541From Alexander Hamilton to Cyrus Griffin, 15 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 15, 1791. “I am under the necessity of returning you the papers in the cases of Messrs. McRae and Morrison, which you will find enclosed. There is no legal proof that the goods have ever paid duty. The Collectors & Deputy Collectors of the customs are not vested with the general power of administring oaths. The Deposition of Mr. Fraser before the Deputy Collector of...
542Reports on Exports for the Year Ending September 30, 1790, 15 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I do myself the honour to transmit thro’ you to the House of Representatives, a General Return of the Exports of the United States, abstracted from Custom-House Returns, commencing on the various days in August, 1789, whereon they were respectively opened, and ending on the 30th of September last. From inadvertence in some of those offices, the space of time prior to the 1st of October 1789,...
543Conversation with George Beckwith, [16 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Lt. Colonel Beckwith. The newspapers of yesterday and of this day mention communications to the two Houses, from The President, on the subject of a commercial treaty with us, and although no particulars are stated, yet enough is expressed to convey an impression to the public mind, that we are not disposed to form any such treaty. I have in former conversations had the honor of declaring my...
544Notes on Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on the Constitutionality of an Act to Establish a Bank, [16–21 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Power to lay & Collect taxes ascertain subject of taxation declare Quantum prescribe mode of Collection This an infinite chapter ordain the manner of accounting creation of districts & ports of officers duties powers & capacities compensation penalties exemption what places to be paid at oaths ☞ in what to be paid Drawback Cutters Mode of recovery
545From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [21 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President of the United States to request his indulgence for not having yet furnished his reasons on a certain point. He has been ever since sedulously engaged in it, but finds it will be impossible to complete before Tuesday or Wednesday morning early. He is anxious to give the point a thorough examination . LC , George Washington...
546From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [23 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President and sends him the opinion required which occupied him the greatest part of last night. The Bill for extending the time of opening subscriptions passed yesterday unanimously to an order for engrossing. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. In the George Washington letter book this letter follows H’s signature on...
547Draft of an Opinion on the Constitutionality of an Act to Establish a Bank, [23 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has perused with great attention the opinions of the Secretary of State and of the Attorney General concerning the constitutionality of the bill for establishing a National Bank and proceeds to execute the order of the President for submitting the reasons which have induced him to view the subject in a different light. It will naturally have been expected...
548Final Version of an Opinion on the Constitutionality of an Act to Establish a Bank, [23 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury having perused with attention the papers containing the opinions of the Secretary of State and Attorney General concerning the constitutionality of the bill for establishing a National Bank proceeds according to the order of the President to submit the reasons which have induced him to entertain a different opinion. It will naturally have been anticipated that, in...
549From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 23 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to your note of this morning, just deliver’d me, I give it as my opinion that you have ten days exclusive of that on which the Bill was delivered to you, and sundays. Hence in the present case if it is returned on Friday at any time while Congress are setting, it will be in time. It might be a question, if returned after their adjournment on Friday. I have the honor to be with...
550Report on the Holland Loan of Three Million Florins, [24 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the orders of the President of the United States as signified in his speech at the opening of the present session Respectfully informs the Senate and House of Representatives That the terms of the Loan of Three Millions of florins mentioned by the President as having been negotiated in Holland are as follow. The rate of Interest is five per Cent,...
551Report on the Petition of Comfort Sands and Others, 24 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, pursuant to the order of the House of Representatives of the 20th. of January last, referring to him, among other things, a petition of Comfort Sands, and others, Respectfully reports, That it is true, as represented by the said petitioners, that sometime in the year 1782, they contracted with the Superintendant of the Finances for the supply of rations for the...
552Report on the Petition of William Simmons, [24 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, pursuant to the Order of the House of Representatives of the seventh day of January, referring to him the petition of William Simmons; Respectfully reports: That on comparing the services to be performed, by the chief Clerk of the Auditor, with those to be performed by the chief Clerk of the Comptroller, and the qualifications requisite in each case, he does not...
553From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [24 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Bill supplementary to the Bank bill passed the House of representatives yesterday. General Schuyler informs me that the friends of the Bank proposed that it should pass to a second reading immediately, and that Mr. Carroll opposed it, and moved that it should be printed—that by rule of the House it was of necessity to comply with Mr. Carroll’s objection, a departure requiring unanimous...
554From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 24 February [1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have just heared from the Senate that the Bill supplementary to that for incorporating the Bank went through a second reading and a question was taken upon it & only three or four dissentients : among these, Mr. Carrol and Mr. Monroe. It would have been passed this day without doubt; but the opponents insisted on the rule of the House, which made it impossible. It will be passed the first...
555Report on Certificates of Debt Issued After January 1, 1790, 25 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 25, 1791. An entry in the Journal of the House for February 25, 1791, reads as follows: “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, covering his report respecting certificates or evidences of debt issued after the first of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table.” Letter and...
556Supplement to the Report on Exports for the Year Ending September 30 1790, 26 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to the order of the House of Representatives of the 24th. Instant, I have the honor to transmit to you a supplement to the return of the exports of the United States of the 15th. of the present month. This contains the substance of the several quarterly returns, which have been received at the Treasury, since the day, on which the former abstract was completed. Quarterly returns...
557From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 27 February 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. H LeRoy informs me that he will probably have a sum of money in Boston for which he will be glad to receive an equal sum here. I have told him that if he will cause it to be placed in your hands you will receive it and give duplicate receipts upon one of which the amount received will be reimbursed here. This you will accordingly do to the extent of thirty thousand dollars. If you should...
558From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, [February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the case of the two vessels belonging to the port of Philadelphia which have arrived at the capes of Delaware. The law does not authorize the receiving in any custom house, reports and entries of vessels that are not within the district to which it appertains. The Only method therefore, as it appears to me, by which the owners can effect an entry in this or any other case is...
559From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [1–4 March 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to The President of the United States. He has just ascertained that General Matthews would not accept. His son is older than was believed 29 years of age & has a family. As he will have the benefit of his fathers influence which is considerable and is a young man of real merit & as the appointment of any other candidate would be subject to...
560From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 2 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
You will find enclosed LeRoy and Bayard’s first bill at five days sight on Stephen Higginson for ten thousand dollars dated Philadelphia the 28th. of February payable to my order as Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, with which you are charged in the Books of the Register. This sum is to be applied to the discharge of the interest on the public debt that will be payable at your...
561From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 2 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, March 2, 1791. “You will find enclosed LeRoy and Bayard’s second bill.…” LS , The Bostonian Society, Boston. The remainder of this letter is exactly the same as the other letter which H sent to Appleton on this date.
562Report on the Petition of Conyngham, Nesbitt and Company, and James Crawford, [2 March 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, in obedience to the Order of the House of Representatives of the nineteenth Ultimo, relative to the petition of Conynghame, Nesbitt & Co., and James Crawford, of the City of Philadelphia, Merchants; Respectfully reports That he has examined into the facts, stated in the said petition, and has had the same under consideration. That it is admitted by the Collector...
563Report on the Petition of Elias Hasket Derby, [2 March 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to an order of the House of Representatives of the 26th. Ulto. relative to the petition of Elias Hasket Derby, of the town of Salem Merchant; Respectfully reports That he has duly considered the allegations contained in the said petition, and the prayer thereof. That he finds an insuperable difficulty in recommending to the consideration of the House,...
564Report on the Petition of Gosuinus Erkelens, [2 March 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, to whom was referred the petition of Gosuinus Erkelens, Respectfully reports thereupon; That authentic documents produced by the petitioner shew, that, at an early period of the late Revolution, he espoused with zeal the cause of this country, and became a medium of communication between Governor Trumbull and Livingston; and one or more distinguished political...
565From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 5 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
You have been instructed fourteen days before interest becomes due in each quarter, to close your office and balance your books. As the provision for the payment of interest in each state for the ensuing quarter must be regulated by the sums which shall appear on the books of each Commissioner at the period of closing them either as “funded” or “unfunded” stock or in other words as stock...
566Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 5 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The arrangements towards the payment of the ensuing Quarters interest to the public Creditors within your state require that the Commissioner of Loans for your state should be advised by every opportunity of the monies in your hands. This you will not fail to do by every post, & even by every private opportunity which shall present. I shall count on your punctuality. You will also pay to the...
567From Alexander Hamilton to John Brown, 8 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, March 8, 1791. “In answer to your Enquiry, I am to inform you that the Contract for the Supply of Articles in the Quarter Masters Department was made with Messrs. Elliot & Williams. That they are considered as the persons to whom the Government is responsible for all purches of such Articles.… That accordingly very liberal advances of money for all those purposes have been...
568From Alexander Hamilton to Catharine Greene, 8 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 26th of January did not reach me till the 4th instant, the day after the adjournment of Congress; of course it was impossible that I could obey your wish, by making a report on your Memorial. But my dear friend, I love you too well not be be very candid with you. I am afraid my report will not promote your interest. I had too much reverence as well as friendship for General...
569Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 9 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Comptroller of the Treasury being prevented by sickness from executing the duties of his Office I have found it necessary to instruct Mr. Joseph Hardy his first Clerk, to sign all such papers as are requisite to transfer Stock from one Loan Office to another, and to and from the Books of the Treasury. You will therefore proceed upon warrants signed by me and counter signed by him, as if...
570From Alexander Hamilton to Meletiah Jordan, 10 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 10, 1791. On July 1, 1791, Jordan wrote to Hamilton and referred to “Your letter of March the 10th.” Letter not found. ] Jordan was collector of customs at Frenchman’s Bay, District of Maine.