1. During the American Revolution, Colt, a native of Lyme, Connecticut, served for three years as deputy commissary general of purchases for the Eastern Department. In 1790 he became treasurer of Connecticut, and in 1793 he was appointed superintendent of the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures. H had obviously turned to him as a reliable friend and associate in New Jersey who could provide information concerning the Schuyler Copper Mine in that state. See Jacob Mark and Company to H, December 11, 1794; Edmund Randolph to H, December 23, 1794.

2. Randolph’s letter to Way reads: “E. Randolph presents his Compliments to The Treasurer of the Mint—as the Director is now indisposed, the inclosed papers are sent to the Treasurer, with a request that he will take an opportunity of conferring with him on the subject of them.

“Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Secretary of State of 25th. January 1795 covering

“2 letters to Col. Hamilton, Vizt. One from P Colt of 11th January and one from Jacob Mark & Co. of 21 January respecting Copper for the Mint.” (LC, RG 59, Domestic Letters of the Department of State, Vol. 8, December 6, 1794–October 12, 1795, National Archives.)