Title: Draft of An Act Making Further Provision for the Payment of the Debts of the United States, [January–12 July 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

[New York, January–July 12, 1790]

An Act making further provision for the Payment of the Debts of the United States

Whereas by an Act intitled “An Act for laying a duty on goods wares and merchandizes imported into the United States” divers duties were laid on goods wares and merchandize so imported for the discharge of the debts of the United States and the encouragement and protection of Manufactures: And whereas the support of government and the discharge of the said Debts render it necessary to increase the said duties

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled, that from and after the last day of December next the duties specified and laid in and by the Act aforesaid shall cease and determine, and that upon all goods wares and merchandize (not herein particularly excepted) which after the said day shall be brought into the United States from any foreign port or place there shall be levied, collected and paid the several ⟨and⟩ respective duties following that ⟨is to⟩ say—Madeira Wine of the quality of

London particular
per Gallon
35 Cents
other Madeira Wine
per Gallon
30 Cents
Sherry Wine
per Gallon
25 Cents
other Wines
per Gallon
20 Cents

Distilled Spirits—

If more than ten per Cent below proof according to Dycas’s Hydrometer
⅌ Gallon
12 Cents
If under five and not more than ten per Cent below proof according to the same Hydrometer
per Gallon
12½ Cents
If of proof and not more than five per Cent below proof according to the same Hydrometer
per Gallon
13 Cents
If above proof but not exceeding twenty per Cent according to the same Hydrometer
per Gallon
15 Cents
If of more than twenty and not more than forty per Cent above proof according to the same Hydrometer
per Gallon
20 Cents
If of more than forty per Cent above proof according to the same Hydrometer
per Gallon
25 Cents
Molasses
per Gallon
3 Cents
Beer ale and porter in casks
per Gallon
5 Cents
Beer ale porter and cyder in bottles
per dozen
20 Cents
Loaf and lump Sugar
per lb
5 Cents
Brown Sugar
per lb
1½ Cents
Other Sugar
per lb
2 Cents
Coffee
per lb
4 Cents
Cocoa
per lb
1 Cent
Candles of Tallow
per lb
2 Cents
Candles of Wax or Spermaceti
per lb
6 Cents
Cheese
⅌ lb
4 cents
Teas from China and India in Ships or Vessels of the

United States Bohea
per lb
10 Cents
Souchong and other black teas
per lb
18 Cents
Hyson
per lb
32 Cents
other Green Teas
pr. lb
20 Cents

Teas from Europe in Ships or Vessels of the United States

Bohea
pr. lb
12 Cents
Suchong and other black Teas
pr. lb
20 Cents
Hyson
pr. lb
40 Cents
other Green Teas
⅌ lb
24 Cents
Teas from any other place or in any other Ships or Vessels

Bohea
pr. lb
15 Cents
Souchong and other black teas
pr. lb
27 Cents
Hyson
pr. lb
50 Cents
other Green Teas
pr. lb
30 Cents
Coffee
per lb
4 Cents
Cocoa
per lb
1 Cent
Loaf sugar
per lb
5 Cents
Brown sugar
per lb
1½ Cents
Other Sugar
per lb
2½ Cents
Candles of Tallow
per lb
2 Cents
candles of Wax or Spermaceti
per lb
6 Cents
Cheese
per lb
4 Cents
Soap
per lb
2 Cents
Pepper
per lb
6 Cents
Pimento
per lb
4 Cents
Manufactured Tobacco
per lb
6 Cents
Snuff
per lb
10 Cents
Indigo
per lb
25 Cents
Nails and spikes
per lb
1 Cent
Cotton
per lb
3 Cents
Bar and other lead
per lb
1 Cent
Steel unwrought
per 112 lbs
75 Cents
Hemp
per 112 lbs
60 Cents
Cables
per 112 lbs
150 Cents
Tarred Cordage
per 112 lbs
150 Cents
untarred Cordage and yarn
per 112 lbs
180 Cents
Twine and pack thread
per 112 lbs
400 Cents
Salt
per bushel
12 Cents
Malt
per bushel
10 Cents
Coal
per bushel
3 Cents
Boots
per pair
50 Cents
Shoes slippers and Goloshoes made of leather
per pair
7 Cents
Shoes and Slippers made of silk or stuff
per pair
10 Cents
Wool and Cotton Cards
per dozen
50 Cents
Playing Cards
per pack
10 Cents

coaches Chariots Phaetons Chaises chairs solos or other Carriages or parts of Carriages
}
15 per Centum ad valorum
All goods wares and merchandizes (except Teas) from China or India in Ships or vessels not of the United States
}
12½ per Centum ad valorum

All china ware
}

Looking Glasses window and other Glass and all manufactures of Glass (black quart bottles excepted)
}

Marble Slate and other stones bricks tiles Tables mortars and other utensils of Marble or Slate and generally all Stone and earthen ware
}
10 per Centum ad valorum
Blanck books
}

Writing paper and wrapping paper paper hangings paste boards Parchment and Vellum
}

Pictures and Prints
}

Painters colours including lamp black, except those commonly used in dying
}

Gold Silver and plated ware
}

Gold and silver lace
}

Jewellery and paste work
}

Clocks and watches
}
10 per Centum ad valorum
Shoe and knee buckles
}

Grocery (except the articles before enumerated) namely cinnamon Cloves Mace Nutmegs Ginger Anniseed currants dates figs plumbs Prunes Raisins Sugar candy Oranges lemons limes and generally all fruits and comfits Olives Capers and pickles of every sort
}

Oil
}

Gun powder
}

Mustard in flour
}

Cabinet Wares
}
4½ per Centum ad valorum
buttons
}

Saddles
}

Gloves of leather
}

Hats of beaver felt wool or a mixture of any of them
}

Millenary ready made Castings of iron and slit and rolled iron
}

Leather Tanned or tawed and all manufactures of which leather is the article of Chief Value except such as are herein otherwise rated
}

canes walking Sticks and Whips
}

Cloathing ready made
}

Brushes
}

Anchors
}

All wares of Tin Pewter or Copper or of a mixture of all or any of them
}

Medicinal Drugs except those commonly used in dying
}
5½ per Centum ad valorum
carpets and carpeting
}

All Velvets velverets Sattins and other wrought silks cambricks muslins muslinets lawns laces Gauzes Chintzes and colored Callicoes and Nankeens
}

All other goods wares and merchandize except bullion tin in pigs tin plates, Old Pewter, brass Teutenague, iron and brass wire, copper in plates Salt petre, plaister of paris, dying woods and dying drugs raw hides and skins, furrs of every kind the sea stores of Ships or vessels the cloaths books household furniture and the tools or implements of the trade or profession of persons who come to reside in the United States, philosophical apparatus specially imported for any seminary of learning, all goods intended to be re-exported to a foreign port or place in the same Ship or vessel in which they shall be imported and generally all articles of the growth product of manufacture of the United States, five per Centum ad valorem.
And be it further enacted that after the last day of December next which will be in the year 1791 there shall be paid on Hemp imported as aforesaid at the rate of sixty Cents for 112 pounds and on Cotton imported in like manner at the rate of three cents per lb.
And be it further enacted that an addition of ten per Centum shall be made to the several rates of duties above specified and imposed in respect to all goods wares and merchandize which after the said last day of December next shall be imported in ships or vessels not of the United States except in the cases in which an additional duty is hereinbefore specially laid on any goods wares or merchandizes which shall be imported in such Ships or Vessels.
And be it further enacted that all duties which shall be paid or secured to be paid by virtue of this Act shall be returned or discharged in respect to all such goods wares or merchandize where-upon they shall have been so paid or secured to be paid as within twelve Calendar Months after payment made or security given shall be exported to any foreign port or place; except one per Centum on the amount of the said duties which shall be retained as an indemnification for whatever expence may have accrued concerning the same.
And be it further enacted that there shall be allowed and paid on dried and pickled fish of the Fisheries of the United States and on other provisions salted within the said states; which after the said last Day of December next shall be exported therefrom to any foreign port or place, in lieu of a drawback of the duty on the salt which shall have been expended thereupon, according to the following rates viz

Dried fish per Quintal
Nine Cents

Pickled Fish and other salted provisions per barrel
Nine Cents

And be it further enacted that where duties by this act are imposed or drawbacks allowed on any specific quantity of goods the same shall be deemed to apply in proportion to any quantity less than such specific quantity.
And be it further enacted that all duties which by virtue of the Act entitled “An act for laying a duty on goods wares and merchandize imported into the United States” accrued between the time specified in the said act for the commencement of the said duties and the respective times when the Collectors entered upon the duties of their respective offices in the several districts be and they are hereby remitted and discharged and that in any case in which they may have been paid to the United States, restitution thereof shall be made.
And he it further enacted and declared that the several duties imposed by this act shall continue to be collected and paid until the debts and purposes for which they are pledged and appropriated shall be fully discharged and satisfied. Provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the Legislature of United States from substituting other duties or taxes of equal value to any or all of said Duties and imposts.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, [15 February 1790]
From: Williams, Otho H.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Baltimore, February 15, 1790. The description of this letter in the dealer’s catalogue reads: “Interesting letter about the legality of a matter relating to the Collection of duties at the port of Baltimore.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 8 March 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] March 8th 1790
Sir,
I have received your letter and now transmit by the Post my receipts from the 1st. of Apl. to the last of Sepr. 1789 and from Oct. the 1st to the last day of Dece. 1789. I have authorized Benjamin Huntington Esqr. by a power of Attorney to receive on my account the sum of One thousand dollars which you advise me you shall be ready to advance on account of my Salary on the settlement of my account at the Treasury to the end of the last year. I hope that such provision will be made as will authorize the payment of the ballance in a short time. Please to inform me what you would have done with the Indents and blank Loan-Office Certificates remaining in my hands.
I am   Sir, your obedt. hble servant
William Ellery
The Secretary of the Treasury


Title: Contract with Melancton Smith, [15 March 1790]
From: Smith, Melancton,Hamilton, Alexander
To:

[New York, March 15, 1790]
Agreement between Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury on behalf of the United States of America, and Melancton Smith of the City of New York Merchant.
First. That the said Melancton Smith shall supply the posts of Westpoint on Hudsons River and of Springfield on Connecticut River, with all Rations which may be required for the use of the said posts, from the 1st. day of January to the last day of December 1790 including both days.
Secondly. That the Ration shall consist of the following Articles, to wit:

One pound of Bread or Flour.
One pound of Beef, or three quarters of a pound of Pork.
One Gill of Common Rum.
One quart of Salt.
}
per 100 Rations.

Two quarts of Vinegar

Two pounds of Soap

One pound of Candles

Thirdly. That the said Secretary on behalf of the United States shall pay to the said Melancton Smith the sum of Eight Cents and four tenths of a Cent for each ration issued as aforesaid and that such payment shall be made Monthly, upon the Accounts being passed at the proper Offices of the Treasury Department.
In Witness whereof the said Secretary of the Treasury on behalf of the said United States of America hath herewith subscribed his hand and affixed the Seal of the Treasury; and the said Melancton Smith has werewith subscribed and set his hand and seal the fifteenth day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Ninety, and of the Independence of the said United States the fourteenth.
Alexander HamiltonSecy of the Treasury
Melancton Smith
Sealed and delivered inthe presence of


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Huntington, 19 March 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Huntington, Benjamin

Treasury Department 19th march 1790
Sir
Be pleased to inform me whether a draft on the Cashier of the Bank of Boston for the sum of One thousand dollars, on account of Salary due to William Ellery, will be as agreeable as Cash. The former mode of payment will be most convenient to the present state of the Treasury.
I am, Sir,   Your obedt. Servt.
A Hamilton
The Honorable Benjamin Huntington Esquire


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Huntington, 19 March 1790
From: Huntington, Benjamin
To: Hamilton, Alexander

N York March 19th 1790
Sir
In answer to your Letter of this Day I have to say I act as an Atty to Wm Ellery Esqr for the Sole Purposes of Receiving and Remitting his Money to him & have no interest of my own in the Business nor am I able to say whether the Mode of Payment you propose will be agreeable to him or not.
In his Directions to me on this Subject he says “When you have Received the Money, send me three Hundred Dollars by the first Packet & keep the Rest untill I give further Directions about it.” By this it Seems that he has present Use for three hundred Dollars & will not Expect the Remainder untill the Question you ask may be put to him & his answer Received. If it is agreeable to you to order the three Hundred Dollars I am Content the Remainder should be in the Treasury untill Mr Ellerys Answer Can be obtained and on my own Account Prefer this Measure to being at the Risque in holding the Money in my Possession.


Title: Conversation with George Beckwith, [22 March–April 1790]
From: Beckwith, George,Hamilton, Alexander
To:

[New York, March 22–April, 1790]
7.   [Beckwith] I am directed by Lord Dorchester to thank You for those expressions of civility, which You were pleased to use with respect to him, when I had the pleasure of seeing You in autumn, and for the confidence You reposed in His Lordship, in the communications made by me upon that occasion; they have been transmitted home, and although the delays incident to the season of the year have not hitherto enabled His Lordship to hear from Great Britain in reply he has judged it necessary to defer no longer the expressing his approbation of the principle, You then laid down “that it is expendient that a solid friendship should be established between the two countries.” I am desired to explain this to You, and to remain a short time here, in case any information from home, subsequent to my leaving Quebec, may enable His Lordship to throw further light on this subject.
[Hamilton] I am happy to find Lord Dorchester’s sentiments are in favor of that general principle, which I hold to be so evidently compatible with the welfare both of Great Britain and of this country.  My communications with You, You will of course always consider to be informal, but on this particular point I think I speak the sentiments of the majority of those, who are to conduct the affairs of this country; as to my own part my ideas naturally extend to objects, which I hold to be favorable for the general interests of the States, in which view I contemplate a connexion with You, and further than they may have that tendency, I certainly should not go, but with us different gentlemen may view this matter in different lights; the President of the United States I am inclined to think considers this subject in a favorable one. Mr. Jefferson, the Secretary of State, who lately returned from Paris on his private affairs, the condition of France not requiring his presence, and who did not know of his appointment until his arrival in America, is of opinion that the struggle for freedom in that country will be successful, and when completed, that it will be productive of great commercial benefits to the States, from the influence of the Marquis de la Fayette, who is greatly attached to this country, as well as from that general bias, which those, who guide that party, have always shewn towards us. From these considerations I am the more strongly disposed to view the present time as particularly favorable for the consideration of a commercial Treaty. As to Spain no doubt the navigation of the Mississippi does attract the attention of discerning men with us, and it is looked forward to as the probable source of coldness, possibly of differences with that court at a future period, but it does not appear to me, that it could come under immediate consideration. With regard to your Court having a Minister here I am clear, that would be a measure, which would give general satisfaction, the particular rank might depend on the pretensions of the gentleman in question for that station; high appointments in our situation woud not be thought eligible; I am not versed in diplomatic distinctions, but am led to think that a Minister Plenipotentiary is of a scale adequate for the purposes of both countries, concluding that a parity of rank would be proper for each.
I am authorized further to say, that it is for Your consideration whether in the present stage of this business You may judge it expedient to make any further communications to Lord Dorchester.
I cannot at this moment determine, whether it may be proper to communicate further with Lord Dorchester on this subject, or to carry it forward through a regular official channel. Mr. Jefferson arrived last night, and these matters are in his department. Pray how long do You intend to remain here?
[Beckwith] Until about the middle of April.
[Hamilton] It is probable that before that time I shall have it in my power to give You some information on this point.
We observe a paragraph from a London paper, that mentions Lord Hawkesbury and Mr. Grenville being engaged in the framing the outline of a commercial Treaty with us, pray in what official station is His Lordship?

[Beckwith] His Lordship has presided at a Committee of the Privy Council for commercial affairs.
In continuation
[Hamilton] Nothing has happened since I had the pleasure of seeing You, to render it requisite for me to change my opinions on the different subjects touched upon in that conversation. A Treaty of Commerce with Great Britain is generally wished, and the full consideration of the subject is desirable. The reciprocal appointment of Ministers is also very agreeable, the particular grade is a secondary consideration, and may be readily accomodated to the mutual convenience of both countries.
Nb. Mr. —— added something with respect to the States having sent a Minister to Our Court, which we never acknowledged, and hinted, as if it was expected, that it was for Us to make the first offer; I replied that the condition of the States at that time had been such, as to have rendered it impracticable for a Minister from us to have remained at New York, and if otherwise, from the nature of their then government he could have been of no service.
In continuation
[Beckwith] I have requested to see You as the time is drawing near when I intend returning to Quebec; I conceive it to be necessary and not improper for me to remark that I take it for granted, the different communications, You have been pleased to make to me, flow from that source, which under Your present government, is alone competent to make them.
[Hamilton] I am not authorized to say to You in so many words, that such is the language of the President of the United States, to a gentleman, who has no public character such a declaration cannot be made, but my honor and character stand implicated in the fulfilment of these assurances. The gentlemen at the head of the different departments may not have precisely the same way of thinking on all public concerns. I therefore speak with the greatest caution on all points in which they have a direct share, but where it respects the President to whom this must have reference, I can speak with more precision. I can say this, that his mind is perfectly free from any bias whatever on this subject and that he is ready to go into the discussion of every thing unsettled between the two countries.
[Beckwith] If I comprehended You the last time I had the honor of seeing You You suggested some difficulty in the appointment of a minister to us.
[Hamilton] Yes I did so, we have had a Minister at Your Court You did not send one in return, we should find a difficulty in taking the lead again in such a nomination.
[Beckwith] I am sorry to observe the disputes upon Your North east frontier relative to the boundary, and the publications in Your newspapers on the subject.
[Hamilton] Yes, that matter ought to be settled as soon as possible, as some accident may possibly happen.
[Beckwith] It is to be hoped, that Your government most interested in this matter (Massachusetts bay) will not become intemperate.
[Hamilton] I think it right to remark to You in this place, that a degree of moderation and good sense, has been conspicuous in the conduct of the Eastern Governments since the peace, which has not been equally so to the southward of Pensylvania, at the different periods, in which I have been a member of Congress under the late Constitution, I have had frequent occasions to observe this, and at first I acknowledge with some surprize, cool, plain good sense, determines their decisions without either animosity or partiality; it is not so much so, I am sorry to say to the southward, and I have been frequently led to consider the cause; I am inclined to think that the sentiments of one or two gentlemen in the southern States, whose characters give them influence, has led to this, they have been esteemed men of superior capacity, And certain causes have induced them to keep alive distinctions neither wise nor proper; but these persons are not at present in office, and possibly the private circumstances of too many of our southern planters, and their dread of the operation of the federal Courts, may also have an influence.
[Beckwith] As Enthusiasm cannot suppose that with respect to us, there exists the smallest necessity to compel the consideration of commercial subjects with the States, and however embarrassed You may still continue in many respects, as candor must admit, that Your situation is better, than it was two years ago, I should hope if there shall be any discussions on this subject they will be entered upon with temper and candor.
[Hamilton] It is the duty of every man in Office to do so; we have still much to do, but the foundation is laid, and our difficulties are chiefly owing to ourselves; it will require time, but in the course of things we must become a very considerable people. I have ever thought it undesirable, that we should be courted by one power in Europe only; I do not mean this in the common acceptation of the word, but that our connexions should be more extended.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 13 April 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lincoln, Benjamin

Treasury Department, April 13, 1790. Writes concerning the payment of pensions to invalids.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Smith, [17 April 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Smith, Thomas

[Treasury Department, April 17, 1790. The description in the dealer’s catalogue of this letter reads: “At his request, Hamilton has issued a warrant in his favor on Samuel Meredith for $20,000. ‘I wish you had indicated to me what sum would be requisite to execute the object of exchanging the certificates of your State.’” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Abraham Van Vechten, [20 April 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Van Vechten, Abraham

[New York, April 20, 1790. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, [29 April 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Williams, Otho H.

[New York, April 29, 1790. The description of this letter reads: “asking statement of facts relative to vessels exempted from duties.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jedediah Huntington, 30 April 1790
From: Huntington, Jedediah
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[New London, Connecticut] April 30, 1790. “I am favd. with your Letter of the 21st. respecting Light Houses &c and am much obliged to the president for the Appointment therein announced to me. I do not know of any Beacons Buoys or piers in this state that come within the Description of the Act of Congress but will make Enquiry. The Legislature of this state in May last ordered the buoys fixed at certain places in the Harbour of N. London of which I once made Mention to you but the order has never been executed. I shall endeavour to prevail with the Legislature to include those places in their Act of Cession in hopes that Buoys may be fixed.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Lansing, [17 May 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lansing, Jeremiah

[Philadelphia, May 17, 1790. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, [30 May 1790]
From: Williams, Otho H.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Baltimore, May 30, 1790. The description of this letter reads: “stating facts relative to … vessels exempted from duties.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 1 June 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] June 1, 1790. “I have received your letter of the 17th. of the last month, and … now transmit to you … four bundles of Indents … and another package of blank Loan-Office Certife.… I have no bills of credit, known by name of the New Emissions. I find by the News papers that an appropriation is made by law for discharging the demands which exist against the United States, and that … a payment of the salaries to the late Loan-Officers of the several States to the 31st. day of Dece. 1789 is authorized.… The ballance due to me to that period is 544 89/100 Dolls.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Alexander Martin, 1 June 1790
From: Martin, Alexander
To: Hamilton, Alexander

North Carolina. June 1st. 1790.
Sir
I do myself the Honour to inclose you herewith a bill of exchange payable to me as Governor of the State of North Carolina from Mr Daniel Carthy agent for Royal Flint Esquire in New york drawn upon that Gentleman for sixteen Hundred Spanish Milled Dollars being his first Bill dated 23d. of April 1790. The second and third of same Tenor & date in my possessetion and not yet forwarded but will be the first opportunity—being for fifty six thousand weight of public Tobacco contracted with Mr. Flint by my predecessor Governor Johnston in behalf of the State and late delivered to his said agent. By a Resolution of the General Assembly I beg leave to inform you Sir that the said Monies are to be appropriated to the sole purpose of discharging this State’s Quota of the Interest due on the foreign Debt of the United States. Be pleased to place the above when paid to the Credit of this State as aforesaid, and favour me with your advice thereupon.
I have the Honour to be with very great respect Sir your most Obedient Humble Servant
Alex. Martin
The Honourable Alexander Hamilton EsquireSecretary of the Treasury of the United States


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Bennett Wheeler, [5 June 1790]
From: Wheeler, Bennett
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Providence, June 5, 1790. On June 14, 1790, Hamilton wrote to Wheeler: “I have received … your letter of the 5th Instant.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, [7 June 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ellery, William

[New York, June 7, 1790. On June 22, 1790, Ellery wrote to Hamilton: “Your letter of the 7th. instant … did not come into my hands until the 19th.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Jedediah Huntington, 7 June 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Huntington, Jedediah

Treasury DepartmentJune 7th 1790
Sir
The case of the Brig Maria has been stated substantially in Conformity with your letter by Captain Stephenson.
The following are my Ideas on the subject The Cap⟨t.⟩ Stephenson on entering the Vessel deposited his Register with you as usual, and if he clears out & applies to you for the Register again in order to depart, it is in the ordinary Course of business that you deliver it to him, with your clearences &ca. unless Mr Luke Fortune or some other person claiming interest in the Vessel, should forbid it. If such prohibition should take place, it will be prudent for you to obtain a sufficient indemnification from Mr Fortune to save you harmless, from any consequences of detaining the Register. If the Captain however should require the Register and should offer sufficient security to indemnify you, I do not discover any hazard in your persuing the ordinary course of business on the delivery of it and the usual clearance to him. Should both offer you indemnification, it does not immediately appear to me how you can suffer by delivering the Register to the Captain taking sufficient security from him to save you harmless. This indeed would rather seem to me the safest course.
Your duty does not require you to decide upon the respective rights of Mr Fortune & Captain Stephenson, to direct this Vessel—and you will of Course avoid any thing that may bear that Construction.
These are my Ideas of what prudence requires, to which I may add that the Case as stated does not appear to involve any question in regard to the Revenue, wherefore & because my opinion could not save you harmless, were you to infringe the legal rights of the parties, I recommend your taking the advice of Council and if equally convenient, perhaps the Attorney of the United States for your District would be the most proper adviser. It will always place you in a blameless situation in the view of the President if you govern yourself by the opinion of a Gentleman to whom government has given its approbation.
I am Sir   very respectfully   Your Obedient Servant
Alexander Hamilton
Jedediah Huntington EsqrCollectorNew London


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, [19 June 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ellery, William

[New York, June 19, 1790. In June, 1790, Ellery wrote to Hamilton: “I had the honour of receiving your letter of the 19th. the currt.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 22 June 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] June 22, 1790. “Your letter of the 7th. instant … did not come into my hands until the 19th.… I hope and trust that the computation of the Auditor will conform with my account.… I have authorized Benjamin Huntington, Esqr. to receive of you on my account Four hundred and Sixty Dollars and twenty six Cents, the sum which by your letter you are ready to pay.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Robert Morris, [25 June 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Morris, Robert

[New York, June 25, 1790]
Mr. Hamilton wishes to converse with Mr. Morris on the subject of the 44 Shares of bank Stock but being unwell he will be obliged to Mr. Morris to call on him at his house sometime before he goes to Senate.
Friday


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 6 July 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] July 6, 1790. “Last Tuesday … Capt. Sheffield presented a protest … and requested that he might be permitted to unlade part of his cargo in order that he might take out his masts … and a permission was granted to him for that purpose. I shall take the foreign tonnage of him, and permit him to proceed to L Orient the place of his destination; but shall not give him a Register unless it should appear by your answer to my letter that his vessel is to be considered as American property.… The whole expence of the Light-house which is in the Port of Newport for one year, is nearly Four hundred and forty five Dollars.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 12 July 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] July 12, 1790. “… I have read over the circular letter which contains the opinion of two eminent lawyers … which respects the exemption of Vessels under twenty tons from paying fees for their licences.… if Licensed Vessels under Twenty tons may trade between the difft. districts of the United States, or carry on the bank or whale fisheries … it would seem to me that a fee for their licences is demandable.… I cannot conceive that it was the intention of the Legislature of the United States that its servants should do something for nothing. I could have wished that the fees for every Service had been precisely ascertained.…”


Title: Draft of a Secret Article Concerning the Treaty of Peace with the Creeks, [20 July–4 August 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

[New York, July 20–August 4, 1790]
The President of the United States states the following Question for the consideration and advice of the Senate.
If it should be found essential to a Treaty for the firm establishment of peace with the Creek Nation of Indians that an article to the following effect should be inserted therein Will such an article be proper viz
And whereas the Trade of the said Creek Nation is now carried on wholly or principally through the territories of Spain and obstructions thereto may happen by war or prohibitions of the Spanish government.
It is therefore agreed between the said parties that in the event of any such obstructions happening it shall be lawful for such persons as the  shall designate to introduce into and transport through the territories of the UStates to the Country of the said Creek Nation any quantity of goods wares and merchandise not exceeding in value in any one year sixty thousand Dollars and that free from any duties or impositions whatsoever but subject to such regulations for guarding against abuse as the United States shall judge necessary, which privilege shall continue as long as such obstruction shall continue.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Alexander Martin, 29 July 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Martin, Alexander

Treasury Department, July 29, 1790. “I had the honour of receiving the three … draughts from Governor Johnston, and yourself for 18,136 39/90 Dollars, 8507 46/90 Dollars & 1680 Dollars which were remitted to this office. They … will be duly passed to the Credit of the State of North Carolina.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 2 August 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] August 2, 1790. States that the land on which the Newport lighthouse is located does not belong to the state of Rhode Island. Discusses means of eliminating smuggling in his district. Asks whether Section 40 of the Collection Law applies to both vessels owned by citizens of the United States and those owned by foreigners.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 9 August 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] August 9, 1790. Asks whether drawbacks are allowable on pickled fish which has been imported, repacked, and then exported to the West Indies.


Title: Report on the Petition of Moses Hazen, [9 August 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

[New York, August 9, 1790. An entry in the Journal of the HouseJournal of the House of Representatives of the United States (Washington, 1826). for this date reads: “The Speaker laid before the House a letter and report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the petition of Moses Hazen, which were read and ordered to lie on the table.” Letter and report not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Jedediah Huntington, 14 August 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Huntington, Jedediah

Treasury DepartmentAugst. 14th 1790
Sir
By this mail will be transmitted to the honorable Richard Law Esquire Judge of the district court for Connecticut, the decision on the report upon the petition of Richard Savage; to which & to my letter accompanying the same be pleased to refer.
I am, Sir, with respect   Your obedt. Servt.
A Hamilton
Jedidiah Huntington Esqr.CollectorNew London


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 15–21 August 1790
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[August 15–21, 1790. Letter listed in Jefferson’s “Summary Journal of Letters.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 23 August 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] August 23, 1790. “The arrival of the President of the U. S. the last Tuesday morning prevented my sending the returns last week. I send them this.… The Person appointed to collect Light Money by the Govr. of this State continues to do it, and the trade complains of being obliged to pay tonnage to the United States and Light money to the State. I wish for your directions respecting the Light-House.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [23 August 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

[New York, August 23, 1790]
The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respects to the President of the United States and sends him the Draft of a power concerning the intended Loans. If any thing more particular should occur to the President it may be the subject of a distinct instruction.
Monday


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, [27 August 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ellery, William

[New York, August 27, 1790. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel R. Gerry, [3 September 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Gerry, Samuel R.

[Treasury Department, September 3, 1790. The description of this letter in the dealer’s catalogue reads: “Interesting letter to the newly appointed Collector of Customs at Marblehead (Massachusetts) enclosing a communication for the former incumbent of that office, Mr. Burrell Devereux, which will enable Gerry ‘to receive every thing in his hands relative to the duties of your office.’” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, [10 September 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lincoln, Benjamin

[New York, September 10, 1790]
Private
My Dear Sir
I have now under consideration the subject of boats for protection of the Revenue. Though they might be built collectively in certain places with most œconomy; as the saving would not be material, and umbrage might be given, I conclude it will be best to make a partition of them among the states. Accordingly, if the President approves my proposition, One will be built at Boston another at Portsmouth.
The President has received but little information about proper character as officers of the one to be built with you. Capt John Foster Williams is the only person before him who it seems is recommended by Governor Hancock. You will oblige me by your opinion of that Gentleman and by naming any others who may appear to you preferable. And I will request you to turn your attention at the same time to the inferior officers whose number & emoluments you will find in the last Collection Bill. Your communications will of course be considered by me as confidential. No one can be more sensible than yourself how much the utility of the boats will depend on the characters to whom they are committed—or a better judge of the qualities they ought to possess.
It enters into my views to purchase the Duck of your manufacture for the whole number of boats say ten—by way of encouragement to it. Is it really of the good quality we are told? Can it be had nearly of the same price with the European Duck & what is that price? The dimensions of the boats will be from forty to fifty feet keel. When the President’s instructions arrive, you will hear further from me.
I remain Dr Sir   Yr Affect & Obed ser
A Hamilton
New York Sepr. 10. 1790

What can such a boat be completed with you for?
General Lincoln


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 14 September 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] September 14, 1790. “… The Genl. Assembly of this State at their Session in Bristol, the last week repealed the Acts of the State relative to the Light House, and it is now expected that I should see that the light is kept.… I have engaged William Martin … to take care of it … until I shall have received directions from you. Nothing was done by the Genl. Assembly respecting a Cession of the Light House &c.…”


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 16 September 1790
From: Treasury Department,Hamilton, Alexander
To: Commissioners of Loans

Treasury DepartmentSeptember 16 1790
Circular.
Sir
I have already transmitted a Copy of an act of Congress passed on the fourth day of August 1790, making provision for the debt of the United States, & I now transmit such forms as have been devised for the government of your conduct as Commissioner of Loans in the State of ——.
On the opening of your Office, two books will be provided by you for the purpose of receiving subscriptions, agreably to the form marked (A)—one of these books will be used for receiving subscriptions in Certificates of the domestic debt of the United States—and the other for subscriptions in Certificates of the debt of the State.
The account marked (B) is the form of a statement designed to accompany the Certificates of public debt which may be presented by the Creditors—this account you will endeavor to have made out by the subscribers to the Loan in cases where you can rely upon their accuracy.
After the statement (B) is examined by you and found right, it will be recorded in the book of Loans, marked (C) which is intended to serve as a Waste Book from which entries are to be made in your Journal.
For the amount ascertained to be due by the statement (B) three Certificates will be issued for the different species of stock created by the act of Congress agreably to the forms marked D E F.
When the three species of Certificates of Funded Debt before mentioned are issued; duplicate receipts are to be taken therefor, agreably to the form marked (G) one of which will be cut out from the receipt book as a voucher for the account marked (B).
The amount of the loans will be entered in a book agreably to form (H) a copy of which will be the form of a return to be made by you to the Treasury once in each month.
The return to the Treasury agreably to the form (H) will be accompanied by the accounts (B) and the original certificates previously cancelled by you; and will also be supported by a set of the duplicate receipts marked (G).
To prevent forged or counterfeit Certificates from being received on loan, it has been judged necessary that the Loan Office Certificates and those issued by State Commissioners, should be received only at the Treasury and by the Commissioners of Loans in those States in which such Certificates were issued: the Certificates issued by the Register of the Treasury—by the Commissioners of army accounts and by the Commissioners appointed to settle the accounts of the five great departments—Indents of Interest and bills of old emissions, are to be recd. indiscriminately at the Treasury and by the Commissioners in all the States under the limitations and cautions hereafter provided.
All Certificates issued by the Register of the Treasury and all other Certificates of which you have no Checks or Registers, or of the authenticity of which you entertain doubts, are previously to a settlement in your office, to be transmitted to the Treasury for examination—to accomplish which with safety & as much dispatch as the nature of the business will admit, the form (J) has been prepared.

In this account you will enter the date number and description of each certificate, with the apparent specie value in the first money column, leaving the other columns blank—on one copy of this account you will pass a receipt to the claimant, in case he requests it—specifying the number and amount of the Certificates presented—and that they are to be transmitted to the Treasury for examination and two Copies of the said Acct. with the Certificates previously cancelled will be by you transmitted to be examined—when the examination is made at the Treasury, the true amount of each Certificate will be inserted, in the second money column of the accounts, one of which with such remarks thereon as will enable you to compleat the business will be transmitted from the Treasury.
As the transmission of Certificates, will be attended with much trouble and delay, which ought to be avoided by every expedient which can be reconciled with a due attention to the public interest—[Notice will be given] to the public creditors, that the necessary arrangements with respect to the Loan would be facilitated [and expedited] in case the applications of holders of Treasury Certificates and those issued by the Commissioners of army accounts, and by the Commissioners for settling the accounts of the five great departments were made in the first instance at the Treasury. [It will be well for you to repeat this intimation personally to such as may apply to you with any of those Certificates, accompanied with a proper explanation.]
[But] where the Creditors [do not think fit] to apply at the Treasury this Certife. must be received by you, under the limitations before mentioned, taking care to exercise the discretion with which you are invested, for transmitting certain species of Certificates to the Treasury, in such manner that on the one hand, the public be not charged with counterfeit evidences of debt, [and] on the other the public Creditors be [not] exposed to improper delays and inconvenience.
For the renewal of Certificates to such of the public creditors as may not choose to subscribe to the proposed loan, the following forms are to be pursued.
The Certificates which may be presented by non subscribers are to be accompanied with an account agreably to the form marked (K)—which account is nearly of the same form as the account marked (B.) and is also to be made out by the Creditors in all cases where it can be conveniently done—however, instead of consolidating the arrearages of Interest to the first day of January 1791, into a new capital, as is to be done in respect to the Funded Debt, you will issue a Certificate agreably to the form marked (L) which Certificate is to bear interest from such a period, that interest being computed at the rate of six ⅌ Centum ⅌ Annum on the amount thereof, to the first day of January 1791 will give the sum of Interest arising from imputations on the Certificates presented agreeable to the statement (K).
For the Certificates issued to non subscribers agreably to the form (L) duplicate receipts are to be taken according to the form (M) one of which will be cut out from the receipt book and filed as a voucher for the account marked (K).
The account (K) is to be recorded in a book agreably to the form (N), which book will be nearly of the same form as the Book of Loans marked (C) and this book (N) is also to serve as a Waste Book, from which the entries relative to Unfunded Stock, are to be made in the Journal.
The aggregate amount of the several species of Certificates recd. from non subscribers will be entered in a book agreably to the form (O)—a copy of which will be the form of a return which you will make to the Treasury once in each Month.
The return last mentioned will be accompanied with the accounts marked (K) and the original Certificates previously cancelled by you, and also with one sett of the duplicate receipts marked (M).
The forms and accounts before described are indispensibly necessary to enable the Officers of the Treasury, to close the accounts relative to the several species of Certificates now open in the public books—and for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of Stock which may be credited in the books of your Office, and though a compliance with them will be attended with considerable trouble, you will have the satisfaction of reflecting, that they will become unnecessary, when the Loans are compleated.
When the records are made in the books marked (C & O) you will be prepared to make the necessary entries in your Journals. The cases which will occur with respect to accounts of principal Stock are the following viz

1st. When Stock is subscribed in your Office or is to be credited to a non subscriber on his receiving a new Certificate.
2d. When Stock is to be transfered on your books.
3d. When Stock is to be transfered from your books.
4th. When Stock is transfered to your books, by Warrant from the Secretary of the Treasury.
In the first instance the proper Accot. of Stock will be debited to the Stock holder or Non subscriber, as the case may happen.
In the second instance, the Assignor, will be debited to the Assignee, for the sum transfered.
In the third instance, the Stock holders or Non subscribers account will be debited to the account of Stock for the sum proposed to be transfered.
In all instances where applications are made for transfering Stock from your books, to those of the Treasury or of some other Commissioner the Certificate thereof is to be taken up by you & cancelled, and another issued agreably to the form (P) which Certificate is to be filled up in such manner, as [to] specify the species of Stock and the time from which Interest is payable.
In the fourth instance before mentioned, the account of Stock will be debited to the Stockholder or Non Subscriber, for the sum contained in the Warrant from the Secretary of the Treasury, directing the transfer to be made.
The proper entries to be made in most of the Cases before mentioned are exemplified in the first & fourth pages of the form of the Journal marked (Q).
It will be expedient for you to keep distinct Ledgers for the different kinds of Stock both for the purpose of preventing errors in transfers, and to enable you more expeditiously to balance your books, when the quarterly dividends of Interest are to be made, by employing several Clerks on that business—the forms of the Ledgers in which the accounts of Stock are to be kept are marked (R).
For the payment of Interest on the Funded Debt, the following regulations are to be observed.
For the term of [fourteen] days before interest becomes due in each quarter, your Office will be closed and no transfers permitted, of which regulation, notice ought to be given to the public Creditors.
During this time you ought carefully to balance your books; in case no errors have happened, the credits to individuals, will correspond with the amount debited to the several accounts of Stock.
When this is done an account of all the Stock credited to individuals will be entered in the Book of Dividends agreably to the form (W). On the sums of Stock credited to each individual the interest will be computed; which Intt. will be for the term of one quarter; on the stock subscribed before the expiration of the quarter ending March 31st. 1791—for the term of two quarters, on the Stock subscribed between Apl. 1st. & June 30th. 1791 & for the term of three quarters on the Stock subscribed between July 1st. & Sept. 30th. 1791—After the Loans are compleated, all the dividends will be made for one quarters interest only, except that it may sometimes happen, that Stock transfered by Warrant from the Secretary of the Treasury may not be credited in your books during the same quarter in which the account for said Stock was closed in the books from which the same was transfered.
When the computations of Interest are made in the Dividend Book, they may be proved to be right by computations on the gross sums of Stock, bearing interest from one period. After the Book of Dividends is thus compleated an Inden thereto ought to be made.
Duplicate Receipts for the interest settled in the Dividend Book are in the next place to be filled up in books to be prepared agreably to the form (X); these receipts are to be numbered progressively, and their numbers inserted in the Column for that purpose in the dividend Book against each Stock holders name. A copy of the Dividend Book being then made out to be transmitted to the Treasury, you will be prepared to open your office for the payment of Interest; which you will be able to do with dispatch, by means of the Inden to the Dividend Book, which will shew you the sum to be paid and the number of the Receipts which are to be signed.
After a payment of Interest, you will cut out of the Book one of the Receipts which you will take therefor, which being regularly filed, will serve in the first instance to govern the charge which is to be made, and afterwards as a Voucher for the account to be transmitted to the Treasury.
At the end of each quarter after the payments of Interest commence, you will render an accot. Current to the Treasury agreably to the form (Y) accompanied with a statement of the Interest paid; which statement will be of the same form as the Dividend Book, and will agree therewith so far as payments have been made, this statement will be supported by one sett of the duplicate Rects. for Interest marked (X).
At the end of the third quarter after the Dividend Book has been settled, an account of all the Interest unclaimed, is to be made out agreably to the form (Z) and transmitted to the Treasury. This account will consist of all the sums appearing due on the Dividend Book for the quarter to which it refers, and will agree with the receipts for Interest remaining unsigned. When this account is rendered the Dividend Book ought to be closed & the unsigned receipts cancelled.
As your Books will contain compleat evidence of all the claims of the Stockholders, both as respects Principal & Interest, it will not be necessary that any endorsements should be made on the Certificates of Funded Debt which may be issued. In cases of transfers of Funded Debt the new Certificate will bear Interest only from the first day of the quarter in which the transfer is made—and any demands for Interest settled in the Dividend Book, will be made only by the person in whose favour the Dividend was made, or his special Assignee.
For the payment of Interest to Non Subscribers, a book is to be prepared agreably to the form (No. 1). The documents on which these payments are to be made, will be the Certificate of Unfunded Debt issued by you agreably to the form (L).
In each part of the account (No 1) the description of these Certificates is to be entered, and the arrearages of Interest to the 1st. day of January 1791, are to be inserted in the Columns for that purpose. On the principal sum contained in each Certificate Interest is to be calculated at the rate of four ⅌ Centum ⅌ Annum, and on the arrearages of Interest, at the rate of three ⅌ Centum ⅌ Annum which Interest [will be] payable quarterly during the year 1791.
When the Interest is thus calculated and the payment made, the Creditors or their Attorneys will affix their signatures in the column for that purpose, which signatures will be considered as duplicate Receipts for the sums opposite to their names.
At the end of each quarter, you will cut out from the Interest Book (No 1) one sett of the accounts, which you will transmit to the Treasury, as a Voucher for the amount, which will be charged in your Account Current.
In this part of the business, it will be necessary that endorsements should be made on the Certifics. for all the Interest which may be paid, and in cases of transfers the same endorsements must be made on the Certificates issued as appeared on those which were given up in consequence of the transfers.
To prevent a multiplicity of entries it will perhaps be expedient that the Interest, paid to non Subscribers should be carried into the Journal, only once in each quarter, on this point however, you can exercise your discretion.
The accounts relative to the payment of Interest being very simple may be kept by you either with those respecting Principal Stock or in separate Books as you judge most convenient, and will be opened under the tittles of United States, Cash, and Interest Account, agreably to the form of a Ledger (No. 2)
The United States will be credited by Cash for all monies recd. from the Treasury, and will be debited to Interest Account, for the gross amt. of all Dividends of Interest which may be settled in favour of the Stock holders, and also for the amount of the Interest paid to Non Subscribers. This account therefore, by calculating the demands which will be made by Non Subscribers, and adding the same to the balance of the account, as it will stand on your books, will enable you to judge what monies ought to be [drawn] from the Treasury for the use of your office.
The Interest Account, will be credited for the gross amount of all Interest settled in the Dividend Book, and for the Interest paid to Non Subscribers—and will be debited to Cash for all payments of Interest made—the balance of this account will shew the amount of Interest unclaimed at your Office.
At the end of the third quarter after a dividend is made, and on the return to the Treasury of unclaimed Interest agreably to the Form (Z) the Interest Accots. is to be debited to the United States for the amount thereof, as said Interest will no longer be demanded at your Office.
The entries to the account of Cash, will consist of credits for money received and debits for money paid, and a transcript thereof will form the Account Current which you are to render to the Treasury.
The Salary to which you are intittled will be paid quarterly, on your drafts or assignments upon the Treasury, and will not therefore be blended with your accounts.
The papers marked (No. 3, 4 & 5) contain forms to be used in transfering Stock, either by personal appearance or by power of attorney; also forms of powers of attorney for transfering Stock & for receiving dividends of Interest, which forms ought to be published for the information of the public Creditors.
As nothing definitive can be done, with respect to the Loan offered for the State debts untill the first day of October 1791, it will not be necessary at present that you should proceed farther in this business than to open a subscription book agreable to the form before described—to keep a correct Register of the Certificates deposited in your Office agreably to the form (No. 6.)—to give descriptive receipts therefor to the subscribers and to report quarterly the amount of the subscriptions to the Secretary of the Treasury.
If the business of your Office shall permit it may be useful for you, to investigate by the best means in your power whether the Certificates deposited in your office possess the properties required by the Act of Congress to render them receivable on the Loan, and to make such remarks as will facilitate the settlement, when the amot. of the Subscriptions is ascertained.
In issuing the several species of Certificates which have been before described your special attention is requested to the following check which has been devised to detect the alteration of the sums for which the Certificates may be issued
In the [blank] margin of the Certificate paper, you will find five Tables, in which the numerical characters are inserted in an uniform order.
In the first Table at the left hand side, each Unit is designed to represent Ten Thousand Dollars—in the second table—One thousand Dollars—in the third table—One hundred Dollars—in the fourth table—Ten Dollars—& in the fifth table each character represents one or more Units.
The rule for reading the figures, is to consider the highest character in each table as significant of a certain sum according to the power of the table.
The highest sum which can be expressed by means of all the Tables is 99.999 Dollars—the figure 9 being the highest in each table.
Supposing the figure (9) in the table expressing ten thousand dollars to be cut out, the table would then express 89.999.—supposing the figure (9) in the table of one thousand dollars, to be cut out & the figure (9) in the table of ten thousand Dollars restored, the table would then express the sum of 98.999.
By attending to this rule it is evident that the different tables may be by an indenture made to express any sum up to 99.999 Dollars—and as each figure has a definite place—and as the highest number in each table is significant of a certain sum in case you are careful in making the indenture it will be impossible that any Certificate should be altered to a larger amount than the sum for which it was issued without being detected by means of this Check.
As a guide to you in making the indenture, it will be well after a Certificate is filled up, to mark the numbers which express the amount thereof, after which the indenture may be made in any way, provided the significant numbers are the highest remaining in the Table.
A form of the tables, and an example of an indenture to be made so as to express the sum of 85.417 Dolls is herewith transmitted [as explanatory of the process. It is marked (No. 7).]


Title: Conveyance: Alexander Hamilton to Jane Moncrieff, 20 September 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Moncrieff, Jane

New York, September 20, 1790. Recites an indenture dated November 1, 1788, purportedly made by Jane Moncrieff, a widow, selling a lot on William Street to Hamilton for £1752.15.4. States that Mrs. Moncrieff inserted Hamilton’s name without his consent and that he refused to accept the indenture.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 20 September 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] September 20, 1790. Wishes to suggest some changes in the provisions of the Coasting Act. Proposes that Section 11 be changed so that when a ship or vessel is sold or transferred “a production of such bill of sale to the Collector by the owner be made a condition of his receiving a new Certificate of Registry.” States: “By the 12th Sec: when the master of a registered Vessel is changed a memorandum of such change is to be endorsed on the Certificate of Registry &c. I have observed such memorandums on some Enrollments. Are they necessary?” Proposes that “every licenced vessel be her tonnage, her lading, her destination what it may, or wheresoever she may be employed, be obliged to enter and clear.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Brockholst Livingston and Edward Greswold, 23 September 1790
From: Livingston, Brockholst,Greswold, Edward
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York September 23rd. 1790
Sir,
Please to pay to Mr. James Rivington or order Thirty One Pounds Twelve Shillings for the Sett of Pickerings Statutes purchased of him by the Trustees of the New York Society Library and which you have agreed to take of them for the Office of the Treasury of the United States.
We are Sir,   Your very obedt. Servants,
Brockholst LivingstonEdw Greswold
To the honorable Alexr. Hamilton Esqr


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 25 September 1790
From: Lee, Charles
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Alexandria [Virginia] 25th. September 1790
Sir!
The Officers of the Customs are sometimes put to inconvenience in boarding vessels as they arrive. Hitherto they have been obliged to use such as the Merchants would lend. I think it would be proper that a small boat should be provided for the use of this District the cost of which may be computed at from seventy to one hundred Dollars, and with your directions such an one shall be procured as will suit the public purposes.
I am respectfully Sir!   Your most Obedt. Hble Servt.
Charles Lee, Collectorat Alexandria


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Pierpont Edwards, [26 September 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Edwards, Pierpont

[New York, September 26, 1790. Hamilton’s frank appears on an envelope which is addressed to Edwards and postmarked “New York Sept. 26.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 27 September 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Custom HouseNewport [Rhode Island] Sept. 27th 1790
Sir,
This letter will be accompanied by a weekly return of cash.
In my last I ventured to offer some hints respecting the Coastg. Act, permit me in this to make some additional remarks, and to propose some other questions.
By the 22nd. Sect: of that Act whenever the property of an enrolled vessel is changed the Owner or Owners thereof are required to make known such change to the Colle. of the District where he or they may reside and a new Certif: of enrollment is to be granted. Is the former Certife. of Enrollment to be recited in the bill of sale as in the case of Registered Vessels?
In the proviso of this Sect: Before any new License shall be given for a succeding year to the master of a vessel less than twenty tons, he shall on oath or affirmation declare that no illicit trade has been carried on &c. The master may be a new one, and entirely unacquainted with the transactions of the preceding year, and neither of the former masters may be to found.
The masters of such vessels as well as of Registered vessels may be changed during the year. Should not notice of such change be given to the Collector, and a memorandum thereof be endorsed on their Licences &c.
By the 26th. Sec: of the same Act the masters of vessels under the circumstances therein mentioned are required to deliver duplicate manifests to the Collect. &c but no penalty is enjoined for neglect or refusal.
There are several other instances in this Act in which certain duties are commanded to be performed, and no penalty annexed to disobedience. Laws without penalties are dead Letters.
I am, Sir,   Yr. most obedt. servant
W Ellery Colle
Alexander Hamilton EsqSecry of the Treasy.of the U. S.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, 27 September 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ellery, William

Treasury Department, September 27, 1790. “I learn by your letter of the 14th Instant that you have continued William Martin as keeper of the Light House.… He will be notified to the President for a regular appointment.… The collection of Light Money by the State being a contribution of your Trade to an object the expence of which the United States defray, ought to be discontinued.… A cession from the Legislature of their right & Title to the Light House would … be desireable.… A Bill of Sale reciting the Register of the Vessel sold must be exhibited prior to granting a new Certificate of Registry, and it is proper that the name of the new Master of an Enrolled Vessel at the time of the change should be endorsed on the Certificate of Enrollment and on the licence. Sensible of the danger to the Revenue from the latitude given to licensed Vessels I have inserted some additional Checks in the plan of a new Bill for the regulation of Coasters submitted to the House of Representatives at their late Session.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Tench Coxe, [1–20 October 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Coxe, Tench

[New York, October 1–20, 1790]
Dr Sir
If I understand the statements rightly the money paid by the Collector of Baltimore namely 30000 Dollars is still an advance; but as nothing more is now asked, and as it is presumeable the expences of the expedition and supplies to the end of the year will exceed the sum advanced all is well.
I have only conjecture as to what will be the situation of the troops after the termination of the expedition; but I presume it will be for the Winter pretty much as before the movements commenced. When the Secretary at War returns, I will request him to transmit more particular information.
I recollect nothing in particular about which I wish to see Mr. Williams; but if there be any thing about which he may have expressed a desire to see me I shall be glad to see him at any time before he goes.

To avoid the noise of our confused house I am now at the Baron De Steubens. I shall be all the afternoon at home.
Yrs. very truly
A Hamilton
In the letter to the President I will thank you to let the ⟨– – – –⟩

October ⟨–⟩ 1790


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Nourse, [2 October 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Nourse, Joseph

[New York, October 2, 1790. An entry dated December 31, 1792, in Nourse’s blotters concerning a special indent issued to Gerard Bancker refers to “general Instructions recd from the Secy of the Treasury ⅌ his letter dated Oct 2 1790.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 5 October 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] October 5, 1790. “… I wish to know whether it would be convenient to you to pay the balance due to me of Eighty four Dolls as late Commr. of the Loan Office in this State.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, [11–18 October 1790]
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Newport, Rhode Island, October 11–18, 1790.] “I received your particular letter of the 27th of your circular letter of the 30th. of Sept. last.… I will make a provisional Contract with William Martin for his allowance for keeping the Light.… The Collection of Light money by the State has been discontinued.… I expect the Legislature will make a ⟨mo⟩tion of their right and title to the Light House &c to the United States.… Jerathmael Bowen who claims the fee of the Land on which the Light House and Dwelling House stand lives at Swansey in the State of Massachusetts. I will take the earliest and best measures in my power to find out his ideas on this matter.… the forms which, in your Circular letter, you requested to be furnished with will accompany this letter.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Charles Lee, 16 October 1790
From: Lee, Charles
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Alexandria [Virginia] 16th. October 1790
Sir!
I have received your letter of 24th. September last covering a letter to me from the Collector of Providence, and your answer to him respecting the Sloop Nancy, Christopher Thornton master.
The Merchants to whom she was consigned at Alexandria have informed my deputy Mr Gray that she returned without any Cargo on board when she left our Town, and whatever she had on board on her arrival at Rhode Island must have been put on board after her departure from Alexandria. Thus my books contain no part of her export cargo. Captain Thornton was told at my Office of the necessity of obtaining a certified manifest and permit for the Cargo which he meant to carry to Rhode Island and his observation was, that he could do well enough without any such documents. He never applied for such documents and of course sailed without them.
I suppose he may have [been] led into this error from what had just before happened to him when he left Providence, where he believed the Laws were better understood than at Alexandria.
The various forms, used by me officially which you have directed to be transmitted, shall be sent.
I am most respectfully Sir!   Your most Obt. Hble Servant
Charles Lee, Collectorat Alexandria.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 18 October 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] October 18, 1790. Encloses a provisional contract made with William Martin “in conformity to your letter of the 27th of Sept.” Requests opinion whether, under the provisions of “The Act to provide more effecty. for the Collection of the Duties on goods &c,” duties are to be repaid on “Goods &c of the growth or manufacture of the United States or of this State … exported to a foreign Country before this State had become a member of the Union, and … since that event … brought back and the duties paid in this Office on their importation.” Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s letter of October 6. States: “I … have written to Jabez Bowen Esqe. informing him that I was ready to deliver to him or his order the Books, Documents, Checks and papers in my hands relative to the late Continental Loan Office in our State.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Langdon, 26 October 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Langdon, John

(Private)
Philadelphia, October 26, 1790
Dear Sir:—
I received a day or two before my departure from New York your letter recommending Mr. Keith Spence, as a proper person for the loan officer of your State and intimating that your brother would not probably incline to accept that appointment.
On receiving information of the resolution of Mr. Gilman to decline the office, I took occasion to remind the President, by a line, of your brother; adding that the information I had received concerning him induced me to consider him as an eligible character.
Yesterday came to hand a letter from the President to your Brother inclosed in one to me announcing his nomination to the office. I have concluded to send it forward, not withstanding your intimation to me; in the hope, that upon the whole he will determine not to refuse.
The convenience of the States is concerned that the business to be executed by the loan officer should not be longer delayed; and if the office does not at this moment exhibit a lucrative aspect, it ought to be considered that it is of the nature to be likely to be permanent; and that it must necessarily stand or be put on a footing to command the services of the best men; & that its importance and emolument will in all probability be progressive.
With regard to Mr. Spence as well from other information as from what you say of him, I am satisfied that he is a man of merit and competent to the trust; but I am informed, that he has lately experienced all the embarrassment of Insolvency. Unless this matter can be explained so as to shew that these embarrassments are effectually done away, I cannot help thinking, that the situation will appear to the president a weighty objection to the person.
As he is to have the actual disposition of considerable sums of money, it is a strong reason for looking for a man unembarrassed in his circumstances. Should one in a different situation be appointed from a confidence in his personal character the prudence of it might be questioned in the first instance & if an accident of any kind should happen it would not fail to be severely censured. I have the honor to be with great esteem & regard
Sir   Your most Obed. Servt.
Alex. Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, [29 October 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ellery, William

[Philadelphia, October 29, 1790. On November 16, 1790, Ellery wrote to Hamilton: “I have received your letter of the 29th of Octe.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 1 November 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] November 1, 1790. Submits questions concerning the interpretation of “the second clause in the 17th. page” and “the 27th. page” of the Collection Law. States that the state legislature has postponed passage of a motion ceding its right and title to the Newport lighthouse to the United States.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 8 November 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Newport, Rhode Island] November 8, 1790. “… In my letter of the 12th. of July I expressed a wish that the fees for every service had been precisely ascertained. I hope that this will take place in the new Coasting Act.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Mifflin, 13 November 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Mifflin, Thomas

Philadelphia, November 13, 1790. Introduces R. J. Vanden Broeck who was “a Clerk for a considerable period in the office of the Auditor of the State of New York and afterwards in that of the Secretary at War.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, [14 November 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ellery, William

[Philadelphia, November 14, 1790. Ellery endorsed his letter to Hamilton of November 1, 1790: “answered Nov. 14.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Walter Livingston, 20 November 1790
From: Livingston, Walter
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York Novr. 20. 90
Sir
Mr. Sands informs me that you promised him to procure the Opinion of the Attorney General of the Union; Whether the powers of the Comptroller extended to the Settlement of the Demand exhibited by Sands Livingston & Co. against the united States and by them, with the consent of the Parties submitted to Referrees. Our Claim is of such magnitude, that few persons can submit, without very great inconvenience to the (perhaps unavoidable delays on the part of government,) to be ranked among those chosen for your Claimants have not the smalest pretensions, If the Attorney General is in Philadelphia we are persuaded no unnecessary delay will take place. If not we must perforce wait for justice.
I am Sir   your H St.
The Honble Alexr Hamilton Esqr.Philadelphia


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Israel Ludlow, 20 November 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ludlow, Israel

Treasury Department, November 20, 1790. Commissions and instructs Ludlow to make “the Surveys which still remain to be made towards a complete demarkation of the boundaries of the several Tracts of land which have been contracted for with the persons respectively denominated The Ohio Company, The Scioto Company, and the Miami Company.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Hugh Hughes, 21 November 1790
From: Hughes, Hugh
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Yonkers [New York] Novbr. 21st. 1790
Sir,
Happening very lately to see an Act of Congress, which was passed the last Session, making certain Appropriations of Monies arising from Duties on Goods, Wares and Merchandize imported, as well as on the Tonnage of Ships &c. which Act has the following Clause—“The Sum of forty thousand Dollars towards discharging certain Debts contracted by Colonel Timothy Pickering late Quarter Master General, and which Sum was included in the Amount of a Warrant drawn in his Favour by the late Superintendant of the Finances of the United States, and which Warrant was not discharged.” It immediately occurred to me that this must mean the 40,000 Dollars which Colonel Pickering first gave me a Draught on Mr. Tillotson for, and next, on ye late Board of Treasury; but as neither Mr. Tillotson, who was the Receiver of Taxes in this State, nor the Board of Treasury, was in Cash, not either of the Draughts was paid and the last was deposited with Messrs. Osgood and Livingston, who composed the Board at the Time of Presenting it, which as near as my Memory serves, was, in the Spring of ’84, when, I received for Answer, “That whenever Congress were invested with sufficient Funds, it should be discharged.” From which, to the Time that the Legislature of this State made a Specie Grant of 1,80000 Dollars to Congress, which, if I mistake not, was in ’85, as I resided in another State and often severely indisposed, and heard no further of it. But on hearing of that Grant, which, as I was informed by several Persons of Veracity, was the more readily made, from an Apprehension that 40,000 Dollars of it would go to satisfying the just Claims of their Constituents. In Fact, this was confided to me by several Members of the Legislature, themselves. I applied for that Sum, I was told that it had been issued for the current Service, & dischargg some Part of the Interests of the Dutch Loan, and was told that there were no Hopes of it untill a more efficient Government took Place. From all which it will evidently appear that I never lost Sight of it, tho’ sometime prevented by Sickness & Locality from attending.
What the whole Intention or Design of those who have made this last Application to Congress for the sd. 40,000 Dollars is, I can not say, as I have never been consulted on it, but beg to be believed, when I assure you, Sir, that the original Intention of giving me the aforesd. Draughts, was to enable me to fulfil my Engagements and which were made at the ⟨–⟩ Request of the QMG to the Inhabitants of this State in particular as having afforded him more ⟨supplies⟩ than any other ⟨whatsoever⟩, and that not only in an official Capacity, but in a private one, as there was a Time, when neither the QMG, nor my Self, could obtain what the Service required without becoming responsible in a private Capacity, and, which he, I ⟨am⟩ very confident, must well remember. Then it was, Sir, that I became answerable, in my private Character, for Services and Supplies for the Publicke, and received repeated ⟨written⟩ Assurances, that I should be furnished with Monies to pay for whatever I procured on that Condition but which I have not paid, tho’ often called on, and threatened with Suits. Nay, the QMG. authorized me to promise Payment, in Specie, at three Months Credit, for all Services and Supplies from the Beginning of the Year 1782, as well to that Branch of his Department, under my Direction, as to the Country at large, and this I did, in the most perfect Confidence & solemn Manner, but without being enabled to fulfil my Promises to this Day, tho’ it was in Consequence of those very Assurances in my private Capacity that I not only procured large Supplies, but retained a good Number of the most useful Persons in the Service—however my Zeal then might have had the ascendancy of Prudence.
This being an incontestable State of Facts, Sir, I appeal to your well known Love of public, as well as private, Justice, whether the 40,000 Dollars first mentioned ought to be diverted from the Original Design of granting them, and whether the Persons to whom they are due, are not as fairly & justly entitled to Interest on their respective Sums, as any other public Creditor whatever without Deduction of any Kind? specially when the liberal Services and Supplies, as well as the Length of Time that they have lain out of their Property, are considered, and that many others withheld, when they so cheerfully and nobly contributed to the Salvation of their Country? If this original Design be done, ⟨and⟩ is but carried into Execution, I care not who does it; as I wish not to receive any public Money but what is fairly and honestly due to me, and that, I know your Candor will allow me the same Right to as others, as you are very sensible, that I have not ⟨–⟩ it less faithfully.
Impressed with these Ideas of the Services and Supplies rendered the Public by the worthy Inhabitants of this State, at my special Insistance and being that the Money in Question were not paid, I could do no less, in Justice to them as well as myself, than address you on the Subject, Sir,—
Whatever, in this, relates to Colonel Pickering, the late QMGeneral, I am very confident, from repeated Experience, he will confirm.
Whenever you may think it proper to favor me with a Line I will thank you, as I reside in the Country, to order it under Cover to General Lamb.
Should personal Attendance be requisite, I will do myself the Honor, Sir—
If I have trespassed on your Time, I know you have Goodness to forgive the Prolixity of Age especially in one whom you have so often favor’d with your Confidence & Friendship.
I have the Honor to be, with every Sentiment of Esteem and Regard   Sir, your most obdt. Humble Servant
H H


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 22 November 1790
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] November 22, 1790. “William Brightman Master of the Schooner Fly a British built vessel of the burthen of Twenty two tons & ¾ as measured by the Surveyor of this Port arrived here last tuesday and reported his vessel and Cargo consisting of about fifty Quintals of dried Codfish and ten Tons of Train Oil. Upon inquiry we found that he had no Register or any other shipping paper and that said vessel was purchased so lately as the first of last Oct, and not entitled to the Privileges of a vessel of the United States; and under the circumstances in which the fish were caught and the Oil extracted and imported, it became a question whether both vessel and cargo were not subject to seizure and forfeiture by the first clause in the 40th. page of the new Collecting Law; and if not so subject whether her cargo was not subject to the foreign duty.… Capt. Brightman has consented … to wait until I shall receive your Sentiments on this subject.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery Junior, 30 November 1790
From: Ellery, William, Jr.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Newport [Rhode Island] November 30, 1790. “I have received your Letter of the 14th. inst: shall transmit by the first convenient opportunity the Registers of the Business done by the Late Loan Offices.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Tench Coxe, [November 1790–1794]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Coxe, Tench

[Philadelphia, November, 1790–1794]
Dr. Sir
Inclosed is a letter, which came under cover to General Knox, and which he sent to me as probably intended for me—on opening it, it appears to be your’s & I send it accordingly.
Yrs
A H


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Samuel Bosworth, 2 December 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Bosworth, Samuel

Treasury DepartmentDec. 2⟨d⟩ 1790.
Sir
I have received you⟨r l⟩etter relative to the hydrometer which will be sent to you as soon as finished. Should it be in your power to borrow one for the short time before it reaches you it will be convenient.
The Bond sent on by you is right in all respects except that it should be to “The United States of America” and not to me as Secretary of the Treasury. You and your Surety will be pleased to execute another with that alteration and to transmit it to me.
I am, Sir,   Your obedient servant
A Hamilton
Samuel Bosworth Esq.Surveyor, BristolR. Island.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, [6 December 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ellery, William

[Philadelphia, December 6, 1790. Ellery endorsed his letter to Hamilton of November 22, 1790: “Answered Dece. 6th.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Edmund Randolph, [10 December 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Randolph, Edmund

[Philadelphia, December 10, 1790. On July 9, 1791, Randolph wrote to Hamilton: “In answering your communication of the 10th. of december last.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 12 December 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Delany, Sharp

Treasury DepartmentDecember 12th. 1790.
Sir
I find it necessary to be more fully informed as to some particulars attending the case stated to me by Messrs. Warder & Co. on the 6th. Instant.
It is said in your Notes and additions to their statement that the Teas were surveyed by the Wardens with the consent of the Collector. I wish to know, if the appointment was made by you according to the directions of the 16th. Section of the then collection Law and if the Surveyors were sworn by you. I also request a copy of the return, or if more convenient to you of the original.
The statement of the Importers declares the importation to have been made in December 1789, and altho’ the Bond remained unpaid the case was never made known at the Treasury till the 6th. Instant.
The credit must then have expired about six months. I request you will inform me if there were any circumstances attending this case which prevented as full and accurate a statement and as equitable an adjustment in May or June as can be made at this time.
I am, Sir,   Your Obedt. Servt.
A Hamilton
Sharp Delany Esqr.collr Philadelphia.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 13 December 1790
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Appleton, Nathaniel

Treasury DepartmentDec. 13. 1790.
Sir
I am of opinion it will be most proper that a person having a general power to transfer stock should not transfer to himself. He may as well transfer to a third person, who can afterwards transfer to him, which will avoid all question.
When you issue new certificates on a transfer of stock, it will be well that on the back of the cancelled certificate (or file of cancelled certificates, if there be several) you take a receipt or receipts for that or those you give in lieu thereof.
As notaries public are not to be found in the interior part of the States, I shall have no objection to your acting upon powers of Attorney authenticated by a Judge of the superior or inferior courts of Massachusetts, with the seal of the Court; or without seal if the hand writing of the Judge be known, or can be satisfactorily proved, to you.
I am, Sir,   Your obedt. servant
A Hamilton
Nathaniel Appleton Esq.Commissioner of LoansBoston.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, [13 December 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ellery, William

[Philadelphia, December 13, 1790. On January 17, 1791, Ellery wrote to Hamilton: “On my return from the Eastward … I found that four letters had been received from you.… The third dated Dece. 13. 1790 respects the Departure of the Ship Warren from the District of Providence without a coasting licence or register.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Phillips, [13 December 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Phillips, Nathaniel

[Philadelphia, December 13, 1790. On June 6, 1791, William Ellery wrote to Hamilton: “I received a letter from the Surveyor of the Port of Warren some time ago inclosing a letter from you of the 13th. of Decr. 1790.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Walter Livingston, 18 December 1790
From: Livingston, Walter
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York Decr. 18. 1790
Sir
On the 20 of last month I applied to you respecting the Claims of Sands Livingston & Co. against the united States. Tho hurried with the most important business, permit me to call your attention to our demand, by requesting you to inform me, if application has been made to the Attorney General, for his opinion respecting the authority of the Comptroller either to allow or reject the Claims established by the Award.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, [28 December 1790]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ellery, William

[Philadelphia, December 28, 1790. On January 17, 1791, Ellery wrote to Hamilton: “On my return from the Eastward … I found that four letters had been received from you.… The letter of the 28th. of Dece. requires no answer.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, [11 January 1791]
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, January 11, 1791. Letter listed in Jefferson’s “Summary Journal of letters.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Walter Livingston, 15 January 1791
From: Livingston, Walter
To: Hamilton, Alexander

N York Jany. 15. 91
Sir
On the receipt of your favor of the 5. covering the Opinion of the Attorney General on the Claims of the Contractors of the moving Army & the Post of West Point—The Parties concerned determined on an application to Congress praying them to empower the Proper Officers of the Treasury to determine on the Award presented to Congress by the referees.
Mr. Joshua Sands now waits on you with our Memorial, which you are requested to examine and to give him your Advice. He will wait in Philadelphia till the Sentiments of Congress are known.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 17 January 1791
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Custom House [Newport, Rhode Island]Jany. 17th 1791
Sir,
On my return from the Eastward, where by extreme bad roads, and severe weather, I had been detained I found that four letters had been received from you. On the receipt of the first dated Nove. 14 in answer to mine of the 25th of Octe., the Registers of my late business as Continental Loan Offe. were immediately transmitted and delivered to Mr. Bowen. On receipt of the second, dated Dece. 6., application was made to the Attorney and the Judge of the District Court, and Capt. Brightman’s attention directed to the mitigating act. The Judge has transmitted the Proceedings to you. The third dated Dece. 13. 1790 respects the Departure of the Ship Warren from the District of Providence without a coasting licence or a register. If there were wrong conduct in this Office it was not owing to any aversion in my Deputy to proceed in the execution of his duty; or to a want of application to the Attorney of the District, or advising with the Naval Officer and Surveyor. They all approved of his letter to Col. Olney, and it was then and now is the opinion of the District Attorney that as the Penalty for the Ship’s Departure, from Providence without the necessary papers was incurred in that District the prosecution ought to have been commenced by the Collector thereof. In conformity to that opinion, and not to a disposition to decline to do any thing with the Ship in my absence the reference was made to him.
The master of the ship made a verbal report on the 26th of Nove, within 24 hours after his arrival in this port. He declared among other things that the ship was ordered from Providence by his owners, the wind and tide being favorable, to avoid her taking the ground, and being stopped by ice; and that he expected his papers would be immediately sent down by his Owners. She did not make a regular entry, nor was she charged with foreign tonnage. On the 30th. the Master produced to the Depy. Collector of this District a Register, a license, a certified manifest and a permit to proceed to this Port, granted and issued by the Colle. of the District of Providence. This gave a new complexion to the case, and the misconduct of the Capt. seemed to be cured. She entered here as a Coaster and on the 24th. of Dece. was cleared out for Calcutta in India, and sailed the next day, previously to the receipt of your letter now before me. If your letter had arrived before her Departure the Capt. would have been prosecuted agreeably to your direction.
Without questioning the propriety of the Colle. of the District of Providence granting a Register, a license certified manifest, and a Permit to the Ship Warren to proceed to this Port, which was actually in this Port when those papers were issued, this act, and his not prosecuting the master for departing from his district without the necessary official papers, which it is conceived it was his province to do, led to the conduct in this office which has incurred your disapprobation. You may rely upon it, Sir, that the Officers of the Customs in this Port, are attentive, and faithful, and decisive in executing their duty when understood, and that when they err it is from a want of information and knowledge only, and mistakes of this sort it is hoped will be viewed with candour: And altho’ it is with reluctance yet I must say that if I had not been well assured from experience in the Loan Office as well as in this office of the capacity, diligence, fidelity and resolution of my son I should not have employed him as my Deputy. I have applied to the Attorney of this District with respect to proceding against the Ship Warren for not having a regular entry, and for the foreign tonnage. It is his opinion that the Master only is liable to prosecution in both cases, and as he departed before the receipt of your letter, and it is uncertain whether he has any attachable property, and if he should have, no determination could be had until his return home he advised not to commence a prosecution until I should have received your directions.
Copies of the manifest, permit, and of Col. Olney’s letter of the 29th of Nove. last are herewith transmitted. My Depy. did not insert the words to stop at Newport, after the words East Indies in the head of the manifest agreeably to Col. Olney’s request; because the latter words were not therein, and because he conceived there would be an impropriety in his making addition or alteration in it, especially as thereby the head would become a proper one for a General Clearance, and thus not consistent with his Permit.
A Statement of the case of William Almy marked A., of the Case of Hezekiah Usher & George Usher marked B., a copy of the Entry of House-hold furniture &c by John Sly. A Weekly return of Cash. Two drafts upon me by Saml. Meredith Trease. of the United States, No. 848 for 800 Dollars and 861 for 400 Dollars are herewith transmitted.
I am with great esteem   Sir   Yr. most obedt. Servt.
W Ellery Colle
P. S. The letter of the 28th. of Dece. requires no answer. I have recd. a letter from the Assist. Secry. acknowledgg. the receipt of a letter of the 21 Dece., and a pay draft of the Treasy. No. 809. for 200 Dolls.

W E   C.
Alexr Hamilton Esqe.Secry. of the Treasy.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, [25 January 1791]
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Newport, Rhode Island, January 25, 1791. “… By the last Post I received the substitute hydrometer with the apparatus which you transmitted, with your letter of the 18th of the last month, and a description of Dycas’s Hydrometer, with directions for the use of it, and directions also for the use of the Substitute.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Tench Coxe, [1 February 1791]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Coxe, Tench

[Philadelphia, February 1, 1791]
Dear Sir
I send you a Check on the Bank of New York, for three thousand Dollars, to be delivered Mr. Francis another for Mr. Tilghman on the Cashier of the Bank here for 3275 Ds

   Note I have 6 or 700 Drs in Bank here beside the 3000.

 & 94 Cts. which I compute to be the amount of the bills. I will be obliged to you to complete this negotiation for me & take a receipt for the money.
On reflection, I am not quite at my ease about the request made of the Bank, as the accommodation is perhaps irregular. But I cannot in time make a different arrangement & therefore must go on. It would however relieve me if the thing could be put in the shape of a purchase of my draft on the Bank of New York; in which I should not scruple a discount of half per Cent. Be so good as to speak to Mr. Francis for me & endeavour to arrange the matter so as to put me more in order.
Yrs. sincerely
A Hamilton
I shall stay at home to day to go over the Report on Manufactures and make such additions &c. as occur.

Feby. 1.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Cochran, [8 February 1791]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Cochran, John

[Treasury Department, February 8, 1791. The description of this letter in the dealer’s catalogue reads: “Concerning ‘the Payment of Pensions to Invalids for the space of one year.… The allowance for your trouble will be two per cent on what you pay.’” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Neufville, [8 February 1791]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Neufville, John

[Philadelphia, February 8, 1791. On May 5, 1796, Neufville wrote to John Davis: “The Secretary of the Treasury advised me by letter of 8th. February 1791, that the Secretary of War would write to me concerning the evidences upon, and under which those payments were to be made, but … nothing of that sort had come to my hands.” Letter not found.]