From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 21 April 1791
To Sharp Delany
Treasury Department,
21 April 1791
Sir,
I do not conceive the laws will admit of a Collectors receiving & certifying a Manifest of goods actually at the time without his district; nor could it be deemed safe so to frame a law that the certificates issued under it might be constantly applied to cover goods other than those for which they were intended as passports. I do not therefore deem myself justifiable in giving you the direction you suggest.
I am, sir; Your obedt Servant
Alexander Hamilton
Sharp Delany Esqr.
Collr. Philadelphia
LS, Bureau of Customs, Philadelphia; copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Philadelphia, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives.