1Introductory Note: Report on Manufactures (Hamilton Papers)
Like Hamilton’s other major state papers, the “Report on Manufactures” is distinguished not so much by originality of thought as by the cogency and persuasiveness of its arguments, its far-reaching implications, and its ennobling vision of the destiny of the United States. Indeed, it contains few, if any, specific proposals that even the most enthusiastic supporters of Hamilton could maintain...
2Tench Coxe’s Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, [Fall] 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, in obedience to the order of the house of Representatives of the fifteenth day of January last, has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of manufactures, and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the United States independent on foreign Nations for military and other essential...
3Alexander Hamilton’s First Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, [27 January–4 February] 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department } the 1790. [to be left out—or pro last read 1790] The Secretary of the Treasury, in obedience to the order of the house of Representatives of the fifteenth day of January last, has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of Manufactures, Stands and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the...
4Alexander Hamilton’s Second Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of the House of Representatives of the fifteenth day of January 1790 has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit to the subject of Manufactures and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the United States, independent on foreign nations, for military and other essential...
5Alexander Hamilton’s Third Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of the House of Representatives of the fifteenth day of January 1790 has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of manufactures; and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the United States, independent on foreign nations for military and other essential...
6Alexander Hamilton’s Fourth Draft of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of the House of Representatives, of the 15. day of January 1790, has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of manufactures and particularly to the means of promoting such, as will tend to render the United States independent on foreign nations, for military and other essential...
7Alexander Hamilton’s Final Version of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, [5 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury in obedience to the order of ye House of Representatives, of the 15th day of January 1790, has applied his attention, at as early a period as his other duties would permit, to the subject of Manufactures; and particularly to the means of promoting such as will tend to render the United States, independent on foreign nations, for military and other essential...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 5 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
If the Supervisor of the District of Maryland should apply to you for four hundred Dollars, you will advance him that sum, which he will repay to you out of the duties on Spirits distilled within his district as soon as a sufficient sum shall be received. You will nevertheless take duplicate receipts and transmit one to the Treasury. The state of the business does not permit that this sum...
9To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 5 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the application of Benjamin Bourne Esq. for the renewal of certain Certificates and Warrants for transfering funded Stock alledged to have been lost and am of opinion that the following rules should be adopted. That in case a transfer Certificate is lost, before the Treasury Warrant has been issued, the claimant or some person having knowledge thereof should in the first...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Abishai Thomas, 6 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In submitting the following facts and observations to your consideration perhaps I may have exceeded the bounds of propriety in obtruding any thing like an opinion on the subject, but I have been involuntarily drawn into the measure, I hope it is done with due deference and I rely on your candour for an extenuation of the fault. On the subject of the claim of Wm Courtney esqre refer’d to you...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 6 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It is understood that a brig called the Dove formerly of Glocester in Massachusetts and commanded by Josiah Parsons has been sold in Europe, under circumstances that give rise to some apprehensions in regard to the misuse of her certificate of registry. I wish to be informed, if it has been returned to your office and when. I am, Sir, Your obedt. servant LS , Columbia University Libraries.
12From Alexander Hamilton to the Directors of the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures, 7 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of powers vested in me by the Agents named in the instrument of Subscription towards the Society for establishing useful Manufactures, I have made Contracts on behalf of the Society with William Hall, as Superintendent of the printing Business; with Joseph Mort, as an Assistant in the Manufactory, in such way as his Services may be thought most useful. This Gentleman I...
13To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Van Rensselaer, 7 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
At the request of several officers of our late Army, I transmit you the enclosed Memorandum. If any provision is made for such cases you will oblige me by informing me. Mrs. Rensselaer joins in love to you & Mrs. Hamilton. I am D Sir Your Hum Sert ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress [@LOC] . Van Rensselaer was a member of the New York Assembly in 1789 and 1790, and served in the state...
14Enclosure: John Ostrander, Junior, to Stephen Van Rensselaer [7 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Memorandum for Stephen Van Rensselaer Esquire John Ostrander Late Leiutanant in Colo James Livingstons Regement of foot in the Service of the united states resigned the fourteenth day of april 1779 three months full pay due besides depreciation begs to know from the Secretary of The Treasury if any provission has been made by Congress for the payment of Arrearages of this kind, and if there...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 7 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I request that You will pay to Messrs Elliot and Williams ten thousand Dollars on the first of January next, on account of their contract with the united States of the 27th September instant, taking duplicate receipts, one of which to be transmitted to the Treasury. You will of course retain money in Your hands for the purpose and in case there should not be a probability of a Sufficient sum...
16To Alexander Hamilton from George Cabot, 8 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have understood that after the peace of 63 & ’till the late war France gave direct assistance to her Cod fishery beside the monopoly of her home & colonial markets—but notwithstanding these encouragements the supply from her own fishery was so scanty that her prohibotory laws were evaded & very large supplies of foreign fish were continually smuggled into her Colonies & consumed there at...
17To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 8 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Ship Washington and the Brandy that were seized here, have been delivered up to the Owners, they having given bond with security to abide the legal decision of the seizure. I am Sir! respectfully Your most Obedient Servant Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives. For background to this letter, see H to Lee, November 10, 1791 .
18From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 8 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The monies which shall be deposited by you in the Bank of Providence, pursuant to my direction, will upon your forwarding to the Treasury a duplicate receipt of such deposits, be considered as payments made to the United States, and for which you will receive credit by regular warrants which will issue to cover such payments. I am Sir Your Obedt. Servant LS , Rhode Island Historical Society,...
19To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 8 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, December 8, 1791. “… Having recd. a Letter from the Master of the Cutter Argus, informing me, that the Schooner Alice was at Anchor about Four Miles from Rhode-Island LightHouse when his Mate boarded her, I have this day requested the District Attorney to commence a Prosecution against Captain Andrus.” ADfS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence. For background to this...
20From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 8 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 8, 1791. On December 9, 1791, Washington wrote to Thomas Jefferson: “Yesterday afternoon Colo. Hamilton was desired, as soon as the Tariff was ready, to let it be known. Enclosed is his answer.” Letter not found. ] GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). , XXXI, 442.
21From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Hawkins, 9 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The ground upon which was founded the refusal to receive upon the subscription to the loan in State debt, the Certificates of North Carolina, on account of the Government of that State was simply this. The preamble to the clauses which relate to the assumption and various expressions in those clauses evidently contemplate “a provision for the debts of the respective states.” Now a bond or...
22From Alexander Hamilton to John Henry, [9 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury not relying entirely on the accuracy of the data upon which the calculations in his Report on the subject of the Mint were founded, as they respect the quantity of fine silver contained in the silver dollar, thought it advisable to embrace the opportunity of the interval between the last and the present sessions of Congress to endeavour to obtain from Europe more...
23Report on the Petition of George Webb, [12 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, to whom was referred the petition of George Webb, by an order of the House of Representatives, of the 24th. of February 1791, respectfully submits the following report thereupon. The prayer of the said petition has reference to two objects. One, a farther compensation for services rendered, while the petitioner acted in the capacity of Receiver of Continental...
24To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Wadsworth, [10 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed you have the paper I promised You; if you wish for anything more or any explanation of that inclosed I will wait on you when You Please. Your Hume Svt ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see George Cabot to H, December 8, 1791, note 1 . Wadsworth, who during the American Revolution had served as commissary general of purchases and as a...
25Enclosure: From Jeremiah Wadsworth, [10 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
A duty of ten per Cent on our Salted provisions imported into the French Islands would be too much unless we were relieved from other impositions which you will see by the paper herewith are more than ten ⅌ Cent on our Cargoes. When our Vessels arrive in Hispaniola the Captain must find a Bondsman tho his whole Vessel and Cargo is in the Power of the Government; this Bondsman is the Merchant...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 10 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 22 Ulto. & have communicated it to Capt. Yeaton. Conceiving that I can in no better way possess you of Cap. Yeatons reasons for deviating from your limits and my directions respecting the fitting of the Cutter, than by transmitting you his letter to me on that Subject I now inclose it. I must observe that the last additional and reprehensive clause of your...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 10 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a statement of the case of the Brig Trimmer from the Judge of the District Court of Maryland, and have determined to remit the forfeitures and penalties incurred by the vessel, goods and captain, on the repayment of the disbursements of money actually made. As the season of the year is critical, and the vessel may, if detained, be caught by the ice, I request that you will...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 10 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been represented to me by Mr. Kearney Wharton of Philadelphia, that some hardship has fallen on him in consequence of the want of proper instruments to ascertain the strength of a parcel of Rum belonging to him and lately imported by Messrs. Oliver and Thompson from Antigua. Though I have not yet decided how far it may be proper to make these revisions, I wish that measures may be taken...
29From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, 12 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 12, 1791. On December 26, 1791, Ellery wrote to Hamilton referring to “your last letter dated Decr. 12th.” Letter not found. ] Ellery was collector of customs at Newport, Rhode Island.
30To Alexander Hamilton from Caleb Gibbs, 12 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Barre, Massachusetts, December 12, 1791. On September 10, 1792, Gibbs wrote to Hamilton : “I wrote you On the 12th. of Decr. last.” Letter not found. ] Gibbs, like H, had been an aide-de-camp to George Washington during the American Revolution.
31To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 12 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, December 12, 1791. “I have no reason to doubt the probability of receiving a sufficient sum before the first of January next to pay 10,000 Dollars as you desire to Messrs. Elliot & Williams.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See H to Williams, December 7, 1791 .
32To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 12 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have very lately received a letter which has a reference to your circular of the 5th. of August; and upon reperusing the latter I discover that I have been very remiss, but I hope not censurable, for not replying to some parts of it sooner. My attention to the previous parts, and a supposition that I was not immediately concerned in the latter, produced in my mind, a temperory suspension of...
33To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 12 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Baltimore, December 12, 1791. According to its catalogue description, this letter relates to the “Registry of the Brig Dove, Josiah Parsons, master.” Letter not found. ] Sold by Harvard Trust Company, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1962. See H to Williams, December 6, 1791 .
34From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 14 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I do not think you will be justifiable in making a deduction from the legal rate of duty on Coffee, on account of its being broken, nor on cocoa, because of an inferiority of quality, they being in each instance as I presume the unmixed article, on which the Legislature has imposed an uniform impost, without providing a variation of duty in case of differences of quality. The shells of Coffee...
35To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 14 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your instructions respecting the Brige. Trimmer and she shall be dispatched accordingly. What you say of disbursements of money actually made may make it necessary to inform you that in the case of the Brig Trimmer, and in others similar thereto (where the matter of illegality was duly reported without reserve, and manifestly without any intention of evading the law) the custom...
36Conversation with George Hammond, [15–16 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Towards the end of last week, I had a very long and confidential conversation with Mr Hamilton, the Secretary of the Treasury, in the course of which the opinion, I had entertained, of that Gentleman’s just and liberal way of thinking was fully confirmed. The late unfortunate expedition under General St Clair naturally engrossed a great portion of our conversation, whence I was induced to...
37To Alexander Hamilton from James Reynolds, 15 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I am very sorry to find out that I have been so Cruelly treated by a person that I took to be my best friend instead of that my greatest Enimy. You have deprived me of every thing thats near and dear to me, I discovred whenever I Came into the house. after being out I found Mrs Reynolds weeping I ask’d her the Cause of being so unhappy. She always told me that she had bin Reding. and she could...
38From Alexander Hamilton to James Reynolds, 15 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 15, 1791. In the “Reynolds Pamphlet” Alexander Hamilton, Observations on Certain Documents Contained in No. V and VI of “The History of the United States for the Year 1796,” in which the Charge of Speculation against Alexander Hamilton, Late Secretary of the Treasury, is Fully Refuted. Written by Himself (Philadelphia: Printed for John Fenno, by John Bioren, 1797)....
39To Alexander Hamilton from Maria Reynolds, [15 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I have not tim to tell you the cause of my present troubles only that Mr. has rote to you this morning and I know not wether you have got the letter or not and he has swore that If you do not answer It or If he dose not se or hear from you to day he will write Mrs. Hamilton he has just Gone oute and I am a Lone I think you had better come here one moment that you May know the Cause then you...
40To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 15 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have now the honor of inclosing you a copy of the contract for the loan opened at Antwerp, which could not be had in time to go with my last of the 1st. inst. The customary ratification has been promised on it, which it is hoped will be obtained & forwarded to Antwerp. A duplicate will be sent by another conveyance. The translation is in French, the English language not having been...
41To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 15 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, December 15, 1791. “Mr. Parrott the 2nd Mate of the Scammel having an advantageous offer in the Command of a Ship has risigned his place in the Scammel.… I was obliged to acquiesce in this resignation which is rendered the more inconvenient by the Scarcity of young men Suitable for the Station of 1st. Mate to which I recommended Mr Parrott.… I would propose for your...
42From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 16 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I wish you to ascertain who is the present owner of the Brig Lydia commanded by Captain Vancise, of what place he is a resident, whether he is a Citizen of the United States, when he became owner of that vessel, and where he purchased her. Should application be made for a new register for that Vessel, I wish to receive immediate information, and that you suspend the issuing of it until you...
43To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 16 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, December 16, 1791. “I have received your Circular letter to the Agents of the Cutters of the 17th. Ultimo. As the directions given In that letter supersedes the Necessity of a particular Statement … I will only observe that the cost of 232 days of the mens victualling amounted to 33 20/100 Dollars being about 14⅓ cents pr. ration. Cap Yeaton has however agreed to...
44To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 16 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I cannot discover by the acts of the Legislature that Collectors have any legal jurisdiction, or controul, over the Officers of the revenue cutters; or that they have, necessarily, any agency in that establishment further than to receive the reports of the Officers and to respect them as authentic documents whereby to ascertain the Cargoes of inwardbound vessels. I therefore conclude that the...
45To Alexander Hamilton from James Reynolds, 17 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I now have taken till tuesday morning to Consider on What Steps will be Best for me to take. I should not have let the matter Rested till then, if it had not been for the newes of the death of my Sister. which it Semes as if all my troubles are Comming on me in one moment. if it had been any other person except yourself. that treated me as you have done. I should not have taken the trouble to...
46To Alexander Hamilton from Jacob Sarly, 17 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Calcutta, December 17, 1791. The catalogue description of this letter reads as follows: “Long letter describing the military situation around Seringapatam, the British forces under Cornwallis and the strength of Tippoo Sahib: ‘… The sensible part of the Officers view him by no means as a despicable enemy, and at present express doubts of success, the taking of Bangalore was merely...
47To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 17 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, December 17, 1791. “I received by the last post your letter of the 2nd Instant directing me to Mention to Cap Yeaton his omitting to notice in the abstract of his journal for October the receiving of manifests from Vessels which I shall mention to him on his return into port.…” ADf , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent, 1791–1792, Vol. 3, National...
48From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [18 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I am this moment going to a rendezvous which I suspect may involve a most serious plot against me, but various reasons, and among others a desire to ascertain the truth induce me to hazard the consequence. As any disastrous event might interest my fame; I drop you this line, that from my impressions may be inferred the truth of the matter. Yrs. sincerely ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
49To Alexander Hamilton from George Cabot, 18 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
It is well stated by a Gentleman who has examined the subject that in 1784 the British Govt having taken measures for drawing over to their service the whalefishermen of the U S, the Govt of France at once saw the danger of suffering her great maritime Rival to acquire the advantage of 4 or 5000 excellent Seamen & with them an Act of immense value in marine consideration (as the Nursery of...
50From Alexander Hamilton to Melancton Smith, 18 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 18, 1791. On December 23, 1791, Smith wrote to Hamilton : “I am favored with yours of the 18th Instant.” Letter not found. ] Smith was a New York City merchant who had a contract in partnership with Hendrick Wykoff with the United States Government for supplying West Point. He had been H’s principal opponent at the New York Ratifying Convention in 1788 and was among...