51From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 20 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, February 20, 1792. “I duly received your letter of the 29th Ultimo, and am of opinion that you may safely accept an entry made under the appointment by Mr Cuthbert transmitted to me in that letter.” LS , RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to Collectors at Small Ports, “Set G,” National Archives. Lee was collector...
52To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 20 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a list of bonds taken for duties on Merchze pts. of the payments whereof have been postponed, according to law, upon the Merchandize being exported for drawbacks. The certificates of the landing of these goods in foreign ports are not yet returned, and the bonds ought to be put in suit; but as the ⟨–⟩ Sales of part of them at foreign markets have come to hand and I have good...
53To Alexander Hamilton from Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 21 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
En consequence des arrangemens pris entre moi et votre gouvernement, je vous addresse cy-jointe la note des sommes à acquitter. Des motifs de prudence tendant à prévenir dans notre comptabilité nationale tout embarras relatif au reversement de ces fonds sur le compte des diverses branches de l’administration me font desirer que vous receviez pour le montant des avances que vous alles faire...
54Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 21 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In pursuance of arrangements with the Bank of the United States, I have to desire, that after the expiration of a month from the time of the receipt of this letter, you will discontinue the execution of my former instructions concerning the receipt, and exchange for specie, of the Cash Notes and Post Notes of the Banks of North-America and New-York. The regularity of the service requires that...
55From Alexander Hamilton to Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 22 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowlege your letter of yesterday. You will find enclosed warrants on the Treasurer for the sums you desire, that is to say, one in favour of yourself for Eight thousand three hundred and twenty five Dollars, the other in favour of Mr. De la forest, Vice Consul General of France for Twenty two thousand Dollars. The amounts of these warrants will be paid by the Treasurer...
56To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 23 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Providence, February 23, 1792. “… I have deposited in the Providence Bank, agreeable to your directions of the 7th Instant, 4,097 Dollars & 18½ Cents,… having retained 40 Dollars for my present private Expences, not doubting it would meet with your approbation, as the Emoluments of my Office afford me little or no Support.” ADfS , Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence.
57From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 23 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to inclose to the President of the United States, a contract made by the Superintendant of the Lighthouse on the Island of New Castle in the State of Hampshire with Titus Salter for supplying, keeping, lighting, & superintending the occasional repairs of that building. The terms of this Contract being the same as those in the last...
58From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [24 February 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The President is right. The person intended is Joseph McDowell the younger; and a more precise designation would be by adding, “ of Pleasant Garden. ” But I imagine it will be well to defer the matter ’till the general nomination of the Officers of Inspection is made to the Senate, & to include this case. Yrs. &c LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See H to Lear, February 17,...
59To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 24 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the United States having approved of the Contract made by the Superintendant of the Light House in New Hampshire with Titus Salter for supplying, keeping, lighting and superintending the occasional repairs of that building, it is respectfully returned to the Secretary of the Treasury by LS , RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, “Segregated” Lighthouse Records, Lear, National...
60From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [24 February 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to return the President the papers received from Mr. Lear, which he has carefully perused, and will wait on the President tomorrow at ten o’Clock accordingly. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The papers which H received from Tobias Lear were apparently the same ones that the President sent to the Secretary of State on February 24,...
61From Alexander Hamilton to Francis Childs, 27 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 11th instant, inclosing a copy of the bill before the Legislature of New York for erecting another Bank, and beg you to accept my acknowledgments for the information. I am, Sir. Your Mo. Obed Servant. ALS , from a typescript supplied by Mr. Percy Hamilton Goodsell, Jr., White Plains, New York. Letter not found. For information on the attempt to organize new...
62To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 27 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Newport, Rhode Island ] February 27, 1792. “Your Letter of the 11th of this month in answer to mine of the 16th of Jany. did not come to hand until the 24th. of this month.… By the inclosed weekly return of monies received and paid, it will appear that the Cash I have on hand is 2186 dolls 93½ cents … and [I] will only observe now that at the expiration of this month will be due to...
63To Alexander Hamilton from William Heth, 27 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Merchants of Richmond Petersburg & Manchester—by deputation—spent last friday, & saturday, on the Subject of petitioning Congress for the removal of the office from Bermuda Hundred. The scheme will end as I wishd—nothing will be done. It being acknowledged, pretty unanimously that, if there was only tolerable accommodations at the Hundred, they could have no good cause of complaint; it...
64Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Charles L’Enfant, [27 February 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
From your letter in answer to mine of the and your declarations in conversation with Mr. Lear it is understood that you absoultely decline acting under the authority of the present Commissioners. If this understanding of your meaning be right I am instructed by the President to inform you that notwithstanding the desire he has entertained to preserve your agency in the business the condition...
65To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Smith, 27 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] February 27, 1792. “… I have … large returns in forwardness which Shall be compleated as soon as the very pressing business of the Office will permit—with out any further addition to the business of this office it will yet take four or five Clerks three or four months at least to Compleat it but Very unfortuneatly the Auditor cannot pass My Acct of Clerks wages for their...
66Circular Letter from the Officers of the Massachusetts Line of the Late Army, 28 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
We have had the honour to be appointed a Committee, by the Officers of the Massachusetts line of the late Army, to attend to and prosecute their memorial to the Congress of the United States, on the subject of compensation for the losses sustained by them and the soldiers who served during the war, in consequence of the singular manner in which their services have been acknowledged and...
67To Alexander Hamilton from Isaac Ledyard, 28 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed was left with Mr. Hazard to forward but was carelessly mislaid & forgoten. I do not recollect the contents, but will recollect the impression under which it was written, & that the design must have been to prevent drawn swords. I shall be able in a few days to convince you that on election grounds you need not be the enemy of Mr. ——— & I hope nothing else will disturb the...
68Report on the Petition of the Executors of Edward Carnes, 28 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives] The Secretary of the Treasury, pursuant to an Order of the House of Representatives, of the 5th. of February 1790, referring to him a Memorial of the Executors of Edward Carnes, respectfully submits the following Report. The object of the said Memorial is, to obtain payment of a sum of five hundred and forty four pounds nineteen shillings and...
69To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Smith, 28 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] February 28, 1792. “… the amount of Certificates of the assumed debt presented & funded at this office is 674,675 Dollars which deducted from the Quota allotted this State Viz 2.200.000. Dollars leaves 1,525.325 the Interest On Which agreeably to the statement on the other side amounts to 13982.14 Cts. for the Quarter ending 31 March 1792.” LC , RG 53, Pennsylvania State Loan...
70To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 28 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, February 28, 1792. “Your letter of the 4th. instant I had the honor to receive the 21st. and conformably with your directions I now give you the Name of Benjamin Gunnison as a Suitable person for the first Mate of the Revenue Cutter Scammel.…” LC , RG 36, Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, Letters Sent, 1791–1792, Vol. 3, National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters from...
71To Alexander Hamilton from James Blanchard, 29 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
When the Funding System was in agitation, those who were not in the paper Line was in hopes the President would not Sign the Bill. However he did. Still they were in hopes at next Session he would recommend some Sort of Justice to be done but they were disappointed. As soon as the session ended the Circular Letter No. 1, No. 2. and No. 3 was Sent to every State Society of Officers—and what has...
72To Alexander Hamilton from William Heth, 29 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
When at Petersburg the other day, I found an Idea prevailing that, Mr Randolph, the present Marshall, & myself, were about to exchange Offices, at which, I was a good deal surprised—tho’ it gave me no concern. But, on coming to Town this morning, it was suggested to me that Mr Randolphs friends might effect this exchange, without my knowledge or consent, by insinuating to the President that I...
73Report on the Petitions of Jabez Bowen and William Gardner, 29 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives] Pursuant to the Orders of the House of Representatives of the 20th. of December and 31st. of January last, referring to the Secretary of the Treasury, the petition of Jabez Bowen, Commissioner of Loans for the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and the petition of William Gardner, Commissioner of Loans for the State of New...
74To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 29 February 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, Comptroller’s Office, February 29, 1792. Sends report on memorial of Samuel Fowler. States: “Though there is not any recollection of the particular Certificate presented by Saml Fowler and defaced at the Treasury, yet from the circumstances now stated, it is evident that said Certificate was a forgery and not chargeable to the public. That the negligence imputed by the...
75Notes on Thomas Jefferson’s Report of Instructions for the Commissioners to Spain, [1–4 March 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Jefferson’s Comments ] [ Hamilton’s notes ] The General Tenor of the Report appears solid and proper. The following observations however on a hasty perusal occur. The Report is amended in conformity with this observation. Page 2. Is it to put our Revolution upon the true or the best footing to say that the circumstances which obliged us to discontinue our foreign Magistrate brought upon us...
76From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 1 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to submit to the President of the United States the draft of a Report on the subject of the Act concerning distilled Spirits. There are one or two blanks in the draft, to the filling of which some additional examination & enquiry are requisite. The suggestions however to which they relate are true, as they stand, and the sense will be apparent. The...
77From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 4 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to inclose the List of appointments of Inspectors of the Revenue, which took place during the recess of the Senate, as well for ports as Surveys. The President will recollect that the Joseph McDowell who was truly contemplated is “ the younger ” of Pleasant Garden, though described in the Commission & in the List as “ the Elder. ” LC , George...
78From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 4 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to communicate to the President of the U: States certain resolutions of the Bank of the U: States, in answer to communications from the Treasury. He will ask the President’s orders on Monday. The first resolution will particularly require attention. LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The reports and letters of the Bank of the United...
79From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 5 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In mine of the 14th ultimo, I instructed you to dispose of the draughts, remitted you by the Treasurer towards payment of the present quarters interest, upon either of the Banks of the united States or New York. And as it will be necessary, lest adequate demands for bills upon those banks should not occur in time, to extend that instruction, with regard to the further disposition of the...
80To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 5 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] March 5, 1792. “I have received a Letter from the Assist. Secry of the Treasy. in which he informs me that … two Thermometers will be forwarded … and mentions that it appears proper that you should be informed, in what cases I would find an Hydrostatic balance useful.… I have written to the Surveyor of Pawcatuck to send me his broken Thermometer, as soon as I receive I...
81From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 5 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, March 5, 1792. “It is probable that Treasury draughts in favour of the commissioner of loans of New Hampshire to the extent of 6000 Dollars will be directed to you, which I request you to pay, together with such sums as shall be presented to you in the like draughts by the Commissioner of Your state, towards payment of the interest for the accruing quarter.” L[S] , RG 36,...
82Report on the Difficulties in the Execution of the Act Laying Duties on Distilled Spirits, [5 March 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives] In Obedience to the orders of the House of Representatives of the first & second days of November last, the first directing the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the House such information as he may have obtained, respecting any difficulties which may have occurred in the execution of the Act “repealing after the last day of June next, the...
83From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 5 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last of the 14th ultimo I have the pleasure of your two letters of the 8th & 12th of Novemer. The reimbursement of the Spanish Debt will be perfectly acceptable, but there will be matter for regret, if before this reaches you the sum claimed by the Farmer’s General has been paid to them. There is certainly a million of livres in the pecuniary transactions between the United States and...
84To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 5 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Baltimore, March 5, 1792. “The misfortunes which have attended the arms of the U States against the Savages very naturally engage attention.… there are perhaps a few who, instead of sympathising, as they ought, in the public concern, find for themselves, consolation in the opportunity of censuring the measures of the Executive.… The Secretary of War, whose friendship I have no reason to doubt,...
85From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of the application of Mr Andw. Ellicot, I have the honor to transmit you the official copy of the Survey of the tract of Land purchased by the State of Pennsylvania from the United States. As I conceive this as an original paper filed of record in this office in the Execution of an Act of the Legislature, I must ask the favor of your returning it to the Treasury as soon as you...
86To Alexander Hamilton from James Tillary, [6 March 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
When I reflect how long I have been in your Debt I am ashamed, not that I have had any reason to complain of your patience or doubt your generosity. When Mr Childs was in Phila. about 10 days ago, I expected he would have called & taken up my note. I had actually put him in possession of the ways & means for doing so, except what interest may be due upon it. He hurried away sooner than he...
87From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Harison, 7 March [1792] (Hamilton Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Mr. Ceracchi, whom I recommend to your attention. He goes to New York in pursuit of subscriptions towards a Monument of the American Revolution. You have doubtless heared of the Artist and his project. He will explain to you more particularly. I have prepared him to find difficulties in the present political situation of New York. How far they may really stand...
88From Alexander Hamilton to John Kean, 8 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have desired the Treasurer to transmit to the Bank of the United States a bill or bills on the Bank of New York for the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, which are to be passed, to the credit of the United States. It is to be understood that the Bank of the United States are to receive the amount in their own notes or in specie at the option of the Bank of New York. I am, Sir, Your most...
89To Alexander Hamilton from Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 8 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
J’ai l’honeur de vous envoyer cy jointe une copie de la reponse que je viens de recevoir de Mr. le secretaire d’Etat, sur ma demande du 3 du present, dont vous avez connaissance. Les besoins de st. Domingue me faisant un devoir d’obtenir auplutot les moyens sollicités pour secourir cette colonie; je vous prierai avec instance de vouloir bien me faire connàitre si la somme que j’ai demandée en...
90From Alexander Hamilton to Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 8 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of your letter of this date, communicating the copy of one to you from the Secretary of State in answer to your application of the 3d. instant. Assuring you of the pleasure I shall feel, in executing the views of the President, relatively to the accommodation, which is desired, in as efficacious a manner, as the state of our public resources compared with our public exigencies...
91From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [8 March 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to submit to the President a letter which he has drafted in answer to one from the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, and which contains such Ideas as have appeared to him compatible with the Law, with the state of the Treasury and with a liberal attention to the conjuncture. He will wait on the President this evening for his orders, as Mr. Ternant...
92From Alexander Hamilton to John Daves, 9 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, March 9, 1792. “You will receive by the first Vessel, for North Carolina from this Port the several articles for the use of the Revenue Cutter, which you desire.…” Copy, RG 56, Letters to the Collector at New Bern, National Archives; copy, RG 26, Lighthouse Letters Received, Revenue Cutter Service Letters Sent, Vol. “O,” National Archives; copy, RG 56, Letters to...
93To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Marshall, 9 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Buck-pond [ Virginia ] March 9, 1792. “Permit me to return you my grateful thanks for your very polite & friendly letter accompanying the Commission of Inspector of Revenue for the seventh survey of the District of Virginia.…” ALS , RG 58, General Records, 1791–1803, National Archives. Thomas Marshall, father of John Marshall, had served in various county and state offices in Virginia before...
94To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 9 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
After much enquiry, I have found a house which would accommodate my numerous family, and at the same time give me office-room. The greatly extended business of the department, I think may be accomplished with the same help which has been used since the time of Mr. Osgoods appointment, to wit, an assistant and clerk. For these, with their necessary writing desks, table, boxes, cases & shelves,...
95From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 9 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Treasury Department, March 9, 1792. “The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to enclose to the President of the United States a petition to the President from Samuel Davis of the State of Rhode Island & providence plantations, together with the papers from the files of the Treasury relative thereto.…” LC , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this...
96To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 9 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I conceive it to be a duty incumbent on me to mention to you that the ill State of Health of the Judge of this district has prevented his attendance at the two last Courts, in consequence of which two actions brought to that Court on Bonds for Impost duties have failed in their expected issue, and I have been induced to put a third in Suit at the State Court of Common Pleas to avoid the like...
97To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 10 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
The last grant of money for defraying the contingent and other expences of the Department of State having been laid out, and the account thereof and vouchers presented at the Auditor’s office for settlement and settled, I have to request the favour of your directing a warrant for the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars to be issued for the payment of such expences as may arise in future. I...
98Report on Tonnage and Imports for the Several States, 10 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
In obedience to the order of the Senate, of the 8th instant, I have the honor to transmit thirteen returns exhibiting, as accurately as is practicable, the various descriptions of vessels employed during the year ending the 30th September, 1790, in the import trade of each State at that time comprehended in the Union, together with the foreign places from whence they departed for the United...
99To Alexander Hamilton from Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 10 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
J’ai recu votre reponse à ma lettre d’avant hier; et d’après l’assurance que vous me donnez du remboursement total de ce qu’il y a d’exigible sur la dette des Etats unis envers la france, ainsi que de la necessité où la loi met votre gouvernement de ne faire des remboursemens anticipés qu’à des conditions avantageuses, je ne puis qu’accepter l’avance que vous etes disposé de faire, et acceder...
100To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 10 March 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I have examined the papers transmitted to me from your Office and find it duly certified that State Securities were issued in lieu of Certificates of the United States to the amount of £470,649..17..6. And that there have been paid in & cancelled in State Certificates which issued particularly for Certificates of the United States the sum of £91.363…9..8. And that Certificates of the...