28681To 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...
28682To 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...
28683To 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,”...
28684To 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...
28685To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 17 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
My two last letters were of Jan. 25. & Feb. 7. They were sent by the way of England. Since then I learn that a momentary change of the wind has permitted two of the American vessels which had my letters for you, to leave the Texel. There were other letters on board of another vessel which I am told still remains there, the wind having again become contrary. I have been much mortified by the...
28686To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 21 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] February 21, 1791. “Agreeably to your request I now give the names of such persons as have offered, and I think are suitable to hold offices on board the Cutters.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Letter not found. H had requested this information on January 31. See Ellery to H, February 15, 1791 .
28687To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 21 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Goldsmiths who made the Assays have furnished the enclosed Account, which they submit to be paid upon the same footing as the others you may have had done at Philadelphia. I have the honor to be. LC , Bank of New York, New York City. Assays of coins for H’s “Report on the Establishment of a Mint,” January 28, 1791 .
28688From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [21 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President of the United States to request his indulgence for not having yet furnished his reasons on a certain point. He has been ever since sedulously engaged in it, but finds it will be impossible to complete before Tuesday or Wednesday morning early. He is anxious to give the point a thorough examination . LC , George Washington...
28689To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 22 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
When I had the honor of writing to you on the 17th. I expected that I should have been able to have sent you by this post a copy of the obligation which will be given on the part of the U.S. in consequence of the loan which I then announced to you. The form of the obligation having been delayed, I inclose you at present the prospectus of the loan, original & translation, as it is the basis of...
28690To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 23 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, February 23, 1791. Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s letters of February 8 and 14, 1791. Will carry out instructions in those letters. Encloses “Duplicate rec’t for Certifts received from the Registers 12 instant & first receipt of Ditto rec’d 23 instant.” Will “inquire respecting the Sale of Bills on New York or Philadelphia.” LC , RG 53, Massachusetts State Loan Office, Letter Book,...
28691To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Higginson, 23 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, February 23, 1791. Wishes to obtain a position in the executive branch of the government, but will not accept a post that pays less than two thousand dollars. Congratulates Hamilton on the success of Hamilton’s “measures & projections.” Has heard that Hamilton plans “to establish deposits of Cash here & in york, at least, to exchange the Notes of the Proposed Bank.” Approves of this...
28692To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 23 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, February 23, 1791. “Since my return I have attended to the subject matter of your letter of the 22nd ultimo. The Gentleman with whom I contracted for the Cutter being in this Town, he lives at Newbury-port. I have had a good opportunity thus early to review the whole proceeding and to know from him that he could not now alter his plan, that he would take her to himself, though he...
28693To Alexander Hamilton from William Lewis, [23 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I am of opinion, that by the death of the Administratrix, the power which the husband had by his intermarriage acquired in her right, to intermeddle with the effects of the Intestate, immediately and without notice ceased; and that as the power was only in consequence of the marriage, and of but equal duration in point of time with it, it was incumbent on all Persons indebted to the Intestate...
28694From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [23 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President and sends him the opinion required which occupied him the greatest part of last night. The Bill for extending the time of opening subscriptions passed yesterday unanimously to an order for engrossing. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. In the George Washington letter book this letter follows H’s signature on...
28695Introductory Note: Opinion on the Constitutionality of an Act to Establish a Bank, [23 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
There are at least eight manuscript versions of this famous document. One of these is an incomplete draft in Hamilton’s handwriting. The other seven are copies. The two versions that are printed below are the draft and that copy which it is assumed is the final version that was sent to George Washington. The seven copies of this document are located as follows: 1. Copy, Mr. John R. Dillard,...
28696Draft of an Opinion on the Constitutionality of an Act to Establish a Bank, [23 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has perused with great attention the opinions of the Secretary of State and of the Attorney General concerning the constitutionality of the bill for establishing a National Bank and proceeds to execute the order of the President for submitting the reasons which have induced him to view the subject in a different light. It will naturally have been expected...
28697Final Version of an Opinion on the Constitutionality of an Act to Establish a Bank, [23 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury having perused with attention the papers containing the opinions of the Secretary of State and Attorney General concerning the constitutionality of the bill for establishing a National Bank proceeds according to the order of the President to submit the reasons which have induced him to entertain a different opinion. It will naturally have been anticipated that, in...
28698To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 23 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment received your sentiments with respect to the constitutionality of the Bill “to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States.” This bill was presented to me by the joint Commee. of Congress at 12 o’Clock on Monday the 14th. instant. To what precise period, by legal interpretation of the constitution, can the president retain it in his possession, before it...
28699From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 23 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to your note of this morning, just deliver’d me, I give it as my opinion that you have ten days exclusive of that on which the Bill was delivered to you, and sundays. Hence in the present case if it is returned on Friday at any time while Congress are setting, it will be in time. It might be a question, if returned after their adjournment on Friday. I have the honor to be with...
28700To Alexander Hamilton from Alexander J. Dallas, 24 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, February 24, 1791. Forwards “copy of a letter from the Comptroller Genl. of Penna … respecting the final Certificates … paid over to this State by the agents for settling the Accts. of the Penna. line in the late Army.” ADfS , Division of Public Records, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg; LC , Division of Public Records, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum...
28701Report on the Holland Loan of Three Million Florins, [24 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the orders of the President of the United States as signified in his speech at the opening of the present session Respectfully informs the Senate and House of Representatives That the terms of the Loan of Three Millions of florins mentioned by the President as having been negotiated in Holland are as follow. The rate of Interest is five per Cent,...
28702Report on the Petition of Comfort Sands and Others, 24 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, pursuant to the order of the House of Representatives of the 20th. of January last, referring to him, among other things, a petition of Comfort Sands, and others, Respectfully reports, That it is true, as represented by the said petitioners, that sometime in the year 1782, they contracted with the Superintendant of the Finances for the supply of rations for the...
28703Report on the Petition of William Simmons, [24 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, pursuant to the Order of the House of Representatives of the seventh day of January, referring to him the petition of William Simmons; Respectfully reports: That on comparing the services to be performed, by the chief Clerk of the Auditor, with those to be performed by the chief Clerk of the Comptroller, and the qualifications requisite in each case, he does not...
28704From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [24 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Bill supplementary to the Bank bill passed the House of representatives yesterday. General Schuyler informs me that the friends of the Bank proposed that it should pass to a second reading immediately, and that Mr. Carroll opposed it, and moved that it should be printed—that by rule of the House it was of necessity to comply with Mr. Carroll’s objection, a departure requiring unanimous...
28705From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 24 February [1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have just heared from the Senate that the Bill supplementary to that for incorporating the Bank went through a second reading and a question was taken upon it & only three or four dissentients : among these, Mr. Carrol and Mr. Monroe. It would have been passed this day without doubt; but the opponents insisted on the rule of the House, which made it impossible. It will be passed the first...
28706To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have completed the business you assigned me and purchased up so much of the public debt as could be bought for the fifty thousand dollars Bank Bills which you put into my hands for that purpose. I have carefully attended to your instructions & have I presume neither lowered or raised the price. I have received a number of six per cents and other paper, all nearly on the same principles, 6...
28707Report on Certificates of Debt Issued After January 1, 1790, 25 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 25, 1791. An entry in the Journal of the House for February 25, 1791, reads as follows: “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, covering his report respecting certificates or evidences of debt issued after the first of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table.” Letter and...
28708Supplement to the Report on Exports for the Year Ending September 30 1790, 26 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to the order of the House of Representatives of the 24th. Instant, I have the honor to transmit to you a supplement to the return of the exports of the United States of the 15th. of the present month. This contains the substance of the several quarterly returns, which have been received at the Treasury, since the day, on which the former abstract was completed. Quarterly returns...
28709From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 27 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. H LeRoy informs me that he will probably have a sum of money in Boston for which he will be glad to receive an equal sum here. I have told him that if he will cause it to be placed in your hands you will receive it and give duplicate receipts upon one of which the amount received will be reimbursed here. This you will accordingly do to the extent of thirty thousand dollars. If you should...
28710To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, [28 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The President has commanded me to transmit the enclosed to you from Mr. Thatcher and request that you will give it the consideration it may merit. The President also requests that you will take occasion to converse with some others of the gentlemen from Massachusetts on this subject and to mention it likewise to some from New Hampshire. I have the honor to be very respectfully & sincerely ...