Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 24 October 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

2½ Miles from PhiladelphiaOctobr. 24, 1793.
Sir,

I arrived at my own house yesterday evening, where I found your letter of the 14 instant; having previously received that of the 25 of September, by the circuitous route of Albany, the evening before my departure from New York.
As to the right of the President to convene Congress out of the ordinary course, I think it stands as follows—“he may on extraordinary occasions convene both houses of Congress or either of them.” These are the words of the Constitution. Nothing is said as to time or place—nothing restrictive as to either. I therefore think they both stand on the same footing. The discretion of the President extends to place as well as time. The reason of the thing as well as the words of the Constitution, would extend it to both. The usual seat of the Government may be in possession of an enemy—it may be swallowed up by an earthquake.
I know of no law that abriges in this respect the discretion of the President—if a law could abrige a constitutional discretion of either branch.
But the doubt with me is whether the “extraordinary occasion” mentioned in the constitution be not some unforeseen occurrence in the public affairs, which renders it adviseable for the public service to convene Congress at some time different from that which the Constitution or some law has established—in other words, to anticipate their ordinary meeting—to have a special session, for a special object of public business out of the pre-established course.
I doubt therefore whether the circumstance of a contagious disease existing at the seat of Government be a constitutional ground for convening Congress at another place, but at the same time, they had premeditated.
And I know that there are respectable opinions against the power of the President to change the place of meeting in such a case; so as I think to render it inexpedient to take the step.

But the President may recommend a meeting at some other place, as a place of preliminary rendezvous for the members of the two houses, that they may informally concert what further the exigency may require—and my present opinion inclines in favor of such a measure.
The question them would be, what place is the most eligible? Obvious reasons render it desireable that it should be as near Philadelphia as may consist with the motive for naming such a place (to wit) the safety of the members. I—Innovation upon the existing arrangement with regard to the seat of Government, ought to be avoided as much as possible. II. Congress may think it necessary for regularity to go within the limits of the City (tho’ but for an hour) to give legality by some summary act to another place of Meeting—and with this view it will be convenient to meet at no great distance from the City. III. The place recommended may influence the place of session. The President and heads of Departments ought to be near Congress, but they cannot be long remote from their offices, and a removal of the public offices for one session would be in many ways an evil. Lastly—The less the President in such case departs from the preestablished course, the less room there will be for cavil.
All these reasons would operate in favor of Germantown, if competent only to the momentary accommodation of Congress. Mr. Peters & some other gentlemen affirm that it is. I have myself great doubt on the point, and I have not had time to examine, but I cannot help paying deference to the opinion of those who assert it’s competency.

There is, however, another consideration not unworthy of attention. Experience seems to decide satisfactorily that there would be due safety at Germantown; but it is very probable, this would not appear to be the case to the members generally. The alarm appears to be greatest in proportion as you go furthest from the seat of the disease. Yet I should hope the Presidents recommendation stating the fact as evidenced by experience would appease the apprehensions of the parties concerned.
If Germantown should not be found adequate, on the score of accommodation, Trenton, Reading, Lancaster & Wilmington are the places which present themselves to choice as most eligible. Nothing more notherly or southerly ought to be thought of. A place in Pennsylvania will best please the Pennsylvanians. They would be very jealouse of Trenton, and they would have some, tho’ less jealousy of Wilmington. Lancaster would afford better accomodations than Reading. Wilmington would I apprehend be the most agreeable of these places to Congress.
But I am, upon the whole, of opinion that it will be best to make Germantown do if possible. It will be time enough to decide when you arrive—and the interval will be employed to examine the ground.
Mrs. Hamilton & myself are very sensible to the obliging interest you have manifested in our recovery. Exercise & Northern air have restored us beyond expectation. We are very happy that Mrs. Washington & yourself escaped.
I have the honor to remain &c.

A. Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 26 October 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Willink, Wilhem,Willink, Jan,Van Staphorst, Nicholaas,Van Staphorst, Jacob,Hubbard, Nicholas

Treasury DepartmentOctober 26, 1793.
Messrs Willink & Van Staphorst
Gentlemen

An attack of the malignant fever which has of late afflicted the City of Philadelphia has occasioned me to be for some time absent from that City for the recovery of my strength. Just returned to my house in its vicinity I find here your letter of the 1st of July last with its enclosures in duplicates.

A letter from me previous to my late journey will have assured you of my satisfaction at the step you had taken with regard to the June installment. I shall only add for the present that you may depend upon the greatest caution on my part not to risk any future embarrassment in faceing the payments which shall become due.
The state of my health and my absence from the seat of Government have prevented my giving heretofore any special instruction respecting the payment of the years interest on the Antwerp loan becoming due the first of December next.
I however take it for granted that the payment will be duly made out of the funds in your hands by direction of Mr. Short pursuant to the general authority vested in him.
With true consideration and esteem   I am Gentlemen   Your Obedient Servant
P.S. The letter is committed to the care of Tobias Lear Esquire, lately secretary of the President, who goes to Europe to concert arrangements with reference to a private house of Commerce of which he has become a Member. I can truly announce him to your friendly Offices as a man of undoubted worth, of prudence, good sense, industry and pure integrity.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Winthrop Sargent, 28 October 1793
From: Sargent, Winthrop
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York 28th. October 1793
Sir

Again I presume to solicit your attention to my petition refered to you by Congress, in their session of 1790 for report. My Distresses from the Delay in this Business have been considerable, from calculating upon an Addition of Salery I have accumulated Expenses in the Discharge of my public Duties trusting to that Provision, which I flattered myself would long since have been made therefor. I have always believed in a favourable issue to my Expectations from the Opinions of my Friends; your own Sentiments if I mistake not were propitious thereto, but as Colo Lawrence and several other members of Congress to whom I had fully explained myself upon the Subject were often absent there may possibly exist Difficulties in the Completion of my receivable Expectations notwithstanding you may be fully convinced of the propriety of my Application as I think you were when I had the pleasure to converse with you upon the Subject.
With Sentiments of much respectful Esteem   I have the honour to be   your most obedient humble servant

Winthrop Sargent
Honble Colo Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Gouverneur Morris, 29 October 1793
From: Morris, Gouverneur
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Paris 29 October 1793.

My friend Colo. Hamilton will thank me for procuring him the acquaintance of Mr. DeVolney the Gentleman who will deliver this Letter. A Splendid reputation in the literary world will command his ready admittance to all good Company his agreable qualities will render him a desireable guest and a valuable acquaintance.


Title: Cabinet Meetings. Opinions Concerning the Relations of the United States with Several European Countries, [1–22 November 1793]
From: Jefferson, Thomas,Knox, Henry,Randolph, Edmund,Hamilton, Alexander
To:

[Germantown, Pennsylvania, November 1–22, 1793]

At sundry meetings of the heads of departments & attorney general from the 1st. to the 21st. of Nov. 1793. at the President’s several matters were agreed upon as stated in the following letters from the Secretary of state. to wit.

Nov.
8.
Circular letter to the representatives of France, Gr. Brit. Spain & the U. Netherlands, fixing provisonily the extent of our jurisdiction into the sea at a sea-league.

10.
Circular do. to the district attornies, notifying the same, & committing to them the taking depositions in those cases.

same date.
Circular to the foreign representatives, notifying how depositions are to be taken in those cases.

The substance of the preceding letters were agreed to by all, & the rough draughts were submitted to them & approved.

Nov.
14.
to mr Hammond, that the US. are not bound to restore the Roehampton. This was agreed by all, the rough draught was submitted to & approved by Colo. Hamilton & mr Randolph. Genl. Knox was absent on a visit to Trenton.

10.
letters to mr Genet & Hammond, & the 14. to mr. Hollingsworth for taking depositions in the cases of the Coningham & Pilgrim.

15.
do. to Genet, Hammond & mr Rawle for deposns in the case of the William.

14.
do. to Hollingsworth to ascertain whether mr Moissonier had passed sentence on the Roehampton & Pilgrim.

These last mentd. letters of the 10th. 14th. & 15th. were as to their substance agreed on by all, the draughts were only communicated to mr Randolph and approved my him.

Nov.
13.
to mr Hammond. Enquiry when we shall have an answer on the inexecution of the treaty. The substance agreed by all. the letter was sent off without communication, none of the gentlemen being at Germantown.

22.
to mr Genet. Returning the commissions of Pennevert & Chervi because not addressed to the Presiden.

same date.
to do. enquiring whether the Lovely lass, Prince William Henry & Jane of Dublin have been given up, and if not, requiring that they be now restored to owners.

These were agreed to by all as to their matter, and the letters themselves were submitted before they were sent to the President, the Secretary of War & the Attorney General, the Secretary of the Treasury absent.

same date.
to mr Gore for authentic evidence of Dannery’s protest on the President’s revocation of Duplaine’s Exequatur. The substance agreed to by all. The letter sent off before communication.

Th: Jefferson
H Knox
Edm. Randolph
Alexander Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Caleb Lownes, [2 November 1793]
From: Lownes, Caleb
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, November 2, 1793]
Respected Friend

I should not have delayed ’till this time complying with thy request but from a desire of affording a more satisfactory account than was in my power at the time it was requested. The Mayor having written that morning, and Colonel Pickering obtained the fullest account, in the power of the Committee to give, any communications from me could only be a duplicate of what was then conveyed.
I have now the satisfaction of not only confirming their information but of furnishing a statement of the deaths to this time, the decrease of the disease, and of handing the information of several eminent physicians, and others conversant in the business; which will fix incontestably the information which we have generally handed the public, through the medium of the Papers; and be a means of removing the doubts that must remain on the minds of those who have not had the opportunity of being as well informed upon this interesting subject as some of us have.
Inclosed is a little publication upon the disorder and its effects; with an Account of the deaths, which, though not perfect is nearly so, & will convey an Idea of our loss, and of the decrease of the disease to which I have added the number of deaths in a few of the principal burying Grounds in this city, as well as the daily deaths in all.
Doctor Samuel Duffield has not a patient in the disease. Doctr. Hodge has not had an application for Six days past, and has but few in it, having discharged the greater part several days since, & those under his care generally on the recovery. And I am informed that this is the case of most of the Physicians in the City. We have not heard, in the Committee, of any New Cases for near a week past; though there has been a few instances of Deaths happening in the disease in that time; but they are few and the persons who have died have been closely connected either with diseased persons, or infected places.
Whilst we console ourselves with the pleasing reflection, that the disease has assumed a less alarming type; and has almost intirely disappeared, we cannot but believe that there are traces of it yet in the City, and will yet prove fatal to the imprudent. Yet, upon the closest scrutiny, we are quite of the opinion, that there will be no danger to those who inhabit well aired houses and live in a temperate manner, should they instantly return.
The fears of many who have not had an oppor⟨tunity⟩ of just information may occasion improper doubts, and create alarms which otherwise would not exist: but to my nearest connections, who are desirous of returning to the City, I know no just cause to delay their coming. And from the appearance, and information that has come to the knowledge of the Committee, we do not apprehend the most remote danger after a week or ten days of clear cool weather.
We have not sent more than one person a day, for a week past, to the hospital—and but two of them that was supposed to be affected with the malignant fever. Four days of the early part of the week, the Carts of the Committee were quite unemployed; the rest of the week we have buried five, and but one that was suspected of having had the disease.
I was at the Hospital yesterday and was happy to find the Sick generally on the recovery. There are 105 Sick and 56 Convalescent. But one person had died the last 24 hours, and this one of the flux.
There has died at the hospital in the severest period of the disease from 20 to 28 of a day—the last 10 days about 4 of a day upon an average. Many who go to this hospital are afflicted with other diseases. The Pennsylvania Hospital & Almshouse being shut against the Poor, we are obliged to admit the afflicted of every description, which greatly encreases the appearance of of the disease—our deaths and number of Patients from this cause, is much greater than otherwise would have been.
Our prospects are so far encouraging that we have this day discharged a Number of our nurses and attendants; and are about taking measures for to enable the Committee to return to their private concerns; and placing the hospital upon such a footing as to enable a few to perform the duties of it, which has now become very moderate.
The last 24 hours there has not been a single death—and for three days past but two of the Malignant disease. These circumstances with the opinion of the Physicians and others conversant in the business confirms us in the belief, that the Calamity has nearly subsided—and that a few days will put a final period to the dreadful Scene that we have been so closely engaged in, and which has deprived this City of so many useful Citizens.

Sincerely wishing this to be the Case and a happy restoration of Health and order I shall only add that I am
very respectfully   Thy Friend

Caleb Lownes
City Hall Novr. 2 1793


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 4 November 1793
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Newport, Rhode Island] November 4, 1793. “Inclosed is a statemt. of the case of Caleb Brown owner and master of the Sloop Deby. Her License issued from the Custom house in this Port before the new Coasting Act took place, and on the second day of last March, She saild from the Port of Pawcatuck on her fishing voyage, but had no permit separate from her Licence.… He has paid the duties on the Salmon and Mackrel, and the fees and entry as if from a foreign port, and left his Licence in my office. I have not prosecuted him for going to a foreign port with his License, because I was in doubt on the subject and was unwilling to put him to expence, but have referred the whole matter to your decision.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Nourse, 5 November 1793
From: Nourse, Joseph
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Treasury Department, Register’s Office, November 5, 1793. Requests “that an Estimate of the Monies that may be requisite to defray the Expenses of your Department for the ensuing Year be made out and transmitted as early as convenient, for the purpose of forming a General Estimate of the expenditures of the United States for the year 1794 to be laid before Congress at their next meeting.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 7 November 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Olney, Jeremiah

Treasury Department, November 7, 1793. “… It is of importance to the public service that the suit of Messrs Arnold & Dexter should be well and effectually defended. You will therefore engage such counsel as you can intirely confide in for the purpose.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 7 November 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Williams, Otho H.

Treasury Department November 7th 1793
Sir

Mr Delaporte of Baltimore has communicated to me, that about Twelve months ago, he received some Furniture and wearing apparel belonging to Mr. Gimat, late Governor of St Lucia; upon the entry of which at the Custom house, he gave his Bond, with condition to be cancelled, in case Mr Gimat should arrive within a Twelve month, and take the oath of his intended residence in the United States, as required by law.
As the time is said to be nearly expired, and Mr Gimat is still expected, I would request that proceedings upon the Bond may be suspended till further information shall be received on the subject; [unless there are circumstances not known to me which induce you to think a contrary course requisite.]
I am Sir with consideration   Your obedient Servant

Alex Hamilton
Otho H. Williams EsqrCollector Baltimore


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Philip Schuyler, 8 November 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Schuyler, Philip

[November 8, 1793. On November 17, 1793, Schuyler wrote to Hamilton: “The mail … brought your favor of the 8th Instant.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John Fenno, 9 November 1793
From: Fenno, John
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Phila. Nov. 9. 1793
Sir,

After struggling for four years & an half with a complication of difficulties in supporting my publication, difficulties which no industrious person has perhaps been called to encounter since the organization of the general Government, I am reduced to a situation so embarrassed, as incapacitates me from printing another paper, without the aid of a considerable Loan. The Types, which I informed you, I had wrote for are arrived—they amount to upwards of 500 Dollars. Debts, which I cannot any longer procrastinate payment of amount to 1000. It will require 500 to procure the necessary Stock of paper &c to recommence business. A Loan of Two Thousand Dollars therefore would relieve me & not only so but place me in a situation which would supercede probably the necessity of any future application of a similar kind. By the above statement you will perceive that matters are not altered for the better since the time I submitted a schedule of my Debts & Credits to you—which was last Spring. Tho I have incessantly importuned my distant Subscribers & agents to make payment, since the 18 Septr. I have recd. only 35¼ dollars—tho’ accounts to the amount of 1500 Dols. have been forwarded during the period that has elapsed since. I therefore conclude that tho I have more than 4000 dols. due, there is no dependance to be placed on a fund so wretchedly precarious.
I have reserved myself to renew my business—several eligible births have been attainable in the Bank of the United States—these are now filled. There are yet some vacancies in the Bank of Pennsylvania. Mr Fox is about leaving the Office of Cashier & the place of First Accountant is to be filled. I wish Sir, for your Counsel & Advice. If the plan you suggested some time since of a Subscription can be carried into effect—or if a Loan can [be] made—all may be well. If not—my career as a printer is closed.
Four Years & an half of my Life is gone for nothing; & worse, (for I have a Debt of 2500 Dols. on my Shoulders) if at this crisis, the hand of benevolence & patriotism is not extended.
Of the use of the word patriotism, no man can judge with so much propriety as yourself—for no man is so well acquainted with the Springs & motives of my conduct. Wishing Sir, that your health may be firmly reestablished—and apologizing for this intrusion, which nothing but the urgency of the Case can justify at this Crisis
I am Sir, most respectfully   Your ever devoted & most humble Servant

John Fenno


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Edmund Randolph, 9 November 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Randolph, Edmund

T.D. November 9th 1793
Sir

The following case has arisen upon the representation of different Collectors. There have arrived in several Ports of the UStates vessels belonging to citizens of France with Cargoes on board, which were obliged for safety to quit the Island of St Domingo a French Colony, in consequence of civil commotions existing in the Island, and under that species of necessity proceeded to the UStates as the most convenient asylum in the first instance.
A question has been made whether these vessels are subject to a duty of Tonnage, or whether they are exempt from it as falling within the purview of the 38 Section of the collection law.
On this point I request your opinion as speedily as may be.
Very respectfully I have the honor to be   sir Yr Ob servt
The Attorney General of the USt


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Governors of the States, 13 November 1793
From: Treasury Department,Hamilton, Alexander
To: Governors of the States

Treasury Department November 13th 1793
Sir

The Commissioners for settling the accounts between the united States and the Individual States having made their final report to the President, dated the 29th of June 1793 I am to announce to Your Excellency, that a Balance of [Seventy five thousand and fifty five Dollars] has been reported by the said Commissioners in favour of the State of [New Hampshire.]
I have the honor to be with respect   Your Excellency’s   most obedient Servant

Alexander HamiltonSecretary of the Treasy


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Cochran, 15 November 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Cochran, John

Treasury Department, November 15, 1793. Requests “amount of the last quarters dividend paid by the office of Discount & Deposit, in order that a warrant may issue to cover the same.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, 15 November 1793
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Hamilton, Alexander

German Town [Pennsylvania] November 15th 1793
Sir

Your letter of the 9th instant was delivered to me yesterday.
It is a desireable thing, for the cause of humanity, that the vessels, therein described should be exempted from Tonnage. But this must be the act of the Legislature; and cannot arise from the construction of the collection-law; the cause of their quitting the Island of St. Domingo, not being the Species of necessity contemplated by that act.
I have the honor, Sir, to be   with esteem & respect   Yr. mo. obedt Servt.

Edm. Randolph
The Secretary of the Treasury


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from George Jenkins, 16 November 1793
From: Jenkins, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

November 16, 1793. “Permit me to offer my services for a clerkship in your Office vacant by the decease of Mr. Laurence.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 17 November 1793
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Albany Sunday Novemr 17th 1793
My Dear Sir

The mail which brought your favor of the 8th Instant, had already returned before I received your letter.
It is very natural that you and my Dear Eliza Should be anxious to have your children with you, but in this instance I apprehend your prudence has given way to your feelings, the fatal disorder which has so severely been experienced at Philadelphia, may have abated, or even for the present apparently subsided, but many months must elapsed before it can be determined that the dreadful Scene will not be renewed, under this persuasion, super-added to the anxiety we feel from your and Eliza’s being so near the scene of distress, and the additional anxiety both you and we should experience should the disorder again become prevalent (as I am informed Doctor Stevens apprehends It will) and your Children as well as yourselves exposed to Its Influence, I have concluded that It would be improper to Acceed to your wish, If however after some farther experience you shall Judge that all danger is past, I will either carry down the little one and his nurse, or send them in charge of my son Rensselaer, but the others we all agree must remain until Spring. Indeed this would be proper, danger from Infection a part, should you find yourself under the necessity of adhering to the resolution you mentioned to me when home; The children are all in perfect health, so happy and docile and afford us so much pleasure and real satisfaction that we should part with them with infinite reluctance, you must not therefore Insist upon depriving us of them. They all Join us in love, to you & Eliza.
I am my Dear Sir   Most affectionately Yours

Ph: Schuyler
Hone Alexander Hamilton Esqr.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 18 November 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Deparmt. Novemr. 18. 1793

The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully submits to the consideration of the President of the United States, a communication from the Commissioner of the revenue of the 6th instant, transmitting two proposals respecting the masons work for repairing the Tybee Lighthouse in Georgia.
From the measures, which have been taken, it appears improbable that better terms are obtainable, and from such means as are possessed, of judging, there is no reason to conclude that they are not reasonable. Under these circumstances, and considering the distance, it is submitted, as the opinion of the Secy, expedient to close with the proposal of John Armour.

A. Hamilton.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 18 November 1793
From: Willink, Wilhem,Willink, Jan,Van Staphorst, Nicholaas,Van Staphorst, Jacob,Hubbard, Nicholas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

(Duplicate)
Amsterdam 18 November 1793
Sir!

Confirming our last Respects of 14 Ultimo, we have now but to announce to you, that immediately upon learning from Mr. Short the passage thro’ the Straights of an Algerine Fleet of cruizers against the Vessels of the United States We communicated same to the Masters of the American Ships here and likewise to the Minister at Paris and consul at Bordeaux, for the information of the Captains who might be in any of the Ports.
We are extremely sorry for this Event, as it will deprive the united States in a great measure of the Benefits their Trade and Navigation derived from the observance of Neutrality in the Present War, and it besides tends to decline the Prices of their Bonds here, which are now selling by small Parcels, at 99½ á ¾ for the Five Per cents and 89 for the four Per cents. It is much to be wished on all Accounts that a small Fleet of Frigates or Stout Privateers wel armed, could be stationed between Cadiz and Cape Finisterre to protect your Commerce from the Depredations of those Pirates!
We are Respectfully.   Sir!   Your most obd. hble Servt.

Wilhem & Jan Willink
N & J. Van Staphorst & Hubbard
Alex: Hamilton Esqr.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [20] November 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

Philade November [20,] 1793
Dr. Sir

Some embarrassment has arisen on the subject of a fit person for District Attorney of Rhode Island. Mr. Howel has been strongly recommended on the one hand and positively objected to on another—and Mr.  has been proposed in opposition. Your opinion does not appear on either side.
The President is desirous of further information and I have undertaken to procure it for him. In addressing myself to you on the point, I proceed on an assurance of your judgment and candour. I request your ideas of the candidates fully and freely—promising that it shall not in any shape compromis you. Be so good as to state not only the qualifications of each—but the collateral circumstances affecting the public service which will be likely to attend the appointment of either.
It is regretted that the affair has assumed too much a party complexion. This suggests an inquiry whether there be not some third character competent eligible, & who would not be liable to a similar difficulty. The more speedy your answer the more it will oblige.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 20 November 1793
From: Fitzgerald, John
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Alexandria [Virginia] Novr. 20th. 1793
Sir!

The Surveyor of this District having some time ago sent in his resignation to the President and a few days since gone to live out of the District, I found myself under the necessity of making a temporary appointment, and have accordingly nominated Mr. Vincent Gray to act until your instructions arrive, which I flatter myself will not be disagreeable to you.
The President will of course have some conversation with you on the subject of filling up this vacancy. Mr. Gray has been strongly recommended for that purpose; as you must have a knowledge of his talents and assiduity for some years past, I shall only assure you, that, in my opinion, the appointment of him will not only tend to give general mercantile satisfaction here, but also to the stability and perhaps the increase of Revenue.
I have the honor to be Sir!   Your most Obedt. Servt

John Fitzgerald


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 21 November 1793
From: Olney, Jeremiah
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Providence, November 21, 1793. “I have received your Letter of the 7th instant. As soon as I have knowledge of the appointment of a District Attorney for this State, I will consult him relative to engaging other Counsel in the Suits of Mesrs. Arnold and Dexter; and I will endeavor to have them effectually defended.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 21 November 1793
From: Seton, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York 21 Novr. 1793
Dear sir

The Bearer Mr. David Maitland is a partner in my House of Commerce & my particular friend he solicits the honour of being known to you, and I trust you will excuse the liberty I take in introducing him. Mr. Maitland wishes to become a Citizen of America & I have heard that there is a shorter way of getting at this benefit, than an absolute residence of two years in the Country, if such exists you will oblige me infinitely in pointing it out to Mr. Maitland.
The price of Bank Stock has never yet admitted of my making any investment for Mr. Church—of which I have regularly advised him at every opportunity. The present price is about 16 ⅌ Cent. I have the honor to be with the highest respect & esteem
Dear Sir   Your obliged Obedient Humble Servant

Wm Seton
Alexander Hamilton Esq


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 22 November 1793
From: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

T D C O Novr. 22d. 1793
Sir

It appears from accounts depending in the Treasury & unsettled, that very considerable Supplies were furnished by the United States to the Marine of France in the years 1778 1779 & 1780, under the Agency of John Holker Esq late Consul general.
The payments made by Mr. Holker on this account, were in Continental bills long after the Supplies were furnished, & when the currency was greatly depreciated in value. A claim appears to have been made on the part of the United States, but circumstances have hitherto prevented a liquidation with Mr. Holker or the French government.
The balance due to the United States as stated by the late Accountant of the Treasy exceeds 140.000 Dolls exclusive of Interest; whether the statement which exhibits this balance is accurate, I cannot determine, it may however be safely presumed that a considerable sum is justly due.
I have thought it my duty to apprise you of this claim of the United States, that it may be duly considered, whenever a liquidation of the payments to France shall be proposed.
I have the honor to be with the greatest respect &c.

Hon A H


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Gardner, 23 November 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Gardner, William

[November 23, 1793. “The Secretary of the Treasury by letter of the 23d Novr. 1793, informed William Gardner, Commissioner of loans for New Hampshire, that the Treasurer had been directed to furnish him with a draught upon the Collector of Portsmouth, for five thousand dollars, to enable him to discharge the interest due on the stock standing on his books, on the 31st. December.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [23 November 1793]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

[November 23, 1793]

The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President. He regrets extremely that the state of his health does not permit him to attend the President today. He has the honor to enclose a report on two of the letters to Mr. Genet, & would have embraced the third respecting the protested bills, if it had been in his power. But no inconvenience can in this case ensue, as the supposed mistake with regard to the funds already promised has been adjusted, and the enclosed report embraces and answers the question of advance upon a future fund. The report would have been more full & precise, if my situation had permitted, but my frame is so disordered as almost to unfit me for business.
November 23d. 1793.


Title: Enclosure: [Report on Letters to Edmond Charles Genet], 23 November 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

The Secretary of the Treasury upon two Letters from the Minister plenipotentiary of France to the Secy. of State severally bearing date the 11. & 14 of November inst. respectfully reports to the President of the United States as follows.
1. The object of these Letters is to procure an engagement that the bills which the Minister may draw upon the sums, which according to the terms of the Contracts respecting the French debt would fall due in the years 1794 and 1795, shall be accepted on the part of the United States, payable at the periods stipulated for the payment of those sums respectively.
The following considerations are submitted as militating against the proposed arrangement.
1. According to the view entertained at the Treasury of the situation of the account between France and the UStates, adjusting equitably the question of depreciation, there have already been anticipated payments to France equal or nearly equal to the sums falling due in the course of the year 1794.
II. The provision by law for discharging the principal of the French debt contemplates only loans. Of those, which have been hitherto made, the sum unexpended is not more than commensurate with a payment which is to be made on the first of June next upon account of the Capital of the Dutch Debt. It is possible that a fund for this payment may be derived from another loan; but it is known to the President that from advices recently received full reliance cannot be placed on this resource; owing to the influence of the present state of European Affairs upon the measures of the UStates for borrowing. It need not be observed that a failure in making the payment referred to would be ruinous to the credit of the UStates.
The acceptance of the bills of the Minister of France would virtually pledge the only fund, of which there is at present a certainty, for accomplishing that payment. And as this is a matter of strict obligation, directly affecting the public credit, it would not appear adviseable to engage that fund for a different object, which if the ideas of the Treasury are right, with regard to the state of our account with France, does not stand upon a similar footing.
It would be manifestly unsafe to presume upon contingencies, or to enter into engagements to be executed at distant periods when the means of execution are uncertain.
But as there appears to be a difference of opinion between the Minister of France and the Treasury with regard to the state of the account between the two countries, it is necessary that something on this head should be ascertained. With this view the Secretary of the Treasury will proceed without delay to take arrangements for the adjustment of the account.

Alexander HamiltonSecy of the Treasy.
Treasury Department.Novemr. 23. 1793.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John Habersham, 25 November 1793
From: Habersham, John
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Savannah, November 25, 1793. On January 16, 1794, Habersham wrote to Hamilton: “In my letter to you of the 25th November last.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Marshall, 25 November 1793
From: Marshall, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Paterson [New Jersey] Novr. 25th. 1793
Sir

Our Brass Founder, Richard Wittingham, is now on his road to Wilmington to recover of Mr Hall and Mr Pearce a Considerable Sum they stand Indebted to him for Castings, and taking the Oppertunity of his Conveyance to Philadelphia, I beg leave respectfully to Submit the following (as Concisely stated as possible) to your Approbation. From the length of time I served this Society at a low Salary, I was thrown behind hand in my Finances; which you generously in part did away by a Twelvemonth advance in Salary—but I have never been able to Overcome that advance. The Directors are Chiefly Strangers and an Appeal to them perhaps would only be attended with Eneasiness & I have therefore presumed to trouble you and if you will be so Obliging as to lend me One Hundred Dollars, I will send you my promisory Note to repay you in One Twelvemonth. But Although I am much in want of Cash to Answer my present Exigencies, & therefore Solicit you to honor me with it by the Bearer, I shall take the Oppertunity of coming to Philadelphia as soon as possible to lay before you proposals for Countenancing my Exertions in the Establishment of the Ginn for Cleaning Seed Cotton, for I give you my word and honor you shall be made acquainted with every particular and the Option of a first refusal. I Never should have made any proposals to you Sir or any other Gentleman, independant of Mr Pearce, had his Conduct not been too highly reprehensible for me to have any further Connextions with him. About the latter end of this or beginning of Next year I will wait on you with an Explanation of my ⟨–⟩ on the Subject of the Ginn, but if you in the ⟨mean⟩ time require any Information by Letter ⟨I⟩ will Immediately send it you, hoping you will honor me so far with your Confidence as to remit by the Bearer, (as the post is uncertain hither) the loan I have respectfully Solicited, I remain
Your Most Obedient   Humble Servant

Thomas Marshall
Honble: Alexander Hamilton Esqr.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Mordecai Sheftall, 25 November 1793
From: Sheftall, Mordecai
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Savannah, November 25, 1793. On January 23, 1794, Hamilton wrote to Sheftall: “I have received your letter of the 25th of November last.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Bartholomew Dandridge, 26 November 1793
From: Dandridge, Bartholomew
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Germantown [Pennsylvania] 26. Nov. 1793.
Sir,

By the President’s command I have the honor to enclose herewith two proposals made for repairing the masons work of the Tybee Lighthouse, & the letter of the Commissioner of the Revenue which accompanied them. Also two proposals for doing the wood work of the said Lighthouse, with the Commissioner of the revenue’s letter accompanying them—and to inform you that the President thinks it proper that the proposal of John Armour for doing the masons work, & that of Adrianus Van Denne for doing the wood work, with the plain Stair Case, should be accepted.
I have the honor to be, Sir,   Your most Obt. Servt.

Bw. Dandridge
The Secy. of the Treasury.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Edmond Charles Genet, 26 November 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Genet, Edmond Charles

Treasury DepartmentNovember 26. 1793
Sir

It appears indespensable to adjust disagreeing Ideas with regard to the State of the Account between France and the UStates, that as much as shall be found practicable should be done without loss of time towards a settlement of it. With this view I have instructed the Accounting Officers of the Treasury to proceed in the business as soon as there shall appear some person on your behalf to cooperate in it. And I shall be in other respects ready to concur with you in the requisite means of fulfilling the object. With respect
I have the honor to be   Sir   Your obedient servt

Alex HamiltonSecy of the Treasy
Minister Plenipotentiaryof The Republic of France


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 26 November 1793
From: Seton, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York 26 Novr. 1793
Dear sir

I took the liberty of writing you a few lines by my friend Mr. Maitland—who this day informs me of your exceeding kind & polite attention to him for which I beg you to accept my most gratefull thanks.
This day United States Bank Shares began to decline & I presume in a day or two I shall be able to purchase for Mr. Church under your Limits of 15 ⅌ cent—but it strikes me that as this Stock has lately been as Low in London as £99 to 100 Stg that he may have purchased there. I therefore feel loth to enter into the Market without further orders from you, and at the same time I think you will not blame me for making this further observation; Mr. Church’s circumstances and responsibility I am totally ignorant of, £10,000 is a very large Sum to run the risk of even a 20 ⅌ Cent damages upon; now My dear sir for you or under your absolute guarantee of course I would commit myself for any Sum; but I must confess to you sincerely that unless I had you to look to, I should deem myself unjustifiable to my family to enter into this Negotiation. You I am sure esteem me too much, not to excuse my plain honesty on this point. Exchange is 5 ⅌ Cent above par & I believe during this week the price of Shares will be 12½ to 13 ⅌ Cent. If you say I shall purchase & draw, I will do it immediately, for I desire nothing more than to shew a readiness of compliance with every thing that you can wish of.
Dear sir   Your obliged Obd Hl St

Wm Seton
Alex. Hamilton Esqr.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 26 November 1793
From: Williams, Otho H.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Baltimore, November 26, 1793. “… Inclosed is a copy of a letter received from the Captain of the Revenue Cutter respecting the Lieutinant. I wait your instructions how to proceed or what proceeding there are to be in that most disagreeable business.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, [26 November 1793]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Willink, Wilhem,Willink, Jan,Van Staphorst, Nicholaas,Van Staphorst, Jacob,Hubbard, Nicholas

[November 26, 1793. On February 24, 1794, Willink, Van Staphorst, and Hubbard wrote to Hamilton: “We … have now to acknowledge Receipt of the Triplicate of your esteemed favor of 26 November last.” Letter not found.]


Title: Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox to John Jay and Rufus King, 27 November 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander,Knox, Henry
To: Jay, John,King, Rufus

PhiladelphiaNovember 27. 1793
Gentlemen

We have received your Letter of the 26th instant.
We take to day to revise it and tomorrow or the day after we expect to hand it to some Printer for publication with our Certificate.
We are with respect and esteem   Your obedient servants

A Hamilton
H Knox

John Jay
}
Esquires.

Rufus King


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Walter Stewart, [27 November 1793]
From: Stewart, Walter
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[November 27, 1793. “The Secretary of the Treasury sent for my information a letter to him from General Stewart, of 27. Nov. stating that in his present situation he doubted whether the law constituting the office of Surveyor, woud allow him, being concerned in commerce vessels &c. to hold that office—says, however, if he can be allowed to act in that office now, he can he thinks acquit himself of all mercantile concerns in about 7 months. Promises to make no new engagements in trade, & to wind up the old ones as soon as possible.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Morris, 28 November 1793
From: Morris, Richard
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Scarsdale Westchester County [New York]Novr. 28th. 1793
My Good Sir

I am Ashamed I have not before this performed my promise in proposing some Amendments to the Excise Law; had I not promised I Should not Have troubled you on the head, for tho I think Amendment necessary, difficulties Arise that I cannot gett over. I have Several times Satt down to Reduce my Amendments in form to a Law. I am Stoped almost in the first Sentence. I shall therefore Only Inclose you the Heads of my proposed Amendments. The great Difficulty, Expence, and prospect of Increasing Expence, in the Execution of the Excise law, Arises from the Country Distilleries. They are Generally Remote from one Another, do but Little and therefore it is difficult to find Collectors who for the Recompense will Attend them And unless great care is taken in the Appointment the dutys are at Risque in their Hands none but Indigent persons will Accept. To Remove these Difficulties I send the Inclosed, which when I first Resolved them in my mind I was Really pleased with and thought they would Do, but I now think otherways much Doubting whether they will Effect any good End, and nothing but my promise has induced me to put them on paper. However youl See my design was a Collection from the Country Distilleries for Less than two pr Cent. If Any thought in it Should at any future Day be of any Use to the Genl Govt. it will give me pleasure. My best Respects Await your Lady. With Sincear Wishes for the Health of your Selves and Children I am Good Sir with Real Esteem and all Due Respect your Obliged friend and
Very Hum Servt

Rcd Morris
Alexander Hamilton Esqr.


Title: Statement by Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox on Edmond Charles Genet’s “Appeal to the People”, 29 November 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander,Knox, Henry
To:

Philadelphia, November 29, 1793.

We the subscribers, certify that we did severally communicate to the abovementioned John Jay and Rufus King, the particulars contained in the foregoing statement. That such of them as are therein mentioned to have been reported to Governor Mifflin by Mr. Dallas, were communicated by the Governor to each of us, as having been received by him from Mr. Dallas. That such of them as respect Mr. Jefferson, including the information to him from Mr. Dallas of Mr. Genet’s having said “that he would appeal from the President to the People,” were communicated to us by Mr. Jefferson.

Alexander Hamilton,
H. Knox.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to James Lovell, 29 November 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lovell, James

Treasury Department November 29th 1793
Sir

Various circumstances have prevented an earlier answer to your letter of the 22d of August last.
The question referred to having been stated to the Attorney General, you will receive a copy of his opinion herewith enclosed, in which I concur.
I am Sir   Your obedient Servant

James Lovell EsqrNaval OfficerBoston


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Nourse, 29 November 1793
From: Nourse, Joseph
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Treasury DepartmentRegisters Office 29th: Nov: 1793.
Sir,

I have the Honor to Enclose my Certificate in Relation to the Payment of the Claim of the Baron De Glaubeck and sundry other Papers thereunto belonging.
I am Sir,   your mo: ob: & mo: hb Serv.

Joseph Nourse Rgr
Hon: Alex: Hamilton Esqr.Secy of the Treasury


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Edmond Charles Genet, 30 November 1793
From: Genet, Edmond Charles
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New york 30 9bre 1793.L’an second de la République fse.
Monsieur,

J’ai reçu la lettre que vous m’avés fait l’honneur de m’ecrire Le 26. de Ce mois et Je me Suis empressé d’Envoyer au Citoyen Bournonville secretaire de la légation de la République les authorisations nécessaires pour mettre En régle le Compte de la france avec les Etats unis conjointement avec les personnes que vous nommerés à cet effet. À mon retour à Philadelphie je prendrai connaissance de Ce travail et Je me concerterai ensuite avec vous Sur les moyens de conclure cette opération Et d’Etablir la Balance entre nos deux pays.
Agrées mon respect

Genet


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 30 November 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Department, November 30, 1793. Encloses “a letter … received from General Stewart on the subject of his proposed appointment.” Thinks “it consistent with a reasonable construction of the general interest of the Law to allow the indulgence which his situation requires.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 30 November 1793
From: Williams, Otho H.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Baltimore, November 30, 1793. On January 22, 1794, Hamilton wrote to Williams: “I have before me your letter of the 30th of November last.” Letter not found.]


Title: Introductory Note: Outline for George Washington’s Fifth Annual Address to Congress, [November 1793]
From:
To:

Introductory Note
In the period immediately preceding George Washington’s Fifth Annual Address to Congress on December 3, 1793, the President and the members of his cabinet held a series of meetings at which the contents of the message were discussed. Thomas Jefferson’s accounts of these meetings in the “Anas” indicate that he and Edmund Randolph disagreed with Hamilton on several occasions and that the principal points on which they disagreed related to the way in which the message should treat the conduct of foreign affairs in general and the neutrality proclamation in particular.
In his description of the November 18 cabinet meeting at the President’s house Jefferson wrote that the cabinet “took up the discussion of the subjects of communicn to Congrss. 1. The Proclmn. E. R. read the statemt he had prepared. Hamilton did not like it, said much about his own views, that the Presidt. had a right to declare his opn to our citizens & foreign nations. That it was not the interest of this country to join in the war & that we were under no oblign to join in it, that tho’ the declr would not legally bind Congress, yet the Presidt. had a right to give his opn. of it, & that he was agt. any expln in the speech which should yield. That he did not intend that foreign nations shd consider it as a decln of neutrality future as well as present, that he understood it as meant to give them that sort of assurance & satisfaction, & to say otherwise now would be a deception on them. He was for the Pres’s using such expressions as should neither affirm his right to make such a decln to foreign nations, nor yield it.…” Both Jefferson and Randolph denied that the proclamation had a binding effect on future United States foreign policy and that the acceptance of such a contention would have abrogated the guarantee of the French West Indies contained in Article 11 of the 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France. Jefferson further held that the President had “recd. the natn. at the close of Congr. in a state of peace, [and] was bound to preserve them in that state till Congr. shd. meet again.” The President replied that “he nevr. had an idea that he could bind Congress agt. declaring war” or that the proclamation had been intended as anything but an interim measure until the next meeting of Congress. “He concluded in the end that Colo. H. should prepare a paragraph on this subject for the speech & that it should then be considered.”
On November 21 the cabinet again met at the President’s house to discuss the presentation of the proclamation to Congress. Randolph presented his view that the proclamation should be discussed in the address, “Referring to the time, when it was issued” and “Assigning the motives of it to be 1. to quiet the suspicions of foreign powers; 2. and to prevent the citizens of the U.S. from hostile conduct.” At this point, according to Jefferson’s account of the meeting in the “Anas,” “Hamilton produced his statement in which he declared his intention to be to say nothing which could be laid hold of for any purpose, to leave the proclamation to explain itself. He entered pretty fully into all the argumentation of Pacificus, he justified the right of the Presidt to declare his opinion for a future neutrality, & that there existed no circumstances to oblige the U. S. to enter into the war on account of the guarantee, and that in agreeing to the proclmn he meant it to be understood as conveying both those declarations, viz, neutrality, & that the casus fœderis on the guarantee did not exist. Nothwithstanding these declns of the Presidt. he admitted the Congress might declare war. In like manner they might declare war in the face of a treaty, & in direct infraction of it. Among other positions laid down by him, this was with great positiveness, that the constn having given power to the Presidt. & Senate to make treaties, they might make a treaty of neutrality which should take from Congress the right to declare war in that particular case, and that under the form of a treaty they might exercise any powers whatever, even those exclusively given by the constn to the H. of representatives.…” Both Randolph and Jefferson opposed this position.
On November 23, at another cabinet meeting which Hamilton did not attend because of illness, proposals for the fortification of principal harbors and the establishment of a military academy were discussed. Jefferson objected to both proposals. At the conclusion of this meeting it was agreed that Randolph would draw up the address and the messages to be sent to Congress.
The cabinet met again on November 28 and decided that the correspondence concerning Edmond Charles Genet’s alleged “appeal to the people” and the resulting controversy with John Jay and Rufus King should not be included in the papers transmitted to Congress. According to Jefferson, Randolph then read his draft of the President’s address, which omitted any recommendation concerning fortifications but included a proposal for the establishment of a military academy. Jefferson opposed the proposal for a military academy on the ground that an academy was not authorized by the Constitution, but the proposal was approved by Hamilton and Knox. Jefferson then “produced the draught of messages on the subject of France and England, proposing that that relative to Spain should be subsequent & secret. H objected to the draught in toto. Said that the contrast drawn between the conduct of France & England amounted to a decln of war. He denied that Fr. had ever done us favors, that it was mean for a nation to acknolege favors, that the dispositions of the people of this country towards France he considered as a serious calamity, that the Executive ought not by an echo of this language to nourish that disposn in the people. That the offers in commerce made us by France were the offspring of the moment, of circumstances which wd. not last, & it was wrong to receive as permanent, things merely temporary. That he could demonstrate that Gr. Br. shewed us more favors than France. In complaisance to him I whittled down the expressions without opposition, struck out that of ‘favors antient & recent’ from France, softened some terms & omitted some sentiments respecting Gr. Br. He still was against the whole, but insisted that at any rate it should be a secret communication, because the matters it stated were still depending. These were 1. the inexecution of the treaty, 2. the restraining our corn commerce to their own ports & those of their friends. Knox joined Hamilton in everything.… The Presidt. took up the subject with more vehmence then I have seen him shew, and decided without reserve that not only what had passed on the inexecution of the treaty should go in as public (in which H. & K. had divided in opinion from R. & myself) but also that those respecting the stopping our corn should go in as public (wherein H. K. & Randolph had been against me). This was the first instance I had seen of his deciding on the opn of one against that of three others, which proved his own to have been very strong.”


Title: Outline for George Washington’s Fifth Annual Address to Congress, [November 1793]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

Objects to be communicated in Speech & Messages
I
Proclamation
II
Embarrassments on carrying into Execution the principles of neutrality; necessity of some auxiliary provisions by law
III
Expectation of indemnification given in relation to illegal captures
IV
State of our affairs with regard to G Britain

to Spain

to France—claim of Guarantee

—propositions respecting Trade
V
Indian affairs.

failure of Treaty—state of expedition under Wayne prospects with regard to Southern Indians.
VI
Prudence of additional precautions for defence; as the best security for the peace of the Country

  1
fortification of principal sea ports

  2
Corps of efficient Militia

VII
Completion of settlement of Accounts between the United and Individual States: Provision for ballances
VIII
Provision for a sinking fund
IX
Our revenues in the aggregate have continued to answer expectation as to productiveness but if the various objects pointed out and which appear to be necessary to the public Interest are to be accomplished it can hardly be hoped that there will be a necessity for some moderate addition to them
X
Prolongation of the Dutch installment by way of Loan—terms.
XI
Provision for the second installment due to Bank of UStates

XII
for interest on the unsubscribed debt during the present year. Quære
XIII
Communication of the state of cessions of Light Houses. The Cession in various instances has not been intire; it has reserved a partial right of jurisdiction for process; consequently is not strictly conformable to law
XIV
Commissary to receive issue & account for all public stores would conduce much to order & œconomy.


Title: Draft for George Washington’s Fifth Annual Address to Congress, [November 1793]
From: Hamilton, Alexander,Washington, George
To:

[November, 1793]

It is greatly to be lamented, for the sake of humanity, that the flame of War, which had before spread over a considerable part of Europe has within the present year extended itself much further; implicating all those powers with whom the United States have the most extensive relations. When it was seen here, that almost all the maritime Nations either were, or were likely soon to become parties to the War, it was natural that it should excite serious reflections about the possible consequences to this Country. On the one hand, it appeared desireable, that no impressions in reference to it should exist with any of the powers engaged, of a nature to precipitate arrangements or measures tending to interrupt or endanger our peace. On the other, it was probable, that designing or inconsiderate persons among ourselves might from different motives embark in enterprizes contrary to the duties of a nation at peace with nations at war with each other; and, of course, calculated to invite and to produce reprisals and hostilities. Adverting to these considerations, in a situation both new and delicate, I judged it adviseable to issue a Proclamation (here insert the substance of the Proclamation). The effects of this measure have, I trust, neither disappointed the views which dictated it, nor disserved the true interests of our Country.
The Commissioners charged with the settlement of Accounts between the United & the Individual States completed that important business within the time limited by Law; and the ballances which they have reported have been placed upon the Books of the Treasury. A copy of their Report bearing date the  day  last will be laid before congress for their information.
The importance of the object will justify me in recalling to your consideration the expediency of a regular and adequate provision for the Redemption and Discharge of the Public Debt. Several obvious considerations render the œconomy of time in relation to this measure, peculiarly interesting and desireable.
It is necessary, that provision should be also made for paying the second installment of the loan of two Millions from the Bank of the UStates agreeably to the terms of that loan; the first having been paid, pursuant to the provision for that purpose made during the last session.
On the first day of June last an installment of 1000000 of florins became payable on the loans of the UStates in Holland. This was adjusted by a prolongation of the period of reimbusement, in nature of a new loan at an interest of 5 per Cent, for the term of ten years. The charges upon this operation were a commission of three per Cent. It will readily be perceived that the posture of European affairs is calculated to affect unfavourably the measures of the US for borrowing abroad.
The productiveness of the public Revenues hitherto has continued to equal the anticipations which were formed of it; but it is not expected that it will prove commensurate with all the objects which have been suggested. Some auxiliary provisions will therefore, it is presumed, be requisite; but these it is hoped can be made consistently with a due regard to the convenience of our citizens, who cannot but be sensible of the true wisdom of encountering a small present addition to their contribution for the public service, to avoid a future accumulation of burthens.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Hamilton, [November 1793]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Hamilton, Angelica

[Philadelphia, November, 1793]

I was very glad to learn, my dear daughter, that you were going to begin the study of the French language. We hope you will in every respect behave in such a manner as will secure to you the good-will and regard of all those with whom you are. If you happen to displease any of them, be always ready to make a frank apology. But the best way is to act with so much politeness, good manners, and circumspection, as never to have occasion to make any apology. Your mother joins in best love to you. Adieu, my very dear daughter.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 2 December 1793
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Colles Offe. [Newport, Rhode Island] Dece. 2nd 1793
Sir

The last proviso of Sec: 66 of the Colln. Law runs thus “And provided, That no action or prosecution shall be maintained in any case under this Act; unless the same shall have been commenced within three years next after the penalty of forfeiture was incurred.” On this proviso questions have arisen, concerng. which I request your opinion.
1st. Whether the issuing a Writ within three years next after the penalty of forfeiture was incurred, would be a commencement of an Action or prosecution, although the Writ should be returned non est, or, in case of a direction on the back of the Writ to attach to any value, the Writ should be returned neither body nor goods to be found?
2. Whether if a Writ being so issued and returned be a commt. of the action or prosecution, Writs may not be successively issued against the person who has incurred the penalty until a service shall have been made?
By Stat: 21. James chap 16.13., introduced into this State, all Actions of the case &c. shall be brought within six years next after the cause of such actions or suits and not after. Upon this Statute the construction has been that by bringing a Writ within the six years, and upon its being returned non est, the bringing another within six years next after the purchase of the first, and so on, the demand may be kept alive until a writ shall be served.
If a construction like this should not be put upon the cited Proviso, the penalty incurred may be avoided; for the Collector may not be informed of the transgression of Law until the three years shall have nearly expired, and then the transgressor may be at Sea and so continue until three years from the time the penalty was incurred shall have run out as is the case of Samuel Slocum who was master of the Brig Enterprize which is seized at New york, and about which I wrote you on the 26th. of last August. I issued a Writ against him before the three years had expired, and directed the Marshall to attach to any value. He returned the Writ neither the body nor the goods & chattels of the within Samuel Slocum to be by me found within this District. Or the transgressor may abscond, or conceal himself as Samuel Townsend, Master, and Samuel Pitman mate of the Schooner Hannah are said to have done. Against each of them I have issued Writs with similar directions, which I expect will be returned in the same manner. Of my seizure of the said Schooner I informed you in my letter of the 11th of the last month. Imaginining that if no service of the Writ is made before the expiration of the three years they shall be safe they abscond or conceal themselves and they place their attachable property out of the reach of the Marshall. I have consulted Pierpont Edwards the District Atto. for the District of Connecticut and it is his opinion that if a writ issues within three years next after the penalty was incurred, and is returned non est or neither goods, nor chattels to be found, it is a commencement of the Action or prosecution according to the meaning of the Proviso, and that thereafter writs may be issued against the transgressor until a service shall be made.
The form of the Writ prescribed by the Law of this State commands the Sheriff &c to arrest the body  and for want of the body to attach  goods & chattels and  or them in safe custody to keep &c &c. and a Law of this State enacts that “where the Plt. or his Atty shall by writing on the back of such Writ give order to attach to any value or to a small value: And where an attachment shall be made in consequence of such order the same shall be sufficient to bring the cause to trial.” As early an answer to this letter as you can make convenient is desired by
Sir, Yr. most obedt. servant

Wm Ellery Colle
A Hamilton Esqe.Secry Treasury


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [2 December 1793]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia, December 2, 1793]

The Secretary of the Treasury on the letter from the Minister plenipotentiary of France to the Secretary of State of the 15 instant, respectfully makes the following report to the President of the United States.
It is true as alleged by the Minister, that certain drafts of his on the Treasury have not been admitted.
Some of them were predicated upon the fund engaged to him in November; but one of them for twenty thousand dollars was expressed to be upon the funds which should be at the disposal of France in Jany. 1794.
With respect to the first kind of an accidental error occasioned the temporary exclusion of some drafts, which were within the proper limit. The Clerk charged with registering the bills as presented had noted one as for Forty thousand dollars, which was afterwards found to be for only fourteen thousand; whereby the fund stipulated appeared to have been exceeded, when in fact there was yet a balance. But as soon as the error was discovered, the consequences were rectified.
The draft expressed to be upon funds to be at the disposal of France in January 1794, was refused, because it was not warranted by any previous arrangement, or even notice.
The funds by arrangement put in the disposal of the Minister were definite, vizt., one million and five hundred thousand livres payable on the third of September last, deducting Ninety four thousand five hundred six dollars and ten and a half Cents to be paid for bills drawn by the Administration of St. Domingo, and one million of livres payable on the fifth day of November following. The precision given to this arrangement will be seen by the copy of my letter to him of the 24. of July last, herewith communicated. No other arrangement was made.
The Minister ought not to have operated upon the necessary fund of interest, for two reasons—first, because the terms of the arrangement with him did not include it. Secondly, because it could only have been properly considered as payable of course if it had been mutually understood as absolutely becoming due, unaffected by any antecedent payment; whereas the Minister had been informed, that the advances which had been made were supposed to have exceeded the sums due, according to the stipulated course of payment.
It need only be added that to preserve order in money transactions it is essential to proceed with regularity; that an unauthorized latitude of drawing upon the Treasury could not without impropriety & inconvenience be countenanced by it, and that it was reasonable to expect that Mr. Genet, being at no greater distance than New York, would not have undertaken to exceed the limit concerted with him without previous notice & consent.

Alexr. HamiltonSecy. of the Treasy.
Treasury Dept.Decemr. 2d 1793.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Francis Douthat, 3 December 1793
From: Douthat, Francis
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Staunton [Virginia] Demr. 3rd 1793
Dr. Sir

I have wrote three letters to you by hand Informg. you that My brother & I have made a few Pieces of Be Cloth in this Town But labour being dear & no wooll in any quantity to be got Set aside his Idea of entering largely into the buysness not Having receivd. more wooll than made four half Pieces. I have allso informd. you of many other Material circumstances relative to this buysness which I shall be allway glad to do every occasion you think Proper. I don’t know if the commit. of The Jersey Manufactery mean to give me any incouragemt. To settle at the falls. They desired me to make application this fall But my distant situation makes it very inconvent. & except you Should Oblige me so far as to let me know their intention I know Not how to apply, I hope you will Kind enough as you are well Acquainted with the govourner &c, you may depend on it there Is not a man in America better informd. Nor more able to facilitate Such an undertaking having brought over all the Plans of machinery which is the only expectation there is to make clothe come cheaper & Expedite the buysness. My brother here has great expectations that I Shall make money of two pieces of machinery which is the Setting the sheers going by water & a rowing machine for laying on a most beautifule & Soft grain on all Kinds of woolin goods by water. Which I mean to undertake for the Publick use Provided I can Procure a Pattent—these things are very usefull to the Poorest Fuller on the continent & no country in the world better adopted For them as every fuller or manufactery has a fulling Mill & on the Same Shaft & wheel I can sett the Sheers & rowing Machine going by water which conveniency will make them Come cheap to those who please to have them. It will be of the greatest, publick, advantage, if I can be so happy as to procure a pattent for them. I have no other hopes but from yr. friendship Which I have no reason to doubt & more especially when the Good of yr. Infant country is at stake in question. If you will be Kind enough to let me know the expence I will have it remitted To You with the ten Dollrs. I Owe You before I recive the Pattent.
Yr. Obligg. me Sir will for ever lay me under the greatest Obligations To You & Shall Allways be acknowledgd. with gratitude by Sr. Yr Most Obedt. & most Hum Servt.

Frans. Douthat

Since I wrote the above I think it wd. be better to apply to Congress for a premium, however I Shall be advised by yr Opinion which of the two Modes is the best for me to persue. These Machinese are beyond all Doubt of the greatest utility for the Improvement. & advantage of the Woollen Manufactery.
I have allso Struck Out a more Short & effectual mode for the Improvemt. of the woollen buysness than the one I have laid down to you whereby it can be improved without any money advanced. It is allso a more General one as It will at once reach to the most distant parts of America & raise an emulation in thousands to employ In the buysness on their own Acct. I hope Sr. I Shall have the pleasure of a line from You to Know how to proceed for which I Shall be very thankfull.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Kuhl, 4 December 1793
From: Kuhl, Henry
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philada. December 4: 1793
Sir

I have frequently applied to you for advice, and flatter myself, that it was always given with cheerfulness: I therefore do not now hesitate to trouble you again on my own account.
The office of Commissioner of loans for Pennsylvania has become vacant by the death of Mr Smith which happened yesterday. It is an office which probably will not continue vacant a long time, for which reason those who mean to be candidates ought not to delay making application.
From a conviction that I can perform the duties of the office with credit to myself and advantage to the public, and from other considerations which I will take the liberty of stating I have concluded to ask your advice whether I ought to apply for the office and whether in that case I may count upon your support—without it I am satisfied there will be no success.
Long and faithful services constitute a substantial claim. I have served the United States upwards of eight years; vizt. four years to the late Treasurer of the United States—yourself, with little interruption from October 1789 to October 1791, and the Comptroller of the Treasury since that time, and have had the satisfaction of enjoying the confidence of my employers.
On these occasions I am aware, that family connections are also taken into account. Mine are by no means disreputable. My father has uniformly been a friend to the liberties of this Country, and has filled several stations in the public councils of this State, during the late war and since. He was a member of the first Convention, of the Council of Safety, of assembly &c and is now of the Common council. By the war he also sustained losses, in consequence of the depreciation of the paper currency, the credit of which, during its circulation, he always endeavoured to support. The losses arose from receiving it in exchange for specie for the use of the U: S: and for old debts, the payment of which he might easily have avoided.
A good private character is also a material requisite—of mine, which is well known to you, it is scarcely necessary to make an observation. To say anything to its prejudice, I may set the world at defiance. And this character I shall always boast of as part of my inheritance.
Under the late Government, integrity & services alone even in Foreigners, were good titles to Offices. Of the promotions of clerks on these accounts, (which were I believe numerous) I at present recollect, Fox, Bindon & Burrall, appointed Commissioners for settling accounts under the administration of the Superintendent of Finance. If the principle of advancement is adhered to under the present Govt. I have, in addition to services and integrity, good family connections, and am also a native of Pennsylvania. The good effect of a principle of promotion in public service is well known to you.
From an expectation of promotion, I have been prevented from applying for an appointment, either in the Bank of the U: S, or that of Pennsylvania, in which I could not have failed of success. It is true, there is rather more confinement, but the business is simple & the salaries far beyond the additional service required, and I believe the same restraint is not laid on the Clerks as on those of the Treasury.
But notwithstanding my services, family, character and place of birth, with the other observations on my situation, I would not ask for the office, if I were not well satisfied, that I can perform its duties with advantage to the public and credit to myself.
If therefore you advise me to apply, and will favour me with your interest, I do not doubt of success. If I should fail in this instance, perhaps not another opportunity will offer before you leave the service of the public, a circumstance which the real friends of this country fear is too near at hand. With that event my hopes and expectations will vanish.
Suffer me to request your opinion immediately, that I may know how to act.
I have the honor to be with the greatest respect   Sir   Your obedt. Servt.

The Honorable A: H.Secy of the Treasury


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 5 December 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] December 5, 1793. States “that he has reason to believe General Stewart has removed the obstacles to his appointment.”


Title: Cabinet Meeting. Opinions on Relations with France and Great Britain, [7 December 1793]
From: Jefferson, Thomas,Randolph, Edmund,Hamilton, Alexander,Knox, Henry
To:

[Philadelphia, December 7, 1793]

At a meeting of the heads of departments & Atty genl. at the President’s on the 7th. of Dec. 1793.
Mr. Genet’s ltre of Dec. 3. questioning the right of requiring the address of Consular commissions to the President was read. It is the opinion that the address may be either to the US. or to the President of the US. but that one of these should be insisted on.
A letter from James King was read, dated Philadelphia Nov. 25. 1793, complaining of the capture of his schooner Nancy by a British privateer & carried into N. Providence, and that the court there has thrown the onus probandi on the owners, to shew that the vessel & cargo are American property. It is the opinion that mr King be informed that it is a general rule that the governmt. should not interpose individually till a final denial of justice has taken place in the courts of the country where the wrong is done; but that, a considerable degree of information being shortly expected relative to these cases, his will be further considered and attended to at that time.
The Secretary of state informed the President that he had received a number of applications from mr Genet on behalf of the refugees of St. Domingo who have been subjected to tonnage on their vessels & duties on their property on taking asylum in the ports of this country, into which they were forced by the misfortunes of that colony. It is the opinion that the Secretary of state may put the petitions into the hands of a member of the legislature in his private capacity to be presented to the legislature.

Th: Jefferson
Edm: Randolph
A Hamilton
H Knox


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Charles François Bournonville, [8 December 1793]
From: Bournonville, Charles François
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[December 8, 1793. On December 10, 1793, Hamilton wrote to Bournonville: “I have this moment received your letter of the 8th instant.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Marchant, 9 December 1793
From: Marchant, Henry
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport, Rhode Island, December 9, 1793. “By the last Post I was honored with your confidential Communication of the 20th. of Novr. From Appearances here I was fearful some Embarrassment might arise on the Subject of a fit Person for District Attorney for this District. Wishing to be as happy as possible with the Person who should be appointed, and not knowing that my Sentiments might be expected, or to whom I might with Propriety address them,… I did not interfere my opinion.… Where other Circumstances are equal, or the Merits of Candidates nearly so; it were to be wished the Atty. of the U.S. might reside near the Judge of the District; especially in Times like the present. It is to be lamented that Mr. Channing was the only Gentleman, in or near Newport whose years and Experience were sufficient for so important an Office. The other Gentlemen of the Profession here have so lately entered into Practice, that They had neither the Expectation or Wish of a Recommendation at present. With Respect to the two Gentlemen recommended, Mr. Howell and Mr. Barnes, I have not the least personal Predeliction.… Mr. Howell I have been many years acquainted with, and ever on good Terms.… There is no Doubt of His Learning and Abilities sufficient for the Exercise of the Office of an Atty. of the U. S.—nor has His Integrity, to my Knowledge, ever been questioned. It has been frequently lamented that His political Conduct has been unsteady, and supposed to be too much lead by Motives of perfect Applaudits: And He has accordingly never been so happy as to retain them long in any Plan or Station. He does not appear to me possessed of those easy and accomodating Manners, which consistant with Integrity and Justice to Our own Opinions, are essential to gain and preserve Esteem and Confidence. Sanguine and persevering at the Moment, He yet wants Steadiness and Prudence. I wish He was of a Temper more pleasing to the Courts and at the Bar; and more acceptable at large than I conceive Him to be. But who is there without His Foibles and Faults?.… Mr. Barnes I have known but for about three years. He was I think educated at Cambridge College near Boston, regularly studied with one of the first Law Characters in Boston, settled in Practice at Taunton in Massachusetts.… He appears to have studied closely, and to be well read, speaks well and with Ingenuity. He is very industrious and indefatagable.… It has been objected to Him, that He has but lately settled in this State.… It is true Mr. Howell has been many years in this State; but He was born and educated in the Jerseys.… Perhaps under the Idea of fœderal Citizenship such Objections ought not to have much Weight.… It is indeed to be regretted that this Affair should assume a Party Complection. To this part of the State, I am confident Mr. Howell would not be agreeable: nor are they Sanguine in Behalf of Mr. Barnes. They have not I believe thought it proper to interfere. I am convinced however, They would be more happy if on Enquiry, a third Character could be found competent and elibible. Upon the Decease of Mr. Channing Our Thoughts turned upon Mr. Benja. Bourne and Mr. Ray Green, as there was a handsome opening for two Gentlemen of the Profession It was with Pleasure we heard, both those Gentlemen had Thoughts of coming here. We believe the Idea still dwells on Their Minds.… Mr. Ray Greene is the Son of William Greene Esqr. of Warwick about the Center of this State.… He has grown fast in His Profession and in the Estimation and Confidence of the People. At the first meeting of the Genl. Assembly soon after the Decease of Mr. Channing, He was appointed without opposition to the Office of Atty. Genl. for the State.… It may be thought exceptional that one Gentleman should hold the Office of Atty. for the U. S. and the like Office for the State: and some Inconvenience might perhaps arise. This State however could not object with Propriety for after the President had appointed Mr. Channing, not then the Atty. of the State, The State immediately after and repeatedly appointed Him Their Atty. and He held both till His Death.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Abishai Thomas, 9 December 1793
From: Thomas, Abishai
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philad. 9 Decr. 1793
Sir

By an act of the Legislature of the State of North Carolina I am directed to make a return of all the settlements of Army accounts which hath been made in the State; designating by whom the claims of the Officers & Soldiers had respectively been drawn, in effecting this I have had recourse to the original Vouchers which were deposited with the Commissioners of accounts, & are now in the Treasury, but a difficulty has occur’d which the Comptroller has refer’d to your decision. In order to make my return compleat so as to answer the purpose of the Law I have requested permission to take up the powers, orders or assignments on which the claims have been drawn, because otherwise my report will contain evidence on one side of the question only, for instance the claim of A is receipted for by B & the order in favor of B is filed with the statement of the claim. A complains of fraud, institutes a suit against B my book is admitted as testimony for the plaintiff and poor B is legally convicted of the fraud when perhaps he might clearly prove his innocence in case the authority on which he settled & drew the claim could appear in his behalf, or the fraud be more amply detected if the authority was a forgery. These orders I do not consider by any means as necessary to be filed with the accounts, the proofs of payment by the state are unconnected with them, and where they have been deficient the Commissioners in no instance ever called on me to produce one, & this I consider as ample proof that they were not considered by the board as necessary to accompany the vouchers, indeed while the Vouchers were with the Commissioners I had permission to withdraw several orders of the description in question. I therefore presume to hope that on considering the grounds of my proposition you will concur with me in opinion, and give consent to my withdrawing the papers in question.
With much respect   I have the honor &c

A T


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 9 December 1793
From: Treasury Department,Hamilton, Alexander
To: Collectors of the Customs

Treasury Department December 9th 1793
Sir

From your weekly statement of Cash I calculate that you will have sufficient funds in your hands to discharge the allowances to fishing vessels, which will become due in your District on the 31st instant. You will therefore pay those allowances agreeably to the instructions heretofore given for that purpose.
I request however that you will furnish me with an estimate of the sum which will be required, in order that I may regulate future drafts on the Treasurer accordingly.
I am Sir   Your obedient Servant

A Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Charles François Bournonville, 10 December 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Bournonville, Charles François

Treasury Department December 10th 1793
Sir

I have this moment received your Letter of the 8th instant, and have instructed the Comptroller of the Treasury to proceed in cooperation with you, as speedily as possible, in the adjustment of the Account between France and the united States.
Any question arising in the course of the business which may require my special attention will immediately receive it.
With consideration and esteem   I have the honor to be   Sir Your obedient Servant

Alex Hamilton
Mr BournonvilleSecretary of Legation of the Republic of France


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 10 December 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Knox, Henry

T. D. December 10th 1793
Sir

An arrangement has been made in consequence of your representation to the comptroller of the Treasury, of the 13th of August last, for discharging at the office of the accountant such part of the pay due to the Commissioned officers of the Army as they may desire to have paid here. The following plan has been devised for the purpose:
Let the officers who wish to be availed of the arrangement, execute an instrument, according to the form (A), to be lodged with the Pay master of the army; and let the Pay master of the Army grant a certificate according to the form (B) to be lodged with the accountant of the war department, with a power of Attorney from the officer.
The accountant on receiving these papers may then proceed to discharge the sums relinquished for such subsequent periods as the officers shall appear from the muster Rolls, to be transmitted, to remain in the public service.
An attempt to extend the accommodation hereby intended, to the non commissioned officers & Privates of the Troops, must be abandoned as impracticable because it would occasion too much intricacy in the details and perhaps expose the public to the risk of making double or improper payments.
I have the honor to be very respectfully   Sir   Your obedt Servt

The Secretary at war


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, [11 December 1793]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Jefferson, Thomas

[Philadelphia, December 11, 1793]

Mr. Hamilton presents his Compliments to Mr. Jefferson. He has a confused recollection that there was something agreed upon with regard to prizes about which he was to write to the Collectors but which his state of his health at the time put out of his recollection. If Mr. Jefferson recollects it Mr. H will thank him for information.
Decr. 11. 1793


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 11 December 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia 11th. Decr. 1793.
Dear Sir,

I was led the other day to reflect, whether I had ever put into your hands the last, as well as the first letter, which A. G. Frauncis wrote to me concerning the Warrants. Finding no trace of any remarks from you to me, I take it for granted, that I omitted to do with respect to the last, what I had done with respect to the first. But being uncertain, how far the new matter, which is suggested, may be thought worthy of your attention, I have concluded to forward it to you; and when you have read it, you will return it to
Dear Sir   Yours sincerely

Go: Washington
Colo. HamiltonSecy. of the Treasury


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 15 December 1793
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Albany Decr. 15. 1793
My Dear Sir

I am happy that the children are safely arrived with you, I hope they you and my Eliza are in health.

The presidents message of the 5th has reached us I am rejoiced that he has been so explicit relative to the french Anarchist. The Antis here who had boldly aserted, that the Imputation of an appeal to the people was a fabrication to injure the french cause, stand abashed, and I am persuaded that Genets intemperance has served the fœderal interest, instead of Injuring It.
We are all in health and Join in love. My Angelica is perfectly happy, And very lively.
Adieu Yours Affectionately

Ph: Schuyler


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 16 December 1793
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport, Rhode Island, December 16, 1793. “I received your private and confidential letter of the 20th. of Novemr. last on the seventh of this month, and should have answered it by the last post, but I wished for time to discover if I could whether a third person I had in view would accept if he should be appointed District Attorney. I have avoided taking any part in the contest for that Office, because I thought it would be imprudent to interfere, and I now give you my ideas of the Candidates because I cannot refuse your request. Formerly, by being a Colleague in Congress with Mr. Howell, I became well acquainted with him, but since that time I have not often seen him. He has for some years studied and practised Law, and his professional knowledge may be competent to the business of District Attorney; but it is apprehended, if he should be appointed to that Office, and a dispute should arise between the United States and certain mercantile houses in Providence, his connections by marriage, and the patronage and encouragement he has received from them, might give him a biass to their side. In a similar case the Merchants in Newport might not hope to receive any favour from him. His temper and manners are not of the gentlest sort. He is unpopular.… And although in disposition tenacious enough, yet he is said some times to have changed his sentiments or appeared to have changed them with the party or political Gale. With Mr. Barnes I have but a slight acquaintance. He married into a respectable family in Providence where he resides; but it is not probable that he would be biassed by his connections in that town to the disadvantage of the United States.… He is assiduous in business.… His political character is fair and steady. Without saying any thing more of either of the Candidates, and perhaps I have said too much already, in my candid opinion Mr. Barnes is preferable. But as this affair having assumed a party complexion, has suggested an inquiry, whether there may not be a third character competent, eligible, and who would not be liable to a similar difficulty, I would mention our Senator Bradford and our Representative Bourn, was I not informed that neither of them would accept the Office. There is a young Gentleman, Mr. Ray Greene, who I think would be agreeable to both parties.… By postponing writing to this time I have discovered that Mr. Greene if he should be honoured with the appointment will accept of it.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Lamb, 16 December 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lamb, John

Treasury Department December 16th 1793
Sir,

The enclosed paper is the Charter party of the Swedish Ship Maria, which was chartered by our Consul at Lisbon to carry certain dispatches hither for our Government.
I request that you will pay to the Captain one half of the freight as stipulated in the said Charter party, and that you will endeavor to procure for him a frieght back to Lisbon. It will be desireable, that this be done with all possible expedition in order to save to the public the charge of Demurrage. In the management of this business it may be useful to consult Mr. Seton.
No charge is to be made in your accounts for the present of the above mentioned payment, but it will be noted at foot of your Weekly return.
With great consideration   I am Sir,   Your Obedient Servant

John Lamb EsquireCollector New York