1From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 1 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Trustees of the sinking fund have thought fit to commit to you the making of purchases of the public debt to the amount of fifty thousand Dollars pursuant to the Act making provision for the reduction of the public debt. To enable you to execute this trust (which I doubt not you will chearfully undertake) I have directed the Treasurer to forward to you fifty thousand dollars in Notes of...
2From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 2 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have made a remittance to William Heth Esq. Collector of Bermuda Hundred in Notes of the Bank of North America, made payable to him, which I request you to exchange for specie should any of them be offered by the holders. The Cash included in your returns as well as that received in the current week may be used for that purpose, if requisite. I am Sir, your obedient servant. LS , Charles...
3To Alexander Hamilton from Arthur Fenner, 3 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 14th Jany. I recd. In February 1786 a Committee appointed by the Legislature of the State of Rhode Island settled the Accounts with the Agent for the Rhode Island line of the late Army. There appeared in his hands certificates to the amount of three thousand seven Dollars and seventy three Ninetieths which were delivered over and lodgd in the Treasury of this State to be...
4To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 3 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The note you inclosed to Mr Troup for discount was immediately done & passd to your Credit. The dft to Mr. Francis has not yet appeared, but should have been punctually attended to & honored at all Events. Your present ballance in Bank including the discount is 2907 Dolls. & ⁴⁴⁄₁₀₀. Therefore the 3000 Dolls. dft will overrun 92. Do: ⁵⁶⁄₁₀₀ which I mention for your Government. The letters you...
5To 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...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 5 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston ] February 5, 1791 . “I wrote you 26 Ulto. This serves to inclose Duplicate Receipt for Certificates received from the Register dated 22d Jany 1791—also first receipt for Certificates dated 29th. Jany 1791. By this Post I transmitt to the Auditor an Abstract of Certificates Indents & Bills of Old Emission, recd into the Office in the Month of November last for which Certificates of...
7To Alexander Hamilton from Isaac Sherman, 5 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ February 5, 1791. On January 23, 1792, Sherman wrote to Hamilton : “… subsequent to my letter of 5th of February last.…” Letter not found. ] Sherman was the son of Roger Sherman of Connecticut. In 1787 and 1788 he was employed as one of the surveyors of the Northwest Territory, and he subsequently held a minor position in the Treasury.
8To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 5 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, February 5, 1791. “In compliance with the directions given in your Circular letter of the 20th. January 1790 I enclosed you the 18th. of February following a Statement of the emoluments of the officers of the Customs in this district for one year; but as that Statement was founded partly on Calculation it could not be accurate. I flattered myself however that such...
9To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 7 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you on the 25th. of last month by the English packet. This, inclosed to the Secretary of State, will be sent also by the way of England. I mentioned in my last what I repeat here for greater certainty. “1093. 450. 264. 1405. 224. 264. 1405. 319. 1065. 224. 239. 1210. 1340. 426. 1336. 839. 1590. 224. 531. 1388. 224. 708. ...
10Enclosure: Comte de Montmorin to Louis G. Otto, 9 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Je vous adresse, M, plusieurs piéces qui m’ont été envoyées par les Srs. Jeanneret et Schweizer, Banquiers à Paris; vous y verrez l’offre que ces particuliers ont faite de Se charger de l’emprunt que le Congrès a ouvert en hollande, principalement pour acquiter notre créance; vous verrez également la correspondance qu’ils ont suivie sur cet objet avec M. Short; les motifs qui ont déterminé ce...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 8 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 8, 1791. Announces that Appleton has been selected by the President to pay “Pensions to Invalids for the space of one year.” LS , with an insertion in H’s handwriting, MS Division, New York Public Library. The United States had assumed the payment of military pensions to invalids “who were wounded and disabled during the late war” by “An Act providing for the...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 8 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received yesterday an application from Messrs. R & J Potter, Knox, Henderson & others, relative to the claim of additional duties on Goods ⅌ the ship Kitty from London. Having no statement of facts from your office, I am uncertain how far all those things, that may concern the rights of the United States, have occurred to the Applicants, & can, therefore, only give a conditional instruction...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Smith, 8 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 8, 1791. On February 14, 1791, Smith wrote to Hamilton : “I am honored with your favor of 8th Inst.” Letter not found. ] Smith was commissioner of loans for Pennsylvania. This was probably the same as the letter which H sent to Nathaniel Appleton on this date and to Jedediah Huntington on January 30, 1790 .
14To 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...
15To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 9 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, February 9, 1791. “As I understand all public papers must pass under cover to you, this incloses a duplicate receipt for Certificates received from the Registers and letter to the Auditor respecting cancelled Certifts & Indents forwarded to him by this Post.…” LC , RG 53, Massachusetts State Loan Office, Letter Book, 1785–1791, Vol. “259–M,” National Archives.
16To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 9 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, February 9, 1791. “In Conformity with the directions given in your Circular letter of the 17th. May last respecting Seizures, I have to inform you that a Small Seizure has been made in this district, consisting of one Barrel, one half Barrel & three Small Bags Coffee.…” LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent, 1790–1791, Vol. 2, National...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Marchant, 10 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
You will find under this cover an act remitting the forfeiture in the case of the Schooner Fly, on the petition prefered to your court by Wm. Brightman. This vessel being under thirty tons cannot be employed in the importation of goods from foreign ports. Nor can she pursue the coasting trade without the burden of the foreign tonnage duty. She may, however, with any papers that she may have...
18To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Paterson, 10 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
When I wrote you formerly, It was Just when a Trunk was packing up for my freind Robt. Campbell Bookseller. My hasty Scrawll & Dr. Prices Pamphlet, in the way it was Sent, I hope youll Excuse. Their is No clean Copy of it to be got. At that Period I did not know that the inclosed State of the British Custom house Dutys &c. was published. Youll Notice this now Sent is by Authority of the...
19Report on the Petition of the Merchants of Philadelphia Trading to India and China, 10 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of the House of representatives of the twentieth day of January last referring to him the petition of the Merchants of Philadelphia trading to India and China; Respectfully reports: That the subject of the said petition involves the consideration of the general policy, which ought to be pursued by the United States, in relation to the...
20To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Rodney, 10 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It is very True that I was not an advocate for the Fedœral Government being adopted so soon altho I was very sensible of great defects in the Old confederation, Yet I was apprehensive it would be dangerous to Our Independance to attempt Changing that principle of Government which had conducted us Safe through the Revolution, because I was persuaded that the local attachment of The people to...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 10 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
A petition from Mr John Hollins, of Baltimore, to the House of representatives has been refered to me on which I shall report that in my opinion the existing law admits of the relief desired by the petitioner. Annexed to the petition are legal Testimonies that the Schooner John was before the first of January 1791. within the Capes of Chessapeak bay, whence it follows that the Cargo on board...
22From Alexander Hamilton to ———, 11 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Treasurer has been directed to draw in favour of the Commissioner of Loans for your State in order to the payment of the Pensions to Invalids which will become payable the fifth of March next. His drafts however will not in the first instance be directed to any particular Collector; but will be transmitted with blanks to be filled up by the Commissioner. This is mentioned lest the manner...
23To Alexander Hamilton from John Habersham, 11 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ February 11, 1791. In a letter to Hamilton, dated May 20, 1791 , Habersham referred to “my letter of the 11th. of February last.” Letter not found. ] Habersham was collector of customs at Savannah.
24To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 11 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 11, 1791. Letter not found. ] Letter listed in Jefferson’s record of letters written and received, Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress.
25From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 11 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 11, 1791. On February 16, 1791, Seton wrote to Hamilton : “I am honored with your letter of the 11th.” Letter not found. ]
26From Alexander Hamilton to William Lewis, 12 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The following case occours in the transactions of the Treasury. The husband of a deceased Administratrix after her death applies at the Treasury for the settlement of an account which was relative to the administration of the wife. The Officers of the Treasury, without notice of her decease, make settlement and grant a Certificate for a balance due, in the name of the husband. Other parties...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Edmund Randolph, 12 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 12, 1791. In a letter dated February, 1791, Randolph referred to Hamilton’s “letter of February, 12th: 1791.” Letter not found. ]
28Report on the Petition of John Hollins, 12 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, in obedience to the Order of the House of Representatives of the 4th Instant, relative to the petition of John Hollins, of the Town of Baltimore, Merchant, Respectfully reports; That after duly examining the late and existing laws imposing duties on goods imported into the United States, with a view to their application in the case, wherein the said John Hollins...
29To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 13 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, February 13, 1791. “… I hope by next Post to be able to transmitt you the amount of the Certift of Funded Debt issued in the month of December & Jany last for your information tho’ I shall not be able to send a regular Abstract of the Same.” LC , RG 53, Massachusetts State Loan Office, Letter Book, 1785–1791, Vol. “259–M,” National Archives.
30Election to American Philosophical Society, [14 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
To all Persons to whom These Presents shall come, Greeting. The American Philosophical Society held at Philadelphia for promoting useful Knowledge, desirous of advancing the Interest of the Society by associating to themselves Men of distinguished Eminence, and of conferring Marks of their Esteem upon Persons of literary Merit, have Elected The Honourable Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the...
31To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Marchant, 14 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport, Rhode Island, February 14, 1791. Encloses the petition of Hezekiah Usher and George Usher, captain and mate of the brigantine Ruth , who had been prosecuted for landing goods which they did not declare. States that the “said Hezh. Usher, Master of sd. Brige. is a young Man, twenty six years old, and, that this was first Voyage he was ever Captain, that the Mate, is but twenty three...
32To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 14 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, February 14, 1791. “The enclosed Letter to the Treasurer, covers the second Moieties (the first being transmitted the 10th. instant) of Two Bank Notes, amounting, ⅌ triplicate List herewith, to 127 Dollars.… I have … received your Letter of the 31st. Ulto., relative to the appointment of Mates to the Revenue Cutters. I have in view Two or Three Persons whom I could recommend as...
33From Alexander Hamilton to Edmund Randolph, 14 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 14 1791. In a letter dated February, 1791, Randolph referred to Hamilton’s “letter of the 14th: February.” Letter not found. ]
34Report on Compensation to the Commissioners of Loans, 14 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, in obedience to the Order of the House of Representatives, of the 13th. Ultimo, relative to compensation to the Commissioners of Loans for the extraordinary expenses, that may, in the first instance, be incurred by them in the execution of the Act making provision for the public debt; Respectfully reports, That as the allowances to the several Commissioners of...
35To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Smith, 14 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
This accompanys Abstract of Certificates Old Emissions & Indents received on subscriptions to the Loan proposed by act of Congress 4 Augt 1790 from the 1st to the 31st January inclusive. The subscriptions are encreassing very fast, which with the payment of Indents to the Citizens of this State to enable them to possess themselves of their original Certificates in order to fund them; together...
36Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 14 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have directed the Treasurer of the United States to forward to you drafts payable to you or your order for the Sum of fifty thousand Dollars. These Drafts will be transmitted to you with blanks for the Direction of each as the case may require, and may be filled up either with the name of Tench Francis Esquire, Cashier of the Bank of North America, or with that of William Seton Esquire,...
37To 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...
38To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 15 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 31st. of last month on the 12th of this. It will be impossible for me to give the names of persons of this State suitable for 1st. 2nd. & 3d. mates of the Cutter now building in Connecticut by this Post. I will do it the next. When I sent forward a statement of the Cases of Hezekiah Usher & George Usher I was unacquainted with some circumstances which appeared on...
39From Alexander Hamilton to Cyrus Griffin, 15 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 15, 1791. “I am under the necessity of returning you the papers in the cases of Messrs. McRae and Morrison, which you will find enclosed. There is no legal proof that the goods have ever paid duty. The Collectors & Deputy Collectors of the customs are not vested with the general power of administring oaths. The Deposition of Mr. Fraser before the Deputy Collector of...
40Reports on Exports for the Year Ending September 30, 1790, 15 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I do myself the honour to transmit thro’ you to the House of Representatives, a General Return of the Exports of the United States, abstracted from Custom-House Returns, commencing on the various days in August, 1789, whereon they were respectively opened, and ending on the 30th of September last. From inadvertence in some of those offices, the space of time prior to the 1st of October 1789,...
41To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 15 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 23rd Ulto. I have received and in pursuance of your directions have agreed for the Hull of a Vessel for a Cutter for this Station of 44 feet Keel payable (say 46 Straight rabbet) 15 Beam & 6½ hold at 9 Dollars pr. Ton. I could find no person on whom I could depend for a good Vessel that would undertake the whole equipments fit for Sea at 22½ Dollrs. per Ton, or indeed at any...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 16 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you 13th instant—this serves to enclose first Rect. 12th. Feby for Certifts. received from the Register—agreable to my engagement by last Post I have added up the Receipts for Certificates of Funded Dept issued in the Months of December and January for your information, tho’ it is impossible for me yet to transmitt regular Abstracts of the same. Amount is as follows six ⅌ C Stock...
43Conversation with George Beckwith, [16 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Lt. Colonel Beckwith. The newspapers of yesterday and of this day mention communications to the two Houses, from The President, on the subject of a commercial treaty with us, and although no particulars are stated, yet enough is expressed to convey an impression to the public mind, that we are not disposed to form any such treaty. I have in former conversations had the honor of declaring my...
44To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Hawkins, 16 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received an authentic copy of the Resolutions of the general assembly of North Carolina which I shewed to you in a news-paper some time past, containing among other Items the following instructions to the Senators from that State. “Resolved that they strenuosly oppose every excise and direct taxation law should any be attempted in Congress.” Being of Opinion that the Constitution...
45To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Newton, Junior, 16 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Norfolk [ Virginia ] February 16, 1791. Proposes that a “comfortable house” be built for the keeper of the Cape Henry lighthouse. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. This letter was enclosed in Josiah Parker to H, March 5, 1791 . Newton, a Norfolk lawyer, was nominated inspector of Survey No. 4 in Virginia on October 31, 1791.
46Notes on Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on the Constitutionality of an Act to Establish a Bank, [16–21 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Power to lay & Collect taxes ascertain subject of taxation declare Quantum prescribe mode of Collection This an infinite chapter ordain the manner of accounting creation of districts & ports of officers duties powers & capacities compensation penalties exemption what places to be paid at oaths ☞ in what to be paid Drawback Cutters Mode of recovery
47To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 16 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 11th. and agreable to your desire enclose a return of the Treasurers Bills on the Collectors now in Bank undispos’d of. You will please to observe that there are of these Bills No 882 on Newbern for 900 dollars } dated 7 Jany 1791 883 on Edenton 200 884 on Savanah 400 have been already credited to the Treasurers Account in Bank being part of Bills for 5300...
48To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 16 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
“An Act to incorporate the Subscribers to the Bank of the United States” is now before me for consideration. The constitutionality of it is objected to. It therefore becomes more particularly my duty to examine the ground on wch. the objection is built. As a mean of investigation I have called upon the Attorney General of the United States in whose line it seemed more particularly to be for...
49To Alexander Hamilton from George Beckwith, 17 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, February 17, 1791. Repeats statements made to Hamilton in conversation on preceding day. D , PRO: F.O. Transcripts or photostats from the Public Records Office of Great Britain deposited in the Library of Congress. , Series 4, Vol. 12, Part I. This document was enclosed in the letter Beckwith wrote to Lord Grenville, March 3, 1791. See “Conversation with George Beckwith,”...
50To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 17 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, February 17, 1791. “In conformity to your Letter of the 31st. of January I now beg leave to make Jeremiah Greenman and Daniel Bucklin Junr., both of this Town, as Persons well qualified to fill the stations of First and Second Mates onboard the Revenue Cutter building in Connecticut.…” ADfS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence; copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at...