Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Mercer, 5 March 1793
From: Mercer, John F.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Baltimore Mar 5. 1793.
Sir

I was surprizd by a letter from you at the moment I was about to leave Philadelphia with Mrs. Mercer very much indisposed & still more astonished to find on my arrival here, that Major Ross had brought this subject again before the public in the Newspapers, in a manner calculated to make the falsest & most injurious impressions, where the progress of this business was altogether unknown. It woud have been more candid & honorable to have settled this in Philadelphia where we were all on the spot. My intention in my last was to place this controversy, on such neutral ground that you might with propriety put an end to the correspondance on the principles you had yourself declard “that if I did not impeach your integrity, you woud not have concluded an attack on your public conduct a sufficient ground to adopt this mode of discussion.” But since you have thought proper to reject this mode you will make the best of that which you have prefered. I will now abide by what has already passed & as matter of opinion only is disputed. I shall deem all further explanation unnecessary on my part & risk a return of the gross expressions of your last. I shall wait any further communication from you 8 days in Annapolis.
I am &c.

John F Mercer


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Tench Coxe, 6 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Coxe, Tench

Treasury Department March 6th. 1793
Sir

I request your attention to the enclosed Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 2 instant, requiring certain Returns relative to the Revenue, to be furnished to Congress on the first monday in January next.
I am Sir   Your obedt Servt

A Hamilton
Commissioner of the RevenueTench Coxe Esquire


Title: Conversation with George Hammond, [7 March–2 April 1793]
From: Hammond, George,Hamilton, Alexander
To:

[Philadelphia, March 7–April 2, 1793]

Since I last had the honor of addressing your Lordship, I have had several conversations with Mr Hamilton on the subject of the probable conduct which this government may be induced to observe in the case of a war between Great Britain and France, of the commencement of which we have indeed received here some vague information, though through uncertain channels. From the uniform tenor of these conversations I perceive clearly that that Gentleman remains immoveable in his determination whenever that event may occur, of employing every exertion in his power to incline this country to adopt as strict a neutrality as may not be directly contrary to its public engagements: and I learn that the President perfectly concurs in sentiment with Mr Hamilton not only on the propriety, but on the indispensable necessity of pursuing that line of conduct.…

I have not been able, through Mr. Hamilton’s conversations, to ascertain precisely the nature of the reception which the officers of this administration may give to Mr Genêt himself (when he arrives) or to any propositions that he may be instructed to offer. I can however collect that their actual intention is—to acknowledge that Gentleman as the Minister of the government of France de facto—to admit the principle that the treaties entered into with the former executive government of France, are binding upon the two nations—but to declare explicitly that, previous to the contracting of any new engagements, this country may deem it expedient to wait until the national will of France be expressed by some organ more competent efficient and permanent than the present provisional council. With respect to the existing engagements between the two nations, I have said above that “Exertions would be employed to incline this country to adopt as strict a neutrality as may not be directly contrary” to them. I deem myself fully justified in using so loose an expression by an assurance of Mr. Hamilton’s that although these engagements could not be considered as null, yet that they would not be enforced to such an extent as that the observance of them might involve the United States in any difficulties or disputes with other powers.
How far subsequent events may effect an alteration in these resolutions, I cannot pretend to predict. But I have learnt from a confidential quarter an important fact, which not only proves their present existence, but also in some measure elucidates the principle upon which they are founded. Your Lordship will recollect that in the course of the war the United States contracted a considerable debt with France. Very shortly after the peace, the old Congress formed an arrangement of discharging it by installments at stated periods. This arrangement has been punctually executed. Exclusive of a sum of two hundred thousand dollars, left due from the last installment, which has been since within the last month paid to a person authorized to receive it (and to which as well as the mode of applying it I shall have occasion to advert in another dispatch) there still remains a balance against the United States of about three millions of dollars. The first installment of this balance becomes due in September next; and the residue at different settled intervals. But the provisional Council being solicitous to gain immediate possession of the whole, submitted to this government, either through the present French Minister or their confident agent Colonel Smith, a proposition for that purpose. viz—to convert the whole sum owen to France into a fund upon the same terms as the other American stocks—to allow the French government to dispose of this fund to individuals—and to appropriate the whole proceeds to the purchase of American flour and wheat to be sent to France. This proposition underwent a long discussion in the American Cabinet when it was at length finally determined to reject it, and to inform the provisional council that this government would make no change whatever in the nature and form of the debt, but would pay the installments to the executive government of France, however it might be constituted, existing de facto at the periods at which they might be respectively due. This determination of the American Cabinet appears to me decisive of its views relative of the actual position of France; for surely had it been solicitous to promote the success of the present system in that nation, it would have embraced this offer so specious in its principle, and so highly beneficial to this country in all its collateral relations.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Knox, 8 March 1793
From: Knox, Henry
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, March 8, 1793. On March 18, 1793, Hamilton wrote to Knox: “I have before me your letter of the 8th. instant.” Letter not found.]


Title: George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox, [9 March 1793]
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander,Jefferson, Thomas,Knox, Henry

[Philadelphia, March 9, 1793]
Sir,

Expecting that my private affairs will call me to Virginia on or before the 25 of this month, I have to request that you will lay before me, previous to that time, such matters within your Department as may require my attention or agency before I set out, as well as those which might be necessary for me to know or act upon during the time of my absence from the Seat of Government (which will be about four weeks) so far as such things may come to your knowledge before my departure.

Geo: Washington
United States9 March 1793.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Edmund Randolph, 12 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Randolph, Edmund

Treasury DepartmentMarch 12. 1793
Sir

I had taken it for granted, from the general spirit of the transaction, that the first installment to the Bank of the United States of the loan mentioned in the within Agreement of the 25 of June last became payable on the 1st of January of the present year. But upon examining the Agreement, a doubt arises whether that intention be consistent with the tenor of the Instrument or how far the Act of Congress of the second instant gives a construction and authorises immediate Payment.
I request then, as a guide, your opinion, whether an immediate payment of the whole first installment of the two millions borrowed will be conformable to the general spirit of the Agreement and to the Act of Congress just referred to—and if not the whole, whether of any part and how much—and in general at what period or periods the first installment may be considered as payable.
It is indubitably the interest of the Government to pay the whole sum without delay because the Bank at present understands the installment to have been payable at the time I have mentioned, and will I doubt not, if that construction can be pursued, consider an equivalent sum of interest as ceasing from the first of January last; but if the legal construction be taken to be different, the Interest will of course go on against the Public till the payment is made. And as the Treasury must be prepared for it, a correspondent sum must be kept in deposit to answer the demand, when the period of payment arrives.
These considerations however can only operate as motives to give as liberal a construction as can be fairly supported.
With respectful consideration   I am Sir   Your Obed ser

Ed Randolph EsqrAtty General


Title: Observer, [13–15 March 1793]
From: “Observer”,Hamilton, Alexander
To:

[Philadelphia, March 13–15, 1793]

Among the publications which have appeared as containing the Debates in Congress respecting the Official Conduct of the Secretary of the Treasury Mr. Findley is represented as having made the following assertions “That the Secretary of the Treasury had acknowleged that he had not applied the money borrowed in Europe agreeably to the legal appropriations of the President. That he had acknowleged his having drawn to this Country and applied in Europe to uses for which other monies were appropriated three millions of Dollars. That he had acknowleged his having drawn from Europe more money than the law authorised him to do. That he was influenced to do so by motives not contemplated by the law and had either applied it or drawn it from Europe with the design of applying it to uses not authorised, and that he had broken in upon the fund appropriated for the discharge of the French Debt.”
Before I read this Speech I had carefully perused the different communications made by the Secretary of the Treasury to the House of Representatives and after reading it I was led to revise them. The result has been, that I have found all these assertions, attributed to Mr. Findly, either direct untruths or palpable misrepresentations and I challenge Mr. Findly or any of his friends to produce the passages which will warrant them. The truth is that Mr. Findley has palmed upon the Secretary his own reasoning and inferences for points conceded by him. The commentary has been substituted for the text.
Observer


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from David Ross, 13 March 1793
From: Ross, David
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Bladensburgh [Maryland] March 13. 1793
Dear Sir

You have been so much harrassed that I am sorry to trouble you so soon—but as I see a Note in the Baltimore Paper that Co Mercer intends to answer my Publication I am induced to request you will favor me, as soon as you conveniently can, with a Copy of the Statement to the President respecting the Bribe, and of the other Communications you promised me—for I shall not be surprised if Co Mercer should deny his language to you which I have quoted since I see he still holds out in his Speeches some insinuation of Corruption.
If you have made any observations on the last resolutions that were moved for, I shall be glad of a Copy of them as also of any communications between you & Co Mercer that may have taken place since I left Philadelphia marking such as you may think has no relation to the subjects between us and which you would not wish me to disclose.
Compts to Mrs Hamilton from   Your friend & obedt Servt

David Ross

PS   The Patronage of Messrs. Jefferson & Maddison to Freneaus Paper was avowed when Subscriptions were solicited in this Neighbourhood and was held up as an inducement to subscribe but I did not hear of this circumstance till today.


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 13 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander,Treasury Department
To: Collectors of the Customs

Treasury Department,March 13, 1793.
Sir,

Proof has been filed in the office of the Collector of Newbury Port, agreeably to the 13th section of the act, entitled, “An act for registering and clearing Vessels, regulating the coasting Trade, &c.” of the loss of two Certificates of registry, of the following numbers and description, viz.
No. 42, dated Newbury Port the 19th of April 1790, granted to Benjamin Joy, owner and master of the Ship Eliza, measuring four hundred and twenty-one Tons.
No. 16, dated Newbury Port the 6th of February 1790, granted to John Pettingal and Leonard Smith, owners of the Schooner Hope, measuring ninety four Tons, John Couch, master.

This information is therefore given with a view to put the Officers of the Customs upon their guard, in order to prevent any fraudulent disposal of the said Certificates, in case they should be found again.
Enclosed is an act which will take effect from and after the last day of May next, entitled, “An act for enrolling and licensing Ships or Vessels to be employed in the coasting Trade and Fisheries, and for regulating the same.” The forms of Certificates relating to the object, will be prepared and transmitted by the Register of the Treasury.
With great consideration,   I am, Sir,   Your obedient Servant,

A Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Burrall, 14 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Burrall, Jonathan

Treasury DepartmentMarch 14. 1793
Sir

I request that you will immediately invest in the purchase of Bills on London or Amsterdam, on account of the Government, fifty thousand Dollars; to enable you to do which, I inclose you a letter to the President and Directors of the Office of Discount & Deposit at New York. But as the advantageous purchasing of the bills will depend on secrecy, you had better not make use of your letter to the Directors ’till you have engaged the Bills—and You will be cautious to keep the Government out of sight.
I rely on your using the greatest circumspection as to the Drawers of the Bills that there may be no possible question about their goodness. If Mr Daniel Ludlow or Messrs. Le Roy & Bayard are drawing, upon the basis of their Dutch concerns, I should prefer their bills. And You will observe that I had rather pay an additional price for unexceptionable Bills than run the least risk. Houses much engaged in other than Mercantile Speculations, except those abovementioned, whose bottom is known, are to be avoided. Perhaps you will even find it adviseable to keep yourself out of view and operate through a third person.
You may have the bills filled up in the name of Samuel Meredith Treasurer of the United States, if you should complete the intire purchase in one sum; otherwise you will take them in your own name and indorse them to him. This last will avoid the disclosure to which the other mode would be subject, if the purchases are successive. The bills are immediately to be forwarded to me.
For Your Agency in this matter you will be allowed ¼ ⅌ Centum. Should you have occasion to indorse the Bills, it is to be understood that you are to incur no responsibility by it.
With esteem   I am Sir   Your Obed ser

A Hamilton
Jonathan Burrall Esqr


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 14 March 1793
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Hamilton, Alexander

United States 14 March 1793.

By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to return to the Secrey. of the Treasury, the papers respecting the case of Hezekiah & George D. Usher, which have been submitted to him; and to inform the Secretary that the President has no doubt, from the statement of facts in the above papers, of the intention to defraud the Revenue; but if it shall appear to the Secretary, from his information on the subject, that the said Ushers have suffered by the loss of their goods, and expences attending the suit, enough to answer the intention of the Law—the President leaves it to his judgment, to remit the penalty in such way as, upon consulting the Attorney General of the Ud. States, shall appear best.

  Tos. Lear.S. P. US.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to the President and Directors of the New York Office of Discount and Deposit of the Bank of the United States, 14 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: President and Directors of the New York Office of Discount and Deposit of the Bank of the United States

Treasury Department, March 14, 1793. “I request You to advance to Mr. Jonathan Burrall, Cashier of your Office, Fifty thousand Dollars, on account of the Government.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 14 March 1793
From: Olney, Jeremiah
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Custom-House,Providence 14th March 1793.
Sir.

Your Letter of the 5th Instant, was transmitted to me yesterday by the President of the Providence Bank; and agreeable to your directions, I have furnished him with an Abstract of the uncancelld Bonds, payable this Month, being only the one in Suit, (noted in the enclosed Return of Cash) and another due to the 30th for 523 Dollars & 60 Cents.
I have the Honor to be &c.

Jereh. Olney Collr.

N.B.   The Bond in suit was given by Edward Dexter in Novr. last, in consequence of a collusive Transfer, for Duties on the Cargo of the Brigantine Neptune, the property of Welcome Arnold Esqr.
Alexr. Hamilton Esqr.
Secy. of the Treasury.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 15 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Short, William

Treasury DepartmentPhiladelphia March 15th 1793
Sir

You will find inclosed a duplicate of a letter from me to you of the 1st of February, and a copy of one from me of this date to our Bankers at Amsterdam.
I was not insensible to the judicious views, which led you to desire, that the united States might not place themselves in a situation to be obliged to retrograde, with regard to the rate of Interest. And I shall be sorry, if the arrangements made here have interfered with the execution of them; as appears to be now probable. An expectation of a more favourable state of the market, and a reluctance to incur a further loss of interest on the monies which remained on hand of former loans has led to the course which has been pursued.
The present price of Bills enables me to invest monies for the intended remittance with a gain of about seven per cent which will be a partial indemnification for other disadvantages.
The enclosed extract from the minutes of the House of Representatives will inform you of the result of the affair, about which I wrote to you not long since by way of England. ’Tis to be lamented, that already the spirit of party has made so great a progress in our infant Republic. But it is at the same time a source of consolation, that it, as yet, has its bounds—and that there are many who will only go a certain length in compliance with its dictates.
With much real consideration & esteem   I am   Sir   Your obedient Servant

Alex Hamilton
William Short EsqrMinister Resident at the Hague


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 15 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Willink, Wilhem,Willink, Jan,Van Staphorst, Nicholaas,Van Staphorst, Jacob,Hubbard, Nicholas

Treasury DepartmentPhiladelphia March 15th 1793
Gentlemen

I received, two days since, the letter which You did me the honor to write me of the 14 of January last, inclosing the copy of one of the same date to Mr Short.

I regret the state of things as there exhibited, and my regret will be increased, if circumstances shall have rendered it necessary, to allow the high rate of five per cent for the contemplated loan. I hope, nevertheless, a better issue, from your zeal and intelligent exertions. And in time to come, every effort must be made here to avoid a like necessity. If the thing were in my power, I should decline the loan altogether.
Lest a disappointment should attend the obtaining of a loan, I have taken measures to arrest in your hands 495,000 Guilders of the sum which I last advised you would be drawn for. The sale having been made to the Bank of the united States has left this expedient in my power. I shall, in addition to this, cause to be remitted to you between this time and the third of next month when the British Packet sails, the further sum of 975000 Guilders in Bills upon London and Amsterdam; unless I should in the mean time hear of a loan having been undertaken. I cannot doubt, that it will be at all events in your Power to make temporary arrangements to face the exigency, should any delays ensue which may prevent these means being in measure for the demand.
With much consideration & esteem   I am Gentlemen   Yr obedt Servant

Alexander Hamilton
Messrs Wm & J. Willink   N & J. van Staphorst & HubbardBankersAmsterdam


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 16 March [1793]
From: Ternant, Jean Baptiste de
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia] du 16 mars [1793]

Le Ministre soussigné prie le secretaire de la trèsorèrie de faire avancer à Conyngham Nesbit et Compe. cinq mille piastres de plus à compte des cent mille payables au lr. avril prochain.

T.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Gulian Verplanck, 17 March 1793
From: Verplanck, Gulian
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newyork March 17. 1793
Dr Sir

My second payment to You for the House in Wall Street has been due since the first day of the last Month & I have been waiting Your directions respecting it. In a former Letter I requested the Deed, which will oblige Me, as I am preparing to Build on the Lot this Spring. Your late triumph over the malice of Your Enemies, has given the most heartfelt satisfaction to Your friends in this City & to no One more than
Your Obt. Hume Sert

Gulian Verplanck


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 18 March 1793
From: Coxe, Tench
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, March 18, 1793. On March 22, 1793, Hamilton sent to George Washington “a Communication from the Commissioner of the Revenue, of the 18 instant.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 18 March 1793
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Colles Office [Newport, Rhode Island] March 18 1793
Sir,

On the 16th of this month I recd. yours of the 5th. inclosed in a letter from the President of the Providence Bank. No bonds for duties will fall due in this District this present month.
I should very much regrett that no report was made on my Petition during the last Session of Congress, was I not sensible that besides other important business your attention was called to one engaged in a matter in which your reputation and the public interest were concerned. The honorable manner in which you acquitted yourself, and was acquitted has given great satisfaction to all your friends in this quarter and to no one more than to your most obedt. servt.

Wm Ellery Collector
A Hamilton Esqr Sec Treasy.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1793
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia March 18. 1793.
Sir,

The contingent account of the Department of State down to the 9th. instant, having been delivered to, and passed by the Auditor, and being at present in want of a further sum to satisfy demands against my office, I must request the favor of you to order a warrant to issue payable to George Taylor Junior for Twelve hundred Dollars, and am, with respect   Sir,   Your most obedt. servt.
The secretary of the Treasury ofthe United States of america


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Knox, 18 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Knox, Henry

Treasry DepartmentMarch 18. 1793
Sir

I have before me your letter of the 8th. instant, transmitting sundry accounts for supplies at Post Vincennes, during the year 1791, to the neighbouring Indians.
From the nature of the case, it appears to me proper to request your more explicit opinion concerning the propriety of allowing these claims.
Though I entertain a favourable opinion of the Officers concerned and readily accede to the idea that the situation of things, at the period, called for measures to conciliate the Indians in question which would of course involve expence—Yet I cannot help thinking the expence which is stated to have been incurred, compared with the occasion, is considerable; and there are several items which, on different accounts, appear to me in a shape rather questionable.
As the business originated, without due authority, as there is in every such case a natural tendency to abuse, I submit whether if the claims, on general consideration, should appear to you to be such as to require admission—some middle course cannot be adopted, embracing the ideas of a partial advance on account, and a further examination on the spot into the propriety of the charges.
It is observable that the principal account has no other voucher than a general Certificate from Capt Prior.
Very respectfully   I have the honor to be Sir   Your Obed servt
P.S. The papers are sent back for your further inspection.
The Secy at War


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Nourse, 18 March 1793
From: Nourse, Joseph
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Treasury DepartmentRegisters Office 18 March1793.
Sir

I have the Honor to transmitt for your Inspection sundry Statements No. 1 to 12 which have been made out at the Request of the Hon: W. Smith of So. Carolina. Permit me to intimate that Mr. Smith woud wish to be furnishd with them some time Tomorrow as he Expects to sail for Charlestown on Wednesday morning. I have not conceived it necessary to render these Statements under Signature, as Mr. Smiths view is confind to his own Information, But shoud this be requisite, I presume it might be safely done. With the greatest Respect, I am Sir,
your mo: ob. Sert.

Hon: Alexander Hamilton Esqr.Secretary of the Treasury


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Ogden, 18 March 1793
From: Ogden, Jonathan
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New Jersey
Morris town 18 March 1793
Sir,

The following will I make no dout appologise for the fredom here taken of writing to a Stranger as to personal acquaintance. I have lately heard in a particular manner the sentiments of many people of this County & State respecting your objects of revenue. I believe I speak safe when I say not more than one person in five hundred disagrees in sentiment with the present plans—the excise that glorious act is advocated by those who once oppos’d. As for Giles’s malitious efforts a few days a go in the House of Representatives some people say they have put you in danger of the curse denounced against him who every one speaks well of. These are the Ideas of people universally here and who has no more acquaintance with your Self than I have. My sincere wish is that you may long continue to fill that august office you now occupy & your Virtues be imbraced by those who Labour to tarnish them—being a Farmer you will excuse incorrectness. I am with much Esteem your humble servant.

Jonathan Ogden
Alexr. Hammilton, Esqr


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 18 March 1793
From: Olney, Jeremiah
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Custom HouseDistrict of Providence 18th. March 1793.
Sir

I do myself the Honor to Transmit, for your information, the enclosed Impeachment against me Signed on the 31st. January last by Twenty Seven respectable Merchants and others, which was contemplated to have been Transmitted to the President of the United States, togeather with my Letter to the Committee, and my Vindication of the particular Charges; which last was intended merely as an Individual explanation of my official Conduct. This malicious impeachment has been brought about through the artfull and persevering address of Welcome Arnold Esquire, my avowed and inveterate enimy (and was drawn up by his Brother Thomas Arnold A man professing the Quaker Religion and possessing great abilities and I wish I could add an Honest Heart) and for no other reason than because I will not dispence with the Law whenever it may Suite his convenience! Many of the Signees to the Petition have shewn so much candor as to Confess that they were deceived into the measure, and Since upon examination, they find some of the charges are malicious and Totally unfounded while others are unfairly and uncandidly Stated, have declared their determination to withdraw their names from the Petition, should the promoters of it attempt to Transmit it to the President. The Signees were furnished on the 23rd. Ulto. with a Copy of my vindication but they have had no meeting in consequence of it, that I can learn, nor do I believe they will, as the greater part of the Gentlemen are dissatisfied with the proceedings. My wish has uniformly been (and which I fully expressed to the Committee who waited upon me), that the impeachment might be Transmitted, as I should then have an opportunity of vindicating my official Conduct before the President of the United States to whom alone I am ameniable on impeachment, and for this I am the more desirous, as it seems to leave an implied or indirect Censure upon me, and from a conciousness that I have done my duty consonant to Law, and at the same time, with an upright impartiallity. A Second copy of my vindication has been presented to his Excellency Governor Fenner who is a Firm and influential Friend and Supporter of the Revenue Laws, having uniformly advocated my official Conduct against the present and every other attack made upon me with a design to effect a deviation from the Law. It has been Circulated also, among the respectable Citizens of this Town and I am happy to add it has met with general approbation. Having long waited in expectation that the Gentlemen would have gratified my desire by Transmitting the impeachment to the President, and finding they are disposed to keep it back, I have upon due Consideration deemed it expedient to make you (as the principle officer of the revenue department) acquainted with the reason of its detention, as well as the real state of this Transaction, lest some misrepresentation has or should reach you, and possibly make, on your mind, an unfavourable impression, and respectfully to request Sir your Friendship and Support so far as my official Conduct shall (upon a full and Critical investigation) appear to you to have been dictated by principles consonant to law and my instructions from you. I could very soon Silence the opposition long carried on against me, through the persevering Temper of Mr. Arnold, provided I would descend to the base and unworthy principle of deviating from the plain Letter of the Law and my instructions, to serve on all occasions his, and the unwarrantable desires of a few restless Characters under his particular influence, but this neither he, nor they, can ever drive me to. Tho’ it may be possible, by persevering in a misrepresentation of Facts, he may raise an influence to effect my removeal from office—but this could never afford any unpleasant reflections while I should carry along with me the Supporting consolation that I had done my duty according to the best of my skill and abilities, and with an honest Zeal to promote the public Interests.
I have the Honor to be very respectfully   Sir   Your Most Obed. and Most Hum Servt.

Jereh. Olney Collr.
Alexander Hamilton EsquireSecretary of the Treasury

P. S. In justice to Mr. Geo. Benson and Mr. Thomas P. Ives of the House of Brown Benson & Ives, I feel a pleasure of mentiong. that they have uniformly been against the impeachment, and the Signature of that firm on the Petition was made, contrary to their wish and even advice, by the principle of the house, Mr. Nicho. Brown, and wch. was effected through the instigation of W. Arnold Esqr, but Mr. Brown has since declared his intention to withdraw his name.


Title: Enclosure No. II: [Willink, van Staphorst, and Hubbard, Amsterdam], [18 March 1793]
From:
To:

Dr.

1793.

Jan: 1st.
To
balance in their hands
1.744.750.

“
Residue of the last 3/m loan, to be recd:
360.000.

“
balance for which the Commissioners will be in advance on the 1st March 1793.
  72.265.

Flo.
2,177,015.

1793.
Contra—Cr.—.

By
premium on the residue of the 3/m loan at 5 ⅌ Cent
18,000.

“
Interest due to foreign officers
105,000.

Feb: 1st.
“
Interest on 3/m 5 per Ct.
150.000.

“
Do. on 2/m 4 pr Ct.
80,000.

“
Premium on Do.
100.000.

“
Gratuity on Do. 8 pr. Ct.
28,000.

Mar: 1st.
“
Interest on 2½/m 5 pr.ct.
125.000.

“
Commission on paying interest 355,000 florin 1 p. ct.
3,550

1792.

Nov: 30.
“
Draughts of the Treasurer
1.237.500.

Nov. 28
“
Ditto
24,750.

“
Remittance to be made to Spain estimated

Flo. 680.000

on accot. of which have been remittd 374.785
305.215

Flo.
2.177,015


Title: Enclosure No. III: [Probable State of Cash, April 1–July 1, 1793], [18 March 1793]
From:
To:

Dr.

To balance of Cash, per statement No. 1
664,180.89.

To amount of Sums expected to be received during this quarter on Accot. of the duties of Imports & tonnage Vizt:

per returns to the 7 March 1793.
747,691.96.

per estimate in the cases of deficient returns.
200.000.

947,691.96.

To amount of sums expected to be received on account of duties on spirits distilled within the Ud. States.
100,000.

To balance against the Treasury, to be supplied by Loan
 672,023.26.

2,383,896.11.

Contra—Cr.

By this sum invested & expected to be invested towards the payments which will become due in Holland on the 1st of June next.
623,137.37.

By this sum to complete the advances for St. Domingo.
149,763.79.

By this sum promised in addition to 100,000 Dolls. payable the 1st of April, & credited in statement No. I. for supplies to France.
444,500.

By amot. of one quarters interest.
712,298.68.

By ¼ of the current expenditure for 1793.
404,196.27.

By probable demands for arrears of appropriations antecedent to 1793.
  50.000.

2,383,896.11.


Title: Enclosure: No. IV: [Probable State of Cash, July 1–October 1793], [18 March 1793]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

Dollars   Cts

Dr.

To amount of sums expected to be receiv’d this quarter on accot. of Imports & Tonnages, per return to the 7 of March

Drs
391,047.67.

Ditto per Estimate
200,000

591,047.67.

To amot. of sums expected to be received on account of spirits distilled within the Und: States
200,000

To balance against the Treasury
 325,447.28.

1,116,494.95.

Contra—Cr.

By amount of one quarters Interest
712,298.68.

By ¼ of the current Expenditure for 1793
 404,196.27.

1,116,494.95.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 18 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.

Treasury DepartmentMarch 18. 1793
Sir

The XXXIV Section of the Collection law provides that certain rates per Cent. shall be allowed for the Tares of Coffee Pepper and Sugar, other than loaf Sugar. Upon this provision, a doubt has existed whether the per centage ought not, in certain cases to be computed on the Cwt. or long hundred; or ought in all cases to be computed on the 100 lb or short hundred. The practice at different ports has on this point been and continues to be dissimilar. It is necessary to produce uniformity.
As the subject is not free from ambiguity I wished to avoid interposing a construction from the Treasury by some Legislative explanation. But none having taken place it becomes a duty to put an end to the Question & establish a general rule.
Let it therefore be made known to the officers, by a circular instruction that in time to come the per Centage is in all cases to be computed on the 100 pounds. In a doubtful case, this construction is preferred as most accommodating to the Merchant.
I believe at some ports the proviso at the end of the Section has been misconstrued. It seems to have been taken for granted that Invoices are to govern in all cases where desired by the Merchants. This is not a just interpretation. The option is mutual. And if there is reason to suppose the tares, as expressed in the Invoices, are excessive, the Officer may follow the specific rates, in respect to articles to which such rates are applied. An intimation on this point will not be improper.
With much consideration & esteem   I am Sir   Your Obed ser

Oliver Woolcott Esq


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Edmund Randolph, 20 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Randolph, Edmund

Treasury department March 20. 1793
Sir

I have the honor to inclose for your consideration Sundry papers relative to certain Certificates of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, originally issued in lieu of Continental Certificates and lately offered to be subscribed to the Loan in state debt continued by an Act of the 8th. of March 1792, entitled “An Act Supplementary to the Act making provision for the debt of the United States.”
The Question which arises is Wether these Certificates can legally be received upon Loan as contended for by the UStates? Upon this point I request your Opinion after mature examination and reflection. The papers now sent you may all serve to throw Light upon the Subject. They were furnished me on this Supposi[ti]on. But those which go most directly to the Object are those Marked A B C D E F.
With respectfull Consideration   I am Sir   Your Obedt. Servant

Alexander Hamilton
Edmund Randolph EsquireAttorney General of the United States


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 20 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Departmt. 20 Mar: 1793.
Sir,

I have the honor to submit a letter from Wm. Bingham Esqr. of the 26 of febry. last, together with the papers which it enclosed.
It would seem that the United States in Congress assembled have already put the affair in a situation to make the consequences of the Suit a public concern; in which case it would appear adviseable that measures should be taken for a regular defence on behalf of the Government; so at least, that what is just may be finally done, and no more.
With perfect respect,   I am &c.

Alex: Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 20 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Departmt. 20 Mar: 1793.

The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to submit to The President of the United States the Draft of a Power to make the Loan of Eight hundred thousand Dollars. In this, there is no referrence to the ideas lately submitted to the President, and which appear, by his note of to-day, to be approved by him; because it seems most proper, & is most usual for Powers to be simple & general. But it will be of course understood that it’s application will be conformable to the views communicated; unless the President should otherwise direct.

Alexander Hamilton.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [21 March 1793]
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, March 21, 1793]

For carrying into execution the provisions in that behalf made by the Act, entitled, “An Act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven hundred & ninety three”;
I do hereby authorise you the said Secretary of the Treasury to agree and contract with the President, Directors and Company of the Bank of the United States for a loan or loans to the United States, of any sum or sums, not exceeding in the whole Eight hundred thousand dollars; to be advanced and paid in such proportions and at such periods as you shall judge necessary for fulfilling the purposes of the said Act. Provided that the rate of Interest of such loan or loans shall not exceed five per centum per annum, and that the principal thereof may be reimbursed at the pleasure of the United States. And I do hereby promise to ratify what you shall lawfully do in the premises.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand at the City of Philadelphia the twenty first day of March in the year One thousand seven hundred & ninety three.

George Washington


Title: George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, March 21st [–22] 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander,Jefferson, Thomas,Knox, Henry,Randolph, Edmund

United States, March 21st [–22] 1793
(Circular)

To The Secretary of State—The Secretary of the Treasury—The Secretary of War and The Attorney General of the United States.
Gentlemen,
The Treaty which is agreed to be held on or about the first of June next at the Lower Sandusky of Lake Erie, being of great moment to the interests and peace of this Country; and likely to be attended with difficulties arising from circumstances (not unknown to you) of a peculiar and embarrassing nature; it is indispensably necessary that our rights under the Treaties which have been entered into with the Six Nations—the several tribes of Indians now in hostility with us—and the claims of others, should be carefully investigated and well ascertained, that the Commissioners who are appointed to hold it may be well informed and clearly instructed on all the points that are likely to be discussed: thereby knowing what they are to insist upon (with or without compensation, and the amount of the Compensation, if any) and what, for the sake of peace, they may yield.
You are not to learn from me, the different views which our Citizens entertain of the War we are engaged in with the Indians, and how much these different opinions add to the delicacy and embarrassments alluded to above—nor the criticisms which, more than probably, will be made on the subject, if the proposed Treaty should be unsuccessful.
Induced by these motives, and desireous that time may be allowed for a full and deliberate consideration of the subject before the departure of the Commissioners, it is my desire that you will, on the 25th of this month, meet together at the War Office (or at such other time and place as you may agree upon) where the principal documents are, with whatever papers you may respectively be possessed of on the subject, and such others as I shall cause to be laid before you, and then and there decide on all the points which you shall conceive necessary for the information and instruction of the Commissioners. And, having drawn them into form, to revise the same and have them ready, in a finished State, for my perusal and consideration when I return—together with a digest of such references as shall be adjudged necessary for the Commissioners to take with them.
And, as it has been suggested to me, that the Society of Quakers are desireous of sending a deputation from their Body, to be present at the aforesaid Treaty (which, if done with pure motives, and a disposition accordant with those sentiments entertained by Government respecting boundary, may be a mean of facilitating the good work of peace) you will consider how far, if they are approved Characters, they ought to be recognized in the Instructions to the Commissioners, and how proper it may be for them to participate therein or to be made acquainted therewith.

Go: Washington


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Burrall, 22 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Burrall, Jonathan

Treasury DepartmentMarch 22d. 1793
Sir

You will, if you can, invest the fifty thousand Dollars heretofore put under your disposition in the purchase of good bills on London or Amsterdam, if they can be obtained within the limit of four per Cent below par; so as to be forwarded to me by the first of April; I mean to reach me on that day by the Post.
I will thank you in the mean time to advise me dayly of the price of bills.
I am with consideration   Sir   Your obedient serv

Alex Hamilton
Jonathan Burrall Esquire


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 22 March 1793
From: Coxe, Tench
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Treasury DepartmentRevenue Office March 22d 1793
Sir

A Contract with a person to finish the lighthouse at Bald head being expected from Jedediah Huntington Esqr. in a few days for the purpose of submission to the President, it appears necessary that the pleasure of the President be also known in regard to the appointment of a person who shall have such a Supervision or Inspection, as was deemed necessary in the case of the Chesapeak Establishment. An enquiry in general terms for a suitable person, and a particular enquiry in regard to the several gentlemen whose pretentions the state of North Carolina had countenanced by appointing them Commissioners for pilotage and for this Work, has been made of Mr. Johnston, Mr. Hawkins, and Mr. Iredell. They all agreed that William Campbell, or George Hooper, two of the late Commissioners may be confided in and they added that they knew no person there more suitable. Mr Campbell and Mr. Hooper are both residents in Wilmington, from whence there is an easy passage by land and Water. The expediency of selecting some one Individual is suggested by the greater responsibility and expedition and by œconomy, as it is probable, that an allowance will be expected. Four dollars ⅌ day for expences and services were allowed to Mr Newton and Mr. Alibone when they were appointed to visit and inspect in this and the Virginia case. It appears probable that an Allowance not exceeding that Sum would satisfy any Gentleman to whom the proposed duty may be assigned. The Supervisor or Inspector it is presumed need not make more than four or five occasional visits, when only he would be paid such Sum as it may be deemed proper to allow.
I have the honor to be   with great respect.   Sir, Your Most Obedient Servant

Tench CoxeCommissioner of the Revenue
The HonbleThe Secretary of the Treasury


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 22 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lee, Henry

Treasury DepartmentMarch 22. 1793
Sir

It has been communicated to me that the Commonwealth of Virginia, by an act not long since passed, authorized the reissuing of Certain Certificates which had been redeemed by the operations of the Sinking Fund of that Commonwealth and that there is every probability that the certificates so reissued, or a considerable part of them, have been subscribed to the loan payable in the Debt of the Commonwealth, which closed on the first of the present month.
It has been settled after full deliberation at The Treasury in conformity with the opinion of the Attorney General of the United States, that the Certificates or evidences of debt of any state which had been once paid off or redeemed could not legally be received on Loan; upon the plain principle that they thereby ceased to constitute any part of the existing debt of a State.
And though a state may by a subsequent act restore to such certificates the quality of debt which they had lost—this would plainly amount to the creation of a new debt, not in existence when the Act of Congress passed, not contemplated by it, and manifestly intended to be excluded by its provisions; particularly that which restricts the Certificates capable of being subscribed to those of a date prior to the 1st of January 1790.
This construction has governed generally though it was in two cases drawn into question, one relating to N. Carolina, the other to Georgia.
It is therefore necessary, as well to equal justice, as to a correct execution of the laws of the Union, that it should continue to prevail.
The want of means to discriminate the reissued Certificates causes serious embarrassment. It operates as an obstacle to the granting of new certificates to all those Creditors, who subscribed subsequent to the passing of the Act which authorises the reissuing of redeemed certificates—among whom it is understood there are many who are the proprietors of certificates which had never been redeemed, and which are of course rightfully receivable upon the loan, and who consequently must be prejudiced by a suspension of their rights.
I learn that application has been made by the Commissioner of loans to the proper Officer of the Commonwealth to obtain such indications as would enable him to distinguish the reissued certificates, from those of another description, and that a communication of them has been refused.
Feeling as I do an entire confidence, that the Commonwealth of Virginia does not desire to secure to itself an advantage not intended by the laws of the Union, or to impede their operations according to their true intent, I freely indulge a hope that upon mature reflection the Executive will think fit to direct the proper Offices to furnish the Commissioner of Loans with the information of which he stands in need for the execution of his duty in a manner consistent with justice and propriety. And accordingly request that such directions may be given.
If the Executive of Virginia should eventually disagree with the construction of the law, which has been adopted of the Treasury, I shall with pleasure concur in any proper arrangement for revising, and, if found wrong upon further examination for rectifying it. In the mean time however I should be glad that all impediment to the claims of Creditors, who ought not to be affected by the Question, may be removed by the requisite disclosure, on the part of the Commonwealth.
I shall be obliged by as speedy an answer to this application as may be practicable.
With high respect, I have the honor to be   Sir &ca.

A.H.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 22 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Seton, William

[Philadelphia, March 22, 1793. On the back of a letter which Seton wrote to Hamilton on March 5, 1793, Hamilton wrote: “Answered the 22d.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 22 March. 1793
From: Short, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Aranjuez [Spain] March. 22. 1793
Sir

My late letters of the 4th. 25th. & 29th. of febry will have informed you of the state of the American affairs at Amsterdam as far as they were then known to me. I have been for some time in expectation of an answer from the commissioners that I might know what they had done or were like to do in consequence of my authorisation to open a loan for two millions of florins & in case of absolute necessity to go as high as 5 per ct.
As yet I have heard nothing, & it was only on the 19th. that this letter from them of the 14th. of febry. was recd. here wch. shows there must be some interruption between Amsterdam & this place. I enclose you a copy of that letter & my answer to it as it will serve to inform you of all I know on the subject of the loan which had been counted on. You will find they consider one even at 5. p. cent as impracticable at present. I take it for granted you will have counted on this resource for the re-imbursement, notwithstanding my former letters as to the actual state of the market at Amsterdam. I never doubted myself that the U.S. could obtain money there by retrograding in their rate of interest unless the trouble at Amsterdam should become such either from domestic or foreign causes as to suspend all kinds of business therein and it still seems to me very extraordinary that should be the case. But the commissioners must be much better judges than I am, & particularly at this distance. Shd it be found impracticable to renew the million re-imburseables by giving new bonds at 5. p. cent which however I know not how to believe as yet, I really see not what mode can be adopted of answering the demands arising on the 1st of June, a circumstance of such momentous concern, that it is impossible to be without anxiety respecting it.
The bills of exchange for Spain mentioned in their letter were immediately indorsed to the Minister of finance, from whom I have even to this day found it impossible to get a state either of our debt or of the payments he has already recd. from Amsterdam & which would have been made in mass long ago, if his consent to have recd. them at Amsterdam could have been obtained.
I am disabled from going into any other particulars at present from the actual state of my health—having been for some time past confined to my room by an indisposition of the climate & which does not yet admit of a due application to business. Still you may count on learning from me without delay whatever may be done to protect the credit of the U.S. at Amsterdam. You will however I hope be much more early informed from the commissioners of the state of things there, as their letters would get to you, about as soon & with as much certainty as to me, in the present state of the post.
I have the honor to be most respectfully   sir   Your most obedient & most humble servant

W Short

P.S. Since writing the above I have recd. from the commissioners a letter of the 19th of febry. They had not at that date recd. any letters from me, although if there had been no interruption mine of the 4th. of febry. would have reached them. Their letter says nothing on the state of affairs there & seems merely to inclose seconds of the bills for Spain sent with their precedent letter.
The Honble. Alexr. Hamilton Sec. of the Treasury Philadelphia


Title: Enclosure: Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard to William Short, 14 February 1793
From: Willink, Wilhem,Willink, Jan,Van Staphorst, Nicholaas,Van Staphorst, Jacob,Hubbard, Nicholas
To: Short, William

Amsterdam 14th Feby. 1793
Sir

We have the honour to inform you that it has not been possible to procure such Bills upon Spain as we could have wished, and it was only today that we got the 23 inclosed amounting in all as ⅌ particulars annexed to f 17650.8.9—which we forthwith remit you, and shall continue our exertions to add to the same on every favorable opportunity. You are no doubt acquainted that War has taken place between England & France, in consequence of which, as we had formerly suspected, Money is become extremely scarce and even if we receive your directions to open a Loan in behalf of the United States at 5 ⅌ Cent, We are almost certain that we could not succeed therein. We therefore look for your instructions how to proceed to make due provision for the payment of f 1,000,000 which becomes due the 1 of June next, together with the Interest which will then also be wanted. American 4 ⅌ Cent Bonds were actually sold this day at 87½ ⅌ Ct. a fact which strongly confirms the opinion just given that a new Loan would not succeed at 5 ⅌ Cent.
We anxiously wish to be authorised to pursue some plan that may be likely to answer the desired end, and earnestly request you will not delay to give as such authority, as the period approaches fast when the above payments must be made. In expectation of speedily receiving full instructions upon the above subject We have the honour to be very truly
Sir   Your mo: obedt. & hble Servt

  Wilhem & Jan Willink
  N & J. Van Staphorst & Hubbard
Wm. Short Esqr Madrid


Title: Enclosure: William Short to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 22 March 1793
From: Short, William
To: Willink, Wilhem,Willink, Jan,Van Staphorst, Jacob,Van Staphorst, Nicholaas,Hubbard, Nicholas

Aranjuez [Spain] March 22. 1793
Gentlemen

I recd. on the 19th. your letter of the 14th. of febry. inclosing 23. bills of exchange on acct. of the debt to this country wch. were immediately indorsed & given to the Minister of finance. By yesterday’s French post I acknowleged & answered you letter. To day I recd. your letter of the 19th. of febry. covering the secod. of the said bills. The length of time your two letters have been in route shew there must be some stoppage in the way—otherwise I shd. also certainly have recd. letters from you of a much later date & in answer to those or some of those I have written to you from hence.
For additional security I send this via Lisbon. The contents of your letter of feb. 14. much surprized & astonished me. As to instructions you say you expect from me, I can really give none in such a case. My powers are only competent to a particular business & you inform me that kind of business is now unpracticable—of course my powers are of no avail. I count much however on your efforts & abilities in this very important case. You will know what you may expect from the Sec. of the treasury from the dates of your letters to him informing him of this unexpected state of the business. As to myself I do not think that quarter to be counted on in the present instance, as he could not have been warned in time. The distance I am removed & the uncertainty of getting your letters & writing to you induce me to renew to you that I count altogether on your abilities & efforts to effect what is desirable. It might be necessary for you perhaps to consult or advise with Mr. Pinckney & Mr Morris as it might so happen that all correspondence might be interrupted or reduced to much uncertainty between this part of Europe & Amsterdam. Whatever those Gentlemen may think advisable under such circumstances I should consider it my duty to subscribe to, not being able to dictate from hence for myself. I shd. suppose also & do not doubt the Government would approve whatever they shd. advise. I wait with much anxiety to hear further on these subjects & particularly to learn that you have recd. some of my letters at least relative thereto & am Gentlemen, yours sincerely

W Short
Messrs Willink & V Staphorst & Hubbard—Amsterdam


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 22 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Department, March 22, 1793. Submits “a Communication from the Commissioner of the Revenue, of the 18 instant; concerning certain proposals for the maintenance and repairs of Buoys moored at & near the entrance of Charlestown Bay in South Carolina.” Discusses the merits of the proposals. Also encloses “Another communication from the Commissioner of the Revenue respecting a Clerical mistake in a late Act of the President concerning the revenue district of North Carolina.”


Title: George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 22 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Randolph, Edmund

United States22d March 93.
Sir

I send you a letter of the 26 Ulto from William Bingham Esquire to the Secretary of the Treasury together with the documents accompanying it.
I desire your opinion on the following points arising upon these papers.
I   Whether the proceedings heretofore by the UStates in Congress assembled have transferred from Mr. Bingham to the public the consequences of the transaction in question so as to make the suit now depending properly an affair of the Government.
II   Whether the Executive is competent to the requisite measures of defence and security against any unfounded pretensions of the claimants Plaintiffs or Prosecutors, or whether further special provision by law is necessary.
III   If the Executive be so competent—What is the proper course under the existing circumstances to be pursued.

G W
The Attorney Genl of the U. S.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 23 March 1793
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia Mar. 23. 1793 Saturday.
Sir

The Attorney general has just informed me that on a conversation with you it has been found convenient that we should meet at 9. oclock tomorrow at his house as Commissioners of the Sinking fund. I will attend there and shall hope the honor of meeting you. I have that of being Sir
your most obedt. servt.

Th: Jefferson
The Secretary of the Treasury.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 23 March 1793
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia Mar. 23. 1793.
Sir

I inclose you the order of the President for 39,500. Dollars to complete the third year’s allowance under the act concerning intercourse with foreign nations, which third year will end on the last day of June next.
I have the honor to be Sir   your very humble servt

Th: Jefferson
The Secretary of the Treasury.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 23 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

United States March 23d. 1793.

Pay, or cause to be paid to the Secretary of State or to his order, the sum of Thirty nine thousand five hundred Dollars, which, in addition to five hundred Dollars furnished to Colo. Humphreys on the 14 of Augt. 1790, will complete the sum of forty thousand Dollars for the third year’s allowance under the Act concerning intercourse with foreign Nations.

Geo: Washington


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 24 March 1793
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, March 24, 1793. On March 24, 1793, Hamilton wrote to Jefferson: “I have the honor of your two notes of yesterday and today.” Letter of March 24 not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, 24 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Philadelphia March24. 1793
Sir

I have the honor of your two notes of yesterday and today, respecting a proposed Meeting of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund. The first came to hand only within a half hour.
As you mention, that the Attorney General has informed you, that “on a conversation with me, it has been found convenient” that a Meeting should take place—I cannot help inferring, there has been some misapprehension: Since it certainly is not my opinion, that a Meeting at the present moment is necessary; there being several depending and undecided circumstances which put it out of my power at this time, to pronounce that there are monies to be invested in purchases. Add to this that a Meeting must of course take place within the ensuing Month of April when further information may afford better data for operation.
I understood on Saturday from the Attorney General, that it was your wish a Meeting should be had—to which I replied, in substance, that I considered it as in your power to convene one; and should attend if called upon; but that I did not perceive the utility of one at this time.
As we shall meet at the War Office tomorrow on another business, there will be an opportunity for further explanation.
I have the honor to be Sir   Your Obedient servant

A Hamilton
The Secretary of State


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 March 1793
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

United States 25 March 1793

Pay to the Director of the Mint, or to his order, five thousand Dollars for the purposes of that establishment.

Geo: Washington


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to the President and Directors of the Bank of the United States, 26 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: President and Directors of the Bank of the United States

[Treasury Department, March 26, 1793. “I am authorized by the President of the United States to borrow on account of the Government Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars.… As the Public Service will in the course of the summer require a temporary anticipation of the current revenues, I request to be informed whether it will be convenient to the Bank of the United States to make the above mentioned loan.… I shall be willing to stipulate that the sum to be lent shall not be called for otherwise than in equal Monthly installments of Two hundred thousand dollars each … and that each installment shall be reimbursed, at furthest, within six months.… The experience I have had of the disposition of your Institution leaves me under no hesitation to count upon its cooperation in the present instance.…” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Elisha Boudinot, 26 March 1793
From: Boudinot, Elisha
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newark [New Jersey] 26th. March 1793
Dear Sir

After passing through a fiery ordeal, I suppose you have a few moments to breathe a milder air. The part the Country in general take in your triumph over the envious and malicious, enemies to the Government as well as yourself; must convince you that the influence of these beings extend but a little way out of their own selfish narrow circle.
Mr Low has been over with me, and we have concluded to put off the meeting of the Directors till the 16th April, as then we should have a full board in all probability, and be more likely to have your attendance. In fact if you do not wish to forsake your child, it is ab[s]o[l]utely necessary for you to attend at that time. Mr Low informed Major L’Enfant, Mr. Colt and myself that Col. Ogden would make an offer at that time to deliver the water at Vrelandts point, purchase the lands necessary for the Canals for £20.000 and if he did he should be of opinion that it ought to be complied with. The Major then said he would not begin any part of his plan that was not in actual operation until then and they concluded to discharge the laborers that applied and give out that they would not be wanted till the 20th April. This will occasion a delay that I am sorry for. Mr Colt goes home and will return by the time of our meeting. He is I think every way qualified for the business and I have no doubt of its success under his management as soon as the works can be set in motion. He is very much pleased with Peirce & Marshall and they with him, and harmony is fully restored. Do not let these pompous, high minded, would be King’s, though under the false garb of republicans—draw your attention from this great object—but look forward to those tranquil days when this child will be an Hercules, and you settled on the beautiful and peaceful banks of the Passaic, enjoying the fruits of your labor.
I am with respect   Dr. Sir   Yours sincerely

Elisha Boudinot


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Edward Carrington, 26 March 1793
From: Carrington, Edward
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Richmond March 26. 1793
My dear Sir

With very great pleasure I have complied with your request in getting the final proceedings of the House of Representatives inserted in the most public and generally circulating paper of this place, and sent them to Norfolk Petersburg Alexandria & Winchester with a request through my friends at these places, that they be inserted in their papers, which will certainly be done.
The votes of Colo Griffin upon this occasion was caught at by the Enemies of the Government at the late election which took place just about the time of their appearing, and, as will always be the case, a dangerous effect was produced amongst the people in every County of his district, but the activity of better Men on the day, produced what the great body of the people I think are always ready to possess, a reasonable disposition, and his election was fortunately secured to the great mortification of some of our most active demagogues; and I am well assured that at this day, many who were carried away by the Storm, are much ashamed of their Conduct.
You are, my good Friend, too well acquainted with mankind, to expect that you are to proceed in the Administration of an Office so efficatious in the operations of Government as yours, without being constantly exposed to attacks; all that you can do, is to shield yourself, as you have done, against ultimate injury, by a steady exercise of your best abilities, and manifesting in every act an integrity that even your enemies have not, in all their complaints of pernicious tendency in your measures ventured to call in question.
You have this consolation, that do as they will with the further progress of your systems, they have proceeded far enough to wide⟨n⟩ the solidity of the principles on which they were laid, and the ability with which they wer⟨e⟩ set in motion; if they continue in their natural course they will at last be your most certain vindicators; if they meet with such interruptions as to destroy them, worse measures, I apprehend, will often force the reflections of the people back upon them.
I am with very great regard   Dr sir   your afft Freind   & He Ser.

Ed. Carrington
Alexander Hamilton Esq


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Mercer, 26 March 1793
From: Mercer, John F.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Fredericksburg [Virginia] Mar. 26. 1793.
Sir

I have now to acknowledge the receit of yours of the 14th. of March which was handed to me on my way from Annapolis to this place. Your own discretion will determine you what course you are to pursue—confining myself as I have hitherto done to a line purely defensive, I shall assuredly not refuse any summons I may receive from you.
As the last paragraph however of your letter contradicts what I have both written & published: viz. “That matter of opinion only & not matter of fact was now at issue between us.”—I shall not decline any explanation that may enable others & the public if judged expedient by either party (to whom this assertion has been thus committed) to determine with whom & on whom any departure from veracity may rest. I do therefore now recapitulate that the original & sole basis of your first letter to me & that to Major Ross published in an hand bill, rested, as I understood on this single fact—That I had accused you of buying & selling stock on your private account. This assertion was fully & unequivocally disprov’d by the Certificates of six as respectable Characters as any in the Union, & as far as I recollect not one of the numerous Certificates procur’d by Major Ross from the most avowed & bitter partizans against me, furnishes the slightest evidence of a fact that formed the ground work of a very exceptionable procedure; but on the contrary they as to that fact, fully corroborate the Certificates I had forwarded: Afterwards in reply to yours & stating what I actually did say (which it is to be ever understood was in reply to an attack made upon me in public & private for my opposition to your public measures as Secretary of the Treasury as appears by Capt. Campbells own Certificate)—I then asserted two other facts—the one, that of the public Money laid out in the purchase of Stock on account of the sinking fund, under your immediate direction, more had been given, than others had purchased for at the same time. For this fact I quoted as my sole authority the public News papers, which I read extracts from in Congress in my place to this effect & I added that this fact was not then contraverted or denied. The other fact that when three parcels of Stock were offered under sealed proposals at these different prices that part was taken of each of the three & part returned. I have lodged with Mr. Beckley, a Certificate of Mr. Hawkins, a Senator from No. Carolina, substantially to this effect. And that Gentleman, will I have no doubt, also add if requisite, that he gave me fully the information I have above stated with regard to the three parcels at the three different prices—altho’ when he gave me the partial Certificate mentioned as he could not perfectly recollect his authority, he did not insert it: Your interference in my Election previous to the first letter, became also collaterally a fact disputed, in a very exceptionable mode by the disclosure of a private conversation. At the time I mentioned my authority, which altho’ good ground for my belief & consequent conduct was improperly brought before the public. My information may & I believe has proved erroneous in its first source, yet it was a justification of my conduct & belief that your sentiments were not witheld with regard to my election, I believe I have from your own acknowledgement in one instance. There are still some farther facts that have been interwoven in the discussion respecting the payment for my Horse killed at Green Spring. Of this a full statement authenticated entirely by others—men of unexceptionable probity has been furnished, with which your own account of the transaction does I believe exactly correspond. These are All the facts that I ever recollect to have been the subjects of enquiry between us. As to any other suggestions—they are I conceive Matters of opinion only—particularly what you observe respecting Mr. Duer & which seems the only ground of remaining discussion selected by yrs. of the 1st. of March. In my opinion of a preference, I conceive I am fully justified by the Report of the Committee of enquiry, by which it appears that the transfer notified to you & lodged in your Office as the basis of the public Connexion with Duer was posterior to the correspondence with that Gentleman in character of Contractor & a Consultation between yrself, Genl. St. Clair & Genl. Knox & Mr Duer previous to Genl. St. Clair’s departure. Saying this I am free to admit that private information of which I coud not doubt & on which I entirely relied respecting your interference in favor of this Gentleman Mr. Duer, appears by a Letter receiv’d from Mr. Baldwin since my last to you, to be without any good foundation.
It is my wish now to be furnished with an exact copy of my Letter to you of the 31st. of January, as the one I have retaind is I am sensible inaccurate in expression, altho’ I belive entirely correct in sentiment.
I am Sir &c.

John F Mercer


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John Nicholson, 26 March 1793
From: Nicholson, John
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Compl Genl. Office [Philadelphia]March 26th 1793
sir

As an enquiry which required some time was made after the closure of the Loan with Sep: 1791 whether or not Certificates of this State might not have been subscribed which had been granted for Continental Certificates—And as it is probable the like enquiry will be made respecting the subscriptions to the Loan which closed the 1st Instant before payment of interest or transfers will be allowed—and as there are some such Certificates included in the subscriptions to the last loan, I take the liberty to mention this now, and that I will prepare an equal quantity of principal & interest respectively to be delivered for the others when you shall think proper to make the necessary arrangements for performing the business.
I am with great respect   Your obt ser

JN
A Hamilton Esqrsecty TreasyUstates


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 26 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Department, March 26, 1793. Submits “a communication from the commissioner of the Revenue, relating to a Contract for the building of a Beacon boat for the use of the River and Bay of Delaware.” Concurs in the views of the commissioner.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Peter Colt, 27 March 1793
From: Colt, Peter
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Paterson [New Jersey] 27th March 1793
Sir,

Some weeks past I wrote you by Mr. Hall requesting to be favoured with the copy of your accts. with the Society for establishing useful Manufactures. By the Books which I have opened, you appear a Creditor for upwards of two thousand Dolls, advanced Pearce & others. As I am without your answer, I cannot ascertain if you are Still in advance to the Society that sum, or if it has been repaid, from what quarter the Money has been received.

I find on the records of the Society, that Mr. Jos. Mort is retained in their pay at £100 Sterling ⅌ Ann. I have never seen him here; & am assured he is in Virginia pursuing Business no ways essential to the Interest or views of this Society. Will there be any hazard in discharging him altogether? It is prety certain he cannot be useful to us this Season.
I find Mr. Hall also retained on a Salary of £300 Sterlg. It is worthy of some consideration if his salary should not be reduced untill such time as he is able to render Some Service to the Factory. I see no prospect of bringing his abilities in play under a Year from this time, in any manner that will justify such compensation.
I presume you will have been informed by Mr Low that the quarterly meeting of the Directors is posponed untill the 16th April. Should you be prevented attending that Meeting, your Sentiments respecting those work men would be very acceptable to the Board.
Majr. L’Enfant is now with us. Presuming he will write you on the Subject of a proposition lately made respecting the mode of geting possession of the waters of the Passaic & constructing a Canal, I shall forbare troubli⟨ng⟩ you on that Subject. This however may render your attendance at the meeting the more necessary.
I am Sir   Your most obedient   & very humble   Servant

P. Colt
Hone Alexr Hamilton Esqr.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John Brown, 28 March 1793
From: Brown, John
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Providence, March 28, 1793. On April 5, 1793, Hamilton wrote to Brown: “Your letter of the 28th. of March came to hand yesterday.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Smith, 28 March 1793
From: Smith, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia] March 28, 1793. Transmits “account of Stock remaining on the Books of this Office Subject to Interest for the quarter ending March 31st. 1793.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to the President and Directors of the Bank of the United States, 29 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: President and Directors of the Bank of the United States

[Philadelphia, March 29, 1793. In “Report on the Periods at Which Moneys Were Received by the Banks for the Sale of Bills on Amsterdam and the Date of the Warrants for Passing the Said Moneys to the Credit of the Treasurer of the United States,” March 29–May 12, 1794, Hamilton referred to “bills repurchased and surrendered, ⅌ Secretary’s letter to the Bank March 29: 1793.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Herman Le Roy, 29 March 1793
From: LeRoy, Herman
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New york 29 March 1793.
Dear sir!

A part of the Estate wch. my Father has left consists in French Funds, wch. from the distracted situation that Country is in, neither principal or interest can be procured upon same. Since the United states are indebted to France, and they are now actually discharging same, pray would it not be possible to indemnify us, as American Citizens, out of the debt due them, by producing the Funds at their Charge, wch. can be proved have been in the family for upwards of half a Century? Some of our Law Characters here have suggested the possibility of such a scheme being practicable, wch. alone induces me to sollicit the favor of your giving me your kind advice and opinion upon the subject, in doing of wch. you will render me a particular service, wch. on all occasions I shall be always happy to repay with sincere gratitude.
I am ever with sincere esteem & respect   Dear sir   Your humble Servant

Herman LeRoy
Alex. Hamilton Esqr.


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 29 March 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander,Treasury Department
To: Collectors of the Customs

Treasury Department,March 29th, 1793.
Sir,

A question has been made—“What is to be the voucher to a Collector, for entering anew a Vessel which has been altered in form only?” The 6th Section of the Act, concerning the Registering and Recording of Ships or Vessels, having made provision only for the case of an alteration in burthen.
I answer, that the form of a Certificate of Registry, prescribed by the 9th Section of that Act, supposes a Certificate from the Surveyor, or person acting in his stead, for the special occasion, in every instance, except, merely, that of a transfer of property, when provision is made for referring to the former Certificate of Registry, as a substitute. It follows, then, that in the case of an alteration in form as well as burthen, such a Certificate is necessary, as an official description of the Vessel and a voucher for her Registry.
The only difference will be, that, when altered in burthen, a Vessel must be actually measured anew, to ascertain her tonnage—when only altered in form, so as not to affect her burthen, the tonnage may be certified from her old Register. And, in the first place, a fee for admeasurement will be due, in the last, none.

As an arrangement, which will conduce to the mutual convenience of the Officers of the Customs and of the Treasury—I am to request that all communications, which may be requisite after the receipt of this letter, relating to matters arising under either of the two Acts—the one entitled, “An Act concerning the Registering and Recording of Ships and Vessels,” the other, entitled, “An act for enrolling and licensing Ships or Vessels to be employed in the Coasting Trade and Fisheries and for regulating the same,” may be addressed to the Comptroller of the Treasury, and that the instructions which shall be transmitted by him, in relation to these laws, may be considered of the like force, as if proceeding directly from the Head of this Department. It is, however, not intended by this to prevent an immediate recourse to the Secretary of the Treasury in any special case or circumstance, which may be thought to render it necessary.
All documents, directed by either of these acts to be transmitted to the Treasury, are to be forwarded immediately to the Register of the Treasury.
It appears that some of the Collectors have put a construction upon my circular letter of the 2d of January 1792, which precludes the Cash notes and Post notes of the Branch Banks, or Offices of Discount and Deposit, from being received for duties, and exchanged for specie. This is contrary to the design of that instruction—These notes being, in fact, notes of the Bank of the United States, signed by their President and Cashier, and having the same leading marks for distinguishing counterfeits from the genuine, as have been already communicated to you, are to be received and exchanged in like manner as heretofore directed.
With consideration and esteem,   I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,

A Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, 30 March 1793
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia, March 30, 1793.
Sir,

The question which I had the honor of receiving in your letter of the 20th of March instant, is, Whether certain certificates of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, originally issued in lieu of Continental certificates, and lately offered to be subscribed to the Loan in State debt, according to the Act supplementary to the Act, making provision for the debt of the United States, can be legally received upon loan, as contended for by the holders?
What may be the result of a contest between the holders of those certificates, and the state of Pennsylvania, I presume, not to determine—But between the United States and that state I have no great difficulty in deciding—I am of opinion that the Acts of the Pennsylvania Assembly of the 27th March, 1789, and of the 30th March, and 1st of April 1790, abolished these certificates as debts of the State, except for the purpose of being re-exchanged for continental certificates, and therefore that the former, as wanting the due recognition from that state, cannot be legally received upon loan.
I have the honor to be, &c.

Edmund Randolph.
The Secretary of the Treasury.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 30 March 1793
From: Short, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Aranjuez [Spain] March 30. 1793
Sir

I recieved yesterday from the commissioners at Amsterdam a letter dated the 26th. of february. It came by the way of England & Lisbon, the communication by post between Holland & France being intercepted. They had not therefore recieved the letters I had written to them by that route & they had not had time to have recieved such as had been written to them by precaution by the way of Lisbon. Their letter to me was merely to confirm the contents of that which they wrote to you the same day, & of which they inclosed me a copy, shewing that there is no possibility of making a loan at this time at Amsterdam for any power whatever.
This unexpected situation of affairs will have rendered their not recieving my letters, of no consequence as they were only to authorize them to open a loan, with an augmentation of interest if necessary. As neither the commissioners or any person on earth could have foreseen this so as to have given you notice of it on time, I fear it may be attended with very serious consequences. My former letters stated to you the disadvantages I apprehended from the U.S. being forced on the market at this time, but I never contemplated the impossibility of their making a loan on increasing the rate of interest. I hoped however rather than do this you could make provision for the monies wanted either by leaving a part of the money which was on hand or by remittances from home. When I left Holland considerable sums remained on hand which have been absorbed by your draughts that arrived afterwards.
Hoping at that time that means would be taken for preventing the necessity of increasing the rate of interest I did not consider myself authorized to leave a power with the commissioners to do it, & particularly as there seemed no such urgent necessity at that time, from the interval subsisting between that period & the 1st of June—from the facility which the greater part being a re-imbursement seemed to give—& above all from my hope that you would on knowing I had left that country, authorize the minister at Paris or London to act therein.
I have written to the commissioners long ago to desire them to correspond with these gentlemen on the subject & to them, asking them to give their aid & counsel. I have pressed the commissioners also by all the means in my power to make their personal exertions on this unexpected crisis—which I have been the more founded in doing, as they themselves had represented to me against transferring the loans elsewhere, the advantage of concentrating them in the same houses of great capital, on account of the assistance they could give in any emergency. I hope they will do whatever is in their power, as well from this consideration as motives of their own interest.
They suggest in their last letter (of Feb. 26) my making use of every discretional power I may have to provide them with funds & particularly by directing remittances to be made them from the correspondents in London of the bank of the United States. I have informed them that I had no other power than that of making loans & that as to the correspondents of the bank they were not known to me even by name. Whatever can be done by the means or by the exercise of any other discretional power I trust will be done by Mr. Pinckney & Mr. Morris. I do not venture to hope that you will have time to have furnished funds so early as the 1st. of June, from the date of their letter informing you that their market must not be looked to. I observe in their letter to you, they state the situation in Holland as the cause of this—if that be the only cause we may consider the market as again open to us from the late events in that quarter & of which you will unquestionably have been informed. But it should not be relied on exclusively until the experiment shall have been made. You will receive from them much earlier information than from me on all these subjects. In the present situation of Europe, communication between Amsterdam & this place is as precarious & almost as dilatory as between Amsterdam & America.
This letter will be sent both by Cadiz & Lisbon, the mode which I used of forwarding to you my late letters of Feb. 4th. 25th. 29th & March 22d. The last letter which I have recieved from you was Dec. 31. acknowleging the reciept of mine to Oct 9 inclusively, & observing that time did not permit you to enter into any discussion upon the contents.
I have the honor to be most respectfully   Sir,   your most obedient & most humble servant

W: Short
The HonbleAlexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury.


Title: Treasury Department Circular, 30 March 1793
From: Treasury Department
To:

Treasury Department, March 30th 1793
Sir,

I take the liberty to inform you, that the President, Directors and Company of the Bank of the United States have consented to accept Powers of Attorney from such persons as may have demands upon the Treasury, and to hold the monies which they may be authorised to receive, subject to drafts to be made upon their Cashier.
I have therefore prepared a Power of Attorney for that purpose; and in case the proposal meets with your approbation, you are requested to execute and acknowledge the same before some proper Magistrate, or Notary, and transmit it to this Office.
The blank in the Power of Attorney you will be pleased to have filled in such a manner, as to respect your compensation for the period subsequent to that for which you shall have previously made other arrangements.
Though the Power of Attorney is so drawn as to constitute in the Bank a general authority to receive all sums of money which may be due to you by the United States, yet, if you judge proper, it may be limited to such special objects as you shall choose to confide to their management.
To avoid risque from forgeries, you are desired to transmit your signature on several pieces of paper, and to make your drafts payable to order, according to the form herewith transmitted.
As some time will be necessary after your compensation falls due before the accounts can be settled at the Treasury and the money placed to your credit in the Bank, it is desired, that your drafts may be so regulated, that they will not be presented until ten days after the end of the quarter for which they may be drawn.
In case you consent to this arrangement, your salary will be regularly placed to your credit in the Bank, without the formality of an account thereof being transmitted to the Treasury for settlement.

If it shall be more agreeable to you, the Cashier of the Bank will, at your risque, remit through the Post Office the monies drawn on your account, either in Bank Notes payable to bearer, or in Bank Post Notes payable to your order, or drafts on the Collectors of the Revenue in your vicinity, when such drafts shall be at the disposal of the Bank. It will however be necessary that you should signify your election of this mode, and confine yourself thereto, until advice of a contrary intention shall be notified to the Bank.
As the President and Directors of the Bank will make no charge against you for their agency, it is expected by them, that the postage on such letters as you may have occasion to address to their Cashier will be paid at the offices in which they may be lodged.
This arrangement has been concerted essentially for the accomodation of the public officers, to facilitate to them the receiving of their dues with expedition and without expence.
I am, very respectfully,   Sir,   our obedient Servant,


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Wiatt, 30 March 1793
From: Wiatt, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Fredericksburg [Virginia] 30th March 1793
Sir!

As the Patron of the Manufactures, now carrying on in the Town of Patterson in the Jerseys, I am desired by a Mr Robert Brownlow of this place, to write you, to be informed what wages are given to persons well skilled in spinning Cotton for Muslins and weaving Manchester Goods.
Mr Brownlow is a native of Lancashire, England, has had an opportunity of acquiring a considerable knowledge in the above mentioned branc[h]es, and I believe, if properly encouraged, wou’d prove a valuable acquisition to the Manufactory.

Your answer will oblige him, & I am   with every respect   Sir Yr. Mo. Obt. St

Wm. Wiatt
Alexander Hamilton Esqr.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, [31 March 1793]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Jefferson, Thomas

[Philadelphia, March 31, 1793]

Mr. Hamilton presents his Compliments to Mr. Jefferson. The warrant for the sum in question will be forwarded to him tomorrow. Mr. J may therefore count on finding the money ready to pay for the bills which he may engage, as early as he pleases tomorrow.
Sunday   March 31. 1793


Title: For the Gazette of the United States, [March–April 1793]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

[Philadelphia, March–April, 1793]

The late War with Great Britain produced three parties in the UStates, an English party a French Party, and an American party, if the latter can with propriety be called a party. These parties continue to the present moment. There are persons among us, who appear to be more alive to the interests of France, on the one hand, and to those of Great Britain, on the other, than to those of the UStates. Both these dispositions are to be condemned, and will be rejected by every true American.
A dispassionate and virtuous citizen of the UStates will scorn to stand on any but purely American ground. It will be his study to render his feeling and affections neutral and impartial towards all foreign Nations. His prayer will be for peace, and that his country may be as much as possible kept out of the destructive vortex of foreign politics. To speak figuratively, he will regard his own country as a wife, to whom he is bound to be exclusively faithful and affectionate, and he will watch with a jealous attention every propensity of his heart to wander towards a foreign country, which he will regard as a mistress that may pervert his fidelity, and mar his happiness. Tis to be regretted, that there are persons among us, who appear to have a passion for a foreign mistress; as violent as it is irregular—and who, in the paroxisms of their love seem, perhaps without being themselves sensible of it, too ready to sacrifice the real welfare of the political family to their partiality for the object of their tenderness.
These reflections are suggested by an attempt which appears to be making under different shapes to diffuse among the people an opinion, that in certain events the United States are bound to take part with France, in the expected War with G Britain. This effort is not prudent, is not commendable. It tends unnecessarily to hazard the public peace, by holding out to Great Britain an appearance, that a disposition to take such a part exists in this Country. It tends to embarrass the Councils of the Country, by leading the public opinion to prejudge the question. Discussions on one side will produce discussions on the other; and in one way or the other impressions may be formed contrary to the true policy of the Nation.
The treaty between France and the UStates is in possession of the public. But whether there be any secret article, defining the extent and force of any of its stipulations—whether there have been any official explanations, respecting their true import and application, which may give a complexion, different from that which the words may seem to bear—these, and perhaps other circumstances necessary to a right judgment, are unknown.
But without knowing them, it may justly be doubted, whether there be any thing in the Treaty, as it appears, that under the existing circumstances of the parties can oblige the UStates to embark.
It is understood, that general guarantees, where no precise stipulations point out special succours or special duties, have the least force of any species of National engagement; leaving much to reciprocal convenience. It is moreover a good excuse for not fulfilling a stipulation, especially if not very definite or precise, that it would uselessly expose the party, who is to perform, to a great extremity of danger.
If all or nearly all the maritime powers shall be combined against France, what could the UStates do, towards preserving her American possessions against Attacks of those Powers, which is the object of the guarantee on their part—and who could say to what they would expose themselves by embarking in a War on the side of France, in her present situation?
But a still more serious question arises. Are the UStates bound to fulfil to the present ruling powers of France in the midst of a pending and disputed revolution, the stipulations made with the former government—with a Prince who has been dethroned and decapitated?
It may be answered that treaties are made between Nations not between Governments, and that the obligations they create attach themselves to the contracting Nations, whatever changes in the form of their Government take place. This, as a general principle, is true. But it is true only in reference to a change, which has been finally established and secured, not to one which is depending and in contest, and which may never be consummated. Such is the condition of France at this time. It is therefore in the discretion of the UStates to judge when the new Government is so established, as to be a proper organ of the National Will, in claiming the performance of any stipulations, which have been made with the late sovereign of France.
These considerations at least justify a suspension of the Public Opinion, on the points in question, and afford a good ground of hope, that if the Powers at War with France will act with moderation & Justice, towards this Country, we shall be able to continue in our present happy condition, and avoid the terrible calamities of War. Which that God may grant must be the fervent prayer of every good Citizen!


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Armstrong, Junior, 1 April 1793
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Armstrong, John, Jr.

Philadelphia April 11793
Dear Sir

The President has left here a Blank Commission for Supervisor of New York, with his signature, & with instruction to fill it up either in your name or that of Nicholas Fish, giving you the first option.
I am therefore to request, that you will inform me as speedily as possible, whether the appointment is acceptable to you.
The present gross emoluments of it may amount to about 1300 Dollars of which 900 is salary. The whole duties of it may be performed by one person and in this case the nett emolument may be computed at 1200 Dollars. But as there is a considerable deal of Clerkship, the time of the person would then be pretty fully occupied. If the hire of a Clerk is to be defrayed out [of] the compensation, it would of course constitute a material deduction.
You will perceive that the emolument is not tempting. A main inducement therefore to the acceptance of the office would be the probability of growing importance. I contemplate that all future interior taxes are to be put under the superintendence of the Supervisor. The office will consequently become more important (now very respectable) and more lucrative. But how speedy the progress would be a very loose conjecture.
It is deemed necessary that the residence of the Supervisor should be at New York.
As Mr Morris is impatient to be released, I request your prompt decision. I need not add that it will give me pleasure, if in favour of acceptance.
With much esteem & regard   I remain Dear Sir   Your obedient servant

Alex Hamilton

PS   It is the President’s wish that the offer may remain a secret, for a time at least, if not accepted.
[John] Armstrong [junr]