Title: Enclosure: Pierre Henri Hélène Marie Lebrun-Tondu to Gouverneur Morris, 27 September 1792
From: Lebrun-Tondu, Pierre Henri Hélène Marie
To: Morris, Gouverneur

Paris le 27. Septembre 1792.L’an ler. de la Republique.

J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 20. de ce mois, pour m’annoncer que les difficultés élevées à la Haye par M. Short sur le païement de seize cent vingt cinq mille florins de Banque avoient été applanies le 9. du courant, et que vous espérez qu’il ne résultera aucon inconvénient d’un délai de quelques jours.
Après avoir réfléchi sur le motif qui vous a déterminé à donner votre assentiment au païement de la somme ci-dessus, je juge, Monsieur, que vous n’êtes fondé ni en justice ni en raison à vous refuser de faire tenir à notre disposition à Philadelphie les quatre cent mille Dollars nécessaires pour l’approvisionnement de nos Colonies. Il me semble, Monsieur, qu’il y a une contradiction évidente dans la manière dont vous envisager ce dernier objet qui ne différe en rien du premier. Les deux sont les mêmes pour nous. J’ai l’honneur de vous observer, que dans aucun cas vous ne pouviez vous dispenser de faire à M. Short remplir son engagement pour les quatre cent mille Dollars, puisque, de votre aveu, il a agi par votre impulsion pour les seize cent vingt cinq mille florins de Banque.
Vous connoissez, Monsieur, les besoins de nos Colonies et tous les titres que nous avons pour reclamer l’assistance d’un peuple à qui nous sommes unis d’amitié et par principe, et pour la prospérité de qui nous faisons toujours des voeux les plus sincères. Toutes ces considérations devroient être d’un grand poids auprès du Ministre des Etats-unis, à qui une formalité d’etiquette ou des pouvoirs un peu moins, ou un peu plus étendus ne devroient par interdire la faculté d’agir, surtout lorsqu’il s’agit de remplir une obligation aussi solemnellement contractée et de donner à nos possessions en Amérique des secours très-urgents dans l’état où elles se trouvent.

Le Ministre des affaires étrangères.Le Brun
M. Morris


Title: Enclosure: Gouverneur Morris to Pierre Henri Hélène Marie Lebrun-Tondu, 28 September 1792
From: Morris, Gouverneur
To: Lebrun-Tondu, Pierre Henri Hélène Marie

Paris le 28 Septembre 1792.
Monsieur Le BrunMonsieur

J’ai reçu hier ausoir le lettre que vous m’avez faite l’honneur de m’ecrire le 27. Il me semble que dans la multitude des affaires qui vous occupent, vous avez oublié Monsieur, ceque j’ai eu l’honneur de vous mander le premier du Courant sur le paiement qui vient de s’effectuer à Amsterdam; puisque vous supposez que Monseur Short à agi par mon impulsion. Au contraire, Monsieur, dans tout cela je n’ai fait que de me conformer au desirs de Monsieur Short lui même. Car quoi que ce paiement convenu avec Messieurs les Commissaires de la Tresorerie le six aout, n’ait été effectué que le cinq de September, il n’avoit été cependant reglé que d’apres les demandes de Monsieur Short. Juger d’apres cela Monsieur, s’il y a lieu de croire qu’il déféreroit à un arrangement pris sans son aveu. Faites attention, aussi, je vous prie Monsieur que dans le Cas, que la totalité de la somme de quatre millions eut été tenue à votre Disposition à Philadelphie, le paiement à Amsterdam auroit été d’autant plus faible—Au reste si vous le jugez a propos, je ferai part à Monsieur Short de la reclamation que vous venez de faire à l’égard des quatre cent mille Dollars; Et loin le croire qu’il y ait une difference entre cette somme et celle déja payée à Amsterdam, je trouve comme je viens d’avoir l’honneur de vous exposer, Monsieur, qui il y a même identité puisque l’une devoit toujours faire partie de l’autre.
Depuis que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous ecrire sur ce sujet j’ai encore eu de nouvelles preuves que notre Gouvernement ne veut pas que je me méle de cette affaire, car Monsieur Short m’a annoncé avoir encore reçu des instructions de Monsieur Hamilton à cet égard. Dans cet etat de choses tout se que je puis faire c’est d’appuyer aupres de notre Gouvernement les démarches du Ministre de la france. Les paiemens qui se font actuellement á Philadelphie, sur les instances de Monsieur Ternant, nous donnent la certitude, Monsieur, que notre Gouvernment fera tour les efforts possibles pour le Soulagement de votre Colonie. L’emploi de la somme dont il s’agit doit etre fait en Amerique non seulement d’apres les propres Termes du Decret mais par la nature même des Choses, qui en obligeant la france de tirer de l’etranger des Subsistances et du bois de Construction pour elle même, la force imperativement de prendre chez nous les fournitures de ses Colonies occidentales: il me semble donc, Monsieur, qu’on ne risque rien en s’addressant pour cet objet au Gouvernement des Etats Unis, puisque dans le cas ou il lui seroit impossible de fournir à votre ministre la somme plus ou moins grande qu’exigent les besoins de la Colonie, il pourra toujours y faire face par les mêmes moyens qui sont mis en usage pour procurer des fournitures à la Metropole.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 2 November 1792
From: Short, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

The Hague Nov. 2. 1792
sir

I had the honor of recieving yesterday your letter of the 28th. of August. Being desirous from its nature to answer it in the speediest manner possible, I do it immediately (without waiting for the account, for which I wrote yesterday to the commissioners, in the instant of recieving your letter) this day’s English post being the last which will be in time for the New-york packet of Wednesday next.
You inform me that the accounting officers of the treasury here represented to you that a regular account from me of the monies which I have recieved & those which have been paid by my order, will be requisite in the adjustment of the accounts of the commissioners. You observe that no account of the monies which I have recieved has been rendered lower down than the 24th of Sep. 1789.
The only monies I have recieved were my salary & the contingencies of stationery postage &c. paid me, as to the other foreign agents, by order of the Secretary of State, who directed me, as I suppose he did them, also to transmit to his department a regular acct. of these monies, terminating annually on the 1st. of July. His first letter to me on the subject, informed me that the salary of Chargé des affaires was raised to take place from July 1. 1790. & directed me to state my acct down to that day, which was accordingly done & transmitted. After the 1st. of July 1791. my account was stated in like manner & sent from Paris in the beginning of October following. On my return to Paris in Jany last I recieved a letter from the Sec. of State informing me that my letter inclosing that acct & to which I had referred in subsequent letters, had not been recieved & desiring me to send it again & in future to do it by duplicates immediately after the 1st. of July. Accordingly I immediately transcribed the acct & transmitted it by two separate conveyances in Jany last. In like manner I stated my acct. up to the 1st. of July last & transmitted it by three separate conveyances to the department of State in the months of July & August. This account contained the sums paid for the two golden medals ordered by the same department for Mess. de la Luzerne & de Moustier—although no part of the money passed through my hands—the several artists having been paid by M. Grand & he re-imbursed by my bill on the bankers at Amsterdam. The medal with its chain for De Moustier was delivered to himself—that for de la Luzerne, to M. de Montmorin as appears by their respective letters written to me. The dye was left with the engraver to be taken care of with the others belonging to the U.S. & placed at the disposition of M. Morris.
Before I quit this head, I should repeat perhaps what I formerly mentioned to you—that M. Jefferson on his departure from Paris left with me bills of exchange to the amount of I think 66,000 ₶. This was destined to a particular object with which you are acquainted. He expected it would be immediately applied & therefore wished me to be the instrument instead of deposing it in a banker’s hands, to avoid the commission. When the term of these bills arrived, finding less probability of their being immediately applied & not chusing to keep by me such a sum at my risk in an house which was robbed regularly two or three times a year, I gave the bills to M. Grand to recieve their amount & hold it appropriated to the object in question. It remains still in his hands having never been called for. I wrote more than once respecting it on finding the depreciation commencing—but never recieved an answer. It remains now to be considered whether you would chuse to recieve it in its present depreciated state—or wait for the change of circulating medium in France.
These are all the monies within my present recollection which have ever been at my disposition except those which you have from time to time directed me to have paid and of the loans made by me. These I come now to speak of & which I have ever considered as under totally different circumstances. I have made a point of never allowing one single farthing of it to pass through my hands & of course had no account to keep respecting it. I knew the commissioners were in direct correspondence with the department of the treasury & they told me they transmitted their accounts regularly. I therefore did not see that there would be any occasion for my intervention. It appeared to me from the nature of the business & from the part I took in it that there would be no chasm in its final & complete adjustment, by my being left out of the question—nor indeed do I see how I could have entered into the account, as no part of the money passed through my hands, without rendering it less simple than at present.
The loans as made, which have been regularly announced to you, shew the cash which the U.S. have in the hands of the commissioners—the payments they make, & which they state in their accts of course, if properly vouched, complete the acct. it seems to me, & shew whether there is error. The payments made by my directions which I have transmitted to the commissioners as recieved from you, are the bills which you have directed to be drawn on them—the interest accruing on the loans at Amsterdam—& the debt to France. The two first carry their own proofs in themselves & nothing that I could do could add to them—the proofs of the third consist in the reciepts or bills which they recieve from the French treasury & which they hold, & transmit to you, as I imagine, doubles.
The commissioners of the treasury formerly gave me a copy of the sums they have recieved from the commissioners & which is as conformable to one the commissioners gave me last winter at Amsterdam. No payment has been since made by them except the 1625m florins agreed for by M. Morris as already often mentioned to you. This conformity of the accts. gave me all the presumption I had occasion for, of its justness—but as the commissioners had other payments to make also on public acct. which were not within my control, such as the monies paid to other foreign agents & the bills from America whose amount were unknown to me, I could no[t] ascertain the accuracy of the total of their transactions—which could be done only at the original source to which all the branches of the acct. were carried, the Treasury.
This has been the light in which I have ever recieved the subject & which prevented me from considering myself as involved in the comptability of the business. Your letter of yesterday however makes me fear you have viewed it differently—as you say my account will be considered as an essential guide in the settlement which is contemplated. Should the acct. for which I have written to Amsterdam be not adequate to this purpose (& I own I do not see how it can be more complete than that which I imagine the commissioners send regularly) I must beg you Sir to inform me in what it shall be defective, & to give me your orders fully on the business, having it above everything at heart to give you the most perfect satisfaction in every business you confide to me & particularly one of this kind. I have so full a reliance on its having been properly transacted by the commissioners & of their having taken all the proper vouchers, that I have no objection to be placed in the account, although I did not consider myself as any thing more, as to the payments, than the chanel of your orders for the purpose.
If it has been your expectation & is still your desire that I should enter into this kind of comptability I beg you to be so good as to say in what way you desire it & what kind of an account you wish me to transmit you. I hope it will not be your wish that I do actually recieve the money from the commissioners & pay it to its several destinations. I think I mentioned to you from the beginning, when you ordered the first payment to France, how inadequate I was to that kind of manutention, & how sollicitous I was to be excused from it.
I have already transmitted to you the acct. of the Antwerp payments as sent to me by M. de Wolfe. The duplicate of the reciepts he took from the French agent were forwarded to me at Paris. I left them with M Morris, that he might compare them with the acct to be recieved from the commissaries. The part remitted by bills of exchange like that paid in the same way from Amsterdam, is justified in like manner, by the conformity of the commissaries acct. For greater certainty I shall send this letter by duplicate & it shall be followed immediately by the acct. expected from Amsterdam—repeating my prayer, that if it should leave you unsatisfied with respect to my part however inconsiderable or if your satisfaction should not be complete in every respect, that you would be so good as to mention it, & enable me to procure the eclaircissement, which may be necessary. I have the honor to be most respectfully, Sir, your most obedt & most humble servt.

W Short
The Honble Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John F. Mercer, 3 November 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Mercer, John F.

Philadelphia Novr 3d 1792
Sir

The Post two days since, brought me your letter of the 16th of October.

I deemed it incumbent on me previous to a more particular notice of its contents to forward a copy of it, and of the documents which accompany it, as far as they regard your public discourses to Major Ross.
With due consideration   I am Sir   Your Obedt Servt

A H
John F Mercer EsqAnnapolis


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to David Ross, 3 November 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ross, David

Philadelphia Novr 3d 1792.
Sir

Two days since, I received a Letter from Mr Mercer dated the 16th of Octr in answer to mine of the 26 of September, to him. A Copy of his letter and of the documents accompanying it, as far as they regard his public Speeches, is herewith sent; in order that your comments, as to the facts which are in question, may enable me to judge what further Step I ought to take.
I remain with perfect consideration & esteem   Sir   your Obed Servt

A H
David Ross EsqBladensburg Maryland


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 3 November 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Williams, Otho H.

Treasury DepartmentNovember 3d. 1792
Sir

I received by the hands of Mr. Richmond your letter on the subject of the stock standing in your name on the public books.
Though, according to the letter of the law, the prohibition to dispose appears to be retrospective as well as future, I am of opinion that it is consistent with sound legal construction to confine the latitude of the expression, so as to admit of the alienation and transfer of stock, which was previously owned. A different supposition makes the law an invasion of the right of property previously acquired, possibly to the ruin of the party, or his exclusion from office, and could not be within the intention of the law-makers. Nor ought in my opinion, expressions merely general to be construed so as to produce such a consequence.
But in giving this opinion I ought to apprize you that it differs from that of the Attorney General, which was sometime since taken at the request of another public officer. I need not observe, that my opinion could not exempt you from any penalties which by the true construction of the law, if different from mine, would follow.
With much consideration I am Sir   Your obedient servant

Alex Hamilton
Otho H Williams EsqrCollector &c


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Francisco de Miranda, 4 November 1792
From: Miranda, Francisco de
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Paris Novr. the 4th. 1792.the 1t. year of the Republic.
My dear friend,

The affairs & Success of france take a happy turn in our favour. I mean in favour of our dear Country America, from the North to the South. The official Communications from the new appointed Minister of france, & the Information our friend Col. Smith shall give to you, will Shew how things are grown ripe & into maturity for the Execution of those grand & beneficial projects we had in Contemplation, when in our Conversation at New Yorck the love of our Country exalted our minds with those Ideas, for the sake of unfortunate Columbia.
I am sincerely yours

M.


Title: Contract with James and Shoemaker, [5 November 1792]
From: James and Shoemaker,Hamilton, Alexander
To:

[Philadelphia, November 5, 1792]

On behalf of Messrs. Nicholas Low and Abijah Hammond of New York, I promise to pay to Messrs. James and Shoemaker or their order on demand such sums as may be advanced to John Campbell by them or their Agents for any machinery tools or utensils for a Stocking Manufactory which shall be shipped by the said John Campbell or by his order per the Ship Glasgow from any part of Great Britain to the United States consigned either to the said Nicholas Low or Abijah Hammond or to the said James and Shoemaker and for the freight of the said articles and the passage money of any persons who shall be embarked on board the said Ship for the United States, being makers of such machinery or Manufacturers in the Stocking Branch, together with five per Cent Commission on the amount thereof provided the said sums do not exceed Eight hundred Pounds current money of Pensylvania.
Witness my hand at Philadelphia the fifth day of November 1792.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, 5 November 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Treasury Department Novr. 5th. 1792.
Sir,

I have only considered the principal subject of the extracts from Mr. Morris’s letters, which you did me the honor to send me, namely the adjustment or liquidation of the payments to France, and am of Opinion, that the Idea which appears to be that of Mr. Morris is the safest now to be pursued vizt.—to ascertain the rate of exchange between Paris and Amsterdam, at each period of payment, as an eventual guide, and to leave the liquidation open till the completion of the entire reimbursement shall furnish an equitable rule, upon all the circumstances of the case. While the United States do not wish to profit by any disorder in the affairs of France, neither ought they to suffer any loss in consequence of it. As further payments have been suspended till further order, there will be time for further consideration, before the payments recommence.
The Accounts furnished by the French Treasury have been committed to the Comptroller, with direction to make a full and critical examination, and to prepare all statements, and documents, which may be necessary completely to enlighten Mr. Morris.
The affair of the payment of the debt due to the French officers has been arranged. In your absence from the Seat of Government I wrote a letter to Mr. Morris on the subject of which the enclosed is a Copy.
With great respect, I have the honor to be,   Sir,   Your obedient servant.

Alexander Hamilton.
The Secretary of State.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Pinckney, 5 November 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Pinckney, Thomas

Philadelphia November 5th 1792

The Secretary of the Treasury presents his respectful compliments to the Minister Plenipotentiary of the united States at the court of Great Britain, requests the favour of his particular care of the enclosed letter to Messrs Willink & van Staphorst Amsterdam.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 5 November 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Seton, William

Treasury Department Novemb 5th 1792
Sir

Enclosed is a letter to our Ambassador at the Court of Great Britain which I request you will please to forward by the November Packet as usual.
I am with great consideration   Sir   Your Obedt Servt

Alexander Hamilton
William Seton EsqrNew York


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 5 November 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Short, William

Treasury DepartmentNovember 5th, 1792.
Sir:

The last letter which I have had the pleasure of receiving from you is dated the 6th of August. By letters from Mr Morris to the Secretary of State, down to the 16th of that month, it appeared that he had, on the 6th, ordered a payment, to the French Treasury, of one million six hundred and twenty five thousand B. florins. But nothing is said which can enlighten me as to his opinion whether the last change in the affairs of France, namely the suspension of the King, ought to suspend further payments on account of the United States to the government of that country. Hence, though I entertain a persuasion, as mentioned in my letter of the 1st of October, a fourth copy of which is inclosed, that no further payments after that event will have been deemed proper, and, consequently that a considerable sum of money will have been left undisposed of in the hands of our Commissioners, yet the want of some certain indication on that point is a cause of perplexity to me.
The dispositions heretofore announced contemplated the payment of interest on the foreign debt to individuals only up to the end of the present year out of funds accruing in Europe, and render it possible that all others might be applied in payments to France. Yet, under present circumstances, to add, by remittances from this country, to the considerable funds which probably are already on hand there unemployed, and a part of which has been so long in that situation, would be too disadvantageous to the United States.
Upon the whole, I elect to forbear, till further advices, any remittances from hence, considering that on any emergency you will be able to procure either a temporary or permanent loan equal to the demand. On the 1st of January 1793 there will be due in Hollund 120000 florins for interest, on the 1st of February £30000 for interest and 100000 for premium, on the 1st of March 125000 for interest, on the first of June 470000 for interest and 1000000 for the first instalment of the 5000000 loan.
For facing these engagements it appears adviseable that you endeavour to contract a loan for 2000000 of florins. In the present state of French affairs it is proper to postpone any further borrowing with a view to reimbursements there.
Should it appear, as I expect from your future advices, that there will remain moneys unapplied and subject to dispositions from hence, I shall take care so to regulate the drafts which may be made as to leave at your disposal at least a sufficient sum for paying the interest in January and February, so as to afford time for such further operations as may be requisite.
I am now anxious, as soon as possible, to adopt a regular plan for paying the interest on our foreign debt by remittances from this country. On full reflection I have concluded that the doing of it by means of bills of exchange is preferable to any other mode. But for this purpose some auxiliary arrangement is necessary. Bills are not always to be had at the moment they are wanted. If I am to depend wholly on a casual supply I shall often be obliged to force the market or remit specie. To avoid being pressed at any time I have conceived that it would be eligible to adopt the following plan: To stipulate with some competent house for a contingent credit, equal to the sums payable for interest at the several periods, that is, the house to be obliged to furnish the sums when due, if required so to do, for a certain term of credit, say six months, upon the conditions of receiving, absolutely, a small premium, whether the money be called for or not, with a certain rate of interest if called for on the sum actually advanced, from the time of its being advanced to the time of its reimbursement.
Suppose the contract were made and the premium stipulated ½ per cent, the rate of interest five per cent, the operation of the plan would be as follows: On the first of January next there is a sum of 120000 florins payable, on account of interest. It would be in my option to remit the sum at the period or not. If I remitted it the contractor would then be entitled only to ½ per cent of the 120000 florins. If I remitted no part of it, he would be obliged to advance the money at the time it became due, and would be entitled to ½ per cent by way of premium, and at the rate of five per cent per annum on the 120000 florins from the time it was advanced to the time it was reimbursed, the term of reimbursement not to exceed six months. If I remitted a part but not the whole, he would be obliged to advance the residue, and would be entitled to ½ per cent premium on the entire sum, say 120000 florins and at the rate of five per cent per annum, as before, on the sum actually advanced, as that should happen to be. And so from period to period through the year.
I have supposed that the rate of premium and interest which have been mentioned would obtain the credit desired. And I will thank you, if it can be done, to effect the arrangement to begin after the 1st of June next. I should not wish it, in the first instance to extend beyond a year. Offers of a similar credit have been intimated to me from London, but, as the payments are to be made in Amsterdam, I deem it preferable to simplify the business by a direct operation.
I shall endeavor to engage the Bank of the United States to undertake the payment of our foreign interest, combining it with a plan for keeping our foreign exchange within certain determinate limits; a measure which will unite a moderate profit to the Bank with the advantage to trade of a steady course of exchange and to the government of a convenient and oeconomical mode of remitting its foreign interest. But some little time will be requisite to mature mens ideas on the subject.
With respectful consideration, I have the honor to be,   Sir,   Your obedt Servant

Alexander Hamilton
William Short EsquireMinister Resident from the United States, atThe Hague.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, 5 November 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Willink, Wilhem,Willink, Jan,Van Staphorst, Nicholaas,Van Staphorst, Jacob

Triplicate
Treasury DepartmentPhiladelphia Novr. 5. 1792.
Sir

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th. of August last enclosing an authenticated copy of the Contract for the last three million Loan, which Contract is now before the President for his ratification. If it should be completed in the course of the day, it will be herewith transmitted; if not, it will be forwarded to you by the next opportunity.
Enclosed is a letter to Mr. Short which I request you will forward to him. But if contrary to my expectation, Mr. Short should be absent from Holland, and it should appear from the State of the funds in your hands, that the sums in your possession would be insufficient to pay the Interest, which will fall due on the several Loans to the 1st. of February next ensuing inclusively, including one hundred thousand Guilders premium, I authorize you to open Mr. Shorts letter, and to adopt the arrangement therein proposed, in order that no deficiency may arise in regard to those payments.
With great consideration & esteem   I am Gentlemen   Your Obedt servant

A Hamilton

P.S. The Presidents ratification of the Contract alluded to in the foregoing letter is herewith inclosed.
Messrs. Willinks & Van staphorsts.
Amsterdam


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 6 November 1792
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Colles Office [Newport, Rhode Island]Novr. 6th. 1792
Sir,

I have recd. your circular letter of the 12th of the last month, and will pay a due regard to the request contained in the first paragraph thereof, and to your opinion on the case stated in the second.
A Vessel bound to a foreign port is compelled by distress of weather to put into the port of Newport, and it is necessary in order to repair her, or to procure supplies for the crew; or because she has perishable articles on board that part of her cargo should be sold, is she liable to the tonnage duty? Or if a vessel bound to a foreign port should put into this port for an harbour, continue herein forty eight hours, and not dispose of any part of her cargo, would the tonnage duty in this case be demandable? Instances of the case last mentioned have occurred, and will probably again occurr. Please to favour me with an answer to these questions.
I am, Sir, Yr. most obedt. servant

Wm Ellery Collector
A Hamilton EsqrSecry Treasury


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Uriah Forrest, 7 November 1792
From: Forrest, Uriah
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Georgetown [Maryland] 7. Nov. 1792
Dear Sir:

Inclosed is the copy of what Mr. William Bayley lately gave Dr. Steuart to forward to the President of the United States in consequence as Steuart told Bayley of a letter from the President requesting it the Doctor having before mentioned to him the circumstances to which it alluded. I only heard of it yesterday and sent today to Bayley who furnished me a copy he is a man of fair character and on no account would intentionally misrepresent but he not the most attentive and exact man. There is no doubt you are privy to and I dare say caused the application through the President yet no harm can arise from sending the copy.
I considered all that was said respecting your public Agency not worth any other regard than merely stating facts in conversation when it happened to be the subject which was very frequent during the rage of Electioneering. Because there are not three men of reputation even in the district where so much has been said who think ill of you and nothing is believed injurious to your Fame had there been a probability of your Character being any way affected you should have had the earliest information. I wish not to be mentioned in the business but there is one circumstance which may eventually be useful should Mr. Sterett not return soon from Europe. He informed me that he had called with Colo. Mercer at your office when the Colo. applied for payment of a horse which he had killed during the war I think in Virginia. He related to me the conversation that passed and mr. mercers observation to him at leaving you. I am pretty certain I have the whole correct on my memory and if necessary will readily furnish it.
If there is any thing in which you can make me useful you will make me happy being with the greatest esteem & respect Dr. Sir yrs.

Uriah Forrest


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 7 November 1792
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Hamilton, Alexander

United States, November 7, 1792. Transmits “a statement of the administration of the funds appropriated to certain foreign purposes, as the same has been submitted to the President by the Secretary of State.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 7 November 1792
From: Olney, Jeremiah
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Custom HouseDistrict of Providence 7th November 1792

The refusal of Credit to Mr. Edward Dexter on the Sixth Instant for the amount of the duties on the Cargo of the Brigantine Neptune (Consisting of one Hundred and Twenty Two Hogsheads and Twenty Three Teirces of Melasses &c.) Stephen Peirce Master, which entered at my office on the Said Sixth Instant, from Surinam, being the Property of Welcome Arnold Esquire and which was by him Transferred to the said Edward Dexter on the Fifth Instant—was founded on the Ground of Probability that said Transfer was Collusive and made with intent to effect a Further Credit in evasion of the Law, 1st. Because Mr. Arnold had a Bond then in Suit and remained unpaid which by Law deprived him of a Further Credit during his delinquency—2ndly as Mr. Arnold had previously to this (in the month of September 1792) effected a Further Credit (His said bond being then in Suit) in three Instances, by Similar Transfers, one to Mr. Stephen Dexter of the Brigantine Samuel with all her Cargo, and the other Two to Edward Dexter for the Cargoes of the Brigantine Harriot and Sloop Sally—which Cargoes after being unladen were deposited in Mr. Arnolds Stores and himself and Clerks generally attended the unlading—3rdly. that Mr. Arnold Suffered considerably for the want of Melasses (being reduced to the Necessity of borrowing from Several Persons) to work his Distillery in order to Compleat a Cargo of Rum for the Brigantine Betsey bound for Copenhagen and now awaiting with Eighty Six Hogsheads and Two Barrels of Rum, as part of her Cargo, on Board—4thly. the improbability that Mr. Arnold would make a Real Sale of a Cargo of Melasses which he so much wanted for immediate use, to Mr. Edward Dexter, who has but lately opened a Store in this Town, and could not, in all probability, have occasion for (or means in his power to make a real purchase of) upwards of Fourteen Thousand gallons of Melasses which at half a Dollar a Gallon being the lowest price, would amount to upwards of Seven thousand Dollars, and lastly that it is very unusual for Merchants to buye or Sell whole Cargoes of Merchandize by the lump.
To Shew the Probability that the Transfer of the Brigantine Samuels Cargo to Mr. Stephen Dexter, was also Collusive, it is proper further to observe, that he expected a Ship of 231 Tons burthen from the same place, with a larger quantity of the same Kind of Merchandize; and which did actually arrive here in about Three Weeks after the Samuel.

Jereh. Olney Collr.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from David Porter, [7 November 1792]
From: Porter, David
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[November 7, 1792. “I am now obliged to report Mr. James Forbes, third mate, to your notice for the following reasons: 1 Neglect of duty—2 Slanderous reproach on Authority—3 Ill treatment to the men, the latter is designed to retard duty to answer private purposes in my opinion, besides his situation is generally such that renders him incapable of duty or trust which is occasioned by intemperance; those are what I alledge against him and for such have suspended him. I choose to do his duty myself as I have done before, rather than put up with him. I have coolly and deliberately considered on what I have here said, for some time past, and now transmit the same to your notice, and pray that he may not be ordered to this Cutter more.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, [8 November 1792]
From: Coxe, Tench
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, November 8, 1792]
Dear Sir

I consider it as a duty to communicate the substance of a conversation, which I had this Evening with a intelligent citizen of Philada. on whose veracity I rely, and who, in common affairs is far from inaccurate. He informed me that his Catholic Majestys Commissioners were lately sitting with him, when a gazette was brought in; which contained the accot. of the Indian Movements in the Southern quarter, to which account a suggestion was added that the Governor of New Orleans, and an Indian Trader in the Spanish territory, were the causes of those hostile movements by their Instigations & Supplies. Having been unaccustomed to the restraints and reserves of political life he did not hesitate to ask Mr. Jaudines, whether he thought the suggestion founded, and he pursued a conversation on the subject with him for some time in the Presence of Mr. Viar. In the Course of the Conversation Mr. Jaudines took occasion to observe, that the U. S., in all their treaties with the indians, had introduced clauses by which the tribes had been made to submit themselves to the U. S and that a consequent protection of them had been held up and promised on our part—that similar engagements had subsisted between Spain and the Southern Indians (parties to the Treaty made at New York with Mr. McGilivray) prior to that Treaty—that he would not say the Governor of New Orleans had supplied them with Arms and stores, but that it would be best that the U. S. should not attempt to run the line contemplated in the Treaty of New York, for, that if they did, Spain would support the Indians in preventing it. The Citizen remarked that such a procedure would, as it appeared to him, produce a disagreement and probably a rupture between the U. S. and Spain; to which Mr. Jaudenes answered in terms implying, that such a circumstance would be very disagreeable, but that such interposition would in the event mentioned, certainly take place.
There was present at the conversation a Mr. Bryan of Georgia (who, I understand, is a Student in the Office of the Attorney Genl.) between whom & Mr. Jaudines some warm discussion took place. It is probable therefore, that he may remember the precise language of the Commissioner of Spain. Should you think it well to ask Mr. Randolph to converse wtih him, I wish, that the young Gentleman may be cautioned not to mention the Enquiry, as the citizen is desirous from personal reasons, that a guarded use may be made of the information. He is not unwilling however, if it be desired that his name be known to you, and in any other place where you may think it necessary.
I have the honor to be,   your respectful humble Servant

Tench Coxe
Walnut StreetThursday Evening 8th. Novr. 92


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Nourse, 8 November 1792
From: Nourse, Joseph
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Treasury DepartmentRegisters Office 8th: November 1792
Sir

I have the Honor to enclose the several Estimates for which Appropriations will be necessary for the Services of the Year 1793.—vizt.

Civil ListDollars
352.466.39/100

War Department
1.089.473.73

Invalid Pensioners
82.245.32

Extraordinaries
92.599.66.

The foregoing Estimates are accompanied with particular Statements of the Application of Two Several Sums vizt:

Of 50,000 Dollars
{
Granted by Several Acts

And of 5,000 do.
for the Purpose of discharging

such Demands on the United States not otherwise provided for as shall have been ascertained and admitted in due Course of Settlement at the Treasury and which are of a Nature according to the Usage thereof to require Payment in Specie.
With much Respect   I am sir,   Your mo: ob. & mo: hb: Servt.

J: N: Regr.
HonourableAlexander Hamilton Esqr.Secretary of the Treasury


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 10 November 1792
From: Coxe, Tench
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Treasury Department, Revenue Office, November 10, 1792. “I have the Honor to inform you, that the Supervisor of North Carolina has communicated to me the Resignation of William Wynne, John Baker and Edmund Sawyer Esquires, as Inspectors of the Revenue for the ports of Wynton, Bennets Creek Bridge and Pasqustank River Bridge, of which ports they were also Surveyors.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 10 November 1792
From: Coxe, Tench
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Treasury Department, Revenue Office, November 10, 1792. Encloses “for the purpose of submission to the President, two contracts between the Superintendent of the light House at New London and Daniel Harris and Nathl. Richards.” Discusses the cost of the contract. States that he has sent a circular letter to the superintendents of the lighthouses “calculated to draw from them a report comprehending all the material facts in regard to their construction, present condition and past and present supplies and management, with a view to embracing by general measures cheaper and better supplies.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Morris, 10 November 1792
From: Morris, Richard
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York, November 10, 1792. “I anxiously wait to hear from you for tho I should submitt willingly to Expend my own time and money I do not wish to incur the Expence that will Necessarily fall on me for the Clerk, Stamper, Office Rent, fuel, and the Unavoidable Expences of Marking and Guageing the Stills in the Remote Counties.… I hope when the President Reconsiders this Business he will direct the Clk, the Stamper of Certificates, Office Rent, Fuel and the Expence of Guageg. and Marking the Stills in the Remote Counties to be paid as Contingencies.…”


Title: Report on the Receipts and Expenditures of Public Monies to the End of the Year 1791, [10 November 1792]
From: Treasury Department
To: Speaker of the House of Representatives

[Philadelphia, November 10, 1792 Communicated on November 12, 1792]
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives]

An account of the Receipts and Expenditures of the United States commencing with the establishment of the Treasury Department under the present Governmt, and ending on the thirty first day of December 1791, stated in pursuance of the standing order of the House of Representatives of the United States passed on the thirtieth day of December 1791, of which the following is a copy.
In the House of Representatives of the United States.
Friday the 30 of December 1791.
Resolved, that it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to lay before the House of Representatives on the fourth Monday of October in each Year, if Congress shall be then in session, or if not then in session, within the first week of the session next following the said fourth Monday of October, an accurate Statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public monies down to the last day inclusively of the Month of December immediately preceding the said fourth monday of October, distinguishing the amount of the receipts of each State or District, and from each Officer therein, in which statement shall also be distinguished the expenditures which fall under each head of appropriation, and shall be shewn the sums, if any, which remain unexpended, and to be accounted for in the next statement of each and every of such appropriations.