3951To Alexander Hamilton from Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 21 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Une revoke dans les atteliers de la partie francaise de st. Dominque m’oblige d’y faire passer sans delay des secours de tous les genres dont le Gouvernemen annonce avoir le plus pressant besoin. Mes moyens ne pouvant Suffire aux achats indispensables dans cette occasion, je vous prie de vouloir m’accorder sur le Tresor federal un credit de 40 mille dollars à valoir en à compte de ce que les...
3952From Alexander Hamilton to Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 21 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Regretting most sincerely the calamitous event announced in your letter of this day, it is with real pleasure, I find myself in a condition to inform you, that the sum you desire is at your command to operate as a payment, on account of the debt due to France. It will be most convenient to the Treasury if you can accommodate the objects you have to fulfill to the following installments—of a...
3953Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 21 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It being necessary to fix the rates at which the additional rations for the Officers of the Cutters are to be paid for, I have determined, on consideration, to instruct you to allow to the Captain & other Officers of the Cutter, under your Agency, the sum of nine Cents for every ration which they shall not draw, and for which they shall prefer to receive payment in money. It will also be...
3954Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 21 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It being necessary to ascertain correctly the state of the public monies in the several Custom-Houses, I enclose you a form of a return of bonds which may not be paid with punctuality, which it is my desire that you regularly transmit at foot of every monthly return of bonds, though there should be none unpaid, noting in the proper column that the fact is so. Those parts which are printed in...
3955To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 22 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed by the Surveyor of the Port of No. Kingstown, that it is common for fishing Vessels belonging to that Port to bring grindstones, and the masters of them declare that the rough Stones are taken from shores in the Brith. Dominions as ballast and manufactured by the hands on board on their passage home. On this information permit me to raise the following questions. Supposing on...
3956From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 22 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
A certificate of Registry No 16, granted by you, for the Ship Lucretia, has been delivered up, at the Port of Newbern in north Carolina, and returned to this officer by the Collector of that port. Inclosed you will receive part of the certificate, containing the official Seals and signatures of yourself and the naval Officer; which is transmitted to you, in order that the Bond given agreeable...
3957From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [22 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter from the Minister of France, of which the inclosed is a copy. Having full authority from you in relation to payments to France, & there being funds out of which that which will constitute the succour requested may with propriety be made; and being fully persuaded that in so urgent & calamitous a case, you will be pleased with a ready acquiescence in what is desired, I...
3958From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, 23 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 23, 1791. On October 10, 1791, Ellery wrote to Hamilton : “I have received your Circular of the 21st. of last month … I have also received your letter of the 23d. of the same month.” Letter not found. ]
3959To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 23 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
My letters lately addressed to you by different chanels were of Aug. 8, 23, 30, 31, & Sep. 3. They will have informed you of the loan lately opened at Amsterdam for six millions of florins —the success with which it was attended & my attempts to reduce the charges on it. In my last I inclosed you a copy of my letter to the bankers on this subject. I have since recieved from them a letter of...
3960Enclosure: Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard to William Short, 8 September … (Hamilton Papers)
We have before us your respected favors of 28 Ulto. and 3d Instant, the latter rendering that Justice to our Views, in the Conduct of the last Loan for Six Millions, which they merit, and that Circumstances are fast developing the extreme Propriety of, since the probable Acceptance of the French Constitution by the King, greatly augments the hopes and expectations of People here, in a rapid...
3961Enclosure: William Short to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 16 … (Hamilton Papers)
I received after the departure of the last post your letter of the 8th inst. ⟨I⟩ am really sorry to find that you persist in pretensions which I should have hoped must have been removed by the observations contained in mine of the 3d. instant & of which you acknowlege the receipt. It becomes useless for us to discuss this subject longer. For my part I examined it in all its parts not so much...
3962From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 24 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
You were right in declining to pay the order which was made upon you by the District Court in relation to Charles Page. It was altogether irregular, and of course I cannot authorise its being complied with. I am with consideration Sir Your obedient ser ALS , RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set...
3963From Alexander Hamilton to the President and Directors of the Bank of New York, 24 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 24, 1791. On October 1, 1791, William Seton wrote to Hamilton : “I am desired by the President and Directors to acknowledge the receipt of your Letters of the 21 & 24 Sepr.” Letter of September 24 not found. ]
3964From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 24 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 15th. instant, respecting ten Kegs of Brandy imported in the Brigantine Betsey from Bordeaux in violation of the thirty third Section of the act of the 3rd of march last, has been received. There appears to be reasonable ground for a presumption that the importation of the Brandy in kegs proceeded from ignorance of the law, and if no legal process is yet instituted with...
3965From Alexander Hamilton to Eliphalet Pearson, 24 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of your letter of the 10th. instant transmitting me a testimonial of my election as a fellow of the Society of The American Academy of Arts of Sciences. I entertain too high and respectful opinion of that Society not to esteem myself particularly flattered by so honorable a mark of their distinction; for which I request you to make my most cordial acknowlegements to them;...
3966From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [24 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you a letter of the 8th. of August from Governor St. Clair, together with sundry papers which accompanied it; the whole relating to the subject of the Settlements which have been made under purchases from Judge Symmes. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found. On November 9, 1791, Washington sent St. Clair’s letter to H to Thomas...
3967To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [24 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 22d. inst: enclosing a copy of one from the French Minister; I have to inform you, that your proceedings with respect to the request of the Minister of France, meet my entire approbation. I am Sir Your hble Servt. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Jean Baptiste de Ternant to H, September 21, 1791 .
3968From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 24 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
An account has been transmitted by Mr. Porter, One of the Officers of the Cutter, for the time prior to the date of his Commission. It will be proper that you transmit to the Treasury some information, carefully taken, of the time when each of the Officers commenced effectual and continued service in the preparations for & fitting of the Cutter. I am, Sir, Your most Obed servant LS ,...
3969To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Mifflin, [26 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Upon receiving information, that a difference of sentiment had arisen between the Comptroller of the Treasury of the U.S. and the Comptroller General of Pennsylvania, as to the mode of paying for the tract of Land on Lake Erie, agreably to the terms of the Contract, I referred the subject to the Attorney General of this Commonwealth; and I have now the honor of transmitting to you a copy of...
3970Enclosure: Jared Ingersoll to Thomas Mifflin, [25 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have carefully examined and considered the documents transmitted me on the twenty second instant respecting a doubt that has arisen between the Comptroller of the Treasury of the United States and the Comptroller General of Pennsylvania as to the manner of paying for the Tract of Land on Lake Erie agreeably to the Contract between the Members of Congress from this State and the late Board of...
3971From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 27 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
You observe in your letter of the first instant which did not strike me on the first perusal, or it would have been sooner noticed, that “you think it probable the sum remitted will be sufficient for the payment of the next quarter’s interest, though it must be matter of conjecture only till the close of the loan .” The last clause leads me to conclude, that you have misapprehended a late...
3972To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 27 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed herewith I transmit you my Account of payment for the Support of the Lighthouse Establishment in this district from the commencing of that expence on the 15th. of August 1789 to the 30th. of June last. This Return has been detained with a view of accompanying it with a plan of the Lighthouse and the Land Adjacent lately Ceded by this State to the United States, but the Surveyor who...
3973From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 27 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
You will retain, in your hands, such monies as you shall receive after this letter reaches you ’till the whole sum shall amount to ten thousand Dollars; which is destined as an advance to Messrs. Elliot and Williams, and for the payment of which you will receive directions as soon as their bond with the proper sureties shall be received by me. I remain with great consideration Sir Your...
3974To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 28 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, September 28, 1791. Encloses estimates for “the Present quarter” and for “one year comencing the 15th of August.” Reports that the navigational aids in the Delaware River “are now in good order.” ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives. Allibone was superintendent of lighthouses, beacons, buoys, public piers, and...
3975From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The law making provision for the reduction of the public debt requiring that an account of the purchases should be laid before Congress within the first fourteen days of each session, and as I am informed that only a part of the purchases made by you, yet appears on the books of the Treasury, I am to request that you will without delay have this business completed and all such stock as may...
3976From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Mifflin, 28 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am very sorry that the absence of the Comptroller of the Treasury, in consequence of ill health, renders it impossible to complete at this time the adjustment of the purchase, which is the subject of your Excellency’s letter of the 26th instant. Immediately after his return, which will probably be in about ten days, the most particular attention will be paid to the business. I observe with...
3977From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [30 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
If you can conveniently let me have twenty dollars for a few days, be so good as to send it by the bearer. I have just put myself out of cash by payment of Major l’Enfants’ bill. James A. Hamilton, Reminiscences of James A. Hamilton (New York, 1869), 7. James A. Hamilton does not identify the addressee beyond saying that he was a “friend” of H. According to James Hamilton, the letter was...
3978To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Hazard, [30 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Wolcott going sooner than I expected, gives me little Time. The Council of Appointment met Yesterday, & appointed Willett Sheriff again. The Governor it is thought, gained Webster. Miles Hughes, tried for it. I negotiated for him, with I. Roosevelt; Tillotson we suppose was for Willett. Peter Schuyler was sick at Home. Miles’s Practice I apprehend is not large. Mel. Smith & N. Lawrence...
3979From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 30 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 30, 1791. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] ALS , sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries, May 12, 1947, Lot 261.
3980Treasury Department Circular to the Supervisors of the Revenue, 30 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Increasing embarrassments concerning the seizure of spirits for want of being accompanied with Certificates render it necessary that the ideas communicated in particular cases should be made general. I therefore make them the subject of this Circular letter. A disagreable dilemma presents itself. This is either to forbear seizures for want of marks and certificates, which will materially...
3981From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [30 September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United States a contract entered into by the Deputy Collector of Wilmington in North Carolina with James McStephens & Henry Toomer for the stakage of the shoals of Cape Fear River. The sum stipulated to be paid, not being considerable, the fixing of new sets of stakes being a part of the business, as...
3982To Alexander Hamilton from ———, [September–October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have had the honor to transmit to you a sketch, which you appeared to desire of the arrangements necessary for the execution of the plan chalked out in your prospectus. I confined myself to class the objects with which you propose to begin the business on each of these heads. I might have entered into more particular details, and given, if not an exact estimation, at least an Idea of the...
3983To Alexander Hamilton from William Playfair, [September–December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I must once more request your Pardon for the liberty which I again take of writing to you about the affairs of the Sioto but they are in So extraordinary a State and the Interests of Such a Number of Individuals are at Stake that I hope you will excuse me. I have written to Mr Dewer by this Same Packet and have Entered into the affair at great length but as it would be very improper to trowble...
3984To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, [September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Observations on the question, whether it is expedient for the Bank of the United States to operate by Departments? It is first necessary to determine, whether any limitations in the constitution of the Bank of the United States, render it improper for the Corporation to operate by departments. A fair construction of the law must decide this point. The only limitation in the act of...
3985Enclosure: Plan for Establishing Departments of the Bank of the United States, [September 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Plan for establishing departments of the Bank of the United States, submitted to the Secretary of the Treasy. by Oliver Wolcott. 1st. The Directors of the Bank of the United States shall appoint directors for each Department. 2d. The Directors for each department shall choose one of their number for President of the directors of each respective department. 3d. The Directors of the Bank of the...
3986From Alexander Hamilton to John Davidson, 1 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, October 1, 1791. “By a circular instruction of March 30 1790 you have been directed to transmit all paid draughts of the Treasurer to this office. A deviation from this rule has taken place in your remitting draughts to the Treasurer. You will in future adhere to the Instruction.” Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collectors at Bridgetown and Annapolis, National...
3987To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 1 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your circular Letter of the 14th. of April I have but very recently received which will apologize for so late an answer. As you have been good enough to give me liberty to disclose my sentiments to you on the subject, You will I hope pardon the freedom of my answer to your Circular. I will answer as particularly respecting myself as possible. The salary of fifty dollars a year commences but...
3988To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 1 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Frenchman’s Bay [ District of Maine ] October 1, 1791 . “… I am sorry to observe that the last Quarter has been so unproductive of profit to the Revenue. The unusual demand of Lumber from the different parts of the State has drained the Country so much as to prevent Foreign Vessels loading. You will observe a manifest difference between the Account Current and Abstracts of Duties on tonnage...
3989From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 1 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
An enquiry was made at this Office, during your absence from Alexandria relative to the case of Teas arriving in your district not accompanied with certificates. In consequence of which I request that you would inform the Surveyor, that in all cases wherein the marking of the packages or other circumstances prove the Teas to have been imported since the first of April last, the production of a...
3990To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, 1 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have done myself the honor of calling at your house and office, with a view to say a word to you, on the claim, which the holders of a certain description of certificates have set up. But being disappointed in meeting you, I beg leave to give you the result of my reflections on that subject. What degree of obligation lies upon the United States to gratify them, is at this time immaterial,...
3991To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 1 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Immediately upon the receipt of your Letter of the 30th. I informed the Commissioner of Loans that the Sum of 20,000 Dollars should be passed to the credit of his Account in Bank agreeably to your desire. I have the honor to be &c. LC , Bank of New York, New York City. Letter not found. John Cochran.
3992To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 1 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am desired by the President and Directors to acknowledge the receipt of your Letters of the 21 & 24 Sepr —the first requesting a payment to be made of Ten thousand Dollars to Mr. De la Forest Vice Consul of France, which was immediately complied with & enclosed. I have the honor to transmit his receipt for the same. Your directions respecting ballancing the weekly Returns of the Treasurers...
3993To Alexander Hamilton from George Beckwith, 2 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Having received from Lord Dorchester, a copy of his Lordship’s answer to a late address from deputies of the confederated western nations of indians, I am induced to transmit to you herewith an authenticated copy of that paper for the information of the Executive Government, in the hope that it may have a tendency to dispel the remaining prejudices of individuals, and to promote the peace of...
3994From Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Church, [2 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Betsey according to your hint cries “Atlantic” and defies any thing that either of us can say or do. She consents to every thing, except that I should love you as well as herself and this you are too reasonable to expect. But I do not know how far I shall avail myself of her generosity if you do not mend your manners. You hurt my republican nerves by your intimacy with “ amiable ” Princes. I...
3995To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Marshall, 2 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
At the particular desire of Coll. Duer I Yesterday visited the great falls of the Pasaic, Accompanied by a Monsieur Allon of this Town. I was requested not to make enquiries on the Spot, for fear of my design being discover’d, which being known Col: Duer thought wou’d Affect the Price of Land. I am fearful that it will be found Impossible to take the Necessary steps, however cautious the...
3996To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [2 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 24th. ulto., (enclosing a letter from Govr. St. Clair, and sundry papers relating to the subject of the settlements which have been made under purchases from Judge Symmes) I have duly received. The Secretary of State, as well as I recollect, has already written both to Govr. St. Clair & Judge Symmes on this subject; but whether he has or has not, it can make no material...
3997From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 3 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I transmit you, as relating to your department, a letter just received by me from Lieutenant Colonel Beckwith forwarding a copy of a paper purporting to be a speech of Lord Dorchester, in answer to an address of the deputies of certain indian tribes. You will observe that the object of this communication is stated to be “the information of the executive government.” In conversation, a reliance...
3998From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 3 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, October 3, 1791. “As letters to and from the Treasurer now go free of postage, there is no longer a necessity for enclosing them to me. You will therefore in future transmit them directly to him.…” LS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence; copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Providence, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set...
3999From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 3 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I do not find among the papers of the office any return of the investment of the last fifty thousand dollars in purchases of the debt; though I have a confused recollection of having received it. I therefore request that it may be forwarded, if not yet sent, or a duplicate, if a return has already been made. I request also, that you will cause the requisite steps to be taken, for effecting a...
4000From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 3 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I acknowlege the receipt of your letters of the 26th and 27 of July. The fall which you announce in the price of the effects of the United States was certainly artificial. The cause ere this will have been better ascertained to you. ’Tis open to various conjectures. I have thought it adviseable to drop a line to our Bankers in Holland (of which a copy is inclosed) merely to mark my attention...