29501To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 11 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In directing the District Attorney to file a Libel against the Brigt. Betsey, John Arnold Master, from Bordeaux, and then acquainting you with the Case and the favorable circumstances attending the breach of the Law, I acted, in my Idea, so perfectly consonant to a plain and positive Law, and your Instructions, that I thought Malice itself could not blame me; but some Interested Men...
29502From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [11 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Post of this day has brought me your letter of the 7th. instant, the commands of which shall with great care & no less pleasure be executed. I wrote you on the sixth a letter; of which the enclosed is a copy. With the truest & most respectful attachment, I have the honor to remain Sir, &c. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found.
29503From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 11 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Lord Wycomb having mentioned to me his intention to pay you his respects at Mount Vernon, I beg your permission to present him to you. The personal acquirements and merits of his Lordship conspire with a consideration for the friendly dispositions and liberal policy of his father, the Marquis of Lansdown, towards this country, to constitute a claim in his favour to cordial notice. I have the...
29504From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 11 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 3rd instant has been received. There can be no doubt that horses and other live stock imported from foreign countries must be considered as an object of trade, or vendible commodity, and of course as subject to duties. To obviate the adoption of this rule in a general sense, I think it however necessary to observe that I consider negroes to be exempted from duties on...
29505From Alexander Hamilton to Edmund Randolph, 12 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, October 12, 1791. On October 18, 1791, Randolph wrote to Hamilton : “The attorney-general of the United States does himself the honor of replying to the questions, propounded by the secretary of the Treasury of the United States, in his letter of the 12th of October 1791.” Letter not found. ]
29506To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Gorham, 13 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In contemplating yours relative to the manufactories of this State, I am apprehensive we shall not make so good a figure as in reality we ought to do and the reason is that the goods & articles made in this State are of such a nature as not to appear in a very conspicuous light, altho they are not the less usefull. About twenty years ago the importation of European goods into this State was...
29507Enclosure: [State of the Sail Cloth Factory in Boston], [13 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Sail Cloth Factory in Boston employs about 200 Women & Girls together with about 50 Men, the whole of the latter with a major part of the former depend solely on the factory for a maintenance. At present only 30 Looms are improv’d, which produce from 45 to 50 pieces of Duck ⅌ week, though the Works are Capable of turning out 90 or 100 ps ⅌ week, provided a sufficient supply of Flax could...
29508Enclosure: [State of the Nail Manufacture in This Commonwealth], [13 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The State of the Nail Manufacture in this Commonwealth is rather discouraging, at present, than otherways, as there is not sufficient brought to the Market to answer the Demand, owing in some measure to ye increas’d cultivation of their farms, as most of the workmen in that Business are Farmers, and attend to the Nail making, only in the Winter season, except in the Towns of Bridgwater, Norton...
29509Enclosure: [The Various Manufactories of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts], [13 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The various manufactories of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, finish upwards of Ten Thousand dozen pair of cotton and wool cards yearly; two thirds of these are exported to the several States; they average at the price of Five Dollars and an half per dozen, and produce Fifty five thousand dollars. Four fifths of the whole are made in the Town of Boston. One house alone completes Six thousand...
29510To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 13 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
When I received your letter of the 13th of August, I did not consider it with the attention which would have been necessary if at that time I had attempted to answer the questions you propose. Now it appears to me impossible to do it, with any degree of precision. It then struck me that certain communications to the Society of Agriculture of this city would have furnished the principal...
29511To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 13 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am honored with your Letters of the 8th & 10th. The Commissioner of Loans not having required the anticipated Credit of Twenty Thousand Dollars, the Treasurers Check for Thirty thousand Dollars is all that has passed to his Credit. I delivered your Letter to the Commr. of Loans upon the subject of the Transfer to the Books of the Treasury for the Debt purchased by me for Account of the...
29512To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 14 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is the form of the bond and oath given and taken by the Exporters of Distilled Spirits in this District. Please to revise, and correct them, and return them, or to furnish me with other forms as soon as may be convenient. It is made a question whether by the addition to the provisions contained in the fortieth and forty-first Sects. of the Act intituled an Act to prove more...
29513To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Lowrey, 14 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to my promise when I last had the pleasure of seeing you, I am to inform you of the prices of the sundry articles of Provisions, Fuel, Labour &c. in the upper part of Hunterdon County & of Sussex County within this State, from twenty to forty Miles above Trenton in the Neighborhood of the Delaware and Raritan Rivers, & shall proceed in such order as appears to me regular Vizt. Wheat...
29514To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Smith, 14 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received Two hundred and forty nine thousand two hundred and fifty four pounds 10/ ½ equal to Six hundred and seventy five thousand one hundred and one Drs ³³⁄₁₀₀ in the assumed debt of this State for which I have given descriptive receipts, have registered and numbered them & Carried them to the Comptroller of this State’s Office, who has examined them and declares them genuine. He is...
29515To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 14 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
When I addressed a private letter to you a few days ago I had no more idea that Monday the 24th. instt. was the day appointed for the meeting of Congress, than I had of its being dooms-day until it was mentioned to me in a letter which I have just received from Mr. Lear (who was under the like mistake). It had taken such deep root in my mind that the last monday in the month was the time that...
29516To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Lowrey, 15 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I did myself the pleasure of writing you yesterday and as an immediate conveyance presented itself, I must confess that being eager to come forward with what information lay in my power, as early as possible, through hurry I had omitted one very particular observation which I fully intended to have made. I have therefore taken the Liberty to address you again and shall make my omission the...
29517To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The electors of the Senate of Maryland have chosen me one of the Senate of our State legislature, and many of my friends are urgent that I should accept. As yet I have given no answer. If you still entertain the project you mentioned to me when in Philadelphia it may somewhat influence my determination. Perhaps the complexion of several European powers, as it respects France, and the claims...
29518To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 15 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, October 15, 1791. “Enclosed is my Return of Exports from July to September inclusive, amounting to 55,805 Dollars & 33 Cents.…” Copy, Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence; copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Providence, National Archives.
29519To Alexander Hamilton from William Skinner, 15 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The state of North Carolina, (as was expected) continued to press their Certificates on me to be received on Loan, Agreable to your orders, I received them, amounting agreable to Mr. Child’s own calculation, aparently to 409.570. dolls. & 17 Cents, for which I have given a rect. agreable to orders. The 22.415. dolls. & 10 Cents which had been brot. in by Duncan Mc.Rae for Duncan Mcauslen, for...
29520Enclosure: [Acknowledgment of North Carolina’s Certificates of Debt], 30 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Thereby acknowledge to have received into my office, of Francis Child Esqr. on account of the State of North Carolina, Sundry Certificates of the said State’s debt, amounting in the whole agreable to Mr. Child’s own Calculation to four hundred & nine thousand, five hundred & Seventy dollars, and Seventeen Cents, which Certificates are to remain in my Office, subject to the Decision of the...
29521To Alexander Hamilton from George Joy, 16 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I know not how far the documents I requested from you before I left America (Vizt. pr my letter 20th Octr: 1790) might have enabled me to obtain such information respecting any arrangements forming here or in Amsterdam, for speculations &ca. in American Debt, as would be worth your attention. Without them, however, little information has occurred wch I was not pretty well assured you must...
29522To Alexander Hamilton from George Joy, 16 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I beg leave to submit to you the following Calculations and Observations wch led to the Conclusions in my letter of this date—and first in Corroboration of what I have there said respecting the french debt that “’tis pity the opportunity of paying it at so very favorable an Exchange as the present should be lost.” The sum due to foreign Officers Vizt: 186,427 Dollars I think you contemplate...
29523From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [16 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of your letter of the 10th. instant. Mine to you of the 6th., which was sent by duplicates, will have informed you of the then state of the business of the Supervisorship of the District of Delaware. I have, within two days, received a letter from Mr. Vining stating that an absence from home had delayed the receipt of my letter, & the ascertaining of Mr. Barratt’s inclination...
29524From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Ballard, 17 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, October 17, 1791. According to the dealer’s description of this letter, it relates to the “duty on spirits distilled from domestic and foreign materials.” Letter not found. ] Sold by Harvard Trust Company, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1962. Ballard was surveyor of the port of Baltimore.
29525From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 17 October [1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The following are the particulars in the Presidents Letter which he expects you to prepare. Expeditions against the Indians. Every pacific measure was previously tried to produce accom~ & avoid expence. More pointed laws with penalties to rest⟨r⟩ain our own people. This & good faith may produce tranquillity. Treaties with Cherokees & six Nations & reasons . I annex to the first the hints in...
29526Treasury Department Circular to the District Judges, 17 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
A question has occurred whether upon a Petition being presented in order to the mitigation or remission of any forfeiture, which may have been incurred, the Judge to whom it is presented may release the Vessel or goods forfieted, upon taking some proper surety to abide the event. I deem it not proper to give an opinion respecting the construction of the law in this particular; but I think it...
29527To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 17 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am thus far on my way to Philadelphia, and if the disagreeableness of the weather (for it is now raining) does not prevent it, shall proceed to Bladensburgh at least to night; but be my dispatch what it probably may, the mail which leaves this tomorrow, will arrive in Philadelphia before me. This being the case, and time pressing, I forward the enclosed suggestions of Mr. Jefferson and Mr....
29528To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 18 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The bark Polly Ebenezer Shearman master, which sailed from this Port for Hamburgh May 25th 1791 arrived here from that place on the 14th. of this month with a valuable cargo, and on the 15th. the master delivered a report and manifest in writing. Among other articles specified therein are four casks containing gin; which Gin being in casks of less than fifty gallons capacity, and not in cases...
29529To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, [18 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
My assiduity has been exercised to procure for you a riding horse ever since my return. My success has not been equal to my hopes, & indeed it is not easy to accomodate you with a horse as you require one very gentle, which is not commonly a quality to be found in horses of the best sort. Mr Giles will deliver you the best I could get, & I beleive among the safest & most agreable that this...
29530From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 18 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The post of this day brought me your letter of the 7th instant. I am pained that my having desired a second return of your purchases of the public debt should have caused you uneasiness. Be assured that an idea of inattention on your part had no share in producing that request. Your first statement with the vouchers was handed over to the Auditor, and was not particularly in my mind, when I...
29531To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, [18 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The attorney-general of the United States does himself the honor of replying to the questions, propounded by the secretary of the Treasury of the United States, in his letter of the 12th of October 1791, as follows. 1st. The Commissioners, appointed in pursuance of the act, incorporating the bank of the United States, have no power, as such, to superintend the election of directors, or to...
29532To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 18 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor to write you on the 13th. since which, Indisposition has till this day prevented my obtaining from the Office the Certificates necessary to transfer to the Books of the Treasury the Debt purchased by me for account of the United States. They are now enclosed & I hope will be in full time. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect sir &c. LC , Bank of New York, New York City.
29533To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
When I first received your orders for supplying the Cutter I attempted to bring the men to the established ration fixed by Congress. The moment our design was known a good Crew left the vessel. I was therefore obliged to supply as the Merchants supply or suffer the Cutter to remain in port. The latter I thought would be more difficult for me to justify than given the men the supply generally...
29534To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 20 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, October 20, 1791. “Enclosed is my weekly Return of Cash No. 63, the Balance of which is 4,322 Dolls. & 56¼ Cents. Two small Errors in my last Quarter’s Accot., discovered since their transmission, make the Balance due to the United States on the 30th of Septr., stand in my Books, thus— In Bonds uncancelled 58,922..81 In Cash on hand 5,519..78 64,442..59 I enclose a Draft of the...
29535To Alexander Hamilton from Baron von Steuben, October [1791] (Hamilton Papers)
De tout temps c’etait ma destiné de rencontrer ces Génies Extraordinaires qu’on Apelle Originaux de sorte que je ne suis pas surpris de me trouver en contact avec le Quaker Churchman. Ce Philosophe magnetisé m’a communiqué ses idées et ses Chimeres; Je m’interesse à sa curiosité de vouloir reconnaitre ce point magnetique, dont nous connaissons l’effêct depuis des Siecles, et dont nous ignorons...
29536To Alexander Hamilton from Horatio Gates, [23 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
If I am too troublesome in making the following Request, it is your own Fault, for you have encouraged me to do it. My agent, Mr. William Alexander, Mercht: in Richmond, Virginia, has by my direction, placed in the Hands of The Commissioner of Loans of that State Military Certificates, belonging to me, ammounting 14037 Dollars, & 52 Cents, to be Funded in my Name. I have lately sent Mr....
29537To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Peabody, 24 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Atkinson, New Hampshire, October 24, 1791. Recommends to Hamilton’s “friendly Notice the Honble Jereh. Smith Esqr. one of the Representatives lately Gone on from this State to the Congress of the united States.” Also recommends James MacGregore for the position of Federal marshal. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Peabody was a New Hampshire physician and politician. A veteran of the...
29538To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 24 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
A Circumstance has occured respecting the Treasurers dfts on the Bank of Maryland which I take the liberty of mentioning to you. We negotiated several of them the other day & when the holders presented them at the Bank for payment they deducted ⅛ ⅌ Cent altho’ the amount was named in their Bank & post Notes. This has occured before with the Collectors to the Southward but not that I have heard...
29539To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 25 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] October 25, 1791 . “Yesterday the Brig: Seven Brothers was condemned, no person appearing to claim her, and defend against the Libell. The person referred to in my letter of the 10th. of this month, who was a seaman on board the Sloop Betsy when the breach of the Revenue laws was made for which she was forfeited, and for whom a summons was issued, appeared before the...
29540To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 25 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, October 25, 1791. Acknowledges Hamilton’s “Letter of the 14th instant, covering part of the Margin of the Certificate of Registry … granted for Sloop Susannah.…” ADfS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence; copy, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Providence, National Archives. As this letter deals with routine Treasury Department matters, it has not been printed ( LS ,...
29541From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, 26 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, October 26, 1791. On November 7, 1791, Ellery wrote to Hamilton : “I have received your Letter of the 26th. of October last.” Letter not found. ]
29542To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 26 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Having collected & discharged the Several bills against the Revenue Cutter Scammel, I now transmit you herewith Inclosed my Account for the Vessel, & Vessels Stores. The Stores with Some Small disbursments amounts to 157 ⁸⁸⁄₁₀₀ Dolls. and the Vessel to 1255 ⁹⁵⁄₁₀₀ Dolls. which includes every article applied to her use except 12 pieces of Sail Cloth Sent from Boston by Genl Lincoln of which I...
29543To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 26 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I take the liberty to request that the opinion of the Attorney General of the United States may be taken on the question arising out of the following state of facts. On the twenty first day of October 1780 congress resolved that the Officers of the Army who should continue in service to the end of the war should be intittled to receive half pay during life. On the 22d. of March 1783. the grant...
29544To Alexander Hamilton from John Neville, 27 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Herewith I return your form filled in the best manner I am able at present. I beg leave to mention, that in a new Country like this where farming is not yet reduced to system, it is difficult to form an Estimate as you wish. Our farms are generally new—the eldest not exceeding twenty years. In order to give you as good an idea as possible, I have divided them into three classes—annexing the...
29545Enclosure: [Estimates in Response to Treasury Department Circular of August 13, 1791], [27 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Kinds of Land. Annual Product Value of Farm. Acres of arable Land. Acres of pasture land. Acres of Meadow. Acres of Wood-land. Bushels of wheat. Bushels of Rye. Bushels of Corn. Bushels of Oats. Bushels of Barley. Bushels of Buck wheat. Bushels of Potatoes. Other roots and Vegetables in value. Black Cattle.
29546Account with Reinhard Kahmer, [29 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Reinhard Kahmer bot for Cornal Hamilton at Sundred times 1791 october 19th To . . 3 . . bushels of potatoes at 2s/9 £0. .8 . .3 To a ½ . . peck of pears 0. .1 . .10½ To . . a ½ . . bushel of turnips 0. .1 . .3 To . . 3 . . bunches of Carrotts & Cabeges 0. .0 . .9 To . . 8 . . ld beef at 3½ 0. .2 . .4 To . . 12½ . . ld mutton at 4½d 0. .4 . .8 To . . . . buns & Som yearbs 0. .1 . .8.½ 20....
29547Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 29 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Mistakes have been frequently made by the Commissioners of Loans, in the certificates directed to me for the purpose of transferring stock from one office to another; either by erroneously indenting the marginal Check, or otherwise. And whenever inaccuracies of this kind have occurred, it has been thought adviseable to return such certificates to the holders, with some indefinite intimation,...
29548To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 29 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 29, 1791. “Inclosed herewith I transmit my quarterly Account for the Support & Maintenance of the Lighthouse in this State, & for the repairs to the 30th. of September past. The extraordinary quantity of Glass used in the repairs in this quarter was occasioned by the Oil taking fire in the Lantern & breaking the Windows, by which the building was in imminent...
29549To Alexander Hamilton from John Halsted, 31 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Having seen your plan, for the formation of a Manufacturing Company, and the reasons you have assigned for establishing it in this State, with the Idea, that the plan is too extensive to be carried into full effect in one place to the best advantage to adventurers, induces me to request you to propose to the subscribers, this place, or its Vicinity, for one of the places of Manufactory, and...
29550To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 31 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Schooner Alice, Jabez Andrus Master, entered here the 29th. instant, from Bonavista, loaded with Salt only, a Manifest, as usual, being exhibited to the Inspector who first went onboard within this District. This Morning I recd. a Letter from Jona. Maltbie, Master of the Argus Cutter, informing me, that One of his Mates went onboard the said Schooner and found no Manifest: This...