28951Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 13 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I find instances that have occurred in some of the Custom-houses, of receiving the duties on goods by estimates formed upon the invoices, or the statements of the Masters and Owners of the vessels, and by other means than actual gauging, weighing, measuring, &c. This, it is manifest, is not conformable to law, and may lead to practices very injurious to the revenue. Neither is it necessary to...
28952To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 15 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you 10 instant, at which time I drew on the Treasury for the amount of my last Quarters Salary & expenditures for the two first Quarters—Since which I am favoured with your circular Letter 2d. instant. In answer I have to inform you that I have never issued a single Certificate to a nonsubscriber in exchang for Old Emisso. money or Indents of Interest. I have issued only one...
28953Conversation with George Backwith, [15 May 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
7 “If the United States were at war with a great or respectable nation, the case would be different, a foreign mediation under certain circumstances might be desirable; in that case, the manner of the application would be official, and of course not to any public officer of that country abroad, but to the administration at home; on the present occasion, the thing in its existing shape is...
28954To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 15 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
A few days after the receipt of your favor covering letters for the Supervizor of Vermont and Mr Jacob Cuyler I wrote you and my Eliza, but as I have not had a line from you since I fear my letters have not come to hand. I entreated Eliza to let me know when she would set out from Philadelphia for this place, that I might engage a good and discreet master of an Albany Sloop to bring her to...
28955To Alexander Hamilton from Caleb Gibbs, 16 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honored by your much esteemed favour of the 20th. Ulto. With the most pungent greif did I read your Letter respecting Mr. Tracy’s affair. It is to much for me to relate. Nay My good Hamilton (excuse the freedom) it fairly unmanned me. And what is still more effecting to me, to see my amiable wife looking over the Letter and exclaiming is it possible, is it possible Mr. Gibbs that...
28956To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 16 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, May 16, 1791. “There being but one Public Boat in this District and that Constantly employed by the Inspector at the Port of Pawtuxet and so down the Bay, I find it Necessary that a Suitable one with Sails should be provided for the use of the Surveyor and Inspectors of this Port, to go on Board of Vessels, and particularly such as are frequently detained (by head winds &c.) for...
28957To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 16 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreably to your desire Mr Hill has been paid Five thousand Dollars for which enclosed you have his receipt. Of the Bills on Amsterdam 23,000 Guilders are sold; and offer is now made to take to the amount of 100,000 Dollars worth, for the one half of which a Deposit of Stocks would be made and for the other half Notes with sufficient Endorsers. To comply with this proposition, we shall want...
28958To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Van Rensselaer, 16 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 25 of April I received and have endeavoured to obtain the information you required. Respecting John Burk he was a Soldier in Col. Willets Regiment & did on the 8 of March execute a power of Attorney to A. Holbrook but says that he received only two Dollars & wishes to revoke the power if possible. With respect to E. Lewis I could not learn whether he gave a similar power he...
28959To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 17 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, May 17, 1791. “Your several favours of the 14th ulto & of the 4 & 6 instant have been received. Your first, the Circular, appears to be intended to those officers who conceive themselves insufficiently compensated. As I am not in that class I conclude no report will be expected from me.… The duck for the four Cutters has been forwarded agreeably to your directions.…” LC , Massachusetts...
28960To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 17 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, May 17, 1791. “I was honored, by the last Post, with your circular Letter of the 14th of April, on the Subject of a Statement of the Monies received, and Expenses paid, by the Officers of the Revenue in this District, for the Four quarters in the Year 1790; but as a Year will not be compleated with us until the 21st of June next, I beg leave respectfully to suggest the propriety of...
28961To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 17 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, May 17, 1791. “… My last letter (May 10th) Stated the amount of the first moiety of Invalid Pensioners in New Hampshire at 1661 ⁹⁸⁄₁₀₀ Dolls. This Should have been 1660 ⁹⁶⁄₁₀₀ Dolls. which last mentioned Sum is the precise amount of the Said moiety deducting the Sum of 376 ³⁵⁄₁₀₀ Dolls. paid by the State to those Pensioners.” LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at...
28962To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Wylly, [17 May 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
[ May 17, 1791. ] “I have the honor of enclosing you the affidavit of Mr. John Wereat, Auditor of this State, respecting the late Edward Davies, who issued sundry Loan Office certificates, without, I believe, any authority: as I can receive no answer from our Governor, to whom I writ long since on this subject.…” Copy, RG 233, Reports of the Treasury Department, 1792–1793, Vol. III, National...
28963To Alexander Hamilton from John Habersham, 20 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st of March last. I shall observe what you have directed in regard to Captain Backhouse, should the decision be against him. When the Legislature have their next meeting, I shall use my best endeavors to obtain a Cession of the Light House to the United States. In the mean time I have to inform you, that the additions and repairs to...
28964To Alexander Hamilton from John H. Livingston, 20 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 20, 1791. “I am very sorry to be under the necessity of troubling you with inclosed paper to which your signature is necessary. Our Legislature broke up so soon after we recd. the necessary document for freeing you from this, that it was not in our power to get an Act for that purpose, but it shall be done at the next Sessions. In the mean while we will tresspass upon your time...
28965To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 20 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
While at Charleston I appointed Robert Cochran of that place to command the revenue cutter for the station of South Carolina, & empowered him, with the approbation of the Governor & general Moultrie, to appoint his mates. I have appointed John Howell Commander —Hendricks Fisher, first mate, and John Wood second mate of the revenue cutter to be stationed on the coast of Georgia. You will...
28966To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 23 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] May 23, 1791 . “On the 16th. of this month I received your Circular letter of the 14th. of Aprl. last.… The Tare allowed in this District is calculated upon every One hundred and twelve pounds, and this was the practice in this State before it adopted the new Constitution. The merchants here have lately objected to this mode of taring, and say that the allowance ought...
28967To Alexander Hamilton from John McComb, Junior, 23 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ May 23, 1791. On June 8, 1791, Hamilton wrote to McComb and referred to “your letter of the 23rd of May.” Letter not found. ]
28968To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 23 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor, now, to enclose you an acct. of the emoluments and disbursements of my office for the year 1790. The compensation of the Collector, you will observe, is small; and, when compared to the multifarious duties required of him, disproportioned to his services. A general view of the laws respecting duties will show that the Collector is, in his district, principally responsible for...
28969Enclosure: Account Statement, [23 May 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Fees from the 1 January to the 31 March inclusive 274.18 Commission as allowed in a/c at the Treasury 90.30 364.48 Fees from 1st April to the 30 June inclusive 427.62 Commission allowed in a/c at the Treasury 294.36 721.98 Fees from 1st July to the 30 Septr. inclusive 298.30 Commission—in a/c at Treasury 62.15 360.45 Fees from 1st October to 31 Decemr. inclusive 337.14 Commission—in a/c at...
28970To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 24 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Having attentively considered the Questions contained in your letter of the 26th. Ultimo, I am fully of opinion that the power to pardon which the Constitution has vested in the President of the United States cannot extend to affect the rights of Individuals. The principles of the Common Law of England upon this Subject appear to be founded in good sense and I think must govern where-ever they...
28971To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Knox, 24 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, May 24, 1971. “I have the honor to inform you, that Messrs: Smith and Shepherd have completed their contract of clothing for the levies, and that Mr: Hodgdon, the quarter master, has receipted to them for the same.…” Copy, RG 217, Miscellaneous Treasury Accounts, 1790–1894, Account No. 1339, National Archives. The firm of Robert Smith and John Shepherd (Shepard, Sheppard) had...
28972From Alexander Hamilton to Pierre Charles L’Enfant, 24 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received in due time your letter of the 8th. of April; an early acknowlegement of which has been prevented by the hurry of business. I thank you much for the full communication you have made me concerning the intended seat of Government, and will be obliged by a continuance of your observations and such further information as the progress of your operations may render interesting. You will...
28973To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 24 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, May 24, 1791. “I have been favored with a Letter from Mr. Coxe of the 13th instant, covering a copy of a circular Letter, relative to Tare &c., intended to be transmitted to the several Collectors. The Contents of which, tending to establish an uniform Practice in the collection of the Revenue, afford me much pleasure; and I shall speedily forward the Information required,...
28974From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 24 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the United States has signified to me his pleasure, that I should revoke that part of your instructions which confines you to opening loans for no greater sum, at a time, than one million of dollars and which restrains you from opening a subsequent loan till the one preceding has received his approbation; and has also instructed me to authorise you to open each future loan for...
28975From Alexander Hamilton to Jabez Bowen, 25 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have directed the Treasurer to forward to you drafts payable to you or your order for six thousand Dollars towards paying the ensuing Quarters Interest. These drafts, which will be transmitted with proper blanks, may be directed either to Tench Francis Esquire, Cashier of the Bank of North America, or to William Seton Esquire, Cashier of the Bank of New York or to the respective Collectors...
28976From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 25 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Pursuant to instructions from the President of the United States, I am to request that you will cause some of the blank commissions left with you to be filled as follows: one with the name of John Whitaker as Inspector of the revenue for Survey No. 4. in the District of North Carolina, one with the name of Joseph McDowell the elder, as inspector of the revenue for survey No. 5. in the same...
28977To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, May 25, 1791. “By an act made to explain and amend ‘an act making farther provision for the payment of the Debts of the United States’ It is enacted that the duty of 7½ ⅌ Ct ad valorem laid by the act aforesaid on chintses and coloured calicoes shall be deemed and taken to extend to all printed stained & coloured goods, or manufactures of cotton, or of linen, or of both, which...
28978From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 25 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It will be agreeable to me that the Officers of the Customs in the District of Providence make return of the emoluments of their respective Offices for one year following the time of their entering upon their duty instead of the year mentioned in my circular letter of the 14 of April. You will be pleased to give them an early intimation of this. I shall not object to a small boat fit for...
28979To Alexander Hamilton from Arthur St. Clair, 25 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
A few days ago Mr. Ludlow presented to me the Instructions he had received from you for compleating the Surveys of certain Tracts of Land in this Territory contracted for with the late Board of Treasury and requested an Escort of Troops to enable him to comply with those Instructions. The situation of Affairs, and the present weakness of this Garrison put it out of my power to furnish him with...
28980Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 25 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, May 25, 1791. On June 7, 1791, Jeremiah Olney wrote to Hamilton : “I have received your two circular letters of the 25th. and 26th of May.” Circular of May 25 not found. ] On May 25, 1791, H wrote a letter to Olney marked “circular,” but as the information in this letter was clearly not intended for the other collectors of the customs it has not been printed as a Treasury...