Title: Report on the Memorial of Baron von Steuben, 29 March 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

Treasury Department. 29th. March, 1790.[Communicated on April 6, 1790]

[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives]
The Secretary of the Treasury, on the Memorial of Baron De Steuben, referred to him by an Order of the House of Representatives of the 25th. September last:
Respectfully reports,
That it appears from the papers accompanying the said Memorial, that the Memorialist grounds his present claim on the United States, upon a Contract, which he alledges to have been made with Congress at York, in the year 1777, previous to his joining the American Army.
That the transaction respecting this alledged Contract is stated by the Memorialist in the following words.
“At the arrival of Baron De Steuben in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven, he was received by Congress with marks of distinction, and the day after his arrival, was waited on by a Committee of Congress, composed of Doctor Witherspoon, Mr. Henry, of Maryland, and a third, whom at this time he cannot recollect. This Committee demanded of the Baron the conditions on which he was inclined to serve the United States, and if he had made any stipulations with the Commissioners in France. He replied, that he had made no agreement with them, nor was it his intention to accept of any rank or pay; that he wished to join the army as a volunteer, and to render such services as the Commander in chief should think him capable of; adding, that he had no other fortune than a revenue of about six hundred Guineas per annum, arising from places and posts of honor in Germany, which he had relinquished to come to this country; that, in consideration of this, he expected the United States would defray his necessary expenses while in their service; that if, unhappily, this Country should not succeed in establishing their independence, or if he should not succeed in his endeavors for their service, in either of those cases, he should consider the United States as free from any obligations towards him; but if, on the other hand, the United States should be happy enough to establish their freedom, and that he should be successful in his endeavors, in that case he should expect a full indemnification for the sacrifice he had made in coming over, and such marks of their generosity, as the justice of the United States should dictate.
“That if these terms were agreeable to Congress, he waited only their orders to join the army without delay. The Committee were pleased to applaud the generosity of his propositions in thus risking his fortune on that of the United States. The Committee then left him, in order to make their report; the next day Congress gave him an entertainment; after which the President Mr. Laurens, told him, it was the desire of Congress, that he should join the army immediately, which he did.”
That the evidence, adduced by him in support of it, consists principally of these documents—A Certificate from John Witherspoon, dated November 1st. 1785, another from Elbridge Gerry, dated the 23d. November 1785, and a third from William Duer, without date, (which several Certificates are annexed to the statement above recited, and refer to it) also two letters; one from Thomas McKean dated 11th. September 1788, and another from Francis Lightfoot Lee dated the 25th. September in the same year, all which Gentlemen were, at the time of the transaction, members of Congress, and three of them, towit, John Witherspoon, Francis Lightfoot Lee, and Thomas McKean, members of the Committee mentioned in the said Statement.
That the Certificate from the said John Witherspoon, is as follows.
“Princeton, Nov. 1st. 1785.
“I can recollect very distinctly, that I was one of the Committee who waited on Baron Steuben, on his arrival at York Town. He then could speak no English, and, I believe, I was the only member of the Committee who could speak French, and was therefore obliged to be his interpreter to the other members, as well as to make the report to Congress. I am sensible, that the above is a just and fair account of what passed on that occasion, and that we were all sensible the Baron’s proposals were honorable and generous; and accordingly he was sent to General Washington, to receive his directions from him.
(Signed) John Witherspoon.”
That the Certificate from the said Elbridge Gerry is as follows.
“New York. 23d. Nov. 1785.
“The subscriber certifies, that, having a seat in Congress at the time of the Baron De Steuben’s arrival at York Town, he well remembers the facts herein stated, excepting what relates to the entertainment, which, he doubts not, was provided, and to the time of the Baron’s arrival at that place, which was in the beginning of the year 1778.
“The Subscriber further certifies, that in questions agitated in Congress while he has been a member, respecting the allowance that should be made in pursuance of the within stipulation, he has considered the claim of the Baron for a full indemnification and compensation, as a claim of Justice, founded in the verbal Contract of the parties.
(Signed) E. Gerry.”
That so much of the Certificate of the said William Duer, as relates to the fact is as follows.
“I was a Member of Congress and of the Board of War, when the Baron De Steuben arrived at York Town, and though I was not present at that place when the Baron had his first interview with the Committee of Congress, being absent for a few days on a visit to Manheim, I perfectly remember, that the account I received on my return to York Town, of the engagements entered into with the Baron Steuben, by the Honorable Congress, was perfectly similar to that which the Baron has stated.”
That the material part of the letter of the said Thomas McKean is as follows;
“My memory enables me to say, that you came to York Town in the beginning of February 1778; that the Congress, being informed of it, proceeded to name a Committee (of which I was one) to wait upon you, learn the objects of your visit, and to confer with you about entering into the service of the United States. They might have received farther instructions, but I do not remember them. The Committee (of which Doctor Witherspoon was chairman) called upon you the next morning at your lodgings, when a conversation was had between the Doctor and you in French, which he interpreted to his brethren. Part of what was thus communicated was, that you came to America with a view to tender your services to Congress, that you had made no stipulations with their Commissioners in France, and was desirous to join the Army as a Volunteer, and to act there in such station as the Commander in chief should think you best qualified to fill. That you had held posts of honor and profit in the army of the King of Prussia, and afterwards (I think) of the Prince of Baden, which last you had relinquished, in order to embark in the American Cause, whose fortune you were willing to partake. That if it failed, you asked nothing but a support according to your condition while you served, and if it succeeded and your services were approved, you would expect compensation for the sacrifices you had made, and the rewards commonly bestowed by a happy and grateful people on faithful and successful servants. This, Sir, is the amount of what I recollect.”
That the material part of the letter of the said Francis Lightfoot Lee, is as follows.
“I was one of the Committee appointed by Congress to wait upon you, on your arrival at York Town, and understood French sufficiently to comprehend pretty fully all that you said to the Committee.
“You informed them that you held considerable military rank in Europe, with posts and emoluments to the amount, I think, of five or six hundred Guineas. That your great desire of being serviceable to the American cause had induced you to relinquish these, and to offer your service to Congress. That you asked for neither rank nor pay: but expected your expenses in the army to be defrayed; And, if America should be successful in her Contest, you depended upon the justice and generosity of Congress, to make you amends for your losses, and reward your services: if unfortunate, you were willing to share her fortune. I do not recollect any particular stipulation for reimbursing the specific sum of money: but it was, most certainly, well understood by the Committee and Congress, that if our Contest ended happily, and your services were approved, you would have a just claim to very liberal compensation for what you had sacrificed, and for your services.
“Congress was very much pleased with your generous proposals, when reported to them: as their consequent behaviour to you sufficiently verified.”
That besides the foregoing documents, there are two letters accompanying the said Memorial, one from Horatio Gates, dated the sixth of December 1785; the other from Richard Peters, dated the thirtieth of October 1785; the former of whom was President, and the latter Member of the Board of War, at the time of the said transaction.
That the letter from the said Horatio Gates contains the following passage.
“When I was President of the Board of War, I very well remember your coming to York Town, and being most honorably received by Congress. A Committee was immediately appointed to wait on you, and, after they had conferred with you, you was invited to an elegant entertainment, and every mark of distinction was shewn, that could be shewn to an officer of the first rank, into whose hands the inspection and discipline of the Army was to be intrusted. With regard to pecuniary matters, I always understood, they were to be settled upon the most liberal and generous plan; regard being to be had, not only to the high station you were to fill, but to the sacrifice you had so generously made in coming to serve this Country.”
That the letter from the said Richard Peters contains the following passages:
“Belmont October 30th. 1785.
“Sir,
“In answer to your enquiries respecting my recollection of what passed at York-Town, relative to your affairs, at your arrival at that place, I will state such circumstances as I became acquainted with. They are chiefly such as I understood from members of Congress, some of whom were appointed to assist the Commissioners of the Board of War, and to explain and communicate such matters, as were necessary for our information in the business of our department.

“You were received by Congress with every mark of distinction their situation admitted, and had more particular attention paid to you, than I had known given to any foreigner. Much pleasure was expressed at the arrival of a person of your military knowledge and experience, at a time when the want of discipline in our Army, and the œconomy it produces, were severely felt and regretted. You were waited upon by a Committee appointed for that purpose, from some of whom, as well as the other members of Congress, I was informed that you had conducted yourself, as to the manner in which you agreed to enter our service, with much generosity and disinterestedness, having made no terms either as to rank or pay, leaving it to Congress, after experience of your talents and usefulness as a volunteer in our service, to fix such as your merits and exertions intitled you to. Your having made no Contract with our ministers in France, was mentioned as a circumstance which prevented embarrassments, as some terms had been made with gentlemen, which did not meet the approbation of Congress. You agreed to take the risk of our affairs. If we were unsuccessful, you would of consequence be deprived of any means of compensation for the sacrifices you had made of a handsome revenue in Europe, and must have suffered the loss of military reputation generally attendant on unsuccessful service. But I always understood and believed, that in case our cause issued happily, and your conduct was approved, Congress deemed it a matter of obligation on the United States, to indemnify you for the losses and expenses, you had sustained, as well as to compensate you for services, in common with other officers. Precedents for such indemnification having been established even antecedent to experience in service, I never looked upon this as a claim upon the generosity, but as a demand upon the justice of this Country. And although there was no written agreement to this purpose, there was clearly an implied contract. Your situation being fully stated, and your expectations explained, Congress desired you, through their President, to repair to Camp, and join the Army; and the Board of War were directed to assist you for this purpose, in such matters as were requested.”
That the following documents have been supposed to militate against the admission of the Contract relied upon by the Memorialist.

First: A letter from him to Congress, dated, Portsmouth December 6th. 1777, in the following terms
“Honorable Gentlemen,
“The honor of serving a respectable nation, engaged in the noble enterprize of defending it’s rights and liberty, is the only motive that brought me over to this Continent. I ask neither riches nor titles. I am come here from the remotest end of Germany at my own expense, and have given up an honorable and lucrative rank. I have made no condition with your deputies in France, nor shall I make any with you. My only ambition is, to serve you as a Volunteer, to deserve the confidence of your General in Chief, and to follow him in all his operations, as I have done during seven campaigns with the king of Prussia: two and twenty years past at such a school seem to give me a right of thinking myself in the number of experienced Officers; and if I am possessor of some talents in the art of War, they should be much dearer to me, if I could employ them in the service of a Republic, such as I hope soon to see America. I should willingly purchase, at my whole blood’s expense, the honor of seeing, one day, my name, after those of the defenders of your liberty. Your gracious acceptance will be sufficient for me, and I ask no other favor than to be received among your officers. I dare hope, you will agree with this my request, and that you will be so good as to send me your orders to Boston, where I shall expect for them, and accordingly take convenient measures. I have the honor to be with respect, Honorable Gentlemen Your Most Obedient and very humble Servant.
(Signed) Steuben.”
Secondly: A report on the files of Congress of the Committee which conferred with the Memorialist at York Town, in these words.
“The Baron Steuben, who was a Lieutenant General and Aid de Camp, to the king of Prussia, desires no Rank—is willing to attend General Washington, and be subject to his orders. Does not require or desire any command of a particular Corps or Division, but will serve occasionally, as directed by the General—expects to be of use in planning encampments, &c. and promoting the discipline of the Army. He heard, before he left France of the dissatisfaction of the Americans with the promotion of foreign Officers, therefore makes no terms, nor will accept of any thing but with general Approbation, and particularly that of General Washington.”
Thirdly; A letter from the Memorialist to the President of Congress, dated in December 1782, and containing this passage.
“My demands were these; to join the army as a Volunteer, that I wished to be known by the Commander in chief, and to leave it to the officers of the army if my capacity intitled me to hold a Commission in it. That the General would employ me in such a branch, where he thought my services the most useful—that I was determined not to ask a favor or reward previous of having deserved it. That however I expected from the generosity of Congress, that in imitation of all European powers, they would defray my expenses, altho’ a Volunteer, according to the rank which I held in Europe, as well for myself as my Aids and servants.”
That the Secretary desirous of knowing what explanation of these documents the Memorialist might have it in his power to give, did, on the 26th. of January past, write to him a letter in the words following:
“Among the documents which relate to the circumstances of your entrance into the service of the United States, are—a letter from you to Congress, dated at Portsmouth, the 6th. Decr. 1777—a report of the Committee which conferred with you at York Town—and a letter from you to the President of Congress, dated in December 1782. Inclosed you will find copies of the two first, and an Extract from the last. As these may seem to militate against your claim, as founded in Contract, I think it proper, before I report to the House of Representatives upon your memorial, to afford you an opportunity of making such remarks upon those documents, as may appear to you advisable.”
That to this letter, the Secretary received an answer, dated the 27th. of the same month, of which the following is a translation.
“New York. the 27th. Jany. 1790.
“Sir,
“The letter which you did me the honor of addressing to me yesterday, I have received; and am indebted to you for affording me an opportunity to elucidate the nature of my engagement with the United States.
“From the information I received of the Minister of France, that the preferment of foreigners to military employments, had been a cause of discontent in the American Army; I foresaw the necessity of pursuing measures different from those which had been adopted by my predecessors, in order to gain admission into your Army.
“Being sure of success in my enterprize, as soon as the Commander in chief and the Army should be convinced of the advantages of my military arrangements, there was but one difficulty to surmount: and from the complexion of the times, that difficulty was of the greatest magnitude. It depended upon obtaining such a post in the army, as would enable me to make use of the knowledge of my profession, and to render it beneficial to the interest of the United States, without exciting the dissatisfaction and jealousy of the officers of your Army. Any conditions proposed by me under these circumstances, tending to ensure me a recompense proportioned to my sacrifices and my services would not have failed to render all negociations abortive. But proposals to serve the United States as a Volunteer, without rank or pay, could give no umbrage—and surely the proposition was a generous one.
“Suppose, however, I had added, that for the honor of serving the United States, I had resigned in my native Country honorable and lucrative employments; that I had come to America, at my own expense, for the purpose of fighting her battles, and that after she should have obtained her independency, I would decline all compensation for the services I had rendered. I would ask, Sir, in what light would such a proposition have been received by so enlightened a Body as the Congress of the United States? To me it appears, that common sense would have declared the author of such a proposition to be either a Lunatic or a Traitor. The former, for his coming from another part of the globe to serve a nation unknown to him; at the same time renouncing all his possessions for a cause to which he was an utter stranger, without having in view the gratification of ambition, or the advancement of interest. The latter, as it might appear that his making such generous proposals to introduce himself into your army, was with the most dangerous views, for which he, probably received compensation from the enemy.

“In either of these aspects, would the person, making similar propositions, have been admissible?
“What measures then were necessary to be pursued, to enable me to render those services to the United States, which I had proposed to myself?
“Having made these observations, Sir, I entreat you to read my letter to Congress of January 1778: Badly translated as it is, it will be intelligible to you, as being one of those, who are particularly informed of the critical situation of Congress and of the Army, at that period of the Revolution.
“You will easily discover, Sir, that this letter was dictated by no other motive, than to facilitate my reception into your army. The effect has answered my conjectures and my desires. If, however, I should be charged with having made use of illicit stratagems to gain admission into the service of the United [States], I am sure, I have obtained my pardon of the Army, and, I flatter myself, of the Citizens of this Republic in general.
“In consequence of this letter, I was directed by a resolution of Congress to join the Army: notwithstanding which, I judged it necessary to proceed first to York Town, as well to pay my respects to that august body who presided over a nation whom I was going to serve, as to learn the advantage or disadvantage which might result to me from so hazardous an enterprize.
“At my arrival, the Congress did me the honor of appointing a Committee to confer with me. If my first letter and the answer to it had been considered by them as a sufficient engagement, was there any occasion for this Committee: Was there any necessity for this conference? All that passed in this conversation is sufficiently proved, and needs no farther repetition.
“If on an impartial examination of the subject, it should appear, that my propositions to this Committee were incompatible with my first letter to Congress, I confess that my judgment misleads me.
“I represented to the Gentlemen of that Committee, that I had not entered into any agreement with the American Commissioners in France; that I would not insist upon making any at present, but would serve the United States as a Volunteer without rank or pay, on condition, notwithstanding, that my expenses in the army should be defrayed. I declared to them, that I had no other fortune than a revenue of about six hundred Louis d’ors arising from posts I held in my native Country, which I was going to resign, to serve the United States being disposed to hazard the whole on the event. And that not until I had succeeded in my undertaking, and the United States had obtained their liberty by a satisfactory peace, I would ask an indemnification for my sacrifices and disbursements, and for such other marks of acknowledgment and generosity as in the justice of Congress should be deemed adequate to my services.
“It appears, that the Committee reported to Congress, I had made no conditions, and that I would not accept of any thing without general approbation and particularly that of General Washington.
“Although I do not allow that report to be exact in it’s literal sense, yet I do not find it so extraordinary, that expectations founded upon the event of a revolution of this nature should be represented as making no stipulations. Besides it seems probable, that the politics of the times made it necessary to give such a complexion to the report as would remove all jealousy.
“Permit me, Sir, to suggest, here, a question: Why was not this report (like all other reports of Committees) entered upon the Journals of Congress? I doubt whether it would have been contradicted by me; but at least it would have afforded me an opportunity of taking precautions. I assure you, Sir, upon my honor, that this report was never brought into view previous to the year 1788, and that I did not see it until General Washington had the goodness to send me a copy of it. But be this, as it will; no person, Sir, is better informed than yourself, how difficult it was at that time to introduce a foreigner into your army, even without any condition whatever.
“With regard to my second letter of December 1782, I confess I do not find in that any contradiction of the facts represented to have taken place in the conference at York Town.
“In this letter I state, that my desires were to join your Army as a Volunteer; that I did not ask any employ, until the approbation of the Commander in chief, and the opinion of the Army, should assign me a place in which I could be useful: that I asked no compensation until it was merited, provided however, that my expenses for my own person, as well as my suite, were defrayed by the United States, agreeably to the usage of European Powers.

“I perceive that it may be asked, why I did not, at that time, insist upon my contract? I answer, that it was my wish never to mention it, as it appeared to me more honorable to the United States, and more flattering to myself to receive a recompense dictated rather by generosity, than by conditions, and that it was with reluctance and through urgent circumstances upon that stipulation, which was the basis of my engagement at York Town.
“But there is another reason, why this contract was not mentioned in my letter immediately after the conclusion of the War.
“The Congress were besieged by a croud of foreign officers, who were as little satisfied as the national troops, which was a circumstance, that, probably, induced some respectable persons then members of Congress, (in whom I place the greatest confidence) to advise me to pass over in silence all that related to a former contract, and to rest my pretensions solely on the merit of my services, and the generosity of the United States. If my memory is faithful, yourself Sir, were of the number of those by whose opinion I was governed.
“Once more, I assure you Sir, that it is with regret that I have recourse to that contract; but there remains no other resource to obtain that justice which is due to me.
“These, Sir, are all the explanations I can give you, if they are not sufficient, I submit to the consequences.
“All that I ask of you is, to accelerate the decision. No event can render my situation more unhappy—in fact, it is insupportable.
“There must always remain one consolation: The truth of the facts, stated in my Memorial to Congress, cannot be disputed, without raising a doubt of the veracity of some of the most worthy and respectable characters in the United States, several of whom have held, or now hold, the highest places in the government of their Country.
“Having no Secretary, you will please, Sir, to excuse my addressing you in a language, which is more familiar to me than the English.   I have the honor to be &c.”
The Secretary further reports.
That on the fifth of May 1778, the memorialist was appointed by Congress, Inspector General, with the rank and pay of Major General, to which was afterwards added a farther allowance for the extra service and expense incident to the office of Inspector General.
That there appears on the Journals of Congress a report of a Committee of the 30th. of December 1782, stating,
First. That the Baron de Steuben was in Europe possessed of respectable military rank, and different posts of honor and emolument, which he relinquished to come to America, and offer his services at a critical, period of the War, and without any previous stipulations.
Secondly. That on his arrival he actually engaged in the Army in a very disinterested manner, and without compensations similar to those which had been made to several other foreign officers.
Thirdly. That under singular difficulties and embarrassments in the department in which he has been employed, he has rendered very important and substantial services, by introducing into the Army a regular formation and exact discipline, and by establishing a spirit of order and œconomy in the interior administration of the regiments; which, besides other advantages, have been productive of immense savings to the United States, that in the commands in which he has been employed, he has upon all occasions conducted himself like a brave and experienced officer: The Committee are therefore of opinion, that the sacrifices and services of the Baron De Steuben justly intitle him to the distinguished notice of Congress, and to a generous compensation, whenever the situation of public affairs will admit: The Committee further report, that the Baron De Steuben has considerable arrearages of pay due to him from these States, on a liquidated account, and that having exhausted his resources, it is now indispensible that a sum of money should be paid him for his present support and to enable him to take the field another campaign, and propose that the sum of two thousand four hundred dollars be paid to him for that purpose, and charged to his account aforesaid, Whereupon, Congress resolved,
That the foregoing proposal of the Committee be referred to the Superintendant of Finance, to take order.
That on the 15th. of April 1784 Congress did also resolve,
That the thanks of the United States in Congress assembled be given to Baron Steuben, for the great zeal and abilities he has discovered in the discharge of the several duties of his office; that a gold-hilted sword be presented to him, as a mark of the high sense Congress entertain of his character and services, and that the Superintendant of Finance take order for procuring the same.
That the proper officers proceed to the liquidation of monies due from the United States to Major-General Baron Steuben; that the Superintendant of Finance report to Congress his opinion of the most speedy and efficacious means of procuring and paying the same, either here or in Europe.
That Baron Steuben be assured that Congress will adopt these or such others as shall appear most proper and effectual for doing him for that justice, which the peculiarity of his case authorizes.
That on the 27th. of September 1785, Congress did further resolve,
That in full consideration of the Baron De Steuben’s having relinquished different posts of honor and emolument in Europe, and rendered most essential services to the United States, he be allowed and paid out of the Treasury of the United States, the sum of seven thousand dollars, in addition to former grants.
That the Baron De Steuben has received at different times, sums equal to the amount of the pay and emoluments annexed to his station in the American Army, to the commutation of a Major General, and to the sum expressed in the Resolution last recited.
A question arises, whether the acceptance of these appointments, emoluments and allowances did not virtually supersede the antecedent contract relied on by the Memorialist, admitting it to have existed.
To which he answers; “That it cannot be presumed that an individual, in accepting from a government the emoluments annexed to a station, to which he is appointed, for the service of that government, unsolicited by him, could renounce a prior and more beneficial contract.
“That the more natural presumption is, that Congress, by conferring those emoluments, meant to ascertain and limit the expenses they had stipulated to bear, and to support the respectability of the office, they had thought proper to create.
“That, as a Major General, he received the pay and other emoluments allowed to other Major Generals of the Army; as Inspector General, he received an extra-allowance, in consideration of extra-trouble and expense.

“That the emoluments allowed to an officer in service can only be referred to the services he renders: They can have nothing to do with an indemnity for revenues relinquished, and can never be deemed, by mere inference and implication, to extinguish a Contract founded on that principle.
“That, with regard to the acceptance of the last grant, it was matter of pure necessity proceeding from a situation absolutely indigent; and that the reverse of a disposition to acquiesce in it has been uniformly manifested on his part.”
Having stated the foregoing particulars, which are the most material that have come under the observation of the Secretary, relating to the Claim of the Memorialist, he proceeds to remark.
That the statement, made by the Memorialist of what passed in the conference at York Town, is authenticated by such strong, direct and collateral evidence as ought, in the opinion of the Secretary, to secure full credit to the existence of the fact. Waving the regard due to the Memorialist’s own assertion, it is not supposable, that if his representation had been ill founded, it could have obtained the sanction of so many disinterested persons, Agents in, or witnesses to the transaction.
That notwithstanding this, it may be inferred as well from the written report of the Committee, as from other circumstances that the idea of a precise contract did not generally prevail. It is probable, that as the indemnity and reward for the sacrifices and services of the Baron were by him made to depend on the success of a national Revolution, the mention of them was viewed rather as a suggestion of expectations, than as a stipulation of terms. This might the more easily have happened, as it is presumable, that the situation of affairs at the time must have disposed Congress [to] an officer, who had had the opportunities of the Memorialist, as a valuable acquisition to the service, and to regard a compliance with the expectations intimated by him, in the event of success as too much a matter of course to need a stipulation.
That this view of the affair appears to the Secretary to afford a satisfactory solution of any difficulties which might result from seemingly discordant circumstances, and to place all the parts of the transaction in a simple and consistent light.
Upon the whole therefore: As it cannot with propriety be questioned that a conversation of the kind stated by the Baron did take place at the conference at York Town. As the services rendered by him to the United States are acknowledged to have been of a very signal and very meritorious nature; As the expectations alledged to have been signified by him in the Conference are, all of them, reasonable in themselves, being nothing more than that his necessary expenses, while in the service of the United States should be defrayed by them; and that, in case they should establish their independence, and he should be successful in his endeavors to serve them, then he should receive an indemnification for the income he had relinquished in coming to this Country, and to such marks of the generosity of the government, as it’s Justice should dictate. The Secretary is of opinion that whether the transaction, relied upon by the Baron, be deemed to have the force of a Contract, or not; it will be most consistent with the dignity and equity of the United States, to admit it as the basis of a final adjustment of his Claims.
Should this opinion appear well founded, it will remain to designate the rule, by which the necessary expenses of the Memorialist are to be adjusted. Taking it for granted, that his actual expenses will not be deemed a proper one, there occurs to the Secretary no better criterion, than the current allowances annexed to the Stations he filled. This excludes the half pay or commutation. It is presumed, that the current allowances to the officers of the American Army in general were regulated wholly with a view to their present support, according to their respective situations, and the half-pay granted as a future reward.
According to this principle, the Secretary has caused an account to be stated, which is hereunto annexed, in which the Memorialist is credited with his emoluments as Major-General and Inspector General (exclusive of half pay or commutation) and with an annuity of five hundred and eighty guineas, (being the amount of the income stated to have been relinquished by him) from the time he left Europe to the last of December 1789, with interest at six per cent, per annum; and is charged with all the monies, under whatsoever denomination, received by him from the United States, with interest at the like rate: upon which statement there is a balance in his favor of seven thousand, three hundred and ninety six dollars, seventy four ninetieths.

In addition to this, he would be intitled for the remainder of life to the yearly sum of five hundred and eighty guineas, as a continuation of the indemnity for the income relinquished: and to such reward as the government in it’s discretion should think fit to allow: For which purpose a moderate grant of land, if deemed expedient, would suffice.
The Secretary begs leave further to state, that there is good ground to believe, that the above mentioned balance will be short of a sufficient sum to discharge the debts now owing by the Memorialist, and contracted partly to enable him to come to this Country, and partly for his subsistence here; and in the last place to observe that the situation of the memorialist, who, (being a foreigner) voluntarily came to offer his services to the United States in a critical and perilous moment; and who, from the circumstance of his having been a foreigner, is less likely to participate in the collateral rewards, which, in numerous instances await those, who have distinguished themselves in the American revolution, (while he cannot, like many other foreign officers look for rewards elsewhere) gives a peculiarity to his case, which strengthens his other pretensions. That [it] appears unequivocally, that his services have been of a nature peculiarly valuable and interesting to the American cause, and such as furnish weighty considerations, as well public as personal, for rescuing him from the indigence in which he is now involved, and from the still greater extremities with which he is threatened. A settlement on the principles suggested in this report, will terminate all the claims of the Memorialist on the United States, in a manner equally satisfactory to him and honorable to them.
All which is humbly submitted
Alexander HamiltonSecretary of the Treasury.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [29 March 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

[Treasury Department, March 29, 1790]

The Secretary of the Treasury begs leave respectfully to inform the President of the United States of America,
That, in order to be able to furnish in the course of the ensuing month for the compensation of the members of Congress, & the Officers and Servants of the two houses, a sum of about sixty thousand dollars; for the payment of the Salaries of the Civil List to the end of the present month a sum of about forty thousand dollars; for the use of the Department of War a sum of about fifty thousand dollars; and for procuring bills to pay an arrear of interest on the Dutch Loans to the first of June next, a sum of about thirty five thousand Dollars: amounting together to about one hundred and eighty five Thousand dollars, it will be requisite to obtain a Loan of one hundred thousand dollars, There being in the Treasury now a sum not exceeding fifty thousand dollars, including thirty thousand dollars which the Bank of New York stands engaged to advance on demand to complete a Loan of fifty thousand dollars stipulated for on the seventeenth day of February last, which is considered as equivalent to a sum in the Treasury.
And in as much as the payment of former Loans and other current demands, will probably call for a considerable part of the monies which may be expected in the interim from the product of the Revenues,
Wherefore the said Secretary submits to the President of the United States the propriety of authorising a Loan to be made to the extent of the said sum of one hundred thousand Dollars.
A. HamiltonSecy. of the Treasury
Treasury Department March 29th. 1790.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Brockholst Livingston, 30 March 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Livingston, Brockholst

New York 30th march 1790.
Sir

I have made an agreement with Robert Morris Esquire to convey to him one hundred shares of stock in the Bank of North America upon the following terms.
That he engage to pay to me or my order in London in one year from the time the transfer be made at the rate of one hundred pounds Sterling money of Great Britain for each share of the said bank stock which shall be transferred to him together with interest at five ⅌ Centum ⅌ annum.
That for the payment of the amount he give satisfactory security in lots & buildings in the City of Philadelphia.
I therefore request and authorise you to proceed to the City of Philadelphia on my behalf to complete the said Agreement.
By satisfactory security I understand a mortgage on lots & buildings in the City of Philadelphia of such value as would be likely to produce the amount for which they are mortgaged upon a sale for prompt payment or upon a Credit not exceeding one year; and which are wholly free from other incumbrances.
If such security shall be offered you I empower you to close the bargain causing the transfer to be made and taking the mortgage in my name.
Herewith you will receive 100 shares of Stock which if the bargain be closed you will deliver to Thomas Willing Esquire with the inclosed letter desiring him to make the transfer. Mr. Willing has a sufficient power for the purpose.
Should the agreement not be completed You will please to leave with Mr. Willing 40 shares of the Stock taking his receipt & bring back the remainder to me.
As the operation is of consequence I rely on the greatest circumspection on your part.
As you may find law advice on the spot useful I authorise you to employ & pay Counsel for which you shall be reimbursed.
Wishing you a pleasant Journey I remain Yr Very hum st

P.S.
Should the security not appear competent for the whole sum you are at liberty to make the arrangement for a part


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, 30 March 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Morris, Robert

[New York, March 30, 1790. On April 4, 1790, Morris wrote to Hamilton: “Mr. B. Livingston delivered me your favour of the 30th. Ulto.” Letter not found.]


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 30 March 1790
From: Treasury Department,Hamilton, Alexander
To: Collectors of the Customs

Treasury DepartmentMarch 30th 1790.
Sir

Having observed that the several Collectors have hitherto differed in the mode of transmitting to this office, the drafts of the Treasurer of the United States which have been drawn on them and paid: I now desire that those drafts with a receipt endorsed on them, may be transmitted, as soon as they are paid, to my Office, when they shall be covered by a regular Warrant, and your account credited at the Treasury.
In addition to the receipt on the Bill you may for your own security take a separate receipt from the holder, which you will retain: and as a further precaution, it may be well when you forward those drafts, to do it under the eye of some disinterested person, who, in case the same should miscarry, can give evidence of their having been sent on.
I am, Sir,   Your obedt. Servt.
A Hamilton


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs in Massachusetts Except Boston, 30 March 1790
From: Treasury Department,Hamilton, Alexander
To: Collectors of the Customs in Massachusetts Except Boston

Treasury DepartmentMarch 30th 1790
Sir

In mine of the 20th. November last I directed you to take duplicate receits for all monies remitted by you to the Bank of Massachusetts on account of the United States; one of which was intended to be transmitted to the Treasurer and the other to be retained by you.
As some of the Collectors have not sent on this receit under an impression that the same should accompany their quarterly accounts; and as this mode in some instances will occasion a delay in the settlement of those Accounts, it is my wish that the receit in question be in future forwarded to my Office immediately upon each payment made in the said Bank in order that the same may be covered by a regular Warrant, and your account credited at the Treasury.
I am Sir   Your Obedt. servant
A Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Willing, 30 March 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Willing, Thomas

Treasury DepartmentMarch 30th. 1790
Sir

I have delivered to Brockholst Livingston Esquire, who will present you this, One Hundred Shares of Bank Stock, for a purpose which he will explain to you.
Should Mr. Livingston desire it, you will please to transfer the said Bank Stock or so much thereof as he may require, to Robert Morris Esqr. on his Order.
I remain with great respect   Sir   Your Obedient Servant
Thomas Willing Esquire


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel A. Otis, 31 March 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Otis, Samuel A.

Treasury DepartmentMarch 31st. 1790
Sir

Upon consideration I have thought it best to issue a Warrant in your favour for two thousand three hundred dollars on account of contingent expences of the Senate &c as it would not be convenient to blend the account, with the Salary due you. For this you can receive a Certificate from the President of the Senate and leave it with the Auditor, who will pass the same in the like manner with other accounts.
I am Sir   Your obedt. Servt.
A Hamilton
Samuel A: Otis EsquireSecy of the Senate


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [31 March 1790]
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[New York, March 31, 1790]

The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorised to negotiate and agree for a Loan to the United States to an amount not exceeding one hundred thousand Dollars, bearing an Interest not exceeding six ⅌. Cent ⅌ annum to be applied towards carrying into effect the appropriation made by the Act Entitled, “An Act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven hundred & ninety.” and according to the annexed representation.
G. Washington

United States
}

March 31st. 1790


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Ædanus Burke, [1 April 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Burke, Ædanus

[New York, April 1, 1790]
Sir

I have been informed that in the house of Representatives yesterday, you made use of some very harsh expressions in relation to me.
As I cannot but ascribe so unprovoked an attack to misapprehension or misrepresentation I have concluded to send you an extract from the Eulogium pronounced by me on General Greene, of the part to which alone your animadversions do relate. It is in these words—
“From the heights of Monmouth I might lead you to the plains of Springfield, there to behold the Veteran Knyphaussen, at the head of a veteran army, baffled and almost beaten by a General without an army—aided, or rather embarrassed by small fugitive bodies of volunteer militia, the mimicry of soldiership.”
From this, you will perceive that the epithets, to which you have taken exception, are neither applicable to the Militia of South Carolina in particular, nor to Militia in general, but merely to “small fugitive bodies of volunteer militia.”
Having thus Sir stated the matter in its true light it remains for you to judge what conduct, in consequence of the explanation will be proper on your part.
I am Sir   Your humble servt

New York April 1st 1790
Ædanus Burke Esqr


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Ædanus Burke, 1 April 1790
From: Burke, Ædanus
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York 1 April 1790.
Sir.

I was prevented, by business, from answering your letter as early, this day as I wished. I shall now make a few remarks on the subject of it.
The attack which I conceived you made on the southern Militia, was, in my opinion a most unprovoked and cruel one. Whether the candour of your friends conveyed to you any intimation of it I know not: but the occasion will, I hope, excuse me if I assure you that Gentlemen from every quarter of the Union who were present deemed it a charge of a very extraordinary nature. As to myself, I have nothing to do respecting the feelings of others: I ever govern myself by my own. The insult, which I conceived was thrown at me. The too keen misery I felt from it; The recollection I had of it until yesterday: together, with the concurrent testimony of a number of public, and private men who understood you as I did must be, with me, vouchers of equal authenticity with the extract you quote from your performance, which you will recollect you did not read in the delivery of it to the public. That you proclaimed aloud in the face of, I may say, thousands that the Militia were the mere Mimicry of Soldiery: That you spoke these words when you ran into the affairs of the War to the southward, and recounted the exploits of General Greene in that quarter, is not doubted and you will find it on enquiry in this City. You may have forgot it, but some of your Friends and all your acquaintances have not forgot it. You told us besides, that there was not, to the Southward even the Embers (this was the word, I think,) of Spirit to oppose the Enemy until Genl Green arrived there, when it is notorious that the Southern Militia under General Sumpter and other officers, in various desperate conflicts: the Militia of Kings Mountain, and other places, before ever Genl Greene came to s. Carolina had turned the tide of fortune against the veteran troops of Britain; and Yet in sight, and hearing of some of us, who were the representatives of a brave Gallant people, was I told publickly that these men were the mere mimicry of Soldiery.
The torture which the insult inflicted on me I had no other redress for, but to bear it; To call on you in that day would have been down right madness in me. You, on the high full tide of popularity, in your own City: I a stranger, or what little was known of me, unpopular on the score of the cry of the day, against any one suspected of not approving the new Government: Had I called you to account, and hurt a hair of your head, I knew too well the Spectre of Antifederalism would have been conjured up to hunt me down; nor have I any sort or doubt, but that, from the party heats of that period, which thank providence are now subsided I should have been dragged thro’ the Kennel, or thrown into east river. And if yesterday I retorted on you rather harshly your own recollection will whisper to you, and your friends will tell you, if I mistake not, that you brought it on yourself. If I did it where you could not reply then are you exactly as I stood the day I alluded to; a situation, from which you may form some Idea, what bitterness you gave me to experience.
Thus I have very candidly, in this disagreeable business explained my feelings and motives. The conduct arising from them was such as, I trust, will stand the enquiry of all whose approbation I am fond of: Men of Sensibility and honor.
I am, Sir,   Your most obedt. servt.
Æ—B
The Honble A—H—Esqr.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Théophile Cazenove, [1 April 1790]
From: Cazenove, Théophile
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[New York, April 1, 1790]

Les lumières et l’intégrité du Ministre des finances sont constatés par les principes qu’il
établit et qu’il developpe dans le rap̄ort qu’Il a delivré le 14 Janvier dr. Il y fait aux Citoyens des Etats Unis un présent digne d’Eux, en les engageant d’établir un ordre sage et immuable dans leurs finances et en les detournant de la funeste impolitique de mepriser la foy publique. Ce rap̄ort constate les travaux et les soucis auxquels le ministre se dévoue; avec quels soins il veut écarter les désordres qui naitroient de l’infidelité, et qu’il consideroit Comme des Calamités, les resolutions qui terniroient l’honneur et les loyautés que les creanciers des Etats Unis attendent d’une nation qui s’est deja tant honorablement distinguée.
On conçoit donc que cette partie des dispositions, qui, dans le plan de la consolidation de la dette de l’Etat, rècule le payement du tiers des intérets, ne doit être attribuée qu’à des circonstances momentanées et locales, trop imperieuses et d’une nature trop délicate pour qu’un étranger s’en puisse permettre la discussion. Mais on croit ne pas s’ecarter de son devoir en soumettant à l’attention du Ministre quelques details relatifs à l’effet qu’aura necessairement en Hollande, le retard d’un tiers des intérets sur les Capitaux des Liquidated Debt. On espère que le Ministre ne croira point que ces representations sont dictées par d’ingènereux motifs. Les Hollandais savent, qu’un crèancier sage ne doit pas tout laisser faire au debiteur intêgre qui cherche à s’acquiter honorablemt, et le simple mouvement d’un intéret bien entendu, féra cò-operer aux mesures proposées dans le raport, ceux qui seront dans la position de pouvoir traitter directement de cet objet. Tels seront surtout les sentimens des maisons de Commerce, qui dans Amsterdam, dirigent les Emprunts pour les Etats Unis, et les Emprunts sur les créances dont ces Etats ont reconnu la validité. Le carracterre moral et la fortune de ces Directeurs est tout à la fois la source du grand credit dont ils jouissent et le guarant de leur empressement à soutenir toutes les mesures qui s’accorderont avec l’interet permanent de ceux, qui, sur leurs avis, ont fait l’acquisition de Liquidated Debts. Le Ministre ne rendroit pas justice à ces Directeurs s’il ne les distinguoit pas de cette espéce de speculateurs qui ne s’inquietent point du sort des effets qu’ils revendent au public, et dont l’objet est simplement de saisir, de créer même, des apparences momentanément favorable pour revendre à haut prix, ce qu’ils ont acquis à bon marché.
Les Directeurs des Emprunts sur les Liquidated Debts, infidelement informés en 1786 acquirent les Certificats au taux de 60 pCt, et persuadés que c’etoit le veritable taux du marché, ils ont recedé à ce prix & au public Hollandois, Ces Capitaux de Liq: Debt, en en subdivisant la propriété dans la forme et suivant l’usage de ces sortes de transactions. Lorsqu’ils se sont apperçus du trop haut prix qu’ils avoient payé, ces Directeurs se sont decidé à faire individuelemen des sacrifices afin de prevenir le prejudice qu’une premiére erreur pouvoit faire aux acquereurs des portions partielles qu’ils ont mis dans la Circulation. C’est dans ce principe et dans le désir de maintenir le Credit des Etats Unis, que jusques au moment actuel, ces Directeurs ont payé, depuis 1787, & à chaque Semêstre, les Intérets sur les Liquidated Debt, a raison des 6 pCt. qui y sont affectés. Le Ministre sait que cependant ces Directeurs n’ont rien touché pour cet objet, & connoissant l’ètendue et l’èpoque des Capitaux de Liq: Debt que les Holl. possèdent, le Ministre pourra connoitre l’etendue du debours dans lequel les Directeurs se trouvent. C’est dans ce principe encore que les Directeurs des Emprunts favoriseront toutes les mesures qui etabliront la solidité rèelle des effets qu’ils ont revendu, non point à des speculateurs passagers, mais à cette partie du public qui n’acquiert que pour transmettre de pere en fils, les effets qui occupent leurs Capitaux. Ces Directeurs se consoleroit difficilement d’avoir été les entremetteurs d’une operation onèreuse à ceux qui se seroient confiés à leur examen: sous ce raport leur intéret est toujours à l’unison de leur integrité, en ce que plus ils sont jaloux de maintenir intacte la reputation de prudence que leurs bons procedés leur ont acquise, plus ils augmentent leurs forces pour pouvoir exècuter de plus brillantes affaires: En s’ecartant des vrais principes d’ordre et de credit, ils detruiroient l’oiseau qui chaque jour leur donne un oeuf précieux. Consequement l’interet de ceux qui dirigent les Emprunts de Hollande, et l’interet des Hollandois proprietaires des crèances à la charge des Etats Unis est absolument à l’unison de l’interet de ces mêmes Etats Unis, puisque tout ce qui tend à l’augmentation de la prosperité, c’est à dire de la solidité permanente des derniers, tend à conserver les proprietés des deux premiers. C’est un ordre de choses dont l’effet est de Confondre et de reunir en un seul intéret, les trois interets qui au premier aspect paroissent différens; Lorsque le ministre aura sur ce fait les informations qu’il pourra se procurer, on croit, que toutes les fois qu’Il proposera des levées d’argent en Hollande, le Ministre jugera utile aux Interets des Etats Unis, de laisser aux maison chargées de ses Emprunts, la decision, de la forme et des conditions; du moment et de l’etendue de ces Emprunts, persuadé, que ces maisons ne détermineront que des conditions salutaires au Credit des Etats Unis et dans une proportion exacte entre la nature des besoins des Etats et la possibilité de les remplir.
Ce n’est donc qu’en Consideration du rapport qui subsiste entre les interets des Etats Unis et le carracterre des Capitaliste Hollandois qu’on prend la liberte d’informer le ministre des circonstances et de l’organisation des Emprunts qui ont eté faits en Hollande, et la liberté de constater combien la nature de ces Emprunts s’adapte mal aux arrangemens de finances qui reculent le payement du tiers des interets. On croit pouvoir poser pour principes
1e: que l’exploitation des vastes domaines des Etats Unis; l’etablissement des manufactures qui doivent y procurer une balance de commerce moins onereuse; les secours que l’industrieuse activité de leurs laborieux habitan reclâment de toute part; et surtout le mouvement qu’il faut donner à la circulation, exigent que l’administration suplée par des Emprunts dans l’Etranger, au manque de numeraire qui obstruie l’èlan general vers une grande puissance nationale.
2e: qu’à l’exeption de quelques sommes bornèes que les genoisons, les flamans pourront peut être fournir, c’est uniquement des Hollandois que les Etats Unis peuvent attendre les secours d’argent dont ils auront successivement le besoin.
3e: que les Capitalistes Hollandois ne laissant jamais leurs Capitaux oisifs, ce n’est que le produit de leurs épargnes ou celui de quelques remboursemens extraordinaires, qui fournit les sommes necessaires au remplissement des Emprunts Etrangers qui s’ouvrent en Hollande; qu’exiger des Hollandois une somme trop considerable à la fois, c’est exiger l’impossible: qu’en Hollande, les levées d’argent qui ne surpassent point la somme de deux ou trois millions de florins sont toujours faciles et promptes lorsque la Confiance publique porte l’argent de ce coté la. Que d’autre part, les besoins des Etats Unis ne seront jamais que graduels et bornés, qu’ainsi il existera constamment une proportion entre l’oeconomie Hollandoise et la moderation americaine: que de ces dispositions respectives il resulte des rapports, lesquels, s’ils sont sagement menagés, assureront dans tous les temps des ressources aux Etats Unis. qu’il suffira pour cela que l’administrateur des finances des E.U. plie les conditions à la mesure des prejugés et des habitudes d’un peuple sevère pour tout ce qui tient aux formes et à l’exactitude. Que le Ministre exploitera avantageusement la confiance des Hollandois, s’il maintient auprés d’eux le credit des Etats Unis dans une pureté extrême, et il ne doit pas règretter quelques sacrifices, pour conserver cette fleur de credit que les agens des E. U. ont plantée et cultiveé avec un soin, qui ne demande plus qu’un ar̄osement prudent pour devenir un fruit utile à tous les interessés.
4e: que les Hollandois sont habituées au respect le plus minutieux pour les engagemens qu’ils prenent, et qu’ils exigent une fidelité qui doit s’ètendre jusques à la minute dont on est convenu avec eux. Que gènèralément les Capitalistes Hollandois ne pren̄ent pas la peine d’examiner par eux même la Solidité des placemens d’argent qu’on leur propose, mais qu’ils s’en remettent à l’integrité & à la prudence des maisons qui protégent et presentent les Emprunts publics. Que consequemment leur confiance reposant sur un prejugé favorable plutot que sur une connoissance exacte, cette confiance se renverse au plus léger retard des remboursemens ou des interets promis. Qu’une fois inquietés sur ces sujets dans un placement ainsi fait, ils ne veulent plus s’exposer a de nouvelles apprehensions sur la solidité d’une proprieté semblable; qu’ils veulent encore moins se donner l’embarras d’examiner les circonstances qui bonifient l’espece d’effets qu’un manque d’exactitude a terni à leurs yeux; Et que toujours environnés d’occasions pour le solide employ de leurs fonds, il faut ensuite un longtemp et un concours extraordinaires de circonstances pour que les capitalistes Hollandois reviennent du prejugé qu’ils ont pris contre la solidité d’un effet qui aura une fois desapointé leur attente.
5e: que celles des Puissances qui ont veillé au maintien de leur Credit, & qui ont peut être usé à cet effet d’une sage charlatanerie, ont toujours trouvé des Secours en Hollande, et continueroient d’en trouver lors même qu’ils n’en méritent plus, si la delicatesse des Directeurs des Emprunts, n’eclairoit pas le public et n’arretoit pas le courant de sa confiance.

Les maisons d’amsterdam sur le nom des quels la proprieté des grandes masses de Liquidated Debts sont inscrites sur ces Livres des E.U. ne sont point les propriètaires de ces fonds: ils ne les possedent qu’en qualité de Trustees.

Ceux qui dans Amsterdam ont acquis primitivement ces Liq: Debts ont un commerce courrant d’effets publics: La nature de leurs affaires est un mouvement constant d’acquisitions et de reventes. Afin de faciliter cette revente et la circulation des fonds dont ils se chargent en masses, ils les subdivisent en portions n’excedant pas la valeur de f1000., et ils donnent aux titres de proprieté qu’ils font circuler une forme que l’usage a consacré.

La premiere acquisition de Liquidated Debts qui s’est faite en Hollande s’èlevoit à un capital de 840,000 Dollars. On les paya a raison de 60 pCt. de leur valeur, ainsi on paya B 5,024,000 ceux ci au change de 47 par Dollars coûterent dont f 1200,000; Cr. D’Holl.

Les Directeurs firent transferrer le capital de 840,000 B Liq. Debts sur les noms des personnes qui jouissent de la confiance publique. Ils subdiviserent la proprieté de ces 840,000 en Douze cens parts & créerent douze cens titres ou obligation de f 1000; chaque portion d’interet ayant, suivant les termes de Contrat, le droit à une douze centieme portion des B 840,000. Ces obligations ont été débitées au public Hollandois.
Lorsque ces premieres 1200. portions ont eté dèbitées, les Directeurs ont acquis de nouvelles quantitées de Liquidated Debts, et toujours par masses de B 840,000, subdivisées sur les mêmes principes que la premiere partie.

On calcule qu’actuelement il s’est consolidé cinq masses d’Emprunts chaqu’un de B 840,000, representés par 1200. obligations, consequemmen une proprieté totale de 4,200,000 Dollars Capl. Liquidated Debt, representé par Six mille obligations, ou portions d’intéret actuellement circulant dans les Provinces Unies, et appartenant par petites parties de 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, ou tout au plus 10 obligations, à un nombre eparpillé de capitalistes et de bourgeois Hollandois.

Les conditions aux quelles ces 6000. portions d’interet ont été acquises sont détaillées et pronouncées dans le corps des 6000. titres de proprieté qui circulent. On y promet la repartition annuelle des interets de Six pour Cent qui se doivent payer par les Etats Unis sur les capitaux des Liquidated Debt inscrit au nom des Trustees.

L’organisation de cette repartition a eté arretée a Convenance, sur le principe, d’employer les ⅔ de la somme d’interets que les Etats Unis doivent payer, pour Acquiter l’interet annuel des sommes deboursées, et d’employer le ⅓ restant, au remboursement d’une quantité finie d’obligation sois portions de f 1000 qui sont dans la circulation.

Chaque Emprunt possedant un Capital de B 840,000 doit recevoir pour les interets de ce Capital à raison de 6 pCt. une somme annuelle de B 50,400. les quels, aprés la deduction de quelques frais produisent tous les ans f 110,000. Cr. D’hollande et doivent se partager entre les porteurs de chaque 1200. portions.

    savoir
    f 72000. pour acquiter à chaque portion de f 1000 une somme de f 60. Et f 38000. pour rembourser 36 portions de f 1000 avec une prime de 3 pCt pour chaque année de debours.

NB La partie chiffrée du plan imprimé annexé au present memoire expliquera plus distinctement ces details et comment par l’accumulation des interets composés, les f 1200000 Cr d’Hs. sont primitif des B 840000 se trouveront remboursés la Vingt cinquieme anneé, si les interets soit les B 50400. sont payés tous les ans par les Etats Unis; Et comment cependan a l’issue de ce terme les proprietaires de 1200. obligations resteront chaque portion pour ¹⁄₁₂₀₀ part, proprietaires du Capital de B 840,000 Liq: Debt.
Mais si au lieu de recevoir B 50400 pour interets a 6 pCt sur chaque B 840,000, les Directeurs ne recoivent que 4 pCt. soit B 33600. Ils seront dans l’impossibilité de executer les remboursemens annuels qui sont annoncés au public. Ils devront publier la reduction des interets et la decomposition des conditions primitives du Contract. Et vu le nombre de six mille portions qui sont repandues partout, cette publication devra nècessairement èveiller l’attention de tout le corps des Capitalistes.

On croit qu’il est de l’interet des Etats Unis d’èviter cet eclat en Hollande et d’y prevenir une impression qui arretera la confiance que les Hollandois ont actuelement dans la bonne foi et la puissance des moyens des Etats Unis. Sans se donner la peine d’examiner la Cause de ces retards, les Hollandois ne seront frappés que de l’effet: Ils cèsseront de considerer les titres à la charge des Etats Unis comme une proprieté sur la quelle ils peuvent irrevocablement compter, Et les Etats Unis ne pourront plus lever en Hollande les sommes dont ils auront besoin, ni si facilement, ni a aussi bon compte; Ils s’exposeront même à la possibilité de ne pouvoir point y trouver une somme importante.

Sans doute le resultat des principes du Rapport et l’arreté du Comité laissent un grand espoir pour le payement subsequent des 2pCt dont le payement sera differé, mais, si le ministre n’a rien prononcé de fini sur cet objet, pour laisser peut être au gros de la nation l’espoir confus d’être debarrassé de cette charge, ce manque de prononcé fera le même effet sur les esprits peu clairvoyan en Hollande; ces derniers ont d’ailleur l’experience du peu de fond qu’il faut faire sur les promesses surrogatoires et eloigneés des grandes puissances. Enfin on croit qu’il seroit prudent de ne pas donner l’occasion au public Hollandois de fixer son attention sur les ressources finantielles Des Etats Unis, aussi longtemp que la perception des revenus y sera un article de probabilités plutot qu’un point de fait.

Les Cinq Emprunts possedant un Capital de quatre millions deux cens mille Dollars Liquidated Debt, le deficit des 2 pCt s’elevera annuelement à B 84000. soit environs f 200,000. Cour. D’Hollande et pour les dix années l’objet sera Deux millions de florins. Cette somme annuelle au totale est trop considerable pour s’attendre à ce que les Directeurs, dejà en de si grands débours, continuent à se charger du payement exact des interets & des remboursemens promis aux porteurs des 6000 portions. Les Directeurs devront être efficassement soutenu à cet égard par les moyens que le Ministre des finances leur fournira.

Il ne sera pas necessaire de procurer d’abord la totalité des deux millions: Il suffira de hâter les dispositions pour subvenir aux payemens des premieres années, ensuite on pourra voir quels moyens les èvenemens dèvelopperont dans la suite.

Le ministre des finances connoit trop bien les forces et les circonstances du fisc qu’il dirige pour ne pas trouver dans ses lumieres un moyen qui soit tout à la fois adapté aux convenances des Etats Unis et à l’objet de fournir aux Directeurs des Emprunts, les valeurs necessaires au ponctuel acquit des engagemens pris avec le public. Une nouvelle levée d’argent en Hollande pour le compte des Etats Unis Sembleroit fournir un moyen fort simple & assez sècret. Les Agens des Etats Unis pourroit être authorisés à recevoir des Directeurs des Emprunts sur le Liq. Debt les titres des 2 pCt. amènés, au lieu et place d’argent comptant pour l’acquit des sommes qu’ils prendroient dans les Emprunts nouveaux et cela pour un montant ègal au deficit sur les 4,200,000 Dollars, & au deficit d’un autre Emprunt sur 500,000 Dollars qui est organisé sur un autre plan que ceux des B 840,000. Ces 500,000 B. sont ceux qui doivent être inscrit sur les registres comme la propriété de Est Lespinasse J.ten eaten Geb: Kops et Chn. van Eeghen, qui sont les Trustees de cet Emprunt là.
Il seroit bien à desirer que l’on put informer les Directeurs d’Amsterdam des intentions du Ministre relativement à cet important objet, afin qu’ils puissent régler leurs mesures sur la probabilité de pouvoir ou de ne pouvoir pas èsperer des faciltiés qui previendront le choc du discredit que l’on apprèhende. On comprend combien sur cet objet le ministre peut difficilement rien prononcer encore, mais il lui sera possible de juger de la possibilité ou de l’impossibilité d’un pareil arrangement. On attendra de sa bonté les explications qu’il jugera convenable de donner, et qu’on desireroit pouvoir faire passer en Hollande par le premier paquet Anglois destiné pour Falmouth.
New York   ce 1e Avril 1790


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 1 April 1790
From: Jordan, Meletiah
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Frenchman’s Bay [District of Maine] April 1, 1790. “… The severity of the weather has prevented any exportations or importations (were they admissable) for this last Quarter, so that my sending blank returns of such business will I hope be dispensed with.… There is no possible mode of remitting from hence but in Specie to Boston, by Coasting Vessels. I must confess I would not wish to send such sums on my own risk therefore shall be glad you would point out what I must adopt for such remittance with safety to myself, & satisfaction to the United States.… I have in my last letters to you Sir represented the detached situation of the district, and the necessity of having a Boat to perform services.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Duer, [4–7 April 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Duer, William

[New York, April 4–7, 1790]

While I truly regret, my dear friend, that the necessity of your situation compels you to relinquish a station in which public and personal considerations combine to induce me to wish your continuance, I cannot but be sensible of the force of the motives by which you are determined. And I interest myself in your happiness too sincerely not to acquiesce in whatever may redound to your advantage. I confess, too, that upon reflection I cannot help thinking you have decided rightly.
I count with confidence on your future friendship, as you may on mine.
An engagement at the President’s will not let me meet you at dinner, but I shall be happy to see you in the evening.
Adieu—God bless you, and give you the success for which you will always have the warmest wishes of Your affectionate
A Hamilton.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Brockholst Livingston, 4 April 1790
From: Livingston, Brockholst
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia 4. April 1790
D sir,

I arrived here on thursday, but Mr. Morris being engaged in Court, I could not deliver him your letter until the next day which prevented your hearing from me by the last post.
Mr. Morris wishes two alterations to take place in the Contract. The one is that the money be not payable in London. The other is that the price on the forty shares for which he has deposited with you public securities be included in the mortgage which he is to give for the One hundred, & that his certificates be returned. As your Instructions on the first point are explicit, and totally silent on the latter I could consent to neither without your approbation.
As to the security offered, from the information I have received & a view of the property, I believe it competent to the payment of £10,500 sterling even on a sale for cash. Some gentlemen estimate it at £30,000 this currency, but Mr. Tench Coxe, who appears to have taken the greatest pains, and has favored me with an estimate in writing, values it at only £19,750. He thinks that by selling the estate in parcels it would produce much more. If however you consent to take a mortgage for the one hundred & forty shares it will be prudent to desire Mr. Morris to include some other property in it for if Mr. Coxes valuation is to be relied on it will not be safe to trust to the estate he now offers for the repayment of £14,700 sterling.
I have desired Mr. Morris to insure the buildings against fire, which is not yet done.
If you dispense with payment in London, I am advised to take a bond & mortgage in the common form, but as no proceedings can be had on the mortgage until a year after default has been made, Mr. Morris consents to execute a warrant of Attorney to confess Judgment in any State or federal Court.
I am Sir,   with respect   your very obedt servant
Brockholst Livingston
The honble A. Hamilton Esqr


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 4 April 1790
From: Morris, Robert
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philada. April 4th. 1790
Dear Sir

Mr B. Livingston delivered your favour of the 30th. ulto. on Thursday which He has made the needfull inquiries and is perfectly satisfied as to the Value & Title of my Ten Alley Estate.
But your letter to me and instructions to him have raised two difficulties which I did not expect. You require the payment to be made in London, nothing of this kind was mentioned that I recollect. My proposition was to pay £100 Stg for each share in twelve Months, and it was my expectation to make that payment here, because if I engage to pay in London the Credit would only be nine or Ten, instead of Twelve Months as I must so much sooner purchase bills to make the remittance. If however you prefer to have the payment made in London fix it for fifteen Months from the day the Stock is assigned & I agree. The other matter is respecting the forty Shares which having been included in our agreement, I had in Consequence of the liberation of my Certificates taken measures for obtaining some More Money in order to pay more of my debts whilst the Exchange is so favourable. If therefore I mortgage my Ten alley Estate for a part only of the purchase & leave the Certificates pledged for the redemption of the other part, you will unnecessarily do me a prejudice which I am sure you would not wish to do, I say unnecessarily, because the Estate is an Ample Security for the whole & would sell for much more at any Moment. I hope therefore that your answer will remove these two obstacles & we will perfect the business at once. Last night I had an opportunity to Speak to some of the Directors of the Bank. They promised that your wishes should be complied with and I believe Mr Fitzsimmons who goes for N York in the Morning will be authorized to assure you of it. With great regard
I remain Dr Sir   Your most obedt & humble Servant
Robt Morris
The Honble Alexr Hamilton EsqrNew York


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, 5 April 1790
From: Allibone, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia, April 5, 1790. “… Agreeably to your circular letter, of the fifth of October last, the several establishments in the Bay and River Deleware have had every necessary attention paid to them.… A scarcity and rise in the article of oyl is likely to take place owing to the demand for the European Market, and the moment any is landed here it is bot. up for that purpose, this has Induced me to venture to engage beforehand from the Importers, by whom we have usually been supplied, the Quantity likely to be wanted for the ensuing year.…”


Title: Receipt from Benjamin Walker, 5 April 1790
From: Walker, Benjamin
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[New York] April 5, 1790. Has received “One hundred Pounds New York Cury in Specie on acco of Baron Steuben.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 6 April 1790
From: Coxe, Tench
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, April 6, 1790. On May 1, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Coxe: “Yours of the 6th of the same month also came to hand.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Elbridge Gerry, Rufus King, George Mathews, Lambert Cadwalader, James Jackson, and John Henry, 6 April 1790
From: Gerry, Elbridge,King, Rufus,Mathews, George,Cadwalader, Lambert,Jackson, James,Henry, John
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New york April 6, 1790

The Subscribers appointed on the part of Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Burke to consider whether there was an honorable Ground of accomodation between the parties in respect to certain Expressions made use of by Mr. Burke in the house of Representatives on Wednesday last, relatively to an Eulogium pronounced by Mr. Hamilton on general Green on the 4th. of July last, having inquired into the Circumstances, and perused the Letters which were interchanged by those Gentlemen on the first instant are of Opinion that nothing more is necessary to an accomodation between them, than a right understanding of each other.
As while on the one hand it appears from satisfactory information, that Mr. Burke did not conceive the letter from Mr. Hamilton to amount to an explicit Disavowal of an intention in any part of the Eulogium delivered by him, to cast a reflection upon militia in general, or upon the militia of South Carolina in particular; so on the other from like information it appears to us that it was Mr. Hamilton’s intention in that letter to make such disavowal.
We are therefore of opinion that a proper and honorable ground of accomodation between the Parties will be, that Mr. Hamilton in another letter to Mr. Burke make an explicit declaration of his intention as above understood; and that Mr. Burke in consequence of it make to Mr. Hamilton a full and satisfactory apology for whatever on his part has taken place on the subject offensive to Mr. Hamilton.
That as considerations resulting from the nature of the precedent in reference to the privileges of the House, render the propriety of the apology in the house questionable, we are farther of Opinion that the apology be made by Letter.
E Gerry.
R. King
Geo Mathews
Lambert Cadwalader
Jas Jackson
J. Henry
The honorable Alexander Hamilton. Esqre.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 6 April 1790
From: Lincoln, Benjamin
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Boston, April 6, 1790. “I have just now had with me Mr. Thomas, son of the late General Thomas, whose Mother has the care of Light house at Plymouth. When she was first appointed to that trust he was a minor otherwise he probably would have had the appointment himself. He is a Young Gentleman of a good character and I think is a fair candidate for the appointment under the United States. I have received a return from … the keeper of the light in Boston harbour & from … the keeper of the light at Cape Ann. They accept with gratitude thier appointments under the United States.… I am forming a contract for Oyl, to the 15th of August next … as soon as I can close the Matter I will lay it before you four your approbation or rejection.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 6 April 1790
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia April 6. 1790.
Dr. Sir

Last evening a gentleman called on me to inform me of Mr. Duer’s resignation; and to urge me to apply for the vacant office. Having since reflected on a variety of circumstances which would render the office eligible, I have concluded to make known to you my willingness to take it, if you, who know me perfectly well, think I can give you the aid you would wish for and expect in an assistant.
When I went to Wyoming three years ago, vested with the office of prothonotary & the four other offices usually annexed to it in a new county, I supposed I was fixed for life. But a train of disasters & a ruinous expence have attended my removal: and in the conclusion, my reward from the Legislature, for my services & sufferings in introducing the laws & Government of this State into that country, is the repeal of that law by which the disputed lands were confirmed to the Connecticut claimants, & under the faith of which I purchased a farm & erected the necessary buildings: a law too which I pledged myself to those people, that the legislature would never repeal.
The education of seven sons, is a powerful motive to this application. The repeal of the confirming law will keep the Wyoming settlement in a situation which will probably for several years prevent the establishment of a tolerable school.
I intended to set out for Wyoming tomorrow: but will now wait your answer. If the office should remain vacant, & be conferred on me, it will nevertheless be absolutely necessary for me before I should go to New York, to visit my family & let my farm.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 6 April 1790
From: Williams, Otho H.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Baltimore, April 6, 1790. “The Brigantine Providence, Arnold Briggs, from Rhode Island, arrived at this port the 22d. February last with a large variegated Cargo, Among the rest thirtytwo Casks of New England rum—an article subject to duty, from Rhode Island, if Manufactured there; and the contrary is not pretended.… A deduction of ten Per Cent was allowed from the duties on the Cargo.… But these privileges were granted with a proviso that a Register be produced conformable to the laws of the State in which it shall have been obtained. I request to know whether the Register so produced is to be considered in lieu of all documents required of Vessels from other States: and whether the Brigantine be liable to tonage or Not? … I have … been obliged to request that there may be issued a process against William Atkinson for a trespass in unlading half a dozen Cases and boxes without a permit.… If I, instantly, prosecute this matter further the possible goods & the Vessel will be forfeited & in that case innocent Men must suffer and very worthy characters be exposed as Smugglers.… Pray advise me what I am to do to in the present case.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Ædanus Burke, 7 April 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Burke, Ædanus

[New York, April 7, 1790. On April 7, Burke wrote to Hamilton: “Your letter of this day … removes all ground of dissatisfaction.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Ædanus Burke, 7 April 1790
From: Burke, Ædanus
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York, 7th. April 1790
Sir

Your letter of this day in which you explictly declare that you had no intention, in your Eulogium on General Green, to cast any reflection on Militia in general, or on any description of the Citizens of South-Carolina, removes all ground of dissatisfaction on my part.
I therefore cheerfully and explicitly retract every thing offensive which I said in the House of Representatives on Wednesday last: in relation to you, and whatever else in any stage of this disagreeable affair, may have admitted of a Construction wounding to your feelings. And I assure you of my concern that any misapprehension should have given occasion to it. Occurrences of this kind are ever to be regreted, and in an amicable issue, ought not to leave on generous minds any traces of unfriendly impressions.
I am Sir Your very hum. Servt
Æ. Burke
The Honorable Alexander Hamilton Esqr


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 7 April 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Willink, Wilhem,Willink, Jan,Van Staphorst, Jacob,Van Staphorst, Nicholaas,Hubbard, Nicholas

Treasury Department,April 7th. 1790.
Gentlemen,

I have, by this opportunity, time only to acknowledge your several favors of the 11th, 12th, and 15th, of September, and 7th. of November, to the late Treasury Board, and of the 29th. of December to myself, and to enclose you the first of eight setts of Bills of Exchange, as per list at foot, amounting together to one hundred thousand current Guilders, towards payment of the arrears of interest on the loans of the United States, due the first of June next.
I flatter myself, that such dispositions will shortly take place, as will secure, for the future, a punctual and regular compliance with the engagements of the United States.
I am &c.
Alexander Hamilton.
Messrs. Willink, Van Staphorst & HubbardAmsterdam.


Title: Report on the Petition of William Finnie, 10 April 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

Treasury-department. April 10th. 1790.[Communicated on April 12, 1790]

[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives]
The Secretary of the Treasury on the petition of William Finnie, referred to him by an order of the House of Representatives of the 25th. of September last,
Respectfully Reports:
That the relief sought by the petitioner relates to the following objects:
First: An allowance for expences incident to his attendance at the seat of Government, for the settlement of his accounts.
Secondly: A compensation for a loss sustained on the sale of a Certificate issued to him for the balance which appeared due to him on that settlement.
Thirdly: Depreciation and pay in the capacity of a Commissary of Military Stores, from the first of January 1777, to the first of January 1781.
Fourthly: An allowance of land, as a Colonel of the Army, in virtue of a Commission from Congress, appointing him Deputy Quarter Master General, with the rank of Colonel.
That as to the first article; the allowance claimed would be contrary to general usage, the reverse of which would be productive of considerable expense to the public, and would often (though not in the present instance) reward delinquency, by indemnifying individuals for delays occasioned in the settlement of their accounts, by their own mismanagement.

That as to the second article: It is the common case of every person, who has received a Certificate for money owing to him from the public, and parted with it for less then it’s nominal value; and cannot therefore be discriminated by particular relief.
That as to the third article, the facts are as follow.
The memorialist being Deputy Quarter Master General had frequent calls to perform services not properly appertaining to his office; in consideration of which the Board of War, in a letter to him dated the 23d of October 1779, after charging him with the care of all military and other Stores belonging to the United States, which then were, or should afterwards arrive in the State of Virginia, proceed thus: “As you have made large purchases of Cloathing and Military Stores, and taken charge of them ’til forwarded by you, the Board agree, that you shall be allowed the pay of a Commissary of military Stores, towit, fifty dollars per month from the first of January 1777, to the eleventh of February 1778, and the pay and subsistence of a Commissary of Military Stores from the eleventh of February 1778, vizt ninety dollars per month until the first day of July last, and one hundred and eighty dollars per month, from that day in compensation for your past and future services in the business before mentioned, and now committed to your direction.” Payment was accordingly made to the Memorialist on this account to the first of October 1779, and on the 20th. of October 1780, an order was drawn in his favor by Samuel Hodgdon, Assistant Commissary General of Military Stores, on William Thorne, paymaster to the department, for eight hundred and ten pounds, being the amount of one year’s pay at one hundred and eighty dollars per month; which sum has never been paid. It appears by a report of John D. Mercier the then Auditor, dated the 28th. of August 1786, that the petitioner had exhibited a claim for pay, rations and depreciation, as a Commissary of Military Stores, from the eighth of January 1777, to the first of January 1781, amounting to three thousand four hundred and seventy dollars, which claim was rejected by the Auditor on these grounds as stated in substance by him.
“That to support a claim on the principle of a compensation for extra service, it ought to be shewn, that such service had been performed; whereas it did not appear in the case that any extra-service had been performed after the period to which payment had been made by the Board of War; that is, the first of October 1779.”
That as a claim to a stipend attached to an Office it was inadmissible; because contrary to a regulation of Congress, prohibiting the enjoyment of the emoluments of two offices by one person.
It further appears, that on a submission of the same Claim to the Board of Treasury, on the 25th. of April 1789, that Board decided against it.
From which facts the Secretary is of opinion, that a revision of the matter would be inexpedient.
That, as to the fourth article: The claim is founded upon a Commission from the President of Congress, dated the 28th. of March 1776, appointing the Memorialist Deputy Quarter Master General in the Southern Department with the rank of Colonel: But it does not appear to be warranted either by the resolutions of Congress respecting bounties of lands to officers and soldiers, or by the practice upon those resolutions. Nor does any circumstance occur, to justify the allowance to the Memorialist, without extending it to a number of other persons in a like situation.
That upon the whole matter, though the misfortunes of the petitioner, added to the zeal manifested by him in the public service, appeared to the Secretary to intitle his case to as favorable a consideration as a due attention to general principles would permit: Yet he has not been able to discover sufficient and unexceptionable ground, upon which, in his opinion, any part of the prayer of the petitioner may, with propriety, be granted.
All which is humbly submitted
Alexr. Hamilton,Secry of the Treasy.


Title: Report on the Memorial of James Warren, 12 April 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

Treasury-department. April 12th. 1790.[Communicated on April 12, 1790]

[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives]
The Secretary of the Treasury on the Memorial of James Warren to him referred by an Order of the House of Representatives of the third instant

Respectfully reports;
That it appears, upon examination of the case of the Memorialist, that in the years 1777 and 1778, several Cargoes of Merchandize, which had been imported for the use of the United States, were consigned to his care, and that in the settlement of his accounts concerning those Cargoes by the Commercial Committee, he was allowed only the nominal amount of his expenditures and commissions.
That this settlement took place on the 28th. of November 1780, (at which time there was no authority to make an allowance for depreciation) and that on the 31st. of January 1781, a Warrant was drawn by the President of Congress on the Treasurer of the State of Massachusetts for thirty two thousand five hundred and fifty three dollars, and two ninetieths of a dollar, being the liquidated balance of the Memorialist’s account.
That the said Warrant was, sometime in the year 1782, discharged in specie by the State of Massachusetts, at the rate of one dollar for seventy five of the sum expressed upon the face of it.
That the Claim of the Memorialist is,
First: For an allowance of depreciation on the items of the account settled by the Commercial Committee (alledging as a peculiarity in his case, that the settlement was made by an Agent, not by himself; and that there was a demand for depreciation at the time, though not admitted for want of authority.)
Secondly: For the difference between the established rate of old emission money, when the Warrant was issued to him, and that at which it was discharged in specie; which he computes to amount to one hundred and fifteen pounds nine shillings and sixpence lawful money of Massachusetts.
In relation to which facts and circumstances, the Secretary begs leave to observe, that it is an important general rule, that regular settlements, in the established course, involving general principles, should remain untouched. That this rule, in reference to transactions during the late war, derives peculiar force from the then peculiar situation of public affairs. That in no respect is it’s observance more necessary than in whatever regards questions of depreciation. That every precedent of an admission of a claim upon that ground, beyond the limits now observed at the Treasury, must be more or less dangerous. That, in particular, it seems necessary to adhere to this as a principle. That when an account has been adjusted, and a balance discharged, no claim for depreciation ought afterwards to be admitted.
That the circumstance of the settlement having been made by an Agent, is no uncommon one. Nor does the demand stated to have been made, at the time, for an allowance for depreciation, appear to the Secretary of any material weight. It is naturally to be presumed, that the interest of applicants must have rendered such demands frequent. And the completion of the settlement, without it, shews that it was not persisted in.
The Secretary, however, thinks it incumbent upon him to state to the House, that as far as regards the mode of payment, there is something distinguishable in the case. He does not find, on enquiry, that it can have had place in many instances, in the precise form: Nevertheless, the degree of force, which this circumstance may be supposed to have, is overruled, in his Judgment, by the danger of a precedent for a new species of claim for depreciation. The allowance of it too, on this ground, would seem to involve this principle. That for depreciation which may have accrued between the time an order for payment may have been given, and the time of actual payment, compensation is to be made. A principle, which, it is to be apprehended, might have extensive consequences.
All which is humbly submitted,
Alexr. Hamilton,Secretary of the Treasury.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 15 April 1790
From: Lincoln, Benjamin
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Boston April 15. 1790.
Sir,

By the 27 Section of the Coasting act it is provided that all vessels therein described & under certain circumstances shall enter within 24 hours after arrival. As no penalty is annexed to a nonperformance of the injunction in the law little attention is now paid to it, & the attention is daily decreasing, indeed it seems to decrease with the knowledge that there is no forfiture on a breach of the law. This leaves open a door through which every kind of fraud may pass without the knowledge of the officers of the customs & especially in this State where we have five or six hundred miles sea coast & almost as many harbours as leagues on our shores. From these harbours coasting vessels are constantly passing to this & the other principal towns in the State with lumber, fish, wood, &c. The harbours where they load are generally capacious & have a sufficient depth of water for any vessel & with the utmost ease they are suited in those harbours, especially in our eastern country where are but a few inhabitants. They may shift a cargo of Molasses or otherwise india produce. Our eastern vessels are mostly in that trade into those wood coasters & come to this town with the utmost safety unless they are obliged to enter before they break bulk. To appoint a sufficient number of Officers to attend to all the wharves in this town would be two heavy an expence upon the revenue. I think the fee should be small for entering these coasters then business will not have much expense but they should in all circumstances be obliged under a heavy forfeiture to enter or I am convinced the revenue will greatly suffer. I wrote some time since on the subject of employing a small vessel to inspect the coast as I have not received any answer to those suggestion I suppose you consider in measure as inadmissible. I have now to offer to your consideration one idea more to that of having a small boat which can attend to the different harbours round that bay there are many of those harbours very convenient for taking out part of the Cargo a boat of this kind may in good weather meet vessels in the offing have a man on board which will prevent their landing anythink before entery & the proper officer is on board. These are suggestions which I think it my duty to make I know your time must be so much engrossed by the many & complicated duties of your office that you cannot answer the various applications which are made to you I do not expect it silence will be a sufficient indication to me that the measure proposed cannot be adopted.

Hon YeAlexander HamiltonSecy of the Treasury United States


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 16 April 1790
From: Treasury Department,Hamilton, Alexander
To: Collectors of the Customs

Treasury DepartmentApril 16th. 1790.
Sir

I herewith enclose for your government an Act entitled “an Act to prevent the exportation of goods not duly inspected, according to the laws of the several States.”
I observe that the 27th. and 28th. sections of the coasting act have by some of the Collecters of the Customs been so construed as to require, that all licensed vessels of the burthen of twenty tons and upwards bound to any port within their respective districts should obtain a permit to land their Cargoes previous to breaking bulk.
Upon due examination I am of opinion, that this is only required by the Law where vessels of the above description arrive at the particular port or place where the Collector or other Officer of the district actually resides: you will therefore govern yourself accordingly.
I am sensible that this indulgence is liable to abuses which may prove injurious to the Revenue, and must therefore recommend to you as strict an attention as possible to detect & defeat them.
I am Sir   Your Obedt. servant
A Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Webb, 16 April 1790
From: Webb, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Bath, District of Maine, April 16, 1790. On May 5, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Webb: “In answer to yours of the 16th. of April.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, 20 April 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Sir
Treasury Department April 20th. 1790.

I have the honor to enclose you copies of certain communications which have been made to me, respecting the detention of the Registers of vessels of the United States in some of the Islands of his Christian Majesty, in order that such measures may be taken as shall appear adviseable towards preventing in future a practice, which has a tendency either to interfere with the policy of our Laws, or to prevent the sale of our vessels to the inhabitants of those Islands.
I have the honor to be &c.
Alexander HamiltonSecretary of the Treasury.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Allibone, 21 April 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Allibone, William

[New York, April 21, 1790. On April 29, Allibone wrote to Hamilton: “I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated april 21st.” Letter not found.]