1To 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...
2To 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...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To 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 .
6To 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...
7To 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...
8Enclosure: 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...
9To 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...
10To 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.
11To 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 .
12To 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...
13To 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 .
14To 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...
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19To 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...
20To 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...
21To 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...
22To 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...
23To 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...
24To 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...
25George Washington to Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, [18 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The President requests that Mr —— would give the Letter & statement herewith sent, from the Secretary of War a perusal and return it to him in the course of the day with his opinion as to the propriety of the manner of making the communication to Congress: and whether it ought not, at any rate, to be introduced in some such way as this, (if it is to pass through him to Congress) “Pursuant to...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 19 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, December 19, 1791. “I have received your Letter of the 8th. Instant. I shall charge in my present quarter’s and future Accounts, all Monies paid by me into the Providence Bank, as accounted for by the duplicate Receipts forwarded agreeable to your directions.…” ADfS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence.
27To Alexander Hamilton from James Reynolds, 19 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
When we where last togeather you then would wis to know my Determination what I would do and. you exspess a wish to do any thing that was in your power to Serve me, its true its in your power to do a great deal for me, but its out of your power to do any thing that will Restore me to my Happiness again for if you should give me all you possess would not do it. god knowes I love the woman and...
28To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 20 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] December 20, 1791 . “… I transmitted to the bank of Providence by water last friday seven thousand Dollars under the care of an Inspector. The money arrived safe but he has not had an opportunity to return with the Cashiers Receipts. I expect him this day, and will send on a receipt by the first post.” LC , Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island.
29To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 20 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
On examining the Accounts of Vincent Redman, Collector of the Customs, for the District of Yeocomico River, in the State of Virginia, for the Quarter ending 31st: March 1791, it appears, that he has charged duties on the Sloop Maria, an American Coasting Vessel, under Twenty Tons burthen at the rate of six cents per Ton, per Annum, to the amount of Ninety Cents. As the Collection of those...
30To Alexander Hamilton from Royal Flint, 21 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 21, 1791. “This letter will be presented you by Dr. Hopkins of Connecticut. He is on his way to Philadelphia, and while he is in that City, I feel a desire that you become acquainted with him. The literary talents of this gentleman, and the liberal way of thinking, he adopts on all public questions of importance, will render him not only a valuable, but a pleasing...
31To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 22 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, December 22, 1791. “I yesterday received your favor of the 23rd. of Novemr. Your approbation of my Conduct in the Case of the Brigt. Betsey, affords me the sincerest Satisfaction; and in future, should similar breaches of the Law occur within this District, I shall proceed in the way you have now suggested, as a less expensive and more speedy Mode of Determination; and, in...
32To Alexander Hamilton from James Reynolds, [22 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Received December 22 of Alexander Hamilton six hundred dollars on account of a sum of one thousand dollars due to me. “Reynolds Pamphlet,” August 31, 1797 . This receipt is printed as document No. V in the appendix of the “Reynolds Pamphlet,” August 31, 1797 . This was the first of two payments of blackmail by H to Reynolds. The second payment was made on January 3, 1792. For background to...
33To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 23 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] December 23, 1791 . “I have the Honor to call your attention to a Short report on the state of the establishments under my care as follows: The Light House in good order and well Supplied with every thing Necessary for the ensuing Season—the Publick Piers in good repair. The usual exhanges of Beacons & Buoys and those which were relieved brot. up and deposited in their usual...
34To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, [23 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Th. Jefferson presents his respectful compliments to the Secretary of the treasury and incloses him the copy of a letter and table which he has addressed to the President of the United States, and which being on a subject whereon the Secretary of the Treasury and Th: J. have differed in opinion, he thinks it his duty to communicate to him. AL , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Jefferson’s...
35To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 23 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you from hence on the 15th. inst. & of informing you of the posture of the American business here at that time. I am now happy in being able to announce to you the conclusion of a loan here for the U.S. at 4. p. cent interest. The reimbursements are to begin at the end of ten years & to be made in equal parts during the five succeeding. It has been found...
36To 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...
37To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 26 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be accompanied by a duplicate of my letter to you of the 14th. of Octr. last. In your last letter dated Decr. 12th., which I recd. on the 23d., you mention that “No letter of the 14th. of October has been received from you at this office a Duplicate will therefore be requisite.” In your letter of the 17th. of Novr. last you say “your letter of the 14th. ulto . remains to be answered”...
38To 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.
39To 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.
40To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Mifflin, [27 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
In order to enable me to answer your letter of the 21st instant, I directed the Comptroller general to furnish me with the necessary information upon the subject of your inquiry; and you will now receive an extract from his report. But as this may not be deemed satisfactory, I have given that Officer instructions to confer with you upon the subject; and, I hope, that after a full and candid...
41To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 27 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, December 27, 1791. “I have examined the memorial of Wm. W. Smith for himself and as Administrator to Gilbert Tennent deceased and of Joseph Eaker by his Attorney George Hunter, and report the following state of facts and opinion thereon. That it appears from the books and documents appertaining to the late Hospital Department, that Wm. W. Smith continued in the service of...
42To 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...
43To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 28 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
For the purpose of obviating the difficulties which have been experienced in respect to the Act providing compensations for the Officers of the judicial Courts of the United States & for jurors & Witnesses; and for the more regular collection & payment of the monies accruing from fines & forfeitures; I take the liberty to submit the following sentiments to your consideration. That all fees &...
44To 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...
45To Alexander Hamilton from John Nicholson, 29 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. instructions from his Excelly. the Governor to confer with you on the subject contained in your letter to him of the 21 Inst. If the difficulty suggested should arise in a doubt, whether part of the assumed debt of Pennsa. by the United States might not consist of Certificates given for a like sum of others of the United States not exchanged and to be surrendered, it will be...
46To 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 &...
47To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 30 December 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
My letter of the 23d. inst. which I sent by three separate conveyances will have informed you of a loan of 3,000,000 florins being contracted for at 4. p. cent interest. That of the day before yesterday sent by the way of the Texel contained the steps which preceded & led to this loan & the circumstances respecting the charges on it. The present which goes by the English packet of the next...
48To 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...
49To Alexander Hamilton from William Barton, [31 December 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The sheets which compose the pamphlet, herewith inclosed, will be comprized in the third Volume of the Philosophical Society’s Transactions, now in the press. Being favored by the printer with a few Copies of this part, (with the addition of a Title page), I beg, Sir, Your Acceptance of One. If some additional Observations on the same subject, resulting from the Census, which have been read in...
50To 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...