1From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, [1 December 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received your letter of the 16th instant. I am sure you are sincere when you say, you would not subject me to an impropriety. Nor do I know that there would be any in my answering your queries. But you remember the saying with regard to Caesar’s Wife. I think the spirit of it applicable to every man concerned in the administration of the finances of a Country. With respect to the...
2To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 1 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, December 1, 1789. “I have been honoured with the receipt of your favor of the 20th Ulto.… The plan which you have adopted of receiving the bills of the Bank aforesaid, is, in my opinion judicious & important as it relates to all the ports saving those in the county of Lincoln as it will accomodate the people, and have a tendency to leave the circulating cash so dispursed as best to...
3To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Randall and William Heyer, 1 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 1, 1789. “We have been informed by the Pilots that the Beacon on Sandy Hook has been blown down, and entirely destroyed by the late Storm.…” LS , in writing of William Heyer, RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Vol. “C,” Connecticut and New York, National Archives. Randall and Heyer were New York City port wardens.
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...
5To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 2 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 2, 1789. “Your private letter of the 25 Ulto. by the post, came safe to hand. The Words in my Letter, which you have taken Notice of, were intended merely as a reason for the appology which a deviation from the mode of remittance prescribed required; I regret that they escaped me, because they conveyed an allusion which was not designed as a reference to ‘any expression of...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 3 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 3, 1789. Sends abstracts of all Maryland laws “related to Imposts , and Tonnage .” Promises to send all “Acts which relate to other branches of the revenue.” ALS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives. This letter is in reply to “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” November 25, 1789 .
7To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 3 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 3, 1789. “… not knowing whether it may not be expedient for you to draw for the Specie reported in my last weekly return, I have omitted, to remit the Bank Notes . If no Warrant from you should be presented in two days; I will remit the bank Notes by the next post.…” ALS , RG 53, “Old Correspondence,” Baltimore Collector, National Archives.
8From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Willing, 3 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 3, 1789. On December 9, 1789, Willing wrote to Hamilton : “We Reced your favor of the 3 Inst.” Letter not found. ]
9From Alexander Hamilton to Stephen Smith, 4 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 30th of October came to hand a few days since. Your transmission of the money in your hands to Boston, was influenced by prudent considerations, and corresponds in its general object with my instructions of the 20th ultimo of which I enclose a Copy. Yet, without meaning to censure, what was evidently dictated by proper motives, it is necessary I should remark that every...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 4 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, December 4, 1789. Transmits the New Hampshire revenue laws. LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent, 1789–1790, Vol. 1, National Archives. This letter is in reply to “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” November 25, 1789 .
11From 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...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Jedediah Huntington, 5 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 5, 1789. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] LS , sold at Chicago Book and Art Auction, April 27, 1932, Lot 84.
13To Alexander Hamilton from Beverley Randolph, 5 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I did myself the Honour on the 28th. of last Month to transmit to you an abstract of the Public Debt of Virginia. Lest by any Accident, that Letter should miscarry I now forward a Duplicate of it as well as of the Abstract. I beg leave to observe in addition to my former letter that there is a debt due from this state which is not included in the Estimate because it cannot be accurately...
14To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 6 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Alexandria, Virginia, December 6, 1789. On December 18, 1789, Hamilton wrote to Lee : “I have received your Letter of the 6th instant.” Letter not found. ]
15From 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.
16From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Gorham, [8 December 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I am favored with your Letter of the 24th of last Month Enclosing Proposals from yourself and Mr. Oliver Phelps, for the Supply of the Garrisons of West Point, and Springfield for the Ensuing Year; and agreably to your request have to inform you that the Supply has been Undertaken by the former Contractor at Eight Cents, and four tenths of a Cent per Ration. I am, with Sentiments of Esteem, ...
17To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, December 9, 1789. “Some of the merchants are in opinion that some allowance, in weighing should be made in weighing sugars as they are daily lightning, we have not made any. Ought we to do it? We had a few days since a quantity of wine entered from some port in France it is now represented as being bad & not worth the duties. There are other wines represented as similar. What, if any...
18To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Willing, 9 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
We Reced your favor of the 3 Ins with its inclosures. One of the 15th being your Official Article of Agreement Respecting the third Loan being for twenty thousand Dollars the Recet of which you now acknowledge and say that the Treasr would by the same post send us a warrant for the Amot. We have only this moment Reced the Warrant from the Treasurer which has prevented our Returning [it] till...
19To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 14 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, December 14, 1789. “I have the Honor to enclose an account of monies we are now actualy in advance, on acct. of the united states, for support of the several establishments in the Bay and River Deleware, amounting to six hundred and Ten pounds Seven shillings and seven pence.… I need only add that being thus much in advance on account of the united states, we are left without...
20To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 15 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer will herewith deliver to you a Book of accounts transmitted to me by Mr. Jefferson, and which in my opinion should be deposited in your office. With great esteem and regard &c. LC , Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. An asterisk was placed at this point and the words “of Silas Deane” inserted as a footnote. Deane was one of the congressional agents sent to France...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 16 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
A few days ago I forwarded to you, per post, a “state of our navigation,” which I presume you have received. I have the honour to transmit you in this inclosure some notes upon two subjects, one of them of great importance, that may be useful when arranging our affairs with France and Spain. The rough draughts of these papers were made a few weeks before I received your letter, and I then...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 16 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 16, 1789. “The Register of the Treasury transmitted to you lately in pursuance of my Directions … Registers for Vessels.… You will oblige me in distributing them with as much dispatch as possible.…” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Boston, Letters from the Treasury, 1790–1817, Vol. 4, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at Boston, National...
23To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 16 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, December 16, 1789. On January 19, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Lincoln : “I am favored with your letter of the 16th. of last month.” Letter not found. ]
24From 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...
25To 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...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Last night a Man returned from Ruport in the State of Vermont with information that the two Cranes were their & had counterfeited the Bank Notes of New York. One of them had been taken & let go on his securing the party he had cheated, but the true reason for leting him go was that he was the Second in the business & a plan is laid to catch the principal but I shall delay sending after them...
27To 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...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Willing, 17 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 17, 1789. On December 24, 1789, Willing wrote to Hamilton : “I reced by the last post yours of the 17th Inst.” Letter not found. ]
29To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I am directed by the President of the United States to send you the enclosed letter from General Hazen dated Decr. 16th. and likewise a Memorial from the same person of the 12th. inst. together with the Copy of a letter written by the Presidents command in answer to the enclosed Memorial. I have the honor to be with perfect consideration Sir Your most Obedt. Servt. LC , George Washington...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 18, 1789 . “I have received your Letter of the 6th instant, with the laws of Virginia accompanying it.…” LS , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Alexandria, Letters Received from the Secretary, 1789–1795, National Archives. Letter not found. H had requested the revenue laws of each state in “Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs,” November 25,...
31Treasury 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...
32To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 18 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 18, 1789. Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s circular letter of November 30. Discusses difficulty of reconciling exemption of tonnage charges and fees for vessels of less than twenty tons with Section 23 of “An Act for Registering and Clearing Vessels, Regulating the Coasting Trade, and for other purposes.” Again asks “ Whether two thirds of a Dollar be payable to the...
33To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 19 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 15th October inclosing queries Concerning the Navigation of the several States remains to be answered In hopes of obtaining other information than what had fallen under my own observation prevented an earlier Answer. The enquiries that I have had opportunity of making have furnished but little addition. I now inclose answers to those queries—on Some of which I shall here...
34From 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. ]
35From 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...
36To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] December 21, 1789. “… I have recd the different forms from the Comptroller and shall proceed immediately as therein directed, I would remark on two of them, that of the Tonnage Abstract directed to be countersigned by the N officer which I imagine was intended to be the Surveyor, for the N: O: has no documents to warrant him. In the weekly returns of Cash it is directed to...
37To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
By the 1st Secto. of the Tonnage Act certain priveleges are granted to Vessells American built & owned, by the fifth Secto. of the Impost Act, by the 1 & 2nd of the Registering Act, certain Qualifications are directed to entitle Vessells to the benefts granted by any Law of the UStates, I have met with no small trouble & difficulty to put a proper construction on this business and indeed am...
38To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 21 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, December 21, 1789. “… I now inclose my Weekly Return to the 19th instant agreeably to the new Form leaving out Bonds &c. In the Forms recd. I do not observe any mention of Goods deposited for the security of the duties which the Law admits of. I shall therefore place them till otherways directed in Accots. with Bonds which I conceive will be the proper place for...
39To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
On my return from Georgia I met on file in our office your questions concerning the navigations of the several States and foreign nations. An answer to those questions has been delayed from various causes. No one however has contributed more to produce it than a want of information in me, respecting some of them at the time I first saw them. I have since had an opportunity of knowing many...
40Treasury 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...
41From 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...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 24 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Your three letters of 17th 18th & 21st I recd. I called on the President & Directors of the Bank, who at once agreed to your propositions. I shall forward the Cashiers Receipts & Pay to the Wardens agreeably to your directions. Before I recd Yours I was under the disagreeable necessity of putting a Bond in suit, my firm determination, being without express directions from You to the contrary...
43To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 24 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Frenchman’s Bay [ District of Maine ] December 24, 1789 . “… I wrote you the 20th. & the 25th. of November last.… In my last I gave you some particular information of the situation of this District. There is but one Vessel in this District at present that consists of more than 30 tons burden or thereabouts, our vessels are small and follow what we call shore fishing & as it is the law of the...
44From Alexander Hamilton to Beverley Randolph, 24 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been duly honored with your favors of the 28th. of November & 5th. of December, with their inclosures. And I beg leave to make my acknowledgments for the attention which has been paid to their early transmission. I presume in the account transmitted the arrears of Interest have been added to the principal. Should the contrary be the case, permit me to request, that a statement of those...
45To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Willing, 24 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
I reced by the last post yours of the 17th. Inst with all its enclosures respecting the protest of the Treasury Drafts on Norfolk & this day they have been laid before the Directors. I thank you for the trouble you have taken in your free and full explanation of this disagreeable transaction. The mistake made in the Office considering the early State of the business, was a natural One, & I...
46To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 25 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Frenchman’s Bay, District of Maine, December 25, 1789. On March 15, 1790, Jordan wrote to Hamilton : “I did myself the pleasure to write you the 24th. 25th. & 29th. December.” Letter of December 25 not found. ]
47To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 26 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
The Cashier of the Banks receipts for dollars is inclosed, with the opinion of some of our Merchants & Ship Carpenters on the Queries I had the honour of receiving from You. I expect further opinions from others which shall forward next post. In my return of Exports, You will have a thorough view of our Trade, as I shall give each place separate. Mr Bingham says he wrote You largely on the...
48To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, December 26, 1789. “… your Circular letter of the 18th. just came to hand and I am happy to inform you that I have anticipated your orders and early adopted that line of conduct which I thought would secure that punctuality in the payment of bonds.… I have the pleasure now to inform you that we have not … had any person a delinquent for a moment.…” ADf , Collector of Customs at Boston,...
49To Alexander Hamilton from John Scott, 26 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Chester, Maryland, December 26, 1789. “I beg the favor of you to give me your advice & direction in the following matter. A Ship arrives at Baltimore District, lands her Cargo and then comes into this District to load, brings a permit for that purpose from the office of Baltimore, the Ship’s papers are stop’t there, & the officers there oblige the Capt. of the Ship to return to their office...
50To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 28 December 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] December 28, 1789 . “By the direction of the President of the United States, I have the honor to transmit to you all the letters & certificates which have come to his hands from, or relating to, Mr. Samuel Caldwell of Philadelphia upon the subject of his application for an Office under the United States.” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See Lear to H, October,...