84701To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 16 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
A few days ago I forwarded to you, per post, a “state of our navigation,” which I presume you have received. I have the honour to transmit you in this inclosure some notes upon two subjects, one of them of great importance, that may be useful when arranging our affairs with France and Spain. The rough draughts of these papers were made a few weeks before I received your letter, and I then...
84702From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 16 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 16, 1789. “The Register of the Treasury transmitted to you lately in pursuance of my Directions … Registers for Vessels.… You will oblige me in distributing them with as much dispatch as possible.…” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1790–1817, Vol. 4, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Boston, National...
84703To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, December 16, 1789. On January 19, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lincoln : “I am favored with your letter of the 16th. of last month.” Letter not found. ]
84704[Diary entry: 16 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 16th. Dined with Mrs. Washington and all the family (except the two Children) at Governor Clintons—where also dined the Vice-President, his Lady Colo. & Mrs. Smith—The Mayor (Colo. Varick) and his Lady and old Mr. Van Berkel and his Daughter. Richard Varick (1753–1831) was born in Hackensack, N.J., and moved to New York City in 1775 to practice law. During the Revolution he was...
84705From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
You will use your best Exertions to pay into the Bank of north America all the Monies you can collect to the 27th. day of this month inclusive, & transmit to my office, a Certificate from the Cashier purporting the whole Sum which the Bank has received of you as Collector of the Customs of the Port of Philadelphia, to that day: after which you will defer your next payments to Bank till the...
84706To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Grymes, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you some weeks past upon some interesting business to my self and desired an immediate answer, I fear my letter has miscarried as I have had no answer, therefore I must trouble you again on the subject. Mr. Robt. Morris has informed me that he expected, that the insurance of a Ship called the Aurora would be paid this winter in Certificates, (I suppose by you), which I wish to know...
84707To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Last night a Man returned from Ruport in the State of Vermont with information that the two Cranes were their & had counterfeited the Bank Notes of New York. One of them had been taken & let go on his securing the party he had cheated, but the true reason for leting him go was that he was the Second in the business & a plan is laid to catch the principal but I shall delay sending after them...
84708To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As I am uncertain of the condition & even the Office in which the papers containing accounts of our disbursments for subsistence of British prisoners remain; and as it is not improbable that some negotiations may (whenever our Union under the General Government shall be completed) take place between the United States & Great Britain, in which an accurate understanding of those Accots. will...
84709From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Willing, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 17, 1789. On December 24, 1789, Willing wrote to Hamilton : “I reced by the last post yours of the 17th Inst.” Letter not found. ]
84710[Diary entry: 17 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 17th. The following Company dined here—viz.—The Chief Justice of the U. States and his Lady; Mr. King, Colo. and Mrs. Lawrence—Mr. Gerry, Mr. Egbert Benson, Bishop Provost and Doctr. Lynn & his Lady. John Laurance (1750–1810) was United States congressman from New York. A native of England, he had settled in New York City in 1767, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1772....
84711From George Washington to the Chiefs of the Choctaw Nation, 17 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have sent Major Doughty one of our Warriors, in order to convince you that the United States well remember the treaty they made with your Nation four years ago at Hopewell on the Keowee—guard and protect him and show him the places at which trading posts shall be established in order to furnish you with goods; and when the said posts shall be established, support them to the utmost of your...
84712From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 17 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
As I am uncertain of the condition & even the Office in which the papers containing accounts of our disbursments for subsistence of British prisoners remain; and as it is not improbable that some negotiations may (whenever our Union under the General Government shall be completed) take place between the United States & Great Britain, in which an accurate understanding of those Accots will...
84713George Augustine Washington to John Francis Mercer, 17 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor which was dated shortly after I parted with you at Fredericksburg met with some delay in getting to me—The President has been informed of the contents and in reply says, as an act of Providence has interposed to render a complyance with your promise impracticable he must have further patience —He has also been consulted as you desired to know if wheat would be received in...
84714To James Madison from John Dawson, 17 December 1789 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of forwarding to you two resolutions which have pass’d both houses, on the subject of the permanent seat of the General Goverment. To the first of these there was considerable opposition from the South side of James river, under an apprehension that it woud not be advantageous to that part of the State; and from some of the Antis who considerd it as a favour to Congress—they...
84715From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 17 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose you the letter to Mr. Wythe. We arrived here safely last night in eight hours and a half from your house, having been obliged by the lateness of our departure to come rather brisker than we would have chosen. However the horses were perfectly well after it. We had got everything over the river before day light shut in. The girls are well except as to their colds which are much the...
84716To Thomas Jefferson from William Temple Franklin, 17 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Amidst the Congratulations of Public Bodies on your Arrival will you receive those of an Individual, who has long entertained the highest Esteem for your Character, as a Man, a Philosopher, and a Statesman. Permit me also felicitate you on your late honorable Appointment, tho’ I am not certain you will accept of it; but this I know, that if you do, I shall in common with my Countrymen rejoice...
84717From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 17 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My friend Mr. Eppes is informed that his son’s situation at the college, by subjecting him to attendance on certain courses of lectures, withdraws him from the pursuit of what you might recommend preferably. But his first wish being that his son should follow implicitly what you would be so good as to recommend, he does not hesitate to decide on his quitting the college, and boarding in such a...
84718To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I am directed by the President of the United States to send you the enclosed letter from General Hazen dated Decr. 16th. and likewise a Memorial from the same person of the 12th. inst. together with the Copy of a letter written by the Presidents command in answer to the enclosed Memorial. I have the honor to be with perfect consideration Sir Your most Obedt. Servt. LC , George Washington...
84719From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 18, 1789 . “I have received your Letter of the 6th instant, with the laws of Virginia accompanying it.…” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Alexandria, Letters Received from the Secretary, 1789–1795, National Archives. Letter not found. H had requested the revenue laws of each state in “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” November 25,...
84720Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As one of the periods for the payment of Bonds taken for Duties is arrived, it is proper that the respective Collectors should be apprised of my expectation with regard to the conduct to be observed by them. It is, that if the Bonds are not paid, as they fall due they be immediately put in Suit. On this point, the most exact punctuality will be considered as indispensable . And accordingly it...
84721To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 18, 1789. Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s circular letter of November 30. Discusses difficulty of reconciling exemption of tonnage charges and fees for vessels of less than twenty tons with Section 23 of “An Act for Registering and Clearing Vessels, Regulating the Coasting Trade, and for other purposes.” Again asks “ Whether two thirds of a Dollar be payable to the...
84722[Diary entry: 18 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Friday 18th. Read over, and digested my thoughts upon the subject of a National Militia, from the Plans of the Militia of Europe—those of the Secretary at War & the Baron de Steuben. In Aug. 1789 GW had pointed out to both houses of Congress the “national importance and necessity” of a “uniform and effective system for the Militia of the United States. . . . I am particularly anxious it should...
84723Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 18 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the President of the United States to send you the enclosed letter from General Hazen dated Decr 16th—and likewise a memorial from the same person of the 12th inst: together with the Copy of a letter written by the Presidents command in answer to the enclosed Memorial. I have the honor to be with perfect consideration Sir Your most Obedt Servt LB , DLC:GW . None of these...
84724To George Washington from Beverley Randolph, 18 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honour to inclose you an act of the General Assembly authorizing the Governor of this Commonwealth to convey certain land to the United States in Congress assembled for the purpose of building a light House. The State had some years ago placed upon the shore at Cape Henry nearly a sufficient quantity of materials to compleat such a light House as was at that time thought...
84725To John Adams from James Lovell, 19 December 1789 (Adams Papers)
Though I know your extreme Delicacy as to any Interference in the executive Affairs of the U.S s. yet to you I must apply; for, Heaven & Secretary Jackson know I may be chagrined in an Attempt to address the President. I am in Dread least an Action should take Place which will renew the Vigour of the Opponents & damp the Spirit of the Friends of Government: And, it will be out of Time to await...
84726To John Adams from Henry Marchant, 19 December 1789 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 17 th. of Sep r. I have been honored with.— I truly esteem myself so by every Mark of Your Attention— Your unexpected Visit to Boston prevented an Answer sooner— My Concern as a Friend to my Country is awakened at the Account You give of some disagreable Symptoms attending Your Breast upon close attention, and in publick speaking. How we can spare You from the first I scarce can...
84727To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 19 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 15th October inclosing queries Concerning the Navigation of the several States remains to be answered In hopes of obtaining other information than what had fallen under my own observation prevented an earlier Answer. The enquiries that I have had opportunity of making have furnished but little addition. I now inclose answers to those queries—on Some of which I shall here...
84728[Diary entry: 19 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 19th. Committed the above thoughts to writing in order to send them to the Secretary for the Department of War to be worked into the form of a Bill with which to furnish the Committee of Congress which had been appointed to draught one.
84729From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 19 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter being of importance I take the liberty of asking you to give it a conveyance. Should any vessel be going directly to France that would certainly be the best way of sending it. Otherwise if put under cover to your correspondents in London, and by them put into the post office there, it will go safely to Paris where the postage from London to Paris is always paid. If put into...
84730Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 20 December 1789 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 22 d. I rec d. on Sunday last, by Gen Lincoln— the several Articles You requested me to procure I shall collect as soon as possible— I have made Enquiry for Butter but have not met with any that is good a considerable Quantity has been sent to New York by a Vessel that saild a day or two past— It is somewhat doubtful whether I shall be able to buy the Hams already prepared, if not...
84731To John Adams from John Paul Jones, 20 December 1789 (Adams Papers)
The within documents, from my Friend the Count de Segur Minister Plenipotentiary of France at S t. Petersburg, will shew you in some degree my Reasons for leaving Russia, and the danger to which I have been exposed by the mean subterfuges and dark Intrigues of Asiatic Jealousy and Malice.— Your former Friendship for me, which I remember with particular pleasure and have always been ambitious...
84732[Diary entry: 20 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 20th. Went to St. Pauls Chapel in the forenoon.
84733To George Washington from John Paul Jones, 20 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I avail myself of the departure of the Philadelphia Packet Captain Earle, to transmit to your Excellency a Letter I received for you on leaving Russia in August last, from my Friend the Count de Segur Minister of France at St Petersburg. That Gentleman and myself have frequently conversed on subjects that regard America, and the most pleasing reflection of all has been the happy establishment...
84734To James Madison from Edward Carrington, 20 December 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have not until very lately known with certainty where I could address a letter to you. Mr. Beckley told me he left you in New York and that you was shortly to set out for Virginia, but Mr. Jones’s return to Richmond from his trip to Orange gave me the first information of your having got home. But for this uncertainty I should before now have made you my most grateful acknowledgments for...
84735To John Adams from Stephen Higginson, 21 December 1789 (Adams Papers)
I intended myself the honour of a little conversation with you, before you went to Congress, as to the trade of this State. We are suffering very much for want of a proper inspection of Our exports. that We now have, under the State Laws, is, as to most Articles, worse than none—it serves to conceal & encourage frauds of every kind in preparing Our exports for market. We surely can supplant...
84736From Alexander Hamilton to William Allibone, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 21, 1789. On January 7, 1790, Allibone wrote to Hamilton : “I had the Honor of receiving your letter of the 21st. of December last.” Letter not found. ]
84737From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 21, 1789. “An application has been lately made to me by the Board of wardens of the Port of Philadelphia for the reimbursement of a Sum of money by them expended for the maintenance and Support of the Light house, Beacons &ca in the Bay and River Delaware.… As it is necessary that these Establishments Should be properly Supported, you will advance to Wm Allibone...
84738To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] December 21, 1789. “… I have recd the different forms from the Comptroller and shall proceed immediately as therein directed, I would remark on two of them, that of the Tonnage Abstract directed to be countersigned by the N officer which I imagine was intended to be the Surveyor, for the N: O: has no documents to warrant him. In the weekly returns of Cash it is directed to...
84739To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
By the 1st Secto. of the Tonnage Act certain priveleges are granted to Vessells American built & owned, by the fifth Secto. of the Impost Act, by the 1 & 2nd of the Registering Act, certain Qualifications are directed to entitle Vessells to the benefts granted by any Law of the UStates, I have met with no small trouble & difficulty to put a proper construction on this business and indeed am...
84740To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, December 21, 1789. “… I now inclose my Weekly Return to the 19th instant agreeably to the new Form leaving out Bonds &c. In the Forms recd. I do not observe any mention of Goods deposited for the security of the duties which the Law admits of. I shall therefore place them till otherways directed in Accots. with Bonds which I conceive will be the proper place for...
84741[Diary entry: 21 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 21st. Framed the above thoughts on the subject of a National Militia into the form of a Letter and sent it to the Secretary for the Department of War. Sat from ten to one Oclock for a Mr. Savage to draw my Portrait for the University of Cambridge in the State of Massachusetts at the request of the President and Governors of the said University. The portrait begun today by Edward Savage...
84742Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 21 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge your three favors of the 22d & 30th of Novr and 10th of Decr—all of which have been duly laid before the President, who now directs me to request that you will be so good as to inform me in your next, at what price per bushel 350 bushels of Buckwht could be delivered at Alexandria if sent in bags, includg the cost of the Buckwheat—the bags—commission on purchasing—freight...
84743To George Washington from Diego de Gardoqui, 21 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
Sir. I avail myself of the first Oppertunity with pleasure to communicate to your Excelly that I happily arrived at this Port the 13th of the last month after a severe Voyage, and not less perilous. The Surprises thereof, which, together with my Complaints, made me sufficiently to suffer, they brought on a painful disorder which has kept me suffering till the present Time, when already almost...
84744To Thomas Jefferson from James Brown, 21 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Sundrys ⅌ the Waggons No. 1. 1. 3. 11. 21. 22. 23B. 38. 40.B 41. 4.B 10J. 14B 37B. A Large Trunk A Middle Sized Do. A Small Do. A Portmanteau A Case of Hats Two Yams 4 Loaves Sugar A Cask containing 1 Cheese 23½ ℔. @ ⅙ £1.5.3 1 Pound Tea 17/6 17.6 6 ℔. Chocolate ⅓
84745To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
On my return from Georgia I met on file in our office your questions concerning the navigations of the several States and foreign nations. An answer to those questions has been delayed from various causes. No one however has contributed more to produce it than a want of information in me, respecting some of them at the time I first saw them. I have since had an opportunity of knowing many...
84746[Diary entry: 22 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 22d. A pretty full & respectable Levee to day—at which several Members of Congress, newly arrived, attended.
84747To Thomas Jefferson from Béthune-Charost, 22 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
La marque de Confiance, Monsieur, qui vient de vous être accordée, est la juste récompense de vos travaux et de vos vertus. Personne ici n’en est Surpris, et je ne Serai point étonné d’apprendre un jour qu’Elle n’a Surpris que Vous. Il S’élève à ce moment un nouvel Etat en Europe, dont les rapports Commerciaux peuvent devenir fort importans pour les Etats Unis. Me permettriez-vous, Monsieur,...
84748To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Sarly, 22 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
As the Commander of an American Ship I feel it a Duty incumbant on me to Inform you of any Circumstances which may affect the Dignity or Honour of my Country in this Quarter of the Glo[be]. And as it has been my study during my Abscence to Support the character of an American; I feel the Insult offered to our Colours with double force by Foreigners wearing them without the smallest title to...
84749William Short to John Jay, 22 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
In my last I mentioned the retreat of the Imperial troops from Brussels. The last accounts of General D’Alton who commands them are that he had arrived at Namur and after a short stay, left it in hopes of remaking Luxemburg. In this retreat through a part of the country known for its zeal in the opposition, the troops confined their hostilities to personal defences. Much the greater part...
84750Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 23 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
My opinion having been several times asked on the following points, I think it proper in order to produce uniformity of practice to convey it in a Circular Instruction. First—Whether the tonnage of foreign vessels ought to be taken from the Registers, or ascertained by admeasurement according to the principles of the third Section of the act for registering &c. I am of opinion that the latter...