To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 3 December 1792
From William Ellery
[Newport, Rhode Island] December 3, 1792. “No allowance having been made to me for my services from the time I opened my Office to the 30th. of June 1792 by Congress at their last Session, and the addition of an half per centum and fifty dolls. per annum to my other emoluments then granted, to commence on the first of July, being inadequate to a decent maintenance, I have addressed a petition1 that that Honble Body praying for such an allowance as justice and equity require, and for such an augmentation of Salary as shall added to my fees and other emoluments, afford me a decent support.…”
LC, Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.
1. On December 27, 1792, “A petition of William Ellery, Collector of the District of Newport, in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, was presented to the House and read, praying that the compensation allowed him by law may be increased, and rendered more adequate to his services.
“Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.” (, 655–56.)
H did not report on Ellery’s petition, and on January 5, 1795, he returned it to the House of Representatives. See H to Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, January 5, 1795.