From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Ballard, 31 May 1792
To Robert Ballard
Treasury Department
May 31. 1792.
Sir
In answer to your letter of the 20th. instant1 I have to inform you that no provision for compensation to the Inspectors of the Revenue for Ports, has yet been made; But in consequence of greater latitude given to the President by the Act, concerning the duties on Spirits distilled within the United States,2 the subject will be shortly under his consideration when your case will be duly attended to.
I am, Sir, Your Obedt. Servant
Alex Hamilton
Robert Ballard Esqr.
Inspector of the Revenue for the
Port of Baltimore.
LS, Columbia University Libraries.
1. Letter not found.
2. Section 16 of “An Act concerning the Duties on Spirits distilled within the United States” provided: “That the President of the United States be authorized to make such allowances for their respective services to the supervisors, inspectors and other officers of inspection, as he shall deem reasonable and proper, so as the said allowances, together with the incidental expenses of collecting the duties on spirits distilled within the United States, shall not exceed seven and an half per centum of the total product of the duties on distilled spirits, for the period to which the said allowances shall relate, computing from the time of the act, intituled ‘An act repealing after the last day of June next, the duties heretofore laid upon distilled spirits imported from abroad, and laying others in their stead, and also upon spirits distilled within the United States, and for appropriating the same,’ took effect: And provided also, That such allowance shall not exceed the annual amount of seventy thousand dollars, until the same shall be further ascertained by law” ( 270–71 [May 8, 1792]).