To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 12 May 1792
From Benjamin Lincoln
Boston, May 12, 1792. “I have received your Letter of the 2d. instant. The manner in which you have directed the lodgment of the money will obviate all the difficulties which I supposed might take place under your first order.… I wish to know how I shall settle the price of goods imported from France. Their paper seems to be in a depreciated state and the goods charged proportionately high.…”1
LC, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston; LC, RG 36, Boston Collector, Letter Book, 1790–1797, National Archives; two copies, RG 56, Letters from the Collector at Boston, National Archives.
1. Section 17 of “An Act for raising a farther sum of money for the protection of the frontiers, and for other purposes therein mentioned” provided “That so much of the act, intituled ‘An act to provide more effectually for the collection of duties imposed by law on goods, wares, and merchandise imported into the United States, and on the tonnage of ships or vessels,’ as hath rated the livre tournois of France at eighteen and an half cents, be and the same is hereby repealed” ( 262–63 [May 2, 1792]). The act had not, however, substituted any value or rule for accepting French currency.