27851Report on the Petition of Christopher Saddler, 19 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives] In obedience to the order of the House of Representatives of the eleventh Instant. referring to the Secretary of the Treasury, the petition of Christopher Sadler, The said Secretary Most respectfully reports: That except the letter from the Collector of the District of Boston and Charlestown accompanying the petition, there is no evidence...
27852To Alexander Hamilton from Peter Anspach, 20 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 20, 1790. Transmits “several Estimates signed by Col. Timothy Pickering late Quarter Master General.” ALS , Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts. For background to this letter, see Pickering to H, November 19 , 25, 1789 ; H to Pickering, November 19, 1789 ; H to Anspach, December 5, 1789 ; Anspach to H, December 30, 1789 .
27853To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 20 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] January 20, 1790 . Sends accounts and abstract of duties. Encloses “opinion of two more of our Merchants on some of your Queries.” LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia. The opinions presumably were in reply to the questions on domestic and foreign commerce which H had sent to the collectors of the customs on October 15, 1789 .
27854From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 20 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
A Petition from Christopher Sadler, with a Letter from you to Mr. Ames, has been referred to me by the House of Representatives for examination and Opinion. The face of the thing and your Letter leave me no doubt, that the case is such an one as to require relief. Yet I could not report in favor of it on the present evidence, without making a precedent that might in other circumstances be...
27855From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 20 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, January 20, 1790. Instructs Lincoln to reimburse John Coffin Jones “for Oil supplied the Lighthouses” in Massachusetts. LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters and Papers re Lighthouses, Buoys, and Piers, 1789–1819, Vol. 3, National Archives. Jones was a stockholder and director of the Massachusetts Bank, 1785–1786.
27856To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, January 20, 1790. Discusses the type of boat that should be used to prevent smuggling. States that “As all drawbacks on goods … & bounties paid on articles exported too often operate as Caches on the revenue of a country the greatest barriers possible should be placed around it to prevent the practice of frauds of every kind.” ADf , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from...
27857To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Osgood, 20 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to the orders of the Supreme Executive, I have the honor of laying before you such remarks and observations as have occurred to me, in attending to the Department of the Post Office; many of these observations will be found to be of a general nature, and founded in opinion: for there are not documents in the office on which to found estimates that would afford satisfaction. The...
27858Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 20 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Motives friendly to the Interests of the Officers of the Customs, as well as to the advancement of the public service, induce me to desire that I may be as soon as possible furnished with a Statement of the amount of the emoluments which have accrued to them respectively under the existing regulations, up to the first of January. As this letter will only be addressed to the Collector of each...
27859From Alexander Hamilton to Roger Alden, [21 January 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
If you have in the Office the laws of North Carolina, I will thank you for the perusal of them. As I want them in haste, I shall be glad they may be sent by the bearer. I am, Sir Yr Obed serv ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Alden, a deputy secretary of the Continental Congress from 1785 to 1789, accepted a clerkship in 1789 in the new Department of State under the temporary...
27860From Alexander Hamilton to John Davidson, 22 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, January 22, 1790. “I am favored with your letter of the 2d Instant Enclosing a Bank Note for Fifty Dollars; all the Remittances which you make in future must be sent … to the Treasurer of the United States.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collectors at Bridgetown and Annapolis, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National...
27861To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 22 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] January 22, 1790 . “I inclose you the Exports of flour for the last year & our Inspector informs me he is confident the Quantity not returned to him would make the export not much less than 400,000 barrells.…” LC , Collector of Customs, Philadelphia.
27862To Alexander Hamilton from William Livingston, 23 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ January 23, 1790 . On February 8, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Livingston : “I had the honor of receiving a few days since your Excellencys letter of the 23d. of January.” Letter not found. ] Livingston was governor of New Jersey.
27863To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 24 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to the commands of the President of the United States, I have the honor to transmit to you a letter from His Excellency Beverley Randolph Governor of Virginia, dated January the 14th 1790, relating to the materials which were placed upon Cape Henry by the States of Virginia and Maryland for the purpose of building a Light House; and likewise the report of General Wood upon the...
27864To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [25 January 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
From the Journals of Congress I see You have reported a Bill to the consideration of the Legislature respecting Duties, which gives me much pleasure even if the Imposts you wish to take place should not carry, as the deficiencies & contrarieties in our collection & Registering Acts may be remedied. The office of Naval officer as a controuling officer is absolutely necessary—but as the...
27865From Alexander Hamilton to Jedediah Huntington, 25 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, January 25, 1790. “I am favored with your letter of 9th. instant, transmitting the Accounts of the Lighthouse under your Superintendance. As the regulations for this establishment have not yet been determined on by the President I cannot at present do any thing with respect to your compensation on this Account.…” LS , The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
27866From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 25 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
As it has become my duty to prepare a plan for the consideration of Congress, respecting the encouragement of Manufactures it is of course my wish to ⟨secure in⟩formation, which can be had on the Subject. I shall therefore be obliged to you, for such ⟨– – particular⟩s, as may assist me in forming a right judgement of the means, which may be proper to be pursued. The several kinds of...
27867To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Peters, 25 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I should sooner have acknowledged the Reciept of your kind Letter respecting Mr Smith but I hope not to draw you into any useless Correspondence when your Hands must be full of Matters of more general Consequence. I hoped to get Mr. S. employed here & had nearly succeeded but his Friends were culpably sure of Success & by a sudden Compromise he lost the Appointment of Treasurer to the State by...
27868To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 25 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, January 25, 1790. Discusses the official value of the rix-dollars of Denmark, Sweden, and various German states. ALS , Personal Miscellany, Otho H. Williams, Library of Congress.
27869To Alexander Hamilton from Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, [25 January … (Hamilton Papers)
We had the Honor to address you the 29 Ulto. since when we have not received any of your respected favors. We have now to acquaint you that the Persons employed by the Court of France here, and the principal Broker in the French funds, foreseeing that the Situation of the Finances of that Country would put it out of the Power of the Governmt. to make timely Provision for the payement of the...
27870To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, January 26, 1790. Discusses the problems involved in the re-exportation of imported wines. Suggests placing imported raisins, lemons, pepper, and pimento on the enumerated list, and states that the additional levies would produce a “handsome” sum. ADf , RG 36, Letters from the Treasury and Others, 1789–1818, Vol. 11, National Archives.
27871To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Mifflin, 26 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, January 26, 1790. Encloses a statement of Pennsylvania’s public debt. States that a supplementary statement of the United States securities in the state treasury will be transmitted in the near future. Hazard, Pennsylvania Archives , XI Samuel Hazard, ed., Pennsylvania Archives (Philadelphia, 1855). , 663. This letter is in reply to “Treasury Department Circular to the Governors...
27872From Alexander Hamilton to Baron von Steuben, 26 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 26, 1790. “Among the documents which relate to the circumstances of your entrance into the service of the United States, are—a letter from you to Congress, dated at Portsmouth, the 6th Decr. 1777—a report of the Committee which conferred with you at York Town—and a letter from you to the President of Congress, dated in December 1782. Inclosed you will find copies of the two...
27873To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 27 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston ] January 27, 1790 . “Your faver of the 20th respecting Christopher Sadler is before us. In the morning of his arrival he came directly to the office with his papers in order to enter his vessel. His papers from Hallifax Nova Scotia were regular. He appeared to be very unhappy on his finding his mistake and applied for advice and has attended fully to the directions given him. No...
27874From Alexander Hamilton to Beverley Randolph, 27 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, January 27, 1790. Acknowledges receipt of a certificate from the auditor of Virginia on the manner of calculating the state’s debt. LS , Archives Division, Virginia State Library, Richmond. See Randolph to H, January 11, 1790 .
27875To Alexander Hamilton from Baron von Steuben, 27 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Letter which you did me the honor of addressing to me Yesterday I have received, and am indebted to you for affording me an opportunity to elucidate the nature of my engagement with the united states. From the information I received of the minister of France, that the preferment of foreigners to military employments had been a cause of discontent in the American Army, I foresaw the...
27876Treasury 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...
27877To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 27 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, January 27, 1790. Encloses the New Hampshire statutes relating to taxation and the regulation of commerce. ADf , 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 Archives. These laws had been requested by H in “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors...
27878From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, January 28, 1790. Directs Lincoln to distribute ship registers to the Massachusetts collectors. L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury and Others, 1789–1809, Vol. 1, 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 Archives.
27879To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 28[–31] January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you a letter on the 30th. of November last in answer to yours of the 7th. of October. In it I mentioned in what manner our debt to France had become an object of ministerial consideration before the arrival of Count de Moustier, who was charged with your letter, & the influence which his arrival had on some of those who were negotiating with the minister. Although...
27880From Alexander Hamilton to Jedediah Huntington, 30 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
By an act of the last Session, provision is made for the payment of pensions to Invalids, for the space of one year from the fourth of march last, under such regulations, as the President should prescribe. The President having signified to me his pleasure, that the business in your state may be committed to your management; it remains for me to direct the necessary provision. I am therefore to...
27881From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 30 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 30, 1790. On February 7, 1790, Lincoln wrote to Hamilton : “I received last night your several favors of the 27th. 28 & 30th Ulto.” Letter of January 30 not found. ]
27882From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Whipple, 30 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 30, 1790. On May 31, 1790, in a letter to Hamilton , Whipple referred to “your letters of the 30th January & 24th March last.” Letter of January 30th not found. ]
27883From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 30 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, January 30, 1790. Informs Williams of regulations on payment of invalid pensions. LS , Columbia University Libraries. This is a duplicate of the letter sent to Jedediah Huntington on the same date.
27884To Alexander Hamilton from Gouverneur Morris, 31 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I did expect that in congratulating you, which I do most sincerely, upon your Appointment, I should have communicated a Matter which would have administred much Ease and Convenience to the Affairs of your Department. I learn this morning that these Expectations are frustrated from a Quarter and in a Manner which would excite my Surprize had I not long since acquired the Habit of wondering at...
27885To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 2 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, February 2, 1790. “… Agreably to your directions I notifyed the Holders of public securities that no Indents of Interest would be issued at the Loan Office after the close of the year 1789. This brought so large a demand upon the Office at the close of the Quarter that I have not been able before now to register all the Certificates presented, & to compleat my quarterly return.… I...
27886From Alexander Hamilton to John Haywood, 2 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
By an act of the last Session of Congress, provision is made for the payment of pensions to Invalids for the space of one year commencing the fourth of march last, under such regulations as the President should prescribe. The President presuming on your readiness to perform a service in which humanity is interested, has thought fit to name you for the trust of making payment to the Invalids of...
27887To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 2 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I had, before the receipt of your circular letter of the 20th. Ulto, communicated to you “a statement of the amount of the emoluments which have accrued to the officers of this port respectively, under the existing regulations, up to the first of Jany.” I have communicated your letter to the Naval officer, and the Surveyor; and, that you may have the greater reliance on the statement, I will...
27888Enclosure: [Abstract of Fees and Compensations Received and Paid], [2 February 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
To the Collector and the Naval Officer D. C to 12 September 1789. 233.23⅓ 17 October 364.26⅔ 3d. Decemr. 547.53⅓ 31 do. 273.26⅔ 709.15 } Dols. Cents 709.15 1,418.30 Surveyor to 24 August 9.66⅔ 2. Septr. 14.00.
27889Enclosure: [Estimate of Emoluments of Collectors Office], [2 February 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Upon a presumption the propriety of which ought to be admitted, that the Importations of the 10th. of August to 31 Decmr. are equal to half the business of the Year at this port, a just estimate of the emoluments of the Collectors Office will appear thus. in addn. 6.51 The Gross amount of duties is 56,995.62½ 57,002.13½ Deductions on UStates bottoms 3,268.98. } 293.34
27890From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Mifflin, 3 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 3, 1790. “I am honored with the Receipt of your letter of the 26th of last month, inclosing a Statement of the Public Debt of Pennsylvania.…”
27891To Alexander Hamilton from Angelica Church, 4 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
You are happy my dear friend to find consolation in “words and thoughts.” I cannot be so easily satisfied. I regret America, I regret the separation from my friends and I lament the loss of your society. I am so unreasonable as to prefer our charming family parties to all the gaieties of London. I cannot now relish the gay world, an irresistible apathy has taken possession of my mind, and...
27892From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 4 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received the report of the Collector, Naval Officer and Surveyor of the Port of Boston & Charlestown. As some little delay may attend the process of obtaining relief, I would advise that the Vessel and Cargo be released, upon competent Security being given to pay their value, in case the forfeiture be not remitted. I am, Sir L[S] , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the...
27893From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 4 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 4, 1790. Announces that Olney has been selected by the President to pay “pensions to Invalids for the Space of one year.” LS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence. On June 14, 1790, the Senate confirmed Olney’s appointment as collector of customs at Providence. This letter, except for the sums specified as owed to the “invalids,” is the same as the one...
27894To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your directions I now Inclose the return of the fees of the several officers of the district of Boston and Charlestown together with an account of all the money paid to the weighers, gaugers, which was received by them respectively from the 10th. of August to the end of December last. At one view you will see what ⅌ Cent the collection in this district has cost. The emoluments of...
27895To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 6 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, February 6, 1790. Will “cheerfully execute the pleasure of the President respecting the payment of pensions to Invalids in this State.” Transmits “Account Current against the United States, with Bond account; both accompanied with Notes to explain the circumstance of their disagreeing from the Weekly returns heretofore transmitted.” ALS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore...
27896To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 7 February [1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[Boston] February 7 [1790.] Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s “several favors of the 27th. 28 & 30th Ulto.” Explains why the collector at Biddeford has not received registry blanks. States that the “payment of the Invalids will be undertaken with pleasure.” ADf , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury and Others, 1789–1818, Vol. 11, National Archives. Letter of...
27897From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 8 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Hurry of business has prevented my answering till now your favours of the 21st of December and 9th of January. I am of opinion that in strictness after the passing of the Registering Act, nothing but the Register or Enrollment could be evidence of an American bottom, or entitle a vessel to the privileges of one. Yet where from absence it was impossible for a vessel (“evidently and bona fide”...
27898From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Fosdick, 8 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the thirtieth of December, 1789, enclosing a weekly return has been duly received. The Collector for the Port of Boston has been directed to supply you with the Registers you stand in need of; by applying you will, without doubt receive them. With respect to the Sugars imported into your District and said to be not merchantable . The Sixteenth Section of the Act entitled an Act...
27899From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Fosdick, 8 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the twelfth of January, enclosing your returns. With respect to the question you submit, I am of opinion that the true construction of the Act, is that the duties on the Cargo must be paid or secured to be paid in the first district at which a vessel arrives, except where she puts in from necessity, as provided for by the twelfth Section of the Collection Bill;...
27900From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Law, 8 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 8, 1790. The dealer’s catalogue description of this letter reads: “Refers to the salary of Judge Law.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by Stan V. Henkels, October 11, 1929, Lot 119. Law had been appointed United States judge for the District of Connecticut on September 26, 1789.