1To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Smith, 30 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, August 30, 1790. On September 23, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Smith : “I duly received your letter of the 30th Ultimo.” Letter not found. ]
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...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 12 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the circumstances you state in your Letter of the 6th inst. respecting vessels owned by Citizens of Rhode Island. I am of opinion that those vessels in the case you mention, are Subject to the Same Tonnage to which registered vessels owned by Citizens of the united States without License are liable: because if they were to enjoy all the privileges of coasting vessels, they...
4From 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...
5From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [1789–1795] (Hamilton Papers)
[ 1789–1795 .] Encloses the decision of the Federal District Court of Connecticut on the petition of Captain Timothy Savage. Suspects Savage of intent to defraud. LS , Yale University Library. The MS is a fragment without date or place.
6From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, 20 April 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you copies of certain communications which have been made to me, respecting the detention of the Registers of vessels of the United States in some of the Islands of his Christian Majesty, in order that such measures may be taken as shall appear adviseable towards preventing in future a practice, which has a tendency either to interfere with the policy of our Laws,...
7To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 1 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 1, 1790. Expresses concern over delays in the approval of the contracts for repairs on the Cape Henlopen lighthouse and for the lighthouse keeper’s salary. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
8From 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....
9From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 4 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 4, 1790. Announces that Olney has been selected by the President to pay “pensions to Invalids for the Space of one year.” LS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence. On June 14, 1790, the Senate confirmed Olney’s appointment as collector of customs at Providence. This letter, except for the sums specified as owed to the “invalids,” is the same as the one...
10To Alexander Hamilton from John Scott, 25 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Chester, Maryland, May 25, 1790. On June 3, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Scott : “I have received your letter of the 25th Ulto.” Letter not found. ] Scott was collector of customs at Chester.
11From 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”...
12To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 27 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, May 27, 1790. “Your circular letter of the 17th. instant on the importance of your receiving the earliest information when breaches of the revenue law should take place came to hand by the tuesday post.… About five weeks since information was given that two trunks of merchandise had been in the night landed from on board the Ship Neptune Capt James Scott from London. On search the two...
13From 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...
14To Alexander Hamilton from William Jackson, [7–10 May 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the United states authorises the Secretary of the Treasury to engage Edward Carrington Esquire to visit Cape Henry and to make a selection of the spot for the purpose of the Cession within mentioned (with permission to take with him one or two seafaring persons) & to make the parties a resonable allowance for expence and trouble, out of the Monies appropriated towards erecting...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Meletiah Jordan, 19 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 19, 1790. On January 1, 1791, Jordan wrote to Hamilton : “Your letter of the 19th. of August … I have received.” Letter not found. ]
16Appointment 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...
17To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Grymes, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you some weeks past upon some interesting business to my self and desired an immediate answer, I fear my letter has miscarried as I have had no answer, therefore I must trouble you again on the subject. Mr. Robt. Morris has informed me that he expected, that the insurance of a Ship called the Aurora would be paid this winter in Certificates, (I suppose by you), which I wish to know...
18From 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,...
19Report on the Petition of Francis Bailey, 23 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 23, 1790. On this date the Speaker laid before the House of Representatives “a letter and report from the Secretary of the Treasury, on the petition of Francis Bailey.” Letter and report to the House of Representatives not found. ] Journal of the House , I Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States (Washington, 1826). , 162. See H’s “Report on the...
20From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, [16 June 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton presents his Compliments to Mr. Jefferson. He has perused with much satisfaction the draft of his report on the subject of weights and measures. There is no view which Mr. H has yet taken of the matter which stands opposed to the alteration of the money-unit as at present contemplated by the regulations of Congress either in the way suggested in the report or in that mentioned in...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Angelica Church, [February 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Many thanks to my dear Brother for having written to his friend at a moment when he had the affairs of America on his mind; I am impatient to hear in what manner your Budget has been received and extremely anxious for your success. I sometimes think you have now forgot me and that having seen me is like a dream which you can scarcely believe. Adieu I will not write this idea of being lost in...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Harwood, 18 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 18, 1790. On July 2, 1790, Harwood wrote to Hamilton : “I received your Letter of the 18th. Ulto.” Letter not found. ] The Senate confirmed Harwood’s appointment as United States commissioner of loans for Maryland on August 7, 1790.
23Enclosure: Schedule E, [9 January 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
SCHEDULE E Abstract of the Public Debt of the States Undermentioned, Agreeably to Statements Transmitted in Pursuance of the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 21st of September, 1789. Massachusetts Dollars. Cents. Principal with interest to the 1st day of Nov. 1789. £. 1,548,040 7 9 Lawful. Due to sundries for which no certificates have yet been issued, 20,000 Total,...
24To Alexander Hamilton from William Livingston, 23 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ January 23, 1790 . On February 8, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Livingston : “I had the honor of receiving a few days since your Excellencys letter of the 23d. of January.” Letter not found. ] Livingston was governor of New Jersey.
25Enclosure: Schedule I, [9 January 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
SCHEDULE I General Estimate for the Services of the Current Year. Civil List, as per No. 1, 254,892.73 War department, No. 2, 155,537.72 Military Pensions, No. 3, 96,979.72 Dollars, 507,410.17 With an eye to the necessary provisions for the foreign department, and to other arrangements which may be found requisite, it appeared advisable to state in the report, to which this is annexed, a sum...
26Treasury 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...
27Treasury 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...
28From 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.
29From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [1789–1795] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton will with pleasure execute the command of the President by the time appointed and have the honor of waiting upon him. AL , Photostat, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
30From 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. ]
31To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [3 August 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
It is with no small degree of uneasiness that I so often trouble You, but the solicitations of those concerned oblige & urge me to it. I recd. Your answers respecting the Ship Brigida, and Mr Ingersolls Vessell, in regard to this last I made the objections you notice, but could not get answers sufficiently satisfactory for me to proceed. The Captn is now sent forward to give You information....
32From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 6 July 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
From your letter of the 23d. June, a doubt has arisen, with respect to the name of the Person whom you recommend as Surveyor for North Kingstown. One of the Senators of your State informs me, that he is acquainted with Daniel Updike, but knows of no person by the name of Daniel Eldridge Updike. If they are not two distinct persons, it will be necessary to ascertain the true name of the...
33From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [9 July 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
Certain Circumstances of a delicate nature have occurred, concerning which The President would wish to consult you. They press. Can you consistently with the Governor’s situation afford us your presence here? I cannot say the President directly asks it, lest you should be embarrassed; but he has expressed a strong wish for it. I remain yr. Affect & Obed ALS , Columbia University Libraries....
34From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Fosdick, 8 February 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the twelfth of January, enclosing your returns. With respect to the question you submit, I am of opinion that the true construction of the Act, is that the duties on the Cargo must be paid or secured to be paid in the first district at which a vessel arrives, except where she puts in from necessity, as provided for by the twelfth Section of the Collection Bill;...
35From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 28 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, May 28, 1790. Submits “five Contracts made by the superintendant of the Light house, piers &c on the river and Bay of Delaware” and recommends that these Contracts be approved. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
36To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 22 January 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] January 22, 1790 . “I inclose you the Exports of flour for the last year & our Inspector informs me he is confident the Quantity not returned to him would make the export not much less than 400,000 barrells.…” LC , Collector of Customs, Philadelphia.
37From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 8 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 8, 1790 . The endorsement on the letter which Lincoln wrote to Hamilton on April 6, 1790 , reads: “Answered 8th May.” Letter not found. ]
38To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 20 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 20, 1790. Complains of the difficulty of obtaining contractors for maintenance work on the aids to navigation in the Delaware River. Urges Hamilton to expedite approval of the contract for the repairs to the Cape Henlopen lighthouse. ALS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “A,” Pennsylvania and Southern States, National Archives.
39To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 11 May 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, May 11, 1790. “When I was in the City of N York I presented to the Auditors my account Currt. as Commissr. of the Loan Office in this State, he objected to the adjustment of part of my account for want of Vouchers to support the charge of Interest paid, & my Commissions thereon previous to the establishment of Salaries. Agreable to the Auditors direction I now transmitt to the...
40To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Meredith, 21 August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 21, 1790. On August 28, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Meredith : “I received your letter of the 21st Instant.” Letter not found. ] Meredith was treasurer of the United States from September 11, 1789, to December 1, 1807.
41To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
As I am uncertain of the condition & even the Office in which the papers containing accounts of our disbursments for subsistence of British prisoners remain; and as it is not improbable that some negotiations may (whenever our Union under the General Government shall be completed) take place between the United States & Great Britain, in which an accurate understanding of those Accots. will...
42Report on the Memorial of Baron von Steuben, 29 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives] The Secretary of the Treasury, on the Memorial of Baron De Steuben, referred to him by an Order of the House of Representatives of the 25th. September last: Respectfully reports, That it appears from the papers accompanying the said Memorial, that the Memorialist grounds his present claim on the United States, upon a Contract, which he alledges...
43Treasury 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...
44Treasury 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...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Newton, Junior, 17 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 17, 1790. On June 27, 1790, Newton wrote to Hamilton : “Your favor of the 17th I received this day.” Letter not found. ] Newton was a Norfolk, Virginia, lawyer.
46To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 1 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of the permission which you have given I take the liberty to suggest a plan for keeping the accounts of the Funded Debt and for regulating the payment of Interest, which I now submit to your consideration. Let one Commissioner be appointed in each State or in convenient districts of the union, with instructions to take up & cancell the Certificates now in circulation & to...
47To Alexander Hamilton from Eli Elmer, 19 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Bridgetown, New Jersey, June 19, 1790. On July 29, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Elmer : “Your letter of the 19th ultimo was duly received.” Letter not found. ] Elmer was collector of customs at Bridgetown.
48EnclSchedule G, [9 January 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
SCHEDULE G Table Shewing What Annuity Would be Enjoyed by the Survivor of Any Two Persons Of Certain Ages, for the Remainder of Life, After the Determination of the Life in Expectation, Upon The Present Payment of One Hundred Dollars, Computing Interest at Four per Cent. Per Annum, And the Duration of Life According to Doctor Halley’s Tables. Age of the youngest. Age of the eldest. Annuity of...
49To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, [25 January 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
From the Journals of Congress I see You have reported a Bill to the consideration of the Legislature respecting Duties, which gives me much pleasure even if the Imposts you wish to take place should not carry, as the deficiencies & contrarieties in our collection & Registering Acts may be remedied. The office of Naval officer as a controuling officer is absolutely necessary—but as the...
50To Alexander Hamilton from Pierpont Edwards, August 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
[ August, 1790. “George Smith, John Caldwell & John Morgan … are men of good standing … and may be taken as sureties.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by Anderson Galleries, February 16, 1906, Lot 75. For background to this letter, see “Treasury Department Circular to the District Attorneys,” August 31, 1790 . Edwards was United States attorney for the district of Connecticut. Extract taken...