Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Maria Reynolds, [January 23–March 18 1792]
From: Reynolds, Maria
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, January 23–March 18, 1792]Monday Morning.

the Girl tells me that you said If I wanted any thing that I should write this morning alas my friend want what what can ask for but peace wich you alone can restore to my tortured bosom and do My dear Col hamilton on my kneese Let me Intreatee you to reade my Letter and Comply with my request tell the bearer of this or give her a line you need not be the least affraid let me not die with fear have pity on me my freend for I deserve it I would not solicit this favor but I am sure It cannot injure you and will be all the happiness I Ever Exspect to have But oh I am disstressed more than I can tell My heart Is ready to burst and my tears wich once could flow with Ease are now denied me Could I only weep I would thank heaven and bless the hand that


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 23 January 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Department, January 23, 1792. Submits “the draft of a Report, pursuant to an order of the House of Representatives of the first day of November last.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 23 January 1792
From: Williams, Otho H.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Baltimore 23d. January 1792
Sir.

The only Brig Hope that I know “which frequents this port” belongs to Stephen Zacharie of Baltimore, a Citizen of the United States, see No. 52, 1790. Mr. Stephen Zacharie is of the House of Zacharie, Coopman & Company. The partners are, Stephen Zacharie, resident in Baltimore, who became a Citizen of the State of Maryland, according to an Act of the Legislature for the Naturalization of foreigners, about the Year 1789. Francis Coopman a Citizen of France, residing in the West Indies and John Baptist Vochez, a Citizen of France, resident in Baltimore. Mr. Gernon resides in Richmond, but whether he is a Citizen of the United States or not I am not informed.
The Brigg hope cleared last from this port on the 22d. of October 1791 for Cape Francois to which place she usually, I believe, constantly runs, and where Mr. Coopman is acting partner. She is now commanded by Mr. Latouch, a Native frenchman endorsed as Master the 7th March 1791 at this office. Whether he is a Citizen or not I do not know, the law of Congress does not authorize a Collector in such a Case to require proof and I am not informed. It is said that the Hope is now at Annapolis, prevented by the Ice from proceeding to this port.
This Brig Hope is the same which formerly belonged to Connecticut, and about which there was a reference to you by Zacharie Coopman & Co. because I refused to grant to her the privileges of an American Vessel on account of some Informality in the instrument of Sale; and the same about which there was lately a petition to Congress to refund the duty upon tonnage exacted here according to law.
Permit me again to suggest to you that the informalities of a bill, of Sale of a Vessel, can be known to no Officers of the Customs except where the new Register is granted, and that, unless it is noted by the Collector on the back of the new Register, the privileges of an American Vessel can not on that account only be denied at any other port.
I am Sir   Your most Obedient Humble Servant

Alexander HamiltonEsqr Secy of the Treasury


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 24 January 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Seton, William

Philadelphia January24. 1792
My Dear Sir

I feel great satisfaction in knowing from yourself, that your institution rejects the idea of coalition with the new project, or rather Hydra of projects.
I shall labour to give what has taken place a turn favourable to another Union; the propriety of which is as you say clearly illustrated by the present state of things.
It is my wish that the Bank of New York may, by all means, continue to receive deposits from the Collector, in the paper of the Bank of the U States, and that they may also receive payment for the Dutch Bills in the same paper. This paper may either be remitted to the Treasurer or remain in the Bank as itself shall deem most expedient. I have explicitly directed the Treasurer to forbear drawing on the Bank of New York, without special direction from me. And my intention is to leave you in possession of all the money you have or may receive ’till I am assured that the present storm is effectually weathered.
Every body here sees the propriety of your having refused the paper of the Bank of the United States in such a crisis of your affairs.
Be Confidential with me. If you are pressed, whatever support may be in my power shall be afforded. I consider the public interest as materially involved in aiding a valuable institution like yours to withstand the attacks of a confederated host of frantic and I fear, in too many instances, unprincipled gamblers.
Adieu Heaven take care of good Men and good views. Yrs

A Hamilton
William Seton Esquire


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [25 January 1792]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia, January 25, 1792]

Mr. Hamilton presents his respects to the President & submits the following alterations in the Letter—
instead of “I shall be glad” to say “it is my desire” or “it appears adviseable” that you prepare &c.
Instead of “When our Constituents” say
“When the Community are called upon for considerable exertions, to relieve a part, which is suffering under the hand of an enemy, it is desireable to manifest that due pains have been taken by those entrusted with the administration of their affairs to avoid the evil.”
It is a doubt whether our constituents be a proper phrase to be used by the President in addressing a subordinate officer.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 27 January 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Willink, Wilhem,Willink, Jan,Van Staphorst, Nicholaas,Van Staphorst, Jacob,Hubbard, Nicholas

Treasury Department, January 27, 1792. “The Treasurer of the United States has been directed to draw upon you a Bill, at ten days, for 95.947½ Guilders, in favor of Mr. Jefferson, the Secretary for the Department of State, to which I request you to pay due honor.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 28 January 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Short, William

Treasury Department January 28th 1792
Sir

You will find herewith duplicate of my letter of the 30th of November last—Since which I am without any of your favours.
It is with sincere pleasure, I embrace the opportunity of congratulating you on your appointment to the Hague as Minister Resident. This will afford you a better opportunity of watching and appreciating the course of Circumstances. You will consequently be obliged less to rely on others, and I trust by seizing favorable moments, you will be able to reduce the rate of interest on such future loans as may be found necessary.
A bill has lately been drawn upon our Commissioners in favor of Mr Jefferson for 95,947½ guilders for the use of the foreign department.
I send you herewith copy of a report of mine to the House of Representatives on the 23d instant, and of certain statements which accompanied the same, which will give you a view of the present state of Revenue and Expenditure.
Our frontier affairs by occasioning an encrease of the latter will call for an augmentation of the former.

With perfect consideration & esteem   I have the honor to remain Sir   Your Obedient Servt

Alexander Hamilton
William Short EsquireMinister Resident of theunited States at the Hague


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 28 January 1792
From: Whipple, Joseph
To: Hamilton, Alexander

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 for 6 Months ending the last day of June next for the purpose of its being laid before the president of the United States.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 29 January 1792
From: Lee, Charles
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Alexandria [Virginia] 29th. January 1792
Sir!

I have received your letter of the 18th. Instant and I shall act conformably to it with respect to the clauses of the Collection Law, to which it refers.
As to the appointment of a person to measure vessels, in considering the parts of the Coasting Law, which apply to the subject, more particularly the third and thirty first sections, I have conceived that the measurement of every vessel ought to be made by the Surveyor when it can be done conveniently with his other official duties. Few or none of the duties of that Office are in their natures so confidential. Putting this construction on the Law, I shall consider myself bound to require the admeasurement to be made by the Surveyor in every case, where it shall not be necessary to be made by another person to be appointed for the special purpose: and in every case where it shall be proper or necessary to appoint a measurer it shall be regularly done. This the Surveyor well knew was the proposed plan of my conduct, and also the one directed by Law. I have been led to be more exact and explicit with the Surveyor here, because in my opinion he has not been so attentive to the duties of his Office as he ought to have been; and as he is scarcely ever called by any occasion from Alexandria, he ought to have performed more of the duties of his Office than he has thought proper to do. I did formerly appoint a person to measure vessels indefinitely; and I have been informed that the certificates sent to my Office were signed by the Surveyor generally, yet the actual measurement was made in his absence, by the person thus appointed in almost every instance. This mode of proceeding being in my opinion improper, I thought it necessary in order that the Surveyor may be compelled to perform the duty of admeasurement when he can conveniently do it, to adopt the present mode, of appointing a measurer from time to time in every particular case that shall require it to be done. This latter mode is more troublesome to me but will be attended with a more proper execution of the Surveyors duties, and seems more perfectly legal.
I beg leave to bring your attention to the 31st. section of the Collection Law, because to merchants here have complained of it as inconvenient in requiring the entry to be made on oath by the importer consignee or the known factor or agent of such importer or consignee before the collector of that district where the vessel unladed. The trade of Virginia not being collected to a point, it happens that goods imported by a Merchant at Alexandria are in a Vessel entered in James River, and so vice versa. There is no known factor or agent at the entering port, and the Merchant must go there to take the oath before the Custom House Officer, which inconvenience, it is thought, by altering the Law back to what it was under the first Collection Law, might be removed without any injury to the Revenue. That is to say, by permitting the Oath of Entry to be taken in certain cases before a magistrate, and transmitted to the proper Officer of the Customs.
The Case of Mr. Cuthbert has lately occurred he resides in Norfolk, and has some goods in a ship entered in this district. He has sent the enclosed paper, supposing it to be a sufficient appointment of an agent to make entry of his goods. As the ice has occluded our navigation, no inconvenience will arise to him while I wait for your opinion, and therefore I have submitted to you to direct, whether the oath of entry ought to be admitted to be taken by a person duly appointed by the importer or consignee to be his agent for the particular purpose of entering the goods; or whether the Law does not mean that the agent ought to be a person who previously and in other instances had acted in the affairs of the importer or consignee, and was known as such at the place of doing the business. The former construction might occasion unfair practices if generally admitted; and as the Law has made no exceptions, if admitted in one case it ought also to prevail in every case.
I am Sir! most respectfully   Your most Obedt. Hble Servant

Charles Lee, Collectorat Alexandria


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Gale, 1 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Gale, George

Sir
Treasury DepartmentFebruary 1, 1792

I have received your letter of the 20th Ultimo, and shall consider the several suggestions contained in it.
The subject of compensation will come into view when the law shall be under revision.
I am, Sir,   with great consideration,   Your Obed. Servant.
Alex Hamilton
George Gale Esq.Supervisor Maryland.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Isaac Ledyard, [1 February 1792]
From: Ledyard, Isaac
To:

Dear sir
[New York, February 1, 1792]

On my arrival here finding that a tide was likely to make strongly for Mr. Burr, I grew more anxious on the grounds which I had the honor to converse with you about in Phia. I talked with several of our common friends, but with none confidentially excepting Genl. Schuyler, who with the same confidence was pleased to inform me of the circumstance of Mr. Yates resigning his pretensions. Mr. Schuyler concluded to have an interview with you, & to let the determination of Mr. Yates remain a secret ’till his return.
Mr. Yates it is probable will feel much inclined to return the favor which he has recd. from your friends in affording his support to the Candidate which they may propose, but against this it is to be calculated that supporting Mr. Burr will best please most of his antient friends & tend to restore him to their confidence, & also that the Candidate in question has a personal dominion over him. Mr. Schuyler supposes that if Mr Clinton and Mr. Burr were to be the only Competitors & his friends thrown out of the scale it would be doubtful which succeeded. To oppose Mr. B with success, your friends will be necessitated to promote the interest of the Old Incumbent which might be considered a dereliction of sentiment & to cherish the hopes of a third Candidate will probably be to loose a triumph. If B. finally succeeds & you not have the merrit of it, it will be an event extremely disagreeable to me. With this impression I have sought repeated interviews with him, untill I could procure from him an artless declaration from him of his sentiments both with respect to the Union on present grounds & also with respect to you. He has expressed a sincere regard for the safety & well being of the former, with respect to yourself he expresses an entire confidence in the wisdom & integrity of your designs, & a real personal friendship, & which he does not seem to suppose you doubt of, or that you ever will unless it may arise from medling Interveners. Unless you have grounds of objection which I do not know of, I ardently wish that the result of your interview with Genl. Schuyler may be an adoption of the Candidate.
It is not necessary to say more on this head considering our conversations in Phia. Permit me only to add that I was very sorry to find your real friend honest Troup under impressions of being neglected by you, which he said was also a complaint of some others of your friends. I hope I have removed it in him. May I be permitted to intreat you to silence such complaints, which may have an unhappy tendency as far as your very laborious life will permit. Troup has been innocently led astray in the Bank business & can not now easily get out of the scrape.
I am with entire Respect & Esteem   Your very Obedt. & humble Servt.
Isaac Ledyard
N York 1st Feby 17⟨92⟩


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Van Schaack, 1 February 1792
From: Van Schaack, Henry
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Pittsfield, Massachusetts, February 1, 1792. On April 20, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Van Schaack: “I received your letter of the 1st of February.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 2 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Delany, Sharp

Treasury Department, February 2, 1792. Questions two entries in Delany’s “account with the United States.” States: “The Register of the Ship Blum Hoff Lady has been transmitted to me by the Collector of Burlington. He mentions that this vessel departed from his district without any papers, and that she has since sailed from Philadelphia. I wish to be informed if she brought any goods into your district from Burlington, whether she obtained a new register with a surrender of the old one, and in whose names: also what measures were taken to obtain the delivery of the certificate of Registry, No 101, for which bond was given in your office.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from James Watson, 2 February 1792
From: Watson, James
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir
New York Feby 2d. 1792

The nature of my business has allowed me but a few liesure moments since my return to this place. I called pretty early, & repeatedly on General Schuyler, but have not had the good fortune to find him at home: If I had I am not sufficiently known to him, to expect his confidential communications on a subject so delicate as that of the approaching Election.
Knowing that truth & the public good engage all your attention, & govern all your actions, it may serve as apology for my suggesting the observations I have made, & the inferences that result. So far then as I have been able to collect opininions, there is some prospect that the gentleman alluded to in our last interview may at all events be prefered to the Government; And in case it was tho’t expedient to give him the Federal interest, the probability would be strong.
If that Interest is denied him, & he succeeds; will it not make him an enemy if he is not one now, or increase his enmity if he now has any? If he is refused this support, & fails; will he not return to the senate of the United States, imbittered against the government & its ablest advocates? a circumstance the more to be regretted in the present irritable State of the Legislature, & Body Politic: If this aid is given him, & he fails; will it not serve to moderate his conduct, or rather to bind him by the ties of interest & gratitude to his supporters? If it could be possible that he should absolve himself from these ties, would not the ingratitude, & atrocity of the act, diminish his power of doing harm, & make all future opposition to him equally just & popular? You will have the goodness to recollect that these remarks, are founded upon the presumption, that Judge Yates chuses not to be a candidate, & that he will resign his pretensions with most satisfaction to the character in Question.
This I am assured is the fact, without which I should not have troubled you with these remarks.
Whenever I imagine how much easier it is to embarrass, & obstruct the benign operations of Government than to give them the requisite tone, & vigour I am solicitous, to remove talents, perseverance & address as far from the opposition as possible. I have omitted to urge any positive good, that may result from this measure; Altho’ I am strongly persuaded that a very great one may accrue.
The absence of evil will continue to be desirable, untill the public mind becomes more quiet, & Federal habits take deeper root. I shall only add that the cautious distance observed by this gentleman, towards all parties, however exceptionable in a politician may be a real merit in a Governor.
I have the honor to be,   With perfect truth & Esteem   Your Most Humble Servant
James Watson
Hone A Hamilton Esqr


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Nourse, 3 February 1792
From: Nourse, Joseph
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir
Treasury Department,Registers Office 3rd. Feb. 1792.

Having agreeably to your directions examined the Actual payments which have been made, upon the several appropriations of public Monies to 31st. Decemr. 1790 & having compared them with each other a balance of 314.747.29 Dolls. remains stated as ⅌: B.
I have not been able yet to ascertain what proportion thereof will form a fund of surpluses which is appropriated by act of Feb. 11th: 1791, for the payment of the expences of Government for that Year, but think it probable that the following will arise Vizt.

  Upon the Appropriation of 216.000 Drs: granted by act of 20th. Septr. 1789. for the Civil List 1789
  }
  35,000.

  Upon the
  do:

  190.000   “
  by same act for
  }
  35,000

  discharge of Treasy: Warrts: drawn by the late Governmt.

  Upon the
  do:
  of
  141.492. .73
  Drs. for the Civil
  }
  4,000.

  List 1790. ⅌ act 26th. Mar: 1790

  do:
  do:
  of
  147.169. .54
  Drs. for discharging
  }
  40,000

  Specific Demands including the building a lighthouse

  on Cape Henry ⅌ act do.

  Upon the
  do:
  of
  104.327 . . 22
  by act 12th Augt:
  }
  10,000

  1790 for extraordinaries

  Upon the
  do:
  of
  96.000 dols:
  for paying
  }
  (little or no surplus will arise on these appropriations)

pensions to Invalids for the yr: 1789 ⅌. act

of 20th: Septr. 1789

  do:
  do:
  of
  96.979. . 72
  for paying
  }

  pensions to Invalids for 1790 granted by act

26th Mar: 1790.

  Estimated Amount of Surpluses which by act of 11th. Feb. 1791. is appropriated to the paymt. of certain sums for the support of Governt. for that Year.
  }
  124,000.

A more Certain comparison has been made between the sums appropriated for the services of the year 1791 & the actual payments as ⅌ statemt: C: by which it appears there is a surplus fund of 40,000 after paying all the demands which can probably be made upon those appropriations.
The Statement A: shews the Ntt. amount of Revenue to 31st: Decmr: 1790. together with the total amount of Appropriations to that time.
I have the Honor to be &ca:
Honble: A. HamiltonSecy: of the Treasy:


Title: Enclosure A: [Net Revenue and Appropriations], [3 February 1792]
From:
To:

Amount of the Ntt Revenue arising on Goods, Wares and Merchandize imported into the United States from the commencement of the Act  to the 31st of December, 1790.

2.805.013.45⅓

    Tonage for the same period
221.130.85.

3.026.144.30⅓

Amount of Storage & Interest received by the  Collectors during said time
}
66.35.

3.026.210.65⅓

    Deduct Collectors salaries
140.

Dollars.
3.026.070.65⅓

Total amount of Appropriations to the 31st. of December 1790.
}
1.690.420.51

Deduct for this sum, received of the receivers of Continental Taxes ⅌ Act of Septmr: 29th: 1789 and Ledger No. 1. Folio 66
}
3.225.70
1.687.194.81.

Dollars
1.338.875.84⅓


Title: Enclosure B: [Appropriations Made by Congress August 1789–December 1790], [3 February 1792]
From:
To:

B.

Appropriations made by Congress between August 1789 and December 1790.

Dollars.

Total.

Balance.

Appropriation of
216.000.
⅌ act of
Septmr: 20th. 1789
216.000
}
No. 1
38 125.68

39

190.000.  ”
ditto
”
190 000
38.854. 3.

69.
”
147.169.⁵⁴⁄₁₀₀
”
March 26th: 1790
147 169.54
53 688.30

88.
”
141.492.⁷³⁄₁₀₀.
”
”
141.492.73
4.429.15.

319
”
20.000
”
July 22nd. 1790 Indian Treaty
20.000
13.000. -

320.
”
104.327.²²⁄₁₀₀.
”
Augst. 12th. 1790
104 327.22
11.035.35.

336.
”
38.892.⁷⁵⁄₁₀₀
”
 ”   1.1790
 38.892.75
    209.62

857.882.24
159.342.13.

57.

96.000  ”

Septmr. 20th. for Invalids in the year
96.000.-
}
No. 2
48.482.4

292.
”
96.979.⁷²⁄₁₀₀
”
 ”      for Ditto in
 96.979.72
  7.018.72

192.979.72

 55.500.76

85.
”
10.000  ”
”
August 4th. 1790 for revenue Cutters
10.000.-
}
No. 3
9.430.

329.
”
10.000  ”
”
Mar: 26th: 1790 for Contingent expences of Governmt:
10.000.
8.774.30

339
”
50.000  ”
”
Augt. 12th. 1790
50.000.
2.695.51.

355
”
40.000  ”
”
July 1.1790, for intercourse with Foreign Nations
40.000.-
38.766.67

357.
”
40.000  ”
”
Augt: 12.1790. for the late Qr. Mr. Genls: Departmt
40.000.-
38.545.92

”
192  ”
”
March 26th 1790. for Gefford Dally & J: Mathers.
192.-
192.-

”
1,500  ”
”
Augst 10th: 1790 for building. Portland light-house
  1.500.-
  1.500.-

151.692.

99.904.40

”
”
20.000  ”
”
” 20. 1789 for the Indian treaty
20.000.
}
No. 4

”
”
137.000  ”
”
Septr. 29, 1789. War depart
137.000.-

”
”
200  ”
”
Augt: 11. 1790.
200.-

74.
”
155.537.72
”
War departt. 1790
155.537.72

299.

1.309.71
”
July 1st: 1790
1309.71

”

120  ”
”
in the year 1790
   120.-

314.167.43

81.
Genl Appropriation for Congress &ca: March 26th. 1790
  173.699.12

No. 5

301.
Appropriation for paying of Interest August 4th. 1790
1.184 652.87
}
No. 6

“
“ for the reduction of the Public Debt Augt: 12 1790
  699.984.23

1.884.637.10

Recapitulation.

No
1
“
For

159.342.13.

2
“
 “

55.500.76

3.
“
 “

99.904.40

4.
“
 “

314.167.43.

5.
“
 “

173.699.12

6
“
 “

1.884.637.10

Mr: O Hara’s explanation to

No.
1.
I apprehend that most of the demands upon the appropriations of which this is the balance are fully complied with, but I suppose it wou’d be well to retain 26.000 drs. to answer any demands that might occur.

2.
On this balance demands are and probably will be made in future.

3.
Large demands are expected to be made upon this balance except Appropriation of 192 dolls: for dally & Mathers which has been paid by the Secy. of the Senate & Clerk of the House of representatives.

4.
No balance arises here being for the War departmt. & fully paid up.

5.
Amount paid for the reduction of the public Debt and payment of Interest on Funded & Registered Debt.

6.
No balance arises here being appropriated for the Compensation of Congress &ca.


Title: Enclosure C: [Estimate of Balances upon Appropriations for 1791], [3 February 1792]
From: Nourse, Joseph
To:

The following sums may probably be deemed as Balances upon the Appropriations for the Year 1791. Vizt:

On the Appropriation of 299.276. ⁵³⁄₁₀₀ Drs.
Dollars.

Judiciary—Pennsylvania by the Death of Francis Hopkinson
.289.49

Congress. after paying the Members of Senate & House of Representatives, secy. Clerks &ca. to 31st. Decr. 1791}
34.396.12

Treasury Department, comprising the secretarys, Comptrollers, Auditors, Registers & Treasurers Offices}
3.041.72

Department of State
146.93

Department of War
1.168. 6

Board of Commissioners
270.45

Contingencies,

Congress, Senate & House of Representatives
3.—

Treasury, comprising all the Offices
97.—

Department of War, Nothing drawn on this fund
600.—

Board of Commissioners for settling the &ca.
    6.25

Dollars
40.019. 2

The Appropriation of 50.756. ⁷⁄₁₀₀ Drs: cannot yet be ascertain’d as there are many Charges against it now depending in the Auditors Office,
The Ditto of 87.463. ⁶⁰⁄₁₀₀ is still liable to demands, to what amount is yet to be ascertained.
“ Ditto of 302.735. ⁹⁴⁄₁₀₀. for the War Departmt is compleated.
“ Ditto of 20.000 Drs. ⅌ act of Mar: 3rd: 1791 for renewing the treaty with the Emperor of Morocco. on this 13.000 Drs: has been paid whether any further sum will be necessary. rests with the Secy: of state to determine.


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Captains of the Revenue Cutters, 3 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander,Treasury Department
To: Captains of the Revenue Cutters

Sir
Treasury DepartmentFeb. 3. 1792

I have this day written to the Collector of Boston informing him, that in addition to his duty as agent for the cutter under your command, she is henceforward committed to his general direction, subject only to the instructions which shall be from time to time received from this department. You will therefore receive and execute his orders, and you will make your communications to him, whenever the service shall require representation from you.
I am, Sir   Your obedt. servant
Alex Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 4 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lincoln, Benjamin

[Philadelphia, February 4, 1792. On February 15, 1792, Lincoln wrote to Hamilton: “Your two letters one under the 2d & the [other] under the fourth instant came to hand this evening.” Letter of February 4 not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 4 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Olney, Jeremiah

Treasury Department, February 4, 1792. “I request that You will advance to the Supervisor of the District of Rhode Island the Sum of Two hundred Dollars, to be repaid to You by the said Supervisor, as soon as he shall be in cash.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 4 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Department, February 4, 1792. Transmits “a Contract between the Superintendant of the establishments on Delaware river, & Thomas Conaroe the elder, for repairing the public Piers adjacent to Reeding Island.…” States “that the charge is not disproportioned to what has been usually paid in other similar cases.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Baron von Steuben, 5 February 1792
From: Steuben, Baron von
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New: York le 5 de fevrier [1792]
Votre lettre du 1 mier me parvient hier. Vous n’aviez pas besoin mon cher Hamiton, des Excuses pour n’avoir repondue plutot a ma derniere; Votre silence même est Eloquant et je L’ai interpretté a la lettre.
J’ai lue tout les absurditées qu’on a écrit au sujet des Absurditée qu’on a fait, et je me suis préscrit un silence inviolable, je regrette sincerement la honte et la disgrace des Armes Americaine, mais je rend grace au Ciel que je n’en ai plus a repondre.
Il en coute Cher aux E: U: et il en couterat encore plus chere, de Vouloir faire la Guerre sans Ordre et Discipline. Si notre departement de Guerre continue ce train d’administration, il nous fàut quatre departement des finences pour le soutenir. Quelle horrible depense, pour cette misérable Expedition! Si 500 Miserable soldat ont couté pour une Campagne de Seize jours, la somme de  combien couterons 5000. pour une et peut etre pour deux Campagne, mettez cela a la regle de trois, et dites moi, si Vous ne serez pas Efraye du resultat? Ce calculs mon Ami Vous regarde de près et je crois quil merite Votre attention.
Faire des Operation Militaire à un tell prix, Epuserait les trésors des plus grande Royaumes du Monde.
Vous Vous souvenez sans doute d’un Coll: Cochran qui etoit dans la Ligne de N: York. Il vient hier chez moi, il est pauvre et chargé d’une Nombreuse famille, il demande une place d’officier pour son fils Ainé, Agée de Vingt trois Ans et fait je croie pour etre Scalpée. Comme je ne suis en correspondence avec d’autre Ministre d’Etat que Vous, je Promis au pauvre Pere de Vous Ecrire une ligne. La Voila, je le recommende a Votre bon Coeur.

Je ne croyois pas que les politiques du tems mettrais un Obstacles de Vous Venir Voir cet hyver—c’est cependent le Cas, et ma Vanité me porte au point, que mon Vieux personage ne devroit pas paroitre a la Cour avec decence, dans un tems ou on discute sur L’Art, dont jadis J’ai fait profession.
je suis de tout mon Coeur le Votre
Steuben


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 6 February 1792
From: Seton, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

My dear Sir
[New York] 6 Feby 1792

I have delayed answering your very kind Letter of the 24th till I could have a more ⟨detailed⟩ knowledge of what was going on. Col Duer tells me he has however written you in the mean while. Every Interest is rushing by the phalanx of opposition with our Legislature to grant them a Charter—and it is impossible yet to judge whether they will carry their point or not. The Committee have reported that the prayer of the Petition ought to be granted. Our friends are preparing a Counter Petition to the House, & mean to propose to borrow from the State on Interest all the money they have which will be 1½ Millions. Could we bring them to consent to this, it would effectually prevent their giving the Charter to the others—however should all our efforts be in vain & this heterogeneous mass get into Motion—it will then be more essentially necessary that the Bank of the U S. & this Institution be upon the most confidential footing—for unless we unite against this Host, the 3 acting & operating & at varience might produce a general bankruptcy. From appearance the Bank will soon get into operation here. Coallition or not, it is of the utmost consequence that we should draw together in every point— otherwise their Speculation will play upon us both, & may drain us of every shilling of Specie. From what I can observe of their intentions, they are aiming at an accumulation of large deposits in the Bank—which we must check by not allowing them any discounts—& watch the funds of payments they have to make to us. I feel the highest satisfaction in being permited to be confidential with you on these subjects, I shall therefore open everything to your advice, and I must candidly say that unless our Directors will act with decided firmness and that we receive from you every possible support, when their Bank is to be set agoing, the consequences may be fatal to us. The Balance on ⟨–⟩ the Bank of the U. S. is 176453—this sum no doubt they will depend upon to receive in Specie—& can do us no harm—but if the balance due the Treasurer of 232,000 was to be drawn for & exported in Specie also—together with the opposition balance that will absolutely be drawn from us—then it would become scarce—& would oblige us to send to Phila. the National Notes we have for exchange in Specie. We have now 230,000 Dolls. of them, & this week & the next the last Amsterdam Bills will be paid for, probably all in that Paper as they amount to 205,000 Dolls more. The fact is we have actually in Specie in the Vaults better than 600,000 Dollars & the balance due us on Discounted Bills is 2,500,000 Doll’s—which is full double the amt of all we owe on Deposits. Our Circulating Notes is a trifle only—yet if our Deposits are called for, more suddenly than we can call in our Discounts much temporary Distress must ensue. It is therefore of great consequence to us as well as to the Bank of the US. that the paper we have of theirs should be set against what we owe them & the Public—that neither may be forced to an ⟨interchange⟩ of Specie.


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 6 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander,Treasury Department
To: Collectors of the Customs

Sir,
Treasury Department,February 6, 1792.

It is my wish that you transmit to this office a return of the public property, exclusive of cash and bonds, in the hands of all the officers of the customs in your district, that is to say, the scales, weights, boats, &c. which may be in the hands or charge of any officer of the customs, from the Collector to the Inspector or Inspectors. This return it will be fit that you also transmit with your quarterly accounts on the 31st of December next, and so for each succeeding year.
Should the Register of the brig Lydia, of Washington, NorthCarolina, appear at your office, it is to be detained, proof being before me that the brig has been sold. The certificate is No. 4, of 22d April 1790, James Rhodes owner and master, and states the vessel to be of 98½ tons, square sterned, and without a head. The brig being now in the port of Philadelphia, this instruction is not extended to the vessel, but is confined to the certificate of registry.
It is my desire whenever any person’s bond for duties shall be put in suit, by you, that you will transmit information to the Collectors of the several ports within the State in which you reside, in order that further credit may be refused according to law during the default; and should it be common for the importers in your district to use other adjacent ports, or should you know that such defaulter uses any such ports to make his importations, you will give notice in such places also. When the bonds shall be discharged information thereof should be given at such of the Custom-houses as may have been notified of the default.
Ample time having been given to the Commanders of vessels trading to foreign ports, it is my desire that the 9th Section of the Collection Law may hereafter be enforced.
I am, Sir,   Your most obedient servant,
A Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 7 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Olney, Jeremiah

Sir
Treasury DepartmentFeb. 7. 1792.

I think it will be proper for the reasons in your letter of the 23d. ultimo, that you do not pay into the Providence Bank, for the account of the United States the monies you have in hand, and which you shall receive before the 20th. of May next. It is however my desire that you deposit the same in that institution to be passed to the credit of “the Collector of the district of Providence” and that you note at foot of your weekly returns, that the cash appearing on hand is necessary to discharge such demands as may be pending, for fish, distilled spirits, or foreign goods exported as the case may be.
I am, Sir,   Your obedt. Servant
Alexander Hamilton
Jeremiah Olney EsqCollector Providence


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 8 February 1792
From: Williams, Otho H.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir
Baltimore 8th. February 1792

I have received your letter of the 2d Instant commiting to me the direction of the future movements of the Revenue Cutter; But you have not yet informed me how the hands ⟨are to⟩ be subsisted. I think that it would be cheapest and best to supply them as on board merchantmen. Any bargain with the Captain might be the cause of discontent among the crew, and to draw rations on shore would be attended with much delay, inconvenience, and trouble. It is expedient that I should be officially informed of the subsistence of Captains &c in the army in order to a settlement with the Officers of the Cutter.

I am Sir Your Most H. Servt.
O. H. Williams
A Hamilton Esqr.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 9 February 1792
From: Allibone, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia] February 9, 1792. “Sometime about the setting in of the winter … the Inspector for Port Penn, having discovered that a Large quantity of the filling of the second Pier had been taken out, and several Coasters laying there at the same time, his suspicions led him to challenge them therewith, but as all persisted in denying the fact; And their Hatches being laid he could not make any certain discovery, and did not think himself authorised to Search. Thus as the said Piers are detached from the shore, and are the verry places of safety for those who plunder and ungratefully destroy them, it will be always dificult to make any Effectual discovery, unless it is made the Interest of those who may come at any knowledge thereof to Inform, in aid of which, perhaps it might be made the duty of the Inspectors or other officers of the Revenue, to Search all vessels Suspected of such depredations.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 9 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Seton, William

Sir
Treasury Department February 9th 1792

It appearing from documents in the Treasury, that there remain at this time a number of draughts unpaid, which were drawn by the Treasurer upon the Collector of Norfolk and others, in the months of April, May, June, July &ca last, and lodged in the Bank of New York for sale; I request that you will cause a statement to be transmitted to this office, of all the Treasurers draughts, which may remain in the Bank undisposed of.

I am sir, with consideration   Your obedt. Servt
Alexander Hamilton
William Seton EsqrCashier of the Bank of New York


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 10 February 1792
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Newport, Rhode Island] February 10, 1792. “On the third of this month the Sloop Hannah William Corey master from Martinico and destined for the District of Providence arrived in this District, but could not enter the first mentioned district on account of the ice.… Capt. Corey appeared at the Custom House for the first time & reported on the morning of the 7th. of this month. The reason of his not reporting sooner … was owing … to his supposing that he might enter his vessel at Providence, and to the obstructions he met with in his progress to Newport.… If he had acted conformably to his duty, he might have reported and entered here in season. The Law is violated, and under the circumstances mentioned I submit it to you whether a prosecution should be commenced or not, and thereon request your direcn.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 10 February 179[2]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Seton, William

My Dear Sir
PhiladelphiaFeby. 10. 179[2]

I have received your letter of the 6th instant. The full and confidential communication you make is equally acceptable and necessary.

I sincerely hope the Petitioners for a New Bank may be frustrated; but I fear more than I hope. General Schuyler will do every thing in his power against them. Every day unfolds the mischievous tendency of this mad scheme. The enemies to Banks & Credit are in a fair way of having their utmost malignity gratified.
It is certainly necessary, that if an independent branch of the Bank of the U States be carried into effect in your City, there should be a good understanding between the two institutions. But I tell you in the strictest confidence that there are circumstances which must of necessity postpone this operation, and which are opening the eyes of certain folks to the expediency of a coalition.
I am under a necessity of authorising the Treasurer to draw upon you for One hundred thousand Dollars. It is a necessary aid to the Bank of the U States which feels more than you do the effects of certain machinations. This for your own breast exclusively. I advance it upon terms which will insure its restoration to you in specie, if a branch is established; so that it will not eventually affect your safety. I may be compelled to go further; but it will be on the same conditions.
You will understand that all the money which you may receive for bills or otherwise, on account of the U States, subsequent to the 31st of January last shall be received from you in bills of the Bank of the United States. And that no order shall issue to derange this engagement.
You appear to me to mistake a point, which is, that in the case of an establishment of a branch, you will have to pay the Bank of the U States the amount of their deposit in specie. They certainly cannot make a difficulty about receiving their own Notes. This idea I think you may safely proceed upon. At all events no distress will be permitted to arise to you on this account.
The state of things however requires unusual circumspection. Every existing bank ought within prudent limits to abrige its operations. The superstructure of Credit is now too vast for the foundation. It must be gradually brought within more reasonable dimensions or it will tumble. Adieu My Dear Sir
Most sincerely   Yrs
A Hamilton
Wm. Seton Esqr


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Tredwell, 10 February 1792
From: Tredwell, Samuel
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[February 10, 1792. On July 13, 1792, Tench Coxe wrote to Thomas Benbury: “In a letter from Mr. Samuel Treadwell, addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury under the date of February 10th mention is made, that Thomas Davis Freeman, Surveyor and Inspector of the port of Plymouth, had left that port, without any intention as was supposed of returning.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Francis Childs, 11 February 1792
From: Childs, Francis
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[New York, February 11, 1792. On February 27, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Childs: “I duly received your letter of the 11th instant.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 13 February 1792
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] February 13, 1792. “.… On the 11th. of this month I received a letter from the Surveyor of Pawcatuck in which he informs me that he had received the Thermometer, which I had forwarded to him, that on opening it he found the Glass broken, and should return it the first opportunity. It is unfortunate that the Thermometer for this Port, & Pawcatuck should have been broken on their passage. One is much wanted for this Port, and an hydrostatic balance would be useful.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [13 February 1792]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia, February 13, 1792]
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to communicate to the President some letters which have recently come to hand respecting the execution of the Excise Law in Kentuckey.
Februy. 13th. 1792.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 14 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Appleton, Nathaniel

[Philadelphia, February 14, 1792. On March 5, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Appleton: “In mine of the 14th ultimo, I instructed you to dispose of the draughts.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 14 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Short, William

(Duplicate)
Sir
Treasury DepartmentFebruary 14. 1792

I have received your several favours of Sept. 23d. Oct. 10th. & Dec. 1st.
It appears to me probable that your movement towards Antwerp produced the appearance of a four per cent loan, and I hope from it in the result good effects.
Inclosed you will find a copy of a letter of the same date with this to the Commissioners in Holland. You will easily comprehend the motives which dictated the turn of it.
As to the charges on the six million loan—though you had a right to insist on the point which you made with the Commissioners, and did right to insist upon it till there was a concession of the principle, y⟨et⟩ it appears upon the whole to be more interest⟨ing⟩ to the United States to keep the Commissioners in good humour, in order to a cheerful cooperation in the more important point of a reduction of interest than to make so small a saving in the charges. I have obtained the consent of the President of the United States to authorise you to allow on the whole loan of six millions the same charges as attended the preceding loan.
With great consideration and esteem, I have the honor to be   Sir   Your most obedt. servt.
Alex Hamilton
Wm Short Esq.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 14 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Willink, Wilhelm,Willink, Jan,Staphorst, Nicholaas van,Staphorst, Jacob,Hubbard, Nicholas

Gentlemen
Treasury Department Febr 14th 1792

I am just honored with your several favours of Nov 21st & 24th & December 2d.
I learn with regret the disappointment, which has attended your endeavour, to procure a loan for the united states, at the reduced rate of four per cent interest. Your success would doubtless have been as interesting, to the credit of this country, as it would have been pleasing, both to the President of the united States and myself.
But as I rely on the mutual good disposition, both of Mr Short and yourselves, I shall confide that any circumstances which may have taken place, not exactly corresponding with your views of the public interest, will not interfere with a cordial cooperation in the prosecution of it hereafter; and as events will continue to second your efforts, I shall allow myself to hope, that the expectation of reducing the rate of interest on American loans to four per cent, will ere long be realized, notwithstanding the momentary impediment which has happened. The price of the public funds here will satisfy you that it is ceasing to be the interest of the united States to borrow abroad at a higher rate of interest than 4 per cent.
If you are able to bring the matter to that standard, it will effectually obviate the possibility of any future recourse elsewhere, and will secure to all parties the important advantage of permanently concentring the loans of the united States in one great money market, upon terms which will conciliate in a satisfactory degree all interests public and private.
With very great consideration and esteem, I have the honor to be   Gentlemen   Your obedt servant
Alexander Hamilton
Messrs W & J WillinkN & J van Staphorst & HubbardAmsterdam


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 15 February 1792
From: Lincoln, Benjamin
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir
Boston Feby 15th. 1792

Your two letters one under the 2d. & the [other] under the fourth instant came to hand this evening by the post. To the directions they contain a strict attention will be paid.
In my last I mentioned to you that empty old rum hogs. when the certificates could be obtained with them were in demand. Since, I think, I have discovered the use to be made of them. A few days pass four hogs. as west India rum were entered here from portland. On examination it is found to be new England rum put into old west india Hogs. Perhaps there may be a little west India rum with the new England. We have taken possession of the rum as New England rum without proper certificates and shall have it labeled. I think we shall have little difficulty to prove the fraud.
Secy of the Treasury


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John Nixon, [15 February 1792]
From: Nixon, John
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir
[Philadelphia, February 15, 1792]

We take pleasure in thanking you for the candid state of the public existing engagements to the holders of Certificates, for monies lent the United States to carry on the late War between September 1777 and March 1778; and also for the proposed provision for 1791 & 1792 to those continuing nonsubscribers.
We find by your Report on the public debt alluded to above, that you conceive the holders of this Class of Certificates should from various motives, be induced, to come into the terms held out for and accepted by so great a portion of the public Creditors; at the same time you would have their choice & election to be free.
We therefore declare our willingness to give up as much as the funding System requires from other Creditors; all we desire is not to relinquish more, which you know would be done, if we relinquish an higher demand for an equal Sum.
As you observe, the interest is payable on the nominal amount of our respective demands, and the terms preceded the Loan; That the depreciation of the principal commenced from the first of September 1777 & not from March 1st 1778 was owing to a small majority in Congress; however in this we acquiesce, whereby 3,459,000 Dolls. are reduced to 2,538,572 Dolls., making a difference of 920,428 Dolls., being a reduction of upwards of one fourth part of the whole, on which an interest is now payable. Both debts are redeemable at pleasure on paying the arrears of interest in Specie, and a direliction of this interest amounting to more than ¼ of the whole for ever, is at least equal to a relinquishment of the interest for 9 years on one third of the Capital of the other creditors. We therefore agree to accept the proposals contained in the funding System established by Act of Congress of August 4th 1790; provided the remaining third of our principal reduced by the Scale is given us in Six p Cent Stock, bearing interest from the time to which the arrears are settled in 3 p Cent Stock; and that this average shall be adapted in the ratio of depreciation to the case of each Creditor, so that where the loss of interest is less than the average aforesaid, a proportionate Sum of the Capital shall be in Deferred debt, and where greater a proportionate Sum of the 3 p Cent Stock shall be augmented to Six p Cent Stock, and by this means do equal Justice to all.
As the subject is now before Congress, you may perhaps think it proper to submit to them these proposals also.
In behalf of ourselves and others we are sir with great respect your most obed servt
John Nixon
The Honble Alexr Hamilton EsqrSecy. Treasy. of the U states


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Pollock, 15 February 1792
From: Pollock, Oliver
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, February 15, 1792. “Warrant No. 1566 in favour of Don Joseph De viar and Don Joseph De Jaudennes Commissioners of his most Catholic Majesty dated 28. February 1792 [was issued] agreeably to a Letter of 15 Feby. 1792 from … O. Pollock to the Secy. of the Treasury [for] 74.087.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [17 February 1792]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lear, Tobias

Dr. Sir,
[Philadelphia, February 17, 1792]

If I understood the President aright, in a conversation some days since, it was his pleasure that a Mr. William Alexander of Rowan County in the State of North Carolina should be nominated as Inspector in place of Mr. Dowel who declined & whose commission I delivered to the President. If he has not mentioned the thing to you, will you ask his orders concerning it? ’Tis of importance the place should be filled.
Yrs.
A: Hamilton
Philada.17th. Feby 1792.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Isaac Ledyard, 17 February 1792
From: Ledyard, Isaac
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Dear sir
N York 17 Feby 1792

I can not see a necessity for Mr. Burrs having cause to consider you as unfriendly to him.

The circumstance of Mr. Jays candidateship he knows is a conclusive objection to your aiding his views & for you to be publicly & declaredly Mr. Jays advocate here would have questionable consequences with respect to the advancement of his cause. Mr. Burr has reasons to be unwilling to offend even me by offending you on whose account principally he knows I have been his friend, from just before the time Mr. Hazard visited you in Phila. I shall therefore presume to act as a bond of union between you untill I have the honor to hear further from you.
I have just recd. yours & am suddenly leaving Town. I shall do myself the pleasure to write you more fully anon, and am with every sentiment of respect & attachment your
Isaac Ledyard
A Hamilton Esqr


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Tayler, 18 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Tayler, John

Dear Sir
Philadelphia Feb. 18. 1792

Capt Williamson who will deliver you this, was formerly a British Officer. He comes to this Country to take the direction of a settlement about to be made in the Western parts of our State, by a Company of Gentlemen in England, who purchased a tract of land from Mr. Morris. He has I understand become a Citizen of The United States, and is, I am well assured, very friendly to them. He appears to be a Gentleman and a man ⟨of sen⟩se. Under these different titles, ⟨I take⟩ the liberty to recommend him to yo⟨ur at⟩tention and Civility.

With great esteem &   regard D Sir Your Obedient serv
A Hamilton
John Taylor Esqr


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [18 February 1792]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia, February 18, 1792]
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to communicate for the information of the President a letter which he had just received from the Supervisor of North Carolina. The complexion of things there tho’ not pleasing is rather better than worse.
February 18th. 1792.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 20 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lee, Charles

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.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 20 February 1792
From: Williams, Otho H.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir.
Baltimore 20th February 1792

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 reasons to believe that the arrival of the proper vouchers is prevented by the ice in our river and bay, I have ventured to defer the enforceing the collection of the duties in expectation that the harbour would soon be open. The rigours of the Season must soon abate, and it cannot be long before this excuse of the exporters will be removed. If in the mean time it is indispensably necessary to put the bonds in suit you will please to inform me.
I am, Sir,
O H W
A. Hamilton Esqr.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 21 February 1792
From: Ternant, Jean Baptiste de
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philade. 21 fevr. 1792
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 ainsi que pour celui des armes et munitions envoyés à st. Domingue, une reconnaissance en livres tournois reglée sur le pied du pair intrinsèque entre nos monnoies respectives. Cet arrangement au quel vous avez déja verbalement consenti a besoin d’etre officiellemt adopté, et je ne doute pas que vous ne vous y pretiez, puis qu’il est purement relatif aux convenances de votre administration et ne change rien au fond de l’affaire principale. Ces reconnoissances dont je rendrai compte à ma cour seront alors recues par notre tresor national, dans les remboursemens que les Etats unis auront à y faire successivement.


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 21 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander,Treasury Department
To: Collectors of the Customs

Sir,
Treasury Department,February 21st, 1792.

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 none of the Officers of the Cutters should be absent from them at any time without a written leave or furlough, which you will take an opportunity to communicate to them. The propriety or necessity of these absences you will judge of.
It is wished by the Treasurer that the Draughts paid at the Custom-Houses, may be transmitted as soon as possible, after their discharge, to the Treasury. It will be best, therefore, that the Draughts mentioned in your weekly returns of Cash, paid and received, should always be enclosed in them.
I am, Sir,


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 22 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ternant, Jean Baptiste de

Sir
Treasury DepartmentFebruary 22d. 1792

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 at sight.
These sums will be liquidated into livres, as you desire, and the intrinsic par of the metals in the two countries will govern to operate as a payment on account of the debt due from the U States to your Government.
In making this payment I derive pleasure from the idea of any accomodation which may result from it at the particular conjuncture; and I assure you of a cordial disposition on my part to cooperate in any extension which may be requisite and practicable.
I have the honor to be with sincere sentiments of respect and esteem   Sir   Your obedient servant
Alexander Hamilton
Mr TernantMinister Plenipotentiary of France


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 23 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Department23d. Feby. 1792.
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 agreement for the same supplies and services, and there appearing no circumstances to produce a diminution of the cost of the Keepers supplies for himself or for the Lighthouse, the Secretary is humbly of opinion that it is not disadvantageous to the United States.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 24 February 1792
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Hamilton, Alexander

United States February 24th: 1792
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
Tobias Lear.Secretary to the Presidentof the United States.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Francis Childs, 27 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Childs, Francis

Sir
Treasury DepartmentFebruary 27 1792

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.
A Hamilton
Francis Childs Esq.  New York


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 27 February 1792
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[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 Inspectors &c &c to the amount of about sixty dolls., & that there is now due for bounties on fish & salt provision to the amount of about two hundred dolls, which may be demanded, and which should be considered in the provision to be made for the drawback on Spirits which will be due.… It gives me Uneasiness to call your attention from the important business about which it is constantly employed; but the regard which I owe to myself and family compells me to urge that the present System may not pass away without an allowance and compensation to me, adequate to the services of my office. I would only add to what I have heretofore observed that the fees have decreased every six months since I first opened my office.”


Title: Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Charles L’Enfant, [27 February 1792]
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: L’Enfant, Pierre Charles

[Philadelphia, February 27, 1792]
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 upon which it is to be done is inadmissible and your services must be at an end.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Smith, 27 February 1792
From: Smith, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[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 Services since the first of Octor. so that they remain unpaid. I entreat your assistance sr. in this matter as it is out of my Power to keep them without it.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Isaac Ledyard, 28 February 1792
From: Ledyard, Isaac
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Dear sir
NYork Feby 28th. 1792

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 operation of the experiment. I should have admired the candour & firm integrity which dictated your Letter had it been recd. from almost any other person. It afforded me no new subject of pleasure or contemplation comeing from whence it did. It is probable that by next Sunday I may be able to give you the satisfaction herein intimated. I am most respectfully in all things your assured friend & Obedt. Servt.
Isaac Ledyard


Title: Report on the Petition of the Executors of Edward Carnes, 28 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

Treasury DepartmentFebruary 28th. 1792.[Communicated on February 29, 1792]
[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 eleven pence, money of Massachusetts, claimed as due to the estate of the said Edward Carnes, for supplies furnished, and work done for sundry vessels of the United States, during the late war.
The following are the material facts, which appear in relation to this case.
James Warren, William Vernon, and John Deshon, were Commissioners of the Navy Board, for the Eastern Department.
The United States in Congress assembled, on the 29th. of August 1781, among other things, resolved;
That an agent of Marine should be appointed, and that as soon as the said Agent should enter upon the execution of his Office, the functions and appointments of the Board of Admiralty, the several Navy Boards, and all the civil officers appointed under them, should cease and be determined.
On the seventh of September following, they further resolved;
That until an Agent of Marine should be appointed, all the duties, powers and authorities, assigned to the said Agent, should devolve upon, and be executed by the Superintendant of Finance, and that as soon as the said Superintendant should take upon him, the execution of those duties and powers, the functions and appointments of the Board of Admiralty, the several Navy Boards, Agents and civil officers under them should cease and determine.
On the twenty first of the same month of September, the Superintendant of Finance wrote to the Navy Board of the Eastern Department, communicating to them the aforesaid resolutions, deputing John Brown to act on his behalf, and requiring them to surrender to him, all the public books, papers or stores in their possession or custody; observing only, that if the Frigates Alliance and Deane, then fitting for sea, should not be completed, when his letter arrived, their equipment should proceed under the direction of the Board, so that their accounts might close with those vessels.
On the twenty sixth of March 1782, the Superintendant of Finance, in a letter to the then late Navy Board, expresses himself thus—“I think you should settle the accounts of the persons, to whom your Department is indebted, and give them certificates of the sums due.”
The petitioners produce an account settled between the said Edward Carnes, and William Vernon and James Warren (the said John Deshon having previously resigned his office) which bears date the 25th of July 1782, and states a balance in favor of Edward Carnes of five hundred and forty four pounds nine shillings and eleven pence, lawful money of Massachusetts. The account is signed by the said William Vernon and James Warren.
The Navy Board aforesaid have not settled their accounts with the United States, and the probability of a satisfactory settlement cannot be inferred, from the circumstances which have hitherto appeared.
This leaves the government without adequate means of testing and checking demands of the nature of that, which is the object of the petition under consideration.
The books, however, of the Navy Board, which in August or September 1786, were lodged in the hands of the Commissioner for settling the accounts of the Navy Department, correspond, in this instance, with the account produced.
It does not appear, that this account was ever exhibited, either to the Commissioner charged with the settlement of accounts in the State of Massachusetts, or at the Treasury, within the periods prescribed by the Acts of limitation.
If, therefore, the claim is to be considered as an unliquidated claim, it is barred by those Acts.
But the Secretary is of opinion, that this claim, admitting the adjustment to have taken place, in conformity to the face of the account, does not fall under that description; inasmuch as there appears to have been, prior to those Acts, a formal settlement, and a precise balance struck by persons, who were charged with settling accounts in the department, by the Superintendant of Finance, acting under the authority of Congress, as Agent of Marine.
If this idea be well-founded, a question will still remain, how far such a settlement is to be deemed conclusive upon the public, or liable to revision and re-adjustment.
On the first supposition, there would be nothing more to do than to satisfy the claim. On the last, the revision would be most advantageously made by the Accounting Officers of the Treasury.
The Secretary begs leave to state here, that there are a number of claims upon the Government, the respective amounts of which hav been ascertained and certified by public officers of various descriptions; but which are not admitted by the present practice and course of the Treasury.
A resolution of Congress of the 23d. of February 1785 requires all persons, who have issued certificates of debts due from the United States (Loan office certificates and certificates of final settlement excepted) forth-with to deliver to the Board of Treasury, or to some Commissioner of Accounts in the State where such persons reside, a fair abstract of all the certificates, which they had issued, and directs that copies of those abstracts should be transmitted by the Board of Treasury, to the several Commissioners of accounts, as a guide in detecting frauds.
And another resolution of the same date enjoins it upon those Commissioners, to be careful how they admit charges against the United States, on Certificates not duly supported by the authority of Congress, and the accounts of the officers, who had issued them.
Influenced by the precautions contemplated by those resolutions, and by the great danger of admitting certificates which could not be checked by any return, account or document from the officer who had issued them, it grew into a practice, at the Treasury, to decline the admission of any Certificates, of which there was not such evidence in the possession of the Treasury.
When it is considered, how great a number of persons were charged, during the late war, with issuing Certificates for services and supplies, and that the accounts of a considerable proportion of them are still unsettled, and of many, by deaths, abscondings, destruction of papers and other casualties, never can be settled—It will be readily perceived, that great hazard of abuse and imposition would have attended a contrary practice.
The claims of the individuals concerned are, nevertheless, embarrassing. They urge, that the public are bound, to admit claims founded upon the acts of officers, whom they had entrusted to contract such claims, and to give the evidences of their being contracted, especially where nothing appears to invalidate them.
A medium between a total rejection of such claims, and an implicit admission of them, seems best reconcilable with public justice and public policy.
The Secretary, pursuant to this idea, submits the following arrangement, to the consideration of the House of Representatives.
That provision be made by law, requiring all persons having claims upon the United States, not barred by any Act of limitation, founded upon certificates, or other written documents, from public officers (except Loan-Office certificates, certificates of final settlement, register’s certificates, and certificates issued pursuant to the Act making provision for the debt of the United States) to exhibit their respective claims at the Treasury, depositing the documents and vouchers, upon which they are founded, within the term of eighteen months from the passing of the law; and barring all such claims, as should not be exhibited within the term limited: empowering the accounting officers of the Treasury, after the expiration of that term, to admit and adjust, as in similar cases, all such of those claims, as should appear to them proper to be admitted, and requiring them to report to Congress all such as should appear to them objectionable, together with their objections, in order to a final Legislative disposition concerning them, as justice and right may require.
All which is respectfully submitted
Alexander HamiltonSecretary of the Treasury.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Smith, 28 February 1792
From: Smith, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[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.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 28 February 1792
From: Whipple, Joseph
To: Hamilton, Alexander

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.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Heth, 29 February 1792
From: Heth, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Dear Sir
PrivateRichmond 29th Feby. 1792.

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 had been consulted thereon, and that it was agreeable to me. This alarm’d me a good deal, and should such a scheme, be actually in contemplation, I know not, how to prevent its taking effect, but by thus assuring you, that nothing was ever farther from my intentions or wishes, than such an exchange, and to rely upon your aid and friendship, to prevent my being so greatly injured—by acquainting the President with the contents of this—should you think it expedient.
Some time ago, I received a confidential letter from a certain member of Congress, asking me—“if in case, the Office of Marshall should be made Worth from £600 to perhaps £1000 ⅌ Ann I would prefer it to the one I now hold.” Being somewhat flatterd and complimentd I answerd him cautiously, and, as delicately as I could declaring my own to be a more agreeable office, and more Suitable to my genius & talents—but that, I could not determine thereon, until I saw the new law and I wishd to consider more on the Subject. The same person it seems, wrote at same time to Mr Randolph and tho’ I cannot suppose him capable, of any double dealing, or any underhanded work, yet, I have been urgd to take this Step, to Secure myself against any Court Machinations, which, may be forming on this subject.
The Jealousy, which has dictated this measure, would not, perhaps have existed, had not Mr Randolphs appointment, with certain circumstances preceding it, occasiond universal astonishment, and what further his friends may have in view, cannot be known.
I must therefore, my dear Sir, rely upon you to prevent such an act of imposition and injustice, taking place. Pray favor me with a single line in answer to this, and believe me to be ⟨with⟩ every Sentiment, of respect, friendship & Es⟨teem⟩
D sir,   yr mo. Ob sert
Will Heth
The HonbleAlex Hamilton Esquire


Title: Report on the Petitions of Jabez Bowen and William Gardner, 29 February 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

Treasury Department,February 29th 1792.[Communicated on March 3, 1792]
[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 Hampshire, the said Secretary respectfully submits the following Report.
That the following Salaries were established by the Act, intituled “An Act making provision for the debt of the United States,” as compensations for the services of the Commissioners of Loans in the several States.

Dollars.

To the Commissioner for the State of New Hampshire,
650.

To the Commissioner for the State of Massachusetts,
1500.

To the Commissioner for the State of Rhode Island,
600.

To the Commissioner for the State of Connecticut,
1000.

To the Commissioner for the State of New York,
1500.

To the Commissioner for the State of New Jersey,
700.

To the Commissioner for the State of Pennsylvania,
1500.

To the Commissioner for the State of Delaware,
600.

To the Commissioner for the State of Maryland,
1000.

To the Commissioner for the State of Virginia,
1500.

To the Commissioner for the State of North Carolina,
1000.

To the Commissioner for the State of South Carolina,
1000.

To the Commissioner for the State of Georgia,
700.

And that said salaries are declared, by said Act, to be in full compensation for all services and expenses.
That by an Act passed on the third day of March 1791, the said Commissioners were further allowed “such sums, as should appear to have been necessarily expended by them in the purchase of books and stationery, for the use of their several offices, and for the hire of clerks, from the commencement of the same, until the first day of October 1791.”
That though an appropriation of money has been made, during the present session, for such expenses, as have been incurred, by the said Commissioners, for books and stationery, to the end of the year 179[2], yet a legislative Act will be necessary to justify the officers of the Treasury, in admitting the accounts for said expenses, so far as they have accrued in the last quarter of the year 1791.
That it will be also necessary, in the event of a renewal of the loans, in the public debt, to extend a similar provision to the end of the present year.
That the compensations, at present established for the Commissioners of Loans, are the same, as were allowed by the resolution of the late Congress, passed on the 23d. of March 1787, (when, on account of the deranged state of the public finances, a general reduction of the salaries of the civil department took place, and when the business in the Loan Offices was considerably less than it had formerly been) except in respect to the Commissioners for New York, and South Carolina, and Georgia, to whose salaries, an addition has been made. That the services, performed by the Commissioners under the late establishment of the Loan-Office Department, consisted merely in receiving and remitting to the Treasury, the monies paid by the States, on the requisitions of Congress, and in issuing indents for the payment of interest on the domestic debt; and that, though there is reason to believe, that the salaries, then allowed, were, in most instances, a sufficient compensation for the services, which were performed, yet, when the importance and responsibility of the trusts, at present reposed in the Commissioners, and the laborious nature of their services, are considered, an augmentation of their salaries appears to be advisable.
The following sums are considered, as reasonable compensations, to be allowed, annually, from the first day of the present year.

Dollars.

To the Commissioner for the State of New Hampshire,
900.

To the Commissioner for the State of Massachusetts,
1600.

To the Commissioner for the State of Rhode Island,
800.

To the Commissioner for the State of Connecticut,
1100.

To the Commissioner for the State of New York,
1600.

To the Commissioner for the State of New Jersey,
900.

To the Commissioner for the State of Pennsylvania,
1600.

To the Commissioner for the State of Delaware
700.

To the Commissioner for the State of Maryland
1200.

To the Commissioner for the State of Virginia
1600.

To the Commissioner for the State of North Carolina
1100.

To the Commissioner for the State of South Carolina
1100.

To the Commissioner for the State of Georgia
800.

The charges for Office rent, stationery, and fuel, will, in several of the offices, be so considerable, as to form a great deduction from the salaries of the Commissioners, if borne by them. It is, therefore, proposed, that the accounting officers of the Treasury should be allowed to admit any, or all such charges, as shall be judged reasonable.
The extent of the business, in several of the States, will render it indispensable for the Commissioners of such States, to have one or more clerks. To expect them to provide clerks out of their salaries, would require, that the salaries should be considerably larger, than is proposed, or than it would be expedient to grant. Some separate provision, therefore, for furnishing them with clerks, is conceived to be absolutely necessary. This must be, either by defining the number, that each Commissioner may have, or by vesting a discretionary power, somewhere, to allow so many, as may, in experience, be found requisite, not exceeding a certain limit. The first, in the present stage of the business, is difficult, and indeed, from the variations likely to happen, as to the quantity of business, at different offices, that, which would be, at present, a proper standard, might not long continue to be so. On these accounts, the second mode appears to be preferable. It may be so restricted, that not more than two clerks can be allowed to any one Commissioner.
Occasions frequently occur, in which it is desirable, that there should be an officer, in each State, authorised to act in the capacity of Deputy-Treasurer. For want of it, public monies are confided, where there is no responsibility of sureties: a circumstance, which ought, as much as possible to accompany the receipt and disbursement of public monies. The sums annually paid to invalids may serve, as an example. These are now paid through the Commissioners of Loans; but as the business makes no part of the established duties of their offices, it is presumed, that their sureties would not be answerable for the misapplication of the monies, in this respect, entrusted to them.
This inconvenience would be remedied, by constituting each Commissioner of Loans a Deputy-Treasurer, and making it his duty to receive and disburse all public monies, which should be confided to him.
This will make it proper, that the sums, in which the Commissioners are required to give security, should be enlarged, and that new sureties should be taken; a requisition, which will be the more reasonable, if competent additions are made to their compensations, so as to render them more duly proportioned to the degree of responsibility.
All which is respectfully submitted,
Alexander Hamilton,Secretary of the Treasury.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 29 February 1792
From: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

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 memorialist to the Commissioner and malconduct of his Clerks, appears to be altogether without foundation.”


Title: Notes on Thomas Jefferson’s Report of Instructions for the Commissioners to Spain, [1–4 March 1792]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

[Philadelphia, March 1–4, 1792]

[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 the War? Did not the war previously exist and bring on the discontinueance? Was it not rather the cause than the effect?

The capture of the army struck out.
Is it accurate to say that France aided us in capturing the whole army of the enemy? Does this not imply that there was no other enemy army in the country; though there were in fact two others one in New York, another in South Carolina? This last is a mere criticism as to the accuracy of expression. The sense is clear enough.

No conquest of the territory was made, to wit of the island of N. Orleans on the one side, or Louisiana on the other, as both had belonged to Spain before the war. Therefore no change in the right to the water is incident to the territory. This circumstance however is inserted in the Report to make the reasoning the clearer.
Page 11. Are “naval victories” the essen⟨tial⟩ means of conquest of a water as seems to be impli⟨ed?⟩ Is not the conquest of a water an incident to th⟨at⟩ of Territory? If this idea is not sound, that combined with it is—namely that in no event could Spain be considered as having conquered the River against the U States—with whom she not only had no war but was an associa⟨te.⟩

The word chuse substituted for wish however England could hold that right of common in the water only as incident to Florida, which she then held. When she conveyed Florida to Spain the incident passed by the same conveyance, & she can never have a claim against us on a stipulation the benefit of which she has conveyed to another.
Page 22. May it not be inferred from what is said here that though the U States would not wish to insert an express stipulation against other Nations; yet they may be prevailed upon to do it? Would such a stipulation be consistent w⟨ith⟩ the right which G Britain reserved to herself in the treaty with us? If the inference alluded to is intended to be excluded, will it not be adviseable to vary the turn of expression so as render the intention more unequivocal?

Report altered in conformity to this.
Page 23. Are there conclusive reasons to make it a sine qua non that no phrase shall be admitted which shall express or imply a grant? Could the negotiation with propriety be broken off on such a point?

Is it not rather one to be endeavoured to be avoided than the avoiding of ⟨it⟩ to be made a sine qua non?

⟨The power to alienate the unpeopled te⟩rritory of any ⟨state, is not among the enumerated po⟩wers given by the Constitution to the General government: & if we may go out of that instrument, & accomodate to exigencies which may arise, by alienating the unpeopled territory of a state, we may accomodate ourselves a little more by alienating that which is peopled, & still a little more by selling the people themselves. A shade or two more in the degree of exigency is all that will be requisite, & of that degree we shall ourselves be the judges. However may it not be hoped that these questions are forever laid to rest by the 12th Amendment, now made a part of the Constitution, declaring expressly that the “powers not delegated to the U.S. by the Constitution are reserved to the states respectively”? And if the general government has no power to alienate the territory of a state, it is too irresistable an argument to deny ourselves the use of it on the present occasion.
Page 25. Is it true, that the U States have no right to alienate an Inch of the Territory in Question; except in the case of necessity, intimated in another place? Or will it be useful to avow the denial of such a right?  It is apprehended that the Doctrine which restricts the alienation of Territory to cases of extreme necessity is applicable rather to peopled territory, than to waste and uninhabited districts. Positions restraining the right of the U States to accomodate to exigencies which may arise ought ever to be advanced with great caution.

It is certainly impossible for any nation to have stipulations of this kind & extent, with two others at the same time. However the language of the Report is made more correct & conformable to the words of the French treaty.
Page 28. Is it true that the stipulation with France respecting the Reception of prizes is exclusive and incommunicable? It is doubtless so as against France, but why is it so as against other Nations?

It is however a stipulation very inconvenient and even dangerous to the U States and one which ought by all means to be excluded.

If the Secretary of the Treasury will be so good as to particularise the advantages to be asked & the equivalents to be offered, it will be proper to consider of them.
Though a Treaty of Commerce like that contemplated in the Report ought not to be rejected, if desired by Spain and coupled with a satisfactory adjustment of the boundary and Navigation; yet ought not something more to be attempted if it were only to give satisfaction to other parts of the Union?

Some positively favourable stipulations respecting our Grain flour and Fish even in the European Dominions of Spain would be of great consequence and would justify reciprocal advantages to some of her commodities (say Wines and brandies).

It seems sufficient to stipulate that the treaty shall be ratified, without saying by what body, or by what individuals it is to be. An instruction however is inserted to allow 16 months for the exchange of ratifications.
Will it not be necessary to add an instruction that the usual stipulation respecting the ratification of the Treaty by the U States be varied so as to be adapted to the participation of the Senate?

This has been decided before.
Last Page. The words “nor inattentive to their rights” have a pencil line drawn through them. Tis certainly best to obliterate them. The less commitment the better.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 4 March 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury DepartmentMarch 4th. 1792
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.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 5 March 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Appleton, Nathaniel

Sir
Treasury Department March 5th 1792

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 draughts; I now add, that you may supply the deficiencies, by directing such necessary sums as you shall not find negotiable upon the banks in season, to the bank of Massachusetts, and the collector of Boston; [informing yourself previously of the sum in possession of each on account of the Government.]
I am, sir,   Your obedt Servt
A Hamilton
Nathaniel Appleton EsqrCommissioner of loansMassachusetts


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 5 March 1792
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

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 will transmit it by Post to the Treasy. The cases in which I would find an hydrostatic balance useful would be all cases in which I should suspect the gold coin offered in payment for duties and fees was counterfeit, or not of equal fineness, with the gold coins of the Nations specified in the 55 Sec: … of the Revenue Law. Some pieces of coined gold of suspicious appearance have been offered to me, and I had no other way to ascertain their quality but by sending them to a person who is possessed of an hydrostatic balance; and gold cobbs have been offered some of which had been received from the bank of Providence, and were manufactured in this town, where the others were made I could not tell.… I also received a letter of the 20th. of the last month from the Assist. Secry acknowledging the Receipt of the Bank of Providence for Seven Thousand Dollars, and a Letter from you Sir, of the 15th. of the same month respecting the case of Capt. Elliot, and directing that the attention of the Owners and Commanders of vessels must be drawn to the requisition of the manifest, as made by the Legislature.… It is probable that a quantity of sugars will be imported into this District in the course of two or three months. It is very disagreeable to the merchants here that the tare should be taken out of each 112 lb. imported by them, when in New york and Philadelphia it is taken out of each 100 lb. I wish that the mode of deducting the tare from all articles imported might be regulated and made uniform as soon as it can be conveniently done.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 5 March 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lincoln, Benjamin

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.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 5 March 1792
From: Williams, Otho H.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

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, might nevertheless think the communication of my sentiments officious, and an impertinent intrusion on the perogatives of his Office; to you therefore, in private, I take the liberty of communicating them. The heterogeneous composition of the late Army—The animosities among the Officers, occasioned partly by the different constitution of their corps—The delay in forming them; and the deficiency of supplies, were, most probably the true causes of the defeat of our friend St. Clair.… How far the arrangements made for the temporary defence of the frontier will prove effectual will depend upon the fidelity of the friendly Indians.… Would it not be good policy to cultivate a firmer connection with the senecas? … If Indians are to be faught on their own grounds they must be faught in their own way; experience has perfected them in the art of Bush fighting: and none but our expert Rifle Men (not mere Militia) are a match for them in the woods.… The difference between select rifle corps, and the Militia in general you well remember. Great advantages might be obtained, in the present contests, by a well chosen Battalion with a few valiant Indians, under a good partizan Officer.… if by means of a few peace offerings reciprocally presented, a trade with them could be commenced, in all probability, the Ustates would soon derive advantages commensurate to all their pecuniary losses by the War.… I sincerely believe the danger of disaffection among the Indians now in amity with us, is to be apprehended, and the object of this letter is to awaken that suspicion.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Sir,
Treasury Department March 6th 1792

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 shall have caused a copy of it to be made.
I have the honor to be very respectfully Sir,   Your most obedt. Servant
Alexander Hamilton
The Honble
The Secretary of State