27901From Alexander Hamilton to William Livingston, 8 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 8, 1790. “I had the honor of receiving a few days since your Excellencys letter of the 23d. of January last enclosing a Statement of the public debt of New Jersey.…” LS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. Letter not found. Livingston’s letter was in reply to “Treasury Department Circular to the Governors of the States,” November 21, 1789 .
27902From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 8 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you the extract of a letter from the Collector of the District of Chester. As I recollect nothing which authorises the practice he speaks of, I conclude there must be some misapprehension; but it is proper I should communicate the matter to you, and understand from you, what can have given rise to the representation. I remain, Sir, Your obedt. Servt. LS , Columbia University...
27903To Alexander Hamilton from James Jarvis, 10 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The ideas which I proposed to submit to your consideration some days ago, a variety of interruptions have prevented my comitting to paper, in an orderly manner until this day. They are now presented and claim, an exertion of indulgence and patience in the perusal, that I could hope for from no man but yourself in the station you fill. In your report of the 9th. January last there appear two...
27904From Alexander Hamilton to Beverley Randolph, 10 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Act for the establishment and support of Light-Houses &c having made it my duty “to provide by contracts to be approved by the President of the United States for building one near the entrance of Chesapeak Bay”; The President has been pleased to refer to me your letter of the 18th. of december last, transmitting the copy of an Act of the Commonwealth of Virginia, empowering you to make,...
27905To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 10 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Portsmouth, New Hampshire ] February 10, 1790 . “I have inclosed herewith returns of the exports from this District.… In these returns will be observed the small proportion of the large quantities of Pot Ashes manufactured in this State that are exported from this District as well as of every other article of our produce.” LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent,...
27906To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 11 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] February 11, 1790 . Transmits a list of the persons the President has appointed collectors, naval officers, and surveyors in North Carolina, and the names of those appointed to fill vacancies in other states. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
27907From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 11 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 11, 1790. The dealer’s catalogue gives the following description of this letter: “Mentions that he will soon have occasion to apply to the Bank of NY for a loan of $50,000.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries, May 2, 1947, Lot 257.
27908From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 12 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 12, 1790. “Your letter of the 31st. of December came duly to hand. A vessel partly the property of Citizens of Rhode Island can neither be registered as, nor admitted to the privileges of an American bottom.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives. Letter not found.
27909To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 12 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have Just been Honor’d with your favr. of 4th Inst. on the Subject of my being Designated by the President to pay the Invalid pensions of this State. You may be assured Sir that it affords me the most Singular pleasure to find that I am so much in the Remembrance of the President as to be Designated by him to Execute that Trust, and my Feelings Sir are no less Gratified in the Reflection...
27910To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, [13 February 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 13, 1790. ] Encloses “Some observations Respecting Further Improvements in the Bay & River Delaware.” Sends a copy “of the Conveyance of A Lot of Land on Cape May.” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
27911To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 13 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] February 13, 1790 . Discusses two objects “intimately connected with your present plan, and also applicable to the present revenue Laws.” The first object “is that of having a Boat in our Bay which … is absolutely necessary to prevent smuggling.” The second “is that of stores” needed for goods deposited by merchants as security. LC , Copies of Letters to the Secretary,...
27912To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 13 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, February 13, 1790. Discusses problems arising under Sections 7, 12, and 22 of “An Act for Registering and Clearing Vessels, Regulating the Coasting Trade, and for other purposes.” ADf , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives. 1 Stat. The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America (Boston, 1845). 55–65 (September 1, 1789).
27913From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 14 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 14, 1790. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by George A. Leavitt & Company, May 10, 1883, Lot 1075.
27914To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 15 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] February 15, 1790 . “… I … inclose a Letter received from a very worthy Man the Weigher of this Port, and formerly my Deputy—to You Sir I need not point out the necessity of having such an Officer independent from his Office—the Revenue depending so much upon it—please to bestow a small portion of your time to this subject.” LC , Copies of Letters to the Secretary, 1789–1790,...
27915To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 15 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
On my arrival here, I frequented places where I could hear the Sentiments of our Citizens respecting Your plan of funding the Debts of the Union. I found as I mentioned to you much want of information or in other words a want of real knowledge of your Plan, but I found some very loud in opposition, but to me who knew their connections I was not surprised. Harsh terms they used but on...
27916From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 15 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favour of the 18th. of December duly came to hand. With regard to the difficulty of reconciling the total exemption of Vessels, under twenty tons burthen from tonnage, with the clause you quote from the 23d. Section: you have yourself given the true solution. The word such must be understood. Vessels above Twenty tons are spoken of in the first part of the section and must be supposed to...
27917To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 16 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to the command of the President of the United States, I have the honor to enclose for your information, a letter from M. H. Bird to the President of the United States dated at Charleston S. Ca. 23d January 1790. offering the services of the Houses of Bird, Savage & Bird, and of Mannings & Vaughan to Act as Agents, if such should be wanted in Europe for the purpose of negotiating a...
27918To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
To reduce things involved in confusion, to a state of order, in all cases requires labour and attention. The task is increased by the magnitude of the object, and is rendered perplexing indeed, where there are a deficiency of means and where different interests ably supported, and stubbornly adhearred to, must be combined for the completion of the system in view. To devise a scheme, which...
27919Treasury 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...
27920From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 18 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 15th of January last duly came to hand. To your first & second queries you will find answers in former Letters. To your third I reply in the negative. I do not consider the jurisdictions of Alexandria & George Town as concurent in a sense which could supercede the rule to be observed in other cases. I remain Sir Your Obedt servt Copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small...
27921To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 18 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, February 18, 1790. Encloses “a Statement of the emoluments that have accrued to the officers respectively to the 1st. of January.” Discusses “the effect that the late war had on the Mercantile interest to this State—that of turning the channel of business both of exports & imports thro’ the State of Massts.” LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters...
27922To Alexander Hamilton from William Lindsay, 19 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
A Captain John Brown of this Port having obtained a Register at this Office for his Sloop Polly found it to his advantage to dispose of his said Sloop in Port au Prince on his arrival there and prior to the sale he lodged his Certificate of Registry in the office of the Admiralty, agreeably to the Laws of the Port. And it appears from the French paper inclosed and copy of a letter from a...
27923From Alexander Hamilton to Edmund Randolph, 19 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The letter herewith from the comptroller of the Treasury to me and the papers accompanying it will suggest to your consideration some important questions upon which I request your opinion. There are also claims upon the public under the following circumstances respecting which I should be glad to have the benefit of your Judgement. Officers sometimes acting in boards, sometimes individually...
27924To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 20 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Frenchman’s Bay [ District of Maine ] February 20, 1790 . Acknowledges Treasury Department circulars of October 20, and November 20, 1789. States that the question “of receiving Bank Notes payable for Duties” does not arise “there being no vessels in this District that carry on any foreign trade.” Copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Gloucester, Machias, Frenchman’s Bay, National Archives.
27925To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 20 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, February 20, 1790. Wishes “to know in what manner, and at what rate” the gauger is to be paid “for ascertaining the quantity of liquors, in bottles.” AL , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives.
27926From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Willing, [20–23 February 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 20–23, 1790. ] Asks Willing to serve as his “lawful Attorney & substitute & the lawful attorney” of John B. Church “to do and perform all and singular acts matters and things as well touching the transfer and assignment of the Bank Stock and parts of Bank Stock standing in the name of the said John B. C. or otherwise to him belonging in the said capital or joint stock of...
27927To Alexander Hamilton from William Heth, 21 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have snatched up a pen to drop you a few hasty lines—not that I have any thing of real importance Just now to communicate—but to shew, that I am attentive to my promise. The Executive of this State— to whom is committed the management of the Sinking-fund—on considering your report to Congress, reduced the price which the sd fund was then giving for the Military Certificates of this State,...
27928To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 22 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, February 22, 1790. Submits corrected statement of the annual income of the Portsmouth customs officials. 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 Archives. See Whipple to H, February 18, 1790 .
27929To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 23 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In this Season when so great a Scarcity of Cash is so sensibly felt I dread to think of the Sums due on my books, within a Month they amount to better than 70,000 dollars. To prepare the parties I send notices fifteen days before the day of payment, and am in great hopes notwithstanding the times, I shall have few delinquents. My reason for mentioning this is to solicit your attention to the...
27930To Alexander Hamilton from Beverley Randolph, 23 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Richmond, February 23, 1790. “… Whenever the particular spot, on which the light House, near the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay, is to be erected, shall be marked out, I will immediately execute, and transmit the proper Deed of cession, for the full quantity of Land granted by the act of the Assembly, of Virginia.…” LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern...
27931Report on the Petition of Francis Bailey, 23 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[To the President of the Senate] Pursuant to the Order of the Senate of the United States of the 22nd. of February instant, referring the Petition of Francis Bailey to The Secretary of the Treasury The said Secretary Most respectfully reports That he has received from the said Francis Bailey, a communication of the Invention to which he alludes in his petition. That it appears to him difficult...
27932Report on the Petition of Francis Bailey, 23 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 23, 1790. On this date the Speaker laid before the House of Representatives “a letter and report from the Secretary of the Treasury, on the petition of Francis Bailey.” Letter and report to the House of Representatives not found. ] Journal of the House , I Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States (Washington, 1826). , 162. See H’s “Report on the...
27933To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Willing, 24 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have had this day the honor of your’s inclosing yr. power of Substitution on behalf of Mr. Church. At present the Sale of Stock, & indeed every other Money transaction is nearly at a stand. The Produce of the State, & the Sale of Bills of Exchange will alone command it, untill we receive a Supply from Sea. Mr. Constable has inform’d me of the purchase he had made of 20 Shares, & when they...
27934To Alexander Hamilton from John Daves, 25 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
New Bern [ North Carolina ] February 25, 1790 . Acknowledges receipt of two bills of exchange of three hundred dollars each. ALS , RG 56, Letters from the Collector at New Bern, National Archives.
27935To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 25 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] February 25, 1790 . Transmits papers relating to the case of Captain Hammond, a shipmaster imprisoned in St. Jago. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Thomas Hammond, master of the American sloop Brothers . A British frigate seized the Brothers and her crew for allegedly possessing coins salvaged from wrecks near Boa Vista Island, the most eastern of the Cape Verde...
27936To Alexander Hamilton from Angelica Church, [February 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Many thanks to my dear Brother for having written to his friend at a moment when he had the affairs of America on his mind; I am impatient to hear in what manner your Budget has been received and extremely anxious for your success. I sometimes think you have now forgot me and that having seen me is like a dream which you can scarcely believe. Adieu I will not write this idea of being lost in...
27937Report on Supplementary Appropriations for the Civil List for 1790, 1 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives] Pursuant to the Act for establishing the Treasury Department, the Secretary of the Treasury respectfully reports to the House of Representatives, that, in addition to the Estimate for the Service of the current year, which accompanied his Report of the 9th. of January, there are various other objects for which an appropriation is requisite, and...
27938To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 1 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of the permission which you have given I take the liberty to suggest a plan for keeping the accounts of the Funded Debt and for regulating the payment of Interest, which I now submit to your consideration. Let one Commissioner be appointed in each State or in convenient districts of the union, with instructions to take up & cancell the Certificates now in circulation & to...
27939To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 3 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] March 3, 1790 . Acknowledges receipt of $8,300 for payment of invalid pensions. LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia.
27940From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Howell, Junior, [3 March 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
If you have any monies in your hands for which there is not an immediate call, I request you to pay to the Honorable Jeremiah Wadsworth five hundred Dollars on account of the apprehension of certain persons engaged in counterfieting the securities of the United States; for which you will please to take his Receipt expressing the object. The reason of this mode of doing the business is that...
27941Treasury 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...
27942To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 3 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, March 3, 1790. States that in the Treasury circular of February 17, 1790, there is a discrepancy in the calculation of the discount for prompt payment of customs duties. AL , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives. The letter is incomplete.
27943Report on Funds for the Payment of the Interest on the States’ Debts, 4 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives] In obedience to the Order of the House of Representatives, of the second Instant, The Secretary of the Treasury Respectfully Reports, That in his opinion, the funds, in the first instance requisite towards the payment of interest on the debits of the individual States, according to the modifications proposed by him in his report of the ninth of...
27944Enclosure: [Abstract of the Nett Proceeds of Duties on Imports and Tonnage], 4 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
States From what period Nett Product of the Duties Remarks 1789. Dollars. Cents New-Hampshire 11th. Aug. to 31st. Dec. 7.789.21½ The Product of the Duties of Boston are only ascertained, up to the 19th. of December. Massachusetts 10th ditto, to 31st. ditto 113.439.54½ Connecticut 11th. ditto, to 31st. ditto 20.352.87½ New-York 5th. ditto, to 31st. ditto 152.198.97.
27945To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 5[–9] March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I observe that your report upon the public debt contains some intimations of an intention of establishing a national Bank, and I learn from other gentlemen at New York that something of the kind is proposed. I do not know any of the outlines of the plan but think it may be useful to lay before you the enclosed paper which was published here during the contest concerning our Bank. It was my...
27946To Alexander Hamilton from Josiah Parker, 5 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 5, 1790. Suggests changes in the customs service in the Norfolk, Virginia, district. Believes that Norfolk is too exposed to a possible enemy assault and recommends removal of the collector’s office to Portsmouth, Virginia. Advocates increasing the number of customs officials and placing them at strategic points in order to tighten customs enforcement. Discusses complaints of...
27947To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 7 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] March 7, 1790 . Encloses “weekly Acct of Cash” and a “list of such persons as I have sued.” Has “proceeded in paying the Invalids.” LC , Copies of Letters to the Secretary, 1789–1790, Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia. H’s letter to Delany concerning the payments to invalids has not been found, but see H to Jedediah Huntington, January 30, 1790 ; H to John Haywood, February 2,...
27948From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Howell, Junior, 8 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I wish you to inform me when Samuel Armstrong Paymaster to the eighth Massachusetts regiment received the Monies upon which a balance remains due from him. I am, Sir, Your obedt. Servt. LS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. Armstrong had been regimental paymaster from 1780 to 1783. H probably wished the information in connection with Armstrong’s claim against the United...
27949Report on the Petitions of William Mumford, Samuel Armstrong, and the Weighers, Measurers, and Gaugers of Portland and … (Hamilton Papers)
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives] The Secretary of the Treasury, on the petitions of William Mumford, and Samuel Armstrong, and of the Weighers, Measurers and Gaugers of the District of Portland and Falmouth in the State of Massachusetts, referred to him by an Order of the House of Representatives of the twenty sixth of February past, Respectfully Reports, That the claim of...
27950From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Willing, 8 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 8, 1790. On March 12, 1790, Willing wrote to Hamilton : “I have consulted the Directors on the Subject of yr. letter of the 8th Inst.” Letter not found. ]