Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 4 March 1791
From: Short, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Amsterdam March 4th. 1791
Sir

I had the honor of informing you on the 17th. of the last month of the loan of 2½. millions of guilders being brought on the market & on the 22d. I inclosed you a prospectus of that loan. It is not till now that I have been able to get a copy of the bonds which are to be given on the part of the U.S. & of which I forward you one at present by the way of England, for your examination, & to obtain on it the promised ratification. A duplicate & triplicate will be sent by other conveyances.
You will find the instrument verbose & of a barbarous style. This is occasioned by the profits of those employed being proportioned to its length & on its being a translation from the Dutch in which it is thought necessary to conform literally to the original. It is the form to which the money lenders here are accustomed & which it is neither necessary or proper to change. The conditions of the loan being clearly expressed in it I suppose you will consider its form & language as of little importance.
You will have seen by the letter of the two houses employed here which I inclosed you in mine of the 15th. of January, as well as by several letters I have written you since, that the commission on this loan is to be ½ p. cent lower than on that made in Jan. 90.
I learn from the agents that about one fourth of the money on this loan has been already subscribed viz during the month of February & that of course agreeably to constant usage the interest on it will commence from the 1st. of that month. I can add nothing here which will not occur of itself to you on the propriety of your views being made known to me as soon as possible, with respect to this loan. One circumstance however which I cannot omit is that the committee of finance of the national assembly are informed of your late draughts & that these, probably much exagerated as to their amount & as explanatory of your future intentions, excited there disagreeable reflexions. I learn this only by a private letter, & shall say nothing unless I should be applied to officially. If you will consider that I have not had the honor of hearing from you since the 1st. of Sep. 90. & that I have no other data whatever on which to form my conjectures as to your intentions, you will readily concieve that I should wish as much as possible to avoid going into explanations on the subject: The more so as explanations, in such cases, which are not complete, produce the same effect as those which are dissatisfactory.
I am waiting now only for the printing of the bonds in order that I may sign them, & shall then return immediately to Paris. I am promised them for the day after to-morrow, so that I shall probably leave this place in five days.
You will have seen by my letters to the Secretary of State of the 22d. & 25th of february, the decision of the national assembly respecting tobacco. He will have recieved also from Paris the debates of the national assembly on this question. The preference given there to French vessels & which if it subsists will exclude entirely the American, was produced by a combination of hazard & design. It was proposed to the assembly during the debate & adopted without examination. It was suggested by those merchants probably who are owners of vessels. The assembly certainly were not aware that the difference in the duty was more than the full freight, & of course that as to this article, they were passing with respect to us a navigation act more severe than that of their neighbors which they consider so unjust. I have taken measures to engage them to change this decree as well as that with respect to the oils, & on my return to Paris shall pursue those measures in person. I must add however what you will easily concieve that in an assembly which is composed, & which deliberates like that, it is impossible to foresee the steps into which they are often unavoidably surprized, or to conjecture whether they may be induced to return on them. You know also that they have adopted as a kind of principle that the assembly cannot change its decrees; yet they violate this, as well all the other principles they have adopted, when they find it convenient. I have no doubt that time & experience will correct the errors into which the national assembly have been drawn with respect to our commerce. If I could go into a full explanation of their causes, you would see that accident & the circumstances of the moment have contributed principally to them.
I have the honor to be with sentiments of perfect respect & attachment   Sir,   Your most obedient & most humble servant
W: Short
The Honble Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 5 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Appleton, Nathaniel

Treasury Department March 5th. 1791
Sir

You have been instructed fourteen days before interest becomes due in each quarter, to close your office and balance your books.
As the provision for the payment of interest in each state for the ensuing quarter must be regulated by the sums which shall appear on the books of each Commissioner at the period of closing them either as “funded” or “unfunded” stock or in other words as stock subscribed to the proposed loan or as stock for which certificates shall have been issued to non-subscribers, I am to desire that you will immediately after your office shall be closed as abovementioned transmit to me the total amount of the different kinds of stock funded and unfunded which shall be borne on your books distinguishing each kind under a separate head.
As this is only for my information towards a general arrangement, the transmission is not to wait for the revision of your books but is to be made without delay from the first face of them.
You will at the same time inform me of the amount of the cash which you will then have in hand from whatever source; together with the amount of the Treasurer’s draughts if any which then remain undisposed of.
My wish is that as far as practicable the Bank of Massachusetts may be the place of deposit of whatever money you may have and the medium of your payments.
The day for closing your office will be the seventeenth instant. On that day the post leaves Boston and arrives here the 25th. You will forward the statement required by that post.
I am, Sir,   Your obedt. servant
Alexander Hamilton
Nathanl. Appleton Esq.Commissioner of LoansBoston


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Josiah Parker, 5 March 1791
From: Parker, Josiah
To: Hamilton, Alexander

March 5, 1791. Forwards a letter from Thomas Newton, Jr., to Hamilton.


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 5 March 1791
From: Treasury Department,Hamilton, Alexander
To: Collectors of the Customs

Treasury Department,5 March 1791
Sir,

The arrangements towards the payment of the ensuing Quarters interest to the public Creditors within your state require that the Commissioner of Loans for your state should be advised by every opportunity of the monies in your hands. This you will not fail to do by every post, & even by every private opportunity which shall present. I shall count on your punctuality.
You will also pay to the order of the said Commissioner whatever specie may be in your hands at any time during the present month.
Your returns to the Treasury will continue with exact punctuality.
I remain with great consideration sir,   your obt servant
A Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 7 March 1791
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Custom HouseNewport [Rhode Island] March 7th 1791
Sir,

Inclosed is a weekly return of Cash on hand, and also a Certificate of Registry No. 13 issued at the Port of Dighton by H Baylies Collector Mh. 27th 1790, and delivered up on account of transfer of property.
The Genl. Assembly of this State met at East Greenwich the last week. Previous to their meeting I requested two of the Deputies of this town to move for a cession of the right of the State to the Light-House and the Dwelling House adjoining; but a House was not formed until Thursday, and the Assembly rose on Saturday night, so that, it seems, there was no opportunity to bring this matter on the carpet. The Assembly will sit in course the first Wednesday in May next.
I have not as yet had an opportunity to sound Mr. Bowers who claims the land on which the Light House and Dwelling House stand. When I last wrote respecting this matter the Surveyor of this Port was about going to Swansey where Mr. Bowers lives, and through him I hoped to learn his sentiments; but he did not go. Since that time One of my Sons was at his House, but he was at Boston attending the General Court of which he is a member. I shall embrace the first opportunity for obtaining the information you desired.
In a Statement and remarks on my accounts I find monies I have furnished for the Light-House are carried to my account as Superintendantof Light House. I wish to know in what relation I stand to the Light-House.
I am, Sir,   Yr. most obedt servant
W Ellery Collector
A Hamilton EsqrSecry &c.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Brown, 8 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Brown, John

Treasury Department, March 8, 1791. “In answer to your Enquiry, I am to inform you that the Contract for the Supply of Articles in the Quarter Masters Department was made with Messrs. Elliot & Williams. That they are considered as the persons to whom the Government is responsible for all purches of such Articles.… That accordingly very liberal advances of money for all those purposes have been made to them … no accounts having been yet rendered in relation to the Expenditures for the late Expedition. I stand ready the moment any balance shall satisfactorily appear to be due, to pay it.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Catharine Greene, 8 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Greene, Catharine

Philadelphia March 8. 1791

Your letter of the 26th of January did not reach me till the 4th instant, the day after the adjournment of Congress; of course it was impossible that I could obey your wish, by making a report on your Memorial.
But my dear friend, I love you too well not be be very candid with you. I am afraid my report will not promote your interest. I had too much reverence as well as friendship for General Greene, ever to admit any supposition injurious to his fame without a degree of proof of misconduct which I am confident will never be possible. The labouring point therefore in my judgment is this—It does not appear that General Greene gave notice at the time of the engagement, he had entered into, to any of the public departments. In proportion as he stepped aside from the authorised path, it became incumbent upon him to notify the proceeding and assign the reasons. The not having done it opposes a tremendous bar to the claim of indemnification. The precedent of granting such indemnification upon a subsequent disclosure of facts, when the danger of loss had already exploded would be of a most delicate and hazardous kind.
Colonel Wadsworth is the only person beside yourself to whom I have hinted this difficulty. He promised to have a search made in the Offices and among General Greenes papers; but has not informed me of the result. I fear it will not have been successful. As far as regards the public Offices my attention shall not be wanting.
You are at liberty to communicate this letter to Mr. E. Rutlege. I wish he may be able by proof or argument to obviate the objection I have stated. I should be glad to be convinced that it is not valid, that it is consistent with my duty and reputation to surmount it. It is impossible that I can have stronger motives than I have to view the matter in conformity to your Interests. At the same time I confide in Mr. Rutleges candour that if he sees the point in the same light, [as] I at present do, he will tell you so. For of all things I desire to stand justified in your judgment and feelings.
When shall we have the pleasure of seeing you this way? I need not tell you how much Interest I should take in it; as I am sure you do not doubt the attachment of
Your sincere friend


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Hazard, [9 March 1791]
From: Hazard, Nathaniel
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[New York, March 9, 1791]
Sir

Mr. White Matlack, who is one of our first Ale Brewers in this City, goes to Philadelphia on Business, of what Nature I know not, which I understand, will lead him to wait upon you. One Part of his private Business he tells me, is to review the Operations of a Steel Furnace which he erected there, & has lain d⟨or⟩mant for some Months. This Article is of very great Consumption in America. It is made of various Kinds, as good as english, & afforded cheaper. There are some Kinds not yet introduced, particularly that of the german Mode & Temper, which may easily be done. Mr. Matlack is not averse to a moderate Excise on american, provided, a proportionably heavy one, is laid on foreign Steels. I have been for several Years, Agent for the Sale of that made at Matlack’s Furnace. I apprehend the Consumption of Steel in America is little short of 3000 Tons per Annum. The Use of american Porter & Beer is rapidly increasing, particularly in the Southern States. The Vend of Snuff is not inconsiderable, & confined to the Northern, principally. Of these Articles I speak professionally, or occupationally; having dealt extensively in them for several Years. Of Course, I have been led to examine the principal Markets for them, from Boston, ⟨to⟩ Savanna, with Attention. Mr. Maxwell has no Objection to Ten Cents pr. Pound Weight of Snuff, which I think however too high, for a Beginning. Mr. Lispenard has none to a moderate Excise on Porter; nor Mr. Matlack to one on Ale & american Steel. If capital Manufacturers do not object, I conceive others cannot complain. I have Minutes on these Subjects in my Possession, that have lain by me many Months, which I wish to arrange & compress, & submit to your leisureable Inspection. In August last were published in Childs’s Paper, “Hints &c on an american Excise” signed “Columbianus” containing Sentiments, exactly similar to mine on that Subject; they were republished in Carey’s Museum for September last. I can furnish from my own Experience, Facts, which appear to me convincing Data, that a Revenue may be raised of above 80,000 Dollars per Annum, from the Articles I have mentioned, & they be excised agreeably to the Makers Wishes. Mr. Matlack is a Man of Candor, Enterprize & Information, & nearly related to Mr. Haines a considerable Brewer in Philadelphia. Perhaps it may not be useless to converse with him on this Subject, as he has other Business he tells me, which will lead him to wait upon you. I am Sir with as much Truth, Esteem & Respect, as Talents, Virtue & Perseverance combined, alone ought to excite, in the Hearts of honest, unambitious, independent Men, who only can judge of, & do Honor to real Merit, your Friend & most obedient Servant
Nathl. Hazard
Newyork 9th. March 1791


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, 9 March 1791
From: Lincoln, Benjamin
To: Hamilton, Alexander

From the Collector of BostonMarch 9th. 1791
Sir

By the 32nd. Section of the late Collection Act, no exporter of Goods, wares & merchandise imported could be allowed the Draw Back of Duties paid, unless the goods were exported in the same casks &c & from the Port or District into which they were originally imported, these restrictions very much embarrassed trade & were a source of daily complaints of the Merchants, especially that part, where the exportation must be from the Port or District into which the Goods were originally imported.
The existing law is penned differently, but how far, even in this the Merchant is relieved, I cannot determine; permit me Sir, to state to you a case. Suppose a Merchant of Salem comes into Boston & here purchases twenty chests of Tea, imported originally into this District, enters it here for exportation in the Ship America of Salem for London & complies in all respects with the Law. After this the Collector causes the Goods to be inspected & finding them to correspond with the notice & proof concerning the same, can a permit be granted for lading them and an officer be appointed to see them on board the Ship in Salem? If this cannot be done, can a Captain receive part of his Cargo in Salem & come into this District & complete his load? In short, is there any method whereby a Merchant loading his Cargo in one District can secure the Draw back on Good exported in the same Vessel which were imported into a different District.
To Secy of the Treasury.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Meletiah Jordan, 10 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Jordan, Meletiah

[Philadelphia, March 10, 1791. On July 1, 1791, Jordan wrote to Hamilton and referred to “Your letter of March the 10th.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 11 March 1791
From: Short, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Amsterdam March 11. 1791
Sir

I have the honor of writing to you at present for the last time from this place. I am now signing the bonds as fast as I recieve them from the notary. It is possible they may be finished to-morrow & in that case I shall set out the day after for Paris.
In my last of the 4th. inst. sent by the way of England was inclosed a translation of the bonds of the present loan. I now add a copy of the original in the Dutch language. Duplicates will be sent by the bankers.
In a former letter sent by the way of England I mentioned to you a letter which I had recieved from M. de Montmorin relative to the offers of Jeanneret & Co. You will recieve enclosed at present a copy of the same No. 1. together with the instructions therein alluded to No. 2. It is probable M. Otto will have previously communicated them. I have learned lately what I had before reason to suspect that Jeanneret & Co. are entirely without capital or credit & further of a character which shews it would be unsafe to treat with them their offers being supported by the minister is the only circumstance which entitles them to any kind of attention. They are besides of a nature which there is no probability of your being disposed to accept. You will observe by the instructions of M. de Montmorin that the ministry is in the disposition you would desire with respect to this affair.
I mentioned in my last that the committee of finance might be led into a different disposition by those who have an interest in the purchase of the American debt. The day after I wrote that letter I recieved from the Chargé des affaires of France at the Hague, one of which I inclose you a copy No. 3. & my answer No. 4. I am persuaded that this letter was written at the instigation of the committee of finance. They had been told that your draughts were for the loan now making. Those who wish to make this purchase & of whom some are probably in that committee imagined that if this could be ascertained that the assembly would perhaps force the government to treat for the sale of the debt, & that they would treat on more favorable terms on finding that the loans made here by the U.S. were destined for other purposes. My complete ignorance of your views on this subject disabled me from giving any other answer to M. Caillard. I know not as yet whether it will be thought satisfactory at Paris, where so much is done at present by intrigue & corruption, & where there are so many who are endeavouring to speculate on this debt. So far as it depends on the ministry I have no apprehension of any thing being done contrary to your wishes but the ministry have no weight against a decree of the assembly & these decrees are easily surprized by a committee, or a few members of a committee.
I have lately recieved from Mr. Grand of Paris a letter of which I inclose a copy No. 5 & my answer No. 6. These letters will suffice to explain themselves & the present situation of the subject which gave rise to them. They are submitted to you Sir that you may give such instructions relative thereto as you may think proper. Mr. Grand will probably persist in his complaint & carry it to the cognizance of the government of the United States. I have learned since I wrote my letter to him that the house here in which I supposed him interested has the name of Grand from his son’s being one of the partners & that he himself is not concerned in it.
The moment for making loans at present has been found so favorable that Russia has opened one for six millions of guilders instead of three as was intended; & it is already filled. The policy of Hope who conducts the business of that country with much propriety has always been never to bring on a loan at an improper moment & never to let slip unemployed one that was favorable. By the date of the bonds used in the late loan it appears that it was to have been made in August last. He found it proper to hold them up until now notwithstanding the exigencies of the Court of Petersburg. It is by the prudent & judicious conduct of this house that the credit of Russia has been maintained here throughout the war, & in such a manner that it is much superior now to what it was when the war begun. Hence it is that the services of Hope, for which however he is most extravagantly remunerated, are considered as more essential to Russia than an alliance with any of the secondary powers of Europe.
The city of Amsterdam have lately made a loan here of six millions of guilders to restore order to the affairs of their bank which have for some time appeared in an alarming posture. The interest is only 3½. p cent. The principal merchants have taken the most of it on themselves so that it was soon filled. This produced a good effect for a few days on the paper of the bank. It is again declining, which would seem to indicate that the root of the evil is deeper than had been supposed.
The price of foreign stock on this market is as when I wrote you on the 22d. of February. That of the loans made on the liquidated debt of the U.S. varies from 1 to 40 p cent above par, according to the conditions of these loans. In them the liquidated debt is alienated at different prices according to the time at which the loan was made. The present rate of the loan is graduated accordingly & will follow the rise of the funds in America.
I have had several occasions of observing during my stay here that the distance of the United States is a considerable drawback on their credit in the minds of the people in general. The idea of this distance consisting for the most part in the communications from thence being rare. The inconvenience would be much diminished if authentic papers & information were regularly sent here & published in the gazettes in the Dutch language. This might be done by some of your clerks & an arrangement made here with a gazetteer. The people being thus accustomed to have something respecting the U. S. before their eyes regularly two or three times a week would insensibly suppose America nearer to them—they would necessarily become better acquainted with the real situation of the U.S. & of course be more disposed to judge for themselves. This would contribute more than any thing else to emancipate your foreign operations from a dependence on the agents employed here. At present it cannot be denied that a combination among a few of the more powerful & more enlightened would much embarass, perhaps totally defeat any loan the U. S. might wish to make. I have formerly explained to you in what manner their influence operates on the money lenders, which will have convinced you also that the best manner of counteracting such inconveniences is to unfold the U.S. fully to the public view, & keep them constantly in their sight. You will easily believe that the houses here who recieve the most constant information from America, & who are four or five only, can have no inducement to disseminate the knowlege they thus acquire, & of which the principal value consists in the exclusion.
There has been an apprehension, here some time past that the states of Holland intended laying a tax of 2½ p. cent on foreign loans negotiated in the province. The idea is abandoned for the present year at least & it is thought it will not be again resumed. Yet if the exigencies of the country should increase, by their being drawn into a war, of which the probability has become greater within a day or two, I should not be surprized that this resource should be tried on foreign loans made in future. If adopted in Holland it wd of course be extended to the other provinces.
I beg leave to refer you to my letters to the secretary of State, (one of this date, which goes by the way of England & to one which I shall write to him to-morrow to go by the American vessel which carries this) for information relative to some decrees of the national assembly on navigation & commerce, & also relative to the present alarming situation of the affairs of that country. You will easily see from thence that there is little probability of the exchange rising for some time & that the payments which you may order to be made in future will be on as advantageous terms as the last.
I have the honor to be with sentiments of the most profound respect,   Sir,   Your most obedient & most humble servant
W Short
The Honble. Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury.


Title: Enclosure: Comte de Montmorin to William Short, 24 January 1791
From: Montmorin, Comte de
To: Short, William

A Paris le 24. Janvier 1791.

J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 19. du mois.
Les Srs. Jeanneret et Schwietzer en me communiquant la réponse
que vous leur avez faite, m’ont prié d’appuyer auprès du Président des Etats-Unis la proposition que vous vous êtes déterminé à lui transmettre. J’ai fait d’autans moins de difficulté de me prêter à leur demande, que je l’ai entierement subordonneé aux convenances du Congrès: Vous en jugerez par la copie qui je joins ici des instructions que je viens d’addresser à Mr. Otto. C’est à vous à juger, Monsieur, si vous croyez être suffisamment autorisé pour prendre dès à présent des arrangemts conditionels avec les Srs. Jeanneret et Schweitzer.
Je suis très sincerement, Monsieur votre très humble et très affectionné serviteur.
Montmorin

Je crois devoir vous informer, Monsieur, que le Roi vient de nommer Mr. de Ternant Son Ministre plénipre auprès des Etats-unis de l’amérique.


Title: Enclosure: Antoine Bernard Caillard to William Short, 4 March 1791
From: Caillard, Antoine Bernard
To: Short, William

La Haye le 4 Mars 1791.
Monsieur

Le Gouvernement de france a grand interet de Savoir Si l’emprunt que font en ce moment à Amsterdam les Etats unis de l’Amerique par votre ministere a pour objet le reboursement d’une partie des sommes qu’ils doivent à la france, et il me charge de vous demander un mot d’eclaircissement à ce Sujet. J’ose vous prier, Monsieur, le vouloir bien m’honorer d’une reponse Sur cela—et de me mettre en etat de donner au Ministere l’information qu’il desire le plus promptement qu’il sera possible. Je me felicite de cette circonstance qui me met a portée de Correspondre avec vous. J’espere que vous ne quitteres pas la Hollande sans venir Faire un tour à La Haye. Je Serai enchanté de vous y recevoir et de vous donner des preuves des Sentimens distingués et da la haute consideration avec la quelle j ai l’honneur d’etre Monsieur Votre très humble et très obeissant Serviteur Caillard
M. Short


Title: Enclosure: Ferdinand Grand to William Short, [25 February 1791]
From: Grand, Ferdinand
To: Short, William

[Paris, February 25, 1791]

Jaime a croire Monsieur que vous ne vous etes pas rappelle les conditions du traité passé dans le temps entre le roi & Monsieur Francklin il porte que le remboursement des Sommes pretées aux etats unis Seront faites a mon domicile pour etre ensuite versées au tresor royal, j’ai appris avec peine que cette condition na pas été observée dans le payement qui S’est effectué dernierement, independament du droit que j’ai a ce quelle Soit executée, c’en est un aussi de justice puisque cest moi Seul qui ait Sollicité & obtenu tous les Secours de notre gouvernement & que depuis l’origine je nai cessé de rendre avec le Zele le plus actif & le plus Soutenu les Services les plus Importans en tous le genres. & Successivement a tous les Ministres des Etats unis jusqua ce quils aient été reçus a la Cour. Je ne puis croire dapres cela que L’intention due Congrès fut daller contre Ses engagemens vis a vis du banquier quil a adopté a paris & qui la bien merité, cependant S’il en etoit autrement je vous prie Monsieur de vouloir bien m’en Informer & de me croire plus que personne.
Votre Tres Humble &   Tres Obeissant Serviteur
Grand
Paris le 25 fevr 1791

P. S.   Je desirerois Savoir Si nous n’aurons pas bientot le plaisir de vous voir, comme aussi Si dans l’emprunt actuel on reçoit des papiers, & de quelle nature.


Title: Enclosure: William Short to Ferdinand Grand, 3 March 1791
From: Short, William
To: Grand, Ferdinand

Amsterdam le 3. Mars 1791

Votre lettre du 25. du mois dernier, Monsieur, m’est parvenue hier. Les remboursements dont vous me parlez ont eté faits depuis plusieurs moi & d’apres les mesures prises de concert avec M. le Directeur du Trésor Royal selon le desir du Ministre des Affaires étrangéres. Les seules parties que me paraissoient interesseés s’etant ainsi concerteés, je suis obligé de vous avouer, Monsieur, que je ne m’attendois pas aux reclamations que vous venez de faire, & cela d’autant moins qu’un terns considerable s’est passé depuis & qu’une partie de ces remboursements a eté faite par l’intermedaire même de votre maison etablie ici. Quand à l’intention du Congrés dont vous desirez être informé je ne puis en juger que par les ordres que j’ai recu & qui ont reglé ma conduite dans cette affaire. Je vous prie Monsieur de me faire la justice de croire que je suis trés sincérement votre trés humble & trés obiessant serviteur.
W. Short

P. S.   Je conte partir la semaine prochaine pour Paris & y aller en droiture. Dans l’emprunt dont vous me parlez on ne reçoit pas de papiers.
M. Grand


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 12 March 1791
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia Mar. 12. 1791.
Dear Sir

The President has thought proper to appoint Colo. David Humphreys, minister Resident for the U.S. at the court of Lisbon, with a salary of 4500. dollars a year, and an outfit equal to a year’s salary. Besides this, by a standing regulation, he will be allowed his disbursements for gazettes transmitted here, translating & printing papers where that shall be necessary, postage, couriers, & necessary aids to poor American sailors. An opportunity ocurring, by a vessel sailing for Lisbon within a few days, to send him his commission, I shall be obliged to you to enable me to convey to him at the same time the means of recieving his outfit in the first instance, and his salary & disbursements above described in quarterly paiments, afterwards.
An act of Congress having authorised the President to take measures for procuring a recognition of our treaty from the new Emperor of Morocco, arrangements for that purpose have been decided. The act allows 20,000 Dollars for this object, but not more than 13,000 Dollars will be called for in the first instance, if at all, and these, or the means of drawing for them not till six weeks hence. I thought it proper however to apprise you of the call at the earliest day possible, and while the President is here, and to ask your attention to it. I have the honor to be with sentiments of the most perfect respect & esteem Dear Sir   your most obedt. & most humble servt.
Th: Jefferson
The Secretary of the Treasury.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 12 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Wadsworth, Jeremiah

Philadelphia March 12. 1791
Dr Sir

Persuaded that there was nothing better to be done with Mr Chaloner, I approve the arrangement you have made as far as Mr Church’s interest is concerned.
Yrs with great regard
A Hamilton
PhiladelphiaJeremiah Wadsworth Esqr


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 12 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury DepartmentMarch 12th. 1791

The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United States a contract which has been recently transmitted from South Carolina for the Keeping of the Light house in that State. The terms are some what less than those of the Lighthouse Keeper at Cape Henlopen, and considering the expences of living in South Carolina it is humbly conceived they are not immoderate at this time. The Secretary, however, begs leave to suggest the expediency of confirming the Contract for one year only from its commencement, as there appears some reason to expect a diminution of the highest of this class of compensations.
Alex: Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 12 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury DepartmentMarch 12th. 1791

The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United States a Contract made by the Collector of New London, with Nathaniel Richards for supplying the Light house belonging to that Port.
This Contract not having been originally made in a manner sufficiently explanatory of the business, was returned for the purpose of being put into such form as should place before the President the particulars on which he is to decide. The Secretary humbly offers an opinion that the terms are not unfavorable to the United States.
Alexander HamiltonSecy. of the Treasury


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 13 March 1791
From: Appleton, Nathaniel
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Boston, March 13, 1791. “… Mr. Higginson presented me with a letter from you of 27 Feby. Agreably thereto I shall recei⟨ve of⟩ him whatever he inclines to pay me to the extent of thirty thousand Dolls.… I am in hopes to be ready to pay Interest on the 1st April but it will require our utmost exertions to accomplish it, for on the last of Feby they crowded upon me very large sums to Loan & transfer, & the payment of the Pensioners immediately commenced.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [14 March 1791]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia, March 14, 1791]

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 Richard Harison, 15 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Harison, Richard

Treasury DepartmentMarch 15. 1791
Sir

You will find under this cover a letter of particular importance to this department, the business of which will I doubt not receive your early attention.
I am, Sir,   Your Obedient servant
Alexander Hamilton

Richard Harison Esqr.Attorney of the United Statesfor the district of New York


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jones, Brockholst Livingston, and John H. Livingston, 15 March 1791
From: Jones, Thomas,Livingston, Brockholst,Livingston, John H.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York, March 15, 1791. “Mr. Philip Henry Livingston of this City together with his Father in law Walter Livingston having assumed certain debts due from us as administrators on the estate of the late Philip Livingston deceased, we have agreed to execute to him an assignment of his Father’s bonds & mortgage to our Testator. To perfect this Assignment we are advised that it is essential that you should join in the execution of it. We therefore enclose one for that purpose.… As we have now a prospect of settling our testators Affairs we are afraid we shall often be under the disagreable necessity, of troubling you upon that subject & thereby diverting your attention from the more important & useful pursuits in which you are engaged. We know not any way of preventing this interruption but by an application to our Legislature which is now sitting: If an application of this kind be agreeable to you, & not otherwise, we will make it.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [15 March 1791]
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, March 15, 1791]

Having thought fit, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Act intitled “An Act repealing after the last day of June next the duties heretofore laid upon distilled Spirits imported from abroad and laying others in their stead, & also upon spirits distilled within the United States and for appropriating the same” to divide the United States into the following fourteen districts, namely one to consist of the state of New hampshire, another to consist of the State of Massachusetts another to consist of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations another to consist of the State of Connecticut another to consist of the State of Vermont another to consist of the State of New York another to consist of the State of New Jersey another to consist of the State of Pennsylvania another to consist of the State of Delaware another to consist of the State of Maryland another to consist of the State of Virginia another to consist of the State of North Carolina another to consist of the State of South Carolina and another to consist of the State of Georgia, and having by and with the advice and consent of the Senate appointed the following persons to be Supervisors of the said Districts respectively, that is to say—for the District of New hampshire Joshua Wentworth, for the District of Massachusetts Nathaniel Gorham, for the District of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations John S. Dexter, for the district of Connecticut John Chester, for the district of Vermont Noah Smith, for the district of New York William S. Smith, for the district of New Jersey Aaron Dunham, for the district of Pennsylvania George Clymer, for the district of Delaware Henry Latimer, for the district of Maryland George Gale, for the district of Virginia Edward Carrington, for the district of North Carolina William Polk, for the district of South Carolina Daniel Stevens, and for the district of Georgia John Matthews.
I do hereby in further execution of the said powers make and establish the following supplementary arrangements, viz:
First—That the Compensations to the said Supervisors respectively shall be as follows:
To the Supervisor of New hampshire a Salary of Five hundred Dollars and a Commission of one half ⅌ Cent.
To the Supervisor of Massachusetts a salary of Eight hundred Dollars and a Commission of one half per Cent.
To the Supervisor of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations a Salary of Five hundred Dollars and a Commission of one half per Cent.
To the Supervisor of Connecticut a Salary of Six hundred Dollars and a Commission of one half per Cent.
To the Supervisor of Vermont a Salary of Four hundred Dollars and a Commission of one half per Cent.
To the Supervisor of New York a salary of Eight Hundred dollars and a Commission of one half per Cent.
To the Supervisor of New Jersey a salary of Four hundred Dollars and a Commission of one half per Cent.
To the Supervisor of Pennsylvania a Salary of One thousand Dollars and a Commission of one half per Cent.
To the Supervisor of Delaware a Salary of Four hundred Dollars and a Commission of one per Cent.
To the Supervisor of Maryland a Salary of Seven hundred Dollars and a Commission of one per Cent.
To the Supervisor of Virginia a Salary of One thousand Dollars and a Commission of One per Cent.
To the Supervisor of North Carolina a Salary of Seven hundred Dollars and a Commission of One per Cent.
To the Supervisor of South Carolina a salary of Seven hundred Dollars and a Commission of one per Cent.
To the Supervisor of Georgia a Salary of Five hundred dollars and a Commission of One per Cent.
Secondly—That the States hereafter-mentioned shall be distributed into the following Surveys of Inspection and under the dispositions and regulations which follow, viz:
The districts of New hampshire, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, of Connecticut, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland for the present, and Georgia shall severally form each one survey and the duties of Inspector of each Survey shall be performed by the Supervisor of the district comprehending the same.
Massachusetts shall form three Surveys No. 1. 2. & 3, the first consisting of the province of Maine, the second of the counties of Essex, Middlesex, Worcester, Hampshire and Berkshire, the third, of the residue of the State.
The duties of Inspector of the Survey No. 1 shall for the present be performed by the Supervisor.
For the Survey No. 2. there shall be an Inspector, whose compensation shall be a Salary of Five hundred Dollars and a Commission of one half per Cent. To this Office I shall appoint Jonathan Jackson.
For the Survey No. 3 there shall also be an Inspector whose compensation shall be a Salary of Five hundred Dollars and a Commission of one half per Cent. To this Office I shall appoint Leonard Jarvis.
Pennsylvania shall form four surveys No. 1. 2. 3 & 4: the first consisting of the City and County of Philadelphia and the Counties of Bucks and Montgomery. The duties of Inspector of this Survey shall for the present be performed by the Supervisor. The second consisting of the Counties of Berks Northampton, Luzerne & Northumberland; the third, consisting of the Counties of Delaware, Chester, Lancaster, York, Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Mifflin and Huntington; the fourth consisting of the Counties of Bedford, Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington and Alleghany. To each of the three last Surveys there shall be an Inspector whose compensation shall be a Salary of Four hundred and fifty Dollars and a Commission of one per Cent. I shall appoint for No. 2 James Collins, and for No. 4 John Neville. It is my wish to appoint for No. 3 Edward Hand. But as his acceptance of the office is doubted and some inconveniences might attend a refusal, I have concluded to leave a Commission with a blank for his name; desiring that you will take measures to ascertain the disposition of the said Edward Hand, and if this should appear to be in favour of an acceptance that the blank be filled with his name; if against it with the name of John McDowel.
With regard to the district of Virginia I shall postpone any further arrangement till my arrival within that State.
North Carolina shall form five Surveys No. 1. 2. 3. 4 & 5, the first consisting of the Counties of Wilmington, Onslow, New Hanover, Brunswick, Bladen, Duplin, Anson, Richmond, Moore, Cumberland, Robertson and Sampson. The second of the Counties of Carteret, Hyde, Beaufort, Pitt, Craven, Jones, Dobbs, Johnson, Wayne; the third of the Counties of Kurrituck, Cambden, Pasquotank, Perquimans Chowan Gates Hartford Tyrrell; the fourth of the Counties of Northampton Martin Hallifax Nash Edgecomb Warren Franklin Caswell Orange, Randolph Grandville Wake & Chatham; the fifth of the Counties of Mecklenbergh Montgomery Roan Iredel Surrey Stokes Rockingham Gilford Lincoln Rutherford Burke Wilkes. I shall appoint for the present the Collector of Wilmington as Inspector of Survey No. 1. The Collector of Newbern as Inspector of No. 2. The Collector of Edenton as Inspector of Survey No 3. And the compensation in each case shall be a Commission of two per Cent. To each of the Surveys No. 4 and 5 there shall be an Inspector whose compensation shall be a Salary of Four hundred and fifty dollars and a Commission of One per Cent. It is my present intention to appoint for No. 4 John Whitaker and for No. 5 John McDowell. But as I shall have an opportunity of further enquiry in the course of my Journey through the State I shall leave Commissions with blanks which are not to be filled up till after the tenth day of June next; but if nothing to the contrary is learned from me by that day, the blanks are severally to be filled with the names above mentioned.
The State of South Carolina shall form three Surveys No. 1. 2 and 3, the first consisting of the counties of Colleton Berkley, Washington, Marion Bartholomew Charleston, Granville Hilton Lincoln Shrewsbury, Winton Orange Lexington and Lewisburgh; the second consisting of the Counties of Winyaw, Williamsburgh Liberty Kingston, Darlington, Chesterfield, Marlborough Clarendon Clermont Lancaster Kershaw Richland Fairfield, Chester, York; the third consisting of the counties of Edgefield Abbeville Newbury Laurens Union Spartanburgh Greenville Pendleton. The duties of Inspector of Survey No. 1 to be performed by the Supervisor. The Collector of Georgetown to be Inspector of No. 2 with a salary of Three hundred dollars and a Commission of two per Cent. And for Survey No. 3 there shall be an Inspector whose compensation shall be a Salary of Five hundred and fifty dollars and a Commission of One per Cent. To this office I shall appoint Andrew Pickens.

The Commission in each case shall be computed upon the Nett product of the duties, distilled within the United States and within the jurisdiction of the Officer to whom it is allowed; which nett product shall be determined by deducting at each Stage of the computation all antecedent charges.
Thirdly—That at every port where there is a Collector and Surveyor, the Surveyor shall be an Inspector, and at every port where there is a Collector only he shall be an Inspector and at every port where there is a Surveyor only he shall be an Inspector. The duties of these Inspectors except in the cases hereinbefore specified shall extend only to Spirits imported from Foreign Countries.
Fourthly—That for the sake of uniformity the Officers to be appointed by the respective Supervisors shall be denominated Collectors of the Revenue.
Fifthly—That the compensation to those Officers respectively shall be a Commission on the sums which shall from time to time be collected by each, of two per Centum on the duties arising on spirits distilled from foreign Materials and of four per Centum on the duties arising on spirits distilled from Materials of the Growth or production of the United States.
Having thus made known to you the arrangements which I have thought fit to adopt, you will proceed to notify them to whomsoever it may concern. And you will add such instructions to the respective officers in conformity to the law and to the tenor of these presents as shall appear to you necessary.
Given under my hand at the City of Philadelphia   the fifteenth day of March   in the year One thousand seven hundred and ninety one.
Go: Washington


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jedediah Huntington, 16 March 1791
From: Huntington, Jedediah
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[New London, Connecticut, March 16, 1791. On April 10, 1791, Hamilton wrote to Huntington: “I observe in your letter of the 16th. ultimo.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Harison, 17 March 1791
From: Harison, Richard
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York 17 March 1791
Sir,

I have been honored by your Letter of the 15th., and beg Leave to assure you that the Business it alludes to, & every other Subject in which the Public is interested will at all Times command the Attention of
Sir   Your most obedt Servt.
Honble. A. Hamilton Esqr.Secry Treasury &ca.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 17 March 1791
From: Olney, Jeremiah
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Providence, March 17, 1791. “I have received your Letter of the 5th. instant, relative to the Payment of Money in my hands to the Commissioner of Loans for this State: Your directions therein shall be punctually attended to.…”


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 17 March 1791
From: Treasury Department,Hamilton, Alexander
To: Commissioners of Loans

Treasury DepartmentMarch 17. 1791.
Sir
It has been represented to me by the officers of this department, that some of the Commissioners of Loans, who have received on loan certificates of the Register of the Treasury, have issued new loan certificates therefor, without a previous transmission of them to the Treasury for examination. You will find by a recurrence to the circular letter of the 16th September, that it is therein directed “that 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 and dispatch the form (I) was prepared and forwarded to all the Commissioners.
Considerations which regard the public safety, dictated this precaution. It is still deemed indispensible, and it is much feared that injury or inconvenience may arise from the deviations, which may have taken place. The danger to the loan officer is no less serious than to the public, for if a certificate, which has been received in a manner contrary to the instructions, should prove to have been counterfeited or altered, responsibility in the receiving Commissioner will necessarily take place.
The importance of the above caution has induced me to make it circular, though it is not said that you have overlooked the instructions.
I am, Sir,   your Obedt Servant.
Alex Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 18 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Appleton, Nathaniel

Treasury DepartmentMarch 18th. 1791.
Sir
Your Letter of the second Instant is before me. I trust mine of the 5th. will have duly reached you and I doubt not you will have paid an exact attention to its contents.
Lest other resources might fail of placing in time in your hands the requisite funds for payment of the ensuing Quarters interest I have obtained a Credit with the Bank of Massachusetts for any sum you may want not exceeding Fifty-thousand dollars.
But as it is desireable to avoid incurring a charge of Interest to the United States, unless it be indispensable to preserve punctuality, which is a primary consideration, you will before you make application to the Bank examine the State of your means, and if they are found sufficient you will forbear to make it, or if a deficiency appear you will confine your application within the limits of that deficiency. Towards this examination you will obtain information of the Bank of Massachusetts of the sum in their possession on account of the United States, arising from remittances from the Collectors of the Customs and you will know from the Collector of Boston, (whom you will do well to consult as to the necessity of having recourse to the aid of the bank) what sums can be certainly depended upon from him to the close of this month and early in the ensuing. I mention early in the ensuing; because some little delay in paying the dividends will be unavoidable, and it is to be expected that a part of the Creditors may not come immediately forward to claim their Interest. So that the Custom House Receipts within the first ten or fifteen days of April may probably be reckoned upon.
But while I give this intimation I would have nothing put to the hazard, as it concerns strict punctuality in the payment of the Interest. To this, other considerations must yield. I am nevertheless in great expectation, that the extra aid of the bank will not be wanted.
The bank is authorized to pay to you any sum, they may have received on account of the United States, to the end of the Month and such further sum as you may require not exceeding One hundred thousand dollars. The Collector of Boston is also authorized to pay to you any Sums, which shall have been received by him up to the 15th. of April next.
But you will of course understand that you are not to draw into your hands from any of the resources put within your reach any greater sum than is necessary to satisfy the ensuing quarters interest and to enable you to comply with what is mentioned below.
You will lose no time in ascertaining and giving notice to the bank whether you will stand in need of aid from that institution and to what extent. And you will without delay advise me of all the steps you have taken including a statement of your receipts and from what sources. You are to give duplicate Receipts for whatever sums you may receive either from the bank of Massachusetts or from the Collector of Boston.
I have authorized William Gardner commissioner of Loans for New Hampshire to draw upon you for any sum he may want not exceeding ten thousand dollars; to do which he is at Liberty either to direct to you some Treasurers bills which have been remitted to him or to draw himself. These drafts whether of the one kind or of the other you will accordingly satisfy; and you will take this sum into your calculations; though I do not expect you will be called upon for any part of it.
I am sir,   your obt. servant
Alexander Hamilton
Nathl. Appleton Esqr.commr. of LoansMassachusetts.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Daves, 18 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Daves, John

Treasury DepartmentMarch 18th 1791.
Sir,
The President of the United States may have occasion to direct one of the Gentlemen of his family to apply to you for Cash, in exchange for notes of the Bank of North America, in the course of a tour which he intends to make thro’ the Southern States. Should any such application be made, you will immediately furnish the money for the notes, which the President may desire to have exchanged, out of the funds in your Office, whether the same shall have been included in your Weekly Return to this department or not.
I am, Sir,   Your Obt. Servant
A. Hamilton
John Daves Esqr.CollectorNew Bern N. C.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Richard Harison, 18 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Harison, Richard

Treasury DepartmentMarch 18. 1791
Sir,
The President of the United States having under consideration the petition of Samuel Dodge, an inspector of the Customs in the District of New York, I have to request that you will consent, on the part of the United States, to the suspension of the judgment in the case of the petitioner, ’till you shall be further advised.
I am, sir,   Your Obedt. Servant
A Hamilton
Richard Harrison Esqr.Attorney of the U States,for the District of New York,New York


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Lee, 18 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lee, Charles

Treasury Department, March 18, 1791. Directs Lee to supply funds for any notes George Washington may desire to exchange on the President’s southern tour.


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 18 March 1791
From: Treasury Department,Hamilton, Alexander
To: Commissioners of Loans

[Philadelphia, March 18, 1791. On March 30, 1791, Nathaniel Appleton wrote to Hamilton: “I am this Evening favourd with your Circular Letters of 17th and 18 instant.” Circular of March 18 not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 18 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Willink, Wilhem,Willink, Jan,Van Staphorst, Jacob,Van Staphorst, Nicholaas,Hubbard, Nicholas

Treasury Department,March 18th. 1791.
Gentlemen,
The Treasurer of the United States has been directed to draw upon you, a Bill, at ten days sight, in favor of the Secretary of State, for ninety nine thousand Guilders, which you will dispose of, according to directions to be given you by, Mr. Jefferson.
I am &c.
Alexander Hamilton.
Messrs. Willink, Van Staphorst and Hubbard.Amsterdam.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from James Jarvis, 19 March 1791
From: Jarvis, James
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia, March 19, 1791. Applies for “the appointment … to go and reside within the Emperor of Morrocco’s dominions.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [19 March 1791]
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

United States of America [March 19, 1791]
Pay or cause to be paid to the Secretary of State Forty thousand Dollars to be applied to the purposes of the Act, intitled “An Act providing the means of Intercourse between the United States and foreign Nations,” for which this shall be your warrant.
Given under my hand at Philadelphia the nineteenth day of March, in the year one thousand seven hundred & ninety one.
G: Washington
To the Secretary of the Treasury.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 19 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Williams, Otho H.

Treasury DepartmentMarch 19th. 1791.
Dupe
Sir
I have placed in the hands of the Commissioner of Loans in the State of Maryland sundry draughts the direction of which he is instructed to fill with the name of the Cashier of either of the Banks of North America or New York or with your name as he may find the demand of the purchasers to be. The bills drawn upon you which were suspended when you were last here will continue to be suspended. It is my wish that on the receipt hereof you give Mr. Harwood immediate advice of the Monies in your hands, and that you can pay any of those bills which he may fill up with your direction to such amount—also that you are instructed to pay him any sum over the draughts he may have, not exceeding Five thousand Dollars provided you have or shall have the same within the time of his making payment of the ensuing April quarters interest.
You will keep him advised by post and by good private opportunities of the State of your Cash till he informs you that he has sufficient provision for the interest which he is to pay.
I am, Sir,   Your Obedt. servant
Alexander Hamilton
Otho H. Williams Esqr.Collector of the CustomsBaltimore.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 20 March 1791
From: Appleton, Nathaniel
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Boston, March 20, 1791. “I wrote you twice the 16 instant.… I now send you copy of the same lest the original should miscarry.… I have issued no Certificate to non-subscribers or for Deposits.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Edward Carrington, 21 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Carrington, Edward

[Philadelphia, March 21, 1791. “The compensation annexed to that office is to consist of a Salary of One Thousand dollars per Annum and one per Cent of the product of the duties on the Spirits which shall be distilled within your district.… The subdivision of your district into surveys of Inspection has been deferred by the President, to be done, in the course of his journey. He will write to you from Georgetown fixing a period at which you are to meet him at Richmond.… The law contemplates three descriptions of Officers; a Supervisor, who is to have chief direction within a district, Inspectors, who under him are to manage the business within certain Surveys.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Edward Carrington, 21 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Carrington, Edward

[Philadelphia, March 21, 1791. On April 4, 1791, Carrington wrote to Hamilton: “The private letter which you was so good as to accompany your Official communication with.…” Private letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 21 March 1791
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Custom HouseNewport [Rhode Island] Mh. 21 1791
Sir,
This will be accompanied by my weekly return of Cash, the copy of a memorandum of the change of master on a Certifict. of Registry No. 5 which issued from this Office, and with a draft No. 728 dated 9th Novr 1789 drawn upon me by Saml. Meredith Tr. in favour of the Cashr. of bank of New york for one hundred Dollars.
Your letter of the 5th. of this month did not come to hand until the 18th. On the day I recd. it, by a private opportunity, I advised the Commr. of Loans of the money in my hands, and will by every post and by every private opportunity, give him similar advice, and will pay to his order whatever specie may be in my hands at any time during the present month; and my returns I will continue with exact punctuality.
On the 17th. instant I recd. a letter from the Commr. of Loans dated the 16th. in which, agreeably to your direction, he inquired of me what monies I should probably have in my office the last day of this month, and to which I gave an immediate answer.
I have the honour to be   Sir   Yr. most obedt servt.
W Ellery Collr
A Hamilton Esqr.Secry of Treasy


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 21 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Seton, William

[Philadelphia, March 21, 1791. In his letter to Hamilton on March 28, 1791, Seton referred to “the Bond endorsed in your letter of the 21st.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Alexander J. Dallas, [22 March 1791]
From: Dallas, Alexander J.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, March 22, 1791]
Sir.
In compliance with the Resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, approved the 23d of September 1789, the Legislature of this Commonwealth passed a law, to provide for the custody of Prisoners, committed under the authority of the United States, in which the respective Gaolers were directed to transmit a Calender of such prisoners to the Executive, that order might be taken for the payment of the allowances and expences, on the part of the United States, agreably to the assumption contained in the above mentioned resolution.
I have now the honor, in obedience to the orders of the Governor, to inclose a copy of the Calender which has been transmitted to him, by the Gaoler of the Debtors apartment of the prison of the City and County of Philadelphia, and to request, that measures may be taken for discharging the sum, that appears to be due from the United States on this account.
I am, Sir   Your mo: obedt hble Servt.
A J Dallas.
Philada., March 22d., 1791.
Alexander Hamilton, Esquire,Secretary of the Treasury, &c.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jones, Brockholst Livingston, and John H. Livingston, 22 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Jones, Thomas,Livingston, Brockholst,Livingston, John H.

[Philadelphia, March 22, 1791. On the back of a letter dated March 15, 1791, from Jones and Brockholst and John H. Livingston, Hamilton wrote: “Answered 22d March 91.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Beale Bordley, 23 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Bordley, John Beale

Treasury Department, March 23, 1791. “The President having been pleased to appoint you one of the Commissioners to receive subscriptions to the Bank of the United States, you will find in this in-closure his commission.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 23 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lear, Tobias

Treasury DepartmentMarch 23d. 1791
Sir
I find it necessary to request of you the Commissions of the several gentlemen, whom the President was pleased to appoint as Commissioners to receive subscriptions to the Bank of the United States. The persons appointed are

Thomas Willing
}
of Pennsylvania

David Rittenhouse

Saml. Howell

John Beale Bordley of Maryland andLambert Cadwalader of New Jersey.
You will oblige me by procuring the Seals to be affixed and the Commissions sent to this Office by two oClock this day.
I am sir   Yr. most Obt. Servt.
Alexander Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 23 March 1791
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia] March 23, 1791. “I have the honor to transmit you agreeably to your request the five commissions for the Commissioners to receive subscriptions to the Bank of the United States.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Appleton, 24 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Appleton, Nathaniel

[Philadelphia, March 24, 1791. On April 9, 1791, Appleton wrote to Hamilton: “Your special Letter 24th March … and also your Circular Letter 25th March are this minute come to hand.” Letter of March 24 not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John Cochran, 24 March 1791
From: Cochran, John
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[New York, March 24, 1791. On March 28, 1791, Hamilton wrote to Cochran: “Yours of the 24th is just come to hand.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 24 March 1791
From: King, Rufus
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[New York, March 24, 1791. “The Legislature of this State have incorporated the Bank, limiting its capital to a million of Dollars and its duration to twenty years. The Treasurer is authorised to subscribe to the Loan proposed to Congress all the Continental paper in the Treasury and by a bill that passed the Legislature this morning, he is directed to take in behalf of the State, one hundred and ninety shares in the National Bank. I have seen a letter from Mr. John Taylor of Albany which has created some uneasiness on account of our frontier settlements. He says ‘there is great reason to apprehend danger from the Indians in this quarter;’ but does not mention, nor have I been able to learn the grounds of this apprehension. You are sensible that almost every person here is interested in our Western Lands; their value depends upon the settlement of the frontiers, these settlements depend on Peace with the Indians, and indeed the bare possibility of a war with the six Nations, would break up our whole frontier. It is from this state of things that the war with the Wabash Indians is so much disrelished here. The Legislature have authorised the Governor to draw money from the Treasury and to take such measures as he may judge suitable to preserve the good will of the neighbouring Indians. I have said, and I presume it will be the case, that all prudent steps will be pursued to keep the six Nations quiet; that we were embarked and that it had become necessary to go forward with the War, if peace could be obtained by no other means; but I am more and more convinced that it behoves the government if practicable to finish this Indian business, in the course of the summer.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Nicholson, 24 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Nicholson, John

[Philadelphia, March 24, 1791. On March 25, 1791, Nicholson wrote to Hamilton: “Your favor of the 24th with which I was honored.…” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Abraham Wilkerson, [24 March 1791]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Wilkerson, Abraham

[Philadelphia, March 24, 1791]
Sir
I left in the hands of Robert Troupe Esquire all the papers relative to the business of Mr. Charles Godwin which he was directed to deliver to you, in conformity to Mr. Godwin’s request. If you have not yet received the papers, you may have them by applying to Mr. Troupe. I am   Sir   Your Obed. &   hum. Servt
A. Hamilton
March 24, 1791
Mr. Abraham Wilkerson


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John Beale Bordley, 25 March 1791
From: Bordley, John Beale
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia, March 25, 1791. Acknowledges receipt of commission to receive subscriptions to the stock of the Bank of the United States.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John Nicholson, [25 March 1791]
From: Nicholson, John
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, March 25, 1791]
Sir,
Your favor of the  with which I was honored had placed the certificates of Registered debt the property of Penna. but not yet assigned into as good a situation I thought as we could have desired, but it hath been since suggested to me that the arrangement with the bank is to be considered as payment of one quarter Interest, whether the party apply for it or not. If this should be the case and when these Certificates come afterwards to be assigned they should be granted for one quarters Interest less. Altho the party would be debared from receivg. his interest the state would likewise be preclued therefrom. A power of attorney would be wanting from the persons who appear as the creditors on the books. Altho I flatter myself that this is the case, yet the possibility of a measure which so much concerns the interest of this state must plead my excuse for troubling you again on the subject, as it may be possible now to devise some remedy which could not be done when the business shall be farther advanced.
I have the honor to be   &ca.
J N
Mar 25th. 1791
The Honble Alex. Hamilton Esqr.Secy. Try.


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 25 March 1791
From: Treasury Department,Hamilton, Alexander
To:

[Philadelphia, March 25, 1791. On April 9, 1791, Nathaniel Appleton wrote to Hamilton: “Your special Letter 24th March … and also your Circular Letter 25th March are this minute come to hand.” Circular of March 25 not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Burrall, 26 March 1791
From: Burrall, Jonathan
To: Hamilton, Alexander

General Post OfficePhila Mar. 26th 1791
Sir
In the absence of the Postmaster General I have received your letter respecting a Balance due from the Estate of Edwd Davies late Depy. Postmaster in Savannah.

The situation in which the late P. M. G. left his business, makes it peculiarly necessary, in my opinion, that he should be called upon for a settlement of his Accounts.
There are balances due from his Deputies to the Amount of 15,000 Dollars, or upwards, a considerable part of which will be lost. The Ordinance of Congress of the 18th October 1782 Vests the postmaster General with the power of appointing his Deputies, and makes him responsible for their conduct. He has generally taken Bonds as security for their fidelity, which are made payable to him, his Heirs Executors &c. It may therefore be a question whether suits can be commenced against them on behalf of the United States, as Debts due to the public. In several instances however those Bonds are greatly short of the Sum due. One Deputy in particular owes 4000 Dollars, and the Bond given by him is for 1,000 Dollars.
Edward Davies’s Account is closed in the Books. It appears that he never rendered any Accounts from the time of his appointment to the Day of his Death. That Mr. Watt the present postmaster at Savannah, examined his Books and informed the Postmaster General, that there was 632 44/90 Dollars due from him—that the late Board of Treasury drew a Warrant on the late Postmaster General for this sum in favor of the Commissioner of Loans—and his order on the Representative of Mr. Davies was taken in payment. In June last this order was returned to the Treasury Office unpaid and the Amt carried to the Debits of Mr. Hazards Account. The Bond given by Mr. Davies is for 300 Dollars. There are no Documents in this Office from which an Account can be formed against his Estate and it appears to me very doubtful whether any thing more than the Penalty of the Bond can be recovered.
The Postmaster Generals responsibility for the fidelity of his Deputies will doubtless be considered as a qualified responsibility and the public Interest requires that the matter should be brought to a decission and effectual means be taken to secure as much of the money as possible.
I am sir &c
J B.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, [26 March 1791]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lear, Tobias

[Philadelphia, March 26, 1791]
Dr: Sir
I have just received information that General Hand will serve as Inspector of the revenue, in which case it was the Presidents pleasure that his name should be inserted in the Blank commission, which was to be left for the purpose. You will please accordingly to have the name of Edward Hand inserted, & to get the commission completed. I shall be glad to receive it this forenoon.
Yrs. sincerely
A Hamilton
Philada. March 26. 1791.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 27 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] March 27, 1791. “I have embraced the first moment of leisure to execute your wish, on the subject to which the enclosed notes are applicable. They are neither so accurate nor so full, as I should have been glad to make them; but they are all that my situation has permitted. Nothing new has occurred in my Department worth mentioning. I thought that the following extract of a letter from Mr. King might not be wholly uninteresting, and I therefore make it.… The clue to Mr. Taylors apprehensions seems to be a late murder of some friendly indians within the limits of this State; the particulars of which I take it for granted will be made known to you by the Secretary at War.”


Title: Enclosure: Notes on the Advantages of a National Bank, [27 March 1791]
From:
To:

[Philadelphia, March 27, 1791]
The Report to the House of representatives proposing the plan of a Bank, enters fully into the advantages attending institutions of this nature. They are summarily these.
1. They tend to increase the active or productive capital of a country by keeping it in more constant employment and by adding to the real, an artificial capital in the credit of the Bank which answers equally with specie the purpose of money.
2. They increase and quicken circulation from the foregoing cause from the introduction of Bank notes as money, from the greater facility of remittances in notes than in money, from their obviateing the necessity in a great number of cases of transporting specie backwards and forwards, from their rendering it unnecessary to lock up specie for the periodical payments of interest &c. whence a greater plenty of specie is left in circulation and an additional medium is furnished. And thence
3. They assist industry and Trade. This they also do by facilitating loans to individuals within the spheres of their immediate operation. Accordingly whereever they have been established they have given a new spring to Agriculture, Manufactures & Commerce. This has been most remarkably exemplified of late years in Scotland & Ireland; and has been confirmed by the experience of the United States.
4. They facilitate the payment of taxes by keeping the circulation more full and active every where, and by direct loans to the Merchants to pay their duties.
5. They aid the Government in ordinary, by facilitating the Collection of taxes; by rendering remittances to and from the Treasury more easy, safe, and free from expence, and lastly, in extraordinary cases by being an instrument of loans in sudden emergencies. The drawing a large capital to a point, and the vast credit annexed to it enable Banks to come at once to the aid of the Government in a manner that no individual resources are equal to. This was felt during the latter periods of the late war in the most important operations; and even at this moment it is the only resort for whatever pecuniary aids may be found necessary for carrying into execution the measures taken for the defence of the frontier.
But it is said admitting the utility of Banks in general, why establish a new one, since there are such institutions already in being? The answers to this are,
1. That all these institutions now rest on state foundations and may cease to exist if the State Legislatures shou’d not be inclined to continue. That of Pennsylvania has virtually surrendered its old charter by accepting a new one incompatible with it. It is therefore neither compatible with the dignity nor interest of the United States to suffer so important an engine of its administration to depend on so precarious a tenure & one so foreign from itself.
2. By being mere local institutions they cannot serve as engines of a general circulation. For this they have neither sufficient capital nor have they enough of the confidence of all parts of the Union. As local institutions they are rather objects of jealousy.
3. They would be improper foundations on which to rest the security of the Public revenue by suffering their paper to be receivable in all payments to the public.
1. Because they have not adequate capital.
2. Because their continuance or discontinuance does not depend on the will of the U. States.

3. Because the Government of the Union can have no inspection of their proceedings, consequently no security for their prudent administration of their affairs.
4. They are too limitted in their capital to afford such extensive aid to the United States as they may require in future emergencies. They may answer well enough for an Indian War; but in a War with an European power they could do nothing adequate to the public necessities.
5. Their constitutions have not those precautions which are calculated to guard against the abuses to which such institutions are subject. They are therefore in this light also insecure reliances for national circulation.
But admitting a National Bank ought to be instituted, the Duration is said to be too long, and contrary to precedent; too long because the affairs of this country from its peculiar situation must change so rapidly as to render it questionable, whether a good thing now will continue to be a good thing for twenty Years. With regard to precedent it is presumed that the matter is mistaken. The Banks of Venice, Genoa, Hamburgh & Amsterdam are understood to be indefinite in point of duration. The Bank of England indeed has been limitted to different periods under different circumstances: the assertion that it was in its first creation limited to 11 years is not founded. It was incorporated for an indefinite period; but there was a right reserved to the Government at the end of eleven Years to pay off the Debt which constituted its Capital and thereby to dissolve the corporation. But it could not be dissolved nor was it to cease in any other way.
With regard to the argument drawn from the changing situation of the Country, the answer is, that Banks are not novel institutions. They have been long tried, and in different Countries. They had eleven years experience in their favour in this Country: their effects therefore can now be perfectly judged of and pronounced upon with certainty. They are necessary in Countries little advanced in wealth; they have been found very useful in Countries greatly advanced in wealth.
In a Country like this, which having vast tracts of vacant land and few manufactures, can have no great abundance of specie; the auxiliary circulation of Banks must be peculiarly useful. Though the Country may advance in manufactures & in wealth considerably in the course of twenty years, yet very obvious causes must leave it, during all that period, in a condition to stand in need of the same auxiliary. Besides as has been remarked, Banks are at this day found useful in the wealthiest Countries—Holland, England, France.
If the nature of the institution is attended to, it must be perceived that its relations to the future are as easy to be comprehended and pronounced upon, as its relations to the present. Its operation must be always of the same tendency, and there is no more difficulty in pronouncing that it will be good for twenty Years to come, as easily as that it is good at the present moment.
How far one place or another may be the proper seat of it, may be a thing variable by time: but the time which can vary this must evidently be more than twenty years. It is manifest that a large commercial City with a great deal of capital and business must be the fittest seat of the Bank. It is morally certain that for twenty years to come Philadelphia will continue to have as good pretensions as any of the principal trading Cities now established. And with regard to the future seat of the Government, it is morrally impossible that it can become in less than twenty years a place of sufficient trade and capital to be the principal scene of the operations of the National Bank. Governments must always act upon reasonable probabilities and in doing so, they can hardly fail to do right.
The motives to a considerable duration to the Charter of the Bank were these—to strengthen the inducement to men of property throughout the United States to embark in it, and to enhance the value of the public stock by a prospect of greater advantage.
This last idea is of great moment. All those acquainted with the operation of the thing will admit that the institution in question has been a main cause of the rise of the public Debt. It operated upon it like a charm. Now it is evident that its effect in this way must have been greater or less in proportion to the prospect of advantage which a long or short duration afforded.
The raising of the public Debt is a circumstance of immense importance in the affairs of the Country. It is tantamount to the establishment of public credit. No man can be in credit whose Bonds are selling for one third or one half their value: the same thing in respect to a Government. Besides, while the Debt is low, foreigners become possessed of the property of the Citizens of this Country greatly below its true value. And every shilling which they pay less for the Debt than its true value is so much loss to the Country. The distress to this Country would have been prodigious in time to come if it had had to pay millions to foreigners for which they had given little or no value. And the existence of a public Debt would have been truly a curse.
As far as this essential object might have been made to give way to the speculative possibility of a better arrangement of the Bank in reference to future changes in the situation of the Country, it would have been to sacrifice substance to shadow, reality to supposition.
Objection. The advantages of the Bank will not be equal in all the States.
This is hardly even an objection to a measure of Government, because there is scarcely one to which it may not be objected. Is there a law for the advancement of Navigation? It will benefit most those states which have most aptitudes for Navigation. Is there a Law for the encouragement of manufactures? The same thing may be observed—Is there one for the encouragement of particular objects of Agriculture? The same observation applies. What is the duty upon foreign Cotton? As far as its operation may correspond with its intention it will be a direct bounty upon the Industry of a few of the States. For there are only particular states adapted to the raising of Cotton.
In short such is the state of human affairs that public measures unavoidably benefit or injure some part more than others. Consequently, that must be a good public measure which benefits all the parts of a Country, though some more than others. If all gain, the general mass of public prosperity is promoted, though some gain more than others.
It is certain the operations of the proposed Bank will be most directly useful to the spot upon which they are carried on; but by aiding general circulation, and establishing a convenient medium of remittance & exchange between the States, all will be benefitted in different degrees.
If branches are established the immediate benefit will be diffused still more extensively.

Objection. It will interfere with the several State Banks. This cannot happen, unless branches are established in the same States. If this is done no inconvenience to the community can accrue. Either the State Bank and the branch of the National Bank can go on together, and then Trade, & Industry will be promoted by larger supplies, or the one will subvert the other. If the state Bank subverts the branch the injury is at least temporary. If the Branch subverts the State Bank, it furnishes to the commerce & industry of the place a better substitute; one which, to all the common advantages, will add this peculiar one, the affording a medium of circulation which is useful in all the States and not merely on the spot, and can of course be employed in the intercourse with other States.
But in fact all this is exaggerated supposition. It is not probable, except at the immediate seat of the Bank, where the competition will be compensated by obvious advantages, that there will be any interference. It can never be the interest of the National Bank to quarrel with the local institutions. The local Institutions will in all likelihood either be adopted by the national Bank or establishments where they exist will be foreborne.
Lastly an attentive consideration of the tendency of an institution, immediately connected with the national Government which will interweave itself into the monied interest of every State, which will by its notes insinuate itself into every branch of industry and will affect the interests of all classes of the community; ought to produce strong prepossessions in its favor in all who consider the firm establishment of the National Government as necessary to the safety & happiness of the Country, and who at the same time believe that it stands in need of additional props.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 28 March 1791
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Custom HouseNewport [Rhode Island] Mh 28 1791
Sir,
Inclosed is my weekly return of Cash and a Certificate of Registry No. 15, dated at the Port of Dighton March 30 1790, and delivered up on account of transfer of property.
On the Twenty first day of this month I received a letter from the Commr. of loans informing me that on inquiry of Col. Olney he found, that he would be able to furnish as much money as would be wanted to pay the first Quarters interest, and that it would be therefore unnecessary for me to furnish him with any further account of the State of my funds.
On the 25th. of this month I recd. a letter from the Assist. Secry expressing your wish that I would transmit as soon as might be convenient the most exact returns of decked vessels built in this District &c., and that I might forward from time to time as they may come into my hands any documents that have relation to the commerce navigation, fisheries, manufactures or productions of this State &c. I have put matters in train to obtain information on the first object, and shall attend to the last. Letters &c similar to those I have heretofore inclosed to you I will in future put into the mails addressed to the Comptroller the Treasurer, and Auditor.
I am   Sir   Yr. most obedt. servant
Wm Ellery Collr
A Hamilton EsqrSecry of Treasy.


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

Bank of New York 28 March 1791
Sir
Mr. William Hill with two competant Surities have duely executed the Bond endorsed in your letter of the 21st. and I have deliver’d to him the Contract. As you do not desire the Bond to be returned, I hold it for your further orders. Mr. Hill expected he was to receive immediately from this Bank a payment of Five thousand Dollars, but he was informed your orders did not extend to the payment. The letter for Amsterdam goes by the Brig Rebecca, Captn Codwise, now waiting for a wind; those for London went by the Packet. I have the honor to be &c.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Nathaniel Appleton, 30 March 1791
From: Appleton, Nathaniel
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Boston, March 30, 1791. “I wrote you 20 instant when I transmitted a duplicate Statement of the Stock apparently standing on my Books. I am this Evening favourd with your Circular Letters of 17th & 18 instant. In answer to the former, I have recd Register Certificates & admitted them upon the new Loan persuming that your instructions of 19th November permitted it. In evry case I have conformed to the mode therein prescribed. If I am wrong in this, I materially mistook your design. Your instructions of 18 instant respecting powers Attorney shall be duely attended to. I am also favoured with your special Letter 18th. I have disposed of all the Treasurer Drafts & I have since my last recd. of Mr. Higginson on account of Mess Le Roy & Bayard 2500 Dollrs all of which is deposited in the Bank.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Playfair, 30 March 1791
From: Playfair, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

To the Honourable—Hamilton
Paris 30th March 1791
Sir
I take the liberty of writing to you on an affair which concerns a great number of Idividuals as well as myself which liberty I would not take if it were not that from the total want of letters in answer to mine to Mr Duer of Newyork I am left in the most Cruel Situation Possible as well as a great number of individuals who have their near Relations in America.
I undertook eighteen Months ago to lay the Foundation of a Colony on the Sioto Lands for the Sale of which M: M: Cutler, Sergent & Duer had given a Procuration of Mr Barlow who himself was without Any of the Means necessary to put in Practice Such a Plan. The Lands were not paid to congress; Mr Barlow had never seen them & knew little about them; he had no money to Expend on the affair, no connexions and did not Speak french. He was made known to me by a third Person & told me his Plan was to sell 3 millions of acres of Land. This was certainly an Idea formed without Reflection as neither an Individual nor any Company could be supposed to pay 18 millions for lands uninhabited & unknown & which did not belong to the Persons who were to sell them. It was three Months after I knew Mr Barlow before I conceived that their was any Means of Undertaking such a thing with any degree of success but the Revolution in France gave me the Idea that an Emigration would be possible & that Individual purchasers might be found. To abridge the History I undertook for 15 Pr cent on the Sales to begin the affair at my own Expence. It was begun but it appeared necessary to give facilities to the First Purchasers who might set an Example to the others, this was done upon the Idea that the affair would go on which in the fact it did for several months in an astonishing Manner but was stoped short by the want of preparations in America as was promised & Expected. Our Errors in the Prices of Cattle & other things have created great discontents great Expences & merited complaints. The Total want of Letters from America has suspended the affair. There are several hundreds of People who have their Relations in America & who are in the most unquiet state which as I have nothing to show respecting their Relations who are gone is rather an ill looking piece of business. Add to that that Mr Barlow who was here has Run away in debt without informing me or any other Person.
I have on all sides heard the Best character of Mr Duer & I am informed that he Runs a great Risque of Being Burned by the advances he has made. It is Clear likewise that the whole Colony will suffer if the affair stops where it is but I am afraid it will do so as there has been a Mr Walker here who said he was commissioned by the Company to look into things but who Refused to shew his power of attorney or procuration and who Refused to Enter with any degree of frankness or Candor into the Nature of the affair but who would considder it as goods bought & sold at a fixed Price on Each side. The fact is that he was disappointed as to some personal views & that from Mr Barlows want of Informing Mr Dewer the quantity of sales Mr Dewer had immagined when Walker left new york that there were one million of acres sold when their was not one hundred & fifty thousand acres & one 4th of that not paid for in values that are yet Realized.
I know that the Engagement taken with the Treasury of the United States by the company at New-york is not, nor cannot be fulfilled in the original terms therefore I am Ignorant Whether Messrs Duer & Co continue in the affair or not. I have the honour therefore Sir to adress myself to you & to send a memoir on the subject which is in French & which I take to be a justification of My Intentions & of my Conduct viewing the affair in its whole Extent which I did & I am surprised that any Person can do otherwise as the small affairs done were but to begin a colony and I will venture to say that if that Colony is in a thriving State & the People Contented and if at the same time a method is taken to Sell here without any great derangement in the Present form of sales there will be more than half the lands sold in Six months & Sold upon advantageous terms. If so then the United states would gain a number of Inhabitants, their Treasury would be paid amply for the Lands & Messrs Duer & co after being Repaid their advances would gain a large sum.
To accomplish these Points it would be well to renew the Arrangement with Messrs Duer & Co on other terms that the names may not appear to change & as it has already been Announced in a new Prospectus here which has been distributed every where that 9/10ths of the Price will be deposited untill possession is given it is not possible that any Risque can be Run of Giving Possession of Lands that will not be paid for so that the affair is Simple Plain & without any inconveniency. The Fears that Walker Pretends to have about not being Paid are as ill founded as they are unjust. It is impossible to touch here the 9/10ths in question & surely the 10th that remains is not more than is necessary to cover the Expences and pay whoever sells it. With Regard to the Plan that Walker has to Endeavour to Substitute Some of his Freinds in my Place, it is impracticable & in justice to all concerned as well as to My self I must say so. I have done nothing that merits such treatment. I have begun the affair & suffered the disagreable part & Run all the Risques. I have a Correspondence with & know the most Part of those who would go out the First upon good news ariving and as I have Contracted debts to support the thing till the news that arives shall determin whether in itself it is good or bad, I cannot think of submitting to so great an Injustice as it would be to substitute Mr Morris or any other of those Persons who have all along been the Enemies of the affair in My Place. I should therefore make my apeal to the Public & defend myself in the tribunals at the same time. The Affair would then be stopt as till the Bye past were settled nothing could go on and that it would take a prodigious time to do as none of the affairs here have been done in the Name of individuals but of a Fictitious Company which Circumstance alone would involve & render prodigiously Expensive & Tedious all the operations of a law suit. In a word this affair is only to be Carried on with Faith & Confidence. Nothing will be more agreable to me than that a Person should be sent over to verify & sign every sale & to Receive into his own hands the Titles to the deposit of the 9/10ths. In short there is no precautions possible for the surety of the affair that I would not with the Greatest Eagerness embrace; neither do I insist upon the Portion of Profit which by my original agreement with Mr Barlow was ceded to me for future sales. I only demand a Confidential honourable arrangement on both sides for the Carrying on the affair.
If on the Contrary it is determined to Stop short where we are, I have titles to deliver & quittances for money paid, which, deduction being made of the Percentage that was allowed to me by the original agreement do more than Balance the account for Lands Sold and which account I have Ready, tho’ as I told Mr Walker we could not with any degree of Propriety or common sence Balance the account untill the affair was stopt or the Plan of going on was settled. I nevertheless should have at the last agreed to settle with him if he would have shewn his Procuration & declared his intentions. I was obliged to summons him to shew them; he did not make any Answer. A Messanger waited upon him to obtain a verbal answer at least & to the messanger he only said that he had an advertisement Ready to put in the News papers against me & that his powers were deposed with a notaire whose name he gave. I went to the Notaire to see the Powers & took the Messanger with Me but Mr Walker had been there half an hour before & withdrawn the Powers which the Notaire declared he had not Read. After that I had nothing to do with Mr Walker & if he chuses to insert his advertisement he may do it but it will be answered in a Manner that will be more disagreable to him than he Expects because No Man has a Right to come and act as he has done in Paris. The circumstance of Mr Barlows evasion is sufficiently disagreable & disgracefull to his constituents without adding the Ruin of the affair by a Public Explanation of all the difficulties under which the affair lyes.
I know that Mr Duer has been told lyes on My Account & as he does not know me I cannot wonder at his believing them this has been the Cause of his not writing to me but he can never give a Reason for not writing to some one Else to prevent those Ruinous mistakes that have been made and of which he himself will probably be the first victim.
I have taken the liberty to trouble you with this long letter. I send inclosed the account up to the time that the sales stopt and I have done the same to Mr Jefferson to whom I had the honour of being known when he was in France and I request your Interference in the affair in order to Enable some arrangement to take Place that will not Prevent the affair from terminating in the Ruin & disgrace of those who have begun it.
I am Sir   with Respect   your most obedient   & most humble servant
William Playfair
Paris 30th March 1791


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Smith, 30 March 1791
From: Smith, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Loan Office [Philadelphia] Pennsa March 30th 1791
Sir,
The amount of the several kinds of Stock on the books of this office on which Interest is payable is as follows with Interest Calculated to 1st April 1791 Viz.

Principle

Interest

Funded 6 ⅌ Cent
864 203.54
———
12061.97

Funded 3 ⅌ Cent
364 890.61
———
2735.40

Deferred 6 ⅌ Cent
410.369.31

Non subscription Stock
29 573.77
}
  355.66

   Interest
5 323.25

16033. 3

The abstract at large &c. will be compleated this Night & delivered in to-morrow morning.
I have the honor &c.
Honble. Alex. Hamilton Esqr. secy of the Treasury.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from George Thacher, 30 March 1791
From: Thacher, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Biddeford [District of Maine] March 30, 1791. “… The Bonds which Mr. Cutts gave the Collector for the port of Biddeford & Pepperellborough will become payable about the 10th of May, & he is anxious to have your opinion on the justice of paying them as early as possible.”


Title: Agreement with John McComb, Junior, 31 March 1791
From:
To:

Philadelphia, March 31, 1791. A contract for the construction of the Cape Henry lighthouse by McComb.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Habersham, 31 March 1791
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Habersham, John

[Philadelphia, March 31, 1791. On May 20, 1791, Habersham wrote to Hamilton: “I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st of March last.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 31 March 1791
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Department of state Mar. 31. 1791.
Sir
The publication of the laws of the U.S. and the purchase of those of the several states call on us immediately for about five hundred dollars, for which sum I must ask a warrant from you to be accounted for. The contingent expenses of my department to the 1st. inst. are now stated and will be settled with the Auditor tomorrow. I have the honor to be with great esteem & respect   Sir
Your most obedt   & most humble servt
Th: Jefferson
The Secretary of the Treasury