouth: John Harris Esq Commander. DS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. David M. Clarkson and Garritt Van Horne were merchants located at 13 Hanover Square, New York City. Angelica Church, wife of...
214To Alexander Hamilton from Baron von Steuben, 5 September 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
La lettre cy joint de Mr: R: Petters, contienne une preuve, non Equivoque, que dans mes prémieres application & immediatement après la Paix, j’ai appuyer mes pretentions aux E. U. sur une stipulation ou Contract fait en Entrent dans Leurs Service. Comme Vous etiez de cette Même Committe à Philadelphie; je m’en rapporte a Votre Memoire. Dans tout les Committees subsequentes j’ai toujours...
215To Alexander Hamilton from John Rice, 9 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, October 9, 1789. On October 16, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Rice : “I am favored with yours of the 9th instant.” Letter not found. ]
216To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 4 January 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ January 4, 1789. On January 29, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Sedgwick : “I thank you for your two letters of the 4th and 7th instant.” Letter of January 4 not found. ]
217To Alexander Hamilton from William Constable, [21–31 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Clarett imported in Bottles stands from 3/ to 5/. ⅌ Bottle as in quality—annexed you have Invo. 16 Hhds of French Wines from Bordeaux. ₶ 4 Hhds Palus Wines (Clarett) Vintage 1786 210. 2 Margaux “ 1785 300. 2 Cantenac “ “ 275.
218To Alexander Hamilton from Josiah Crane, 12 June 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 12, 1789. “… [During the American Revolution] I Lodgd. at piramus in New Jersey. Early the Next morning we were Alarmd. by a party of the British, where I narrowly Escapd. with my life, and was Deprived of all I had in the World Except a few Loan office Certificates.… I am now A Ruind. man, and if my Country Shoud. not think that I merit Some Little Relief for the Support of my...
219To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 16 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, November 16, 1789. Encloses “Weekly return of receipts and payments to the 14th instant.” Asks if duties are to be calculated on the basis of a ship’s manifest. LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent, 1789–1790, Vol. 1, National Archives.
220To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Troup, [12 July 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here on Friday night. I can do no business with the court of errors so anxious is the Legislature to adjourn. It is generally thought that the appointmen⟨t⟩ of Senators will be completed tomorrow or next day at farthest after which nothing will keep the members together except some Indian business which has just turned up. When our friends met it seems they judged it most prudent to...
221To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison and Samuel Jones, [18 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
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...
222To 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...
223To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 28 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the U States being very desirous that the several Accots. of those Articles which were furnished by directions of Saml. Osgood & William Duer Esqr. in pursuance of a resolution of both houses of Congress of the 15th. of April 1789. and deposited in the house provided for the President of the United States, for his use, should be settled & paid. He has therefore, directed me to...
224To Alexander Hamilton from Moses Hazen, 6 January 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 6, 1789. Solicits Hamilton’s aid as an attorney in a controversy with one of the officers who served under Hazen during the Revolution and who was trying to collect a “Note of hand” from Hazen. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Hazen was brevetted a brigadier general during the Revolution. He settled in Vermont where he owned land.
225To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 21 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] October 21, 1789 . “Your Circular letter of the fifth Instt. came only to my hands this day.… The principal matters requested thereby have been sent forward by me sometime ago particularly the description of the Nature & Extent of the Several Establishments for the safety of the Navigation.…” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States,...
226To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, [23 January 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Our city are about applying to the legislature for an incorporation, and among other lights have availed themselves of the corporation act of your city. As experience points out many defects, wch. do not at first strike the observation, you will very much oblige me by noting such things as you would advise us to avoid. If there are any matters which have been omitted, or if there are any...
227To 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...
228To Alexander Hamilton from John Adams, [21 July 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Charles Adams, my second son, the Bearer of this Letter, I beg leave to introduce to you. He took his degree at our University of Cambridge this year, and is destined to the Study of the Law. I wish to get him into some office in New York, and should give the Preference to yours. But there are two Contingencies, one possible the other probable in the way. The first is that Congress may...
229To Alexander Hamilton from Israel Ludlow, 4 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ November 4, 1789. On May 13, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Ludlow : “Your letter of the 4th. of November … has some time since been received.” Letter not found. ] Ludlow was a New Jersey surveyor and land speculator. When he wrote this letter, he was in what is now the state of Ohio where he was serving as the chief surveyor for the Miami Purchase.
230To Alexander Hamilton from Beverley Randolph, 28 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Severe Indisposition prevented my answering your Favour of the 29th. of October, sooner than the present Moment. I now do myself the Honour to transmit an Abstract of the Public Debt of Virginia. No Funds have ever been established for the redemption of any part of the Principal, but the Legislature have heretofore made annual provision for the payment of the Interest. While the state...
231To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 30 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The letter of Octob. the 7th. which you did me the honor to write me was delivered two days ago by Mr. McCartey, & yesterday I received the duplicate by Count de Moustier. Some time before, the debt of the United States to France had been brought into view by Mr. Necker in a memorial which he delivered to the national assembly on the subject of their finances, & which I inclosed in my No. 10...
232To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Johnston, 25 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Edenton [ North Carolina ] October 25, 1789 . States that “The General Assembly of the State of North Carolina has directed” that $18,136 and 30/90 “be paid on Account of their proportion, of Interest, on the Foreign Debt due from the United States.…” Walter Clark, ed., The State Records of North Carolina (Goldsboro, North Carolina, 1903), XXI, 568; LC , Governor’s Letter Book, North Carolina...
233Receipt from John Murray, 15 August 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 15, 1789 . On this date Hamilton wrote and Murray signed a receipt which reads as follows: “the above account is in consequence of directions given me by Mr. Hamilton from motives of Charity to provide for the burial of Abbe Mott & the amount is now paid to me by him Aug 15. 1789.” DS , in writing of H, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Murray was a New York City merchant....
234To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, 19 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I was too much indisposed for some time after the receipt of your favor of the 12 Octr. to comply with the request in it, and since my arrival here and recovery I have till now been without a conveyance to the post office. The supplemental funds which at present occur to me as on the whole most eligible are 1. an excise on home distilleries. If the tax can be regulated by the size of the Still...
235To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 4 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Hartford, November 4, 1789. On November 8, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Wadsworth : “Mr Pomeroy has delivered me your Letter of the 4th Instant.” Letter not found. ]
236To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 6 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Hartford, November 6, 1789. On November 12–14, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Wadsworth : “I am just favoured with your’s of the 6th instant.” Letter not found. ]
237To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [3 October 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
In acknowledging the receipt of your candid and kind letter by the last Post; little more is incumbent upon me, than to thank you sincerely for the frankness with which you communicated your sentiments, and to assure you that the same manly tone of intercourse will always be more than barely wellcome, Indeed it, will be highly acceptable to me. I am particularly glad, in the present instance,...
238Marinus Willett to H. G., [23 March 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Marinus Willett informs H___ G___, that it is not his wish to divert him from the pursuit of his plan of defamation. M. Willett, is no letter writer, he had it only in view by a plain and candid relation to detect a false representation of a transaction in which he was a principal. It is by no means his intention to intrude on the public by investigating the causes which led to the...
239To Alexander Hamilton from Elie Williams, 10 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed herewith you will receive the Contract executed by Mr. Elliot, whom I fortunately met here: and We request that you will be pleased to forward, to us, the duplicate which was executed in New York. You will also receive, duly executed by us and our securities, the bond for our performance of the contract; As we receive no equivalent to this obligation we must rely, Sir, upon your...
240To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [18 October 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
A day or two ago the enclosed letters came to my hands. The watch of Genl. Morgan you have for what it cost him, what he expects for it is also signified. It is a repeater with a chaced outer case with open work in parts. The Inner case is open, nearly in the whole. It is of an old fraction make, and appears to have seen better days; perhaps its chief merits lay in being a family piece,...
241To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 11 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 11, 1789. Encloses an account “of Rects & payts to the 3rd October instant & also for the week ending the 10th Inst.” Copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Portsmouth, National Archives; LC , fragment, RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent, 1789–1790, Vol. 1, National Archives.
242To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 30 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Least my brother should have returned I take the liberty of asking your safe delivery of the two lets. enclosed & any reply which may be given to you for me. At the same time let me present my hearty gratulations on the proper honor you have received from our country. I anticipate good to the public & new lustre to my friend notwithstanding the obstinate difficultys & embarrassments which...
243To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Turnbull, 10 February 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Petersburg, Virginia, February 10, 1789. “I am possessed of a Bill on you … dated the 10th May 1788 for £57 Virga. money, being endorsed … to me.… You will be so obliging as to give me Information, how this matter stands and what probability there is, of any recovery being made.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Turnbull was a merchant of Petersburg, Virginia.
244To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Being obliged to attend our Legislature the first of next month it will be out of my power to collect examine and prepare the necessary facts relative to your queries, at least till after the end of the session; and as a majority of the house of delegates is said to be antifederal I can form no judgement of its duration. Be assured I was not only made exceedingly happy by your appointment but...
245From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [21 June 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My beloved for your letter by the Post. I have time only to tell you that I am well and to request to be remembered to your sister & to Mrs. Mitchell Adieu My beloved. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found. Ann Venton Mitchell, H’s cousin, had been known to him during his boyhood on St. Croix in the West Indies.
246From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [28 May 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I am miserable My beloved angel that I cannot yet come to you; but this abominable business still detains us & will do it for some days. I would willingly endure the fatigue of a journey to visit you, if it were but for a minute; but such is my situation and the expectation of those for whom I act, that I cannot get away for an hour. It cannot however much longer keep me from my beloved; and...
247From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I just hear of an opportunity for Albany & sit down to tell you I am well. Mr. Eveleigh is arrived but so indisposed as to be of no assistance to me which I fear will prevent my journey to Albany; but of this I shall write with more certainty on Sunday. I trust the next post will bring me a line from my love informing me of her & my Children’s safe arrival & health. I am a solitary lost being...
248From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Harison, [9 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I will thank you jointly with Mr. Jones for an opinion on the inclosed Questions. As they are of a nature to excite critical attention, I shall be glad of care in the consideration of the subject. Though I would mean to reserve my own opinion, I should not be sorry for an opportunity of pointing out some particulars in a personal interview before your opinion is made up. Tomorrow Morning...
249From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Harison, [26 September 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Taking it for granted that you will be appointed Atty General of the district I request your opinion as to the Bond required to be taken by the Collectors respecting the certificate of Registry of Vessels. Can it be taken directly to “The United States of America” or must it be in the name of the Collector? Will any bond to the United States of America be valid? The Question arises on the act...
250Enclosure: To Samuel Jones and Richard Harison, [9 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury requests the opinion of Council on the following points, arising on the Act for Registering & Clearing Vessels regulating the Coasting Trade & for other purposes— 1st By the 22d Section it is provided that every Vessel of Less than Twenty Tons shall procure a license from the Collector of the District to which she belongs purporting that such Vessel is exempt...