To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 10 September 1794
From Alexander Hamilton
Treasy Dept Septemr 10. 1794.
Sir,
Inclosed I have the honor to transmit to you a claim of Joseph Tatlow’s against the United States for his services as an Express in April 1794 from New Castle to Philada with public dispatches from London by Cap: Truxton, which claim has been allowed at the Treasury.1
As I know of no other fund out of which this money can be paid, I would beg leave to suggest to the President, whether it ought not to be discharged out of the fund of twenty thousand Dollars appropriated the last Session of Congress to defray the Contingent charges of Government.2 If the President should be of this opinion, he will be pleased to signify his approbation on the Comptrollers Certificate transmitted herewith.3 With the most perfect respect &c.
A. Hamilton.
LB, DLC:GW.
1. Joseph Tatlow (1741-1808) resided at New Castle, Del., where he was a justice of the peace and, at least in the 1770s, operated a stage-boat between Philadelphia and New Castle. For Tatlow’s claim for $12.11, see DNA: RG 217, Miscellaneous Accounts, no. 5917.
2. For this appropriation, see "An Act making appropriations for certain purposes therein expressed," 9 June 1794 (. 1:394-95).
3. The comptroller’s certificate has not been identified. The entry for 12 Sept. in GW’s journal of proceedings reads: "The Secy. of the Treasury submitted an account of Jos. Tatlow to be paid out of the Contingent fund which I approved" (, 319). According to the statement of government expenses submitted with GW’s message to Congress of 3 Dec. 1794, Tatlow was fully reimbursed by warrant no. 4012, dated 8 Sept. (DNA: RG 46, entry 33).