27601To Alexander Hamilton from Jacob Wray, 12 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Hampton, Virginia, October 12, 1789. “Your letter of the first Instant came to hand yesterday we have no Lighthouse Beacon or Buoys in this District but if a Lighthouse was fixed on Cape Henry & also Smaller Lights on old point Comfort & New point Comfort it would inlighten the great Chesapeek Bay as the most wild & dangerous part of the Bay it would gain the Blessing of Thousands.…” ALS , RG...
27602To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 13 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October 13, 1789. Asks Hamilton’s approval for payment of a pilot’s claim as reward for salvaging a floating beacon. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
27603To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Fitch, 13 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New Haven [ Connecticut ] October 13, 1789 . Encloses a letter describing the navigational aids in the port of New Haven. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “C,” Connecticut and New York, National Archives. This letter is in reply to “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” October 1, 1789 . Fitch was collector of the customs at New Haven. Elias Shipman to...
27604To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 13 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The sum of two thousand five Dollars is necessary to be advanced to take up Notes which were given for money advanced for the household of the President of the United States previous to the organization of the Treasury Department. This sum added to two thousand Dollars which you have already advanced for the purpose of taking up Notes, will compleat the payment of all Monies advanced for the...
27605To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Willing, [13 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
We received your favor of the 6th. inst. and agreeable to your request we resolved to furnish the Treasury with the 20 000 dollars on Loan. This sum has since been paid to the Treasurer and his receipt taken for the amount the payment has been made 5000 dollars in our Banks notes and the residue in post notes at 30 days from the instant we dont find it prudent at present to Issue the Postnotes...
27606To Alexander Hamilton from William Lindsay, 14 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Norfolk [ Virginia ] October 14, 1789 . “In reply to your circular Letter of the 1st Inst respecting Light Houses &c I have to inform you that there is no establishment of the Kind in this District. Inclosed is an Estimate of a Light House intended to be built on Cape Henry prior to the late War.… I observe by the Collection Law, that the Collector is to provide (with the approbation of the...
27607Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 14 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
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...
27608To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Hussey, 15 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Sherbourne [ Massachusetts ] October 15, 1789 . Describes aids to navigation in the waters surrounding Nantucket Island. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “B,” New Hampshire and Massachusetts, National Archives. This letter was in reply to “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” October 1, 1789 . Hussey was collector of the customs at Nantucket and...
27609Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 15 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
There is a species of information, which it will be convenient to you to obtain and which will be of important use to the Government: it respects the mode of Navigating of the several States; and of Foreign Nations. With a view to which I have framed a number of Queeries, to which as speedily as the requisite enquiries can be made, I request answers. Thought I do not consider it as a part of...
27610Enclosure: [Questions Concerning the Navigation of the Several States], [15 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Questions concerning the navigation of the several States, and Foreign Nations to which answers are requested. What is the usual construction of the Vessels built in your State, and in those Foreign Countries, that trade with you (particularly France Great Britain the United Netherlands, Russia Denmark, and Sweden) as it respects their capacity for carrying an[d] sailing? What is the original...
27611To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [16–31 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
My indisposition has prevented me from forwarding such remarks as I thought would have been of some use to you in directing the Revenue System but I hope soon to be able to lay them before you. Your letter of the 2nd Inclosing forms of keeping Accts I recd as also that of the 17th respecting the Bank and one covering a Letter to the Wardens. In respect to the Mode transmitted respecting weekly...
27612To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Lawrence, Junior, 16 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, October 16, 1789. “When I look around me and see distress penury and want stare me in the face with all their horrors and no prospect of Employ, Judge my Dear Sir how dreadfull must be my sensations, such being Actually my Situation … if Sir it is in your power to afford me Employ let me entreat you do it [and] save me and my family from distress.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
27613To Alexander Hamilton from John Rice, 16 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, October 16, 1789. Reports on the maintenance of navigational aids in Boston harbor. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “B,” New Hampshire and Massachusetts, National Archives. This letter is in reply to “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” October 1, 1789 .
27614From Alexander Hamilton to John Rice, 16 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, October 16, 1789. “I am favored with yours of the 9th. instant transmitting your Return of Receipts and Payments to that day. Out of the Monies then stated to be in hand, you may exchange Notes of the Banks of New York and Philadelphia to the amount of Ten thousand Dollars.…” L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1772–1818, Vol. 6,...
27615From Alexander Hamilton to Elie Williams, 17 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 10th Instant, in which you inform me, that you have drawn Bills on me on account of Issues under your first Contract, Supposed to be due in the Months of October, November & December, to the amount of Six Thousand Dollars, payable at Twenty, Fifty, and Eighty days. Although I have every disposition to facilitate the execution of your Contract (So far as I can...
27616To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Goodhue, 18 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Salem, Massachusetts, October 18, 1789. On October 29, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Goodhue : “I am duly favoured with your letter of the Eighteenth instant.” Letter not found. ] Goodhue, a Salem merchant and a Massachusetts state senator, was elected to the House of Representatives in 1789. As a Congressman, Goodhue played a major role in drawing up the revenue laws.
27617To Alexander Hamilton from Philemon Gatewood, 19 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Norfolk, Virginia, October 19, 1789. On November 7, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Gatewood : “I have duly received your letter of the 19th. of October.” Letter not found. ] Gatewood was naval officer at Norfolk and Portsmouth.
27618From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 19 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, October 19, 1789. “I have this day drawn on you … a sett of Bills of Exchange payable at Sight for Two thousand Dollars.…” L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1789–1807, Vol. 4, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Boston, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National...
27619To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 20 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, October 20, 1789. “… if any change in this present mode of discharging the Interest on the Domestic Debt should be thought necessary, still I presume some office similar to the present, or somehow aiding the public creditors in obtaining their Interest in an expeditious & cheap manner will be established in the Several States or Districts, in which case I shall hope to be continued in...
27620To 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...
27621Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 20 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
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...
27622From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [20 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your desire, I sit down to commit a few lines to the Post. Nothing worth particular mention has occured since your Departure; except a report brought by Mr. Keane from So. Carolina, that Mc. Gilivray the Indian Chief had, after a short conference, left our Commissioners, declaring that what they had suggested was only a repetion of the old Storey and inadmissible, or something to...
27623From Alexander Hamilton to John Witherspoon, 20 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 20, 1789. On October 26, 1789, Witherspoon wrote to Hamilton : “On Saturday I had the Pleasure of receiving Yours of the 20th.” Letter not found. ] Witherspoon was president of the College of New Jersey (Princeton).
27624To 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,...
27625To Alexander Hamilton from John Barney, [21 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Baltimore, October 21, 1789. ] On October 29, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Barney : “I have duly received your letter of the 21 instant.” Letter not found. ] Presumably John Holland Barney, brother of Commodore Joshua Barney of the Revolutionary Navy.
27626To 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.
27627To Alexander Hamilton from John Rice, 22 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, October 22, 1789. Discusses the acquisition of two small boats for the revenue service. Believes that reducing the number of entry ports would increase rather than prevent smuggling. ADfS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury and Others, 1789–1818, Vol. 11, National Archives.
27628To 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...
27629To Alexander Hamilton from John Rice, 24 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, October 24, 1789. On November 7, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Rice : “I am favored with your Letter of the 24th. Ultimo.” Letter not found. ]
27630To 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...
27631From Alexander Hamilton to Tench Coxe, 26 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 26, 1789. On November 30, 1789, Coxe wrote to Hamilton : “by way of answer to the queries I had the honour to receive from you, the 26th of last month.” Letter not found. ]
27632From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 26 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Pay to Baron De Steuben or bearer Fifty Dollars. New York October 26th. 1789. ADS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Bank of New York. Frederick William Augustus Henry Ferdinand, Baron von Steuben.
27633To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 26 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In my letter of the 23d. Instant I took the Liberty to inclose a sketch of Journal entries as I now make them in my office for the purpose of keeping the public accounts. As that sketch was done in some haste, a further explanation may be necessary to its recommendation. A thousand causes combine to render the adjustment of the duties on a Cargo of Merchandize imported, immediately after the...
27634To Alexander Hamilton from John Witherspoon, 26 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
On Saturday I had the Pleasure of receiving Yours of the 20th. It is very flattering to me that you suppose I can render any Assistance by Advice in the important Duties of your present station. It is true that from the very earliest part of Life It has been a favourite Object with me to attend to the State of Society & the Operation & Influence of political Causes & among the rest Money as a...
27635To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 27 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letter of the 9th instant I rec’d; and sensible of the utility of the information you request, I shall give you what Aid I can, and shall readily communicate with you upon the important Subjects you mention, as health and leisure will permit. We have now arrived to that period, as I conceive, when every thing national should assume the appearance of System and Stability; and I am happy to...
27636To 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...
27637To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 28 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, October 28, 1789. Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s “letter of the 15th. Instant, inclosing queries respecting the modes of Navigating.” ALS , Office of the Secretary, United States Treasury Department. “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” October 15, 1789 .
27638From Alexander Hamilton to John Barney, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 21. instant and beg you to accept my thanks for it. The intimations of Zealous and intelligent citizens will always be received by me with attention and acknowledgement. The ideas contained in your Letter appear to me solid and judicious. As far as my reflections have gone they coincide very much with the views you entertain of the matter. But at present...
27639From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Goodhue, [29 October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I am duly favoured with your letter of the Eighteenth instant, and receive the observations you have been so obliging as to make, not only with candor but with thanks as a mark of your friendship and confidence. I am far from relying so much upon my own judgment, as not to think it very possible, I may have been mistaken in both the constructions on which you remark. Indeed I see abundant room...
27640From Alexander Hamilton to Beverley Randolph, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter by the last Post without date I have had the honor of receiving. I perceive that you had concluded to defer directing the Amount of the State debt to be furnished, ’till a provision is made by the Legislature respecting Funds for discharging it. Allow me to remark Sir, that I am persuaded, for a variety of reasons, that the Amount of the debt, is the most material part of the...
27641To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 29, 1789. Describes the safeguards needed to check smuggling in New Hampshire. Presents merchants’ complaints concerning the method used for calculating ships’ tonnage for levying the tonnage tax. LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent, 1789–1790, Vol. 1, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Portsmouth, National...
27642To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 29 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, October 29, 1789. Asks for a ruling on the cases of the British ship Polly and the American ship Sarah . ADfS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives.
27643To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Smith, 30 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Machias, District of Maine, October 30, 1789. On December 4, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Smith : “Your letter of the 30th of October came to hand a few days since.” Letter not found. ] Smith was collector of customs at Machias.
27644To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 31 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] October 31, 1789 . Proposes the use of boats to prevent smuggling in Delaware Bay. LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
27645To Alexander Hamilton from John Rice, 31 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, October 31, 1789. On November 16, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Rice : “Since your Letter of the 31st. of October last.” Letter not found. ]
27646Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 31 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
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...
27647To Alexander Hamilton from ———, [October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Answer 1st The Ships built in Massachusetts are constructed to combine the two great objects of sailing & carrying, perhaps better than those of either of the Nations mentiond (those of France & G Britain in some instances excepted); whereby altho’ they may not be capable of carrying so much in proportion to their measure they will sail faster, are more safe at Sea; & have an advantage in...
27648To Alexander Hamilton from ———, [October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Answers. 1st The construction upon which vessels are built in this State, admits of their carrying as many tons in weight as their tonage; and may be said to sail well. The vessels that trade here from the Netherlands, Russia, Denmark and Sweden are at present few or none. Those from Great Britain do not materially differ in their construction for carrying from those built in this State, and...
27649Conversation with George Beckwith, [October 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
Seventh. I have requested to see you on this occasion from a Wish to Explain Certain points, relative to our situation, and from a desire to suggest a measure, which I conceive to be both for the interest of Great Britain, and of this Country to adopt. We have lately Established a Government upon principles, that in my opinion render it safe for any Nation to Enter into Treaties with us,...
27650To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, October, 1789. Acknowledges receipt of circular letter of October 2, 1789. Complains that method of filing returns requires so much clerical assistance that it imposes a very heavy financial burden on the collectors. LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.