28701From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [13 November 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you copies of two resolutions which have passed the house of representatives of Virginia. Others had been proposed and disagreed to. But the war was still going on. A spirited remonstrance to Congress is talked of. This is the first symptom of a spirit which must either be killed or will kill the constitution of the United States. I send the resolutions to you that it may be...
28702From Alexander Hamilton to David Sewall, 13 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received through the Clerk of the District Court, your statement of facts on the petition of George Tyler. Some doubts which arose in my mind on the subject, added to my being on the point of removal from New York to Philadelphia delayed a determination. The day before yesterday a letter from the Collector of Penobscot of the 20th. of September (an extract from which together with...
28703To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, [15 November 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you two books & five papers found in the files relative to Mint & coinage —also the weights of the principal coins of the Nations you mentioned taken from the Bank information. Tomorrow afternoon the Assays are to be made. I have not yet got the copper cost & charges. I find the old dollar (the best) in Sir I. N.s tables, which is 17.12 gr. valued at 4/6 would make the Dutch Ducatoon of...
28704To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Smith, 15 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I now forward Subscription accounts with the Certificates, Indents & money of the old emission received with them on account of a Loan to the United states from the 1st to the 31st day of October inclusive also Vouchers for the issue of Certificates to the Subscribers of said Loan. I have uniformley signed the Certificates issued by me & have inserted the number names & sums in the Marginal...
28705To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, November 16, 1790. Presents a new design for lighthouse lamps to elimate soot accumulation on the glass. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “B,” New Hampshire and Massachusetts, National Archives.
28706From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, [16 November 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
You will oblige me very much if you will have an assay made as speedily as possible by some of the most skilful hands in your City of the Coins gold and silver of England France Spain & Portugal in most general circulation with you. The more I examine the statements and tables which have been published respecting the standards of Coins, the more variances I discover; and the more it appears to...
28707To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 17 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, November 17, 1790. “Your circular Letter 1st Novr. is recd. I have put my signature to all the Certificates which I have issued. I have had no applicants as non-subscribers if any persons should apply I shall observe your directions respecting Indents & Old Continental emissions . I had no Idea that a State could be a subscriber towards the assumed Debt but only be entitled to draw...
28708From Alexander Hamilton to John Davidson, 17 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November 17, 1790. “I have recieved your letter of the 10th. instant.… The late Collection Law specifies, that a certain per centage shall be allowed to Collectors on all sums by them recieved and paid into the Treasury. You cannot therefore charge commisions upon monies recieved under it which have not been so disposed of.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collectors...
28709To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 17 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, November 17, 1790. “The inclosed papers I received from Portland. It was supposed then that the appointment of a keeper for the light house at Portland was with me. I think it my duty therefore to forward the papers for the information of the President. I do not know either of the persons in nomination.…” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “B,” New Hampshire and...
28710To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 17 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
By the new collection law it is enacted that there shall be an allowance for leakage for two pr cent on the quantity which shall appear by the guage to be contained in any cask of liquor subject to duty by the gallon. A question has arisen whether molasses be a liquor in the meaning of the law; the same practice doth not govern the whole it is important that one system should operate in the...
28711Agreement with Titus Salter, 18 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Portsmouth, New Hampshire ] November 18, 1790 . Joseph Whipple, signing for Hamilton on behalf of the United States Government, agrees to pay Salter $555.99 to maintain “the Light House Situate on the Island of New Castle in … New Hampshire at the entrance of the River Piscataqua” and to serve as keeper of the lighthouse. DS , RG 26, “Segregated Lighthouse Records, National Archives; copy,...
28712From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 19 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, November 19, 1790. On December 2, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Delany : “I have received this morning your letter in answer to mine of the 19th. ultimo.” Letter not found. ]
28713From Alexander Hamilton to Nicholas Gilman, 19 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November 19, 1790. “Before I had the honor to receive your letter relative to Captain Hall, the President of the United States had appointed Captain Hopley Yeaton to the Command of the Revenue Cutter which is to be built in New Hampshire. As it has happened in other instances it is possible Captain Hall, tho’ recommended as Master may accept the Station of first Mate whose...
28714From Alexander Hamilton to Jedediah Huntington, 19 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, November 19, 1790. “In one of your late letters you mention Mr. George House as a Candidate for the command of a Cutter. The President having made his appointment, it becomes a question whether Mr. House will serve in the station of first Mate the Emoluments of which you will see by the law—also whether any better qualified person presents for that place. You inform me...
28715Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 19 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Several applications have been made by subscribers and transferrees of the new loan for more than one certificate for the sum belonging to them respectively. I am of opinion on further reflection that it will greatly promote the convenience of the Stockholders and so far favorably affect the public debt; and therefore authorize you to accommodate all those who define it, with certificates of...
28716To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 20 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you 17th Inst. in answer to yours of the 1st Inst. This serves to enclose duplicate receipt for twelve books of Certificates recd. by Capt. Bray also a receipt for one Book of Certificates recd. by post from Mr. Gavett containg. Certificates for Non subscribers, for transferring Stock to other States & Certifts. bearing Interest of three pr Cent. In your letter 30th Sept. you say “if...
28717From Alexander Hamilton to Israel Ludlow, 20 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, November 20, 1790. Letter listed in “A list of 51 Papers Relative to Contract Between the United States and John C. Symmes.” Letter not found. ] Clarence E. Carter, ed., The Territorial Papers of the United States (Washington, 1934), II, 390. Ludlow was a New Jersey surveyor and land speculator. Symmes, who had served as a member of the Continental Congress in 1785 and 1786,...
28718From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 22 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 8th. September has not been answered so early as would otherwise have been the case, from the extraordinary engagements in this office about the business of the new loan, & the removal from New York to Philadelphia. The clause in the late & existing Collection Law relative to exporting goods in the same packages in which they were imported cannot apply to goods actually...
28719To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 22 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 22, 1790. The endorsement on the letter that Hamilton wrote to Seton on November 16, 1790 , reads: “Ans 22nd.” Letter not found. ]
28720To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 24 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, November 24, 1790. “I wrote you 20 instant. This serves to transmit a Return of Certificates, Indents & bills of Old Emission rec’d into the Office in the Month of October, for which, Certificates of Funded Debt have been issued agreably to an act of Congress 4 Augst 1790 & your instructions 16th Sept last ⟨as⟩ will appear by the Abstract, herewith sent you agreably ⟨to⟩ the form H, in...
28721To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, [24 November 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful compliments to the Secretary of the Treasury, and incloses him a note from mr Droz, the coiner, which he forgot to deliver to him to-day when he had the honour of waiting on him. It came to hand yesterday. ALS , letterpress copy, Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress. For Jean Pierre Droz, see H to Jefferson, April 22, 1790 .
28722To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 26 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I took the liberty of acknowleging the reciept of your letters of Aug. 29th. and Sept. 1st. through the Secretary of State who I begged at the same time to inform you that I was preparing immediately to obey them. I beg leave to refer you also to him (to whom I had an unexpected opportunity of writing yesterday by the way of France) for what has been done in consequence of your letter of Aug....
28723To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 27 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, November 27, 1790. “… This serves to transmitt pr Post two packages … containing of the Certificates & Indents which were recd. in … October.… I observe in your General Instruction that the Salary to which I am intitled will be paid Quarterly by drafts or assignments upon the Treasury, but I have not been informed when the Salary commenced.…” LC , RG 53, Massachusetts State Loan...
28724To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 28 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
On returning from Exeter the Evening before the last, I had the pleasure of recg your Letter of the 13th. Instant with the two Copies mentioned in it. Having no apprehension of such Measures, what was to be done? appeared to me to be a Question of some Difficulty as well as Importance. To treat them as very important might render them more so than I think they are. The Author of McFingall...
28725To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 29 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Ship Warren, burthen about 281 Tons, belonging to Messrs. Brown & Francis of this Town, being bound on a Voyage to Calcutta, having part of her Cargo onboard, composed of the Articles contained in the enclosed copy of a Manifest, (since delivered) and not Registered under the present Government of the United States, sailed from hence on the 25th. instant, for Newport, there to take in the...
28726From Alexander Hamilton to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 29 November … (Hamilton Papers)
It being probable, that I shall shortly instruct the Treasurer of the United States to draw bills upon you to the amount of one million of guilders, to be paid out of the last loan of three millions; I enclose you his signature, together with that of the Register of the Treasury, and the form of the bills which he will draw. The sight, at which these drafts will be made payable, will,...
28727Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 30 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
A danger to the United States has been suggested from the Certificates for transfer from the Treasury to the several Loan Offices and from one Loan Office to another or to the Treasury. It is observed that the writing, which is expressive of the rate of Interest , and that which is expressive of the time when interest will accrue are capable of being taken out as in the case of Pierces Notes...
28728To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [November 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, November, 1790 ] “… if the report of the appraisers should be that the Goods did not receive damage on ship board, but were damaged before they were shipped, is it in the power of the Collector, to make any allowance in the duties? I do not state this as a case that may occur, but that now actually offers. Teas are imported from Lisbon in the ship , and I believe it will appear...
28729To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [November 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to Your Letter respecting Messrs. Willing Morris & Swanwicks Duties on goods from Rhode Island I give the following information. That when the Vessell enterd from Rhode Island in which said goods were imported we had no information of that state adopting the Federal Constitution, and therefore was esteemed by me as foreign, in respect to my Office. The reasons why these Gentlemen...
28730To Alexander Hamilton from John Cochran, 1 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 1, 1790. On December 10, 1790 Hamilton wrote to Cochran : “The instructions given to you originally in regard to the transmission of certificates are rightly construed by you in your letter of the 1st. instant.” Letter not found. ] Cochran was commissioner of loans for New York.
28731Notes of Objects for Consideration of the President, [1 December 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I Confidence that measures for the further support of public Credit and for the payment of the interest and gradual extinguishment of the principal of the public debt will be pursued with zeal & vigour. And that as one mean to this a plan for the sale of the Western lands will be adopted, which will give them the effects intended, appropriating them to the sinking fund, while it will extend...
28732From Alexander Hamilton to Peter Anspach, 2 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Being desirous to carry into execution the intentions of the legislature in regard to the Claims upon the department of the late Quarter Master general, it is my wish, if agreeable to you, that you should undertake the business of collecting the documents, of receiving the claims and of stating them from time to time in returns that shall comprehend a number of them to the Auditor of the...
28733From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 2 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received this morning your letter in answer to mine of the 19th. ultimo from which I find that Messrs. Willing Morris & Swanwick’s bond given for duties on goods imported from Rhode Island on the 1st. of June, falls due this day. The Legislature having declared that the Section of the act to regulate the Collection of duties, which subjected foreign goods from N. Carolina & Rhode Island...
28734To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 2 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
My last letter of the 26th of November will have informed you of my arrival at this place. I have been hitherto employed in ascertaining what measures would be most conducive to the honor & interests of the United States in the execution of the commission you have confided to my care. In the course of this business several of the objects to which you directed my enquiries naturally presented...
28735From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [2 December 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The day before yesterday I received a letter from Mr. Woodbury Langdon declining the appointment offered him. There was a letter with it for you which I immediately forwarded. Since that time I have conversed with Mr. Langdon & have heared from Mr. Gilman; the former is warm in his recommendation of Mr. Keith Spence; he states that his insolvency was owing to the loss of a valuable ship &...
28736To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [2–6 December 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Your indisposition has prevented me from giving you as much trouble in making my communications to Congress as otherwise, I might have done. The article of your notes which respect the loan in Holland, I am somewhat at a loss to frame into a paragraph for the Speech, and therefore pray your assistance. I had got it as pr. the enclosed, but upon a revision, it does not appear right. Be so good...
28737Enclosure: [Notes Respecting the Holland Loan], [2–6 December 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
“In pursuance of the authority granted for negociating a loan not exceeding application was made in Holland, and I have the pleasure to inform you, that a sum equal to dollars has been subscribed. This loan, which shews by its success the confidence placed in the U. States, cannot fail by its intended application to give additional support to the public credit. The terms of it, with the...
28738To Alexander Hamilton from Jedediah Huntington, 3 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
New London [ Connecticut ] December 3, 1790 . “… The Light, which has been usually kept in the Light House, cannot be maintained for a less Sum than 380 dollars Per Annum, allowing the Contractor any Thing for his Trouble and Risque it consumes in a year about 800 Gallons of the best strained Sperma Ceti Oil, which, delivered at the House, will cost at the common Price, 350 dollars. I have...
28739From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, [3 December 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for the attention you are so obligingly paying to the matters I have troubled you with. The interest, which yourself and my other friends in New York are so good as to take in my health is no small compensation for the temporary diminution of it. We are always glad to find that we are not forgotten by those to whom we are much attached. My Complaint has been nothing more than my...
28740From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, [4 December 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to enclose to the Vice President of the United States the letter of the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, with that of Captain Lyde. These papers were duly transmitted to the President of the United States, but could not be attended with any favorable consequences to Captain Lyde, as a commander for the Cutter on the Massachusetts Station had...
28741From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 4 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In your future receipts of old emission money it will be well if possible to cancel it when you are counting it. The operation may perhaps be performed then without loss of time. In that sent on from some of the offices a number of counterfeits have been found. I wish to know if you have discovered any considerable proportion, and I must request that the greatest care be used in examining the...
28742To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In your letter of 22 Ulto you refer to several letters which I had written but do not mention the one on the subject of a cutter I am apprehensive therefore that you have not received it. If you have not, I will hereafter repeat the Ideas. I hardlay think Captain Tucker would serve as a Lieutenant under Captain Williams as he is the senior officer. He wishes to command. The boat I mentioned...
28743To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I received by the wednesday post your private letter with the news paper containing the piece you referred to which has been republished in a number of our papers. The Virginia Resolve is not very alarming here much less so than might have been expected. Indeed it seems to have produced in some instances a good rather than an evil, by confirming the doubtful in the importance of a firm...
28744From Alexander Hamilton to James Tilton, [4 December 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 4, 1790. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] LS , sold by Stan V. Henkels, May 8, 9, 10, 1895, Lot 27. Tilton, a Dover, Delaware, physician, was commissioner of loans for Delaware.
28745To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [6 December 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 6, 1790. ] “In the Impost Law Hemp pays a Duty of five ⅌ Cent ad Valorem. By a special Clause in sd Law, this Article from the first of Decr Inst: is to pay 60 Cents ⅌ Cwt. Quere Whether Hemp is to pay the 5 ⅌ Cent ad Valorem & the 60 Cents ⅌ Cwt.…” LC , Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia. “An Act for laying a Duty on Goods, Wares, and Merchandises imported into the...
28746To Alexander Hamilton from Peter Anspach, 7 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 2nd. inst. was handed to me this morning. At present am not able to attend much to any kind of business, owing to a long spell of sickness of which I am but just recovering; and am in hopes in eight or ten days hence to be able to attend to business; and as soon as I can; shall have no objections to complying with your wish, to wit, of undertaking to collect immediately the...
28747To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Francis, 7 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
There is no question you can Ask that I will not most chearfully Answer, nor any Commands that you may be pleased to Honor me with that shall not to the best of my Abilities be attended to with pleasure. When our Bank first began its Operations, a Set of Chambered weights were provided for ascertaining the Number of dollars by weighing. We then found that 500 drs weighed 433. oz 12 wt 12 grs...
28748To Alexander Hamilton from John M. Pintard, 7 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I take the first opportunity of droping a few lines to you after my arrival at this Island, to mention a Circumstance, which I conceive to be of importance to the Revenue of the United States. The Clearance from the Custom House at this Island mentions in general Terms that the Brig or Ship (here is inserted the name of the Vessel & Commander) has permission to depart with a Cargo of Wines:...
28749From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 7 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
If I recollect right my requests have hitherto referred your experiments to the newest dollars. I want however to know the different kinds in common circulation & their average weight and respective dates. Will you be so obliging then as to cause different parcels to be taken promiscuously out of the Mass in bank—say about 100 in each parcel, to cause them to be accurately weighed together,...
28750From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 7 December 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 7, 1790. Submits “a provisional agreement entered into by the Collector of Newport for keeping the Light house on the Island of Conanicut for one year from the 13th. of September last.…” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. William Ellery. Conanicut Island is located in Narragansett Bay.