29651From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 30 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letters of the 23rd. and 31st. of August and 3d of September remain unacknowledged. Mine to you of the 1st. of August 2nd. September and 3rd. of October will much abrige what is necessary to be said at this time. The prices of the public debt here rendering it questionable whether it be any longer the interest of the United States to prosecute the idea of purchases with monies borrowed at...
29652From Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Church, November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
What is the reason that we have been so long without a line from you? Does your affection for us abate? If it does you are very ungrateful: for I think as kindly as ever of My Dear Sister in Law and Betsey has lately given me stronger proof than she ever did before of her attachment to you. Guess if you can what this is. If you can’t guess, you must wait for an explanation until we meet once...
29653Memorandum from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [November 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia November, 1791 ]. Encloses extract of a letter, dated August 22, 1785, from Nathanael Greene to the President of Congress . Observes that “Baron Glaubeck was allowed pay as a Captain from March 9, 81. to August. 24 1782 & pd.… A sum far less than Genl. Green had advanced.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Wolcott prepared this memorandum for use in connection with H’s...
29654From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 1 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have directed the Treasurer to transmit you draughts for fifty five thousand dollars towards payment of the quarter’s interest ending the 31st. of December. These draughts are with blanks for the direction as heretofore, and may be filled with the name either of the Collector of Boston or of the Cashier of the Bank of North America, New York or Massachusetts. One half of these bills may at...
29655To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 1 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favours of the 17th & 18th were received last evening by post. The one referred to in your letter to Capt williams did not come to hand. I wish my opinion had not been asked relative to the present allowance made the keeper of the Light House at Portland as the sum given was named by me and thought to be as much as the public ought to give for keeping it in the best manner. I did not...
29656To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 1 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here the day before yesterday & learned from M de Wolf that the loan mentioned to you in my letters of the 12th. & 22d of November was already contracted for, except a small portion which he reserved for the public according to the usage of this place & which he should continue open ten or fifteen days. The loan is to be dated from to-day & the undertakers are to have five months to...
29657From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 2 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have upon reflexion concluded to authorise You to dispose of the whole of the draughts mentioned in my letter of yesterday upon either of the Banks of North America or New York in preference to the other mode then proposed. But in case you should find no demand for the whole or part of the draughts upon the two banks; it is to be understood that you are at liberty to avail yourself of the...
29658From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Whipple, 2 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 2, 1791. On December 17, 1791, Whipple wrote to Hamilton : “I received by the last post your letter of the 2nd Instant.” Letter not found. ]
29659To Alexander Hamilton from Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 2 December … (Hamilton Papers)
[ Amsterdam, December 2, 1791. On February 14, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Willink, Van Staphorst, and Hubbard : “I am just honored with your several favours of Nov 21st & 24th & December 2d.” Letter of December 2 not found. ]
29660From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, 3 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that I have issued a warrant for the sum of five thousand two hundred and fifty six dollars in favor of the Secretary of the Senate (Samuel A. Otis Esq.) for the purpose of discharging the compensations due to the members of that body, grounded upon a pay roll certified by you to the 30th. ultimo inclusive. I take the liberty of communicating to the Senate that...
29661From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 3 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
On the receipt of this letter I request You to deposit in the Bank of Massachusetts for sale, the Bills of the Treasurer of the united States for 55,000 Dollars, (or such of them as remain unsold) which have been transmitted to you agreably to my letter of the 1st instant. I am, sir, Your Obedt Servt LS , The Bostonian Society, Boston. See also H to Appleton, December 2, 1791 .
29662From Alexander Hamilton to John Chaloner, [3 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I request you will not take any step respecting the land mortgaged by Mr. Holker for Mr. Church’s debt without first consulting me. I am Sir Your obedient servt ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. During the seventeen-eighties Chaloner, a Philadelphia merchant, had served as the Philadelphia agent for John B. Church and Jeremiah Wadsworth. John Holker, who had served as...
29663To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 5 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] December 5, 1791. “I have recd. your letters of the 16th & 17th of the last month, and the contents of them will be duely regarded. The construction you give to the Provision in the Act of the 3d. of March 1791 I am happy to find corresponds with the opinion I had entertained.…” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island. Letter not found. Letter not...
29664From Alexander Hamilton to Philip A. Hamilton, 5 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I received with great pleasure My Dear Philip the letter which you wrote me last week. Your Mama and myself were very happy to learn that you are pleased with your situation and content to stay as long as shall be thought for your good. We hope and believe that nothing will happen to alter this disposition. Your Master also informs me that you recited a lesson the first day you began, very...
29665From Alexander Hamilton to John Eager Howard, 5 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It appearing to me, that the attention of the Legislature of Maryland may be necessary to the removal of an inconvenience under which the subscribers of the debt of that state now lie, I do myself the honor to make the requisite communication to your Excellency. The 18th. section of the act making provision for the debt of the United States suspends the payment of interest in respect to the...
29666From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 5 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 14th of November duly came to hand. A temporary absence from this place, some ill health, and much occupation have delayed an acknowlegement ’till this time. Aware of the inconveniences, to which you refer, from the want of a proper provision for defraying the expences of the Courts—I inserted in the estimate presented at the beginning of the session a sum for an...
29667Introductory Note: Report on Manufactures (Hamilton Papers)
Like Hamilton’s other major state papers, the “Report on Manufactures” is distinguished not so much by originality of thought as by the cogency and persuasiveness of its arguments, its far-reaching implications, and its ennobling vision of the destiny of the United States. Indeed, it contains few, if any, specific proposals that even the most enthusiastic supporters of Hamilton could maintain...
29668Tench Coxe’s Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, [Fall] 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, in obedience to the order of the house of Representatives of the fifteenth day of January last, has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of manufactures, and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the United States independent on foreign Nations for military and other essential...
29669Alexander Hamilton’s First Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, [27 January–4 February] 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department } the 1790. [to be left out—or pro last read 1790] The Secretary of the Treasury, in obedience to the order of the house of Representatives of the fifteenth day of January last, has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of Manufactures, Stands and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the...
29670Alexander Hamilton’s Second Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of the House of Representatives of the fifteenth day of January 1790 has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit to the subject of Manufactures and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the United States, independent on foreign nations, for military and other essential...
29671Alexander Hamilton’s Third Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of the House of Representatives of the fifteenth day of January 1790 has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of manufactures; and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the United States, independent on foreign nations for military and other essential...
29672Alexander Hamilton’s Fourth Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of the House of Representatives, of the 15. day of January 1790, has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of manufactures and particularly to the means of promoting such, as will tend to render the United States independent on foreign nations, for military and other essential...
29673Alexander Hamilton’s Final Version of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, [5 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of ye House of Representatives, of the 15th day of January 1790, has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of Manufactures; and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the United States, independent on foreign nations, for military and other essential...
29674From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 5 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
If the Supervisor of the District of Maryland should apply to you for four hundred Dollars, you will advance him that sum, which he will repay to you out of the duties on Spirits distilled within his district as soon as a sufficient sum shall be received. You will nevertheless take duplicate receipts and transmit one to the Treasury. The state of the business does not permit that this sum...
29675To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 5 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the application of Benjamin Bourne Esq. for the renewal of certain Certificates and Warrants for transfering funded Stock alledged to have been lost and am of opinion that the following rules should be adopted. That in case a transfer Certificate is lost, before the Treasury Warrant has been issued, the claimant or some person having knowledge thereof should in the first...
29676To Alexander Hamilton from Abishai Thomas, 6 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In submitting the following facts and observations to your consideration perhaps I may have exceeded the bounds of propriety in obtruding any thing like an opinion on the subject, but I have been involuntarily drawn into the measure, I hope it is done with due deference and I rely on your candour for an extenuation of the fault. On the subject of the claim of Wm Courtney esqre refer’d to you...
29677From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 6 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It is understood that a brig called the Dove formerly of Glocester in Massachusetts and commanded by Josiah Parsons has been sold in Europe, under circumstances that give rise to some apprehensions in regard to the misuse of her certificate of registry. I wish to be informed, if it has been returned to your office and when. I am, Sir, Your obedt. servant LS , Columbia University Libraries.
29678From Alexander Hamilton to the Directors of the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures, 7 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of powers vested in me by the Agents named in the instrument of Subscription towards the Society for establishing useful Manufactures, I have made Contracts on behalf of the Society with William Hall, as Superintendent of the printing Business; with Joseph Mort, as an Assistant in the Manufactory, in such way as his Services may be thought most useful. This Gentleman I...
29679To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Van Rensselaer, 7 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
At the request of several officers of our late Army, I transmit you the enclosed Memorandum. If any provision is made for such cases you will oblige me by informing me. Mrs. Rensselaer joins in love to you & Mrs. Hamilton. I am D Sir Your Hum Sert ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress [@LOC] . Van Rensselaer was a member of the New York Assembly in 1789 and 1790, and served in the state...
29680Enclosure: John Ostrander, Junior, to Stephen Van Rensselaer [7 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Memorandum for Stephen Van Rensselaer Esquire John Ostrander Late Leiutanant in Colo James Livingstons Regement of foot in the Service of the united states resigned the fourteenth day of april 1779 three months full pay due besides depreciation begs to know from the Secretary of The Treasury if any provission has been made by Congress for the payment of Arrearages of this kind, and if there...
29681From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 7 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I request that You will pay to Messrs Elliot and Williams ten thousand Dollars on the first of January next, on account of their contract with the united States of the 27th September instant, taking duplicate receipts, one of which to be transmitted to the Treasury. You will of course retain money in Your hands for the purpose and in case there should not be a probability of a Sufficient sum...
29682To Alexander Hamilton from George Cabot, 8 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have understood that after the peace of 63 & ’till the late war France gave direct assistance to her Cod fishery beside the monopoly of her home & colonial markets—but notwithstanding these encouragements the supply from her own fishery was so scanty that her prohibotory laws were evaded & very large supplies of foreign fish were continually smuggled into her Colonies & consumed there at...
29683To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 8 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Ship Washington and the Brandy that were seized here, have been delivered up to the Owners, they having given bond with security to abide the legal decision of the seizure. I am Sir! respectfully Your most Obedient Servant Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives. For background to this letter, see H to Lee, November 10, 1791 .
29684From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 8 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The monies which shall be deposited by you in the Bank of Providence, pursuant to my direction, will upon your forwarding to the Treasury a duplicate receipt of such deposits, be considered as payments made to the United States, and for which you will receive credit by regular warrants which will issue to cover such payments. I am Sir Your Obedt. Servant LS , Rhode Island Historical Society,...
29685To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 8 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, December 8, 1791. “… Having recd. a Letter from the Master of the Cutter Argus, informing me, that the Schooner Alice was at Anchor about Four Miles from Rhode-Island LightHouse when his Mate boarded her, I have this day requested the District Attorney to commence a Prosecution against Captain Andrus.” ADfS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence. For background to this...
29686From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 8 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 8, 1791. On December 9, 1791, Washington wrote to Thomas Jefferson: “Yesterday afternoon Colo. Hamilton was desired, as soon as the Tariff was ready, to let it be known. Enclosed is his answer.” Letter not found. ] GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). , XXXI, 442.
29687From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Hawkins, 9 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The ground upon which was founded the refusal to receive upon the subscription to the loan in State debt, the Certificates of North Carolina, on account of the Government of that State was simply this. The preamble to the clauses which relate to the assumption and various expressions in those clauses evidently contemplate “a provision for the debts of the respective states.” Now a bond or...
29688From Alexander Hamilton to John Henry, [9 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury not relying entirely on the accuracy of the data upon which the calculations in his Report on the subject of the Mint were founded, as they respect the quantity of fine silver contained in the silver dollar, thought it advisable to embrace the opportunity of the interval between the last and the present sessions of Congress to endeavour to obtain from Europe more...
29689Report on the Petition of George Webb, [12 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, to whom was referred the petition of George Webb, by an order of the House of Representatives, of the 24th. of February 1791, respectfully submits the following report thereupon. The prayer of the said petition has reference to two objects. One, a farther compensation for services rendered, while the petitioner acted in the capacity of Receiver of Continental...
29690To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, [10 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed you have the paper I promised You; if you wish for anything more or any explanation of that inclosed I will wait on you when You Please. Your Hume Svt ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see George Cabot to H, December 8, 1791, note 1 . Wadsworth, who during the American Revolution had served as commissary general of purchases and as a...
29691Enclosure: From Jeremiah Wadsworth, [10 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
A duty of ten per Cent on our Salted provisions imported into the French Islands would be too much unless we were relieved from other impositions which you will see by the paper herewith are more than ten ⅌ Cent on our Cargoes. When our Vessels arrive in Hispaniola the Captain must find a Bondsman tho his whole Vessel and Cargo is in the Power of the Government; this Bondsman is the Merchant...
29692To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 10 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 22 Ulto. & have communicated it to Capt. Yeaton. Conceiving that I can in no better way possess you of Cap. Yeatons reasons for deviating from your limits and my directions respecting the fitting of the Cutter, than by transmitting you his letter to me on that Subject I now inclose it. I must observe that the last additional and reprehensive clause of your...
29693From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 10 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a statement of the case of the Brig Trimmer from the Judge of the District Court of Maryland, and have determined to remit the forfeitures and penalties incurred by the vessel, goods and captain, on the repayment of the disbursements of money actually made. As the season of the year is critical, and the vessel may, if detained, be caught by the ice, I request that you will...
29694From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 10 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been represented to me by Mr. Kearney Wharton of Philadelphia, that some hardship has fallen on him in consequence of the want of proper instruments to ascertain the strength of a parcel of Rum belonging to him and lately imported by Messrs. Oliver and Thompson from Antigua. Though I have not yet decided how far it may be proper to make these revisions, I wish that measures may be taken...
29695From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, 12 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 12, 1791. On December 26, 1791, Ellery wrote to Hamilton referring to “your last letter dated Decr. 12th.” Letter not found. ] Ellery was collector of customs at Newport, Rhode Island.
29696To Alexander Hamilton from Caleb Gibbs, 12 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Barre, Massachusetts, December 12, 1791. On September 10, 1792, Gibbs wrote to Hamilton : “I wrote you On the 12th. of Decr. last.” Letter not found. ] Gibbs, like H, had been an aide-de-camp to George Washington during the American Revolution.
29697To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 12 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 12, 1791. “I have no reason to doubt the probability of receiving a sufficient sum before the first of January next to pay 10,000 Dollars as you desire to Messrs. Elliot & Williams.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See H to Williams, December 7, 1791 .
29698To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 12 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have very lately received a letter which has a reference to your circular of the 5th. of August; and upon reperusing the latter I discover that I have been very remiss, but I hope not censurable, for not replying to some parts of it sooner. My attention to the previous parts, and a supposition that I was not immediately concerned in the latter, produced in my mind, a temperory suspension of...
29699To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 12 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Baltimore, December 12, 1791. According to its catalogue description, this letter relates to the “Registry of the Brig Dove, Josiah Parsons, master.” Letter not found. ] Sold by Harvard Trust Company, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1962. See H to Williams, December 6, 1791 .
29700From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 14 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I do not think you will be justifiable in making a deduction from the legal rate of duty on Coffee, on account of its being broken, nor on cocoa, because of an inferiority of quality, they being in each instance as I presume the unmixed article, on which the Legislature has imposed an uniform impost, without providing a variation of duty in case of differences of quality. The shells of Coffee...