31Enclosure A: [Statement of the Debt], 30 September 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to the Act of Congress of the 4th. of August 1790, at the Treasury and the several Loan Offices, from the 1st October 1790 to 30th September 1791. Funded 6 pr Cent Stock Dollars Cents Deferred 6 pr Cent Stock Dollars Cents Funded 3 pr Cent Stock Dollars Cents Total Amount Dollars Cents Treasury 5,184,041.41 2,592,018.72 3,973,865.10 11,749,925.23 New Hampshire 191,322.44
32To Alexander Hamilton from Melancton Smith, 23 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Sir I am favored with yours of the 18th Instant. In a letter I wrote to Genl. Knox of the 5th instant I mentioned that that I had seen no Advertisement for a contract for West point and wished to know whether that post was to be supplied under his Orders, as the recruits were or whether a new Contract was to be formed if the latter I offered to furnish the Garrison at ten cents pr Ration. As I...
33To Alexander Hamilton from John Davidson, 27 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Annapolis, December 27, 1791. On January 9, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Davidson : “I have recieved your letter of the 27th ultimo.” Letter not found. ] Davidson was collector of customs at Annapolis.
34To Alexander Hamilton from Isaac Sherman, 23 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I shall not take up your time by assigning particular reasons for my defering paying you the balance due on the money which you lent me in New York; but shall just observe generally, that some circumstances which occurred subsequent to my letter of the 5th of February last that, I did not, neither could I then foresee, rendered a new loan, or a delay of payment indispensibly necessary. I have...
35From Alexander Hamilton to Philip Schuyler, 24 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, January 24, 1792. On January 29, 1792, Schuyler wrote to Hamilton : “Your favor of the 24th instant I received yesterday.” Letter not found. Schuyler, who was H’s father-in-law, had been elected to the short term as United States Senator from New York in 1789 and was defeated for re-election by Aaron Burr in 1791. He was then elected to the fifteenth New York Senate, which met...
36Enclosure B: Extracts from the Secretary of War’s Letters to the Late Major General Greene, [10 July 1782–22 January … (Hamilton Papers)
“The sufferings of your troops have impressed me with the deepest concern, and the very painful sensations, which your relation of them excites, are powerfully enhanced, that these distresses should have been the lot of an army, not only entitled, by special contract, to better fare, but whose meritorious and gallant exertions under the most extreme difficulties, merited a very different fate;...
37From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 14 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I am informed that a Brig which frequents Your port, and was, or is now the Hope, of Baltimore, is owned by a Mr Gernon. It is my wish to be informed whether it appears, and how, that Mr Gernon is a Citizen of the United States, how long he appears, by the Register, to have owned the Hope, and whether she goes and comes between Your District and any one particular foreign port or island. There...
38To 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...
39Enclosure C: [Estimate of the Outstanding Debt], 30 November 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
The amount of the domestic debt of the United States, as stated by the Secretary of the Treasury, in his report of the 9th. January 1790, to the House of Representatives, relative to a provision for the support of the public credit, is as follows: Liquidated and Loan Office debt, as per Schedule C. 27,383,917.67 Interest thereon to the 31st. December 1790, pr ditto, D. 13,030,168.20 Additional...
40To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 26 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, December 26, 1791. “I have received your Letter of the 14th. Instant: The contents shall be attended to; and the result of the first Instance that occurs, respecting unshelled Coffee, shall be communicated to you.…” ADfS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence.
41From Alexander Hamilton to Melancton Smith, 27 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I accept your proposals for Supplying the post of West point for the ensuing Year, at nine and one half cents per ration, pursuant to your letter of the 23rd. instant. I am Sir Your Obt. Sert. Copy, RG 217, Miscellaneous Treasury Accounts, 1790–1894, Account No. 2052, National Archives; LS , sold at Swann Galleries, November 3, 1949, Lot 52.
42From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, 25 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, January 25, 1792. On January 26, 1792, Jefferson wrote to Hamilton and referred to information “mentioned in your letter of yesterday.” Letter not found ].
43Introductory 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...
44Enclosure D: [Nathanael Greene to Colonel Carrington], [26 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Robert Morris, Esquire, Financier for the United States, has in his advertisements for receiving proposals for contracts for supplying the army with rations, directed them to be made to me, in the States of North and South Carolina and Georgia; but in his letter of the 17th of October, 1782, he desires me to commit the business to your care and management, should I find it more convenient for...
45To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to your favor of the 13th. I have the honor to inform you that the papers delivered to me on the subject of the Register of the sloop Polly detained on her being sold at Port au-prince, were put into the hands of mr Bourne the Consul for the U.S. in St Domingo, & that he, being now returned from thence, says that he applied several times on the subject to the Governor of the island,...
46From 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...
47From 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)....
48To Alexander Hamilton from John Nicholson, [16 January 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The Comptr Gennl. of Pennsya. presents his Compls. to the Secretary of the Treasury of the U states will do himself the pleasure to attend at the time & place mentioned in his note of this morning. LC , Division of Public Records, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg.
49To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 28 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last of the 23d. inst. I had the honor of simply announcing to you a loan being contracted for here on account of the U.S. for f 3,000,000 at 4. p. cent. The departure of the English post by which my letter was sent did not allow me to enter into details, except as to the terms of the loan. An alteration has since been made as to the times of payment from eight to six months. You may...
50To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 26 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
It is perfectly equal to me that the 1233⅓ dollars mentioned in your letter of yesterday, be taken out of the 40,000 Dollars now desired, or not. You will observe that the two sums of 40,000 D. each are for the interval between July 1. 1790. & July 1. 1792. and that the act is to continue, even if not renewed, till the end of the next session of Congress, probably the beginning of March 1793....
51From Alexander Hamilton to the President and Directors of the Bank of the United States, 28 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In order to a final arrangement on the subject, I have the honor to recapitulate to you the suggestions made by me in our late conference. First I am authorized to make known the wish of the President of the United States, that the provision in the 11th. Section of the Act constituting your institution may be carried into effect, and to take with the Bank the requisite arrangements for that...
52Alexander 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...
53Enclosure F: Robert Forsyth to Nathanael Greene, 29 December 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
Some days ago, I was honored with your answer to my letter of resignation; the very warm approbation, given of my conduct in public service, gives me most singular pleasure and satisfaction, and makes me hope for that countenance and aid in private life, which I enjoyed, while I had the pleasure to serve under your command. I must beg your attention to a brig of Mr. Banks’s, which he loaded at...
54Enclosure L: [Agreement between John Banks and Neucomen & Collect], [1 May 1786] (Hamilton Papers)
Know all men by these presents, That We, John Banks, for Hunter, Banks and Company, merchants, Richmond, Virginia, and Nathaniel Greene, are held and firmly bound unto Neucomen and Collett, merchants, Charleston, in the sum of seventeen thousand four hundred and eighty seven pounds, eleven shillings, sterling money of Great Britain, for the faithful payment of which, we bind ourselves, our...
55Conversation 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...
56To 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...
57To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 16 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth [ New Hampshire ] January 16, 1792 . Acknowledges receipt of unsigned letter from Treasury Department. LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent, 1791–1792, Vol. 3, National Archives.
58To Alexander Hamilton from Roger Alden, Brockholst Livingston, Carlile Pollock, Gulian Verplanck, and Joshua Waddington … (Hamilton Papers)
A number of your fellow Citizens desirous of expressing the sense they entertain of the important Services you have rendered your Country, have raised by Subscription a Sum of money to defray the expence of a Portrait of you, ⟨to⟩ be executed by Mr Trumbull, and placed in one of our public Buildings. We have therefore to request that you will b⟨e⟩ so condescending as to allow Mr Trumbull to...
59To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Smith, 30 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The ballances of stock remaining on the Books of this Office for the quarter ending the 31st Decer. 1791 subject to the Payment of Interest on the 1st January 1792 are as follows Viz Dolls Cts. 122,564.70. of 6 ⅌ Ct. Stock Intst from Jany. 7 353.88 1,348,379.47. of ditto Int. from Oct 20.225.69 69,963.57 3 ⅌ Ct. do do Jany. 2 098.90 541,252.78 do do Oct. 4 059.39 4.707.– 4 ⅌ Ct...
60From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, [27 January 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, January 27, 1792. Letter not found. ] Letter recorded in Jefferson’s list of letters written and received ( AD , Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress).
61To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 28 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, January 28, 1792. “Herewith I enclose you an account of the expence of Supporting the Lighthouse for the Quarter ending the 31st. of Dec past.… I have no remarks to make on the Lighthouse respectg its repairs, but its construction does not admit of its being so usefull as the Situation of it requires. I enclose a Contract for supples & attendance on the Lighthouse...
62Alexander 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...
63Enclosure H: [Edward Carrington to Hugh Rutledge], 4 February 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
The pressing necessities of the army, the late season of the year, and the difficulty of conveying information through the country, in it’s present situation, have prevented that extensive notice of contracts for the subsistence of the troops, which could be wished. General Greene, very early after the contracts were directed to be made, wrote to every character, whose circumstances and views...
64Enclosure N: [Robert Forsyth to William Allen Deaz], 2 September 1784 (Hamilton Papers)
To all to whom these presents shall come, be seen, or made known,— Greeting. Whereas Benjamin Johnston of the County of Culpeper, in the State of Virginia, in and by his bond or obligation, bearing date, the twenty eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty, became bound to Robert Forsyth, then of the Town of Fredericksburg, in the penal sum of ten...
65From 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...
66To Alexander Hamilton from John Nicholson, [17 January 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Nicholson will do himself the Pleasure to attend about 10 OClock this day. LC , Division of Public Records, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg. Nicholson dated this letter Tuesday, January 18, 1792, but this date fell on Wednesday. See the exchange of letters between H and Nicholson on January 16, 1792 .
67To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 29 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The Brigantine Polly James Munro Jur. Master, the Property of Messrs. Clark & Nightingale Entered here the 27th Inst. from Charleston South Carolina. This Vessel Cleared at my office on the 24th August last for Port au Prince, but it appears from the Master that she arrived at the Cape, having on Board, when she cleared, Three hundred & Fourteen Barrels of salted Provisions One hundred &...
68To Alexander Hamilton from John Daves, [December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
I herewith enclose the description and dimensions of the Revenue Cutter built at Washington taken by the examining Officer at Washington and sent me by Capt. Cooke. I expect the Cutter round here shortly and would be thankful to be informed whether the articles for the Revenue Cutter mentioned in my letter of the 12th. November last, have yet been ordered for this Port or Washington. I have...
69To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 29 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favor of the 24th instant I received yesterday. I shall embrace the first moment which offers and in which I can prudently be absent from hence to pay you a visit. The bank Mania has somewhat subsided but as in the first paroxism the leaders induced many to subscribe a petition to the legislature for an incorporation, the pride of some and the interested views of others will not permit...
70Alexander 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...
71Enclosure P: [James Taylor’s Testimony on James Hunter], [26 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Norfolk Is. James Hunter, of Portsmouth in Virginia, came personally before me, and made oath on the holy Evangelists, That he never considered the honorable Major General Greene, either directly or indirectly concerned or interested in a purchase of goods, made by John Banks in Charleston, on the proper account and benefit of the following persons only, viz: John Banks, Robert Forsyth,...
72To 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...
73From 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...
74From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [17 January 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to communicate to the President a letter of the 7th. of January 1792. from the Collector of Alexandria, in answer to one written at the direction of the President; and also the Answer of the Collector of Boston to an enquiry in relation to the Keeper of the Lighthouse at Portland. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Letter from...
75From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 18 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Sufficient time having been given to the owners and commanders of vessels to provide regular manifests, according to the last collection law, I am of opinion that the clauses you refer to should now be enforced. You will do well to let this idea be communicated immediately among the Gentlemen in Trade, as the season admits of their taking measures to make it known. Their possessing the Pilots...
76From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, [1 January 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton presents his Compliments to Mr. Jefferson. Being engaged in making a comparative statement of the Trade between the U S & France & between the U S & G Britain; and being desirous of rendering it as candid as possible Mr. H will be obliged to Mr. Jefferson to point out to him the instances, in which the Regulations of France have made discriminations in favour of the U States, as...
77To 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...
78To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 30 January 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth [ New Hampshire ] January 30, 1792 . Has “exchanged Cash” for “a Note of the bank of the United States No. 314 for two thousand Dollars dated Jany 17. 1792,” despite the fact the cash received for the note exceeds “the Amount of Specie received Since the last return.” Realizes that this transaction represents “a deviation from the instruction” in Hamilton’s circular letter of...
79Enclosure R: Letter from Edward Carrington, 2 March 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
Towards the latter end of the year 1782, when the engagement of the State of South Carolina, to supply the southern army with provisions, was to expire, the honorable Robert Morris, Superintendant of Finance, wrote to General Greene, to have a contract formed for supporting the army, from the first of January 1783. General Greene requested my assistance in the business, and public notice, as...
80Enclosure V: Letter from Nathaniel Pendleton, 4 June 1790 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of an application from the executors of the late General Greene, to relate what I know, concerning his securityship, for the payment of certain monies for John Banks and others, I have written the following statement of facts, which is all, I can remember; and many of them happening so long since, and having no written memorials to refer to, I cannot exactly ascertain or...