Title: Conversation with George Beckwith, 15 June 1791
From: Beckwith, George,Hamilton, Alexander
To:

PhiladelphiaJune 15th. 1791.
Conversations with a gentleman in Office
Mr. —— I believe I told you during the winter, that Colonel Smith went to England on private business altogether, in part for his Father in Law the Vice President, and he had other personal objects in respect to our funds. Whether it was conceived in London that Mr. Smith had political objects there or not, I cannot say, but after certain explanations, he had a conversation of some length with Lord Grenville, the general scope of which was pleasing and promising; it placed in a decided light, its being the determination of your Cabinet to enter on the consideration of Commercial subjects between the two Countries, and after declaring that Mr. Elliot had declined his appointment as Minister to this Country, his Lordship informed Colonel Smith, that it was the determination of Administration to have a Minister here at a very early period; his Lordship then asked Colonel Smith what sort of Minister would be most pleasing to America? who replied,  One part only of this conversation was of a nature to excite some regret, or rather of doubt on our part; Lord Grenville turned the conversation on our present war with the Savages in the Western Country; his Lordship said he was sorry to find from our newspapers, it was more than insinuated that Great Britain indirectly encouraged those depredations; his Lordship disclaimed this in its utmost extent, observing that it had already proved injurious to your Commerce, and if protracted would become infinitely more so; that he hoped the idea of totally extirpating those nations was not seriously entertained in the States as Great Britain could not view this with indifference. Colonel Smith said to this, that those Savages had committed a variety of depredations, and that The States were compelled to make War on them, in their own defence or words to that effect; to which his Lordship replied, he hoped The States would consider of it.
This part of his Lordship’s conversation, is liable to two interpretations; the one, conveys the idea of its being merely the wish of your government, that those hostilities should be brought to a close, as they injure your trade, to a certain extent; the other, goes further and suggests its being your intention to take a certain part in the progress of this business.
I feel no difficulty in declaring it to be my opinion, that it is our interest to make peace with the hostile Indians, whenever we can do it on proper terms, but in the present condition of affairs, we have no other part to take but to proceed, our very safety requires it, and I should feel extremely concerned, if a fair prospect of a happy settlement of the affairs of the Two Countries, should be prevented by a consideration of this comparitively trivial nature.
The conversation then turned on a late application from Mr. Key, the Collector of the Customs at Alburgh; Mr. —— said, I have received a letter from Mr. Key, he had no authority whatever for the application You mention, and I have reason to consider him as one of those busy characters, who are anxious to shew their own consequence; I have written to him in such terms, as will I trust obviate any sort of inconvenience in the discharge of his duty. I understand that the place fixed upon by law for the Custom house is at least thirty miles from Pointe au fer, being situated at the mouth of Onion river; I am not acquainted with the country myself, not have I any plans of it; I expect to hear from Mr. Key in a few days.

Some circumstances relating to the conduct of persons in the neighbourhood of Pointe au fer were then mentioned to Mr. ——


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 16 June 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Appleton, Nathaniel

[Philadelphia, June 16, 1791. On June 24, 1791, Appleton wrote to Hamilton: “Your favour 16th instant is received.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Hardy, 16 June 1791
From: Hardy, Joseph
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Treasury DepartmentComptroller’s Office16th. June 1791.
Sir,
On examining the Accounts of George Bush, Collector of the Customs, for the District of Delaware, from the 1st. of January, to 31st. March last; it appears, that he has collected duties on American Coasting Vessels, under twenty Tons burthen, at the rate of six Cents per annum, to the Amount of Five dollars, and twenty two Cents.
As the Collection of those duties, seem to have been made, contrary to the intent of your Circular Letter to the Collectors of 30th. November 1789, I conceive it to be my duty to submit the circumstance to your consideration.
I have the honor to be &c.
J H.   P. Clk.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Heth, 16 June 1791
From: Heth, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Collectors OfficeBermuda Hundred [Virginia] 16th June 1791
Dr Sir
(Private)
This will be accompanied with a public letter, enclosing a statement of outward tonnage.
Having readily complyed with your wishes in this instance; and as I ever shall be, to furnish you with any information in my power, or which the books or files in this office can afford, you will not I trust be displeased at my asking yr private opinion of the legality of such requests. Is it not requiring extra services of Collectors wch. are quite independent of the defined duties of their offices, such as are not contemplated in the law under which they were appointed, and for which, consequently, no compensation is provided? Ought the labor or time of any man to be ask’d by the public for nothing? The Collectors, not having, like the favorite officers of Congress, the Loan Officers, who were on handsome salaries; any thing allowed them for Clerks wages, office rent, or extra services & expences, I consider every thing required of them, which is not defined, or comprehended in the latter part of the 6th. sectn. of the Collection law, as unjustifiable and oppressive, and with which, they are not obliged to comply. “They are to keep their books agreeably to forms prescribed &c.” This we do. “They are also to submit their books &c. to the Inspection of such persons as may be appointed.” Very different this, from being called upon to furnish such returns or statements from time to time, as those books & papers might afford to such Officers of Inspection and which, are no ways connected with the accounts, which are to be transmitted as often as required for settlement. They have no emoluments whatsoever, but what arises from business actually performed (for much of which, they are mainly paid) and are subject to all expences incidental to their Offices. How unjust then, that they should be liable, to be called upon to do something for nothing?
These questions and observations are now, with great respect and humility, submitted to you, in order to enforce the propriety & equity, nay, the absolute Justice, of allowing the Collectors something in the way of Salary, as a compensation for extra services rendered to government, and for extra expences. For tho’ I am well convinced that your duty has & will frequently oblige you to call upon the Collectors to do things out of the line of their current, or defined duty (and in wch. I trust you will never be disappointed), yet, I am as well assured that, if you think me right, you have too much candor not to confirm my opinions, and too much Justice to withhold you endeavors to obtain proper & equitable provisions. If I am wrong, I feel a persuation, that your friendship for me, will not suffer me to remain so. And you know the great respect wch. I have, and ever shall be, disposed to pay to your opinions.
Being with the most sincere esteem, respect and friendship   Dr sir   Yr obt Srt
W Heth
The Hnble Alex Hamilton Esqr.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Heth, 16 June 1791
From: Heth, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Bermuda Hundred, Virginia, June 16, 1791. On June 16, 1791, Heth wrote to Hamilton: “This will be accompanied with a public letter, enclosing a statement of outward tonnage.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Nathan Keais, 16 June 1791
From: Keais, Nathan
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Washington [North Carolina] June 16, 1791. States that the contract for “erecting and Keeping up the Stakes” has been let for two hundred and twenty-five dollars, which was the lowest bid submitted.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 16 June 1791
From: Whipple, Joseph
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Portsmouth N H. June 16th. 1791.
Sir
Your Circular letter of the 13th. Ulto. respecting duties having been received on estimates of Cargoes &c, and respecting the Custom of Merchants & practice of Custom Houses in calculating the tare on goods was received the 3rd. instant.
It has been my invariable practice to receive duties only on actual weighing, gauging & measuring, when the articles were of a Nature, which rendered it in my opinion necessary, that is all kinds of West India goods which pay duty on the weight, Liquors & Salt; but on goods arriving from England accompanied with regular and unsuspected Invoices, I have taken duties on the weight charged in Such Invoices to avoid an expence of weighing which appeard unnecessary, Such as Nails, Lead Shot, Bar & Sheet Lead, China, twine & in some instances Hemp, & there can be much greater dependence on the truth of the weight of those articles from the Size of the package, than on the Value of goods contained in Trunks, Bales &c which are never examined but under circumstances of Suspicion. When Nails, Cheese, Cordage, Hemp &c have been purchased by Masters of Vessels & not accompanied with a proper Invoice or when Imported from other Countries than England whose weights were not so well known I have caused them to be weighed also. Altho’ I conceive your directions to weigh has referrence to such goods only as I have weighed, yet as the direction is expressed in positive terms, I could wish to know your further opinion respecting the weighing of goods not subject to waste & accompanied with Invoices that can be relied on.
The Custom of Merchants for allowing tare on the kinds of goods enumerated in your letter is nearly as follows

on
Sugar in

hhds
}
10 pr.Cent (that is 10 pr. 100)

bbls

Boxes—none imported

Coffee in

hhds
}
tare generally marked on the Cask

bbls

bags—nothing, on common thing bags

Cocoa in

hhds
}
tare marked

bbls

bags—on thin bags nothing

Piemento none imported

Pepper in bbls, brot. from other Am. States, tare marked in Bags none imported, but from London, where the tare allowed is 4 lb. pr. bag—& trett is also allowed by the Seller in Londn. 4 lb pr 104, but this trett is not allowed by the Seller here in any instance that I have known.

My practice in allowing tare under the present Collection law has been precisely as designated by the  Section of that Law. Under the first collection law in which no rate was established my allowance for tare of Sugar in hhds was 12 lb pr. 112, on bbls 10 pr.Ct. This difference was made to give Satisfaction to merchts. as well as to do more equal Justice as there was a manifest difference between a clumsy French hhd, & barrels, often American flour bbls & I conceived 10 pr.Ct. on hhds was not equal to the tare. When barrels were full hooped & appeared heavy, I allowed 12 pr. 112 on them also. My allowance for tare on Coffee in hhds was 12 ⅌ Ct., on Cocoa 15 ⅌ Ct. When this was not satisfactory to the importer, I gave him the option of taking the tare allowd, or to determine it by shifting & weighing the Cask.
I have the Honor to be &c
The Hon. Alex. Hamilton Esq.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, [17 June 1791]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Seton, William

[Philadelphia, June 17, 1791]
Dr Sir
A considerable time since Mr. Francis Cashier of the Bank of North America delivered me the inclosed piece of Metal which has Mr. Brasiers stamp and is alleged to be less valuable than the Stampt piece of equal weight to which it was intended to correspond by 8/10 Pa. Currency.
This estimate is formed according to the specific gravity of the piece as ascertained by the Hydrostatic Ballance.
In the hurry of business I misplaced the piece and it has only turned up within a few days. As the circumstance is worthy of attention I now send it forward with what has been alleged. When you have made the proper investigation you will please to return it.

With great regard   I remain   Your Obed Servamt
A Hamilton
Philadelphia June 17 ‘91
Wm. Seton Esqr Cashier


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Davidson, 18 June 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Davidson, John

Treasury DepartmentJune 18th 1791
Sir
It has been stated to me by the principal clerk of the Comptrollers Office, that on examining your accounts from October 1st to December 31st 1790 it appears that you have collected from American coasting vessels under twenty tons burthen the sum of two Dollars and forty cents.
The collection of this sum being as I conceive unauthorized by law, and contrary to my circular instruction of Nov 30 1789, it will be proper that you refund the same to the owners of the several vessels from whom you may have collected it.
I am Sir   Your Obedt Servant
Alexander Hamilton
John Davidson EsqrCollectorAnnapolis


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Abishai Thomas, [18 June 1791]
From: Thomas, Abishai
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, June 18, 1791]
Sir
Congress having appropriated Money for payment of the Invalid pensioners commencing with the 4th March 1789, and payment for the whole of that year having been made by the State of North Carolina to all the pensioners on the returns of that State, prior to the appropriation aforesaid, or at least prior to the knowledge thereof being obtained within the State, it follows that the money sent pursuant to the appropriation remains in the hands of Mr. Haywood the Gentleman who was appointed to make the payments for account of the United States. As Agent for the said State in settlement of her accounts with the United States, the documents and vouchers of the aforesaid payments by the State will necessarily pass through my hands, and I conceive it would be neither proper nor just to exhibit them as charges against the union on the same principles with those for services and supplies rendered during the late war, but rather that as actual money has been paid by the State for the purpose for which the appropriation was made by the U, S, She ought to be reimbursed in actual money, under this impression I take the liberty to solicit that instead of withdrawing the money from the hands of Mr Haywood and appropriating it to other purpose, you cause it to be paid into the hands of the Treasurer of the State on his producing proper vouchers that payment has been made to the invalids by the State aforesaid.
I have the honor to be &c


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Whipple, 18 June 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Whipple, Joseph

Treasury DepartmentJune 18, 1791.
Sir
I have received your letter of the 4th. instant and am much obliged by the historical Statement of the Trade of the State of New hampshire contained it.
I consider a Coasting Licence as rendered void as to the remainder of the year, whenever a vessel departs from the United States upon a foreign Voyage.
The Act of Congress of the 20th day of July 1790 intitles the owner of the Vessel you mention to restitution of the Foreign Tonnage (reserving however the six Cents) altho it may have a bad effect in this Case wherein it appears that the Master shewed a very unbecoming disposition.
It will be proper that you return the defective Hydrometer on Dicas’s construction to the Collector of New York or Mr. Christopher Colles of that place, informing them of the reason and advising me of it. The last of Dicas’s I presume you have received.
I am, Sir,   Your Obedt. & Hble. servant
Alexander Hamilton
Joseph Whipple Esqr.Collector of the Customs,Portsmouth N. Hampshire.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 19 June 1791
From: Short, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Paris June 19. 1791
Sir
I had the honor of addressing you by M. de Ternant three letters dated June 3. 5 & 10. In the first of them I informed you that the million of florins you had destined for this country would be paid immediately by the desire of this government to their bankers at Amsterdam. A difficulty has since arisen between them & the commissioners of the U. S. which it is necessary to explain to you, as well as what has led to it.
You will recollect that last fall a part of the reimbursement made to this country was by bills of exchange, & that the government had written to request that the rest should be paid to their bankers at Amsterdam. M. du Fresne’s letter went further & requested that in future the commissioners of the U. S. would pay such sums as might be destined for France, to the same bankers instead of remitting it by bills of exchange. The rate as you know was settled agreeably to that which was then current. It was evident that the commissioners were not pleased with this mode of payment & desired to have the remitting of the sums by bills. Still it appears to me so especially just & proper to comply with the request of the French government & so impossible to refuse it, the rate of exchange being settled agreeably to the common course that I did not hesitate to have the payment made in that manner. The commissioners made no other observations than that by remitting these sums gradually, the U. S. might derive advantages which they could not have by paying the whole sum at once at Amsterdam. I was not of the same opinion with respect to the advantage accruing to the U. S. because large remittances though made gradually must effect the exchange somewhat (as happened on the small part they remitted last fall) before completed, whereas if paid on the spot it may be regulated according to the rate of the moment. Besides even if this mode exposed the U. S. to the loss of small advantages, I am persuaded they would not think themselves justified truly in refusing this request of the French government, since the payment is of sums which became due long ago & at a time when the exchange was very different from what it is at present.
In order however that there might be no risk of disadvantage to the U. S. by any time elapsing between the moment of this reimbursement being made known & that of its being effected (as artificial means might be used for giving a momentary rise to the exchange) I thought it advisable to give previous notice to the commissioners that they might take the precautions which should appear to them proper if any were judged necessary. Accordingly on the 26th. of May I wrote to give them notice of this intended payment, adding that I should not mention it to the minister unless it became necessary, before recieving their answer; but if necessary I should do it supposing it could not possibly be attended with inconvenience. Having found it necessary & proper to mention this reimbursement to the minister, I wrote to the commissioners on the 29th informing them of it, authorizing them at the same time if they found it proper, to make the payment to the French bankers at Amsterdam, which they had a right to do under M. Dufresne’s letter of last year. M. de Montmorin had desired I would concert the present payment with him also. His absence in the country prevented his sending me his answer to my letter on this subject until the day after (the 30th.) in which he renewed his request to have this payment made to the French bankers at Amsterdam. By the next post therefore I wrote to the commissioners to make this payment. They recieved my letter on the evening of the 7th. of June at the same time that the French bankers recieved that of M. Dufresne. The rate of exchange had undergone a precipitate fall which had astonished every body, the more so as it far exceeded the progressive depreciation of assignats. The commissioners inform me in their letter of the 9th that on the day before they recieved my letter it had been 42½. The post from London bringing an account of a rise in the exchange between that place & Paris, it rose immediately at Amsterdam to 44. When the commissioners offered this money to the French bankers it was from 45 to 46, as quoted on the certified rate of exchange. Still the bankers refused recieving the money at less than 46. The commissioners refused paying it at that rate without express orders from me & wrote to me on the 9th. desiring instructions. In that letter they hint that this rise was owing in some measure to artificial measures. Probably they thought it in consequence of the intended reimbursement & they had no doubt it would immediately fall again. They add that they are determined not to make the payment without my orders & hope I may settle the matter so that they may remit it to Paris, not doubting but that in a very few posts the whole would be placed in the public treasury. On the 10th. they wrote me “After the departure of our respects of yesterday for the ordinary post Messrs. Hogguer Grand & Co. proposed to furnish us their draught for one million of guilders hence, leaving the course of exchange to be settled between you & M. Dufresne, which obviating all objection on our part we this evening remit this bill for that amount on the public treasury to M. Dufresne, with whom you will please adjust the sum the United States are to be credited for the same.”
I was much mortified to learn the difficulty which had taken place at Amsterdam & still more so to find that the commissioners had thus thrown it on me. They must have been sensible that it was much less proper for me to litigate the rate of exchange with M. Dufresne, than for them with Messrs Hogguer, & also that I had much fewer data than they for ascertaining what the usages of the exchange of Amsterdam would entitle us to insist on in such cases.
In consequence of their letters to me & those of the French bankers to M. Dufresne we have had a meeting. He insists on 46. being taken as the rate of exchange, & thinks there can be no doubt that should be rate since it is certified as current at the time of the draught being dated. As the payment was not made as soon as it might have been on account of the difficulty between the American & French bankers & as the former protested formally against the rate being fixed at 46 I told him it was impossible for me to take on myself to fix it having no data for that purpose—that I know not what was the usage of the exchange of Amsterdam in such cases, but that it appeared to me there was no other way of settling the difficulty than by having the rate ascertained by indifferent persons on the spot, & that therefore we should refer it to the American & French bankers to be settled in that manner. He neither rejected or accepted this proposition but said he would write to Messrs Hogguer & Co. for further information & in this manner we separated. I have written to Messers Willink &c to make them acquainted with this circumstance & to express to them my mortification at their having thought it advisable to force me to dispute a matter of this sort with the French ministry.
M. Dufresne gave me his word that he had not used any means for having this momentary rise in the exchange effected in consequence of our intended payment to them & agreed it would have been unfair & beneath the dignity of government. It is evident also that the rise cannot be owing entirely to this circumstance since the letter of Messers. Willink &c of the 9th. informs me that the first start took place in consequence of the exchange of London on Paris coming quoted to Amsterdam at ¾ d Stlg per crown higher than the preceding post; & this was before our intended payment was known. It is possible however that the French bankers who recieved M. dufresne’s letter at the same time that my second one arrived for Messrs Willink &c may have made it known before the order was made for the purpose of contributing to the rise. If it is found that this was the case I have no doubt the French ministry will agree that the rise occasioned thereby should not be used to the disadvantage of the U.S. & you will certainly think that as far as the use was independent of that circumstance the U. S. should in justice submit to it. The more so as it is evident that the fall of the exchange at Amsterdam to 42½. was artificial & local since the exchange at Paris on Amsterdam did not fall to the same point but remained I think always above 44. I should mention also that one of the principal causes of the sudden fall of exchange caused at that time, viz the large sums that this government found it necessary to have brought from abroad in Specie. I suppose it useless to add that the exchange has gone on regularly declining for some time so that 46, the rate which M. Dufresne insists on for this payment is much below that at which the payment was made last fall & which you considered with reason as highly advantageous—it having been if I do not mistake about 50.
I hope you will excuse these minute details, Sir & that you will be of opinion with me; first that I ought not to have refused making this payment at Amsterdam being requested thereto by the French government, they agreeing to the current rate of exchange—2: that I take all reasonable precautions for avoiding the disadvantage of a sudden rise in the exchange on account of this payment—& 3. that if finally the French ministry agree that the rate should be settled at what impartial people may think it would have been independent of this payment, as I am persuaded they will, you will consider that the U. S. deserve all the advantages from it to which they are entitled. I will take care that for future payments there shall not be the pretext of a difficulty.
Having said so much in explanation of what concerns myself, it is but justice that I should add with respect the bankers of the U. S., that although they were certainly not satisfied with the mode of payment which I thought myself obliged to prescribe, still I am persuaded they have in this instance acted agreeably to what they considered the interest of the U. S. in making the difficulty. Considering the rise as artificial & momentary on the day after recieving the order for payment, they refused to make it at the rate Messrs Hogguer & Co. insisted on—this was the 8th.—finding that the rise continued on the 9th. & 10th. & not knowing where it would stop, they determined to make the payment, thus extricating themselves from the embarrassment & leaving me to dispute the rate at which it should be settled. I have the honor to be with perfect respect Sir your most obedt. humble servt.
Wm. Short
The Honble Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 20 June 1791
From: Fitzgerald, John
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Alexandria, Virginia, June 20, 1791. On June 30, 1791, Hamilton wrote to Fitzgerald: “Yours of the 20th of June came duly to hand.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 20 June 1791
From: Seton, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Bank of New York 20th June 1791
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that in the course of half an hour this day, deposits were offered & received at this Bank for the entire Sum of Sixty thousand Dollars towards the Subscriptions to the Bank of the United States agreably to the latitude given in your Letter of the 30th May. Further Deposits on the same principle have already been offered to the amount of Twenty thousand Dollars more, and if it is agreable to you to extend the Sum to be received here to Sixty Thousand Dollars more, am convinced it would be immediately filled up.
I have the honor to be with the greatest respect   Sir, Your Obedt. Hum Sert.
Wm Seton Casr.
Alexr. Hamilton EsqrSecy. of the Treasury of the U.S.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 21 June 1791
From: Olney, Jeremiah
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Custom-House,Providence 21st. June 1791.
Sir.
Mr. Welcome Arnold of this Town imported in the Ship Genl. Washington, which arrived and Entered here from Canton on the 7th instant, a quantity of Teas, which were deposited, and a Bond taken according to Law, for about 1,700 Dollars: Since which, on the 13th. instant, a Bond of his for upwards of 1,000 Dollars became payable, it was not discharged, and the next Day transmitted to the District Attorney, who has put it in Suit. A question now arrises, whether the Bonds directed to be taken by the Inspector of the Revenue for the ascertained Duties on Mr. Arnold’s Teas, are to be considered as an after Credit, or only a completion of the Bond first taken by me? He has applied to remove some of the Teas; as the point appeared doubtful, and as refusing Credit to a Merchant of considerable Eminence was a delicate Matter, I have advised the Inspector to permit him, for the present, to take out a small quantity, securing the Duties to his satisfaction. As he will probably wish to take out more in a short time, I beg leave Sir, to intreat your speedy reply to this Letter, with your Opinion upon the subject, and directions for the conduct of the Inspector relative to the remainder of Mr. Arnold’s Teas until his Bond shall be satisfied; which was put in Suit at the stated District Court in August, and the Execution returnable in November next.
I have the honor to be,   With great Respect, Sir,   Your Most Obedt. & Most Huml. Servt.
Jereh. Olney Collr.
Alexandr. Hamilton Esqr.Secretary of the Treasury.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 21 June 1791
From: Olney, Jeremiah
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Custom House,Providence 21st. June 1791.
Sir.
In conformity to your circular Letters of the 14th. of April and 25th of May, I now enclose an Account of all the Fees and Commissions received, and the Expences paid, by the Officers of the Customs in this District, the latter in detail, and the former as much so as, I hope, will prove satisfactory. By the Statement in the Tenth page, it will appear how the Account stands at the end of the Year with myself, the Naval Officer, and the Surveyor of this Port: the balance of mine, you will perceive, is 56 Dollars and 8½ Cents against me! You Sir, I am convinced, do not, and I flatter myself that Congress will not, expect me to execute the disagreeable Duties of my Office without an adequate Compensation, much less for Nothing. I have therefore no doubt but my Case will, at the next Session, be taken into consideration, and a handsome Provision made for me in future, and an equitable allowance for the Year past.
In what way this can best be done, must be left to your superior Judgement to Report, and the Wisdom of the Legislature to determine.
The Naval Officer and Surveyor, will address you in their own behalf, by this Post.
I have the Honor to be,   With great Respect and Esteem,   Sir, Your Most Obedt. & Most Huml. Servt.
Jereh. OlneyCollector.
Alexr. Hamilton Esqr.Secretary of the Treasury.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Joshua Wentworth, 22 June 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Wentworth, Joshua

[Philadelphia, June 22, 1791. On September 7, 1791, Wentworth wrote to Hamilton: “Your letters of the 7th of May & 22nd June were duly received.” Letter of June 22 not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, [23 June 1791–1794]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Adams, John

[Philadelphia, June 23, 1791–1794]
Mr. Hamilton will have the honor of Dineing with the Vice President on the 30th. of June agreeably to his Obliging invitation.
June 23th


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Heth, 23[–24] June 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Heth, William

PhiladelphiaJune 23 [–24] 1791
My Dear Sir
I have before me your letter of the 16th instant.
My opinion is that there is and necessarily must be a great number of undefined particulars incident to the general duty of every officer, for the requiring of which no special warrant is to be found in any law. The test of what he is obliged to do and what he is not must be the relation which the thing required bears to his prescribed or specified duties. Thus it is the duty (for instance) of every officer employed in every department of the Revenue to give the Treasury all the information which arises out of his official documents and opportunities, though it is not his duty to furnish dissertations on midwifry or witchcraft.
What law could ever define the details of the duty of a Secretary of the Treasury? It is evident these must be an endless variety of things unexpressed which are incident to the nature of his station & which he is bound in duty to perform at the call of the President. One of these duties is to give information concerning all matters which are ascertainable by the course of proceedings at the custom houses relating to the Trade of the Country. And how is he to perform this duty if he has not a right to call on each officer of the customs for the materials in his possession?
If it be said the law should then require this, I answer that the detail would be endless. And surely it would not answer to say in respect to any officer that he must do whatever he is required to do. And if all that he is to do is to be defined the Statutes of the United States must be more voluminous than those of any Country in the world.
There is a large chapter of duties between Executive Officers which grow out of the Nature of Executive power and which the natural relations of things can alone determine.
Consult, my Dear Sir, the Code of any nation whatever and examine the practice in relation to the point in question and you will find there is no law providing for a thousandth part of the duties which each officer performs in the great political machine & which unless performed would arrest its motions.
The mode of compensation can make no difference whether by salary Commission fees some or all. In whatever shape each of them is only a compensation for performing the duties of a certain office and what the officer is bound to perform must be tested by the nature of the Office not by the nature of the reward.
I am aware that I have in different instances called for services which were not incident to the nature of the offices of the persons from whom they were asked. But I have been pretty careful to the best of my judgment to distinguish them from those which were incident to the Office & even in cases which would justify it to procure for them some special emolument. The instance which produced your letter is in my opinion fairly within the line of office.
I acknowlege however that it is possible even to make duties which are applicable to offices oppressive by calling for too much. Whether I have done this, I will not undertake to say. It is certain that it has not been my intention. That I have required nothing which has not been of real importance.
There is no doubt that the compensations whatever shape they assume ought to be adequate. It is to be admitted that though in some instances those allowed under the National Government are ample, in others they are deficient. They have in most cases however in regard to the Officers of the Customs been progressive & a further progress is in the nature of the thing.
Do not mistake any thing I have said. I am not dissatisfied with your appeal nor unfriendly to its object, though my judgment in the particular case is decidedly against yours.

You will I doubt not on your part receive what I have said as I intend it & believe me always to be as I truly am
Your real friend & humble ser
A Hamilton
June 24. 1791
Col W Heth


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 23 June 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lincoln, Benjamin

Treasury Department, June 23, 1791. “I have received your letter of the 14th instant, inclosing three certificates of public debt in the names of the Trustees of the sinking fund. Two of them are herewith returned, that they may be cancelled, and certificates of Transfer to the books of the Treasury, issued in lieu of them.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 23 June 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Seton, William

[Philadelphia, June 23, 1791. On June 24, 1791, Seton wrote to Hamilton: “I am this moment favored with your Letter of the 23rd.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 24 June 1791
From: Appleton, Nathaniel
To: Hamilton, Alexander

United States Loan OfficeBoston 24th June 1791
Sr.
Circular Letter 6th instant is received. The Treasurer of this State informs me that this State never issued any of their own Obligations in exchange for Continental Securities, all the Federal securities which they are, or have been possessed of, were received either by Taxes or by the Sale of Lands &c. so that I presume the precautions which you point out will not be necessary in this State. Your favour 16th instant is received as also the Treasurer’s of same date inclosing his draft on the Cashier of the Massachusetts Bank for 40,000 Dollars. I believe this sum with the 20,000 recd. before will be sufficient for the Interest due next Quarter. If it should appear otherwise when the Books are ballanced I shall give you the earliest notice.
with great respect I have the honor to   be Sr.   y most humble Servant
N A


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John Berrien, 24 June 1791
From: Berrien, John
To: Hamilton, Alexander

District of Savannah June 24th. 1791
Sir
I observe in the Excise Law, that all Casks & other Vessels containing spirituous liquors imported into the United States &c. are to be mark’d with the Number, Quantity, proof, name of the Vessel in wh. it is imported, & Port of Entry. I will thank you to direct me whether the idea extends to each Jug of Ginn wh: contains only one quart, or every basket of Annisseed wh. contains only one Gallon. The law does not except them in the clause wh. directs that all spirits shall be marked & yet I conceive that it cannot be the intention to include them. I shall be much oblig’d by your direction on the subject, & am Sir   very Obediently   Your Most hume Servt.
John Berrien
I. R.
Alexr. Hamilton Esqr.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 24 June [1791]
From: Seton, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Bank of New York 24 June [1791]
Sir

I am this moment favored with your Letter of the 23rd, saying it will be agreable to you that deposits be received towards subscriptions to the Bank of the United States to the extent of Forty thousand Dollars more upon the same principals with those for the Sixty thousand.
This extention of Forty thousand Dollars is already all engaged, and I have applicants names set down for Thirty three thousand seven hundred Dollars more, that I have not the least doubt Sixty thousand beyond the Forty thousand would be immediately taken up. If it is agreable to you to grant this extention it will be doing a favor to the Citizens of the State.
I have the honor to be.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 25 June 1791
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia June 25, 1791.
Sir

Your favour of the 8th. inst. could only be recieved on my return here, and I have this morning been considering of it’s contents. I think with you that it will be interesting to recieve from different countries the details it enumerates. Some of these I am already in a regular course of recieving. Others when once well executed, will scarcely need to be repeated. As to these I already possess what may answer your views in part. ⟨I⟩ must therefore give you the trouble to call on me in some ⟨of your walks⟩, in order that after seeing what I possess, ⟨we⟩ may decide on the proper supplement. I think it advi⟨seable⟩ not to trouble gentlemen abroad with sending what we have already, because the less we give them to do the more secure we shall be of having it done.

I am with the most respectful esteem Dr. Sir   Your most obedt & most humble servt
Th: Jefferson
The Secretary of the Treasury


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 25 June 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Seton, William

Treasury Department June 25th 1791.
Sir,

You will find from my Letter of the 23rd instant that I have extended the sum that may be received by the Bank of New York of persons intending to become subscribers to the Bank of the United States as far as 100,000 Dollars, which supercedes in a degree the requisition with regard to the Notes of your institution.
I could not engage in the arrangement proposed by means of that paper because I [should] not [be] able to limit the extent [of the operation.]
I am, Sir,   Your most obedt servant
Alexander Hamilton
Willm Seton Esqr


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Supervisors of the Revenue, 25 June 1791
From: Treasury Department,Hamilton, Alexander
To: Supervisors of the Revenue

Treasury DepartmentJune 25 1791
Sir,

It appears proper that a notification to the distillers and importers of distilled spirits be published in the Gazettes, containing information of the Office of inspection in which they are (in the three first days of July) to make entry of the spirits by them respectively distilled or imported, which shall be on hand on the 1st day of July next.
I am, sir,   Your Most Obedt Servant
Alexander Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 25 June 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Williams, Otho H.

Treasury Department,June 25 1791
Sir,

The Commissioner of Loans for the state of Maryland, after allowing for the Eight thousand dollars with which you furnished him, and a sum of five thousand dollars remitted him, in notes of the Bank of Maryland, would be deficient about five thousand five hundred Dollars of the sum requisite for the payment of the interest which will be payable in your state, upon the public debt on the first of next month; unless he should have been able to dispose of some drafts sent him upon the Banks of North America & New York.
I have desired him, in case of deficiency, to apply to the Bank of Maryland on the presumption, that funds will be there on the public account to meet the demand. But there is a possibility that this may not be the case, to the extent of about four thousand dollars. Deducting the amount of all the drafts, which have been drawn upon you from the Treasury, it appeared by your return of the 18th instant, that you would have a surplus of seven thousand one hundred & sixty six Dollars, ninety four cents, to be applied to the purposes of the Commissioner of Loans. The eight thousand Dollars, with which you have furnished him, somewhat exceeds that surplus; but whatever you shall have received after the date of the above mentioned return, over and above the difference between the then surplus and the eight thousand dollars furnished to the Commissioner is open to a disposition. This, therefore, to an amount not exceeding four thousand Dollars,you will pay into the Bank of Maryland to be passed to the Credit of the Treasurer of the United States; taking duplicate receipts for what you shall pay, and forwarding one of them to this Office. And I shall be glad to be immediately advised how much of this sum you will be able to pay into the Bank by the first of July.
I am, sir,   Your Obed Servant.
Alex Hamilton
Otho H Williams Esqr.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 26 June 1791
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] June 26, 1791. Encloses weekly return and requests Hamilton “Please to inform me for what ports or places Consuls are appointed, and of the names of the Consuls for the respective places.”


Title: Alexander J. Dallas to Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1791
From: Dallas, Alexander J.
To: Hamilton, Alexander,Knox, Henry,Jefferson, Thomas

Philadelphia, June 27, 1791. “In Obedience to the directions of the Governor, I have the honor to present to you, a Copy of the Laws of this Commonwealth, passed at the last Sessions of the General Assembly.”


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Supervisors of the Revenue, 27 June 1791
From: Treasury Department,Hamilton, Alexander
To: Supervisors of the Revenue

Treasury DepartmentJune 27 1791
Sir,

Inconveniencies have been apprehended by some of the holders of distilled spirits, other than importers and distillers, from the want of the Mark of “Old Stock” on the spirits they may have in store on the first day of July next. It appears advisable to let it be understood among the holders of spirits that if they desire their stock on hand to be examined and marked, their wishes will be complied with. At the same time it may be well to observe to them that it was within the original plan, to apply the safeguard, of thus marking the Old Stock as well to that held by purchasers, as to the stock of importers and distillers. This and other parts of the law wherein the alterations it underwent might, without circumspection, give rise to hardships and inconveniencies, may be so noticed to the dealers in spirits, and will recommend ⟨to⟩ all the Officers of the Revenue great prudence in their operations under it, particularly in respect to seizures merely for want of certificates. An early opportuni⟨ty⟩ may be taken to correct some parts of it, and others, like that respecting Old Stock, will be merely occasional.
I am, Sir,   Your Most Obedt Servant
Alexander Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Allibone, [28 June 1791]
From: Allibone, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, June 28, 1791.] Reports on the condition of navigational aids in the Delaware River in the vicinity of Philadelphia.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Clement Biddle, 28 June 1791
From: Biddle, Clement
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia] June 28. 1791

I have on your behalf engaged the House & Lot in Market street of Mr. stein for One Year. The House to be furnished in about six weeks from this Date & he is to erect a frame stable for Six Horses & Coach House for the Rent of Two hundred & fifty pounds for the year.
C B


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 28 June 1791
From: Harison, Richard
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York, June 28, 1791. “Inclosed is my Account against the United States as far as the same has been audited. There are some services relating to Persons still in Confinement which will be included in my future Accounts when their Fate is ascertained.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Gouverneur Morris, 28 June 1791
From: Morris, Gouverneur
To: Hamilton, Alexander

London 28 June 1791.
My dear Sir

I have lately been compelled to take some of your three per Cent Stocks in order to cover Part of a large Debt very disagreably circumstanced and to replace a Portion of heavy Advances have sold it again and am bound in heavy Penalties to have the Transfer immediately made. This Stock consists of the Arrearage of Interest to the last Day of the last Year on $382.878..60 Cts of liquidated Debt standing in the Treasury Books at the Credit of Messrs. Francis Baring, Edmund Boehm and Thomas Henchman of this City; which Arrearage amounts to $68918 .. 15 Cts. I have some Reason to believe that Difficulties have arisen in the Treasury Offices upon this Subject heretofore and that they have objected to seperating the three perCents from the omnium unless the whole were subscribed to the new Loan. But this which is a Kind of compulsory Proceeding will have a very bad Effect on our Credit which is still exposed to many Attacks every one of which is more or less injurious. But as to these Things in general I will not pretend to judge leaving them entirely to you and applying only to my own particular Affair which will prove exceedingly injurious should I be disappointed in the Hope that this Transfer may immediately take Place. The Attorney appointed to transact the Business is Mr. George Fox of Philadelphia and I have requested my friend Mr Morris who will deliver you this Letter to attend to it.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 28 June 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Seton, William

[Philadelphia, June 28, 1791. On June 30, 1791, Seton wrote to Hamilton: “I have been honored … with your Letter of the 28th.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 28 June 1791
From: Seton, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[New York] 28 June 1791
Sir

I am just honored with your Letter of the 25th and hope tomorrow to hear from you in answer to mine of the 24th as the applications to pay in Money towards the Subscriptions to the Bank of the United States have now increased to the sum of 41775 Dollars beyond the last extention of forty thousand.
I have the honor to be with great respect   Sir   Your Obed. Humb Ser


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from James Taylor and Abishai Thomas, [28 June 1791]
From: Taylor, James,Abishai, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, June 28, 1791]
Sir

On the 18th. Instant Mr. Thomas had the Honor to address you on the Subject of the pensions paid to invalids by the state of N. Carolina, since which we have found that payments made by that State to Widows & orphans of deceased officers are in the same predicament. We therefore respectfully request that with your answer to Mr. Thomas’s letter you will favour us with your sentiments on the propriety of presenting all claims for payment under the latter head subsequent to the fourth March 1789, at the Treasury of the United States for reimbursment in money.
We are &c

A. T.
}
Agents

J. T.

28th June 1791
Hone A HamiltonSec. Treasury


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 28 June 1791
From: Whipple, Joseph
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Portsmouth New Hampe. 28 June 1791
Sir

The Carpenter who undertook the Hull of the Revenue Cutter building in this port having been Sick Several Weeks the Work was unavoidably delay’d. She will be launched in 8 or 10 days. The Station of 3rd Mate being Still vacant I would beg leave to name Samuel Hobert, a young man of whom I have heard a good Character, & the Nomination of him is made by Capt Yeaton.
I now transmit you An Act lately enclosed to me by the President of the State making a Conditional Cession to the United States of the Lighthouse together with 1¾ Acre of Ground which takes in the Old Fort on the eastern point of the Island of New Castle. There is Still half an acre of land remaining, claimed by the State, which would be a useful addition should any fortification on this Spot be thought necessary hereafter. It has been customary heretofore to hoist Colours on the approach of any Vessels, the expence of which having been supported under the Military establishment continued at this Fort more than a Century past, has now ceased, on the Cession of the Fort & discharge of its keepers, & it cannot be continued without a small additional expence to the Lighthouse to which it was before connected. It would be a gratifying conveniency to the Trade to have these Signals continued.
If any particular form is required in the Statement of the Lighthouse Accounts & the introduction of them into my Account Current be pleased to advise me. I shall compleat my payments to the Contracter on the last day of this Month & form a new Contract. I shall be obliged to increase the Sum given in order to enable the Contractor to furnish the best quality of Oil which could not be done under the first contract.
The first years pensions of Invalids directed to be paid by me, is discharged except the pensions of 4 Invalids who have not yet appeared, & who are probably removed out of the State, or dead. Your directions to retain monies in my hands for these payments and also the Secretary for the Department of War’s ⟨warrant⟩ specifies a larger Sum than I have, or shall pay. I wish to be informed to whom the vouchers of payment shall be transmitted, & how the charge is to be Introduced into my general Account with the United States.
I have the honor to be   Sir,   very respectfully   Your Most Obedt servt.
Joseph Whipple
Honble. Alexander Hamilton Esquire


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Haywood, 30 June 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Haywood, John

Treasury DepartmentJune 30th. 1791
Sir,

I duly received your letter relative to the payment of the invalid pensioners of the State of North Carolina, and the two remittances, which have been made to you for the purpose of discharging the same. On receipt of this letter it is my desire that you pay to William Skinner Esqr. the Commr. of Loans or to his order the specie in your hands, and that you deliver to him the Treasurers draft on the Collector of Newbern, endorsed by you payable to him or his order. You will also furnish him, if you please with the original or copies of the letters of instruction, and the originals of any other papers ⟨you⟩ may have received from this department or that of War relative to this business. If you will take the trouble to procure duplicate receipts for the Cash draft and papers and will transmit one of them ⟨to⟩ this office, its reception here shall be duly acknowledged.
I am, Sir with great consideration   Your most Obedt Servant
Alexander Hamilton
⟨John Hay⟩ward Esqr⟨Treasurer⟩ of the State of No CarolinaHillsborough


Title: Agreement with Titus Salter, 1 July 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander,Salter, Titus
To:

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, July 1, 1791. Salter agrees to “support, maintain and attend the Lighthouse at New Castle” from July 1 to December 31, 1791, for $158.60.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Meletiah Jordan, 1 July 1791
From: Jordan, Meletiah
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Frenchman’s Bay [District of Maine] July 1, 1791. “… Your letter of March the 10th enclosed a copy of Return of Vessels built in this District. There has been no business of that sort.… Your Letter (Circular) of the 21st March observes I should inform you what Post Office would be most convenient for me to get my Letters from. I could wish to have them left at the Post Office at Beverly & if it is proper to address them to the care of Captain Robert Haskell of that Place who generally trades to this and the neighbouring District. The Boat I had your sanction to procure for the use of the Office I expect in a few days. The detached situation of the District interspersed with waters and abounding with a Number of Islands which afford commodious harbours and some of them as far distant as thirty miles from the Office will occasion my sending a Boat sometimes to visit the District throughout for I not only have reason to supsect that defrauding the Revenue is practised among the Island part of the District but have been informed of many little parcels of Goods landed on the Coast part of the District, it was impossible for me to prevent, all which difficulties a Boat will in a great measure remedy. The harbour of Cranberry Island particularly is distant from the Office about 25 Miles & is a standing thoroughfare & anchorage for British Vessels bound to & from St. Johns & other parts of the British Provinces of New Brunswick which I have great reason to suspect at times carries on the smuggling Trade. In my letter of the 1st Jany. 1791 I requested you would inform me whether my salary commenced with the date of my Commission or the passing of the Law respecting it. If it should occur to your mind in your first letter to this Office Sir I will be particularly obliged.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Mercy Warren, 1 July 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Warren, Mercy

Philadelphia, July 1, 1791

Madam,—In making you, thus late, my acknowledgements for the honor you did me, by presenting me with a volume of your poems, I dare not attempt an apology for the delay. I can only throw myself upon your clemency for a pardon.
I have not however been equally delinquent towards the work itself, which I have read, more than once, with great interest. It is certain that in the Ladies of Castille, the sex will find a new occasion of triumph. Not being a poet myself, I am in the less danger of feeling mortification at the idea, that in the career of dramatic composition at least, female genius in the United States has outstripped the Male. With great consideration and esteem I have the honor to be, Madam, Your most obedt and humble Servant,
A. Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Heth, 2 July 1791
From: Heth, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Private
Dear Sir
Shillelah [Virginia] 2. July 1791

The close application which I have been obliged to pay to the duties of my office, added to the unhealthyness of the place, has confined me at home some days, with a bilious intermittent fever. To this circumstance it is owing, that I have so soon received your very friendly answer of the 23d. Ulto.
Believe me Dear Sir, had you been less frank in delivering your Sentiments and opinions—tho they might have been more flattering perhaps—they would not have been recd as such strong proofs of your friendship for me. I feel myself much indebted to you, for your condescension in replying to me so fully, & for treating me with so much candor & familiarly.
I fear that, I must have expressed myself very illy, in my private letter of the 16th. Ulto or you never could have supposed that, I lookd for laws to define minutely, or even particularly, the duties of any officer of government; much less, could I possibly question the propriety, necessity, and, consequently the Right—in one sense of the word—of your calling upon the Officers of the Customs for such information as—to comply with your duty—was essential to obtain. The propriety of every syllable which you have said on this subject, never formed any doubt in my mind. I have little doubt also, but I used the word “right” improperly, without duly considering the construction it would give to the Sentence, of which it was a member. The object of my suggestions, you readily, & clearly enough comprehended. And, my true meaning was this. It appeard to me, to be inconsistent with Justice, & the Spirit of Freedom, for any Legislative Body, to enact such laws, as must in their operation, draw services from the free Citizen, without compensation and therefore it was, and is still my opinion, that Congress had no right to do so. Do I receive any thing from the U States as a compensation for a single Sheet of paper, used out of the current, & clear line of Duty? Commissions & fees of Office, are recd for special services actually performed, & clearly defind. To the aforegoing opinion, I do not find a single remark in your address repugnant. Indeed—so far from it—that I am convinced you think every Collector ought to receive an annual allowance—equal to his stationary at least—if not for such extra Services, as the nature of his Office, and the business which he does, must necessarily subject him to. To obtain such provision, a provision, which Justice & equity demands, was the objct of my address, and to which, you are pleased to say, you are not unfriendly. Sure I am then, you will—being the most proper person—ask it of Congress.
However widely you may have misunderstood me in one respect, persuaded I am, you could not in another. The promptitude with which I have complyd with every request from you, within the scope of my abilities and secluded situation—whether immediately in the line of my duty, connected therewith, or independent thereof, must have convinced you, that I never thought you calld for “too much” or, “unimportant information.” Could I for a moment suppose, my Dear Sir, that my zeal, pride, & ambition on this Score, had not been long perceived by you, the mortification which I should feel, would be great indeed!
The indisposition of which I flatter myself I have so far recovered, as to be able to go to the office on Monday to engage in making up my quarterly accounts, urges me to make an observation here, which ought to have been noted in my letter accompanying a statement of the emoluments of my office for the year 1790. Viz—that my emoluments ought to be such, as to enable me to employ a Clerk qualified to do the business of the office in every respect, in case of sickness or absence. You will have perceived that the charge for the wages of a clerk, his board &c in that Statement, is very low. He is an honest, faithful servant, of great integrity and application, but is possessed of so little genius, or capacity, that he is totally lost whenever a case occurs, in the least deviating from the current business—nor could he post up & close the accounts in the Ledger, & render the present quarterly returns, if his salvation depended upon it. Had my present indisposition happend in April or May or Sept. Oct. or Novr. last, I question whether my office would not have been protested against. You are the best Judge, whether the importance of this District to the revenue is such, as that I ought to be enabled to guard against such casualties. Suppose I was obliged to give 400 Dlls ⅌ ann to a Clerk, instead of 250—and which must have been the case, if I had not been able to pay such close attention, & to perform the greatest part of the duty myself—what a pittance I should have had left, for my own labor, responsibility &c, the aforesaid statement will shew.
I had thoughts of, and still wish to pay my respects to you in person, some time this month or next—being vacation season—to consult with you on the eligibility of continuing in my present office, in hopes of Superintendents of the revenue being appointed, on the propriety of the office being moved to a place more healthy, & more desireable to the Merchants of the District, or on the prudence of my offering my services to fill an office more immediately under your eye. On these subjects, I wrote a letter to you some time in May last, but concluding that I might be thought too impatient as to the first, Doubting of the propriety of the second to Richmond, or to any other place in the District but Broadway, And being diffident of my qualifications as to the latter, I declined to forward it, And I should not now, have hinted at them, if I had not formed a resolution to resign my office after next session of Congress, should it not prove so productive as to enable me to settle nearer to it or to pay me better than it has done, for the great sacrifice which I make of my domestic enjoyments; and for my own labor, responsibility and risque. Persuaded that you will receive these communications, as made in confidence by a friend, I remain Dear Sir, with the greatest esteem & respect,
Most truly & sincerely   Your obliged friend and   Very hble servant
Wm Heth
The Honble Col Alex Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 2 July 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Seton, William

[Philadelphia, July 2, 1791. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 3 July 1791
From: Lee, Charles
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Alexandria [Virginia] July 3, 1791. “In answer to your letter of the 13th of May, I shall make the following observations. Within this District the practice has been to ascertain the Duties, by Guaging, Weighing and Measuring in all cases where those operations are required by Law. The Authority of an Inspector put on board a vessel coming from an other District into this, has been considered as ceasing with the report of the Vessel at my Office, when another Inspector has been placed in the room of him who attended the Vessel into this District. The Customary Tare allowed by the Merchants here is upon 100 lbs and not 112 lb.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 4 July 1791
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Custom HouseNewport [Rhode Island] July 4th. 1791
Sir,

Inclosed is my weekly return of monies received and paid, and a monthly return of bonds a certife of Regy. No. 66 granted at this port, & a Cerf. on account of transfer of propy., the copy of an endorsment of the change of master on Regy. No. 4 and a like copy on Enrollment No. 9, also four draughts made on me by the Treasr. of the U. S. in favour of Jabez Bowen Commr. of Loans viz No 1616, & No 1617, for four hund. and fifty dollars each, and No 1624 & 1625 for three hundred dollars each.
Permit me to ask the following question and to request your answer to it. Should not every vessel receive her first Certificate of Registry &c from the Collector of the District where She is built? What hath given rise to this question is this, a vessel built in this District for and to be delivered to citizens residing in the District of Providence was moved thither without papers, and there was first Registered.
It was convenient for them it seems to move her there a hull before she was masted and rigged.
The denomination of vessels is I believe commonly fixed before, and their names given at the time of launching; yet in the case stated the Surveyor of the Port where She was built might find a difficulty in certifying the number of her masts; and the advantages which merchants may find in moving new vessels unmasted & unrigged from one district to another in the same State or from one adjoining State to another, especially in bays & rivers, may be greater than the disadvantages which might possibly result to the Revenue from such vessels passing from one adjoining district and from one adjoining State to another.
The General Assembly of this State sat and rose the last Week, but nothing was done respecting the Light-house. I spoke to some members of both houses, and to a gentleman who is near the Governor, on the subject. They were of opinion that as the United States had Enacted that the expences for the support &c of all Light houses &c shall continue to be defrayed by them until the first day of July 1792, and allowed to the States respectively which had not ceded them, that time to make cessions, a revival of the former motion would prove unsuccessful at present, and that it was best to let it rest.
The Keeper of the Light House informs me that the top of the Light House leaks very much. I shall enquire further into this matter, and give you the necessary information.
I am   Sir   Yr. most obed servt.
Wm Ellery Collr
A Hamilton EsqrSecry of Treasy


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 July 1791
From: Lincoln, Benjamin
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Boston, July 5, 1791. “Your letter covering instructions to Cap Williams has been received. I have caused a copy of them to be made. I will attend particularly to his supplies.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 7 July 1791
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia] July 7, 1791. “By the Presidents command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury a letter from Capt. Cochran of Charleston (S. C.) respecting the building of a cutter at that place.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Mifflin, 8 July 1791
From: Mifflin, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia, July 8, 1791. “Upon the receipt of your circular Letter, of the twenty seventh Ultimo, I directed the Comptroller General of this State, to furnish me with the information which you requested; and I have now inclosed his answer upon the subject.…”


Title: Enclosure: John Nicholson to Thomas Mifflin, [2 July 1791]
From: Nicholson, John
To: Mifflin, Thomas

[Philadelphia, July 2, 1791]
sir,

Through the secretary of The Commonwealth I have received a copy of a letter circular from the secretary of the Treasury of The United States addressed to your Excellency on the subject of Certificates of state debt issued for Certificates of Continental debt and relative to the assumption thereof. As the regulations and provisions of this state enable such creditors to repossess themselves of the Continental Certificates received for them by the state I apprehend that the case of such creditors of penna. is fully provided for. However in case the secretary of the Treasury wishes to be informed of The quantity Issued by Penna. and now out of this kind, and your Excellency should chuse to lay the same before him; I beg leave to represent that the whole quantity so issued was 5.167 695 33/90 Dollars of which 316,864 30/90 Dolls. were redeemed by The state, and upwards of ⅔ds. of the remainder have been returned in exchange for the Continental Certificates, and, that the residuary sum is diminishing Daily by farther applications and exchanges thereof.
I have the honor to be   sir   your Most Obed servant
Jno NicholsonCompt Genls OfficeJuly 2d 1791.
His Excellency Thos Mifflin Esqr Governor of Penna.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Newton, Junior, 8 July 1791
From: Newton, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Norfolk [Virginia] July 8, 1791. “A long absence from home has been the cause of your letter of the 8th Ulto not being answered sooner. The business shall be attended to as you requested.… The business has not been in the least retarded, Mr McComb is ingaged in getting up the stone formerly lodged there, for the same purpose, to make the foundation with.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 8 July 1791
From: Short, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Paris July 8. 1791.
Sir

In my last of the 19th. of June I mentioned to you a difficulty which had arisen between the French & American bankers at Amsterdam relative to the payment of the million of florins ordered by your letter of the 13th. of April. I have now the satisfaction to inform you that it is removed & that the payment is probably completed agreeably to the basis proposed by our bankers viz. at the rate of exchange existing at Paris before the sudden rise at Amsterdam. This was 44½—a rate much more advantageous for the U. S. than that at which the payment was made last fall. I was glad that the French ministry came to these terms as well because I was sure it was all the U. S. could have any shadow of right to claim, since it was the proposition of our own bankers as because it spared the disagreeable circumstance of appearing difficult with so just, & patient a creditor as France has been.
I had the pleasure of recieving yesterday Sir, your letter of the 9th of May & am rendered extremely happy by finding that you continue to be satisfied with the course I have pursued in the business confided to me. My late letters will have given you further information with respect to the rising credit of the U. S. & the additional resources which might probably be made use of for exonerating them from their debt to France. I shall add nothing on the subject at present except that the opportunities formerly mentioned continue equally promising.
I have made no direct application for a loan at Genoa & have recieved as yet no direct answer or information with respect to the subject from the minister of Genoa. Still he seems persuaded that a loan might be made there & expects greater lights from his friends to whom he has written & who are the most powerful & richest people of the Republic—the first loan being made would remove all other difficulties. I think it probable they have written to the Genoese consul lately sent to America, for particular information with respect to our situation, government & present resources. Their perfect ignorance of us is certainly the greatest obstacle we should meet with. It is for that reason Sir that I cannot help repeating to you how essential it is that constant, if possible, weekly details should be sent here of the progress of the U. S. in whatever concerns their revenue, commerce, manufactures or agriculture—such things being frequently presented to the public eye would make them acquainted with the U. S. & what is much to be desired make them forget their distance.
I have not yet proposed the loan authorized by your letter of the 13th. of April, because not knowing when your disposition of it would arrive I supposed a short delay could not be disadvantageous, & also because our bankers holding out the idea that by it the rate of interest might possibly be reduced, I could not think myself authorized to neglect such an idea although I did not consider it absolutely to be relied on. This was fully developed in my letters by M. de Ternant. I am now waiting for their explicit answer to my enquiries contained in my letter to them of the 24th. of June, & of which I inclose you a copy. I may now expect this answer daily which will decide what steps I shall take.
Mr. Morris has just returned here from London. He tells me he expects daily an answer from his friends in the low countries to his enquiries made at my request whether they would engage to obtain a loan for the U. S. at 4½ p. cent interest. He seems now to think that they will insist on 5. p cent but adds that he can say nothing certain. As soon as I recieve the information expected from these two places I shall communicate it, & in the mean time shall proceed according as circumstances may dictate relative to the loan.
If I were acquainted with the proportion which you intend for this country I should find it advisable perhaps to open the loan on the condition of recieving that part payable in assignats or such of the French effects as the ministry should be willing to accept. Such a measure could not fail to facilitate a loan whether opened at Amsterdam, Antwerp or Genoa. It is understood that the bonds of the U. S. given in such a loan should be calculated agreeably to the present advantageous rate of exchange on Paris.

In my researches on the subject of American loans I shall not lose sight of London particularly as I find that you contemplate a credit there as promissory of good consequences.
I shall take measures for having the additional payment of f500,000 made as speedily & as advantageously as possible for the U. S.
I beg you to be persuaded of the sentiments with which I have the honor to be   Sir,   Your most obedient servant
W: Short
The Honble.Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, Philadelphia.


Title: Enclosure: William Short to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 24 June 1791
From: Short, William
To: Willink, Wilhem,Willink, Jan,Van Staphorst, Jacob,Van Staphorst, Nicholaas,Hubbard, Nicholas

Paris June 24. 1791.
Gentlemen

Since my last I have not seen M. Dufresne & of course have nothing new to say to you concerning the disagreeable affair of the rate of exchange for the million of florins paid by you. I fear he will not consent to any other mode of settling it than that of the current rate ascertained by sworn brokers agreeably to the data of Messrs. Hogguers & Co’s draught furnished you. I hope you will furnish me with proper grounds for contesting this matter since you have thought it proper to throw it on my hands—these can only be by ascertaining the moment of your tender of the million of florins & the then rate of exchange. It would be however much more agreeable & more suitable to the interests of the U. S. if you & Messrs. Hogguer & Co. settle this matter agreeably to the usages of the exchange of Amsterdam.
I will thank you to let me know also the progress of your opinion with respect to the loan at 4½. p. cent—the present price of the 5. p. cent bonds—& also whether it will be absolutely indispensable to augment the commission as you say. As it may become essential for the U. S. to make a new loan before the time may arrive when one at 4½. p. cent can be insured—or rather as it may under certain circumstances be judged proper to open a loan at 5. p. cent instead of awaiting the contingency of one at 4½. p. cent, it becomes proper to have your ideas with respect to the commission in that case. Supposing the value of the bonds had continued as when the last loan was opened I should have been of opinion that it would have been most for the advantage of the U. S. to have put the commission of the undertakers on the former footing viz 1½. p. cent instead of 2 p. cent given on the last loan, as this would have been an economy of ½. p. cent, for the U. S. without risking the success of the loan, & would have been the same thing for you. As the value of these bonds has now risen above par, I suppose you will consider it perfectly just that the commission should be paid out of this incident value; & particularly as this value is increasing I suppose it will be still more agreeable for the undertakers. The current value of the bonds I think was 99½ p. cent at the opening of the last loan. The commission was then 4. p. cent of which 2. p. cent went to the undertakers—reducing this 2. p. cent to its former standard of 1½.—it would be equally advantageous for you to open the next loan at 3½. p. cent commission provided the bonds had remained at 99½. I suppose then that the U. S. have a right to expect to open their next 5 p. cent. loan at 3½. p. cent commission, estimating the value of the bonds at 99½. so that whatever their value may be above that at the opening of the loan will be diminished on the 3½. p. cent—thus if they are at 101.—1½. p. cent will be diminished, so that the U. S. will have to pay only 2. p. cent commission, although you receive 3½.—& so in proportion. I suppose there will be no difficulty in this matter as your profits will remain the same as in the last loan. I shall wait for your answer & hope to recieve it by the return of post that I may decide according as circumstances may arise here whether to wait for the contingency of the 4½. p. cent loan or directions (if it becomes indispensable) at 5. p. cent. The former will of course be waited for as long as possible & would be much prefered as being much for the interest & credit of the U. S. I am with the utmost sincerity, Gentlemen, your most obedt. servt.
W: Short
Messers. W & J. Willink &c Nas. & Job. Van Staphorst & Hubbard.Amsterdam


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 8 July 1791
From: Treasury Department,Hamilton, Alexander
To: Collectors of the Customs

Treasury DepartmentJuly 8th. 1791.
Sir,

I have already written to you in regard to the disbursements of the Revenue Cutter on your station, except the pay of the officers and men, and have now to request that you will duly attend to that business also, so as to have in your hands the entire agency. A form will be transmitted to you, in which you will make your quarterly returns at the same periods (though distinctly) as in the Custom house department; and in the mean time, as some arrears of pay are due, you will discharge the demands of the officers from the dates of their commissions and of the seamen from the time when they were shipt, taking sufficient vouchers for your payments.
I am, Sir,   Your most obedt. servant
Alexander Hamilton


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, [8–12] July 1791
From: Treasury Department,Hamilton, Alexander
To: Collectors of the Customs

Treasury DepartmentJuly [8–12] 1791.
Sir,

In consequence of two questions lately proposed to me, the first upon the impost Act., and the 2nd. upon the 41 section of the Collection law, I signify to you my opinion on the following points.
1st. That the teas called “Young Hyson” and “Hyson skin,” are not subject to the duties which, in the several cases are laid on Hyson, but to those only which are imposed on other Green teas; namely twenty Cents, if from China and India in Ships or vessels of the United States. Upon inquiry it appears to me that those teas are not in mercantile language comprehended under the denomination of Hyson; and from inferiority of quality & lowness of price they are not within the spirit of the duties on Hyson.
2ndly. That any merchant who imported teas during the year 1790, and prior to the 4th of August in that year and whose bonds for the duties upon such teas have not expired on paying the duties upon such as have been sold may deposit the residue, with an allowance of further credit not exceeding in the whole eighteen months, pursuant to the 41st. section of the Collection Law. In order to this the identity of the teas ought to be ascertained to the satisfaction of the Collector; In some cases, perhaps, this may be done by comparing the marks of the Chests &ca. with documents in the Office. Where this fails, the Oaths of the parties may be received and it is reasonable and proper that they should be required, as well as the production of such original documents, invoices &ca. as may be in their power.
This being an indulgence susceptible of abuse, it is confided that it will not be allowed without due caution and competent evidence.
I am, Sir,   Your obedt. servant


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [8 July 1791]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia, July 8, 1791]

The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the president of the United States, and has the honor to enclose a Dispatch which he has just received from Georgia.
July 8. 1791.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 8 July 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury DepartmentJuly 8, 1791.

The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United States, a contract between the superintendant of the establishments on Delaware river, & John Wilson, for building a Beacon-boat to be anchored on the shoals of the said river. On a comparison of the estimate of the said Wilson with that of Warwick Hale herein enclosed, and after due enquiry into the proportional value of a similar Beacon-boat heretofore built for the same purpose, as also into the present rates of building vessels in Philadelphia—the Secretary is humbly of opinion, that a contract, more beneficial to the United States with a workman of competent ability would be difficult to effect.
Alexander Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to the President and Directors of the Bank of New York, 9 July 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: President and Directors of the Bank of New York

[Philadelphia, July 9, 1791. On July 14, 1791, William Seton wrote to Hamilton: “The President & Directors desire me to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 9th instant.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, 9 July 1791
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia July 9. 1791
Sir

In answering your communication of the 10th. of december last, I cannot do better, than acknowledge my conviction from the reasoning of Mr. Dayton. That reasoning being in your possession, I beg leave to refer to it, as the groundwork of my opinion, that military rights to land ought to be received on account of his that is Judge Symmes’s contract in the manner, contended for by him.
I have the honor, sir, to be with real esteem and respect yr. mo. ob. serv.
Edm: Randolph
The Secretary of the Treasury


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John Daves, 10 July 1791
From: Daves, John
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New Bern [North Carolina] July 10, 1791. “Last year when the Law passed laying duties on imported Spirits to be ascertained by Dycas’s Hydrometer, not knowing I should be furnished with that Instrument, I sent by a gentleman to London, for one of Dycas’s patent Hydrometer’s complete which I received in December last just before the law took place requiring the use of that instrument, which one I have made use of ever since. The Hydrometer sent me from your Office I received some time in February last and Fahrenheits Thermometer I never received until the last of March following. That Hydrometer being incomplete when received I never made use of it until the other day I made a tryal with that & the pattent one, and to my very great surprise found a variation of ten degrees between the two. The pattent Hydrometer appears to be a very complete one and corrisponds as near as may be with the different kinds of spirits agreeing with the different rates of proof contained in your letter accompanying the Hydrometer.… Should the pattent Hydrometer meet with your approbation, would be glad of your permission to charge it in my account, it cost three and half Guineas in London, which I paid no more than the first cost & charges. It is incumbent on me to acquaint you of the difficulty some of the Officers of the Customs labour under in this District, that is, there are two ports of delivery on the sea board, being each about forty miles from this town, and about twenty-five miles distant from each other, where trade is carried on, there being a Surveyor and Inspector at each port, they not having any Hydrometer to ascertain the Spirits by as yet, I have directed a bottle to be sealed up and sent me of each Cargo, which appears to be a very precarious mode.… These Officers are also without Scales & weights or even a very large pair of Steelyards, nor is there any to be borrowed in either place.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Sharp Delany, 11 July 1791
From: Delany, Sharp
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, July 11, 1791. On September 8, 1791, Hamilton wrote to Delany: “I have considered the case proposed to me in your letter of the 11th. July.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 11 July 1791
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] July 11, 1791. “… Inclosed is a statement of the case of the Brig Seven Brothers, and of the case of Joseph Finch late master of her. I have applied to the Carpenter who covered the Light-House to examine the condition of it. He could not attend this business the last week, but said he will attend it this and make report.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Beverley Randolph, 11 July 1791
From: Randolph, Beverley
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Council Chamber, RichmondJuly 11th. 1791.
Sir,

I have had the Honour to receive your Favour of the 27th. of the last month. In answer to which I have to inform you, that this State never issued her own Certificates in exchange for those of the United States. And am respectfully &c. Beverley Randolph.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 12 July 1791
From: Appleton, Nathaniel
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Boston, July 12, 1791. “… I improve the first oppo. to inform you of the amount of the dividend of Interest made up to 30th June last, it appears at present to be 55.768 ⁸⁰⁄₁₀₀.…”


Title: Conversation with George Beckwith, 12[–30] July 1791
From: Beckwith, George,Hamilton, Alexander
To:

PhiladelphiaJuly 12th. [–30] 1791

Lieutenant Colonel Beckwith.   The gazette of the United States, published this morning gives us a detailed account of certain recent proceedings in the Western territory and at Detroit, communicated at Pittsburgh, by a person of the name of Ray, who had been made prisoner by the Savages, and having, as it is stated been purchased by an officer in The King’s Service, obtained his freedom, was conveyed to Niagara, and from thence, returned to Fort Pitt; the whole account is so improbable, so incompatible with our system, and so diametrically opposite to my communications from Lord Dorchester, that I feel it incumbent on me to declare, I consider the information to be little better than a fable.
Mr. _____    I have not seen the Newspaper account, but I am acquainted with the communications to which you refer; from those, Ray appears to be a very illiterate man, and his intelligence is very improbable in many respects; he is however extremely particular; he says he saw a Colonel or Mr. McGee in the Indian Country, a Mr. Elliot and some others whose names he mentions, and he goes into details respecting these gentlemen and their objects at the Indian Towns; no decisive opinions can be formed from his communications but of course they attract attention.
Lt. Colonel Beckwith   Insofar as Ray’s declarations may have a tendency to excite any suspicions of an unfriendly nature on the part of the King’s government, they are totally devoid of truth, and as such, I trust will not be credited.
There are accounts from different parts of the Indian Country within these few days; they mention, that your treaty with the Five Nations is concluded, that you have made a peace with them and that they are determined to maintain a strict neutrality.
Mr. _____   Yes, it is so stated; Colonel Pickering however is not yet arrived in Town; he is expected daily with the particulars of the Treaty, which are not yet fully known.

Lt. Colonel Beckwith   Colonel Procter was sent to these Tribes, about the end of last March; it was reported at that time, that this gentleman’s message was to induce them to join your forces, against the hostile Indians; I never took particular notice of this, as it did not seem well authenticated.
Mr. _____   Colonel Proctor was sent about the time you mention, but not with that object. You may recollect some of our frontier people, committed a murder on certain Indians of the Five Nations, and this gentleman was sent to those Tribes by The President, to dissuade them from joining the hostile Indians, in consequence of that atrocious proceeding, individuals might have wished them to have taken a part in The War, but Colonel Proctor was not charged with any such message by our government.
I have read the speech of one of the Indian Chiefs, at the late treaty with the Five Nations respecting the political conduct of your government in relation to them; this speech is replete with sound sense, and carries with it the most convincing proofs of your influence being extended to promote pacific purposes.
Lt. Colonel Beckwith   It is precisely in the spirit of the declarations I have uniformly made you, and the same views are extended to all the other Tribes in the Western Territory.
I have read General Scott’s report of his expedition against The Wabash Tribes, and his message to them, subsequent to the destruction of their Towns; from the general aspect of things at present, I am inclined to hope a peace may take place during the Autumn.
Mr. _____   We are disposed to pacific measures with those Indians, and if they shew any symptoms of such being their wish, we shall be ready to meet them on fair terms of accomodation.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Whipple, 12 July 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Whipple, Joseph

Treasury DepartmentJuly 12. 1791
Sir,

The Act of the legislature of New Hampshire, inclosed in your letter of the 28th June, is received. The name of Mr Samuel Hubert will be placed before the President when he is filling the Station of the 3d Mate of the Cutter.
You will be pleased to inform in what particulars the hoisting of the flag at the fort is convenient or useful to the trade and navigation, and the annual expence which will attend the continuance of it. Your account, as Superintendant of the light house, must be kept distinctly and rendered separately from that in your capacity, as Collector of the Customs, as also must be that as paymaster of the invalids. They are to be transmitted with the vouchers to this departm⟨ent⟩.
Joseph Whipple Esqr.Portsmouth.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Harison, 13 July 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Harison, Richard

Treasury DepartmentJuly 13, 1791.
Sir,

The account taxed by the Judge of the District Court and rendered by you, on the 28th Ultimo, against the United States has been transmitted to the Auditors office, and when passed by that Officer & the Comptroller, will be discharged by the Treasurer on my warrant. That which relates to the opinions given by you on cases arising in this office will be paid to you when there shall be an appropriation for those objects. This however will not be until the next session of Congress.
I am, sir, with great consideration   Your Most Obedt Servt.
Alex Hamilton
Richd Harison Esqr.Atto of the U States,New York.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Lowder for the Board of Assessors of the Town of Boston, 14 July 1791
From: Lowder, William,Board of Assessors of the Town of Boston
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Boston, July 14, 1791.
Sir,

The assessors of the town of Boston are now apportioning a large tax on the inhabitants. Their duty obliges them to take every measure in order to ascertain the quantum of taxable property each citizen holds, that the assessment may be just, and the burthen equal. They have already ascertained the full amount of the property in trade, in such a manner as can scarcely fail of being right, by appealing to the public impost-office; this class of citizens, together with the industrious mechanics, have so long born the burthen of public taxes, without an equal aid, from the new funded interest, that they have become clamorous, and indeed unless the taxes are more equally distributed in future, will not be able to discharge their several assessments.
In relief, therefore, to this useful part of the community, we are called upon by every principle, to use every means to come to a true knowledge of the property of those citizens who live upon the interest of their monies in the public funds. For that purpose the committee of the assessors have officially waited upon Mr. Appleton here, and desired him to suffer them to inspect his books of loans: he has hitherto declined a compliance (or rather doubted his authority to comply) with their request. The object of the board in this request is as much with a design to do justice to the stock-holders, as the community at large; for should we be refused this reasonable request for the purpose of doing public equity, it will throw us into the disagreeable necessity of taxing the stock-holders according to their reputed property in the funds, which in very many instances may be greater than they really possess. We therefore should esteem it a particular favor in the Secretary of the Treasury to direct the loan commissioner here to expose the public books of loan to the inspection of the assessors of the town of Boston, whenever they shall officially think it necessary. Not doubting that so reasonable a request will be readily complied with. In behalf and by order of the assessors,
I have the honor to subscribe myself your most obedient and very humble servant,
William Lowder, Chairman.

P.S. Shall esteem it a favor to have an answer to this as soon as may be, as the business of this office must necessarily be at a stand until we hear from you.
To the hon. Alexander Hamilton, esquire, Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, Philadelphia.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 14 July 1791
From: Seton, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[New York] 14 July 1791
Sir.

The President & Directors desire me to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 9th instant inclosing a List of the Certificates for money deposited at this Bank towards the Subscriptions to the Bank of the United states which have been paid at the Treasury amg. to 159675 Dolls.
This List exactly agrees with the record of the Certificates granted at this Bank—excepting

One to Bernard Hart of
Doll   75

& one to Peter Kemble of
250

which would compleat the sum of 160,000 Dollars directed by you to be received.
When these two Certificates appear the money shall be refunded & the remaining 159675 Dolls. passed to the credit of the Treasurer of the United States agreably to your Letter of the 2d. instant.
There was but one Certificate granted for each Deposit.
I have the honor to be with the greatest respect   Sir   &ca.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Welcome Arnold, 15 July 1791
From: Arnold, Welcome
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Providence 15th July 1791
Sir

The Collector of this district has this day Furnished me with an Extract of your letter to him requiring notice to be transmitted to the Collectors from Boston to New York of my delinquency in the payment of a Bond given in his Office, to Prevent my obtaining Credit Elsewhere “in Evasion of the Law.” This official Direction Sir, to the Collectors of this port I presume could not be given without coming to a Judgment in the dispute Subsisting between him & myself.
I cannot believe Sir that you would knowingly countenance a Public Office under your department, being used as an Engine of Pique, or Resentment; and being Ignorant of the facts & Circumstances Stated to you (except that they were Ex parte)—I was no less Astonished, then wounded, at the order from the Secretary of the Treasury f⟨or⟩ an official Stab at my reputation without any Conditional referrence to the Circumstances of the Case. Is it not possible Sir that a Collector may Err? That he may put a bond in Suit when it is not due? That he may demand a Greater Sum than is due?
When he is convinced of this last, and offers to remit the Surplussage shall he be justified in demanding the cost which may have arisen on the Suit? This cost I take to be the only Obstacle which prevents the duties your letter Alludes to being paid—and Convinced as I am Sir, of the unjustifiable Motives from which it has been Incurred; of my own uprightness towards the public revenue, actually, and Intentionally, and from which No Ill-treatment by the Collector shall provoke me to depart ⟨there⟩ is no Consequence of Property or Reputation, that it can Involve, which I shall not hazard with Chearfulness; in Preference to a Voluntary Complyance with what I deam so Injurious to the rights of a Citizen. Colo. Olney has this moment acquainted me that 127 dol will be deducted from the bond on which I am Sued. The Remainder is ready for him, and has been, I shall pay him no Cost except by Execution. What the Law will determine I know Not, but I am at no loss what will be the feelings of my fellow Citizens. Shall a merchant be placed in the disagreeable Alternative of having his credit destroyd, or of paying every demand which a Collector thro’ mistake, or Design shall Exhibit against him? No Sir, I ask your pardon ⟨then⟩ for offering, thus late, some Reasons for my Conduct in a case in which it may Seem, to Some, you have given your opinion; But it is the first moment of my knowledge it was before you in judgment; And I rely with Confidence upon your known Character both in Public & ⟨in⟩ Private life, that the moment you are apprised it was a disputable Case, you will no Sooner decree a Severe penalty upon one party, unheard, in a case between a Citizen and a public Officer, than between Citizen, & Citizen.

I have the Honour   to be With all due Respect   Sir your most obt Ser
W A
Hon. Alexander Hamilton Esq.Secretary of the TreasuryPhiladelphia


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 18 July 1791
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] July 18, 1791. “… The Light-House has been examined by the Carpenter, who covered it, accompanied by the Surveyor of this Port, and the former reports that the Lead upon the Platform in which the Lanthorn stands, is cracked in several places, that the water passes through the crack and falls upon the Wall and inside Wooden work, & that fifteen pieces of sheet lead three feet long & six Inches wide with necessary nails will secure the platform, and some paint & putty the Lanthorn against rain & snow, and that the whole expence of repairs will amount to about thirty dollars. Please to give me your directions whether the repairs shall be made or not.”