1From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, [5 July 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inform the Vice President of the United States and to request him to cause an intimation to be given to the Honoble The Members of the Senate that at one oClock to day, an oration will be delivered at St Pauls Church in commemoration of the declaration of Independence by a Member of the Society of the Cincinnati and that seats are provided for his and their accommodation....
2From Alexander Hamilton to Roger Alden, [21 January 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
If you have in the Office the laws of North Carolina, I will thank you for the perusal of them. As I want them in haste, I shall be glad they may be sent by the bearer. I am, Sir Yr Obed serv ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Alden, a deputy secretary of the Continental Congress from 1785 to 1789, accepted a clerkship in 1789 in the new Department of State under the temporary...
3From Alexander Hamilton to William Allibone, 21 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 21, 1790 . On April 29, Allibone wrote to Hamilton : “I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated april 21st.” Letter not found. ]
4From Alexander Hamilton to William Allibone, 4 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 4, 1790 . On the back of the letter that Allibone wrote to Hamilton on April 29, 1790 , is written “Answd 4th May.” Letter not found. ] In the margin of Allibone’s letter of April 29 , H wrote the following comments which presumably are his answers to Allibone: “The state having made a cession the limitation is of course inapplicable. “Warrant for in his favour or the Treasurer...
5From Alexander Hamilton to William Allibone, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 21, 1789. On January 7, 1790, Allibone wrote to Hamilton : “I had the Honor of receiving your letter of the 21st. of December last.” Letter not found. ]
6From Alexander Hamilton to William Allibone, 22 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 22, 1790. On July 3, 1790, Allibone wrote to Hamilton : “I found your letter of the 22d of last month.” Letter not found. ]
7From Alexander Hamilton to William Allibone, 25 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 25, 1790. The endorsement on the letter that Allibone wrote to Hamilton on August 21, 1790 , reads: “Answd. 25th Augt. 90.” Letter not found. ]
8From Alexander Hamilton to Peter Anspach, 5 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed you will receive a Letter from Colo. Pickering late Quarter Master General of the Army: in which he desires you to make out a Statement of the Debts intended to have been provided for by the Anticipation made for the use of his Department, by the late Super Intendant of the Finances; and of the Claims remaining Unsatisfied under it. I have to desire that you would furnish me with a...
9From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 14 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 14, 1790. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by George A. Leavitt & Company, May 10, 1883, Lot 1075.
10From Alexander Hamilton to William Barton, 13 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 13, 1790 . On August 9, 1790, Barton wrote to Hamilton : “the disposition to oblige me which you were pleased to express in Your letter of the 13th. of May.” Letter not found. ] Barton, a Pennsylvania lawyer and judge, was the nephew of David Rittenhouse.
11From Alexander Hamilton to Ædanus Burke, [1 April 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
I have been informed that in the house of Representatives yesterday, you made use of some very harsh expressions in relation to me. As I cannot but ascribe so unprovoked an attack to misapprehension or misrepresentation I have concluded to send you an extract from the Eulogium pronounced by me on General Greene, of the part to which alone your animadversions do relate. It is in these words—...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Ædanus Burke, 7 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 7, 1790. On April 7, Burke wrote to Hamilton : “Your letter of this day … removes all ground of dissatisfaction.” Letter not found. ]
13From Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Church, [7 January 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed My Dear friend is a letter from your sister; which she has written to supply my deficiency. Tomorrow I open the budget & you may imagine that today I am very busy and not a little anxious. I could not however let the Packet sail without giving you a proof, that no degree of occupation can make me forget you. We hope to hear shortly that you are safe arrived & that every thing is to...
14Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors and Surveyors of the State of Virginia, 18 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed through one of the representatives of the State of virginia, that some co-operation with the executive of that State on the part of the Officers of the Customs is necessary to the perfect execution of the Tobacco inspection Law. That acts directs, that the Tobacco inspectors Shall by every boat or other craft loaded with Tobacco, Send a List of the marks weights &ca of every...
15Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 30 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
In my Circular letter of the 31st. of October last I directed you to claim the duties which had arisen on Imports since the first day of August last, and prior to the organisation of the Customhouses in the respective districts, and if the same was controverted by the parties liable thereto to prosecute this claim to a legal determination. As the decision in one case will probably form a rule...
16Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 16 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I herewith enclose for your government an Act entitled “an Act to prevent the exportation of goods not duly inspected, according to the laws of the several States.” I observe that the 27th. and 28th. sections of the coasting act have by some of the Collecters of the Customs been so construed as to require, that all licensed vessels of the burthen of twenty tons and upwards bound to any port...
17Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As one of the periods for the payment of Bonds taken for Duties is arrived, it is proper that the respective Collectors should be apprised of my expectation with regard to the conduct to be observed by them. It is, that if the Bonds are not paid, as they fall due they be immediately put in Suit. On this point, the most exact punctuality will be considered as indispensable . And accordingly it...
18Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 30 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Having observed that the several Collectors have hitherto differed in the mode of transmitting to this office, the drafts of the Treasurer of the United States which have been drawn on them and paid: I now desire that those drafts with a receipt endorsed on them, may be transmitted, as soon as they are paid, to my Office , when they shall be covered by a regular Warrant, and your account...
19Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 13 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The second moiety of one years pensio⟨n⟩ will be payable to the Invalids on the fifth day of June next: The sum to be paid in your State is estimated to be Eight thousand two hundr⟨ed⟩ and fifty three dollars, which you will retain in your hands out of the Monies received by you for duties on Imports and Tonnage and pay the same upon such evidences as the Secretary at War shall direct,...
20Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 17 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
It appears probable that the public interests would be promoted by my receiving the earliest information when breaches of the Revenue Laws take place. I therefore request; that whenever a seizure shall be made within the sphere of your duty, you will transmit me by the first opportunity an account of the transaction, containing such particulars as will enable me fully to understand the case. I...
21Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 1 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The Comptroller of the Treasury will forward to you by this or the ensuing post the whole of the forms necessary for making your Returns to this Office, and rendering your Accounts at the Treasury. You will observe that in these general forms it is not required that you should make a Monthly Return of the Duties on Imports, and that in the Weekly return the Cash receipts and Disbursements (and...
22Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 27 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The adoption of the Constitution of the United States by the state of North Carolina, having raised a question concerning the operation of the 39th. Section of the Collection bill and the 3d. Section of the Act for suspending part of that Act and for other purposes; it is incumbent upon me to give my opinion upon the subject; which is, that they were virtually repealed by that adoption . Among...
23Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 17 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I find that the process marked out in my letter of the 30th. of November for calculating the allowance of 10 ⅌ Cent for prompt payment has by some of the Officers been misapprehended in one particular which is with regard to the first proviso of the 19th. Section of the Collection bill confining the discount to the excess of the Amount of the duties above 50 Dollars. As the same...
24Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 3 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
You will receive herewith an Act of Congress of the 8th. of february last entitled “An Act for giving effect to the several Acts therein mentioned in respect to the State of North Carolina and other purposes.” which I transmit for your government. I am Sir Your Obedt Servt. LS , to Charles Lee, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; L[S] , to Benjamin Lincoln, RG 36, Collector of...
25Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 23 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
My opinion having been several times asked on the following points, I think it proper in order to produce uniformity of practice to convey it in a Circular Instruction. First—Whether the tonnage of foreign vessels ought to be taken from the Registers, or ascertained by admeasurement according to the principles of the third Section of the act for registering &c. I am of opinion that the latter...
26Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs in Georgia Except Savannah, 6 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to desire that you will remit all monies, which you may now have on hand, or hereafter receive on account of the Customs, to John Habersham, Esquire Collector for the port of Savannah, taking duplicate receipts for the same, one of which to be transmitted to my Office, and the other to be retained by you. This mode of payment you will continue till otherwise directed by me. I am, Sir,...
27Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs in Massachusetts Except Boston, 30 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In mine of the 20th. November last I directed you to take duplicate receits for all monies remitted by you to the Bank of Massachusetts on account of the United States; one of which was intended to be transmitted to the Treasurer and the other to be retained by you. As some of the Collectors have not sent on this receit under an impression that the same should accompany their quarterly...
28Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 31 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the United States having been pleased to appoint you to the Office of Commissioner of loans in virtue of the Act making provision for the debt of the United States, I transmit your Commission and a copy of the law under which you are to act. On the receipt of this letter you will proceed to qualify yourself for the duty, by taking the oath required, before one of the Judges of...
29Treasury Department Circular to the Continental Loan Officers, 17 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
There are in the possessions of the late Loan Officers of the United States, several specie of public paper the holding of which must be inconvenient to them, while they ought, in propriety to be at the Seat of Government. I therefore request that on the receipt of this letter you will be pleased to forward to me the Indents, blank Loan Office Certificates, bills of Credit, known by the name...
30Appointment of Tench Coxe as Assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury, [10 May 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Reposing especial trust and confidence in your integrity, diligence, and abilities, I, Alexander Hamilton, secretary of the treasury of the United States, in virtue of the power to me given, by the act entitled “An act to establish the treasury department,” do constitute and appoint you assistant to the said secretary: To hold and exercise the said office during the pleasure of the secretary...
31From Alexander Hamilton to Tench Coxe, 24 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your obliging favours of the 30th of November, and 16th instant, with the communications accompanying them, have been duly received. Accept my best acknowledgments for the attention you have paid to my request; and believe that I mean not a mere compliment, when I say that your compliance with it has procured me much useful information, and many valuable observations. I have not leisure to add...
32From Alexander Hamilton to Tench Coxe, 1 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received your letter of the 27th of April. Yours of the 6th of the same month also came to hand in due time; though peculiar reasons prevented an earlier acknowledgment of it. The appointment of his assistant is, by the act establishing the treasury department, vested in the secretary himself. The conviction I have of your usefulness in that station, and my personal regard for you,...
33From Alexander Hamilton to John Davidson, 7 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, June 7, 1790. “The case you State of the importers of Salt per the Ship Murcury, William Jessop, Master is very unfortunate. On considering the Circumstances of the Case however, & examining the Laws it does not appear that the Legislature have deposited any where the power of relieveing an importer, who has met with a disaster after securing, & ascertaining the Duty by...
34From Alexander Hamilton to John Davidson, 22 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, January 22, 1790. “I am favored with your letter of the 2d Instant Enclosing a Bank Note for Fifty Dollars; all the Remittances which you make in future must be sent … to the Treasurer of the United States.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collectors at Bridgetown and Annapolis, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National...
35From Alexander Hamilton to John Davidson, 8 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 8, 1789. “I have duly received your letter of the 24th of November and thank you for the information it contains.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collectors at Bridgetown and Annapolis, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives. Letter not found.
36From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Dayton, 9 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 3d. of June. I have written to Mr. Ludlow directing that either Mr. Martin or himself would come forward with the Map. On the subject of a certain office I can with truth assure you that no person can occur, who on the score of qualifications and merit, will appear to me better intitled than yourself; and that I shall take pleasure in mentioning you in this...
37From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 8 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Hurry of business has prevented my answering till now your favours of the 21st of December and 9th of January. I am of opinion that in strictness after the passing of the Registering Act, nothing but the Register or Enrollment could be evidence of an American bottom, or entitle a vessel to the privileges of one. Yet where from absence it was impossible for a vessel (“evidently and bona fide”...
38From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 29 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
You will please to obtain a certificate from the Cashier of the Bank of North America, expressing the sums paid in the said Bank by you in the course of the present month, upon which a warrant shall be issued for the amount. You will not fail transmitting the said certificate by Thursday’s mail, in order that it may reach me on Saturday. I am Sir Your Obed’t Serv’t ALS , Mrs. Arthur Loeb,...
39From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 31 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, July 31, 1790. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] ALS , sold at Thomas Birch’s Sons, December, 1891, Item 95.
40From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 21, 1789. “An application has been lately made to me by the Board of wardens of the Port of Philadelphia for the reimbursement of a Sum of money by them expended for the maintenance and Support of the Light house, Beacons &ca in the Bay and River Delaware.… As it is necessary that these Establishments Should be properly Supported, you will advance to Wm Allibone...
41From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 30 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, April 30, 1790. “I have not yet answered that part of your Letter of the 13th of February which relates to the employing of Boats for the Security of the revenue.… I am not empowered to authorise boats for that purpose.… On the Subject of Stores for the Safe keeping of goods I refer you to my Letter of the 24th march.” LS , Yale University Library. Letter not found.
42From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
You will use your best Exertions to pay into the Bank of north America all the Monies you can collect to the 27th. day of this month inclusive, & transmit to my office, a Certificate from the Cashier purporting the whole Sum which the Bank has received of you as Collector of the Customs of the Port of Philadelphia, to that day: after which you will defer your next payments to Bank till the...
43From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 26 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The preceding Circular letter of the 30th of March, having been refered to by the Comptroller of the Treasury, in a letter from him, to you dated yesterday, it is now sent forward, that you may comprehend his meaning; heretofore it has been omitted, on account of the arrangement made for the Loan with the Bank, you will find by the enclosed letter of the 20th Instant my intention that the...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 19 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The establishment of Custom house boat⟨s is⟩ as you are informed, under the consideration of Congress ⟨at⟩ this time. But the circumstances which led to the tem⟨porary⟩ arrangement in your district appears still to be of so ⟨much⟩ weight, as to induce to a continuance of the measure ⟨till⟩ the proposed establishment shall be completed. I am with respect Sir Your obedt. Servt. LS , United...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 24 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 24, 1790. On April 30, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Delany “I refer you to my Letter of the 24th march.” Letter not found. ]
46Treasury Department Circular to the District Attorneys, 31 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
A confidence in your disposition to promote the public interests, has induced me to trouble you on a subject in which the safety of Government is concerned. The 12th. section of the Act of the Legislature of the 4th instant “making provision for the debt of the United States” subjects the quantum and sufficiency of the Security to be given by the Commissioners of the New Loans to my judgment...
47From Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, [7 May 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The form of the bill has been changed to day. He is to be paid 7000 Dollars & an annuity for life but the blank is not filled up. Nobody talks of less than 1500 Dollars. The Baron says his contract or nothing; but you & all his friends must join me in telling him that to act upon this would be to act like a boy. This must be done before you leave town. Yr affect & Obling ALS , New-York...
48From Alexander Hamilton to William Duer, [4–7 April 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
While I truly regret, my dear friend, that the necessity of your situation compels you to relinquish a station in which public and personal considerations combine to induce me to wish your continuance, I cannot but be sensible of the force of the motives by which you are determined. And I interest myself in your happiness too sincerely not to acquiesce in whatever may redound to your...
49From Alexander Hamilton to Eli Elmer, 29 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, July 29, 1790 . “Your letter of the 19th ultimo was duly received and I am apprehensive that an answer to it which was written on the 3d of July has been mislaid. I do not perfectly comprehend from whence arises the expectation that no owner will appear for the goods taken into your keeping from the vessel cast on shore in distress.… The expenses of storage must in this...
50From Alexander Hamilton to Eli Elmer, 3 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, July 3, 1790. On July 29, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Elmer : “Your letter of the 19th ultimo was duly received and I am apprehensive that an answer to it which was written on the 3d of July has been mislaid.” Letter of July 3 not found. ]