From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 25 April 1793
To George Washington
Treasury Department, April 25, 1793. Submits “two communications from the Commissioner of the revenue;1 one enclosing a Contract entered into by the Superintendant of the Delaware Lighthouse with Matthew Van Dusen, for a mooring Chain for one of the floating beacons in the Delaware bay2—the other transmitting an offer of Samuel Wheeler concerning two Iron Lanterns for the Lighthouses on Tybee & Cape Fear Islands.”3 Recommends approval. Suggests that “A House for the Keeper & an Oil Vault” for the Baldhead lighthouse be made “concurrent operations.”
LC, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Letters from Tench Coxe not found.
2. William Allibone was superintendent of lighthouses, beacons, buoys, public piers, and stakage for Philadelphia, Cape Henlopen, and the Delaware River. A copy of this contract, signed on March 16, 1793, and approved by Washington on April 27, 1793, may be found in RG 26, Lighthouse Deeds and Contracts, Vol. A, National Archives.
3. A copy of Wheeler’s proposals may be found in RG 26, Lighthouse Deeds and Contracts, Vol. A, National Archives.