Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Otho H. Williams, 18 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Williams, Otho H.

Treasury DepartmentJune 18th. 1792.
Sir

The Commissioner of the Revenue has laid before me copies of three letters, one of the 3rd. of May from you to the Surveyor of Baltimore, another of the 9th of May from him to you, and a third of the 7th of June from him, in capacity of Inspector of the Revenue for the port of Baltimore, to the Supervisor, communicating the correspondence between you and him and stating certain embarrassments which had ensued in consequence of the opinion that the Inspectors of the Customs are not bound to perform the duty which has been assigned to them in relation to distilled Spirits.
It is matter of regret that such a question has been pressed so far. It cannot certainly tend to the advancement of the public service to find its operations interrupted by a controversy between the officers respecting the limits of duty. It cannot promote the contentment of the Merchants with the laws of the Country if they are left to suffer in a manner, which they must ascribe either to want of proper arrangements, or to the deliberate non-execution of them. It cannot serve to impress respect for the authority of the Government, when it is understood that its immediate officers decline or evade a compliance with instructions, which have proceeded from the head of the proper department. It was to have been expected, that if doubts were entertained of the legality or propriety of those instructions, or of their true intent, these would have been first made known, by a representation of them to the source from which the instructions proceeded, not by hesitations in the execution, tending to embarrass the public source.
The appearance of the question has naturally led to a reconsideration of the grounds of the arrangements. The result is a confirmed conviction that it was right in its origin and ought to be carried into execution.
Three leading considerations led to it—one that where duties are closely allied and can be conveniently performed by the same persons, it is most conductive to simplicity and order, that they should be so performed—another that the union of them would serve to avoid an unnecessary multiplication of officers—and a third that it was favorable to œconomy. Either none or smaller compensations for the new services would be requisite to persons who were previously in public employ and pay; and whose functions had an immediate connexion with the new ones to be executed.
Some if not all these considerations may be presumed to have influenced the Legislature in making special provision for constituting officers of the Customs, officers of Inspection, in cases in which it should be deemed adviseable. The arrangement in question has therefore the recommendation of being conformable to this intimation of the Legislative sense.
No possibility of an interference of duties could operate as an objection to it. In general, it might be easily practicable to the ordinary inspectors of the Customs to perform the service; and if there are cases, in which from an extraordinary press of business, or other peculiar circumstances, the contrary happens, the remedy is an occasional and temporary appointment of other Inspectors. Their number is in the discretion of the Collector and their compensation being per diem, their appointments may be so likewise.
For the same reason (if the restriction in the Act concerning distilled spirits, as to the Article of expence, had not imposed a necessity of strict œconomy) it could not have appeared a hardship on the Inspectors of the Customs to be required to perform the accessory duties which have been allotted to them. The law evidently contemplates a dollar and a quarter per day as an adequate compensation for the services of those officers, and doubtless supposes that they are to be fully occupied. In every instance in which the time of employment might be prolonged, it would involve the advantage of additional compensation for the additional time.
It is to be observed that there is no precise delineation of the duty of an Inspector. It was clearly intended that he should perform all those lesser details which could not with convenience be enumerated; regulating himself by the directions of the Surveyor; who is himself under the direction of the Collector. There being no line drawn, there is the less room to say that this or that duty is not within the sphere of the office. Services analogous to those which constitute the general tenor of the duties of the officer may fairly be supposed to be of right demandable of him. And where they are not unduly burthensome, there is no just ground for complaint. It cannot therefore under all the circumstances of the case be admitted that the services required in the present instance are not legally obligatory on the Inspectors.
But if they were not, it would be incumbent upon them in point of general official propriety to acquiesce. And their not doing it would be a good reason for substituting others, who are better disposed.
Critical nicety about the boundaries of official duty (except where the rights of third persons are concerned) can only serve to embarrass the movements of Government. A spirit of refinement in this particular—a habit of recurring to the specific cases of duty defined in the laws to decide whether this or that instruction is to be executed would quickly clog the wheels of the public administration and throw it into disorder. There is a large chapter of undefined relative duties which appertain to every officer in every station. And the best general rule certainly is for each in his sphere to give all possible facility to the course of public business.
The door is always open to candid representation and discussion, where anything is required, which an officer may suppose to bear hard upon him whether it respect the quantum of compensation, the quantum of duty or any other matter. If any thing unreasonable is exacted and persevered in, an appeal lies to the highest authority, and if redress is not found there, the path is plain. The right course cannot be to give an example of disorder, by beginning with a non compliance with instructions.
If, as may have been the case, the mode of expression used, in the general instructions, has led to a misapprehension of my meaning, what I have now said will remove the ambiguity. And I have the fullest reliance, that you will interpose with decision to cause the Inspectors of the Customs to perform the services, which have been required of them, in aid of the Inspectors of the Revenue, for the ports within your district.
With great consideration and esteem   I am   Sir   Your Obedient Servant
Alexander Hamilton
Otho H. Williams Esqr.Collector, Baltimore.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 19 June 1792
From: Olney, Jeremiah
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Custom-House,Providence 19th June 1792.
Sir.

I have received your circular Letter of the 4th Instant. I will endeavor to comply with your Instructions in estimating the value of ad Valorem Goods which may be imported into this District from France; but I foresee difficulties in practicing the Third criterion, preferred by you, which appears to me essentially to involve the Fourth; for to ascertain the Prices of similar Articles prior to the Revolution, it will be absolutely necessary that they should be seen and appraised by competent Judges, the qualities of almost every Article being so various: this will be tedious, and expensive to the Consignees; and attended with considerable inconveniences and Loss in cases where the Goods especially if Glass or crockery Ware, are destined, not in the same Vessels, to other Ports or Places. You have Sir, decided so possitively against the First criterion, that without different directions, I shall never practice it; but the Second, requiring only a knowledge of foreign exchange, which may be always easily obtained, I cannot help wishing may yet be approved of by you as the principal, if not the sole, mode of estimating the value of Goods imported from France, and accompanied with Invoices. This would greatly facilitate the Business; and I imagine, would not be productive of Injury, either to the public or individuals, sufficient to counterbalance the inconveniences attending the practice of the Third criterion.
There have been Three or Four Enrolments, granted by me, transmitted from this Office, without a hole cut thro the name of the Collector, which was designedly omitted, in consequence of your circular Letter of the 2nd of Jany. last, in which the word Enrolment was not mentioned, tho’ in every instance inserted in that of the 21st of September. However Sir, it shall not be omitted in future. The circumstance of the stolen Register shall be attended to. I have the Honor to be &c.
Jereh. Olney Collr.
A. Hamilton EsquireSecretary of the Treasury.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Seton, 19 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Seton, William

[Philadelphia, June 19, 1792. On June 25, 1792, Seton wrote to Hamilton: “I have made a long delay in answering your favours of the 12th & 19th.” Letter of June 19 not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 19 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Department, June 19, 1792. “The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to submit to the President of the Ud. States a provisional Contract entered into between the Superintendent of the Delaware Lighthouse and Abraham Hargis for sinking a Well for the accomodation of that Light house.… The Secretary has delayed this communication under an impression that the allowance was excessive, and with a hope that something better might be done: but reputable workmen who have been consulted appear to be of opinion that the charge is not unreasonable, and no other person has been found disposed to undertake at a lower rate.…”


Title: [“C”], [20 June 1792]
From: “C”,Hamilton, Alexander
To:

[Philadelphia, June 20, 1792]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 20 June 1792
From: Coxe, Tench
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Treasury Department, Revenue Office, June 20, 1792. Transmits “for the purpose of submission to the President a contract entered into between the Superintendent of the Delaware light House, piers &c. and Thomas Davis and Thomas Connaroe junior, for the replacing of one of the piers which formed the harbour near Mud Island, which pier was carried away by the Ice at the Breaking up of the River Delaware in the last Spring.” Reports on reasons for high cost of repairing pier.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas FitzSimons, [20 June 1792]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: FitzSimons, Thomas

[Philadelphia, June 20, 1792]
Dear Sir

I return you Mr. Holkers papers with the result of the examination which has been made by my direction. As the thing at present appears to me I see no chance for Mr. Holker but in the final winding up of the arrangements concerning the public debt, when the existence or non existence of the certificates will be ascertained.
Yrs. with great esteem & regard
A Hamilton
June 20
Thomas Fitsimmons Esq


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, 20 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Treasury Department, June 20th: 1792.
Sir,

I enclose you an extract of a letter, lately received from the Collector of Bermuda hundred, concerning a certain practice, which if persisted in, would interfere with the due execution of the laws; and would oblige to a line of conduct, that would involve in difficulties the French bottoms, which arrive in the United States.
To avoid both the one and the other, this communication is made, in order that a representation to the Minister of France, may put a Stop to the procedure.
I have the honor to be   very respectfully   Sir,   Your obedt. servt.
A. Hamilton.
The HonorableThomas Jefferson. EsqSecretary of State.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 20 June 1792
From: Williams, Otho H.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Ceresville [Maryland] 20th. June 1792
My Dear Sir

Your favor of the 9th relieved me from some degree of anxiety. I confess that, although I should not have any great objection to its being known that I had presumed to write in defence of the Character of a deceased friend, I would not that my private letter to you on the subject should fall into hands that might magnify my strictures on the conduct of some of the Members of Congress into a libel against the whole body. I doubted whether you had ever received it.
Your reasons for deferring the publication were politic; I would not myself have interupted the favorable dispostition of the legislature; but I think that at the close of the business Vindicator should have appeared with a little alteration and a short note giving the true reason for its not appearing sooner.
I know that the fame of our friend “stands unassailable with success.” But you, my Dr. Sir, do not seem to know that old “impressions,” and some of them made almost indelible by the envy which your own encomiums created, are yet remaining; and that a few well authenticated facts only are necessary to their removal: and to give that Celebrity to His fame which is the best reward of his Virtues. Can it be forgotten, that the Country which he emancipated and the Men with whom He wrought that laborious task, were almost equally prejudiced against him? That the Government of South Carolina, which he restored by his wisdom and his Valor (its executive at least) opposed the authority which he derived from the head of the Union. That the Army (at least a great majority of the officers) censured him in effect for respecting a power put up by himself; while the half starved troops joined in the Cabal. Implacable enmities were the consequences. Besides he had personal enemies who assisted in blowing the Coals. The embers of envy are still alive; and altho’ his fame will survive it suffers & his Friends must, and do, some times, feel the influence of those temporary prejudices. Among the most respectable, of my acquaintance, I know Men who entertain and who express doubts of the propriety of his conduct in respect to “a certain affair.” A particular friend, the Reverend Doctr. Allison, who is a liberal and a well informed Man, & to whom I read the paper which I sent you expressed great obligations to me for removing suspicions which had long given him pain. He added that many of the facts which I had stated were new to him, and he was sure they would be to many. He pressed the expediency of the publication (But I Submit it entirely to your discretion, having previously submitted it to your judgment). I destest controversy, particularly a literary one; I do not wear the Arms adapted to such kind of combat. But in such a cause and with truth and justice on my side I co[ul]d almost defy “the Devil & all his works.” I am, affectionately Yrs
O H W
N. B   Indisposition, or rather a desire of improving my health, has induced me to retire for a few weeks to the Country.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholaas and Jacob Van Staphorst, and Nicholas Hubbard, 20 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Willink, Wilhem and Jan

[Philadelphia, June 20, 1792. On July 26, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Willink, Van Staphorst, and Hubbard: “You will herewith receive triplicates of my letters of the 7th. of May and 20th. ultimo.” Letter of June 20 not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Daves, 21 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Daves, John

Treasury Department, June 21, 1792. Requests “enquiries concerning fit Characters to serve as second and third Mates, in the Revenue Cutter on the North Carolina station.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Sharp Delany, 21 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Delany, Sharp

Treasury Department, June 21, 1792. Requests “enquiries concerning a fit Character to serve as third mate in the Revenue Cutter on the Pennsylvania Station.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Gaspard Joseph Amand Ducher, 22 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ducher, Gaspard Joseph Amand

[Philadelphia, June 22, 1792. On October 22, 1792, Ducher wrote to Hamilton: “J’ai reçu votre Lettre du 22. juin der.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, 22 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ellery, William

[Philadelphia, June 22, 1792. On July 10, 1792, Ellery wrote to Hamilton: “I have recd. your letters of the 7th 22nd. and 28th of the last month.” Letter of June 22 not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, 22 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Morris, Gouverneur

(Private)
My dear Sir
Philadelphia June 22d 1792

Your three letters of the 21st of March, 6th and 10th of April have been received, and gave me great pleasure.
I accept your challenge to meet you in the field of mutual confidential communication; though I cannot always promise punctuality, or copiousness. I will however do the best I can.
Will it not be a necessary preliminary to agree upon a Cypher? One has been devised for me, which though simple in execution is tedious in preparation. I may shortly forward it.
In the mean time, let us settle some appellations for certain official characters. I will call

The President
— Scavola

The vice President
— Brutus

The Secretary of State
— Scipio

The Secretary at War
— Sempronius

The Secretary of the Treasury
— Paulus

The Attorney General
— Lysander

Senators
{
Robert Morris
— Cato

Oliver Elsworth
— Virginius

Rufus King
— Leonidas

George Cabot
— Portius

Aaron Burr
— Savius

Richard Henry Lee
— Marcus

Monroe
— Sydney

Ralph Izard
— Themistocles

Representatives
{
James Madison
— Tarquin

Ames
— Valerius

Abraham Baldwin
— Hambden

John Laurance
— Solon

Mercer
— Tacitus

Murray
— Livy

Thomas Fitzsimmons
— Cicero

Egbert Benson
— Cromwell

Jeremiah Wadsworth
— Titius

Jonathan Trumbull
— Quintus

Giles
— Chronus

You see, I have avoided characteristic Names. In my next you shall have a sketch of the general state of the country, its politics and parties.
I thank you for your calculations, as I will for every suggestion you shall make. I shall seldom fail to get either a new idea, or a new application of an old one.
I shall endeavour to put in train, by this opportunity, the papers you advise to be sent, to the Russian Ambassador.
If your courage is not put to the test by being put to wear what you have won, it will not be my fault.
Do you know enough of the catechism in the Vulgar Tongue to fulfil what you have lately undertaken?
Yrs sincerely
A H
P. S.   Do me the favour to have the inclosed delivered to the party.
Gouverneur Morris Esqr


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Tench Coxe, 23 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Coxe, Tench

Treasury Department, June 23, 1792. Encloses “the contract between the Superintendent of the Delaware Light House and Abraham Hargis.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Dufouer, 23 June 1792
From: Dufouer, Henry
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York June 23d. 1792
Sir,

I am Again under the necessity of troubling you, and Appealing to your goodness of Heart to Excuse the Intrusion I make on your time while you Read this. It is long since I spent my last shilling relying on that Government for Bread by my Attachment to which I lost the place I held in the Customs & Obliged to behold Men in Office who would have waded thro’ blood to Oppose it. I have the most perfect Relyance that you will provide for me because you have promised you would, not Only to me but to my friends. You may in the hurry of Business at times forget this but I am sure you Cannot break it, but my Good Sir, in the mean time I am in want. I am disturbed thereby both in mind & Body and am Often tempted to Despair. Excuse this Application. Do keep me in mind & my pray⟨ers⟩ shall Assend to Heaven for you⟨r⟩ Health & Happiness I am Sir   Your Verry humb. Servt.
Henry Dufouer
The Honbe. Alexander Hamilton Esqr.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 23 June 1792
From: Lee, Henry
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Richmond June 23d. 92
My dear sir.

I cannot so well execute Mr. Randolph’s desire as by enclosing his letter to me. Whatever he has said in favor of Mr. Johnston may be reckoned on with certainty.
It has been a long time since I have heard from you, tho daily I hear of you: commended by some, condemned by others—sometimes you are mounted to the skys on the wings of fame, again whisked into the infernal pit.
I have withdrawn myself from continental politics. My indifference has begot an ignorance & both together have established an uninterrupted calm in my breast. The State business furnishes me with employment and ease & innocence accompany my execution of the dutys of my station.
In love with every sweet nymph but not so far gone with any one yet as to think of matrimony.
Sometimes I am interrupted by rumors of indian hostility but on this score my fears decrease as the Secretary of War talks confidently of peace. You never informed me how the horse suited you, nor indeed have you dropt me a line In six months. The beautiful Miss Allen I hear is still unpossessed. Present me to Mrs H.
farewell, yours always
Henry Lee


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Mifflin, [23 June 1792]
From: Mifflin, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, June 23, 1792]
Sir.

By a late act of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, provision is made, among other things, for paying the nominal amount of the State Certificates, which are subscribable to the loan, proposed by Congress to the State Creditors, “upon this condition, and not otherwise, that the State Creditors subscribe to that loan, and thereupon, on or before the 1st day of July next, transfer to the State Treasurer, for the use of the Commonwealth, the Certificates which they shall receive from The United States, in consequence of such subscription.”
The Comptroller General and Register General of the State, have stated to me, that a difficulty occurs in the execution of this act; as, according to their information, the Certificates of The United States for the amount of the respective subscriptions of the State Creditors, will not be issued until the 1st of March 1793, and, of course, cannot be transferred to the State Treasurer for the use of the Commonwealth, at the period which the Legislature of Pennsylvania had prescribed, previously to the passing of the act of Congress, that extends the time for subscribing to the loan.
Under these circumstances, I am induced to request, that you will, as far as you can with propriety, enter into an arrangement, to accommodate the State; and either direct the Certificates to be immediately issued (since there is no reasonable ground to suppose, that the amount of the subscription in pennsylvania will exceed the amount of the assumption); or give your sanction, to a transfer of the receipts, which the Loan-Officer issues, in the first instance, to the parties subscribing; so that, at the regular period, the certificates may be obtained, in the name and for the use, of the Commonwealth.
The readiness which you have shewn, on every occasion, to facilitate our fiscal operations, as far as they are connected with the Federal establishment, assures, me that no apology is necessary for this application, and increases the sincere respect, with which   I am, Sir, Your most obedt., Hble servt.
Thomas Mifflin.
Philadelphia,June 23. 1792.
To Alexr. Hamilton,Esqr., Secretary of theTreasury, of The United States.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from James Reynolds, 23 June 1792
From: Reynolds, James
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia 23d June. 1792.
Honnored Sir,

Your Goodness will I hope overlook the present application you will infenately Oblige me if you Can let me have the Loan of fifty dollars. for a few days. what little money I had I put into the turnpike Scrip. and I dont like to sell At the low advance the[y] are selling at. at present. as its very low. if you Can Oblige me with that much in the morning sir you shall have it in a short time again and you Will very much Oblige your Humble and Obed. Serv.
J. R.
Alexr. Hamilton. Esq.
NB.   you will I hope pardon me in taking the liberty to Call to day. but my Necessaty is such that it Oblige me to do it: sunday evening


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 23 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Short, William

Treasury DepartmentJune 23rd. 1792.
Sir

After closing my letter to you of the 14th. instant, the Comptroller, to whom I had submitted for examination the statement of the French Treasury transmitted by you, made some communications to me on that subject, of which copies are here enclosed for your information.
My own observations upon it must necessairly be reserved for another opportunity, as Mr. Pinkney who will take charge of my letters is to embark for London to day.
With consideration and esteem   I am Sir   Your Obedt. Servant
Alexander Hamilton
Wm. Short Esqr.Minister Resident of the UnitedStates at the Hague.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 23 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Departmt. 23d. June 1792.

The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully submits to the President of the United States the Draft of an Agreement concerning the subscription on behalf of the U States to the Bank, agreeably to terms concerted with the Directors, in order that it may be considered by the President previous to it’s execution. The Secretary will wait upon the President for his Orders on Monday morning.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Gardner, 24 June 1792
From: Gardner, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Portsmouth, New Hampshire, June 24, 1792. On July 13, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Gardner: “I duly received your letter of the 24th ult.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, 24 June 1792
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia June 24. 1792.
Sir

I have the honor to inclose you the answer of the Minister of France to the letter I wrote him on the subject of the complaint of the Collector of Bermuda hundred against the French Consul at Norfolk, whereby you will see that he undertakes to have the latter set right. I have not thought it necessary to reply to his observation that “Le Consul de Norfolk est sans doute obligé de maintenir les loix de France, aussi bien que le Collecteur de Bermuda hundred doit faire observer celles des etats-unis;” presuming he can only mean then the former do not interfere with the latter. The supremacy of the laws of every country within itself is too well known to be drawn into question. I shall take care however to note to him in conversation that the latitude of his expression, if taken in all it’s intent, would render it erroneous. I have the honour to be with every sentiment of respect Sir Your most obedt & most humble servt
Th: Jefferson
The Secretary of the Treasury


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to James Reynolds, [24 June 1792]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Reynolds, James

[Philadelphia, June 24, 1792]

Inclosed are 50 dollars, they could not be sent sooner.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Webb, 24 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Webb, William

Treasury DepartmentJune 24 1792.
Sir

Your letter of the 11th instant was duly received. In the case therein stated you were surely right in charging the Tonnage Duty upon granting a new license to the Vessel under the circumstances mentioned; which Tonnage cannot legally be refunded.
I am, Sir,   Your Obedt Servant.
A Hamilton
William Webb Esqr.
Bath.


Title: Agreement with the President, Directors, and Company of the Bank of the United States, [25 June 1792]
From: Hamilton, Alexander,Willing, Thomas
To:

[Philadelphia, June 25, 1792]

Agreement between Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, by virtue of authority from the President of the United States, on behalf of the United States, of the one part, and the President, Directors and Company of the Bank of the United States of the other part.
Whereas in and by the Act, intituled An Act to incorporate the Subscribers to the Bank of the United States, it is among other things enacted in the words following “That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, at any time or times, within eighteen months after the first day of April next, to cause a subscription to be made to the Stock of the said Corporation, as part of the aforesaid Capital Stock of Ten millions of Dollars, on behalf of the United States, to an amount not exceeding Two millions of Dollars; to be paid out of the monies which shall be borrowed by virtue of either of the Acts, the one entitled, An Act making provision for the debt of the United States; and the other entitled, An Act making provision for the reduction of the public debt; borrowing of the Bank an equal sum, to be applied to the purposes, for which the said monies shall have been procured; reimbursable in Ten years, by equal annual installments; or at any time sooner, or in any greater proportions, that the Government may think fit.”
And whereas for carrying into execution the said provision, The President by writing under his hand bearing date the 9th day of May last past, did authorize the said Secretary to subscribe by one or more subscriptions on behalf and in the Name of the United States for such number of Shares of and in the Capital Stock of the said Corporation as together should amount to Two millions of dollars and the same to pay for out of any monies which have been or shall be borrowed by virtue of either of the Acts the one entitled “An Act making provision for the debt of the United States” and the other entitled “An Act making provision for the reduction of the public debt” and did further authorize the said Secretary to borrow of the said Corporation for and on account of the United States and equal sum, namely Two millions of Dollars to be applied to the same purposes for which the said Monies shall have been procured and to be reimbursable in Ten years by equal annual installments or at any time sooner or in any greater proportions that the Government may think fit; Provided that the Interest thereof should not exceed the rate of six per Centum per Annum; and did also empower the said Secretary to enter into and conclude with the said Corporation such contracts and agreements as should be necessary for fulfilling the purposes aforesaid promising to ratify whatever he should lawfully do in the premises.
Now therefore these presents Witness That it hath been agreed and it is hereby agreed by and between the parties aforesaid as follows, to Wit.
First—The said Secretary of the Treasury forth-with after the execution of these Presents shall pursuant to the authority to him given as aforesaid subscribe in some proper book at the said Bank in the name and on behalf of the United States for Five thousand Shares of and in the Capital Stock of the said Corporation.
Secondly—The subscription so to be made shall be deemed to have been made on the twentieth day of December last past and the said United States shall be deemed to have become on the said day and shall be proprietors of the said Five thousand shares of and in the said Capital Stock; subject to the conditions and agreements hereinafter specified.
Thirdly—The amount of the said Five thousand shares, namely two Millions of Dollars shall be payable in moieties, one moiety upon the day of the execution of these Presents, the other moiety on the first day of July next.
Fourthly—The said Corporation upon the payment of each of the said Moieties shall forth-with lend, advance and pay a sum, equal to such moiety to the United States to bear an Interest at the rate of six per centum per Annum; subject to the terms of reimbursement in the Act aforesaid specified.
Fifthly—As the dividend upon the said first moiety will begin to accrue on the said 20th day of December last past, the Interest upon the loan which shall be first made pursuant to the article next preceding, that is to say upon the principal sum of one Million of Dollars shall begin to accrue upon the said 20th day of December last, and the Interest upon the said Second loan of one million of Dollars shall begin to accrue upon the said first day of July next.
Sixthly—The interest upon the said loans shall be payable and paid half yearly, that is to say, the first half yearly payment shall be made on the first day of July next and thereafter a half yearly payment shall be made on the first day’s of January and July in each year until the final reimbursement of the said Loans.
In testimony whereof The said Secretary hath hereunto subscribed his hand and caused to be affixed the seal of the Treasury of the United States, and the said President, Directors and Company have hereunto caused to be affixed the Seal of the said Corporation. Done at Philadelphia the Twenty fifth day of June in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety two.
Alexander HamiltonSecy of the TreasyThos. Willing Prest.
AttestJohn Kean Cashr.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Ellery, 25 June 1792
From: Ellery, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Colles Office [Newport, Rhode Island]June 25th, 1792
Sir,

I have recd. your three Circular Letters of the 4th 8th & 11th. of this month; and shall pay due attention to the Explanations and directions contained in them.
By the 14 Sec: of the Act for registering and clearing vessels &c “if any ship or vessel after having been registered in pursuance of this act, shall in any manner whatever be altered in form or burthen” &c. “such vessel shall be registered anew by her former name” &c. A figured head is put to a vessel after she has been registered: doth such alteration render it necessary that she should be registered anew? and if so, should the cause thereof be expressed in her new Register?
The master of a vessel of twenty tons or upwards licensed to trade between the difft. districts of the United States produces a certified manifest to the Collector of the District where she arrives: but has on board his vessel goods of foreign growth or manufacture, of less value than two hundred dollars, which are not mentioned in his manifest are such goods liable to seizure and forfeiture?
Your answer to these questions will oblige me.
Agreeable to your direction I have for sometime noted at the foot of my weekly returns the sum which would be wanted to pay off the drawbacks on distilled Spirits which would become due on the 26th of this month; but I have not yet received authority to borrow monies for that purpose. Permit me to request your attention to this matter.

I am, Sir,   Yr. most obedt. servt
Wm Ellery Coller
A Hamilton EsqrSecry Treasy.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Ellery, 25 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ellery, William

[Philadelphia, June 25, 1792. On July 16, 1792, Ellery wrote to Hamilton: “I have recd. your letter of the 25 of June last.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 25 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth

Philadelphia June 25. 1792
My dear Sir

I have duly received your letter of the 25th of May, by duplicates, with the first and second of a set of bills of Exchange for £ 200 sterling, received by you on account of Mr. Church’s bond.
Your former remittance of £ 300 Carolina money was also received and I thought had been acknowledged; but I find by your letter that this was not done. It is not easy for me to give you an idea of the distractions incident to my situation, which alone could account to you for so singular an omission. I shall however rely on your friendship for a proper interpretation of the delay.
It is mortifying to me not to be able now to answer your enquiry concerning my opinion on the points you mention to have been stated to me; your letter having been either mislaid or forwarded to Mr Church and the particulars having escaped my recollection. I must ask you to take the trouble to restate them and you may rely on a speedy answer.
With the truest esteem and most real regard,   I remain Dear sir   Your Obedt. Servant.
A Hamilton
Charles C Pinckney Esqr


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 25 June 1792
From: Seton, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York 25th. June 1792.
Dear Sir

I have made a long delay in answering your favours of the 12th & 19th. owing to not being able to meet with Col. Walker to settle the Bill for 300 Dollars. He has just sent me word that he will call up & pay it tomorrow. The amount will then be past to your Credit in Bank. I shall watch a favorable opportunity for the disposal of your Stock—at present it does not go beyond 27 or 28 ⅌ Cent advance. I am much obliged to you for your promise respecting My advance to Mr. Pearce the Manufacturer, but am sorry you should have any trouble in the business. Our Direction are informed of your Sentiments respecting the Loan to the Manufactoring Society. Be assured My Dear Sir, they have so much confidence in any measure pointed out by you, & take so much pleasure in promoting your Views, which they are all well convinced are ever intended for the public good, that by complying with your wishes, they have not even an opportunity of retaliating the obligations this Institution is under to you. Of mine, personally, I shall [say] nothing, but that I am with the highest respect   Dear sir   Your Obliged Ob Hu Serv
Wm Seton
Alexr. Hamilton Esqr


Title: Treasury Department Circular to the Collectors of the Customs, 25 June 1792
From:
To:

Treasury Department,June 25th, 1792.
Sir,

As it is probable that doubts may arise, in regard to the construction of the fifth section of the Act, entitled, “An Act for raising a farther sum of money for the protection of the frontiers, &c.” that is, whether the additional Ten per centum, mentioned in the said section, relates only to the former rates of duties, laid by the Act “making farther provision for the payment of the debt of the United States,” or to those imposed by the first recited Act, I think it necessary to communicate my sentiments upon the subject in a circular letter.
I am of opinion (in which the Attorney General, who has been consulted concurs) that the rates of duties prescribed by the Act “making farther provision for the payment of the debt of the United States,” must govern the addition of ten per centum.
To elucidate this by an example, it would stand thus:

Madeira wine of the quality of London particular,  by the former Act is subject to a duty of
35 cents.

But wines of that description being by the Act, for  raising a farther sum of money, &c. liable to a duty  of 56 cents, add the difference
21

56 cents.

If imported in ships or vessels not of the United   States, 10 per centum are to be added to the first  rate, which is
3½

The Amount of the duties payable in this case would   be per Gallon
59½ cents.

It has been suggested that there is a diversity in practice in expressing in the Registers of vessels their respective lengths, which is attended with some disadvantage. To remedy this, it is my desire, that the actual length “from the fore part of the main stem to the after part of the stern post” be expressed in each Register as the length of the vessel—not the remainder of that length, after deducting 3/5th of the breadth, as is sometimes practiced.
The twelfth section of the Act, entitled, “An Act to establish the Post-Office and Post-Roads within the United States,” is deemed to contemplate no other ships or vessels than those arriving from abroad.
Previous to the adoption of the constitution of the United States, by Rhode-Island, the duty of fifty cents per Ton was in a variety of instances paid upon vessels of that state, trading between different districts, for want of coasting licenses, pursuant to the twenty third section of the Act for registering and clearing vessels, regulating the coasting Trade and for other purposes. Applications have been made for a return of the extra-duties in such cases. I am of opinion that the fourth section of the Act, entitled, “An Act imposing duties on the Tonnage of ships or vessels” extends to ships and vessels of North-Carolina and Rhode-Island, prior to the respective periods of their adoption of the Constitution.
With consideration, I am,   Sir,   Your obedient Servant,
A Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 25 June 1792
From: Wolcott, Oliver, Jr.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Treasury Department, Comptroller’s Office, June 25, 1792. “I have considered the proposition stated in … Governor Mifflins Letter to you dated the 23d. instant, and can discover no objection to an arrangement being made, for permitting transfers to the Commonwealth of Pensylvania, of the sums which have been subscribed in the State Certificates. If this is done the Commonwealth will be intittled to receive the Certificates of Funded Debt which may be issued therefor subsequent to the first day of March next.… it may be proper to limit the permission which may be given in such manner, that the right in a State to subscribe Certificates, which have been redeemed or discharged, be not conceeded.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Catharine Greene, 26 June 1792
From: Greene, Catharine
To: Hamilton, Alexander

New York 26 June 1792.
My Dear Sir

The bearer Mr Miller will wait on you to learn the particulars of the transaction with Mr Royal Flint respecting the Certificate I obtained from Baron Glausbeck. I beg you will consider him as My particular friend and any information you can give on this or any other Subject relating to the affairs of My unfortunate family, who, as he will inform You (are all on float again) will greatly oblige your sincerly affectionate,
Cathe Greene


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Heth, 26 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Heth, William

Private
Dear Sir
[Philadelphia] June 26, 1792

This accompanies an official letter. I acknowlege, I doubt the accuracy of the opinion of the Attorney General on the last point.
A law is not to be so litterally construed as to involve absurdity and oppression. The legislature might reasonably restrain its officers from future buying and selling of stock, but could not reasonably prevent their making a disposition of property, which they had previously acquired according to the laws of their country.
At the same time for greater caution I should in my own case follow the strict interpretation.
All my property in the funds is about 800 Dollars 3 per Cents. These, at a certain period, I should have sold, had I not been unwilling to give occasion to cavil.
The restriction itself, as it respects the officers of the Treasury, and I rather think the commissioners of loans, is a wise & unexceptionable one. But the propriety of its further extension is not obvious, and I doubt whether it will be lasting. The act passed in a prodigious hurry.
A H


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Jefferson, [26 June 1792]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Jefferson, Thomas

[Philadelphia, June 26, 1792]

Mr. Hamilton presents his respectful compliments to Mr. Jefferson & requests to be favoured with a copy of his Report concerning the distillation of Fresh from Salt-Water.
June 26. 1792


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to the Officers of the Massachusetts Line, 26 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Officers of the Massachusetts Line

Philadelphia June 26. 1792
Gentlemen

I have received your circular letter of the 28 of February last.
I consider it as addressed to me, in the capacity of a fellow soldier, and in that capacity, I now acknowlege and answer it.
Respect for you, Gentlemen, and for those, on whose behalf, you write, does not permit me to be silent—and, in replying, the frankness which is due to you and them, and, which is not less due to my own character, forbids me to dissemble
My judgment does not accord with the views which are announced in your letter. A perseverance in them will not, I believe, be productive of any advantage to the parties, and may, I fear, be attended with some public inconveniences, which, I am persuaded, they would regret.
I also have made sacrifices with the army, and, what is less known, for the army. I feel, that I love those who remain, of that respectable band, and that no one can be more solicitous than myself for their welfare. I trust therefore they will do justice to my motives on the present occasion.
With very respectful consideration   I have the honor to be   Gentlemen   Your most obedient & most humble serv

William Heath
}
Esquires

J Brooks

H Jackson

W Eustis

Jos Crocker

Thomas Edwards


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, 26 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Olney, Jeremiah

Treasury Department June 26th. 1792
Sir,

In answer to your letter of the 19th ultimo I have to inform you that the instruction with regard to the Notice to be given to other Collectors in cases where Bonds are put in Suit, is meant to be general, within the Limits of my Circular letter of the 6th of February last.
I am Sir   Your obedt Servant
A Hamilton
Jereh Olney EsqrCollector Providence


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, 26 June 1792
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philadelphia June 26th. 1792
Sir

In answer to your communication of yesterday, on the case of Col. Heth the Collector of Bermuda Hundred, I have the honor to inform you, that his enquiries demand different solutions.
The contract, made before the passing of the law, to which he alludes, may be consummated on the 2nd day of January next without impropriety. For the restriction on Collectors, on the disposal of public securities must be future in its operation, and he may be well said to have disposed of them before the existence of that restriction.
I am also well satisfied that it is too severe in itself, that Congress should have intended to preve⟨nt⟩ the Collectors from disposing at any time of their public debt acquired before the passage of the law. But how can I bend the word “disposal” unqualified, as it is? Could I fin⟨d⟩ a construction which ⟨wou⟩ld accommodate them, and not set principle at defiance, I would embrace it. But not knowing, where I should stop, I cannot enter upon this uncertain field; and must therefore conclude, that the Collectors are prevented by that law from disposing of any public securities whatsoever, subsequent to the date of its commencing in force.
I have the honor, Sir, to be   Yr. mo. ob. serv.
Edm. Randolph
The Secretaryof the Treasury


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 26 June 1792
From: Ternant, Jean Baptiste de
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Philade. 26 Juin 1792.
Mess.

J’ai recu la lettre du 23 de ce mois par laquelle vous me comuniquez le résultat de votre travail sur la fixation de pair intrinséque de nos especes respectives, pour servir de regle à la liquidation des objets fournis et des sommes payés ou à payer ici par votre gouvernement à compte de sa dette envers la france. Je desirerois que ce principe de liquidation recut son application en france, et que les comptes de vos fournitures, et avances en argent y fussent définitivement arretés. Si, comme je n’en doute pas votre gouvernement y consent, je transmettrai auplutot à ma cour la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honeur de m’addresser, et au moyen des instructions qui seront donnés en même tems à votre Ministre à Paris les comptes s’y regleront définitivement entre lui et notre gouvernement.
Le M. d f. p. l. E. U.
T
au secretaire de latresorerie des EtatsUnis.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Jean Baptiste de Ternant, 26 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Ternant, Jean Baptiste de

Treasury Department June 26. 1792
Sir

In answer to your letter of this date, it is only necessary for me to say that it is perfectly agreeable to this Government, that the principle of liquidation, to which you refer should receive its application in France, and that the accounts for supplies and advances of money should be there definitively fixed. I am authorised by The President to say that instructions will accordingly be sent to our Minister at your Court.
I have the honor to be   With real respect & esteem   Sir   Your obedient servant
Alexander Hamilton
The Minister Plenipotentiary of France


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 26 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Treasury Department, June 26, 1792. Submits “a Report of the Commissioner of the Revenue on the subject of a certain Pier to be erected in the River Delaware.” Also submits “the Contract provisionally entered into between the Superintendant of the Delaware Lighthouse &c. and Thomas Davis and Thomas Connaroe Junior, as the best thing practicable.”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 27 June 1792
From: Coxe, Tench
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Treasury DepartmentRevenue Office June 27th. 1792.
Sir,

Among the Cases, which have been brought before the Auditor of the Treasury and myself in consequence of the 7th. Section of “the Act making Alterations in the Treasury and War Department” is one in which the Secretary at War is the Claimant. In a conference with the Auditor it appeared to Us a matter of doubt whether the Case is within the meaning of the law, and I do myself the honor to make a statement of it to you, for the purpose of obtaining the Attorney Generals opinion on the subject. The Auditor does not join me on the occasion, being necessarily absent.
Not long after the organization of the present general Goverment, the Secretary at War rendered an account to the late Auditor of the Treasury (Oliver Wolcott Junr. Esquire, the present Comptroller) who on the 11th. day of June 1790 (after deducting the items now claimed) transmitted the same certified to the late Comptroller for his Decision thereon. On the 19th. of the same Month the said late Comptroller admitted the Settlement, and certified the same to the Register, as appears by his certificate inscribed in the ordinary manner and form, on the report of the Auditor.
By the proviso to the 5th. Section of the Act of September 1789 establishing the Treasury Department, any person whose Account has been audited and who is disatisfied with the settlement of the Auditor for the time being, may appeal against it to the Comptroller within six months. The enclosed original paper of the 31st. December 1790 was presented to the Auditor of the Treasury. The date, it will be perceived, is more than six Months after the Auditors settlement. It is affirmed by the Claimant that he was unacquainted with the determination taken by the officers of the Treasury upon his account, tho’ it is stated by him and appears from the records of the two offices, that in March 1790, he was apprized by the Auditor of his intention to reject the items in Question, and that both he and the Auditor had Communications with the late Comptroller, on the merits of the Claim in that Month before the late Auditors settlement and the late Comptrollers admission thereof. It does not appear by the records of the Treasury that any communication of the settlement, or of the admission of it, was made by the late Comptroller although it was common for that officer to make a communication of his decision to the party in writing. Every thing of the Nature of an appeal which is before us, is above stated. The Question on which the Attorney Generals opinion is desired is whether this Claim of the Secretary at War can be legally taken up and decided upon by the officers named in the 7th. Sectn. of the Act making alterations in the Treasury and War Departments.
It may be proper to mention, Sir, that the papers came to us without a statement and report of the Auditor upon enquiring for which the papers and proceedings above mentioned were procured. If the proceedings of the late Auditor shall appear to have been duly acted upon by the late Comptroller, we conceive the case cannot be deemed to be one of those contemplated by the Legislature, because the old report of the Auditor will appear to be disposed and there will be no Auditors report in the new Case. But if it shall appear to the Attorney General that the Auditors report in the former case bars his taking it upon the present application, then a very important Question will remain to be determined, viz whether we are to take up the matter on the old or new application. Because if it be on the latter it results that after a rejection by the Auditor and Comptroller of one or more Items in the account of a Claimant, those items may be reconsidered and admitted by the officers of the Treasury Department. The Question however upon which it is material for us to be informed is that already stated.
I have the honor to be, with the most respectful Attachment, Sir, Your most obedient Servant
Tench Coxe.
The honble. theSecretary of the Treasury.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 27 June 1792
From: Coxe, Tench
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Treasury Department, Revenue Office, June 27, 1792. Encloses “a contract between the Superintendant of the Delaware light House and Benjamin Price for two mooring Chains for two of the Beacon boats stationed in the bay of Delaware.”


Title: [From Alexander Hamilton to the Gazette of the United States], [27 June 1792]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Gazette of the United States

[Philadelphia, June 27, 1792]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Hiller, 27 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Hiller, Joseph

Treasury DepartmentJune 27 1792.
Sir

I have yet to reply to your letter of the 19th Ultimo, concerning American Rum, which may have been exported, and re-imported for want of sale.
The penalties against the landing of articles, which have been entered for exportation, are not understood to apply to the bringing back of articles, which have actually and bona fide been at a foreign port; but to relanding before going to a foreign port.
Difficulties might however arise in such cases from the twelfth Section of the Act, entitled “An Act concerning Duties on Spirits distilled within the United States.” But should the case happen without premeditation the forfeiture would doubtless be remitted, on returning the drawback, or paying the Duties. All Spirits not marked and certified would of course be deemed foreign Spirits.
I am, Sir,   Your Obedt Servant
A Hamilton
Joseph Hiller Esqr.Salem.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Lincoln, 27 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lincoln, Benjamin

Treasury DepartmentJune 27 1792.
Sir

I have before me your letter of the 6th instant. I refer you to the 45th Section of the Act, commonly called the Excise law, where you will find a penalty of five hundred Dollars, for making use of untrue certificates. This Section would be applicable in the case you state, as the certificate accompanying the Rum must be deemed untrue relatively to the article.
I am of opinion that, though there may be a hardship in the case, you cannot dispense with the duty on the Coffee upon re-importation.
With great consideration,   I am, Sir,
Benjamin Lincoln Esqr. Boston.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, 28 June 1792
From: Coxe, Tench
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Treasury Department, Revenue Office, June 28, 1792. Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of “three contracts for Stakeage in the rivers and Bays of North Carolina from the port of Beaufort inclusively to the northern part of Albemarle sound.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Fitzgerald, 28 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Fitzgerald, John

[Philadelphia, June 28, 1792. On the envelope of a letter from Fitzgerald to Hamilton, dated November 21, 1791, Hamilton wrote: “Ansd June 28.” Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Heth, 28 June 1792
From: Heth, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Bermuda Hundred [Virginia] 28th June 1792
Dear Sir

Your very friendly & polite favor of the 7th Inst; was received—unsealed—a day or two ago in Richmond with sundry official letters. I beg, my dear Sir, that you will accept of my sincere thanks for the condescending attention which you have paid to my private concerns, and for your assurances of friendship.
The business & system of banks, being but new in this country, I have never thought much on the subject, and am therefore, not sufficiently informd, to say, whether a branch of the national bank would answer in Virginia, or not; but at your request, the following loose observations, are, with great deference communicated.
The trade of this State is carried on chiefly with foreign capital. Those engaged in it, hardly deserve the name of Merchants, being the factors, agents, and Shopkeepers of the Merchants, and Manufacturers of G Britain, and their business to dispose of the goods of that, for the produce of this Country, and remit it to the order of their principals; with whom, the profits of the trade, of course centre. And this commerce, is so divided, that it will be extremely difficult to find unanimity enough, to fix upon the place for establishing the bank. Richmond, Petersburg, Norfolk, & perhaps, Alexandria, may contend for this honor (Tho, at a meeting of the Merchants from the two first on the subject of moving this Office, it was admitted that Richmond shd be the place), and fixd as it must be, at one of these places, it would occasion such chagrin and disappointment to the others, that, if they did not approve, they would not co-operate in the measure. The trade of Petersburg, at present, exceeds that of Richmond—but both, are infinitely greater than that of Norfolk, the latter, being confined chiefly to the W. Indies—and tho’ to a stranger, or to yourself—Judging from what he sees—and you from the Collectors returns—it may appear greater, yet I know it to be otherwise; insomuch that, perhaps threefourths of the goods enterd at Norfolk, are imported by the Merchants of Petersburg, Richmond & other parts up the country; to whom Norfolk is only a convenient Interpot for sometimes discharging and loading Vessels. Certain Vessels are enter’d there because I am Collector here. The produce which swells the Returns of exports from Norfolk, are Shippd by Merchants in the Upper Districts. Lumber, & Naval Stores, are almost every thing it furnishes. So that, it may with great propriety be said, that those, who carry on the business of Norfolk, reside in the upper Country, as do those in Petersburg & Richmond, who carry on the business of this District. For these reasons, & also, from its exposed, and remote situation from the heart of the Country, it does not by any means appear to be the proper place, nor is it possible that any man can recommend it to you; if possessd of one grain of candor, or information. The last of these objections applies equally to Alexandria.
Tho’ the Trade of Petersburg, is at present greater than Richmond, and, infinitely more so than any in the State, I should nevertheless, give the preference to the latter; because its situation is more central and convenient for business. Being the seat of government, where the assembly always meet, where all public-Offices are kept, where the supreme courts are always held, it occasions a great and continual intercourse with all parts of the State. The number & wealth too of its inhabitants are greater, & it is increasing more rapidly, than any other place in the Country; and when the canal is completed, of which, there is now a flattering prospect, and a good navigation brought to the place, it will most unquestionably draw to it, a considerable part of that trade which now goes to Petersburg. And when the canal that is opening between the waters of Elizabeth river and N. Carolina is finishd, it will still lessen, if not ruin the trade of Petersburg.
Tho’ I have no doubt in my own mind as to the most proper place, for fixing the bank; yet, I have very great doubts of its answering in this State at present (for my convenience as a public Officer, I wish it). If the principal object is discount, I question much, whether it will defray its expences. For the reasons already given, there is no considerable mercantile, circulating Capital; and there are but few monied men in the Country: consequently, the deposits in Specie will be inconsiderable. And the Merchants, or those who carry on the trade, having no attachment to the country, no fixd, or permanent residence in it, or any visible property except their goods and debts, discount will be uncertain; and cannot with propriety be carried to any extent, with this description of people.
But an opinion—tho’ I conceive an erroneous one—has prevailed here, that the constitution of the Bank admitted of other deposits than specie. If so, Tobacco offers in this State, a very safe and good deposit. It is not perishable; at least, when of good quality, and properly put up, it will keep sound for years, and be improv’d by age. It is brought to public warehouses for Inspection, and there kept for a certain time free of Storage, and at the risk of the State. So that, the risk the bank would run by receiving it as a deposit, and giving notes for ⅔ds of its current specie value, with liberty to sell at 60 to 90 days, if not taken up, would be, their Notes returning upon them before that time, and in case the Tobacco should be destroyd, waiting untill repaid by the State. The first might be obviated by issuing their notes payable at 60 to 90 days after date—and the last, by an Insurance, by which, in case of loss they might recover of the underwriters, who would stand in the place of the bank, and obtain restitution from the State. The redemption of the Tobacco should be by specie only to be paid into the bank. The deposits in Tobacco would be considerable, and the bank Notes wd acquire such an extensive circulation, that numbers would be lost, and the circulation so slow, that vast advantages would result to the bank from the use of the Money.
It would facilitate, and greatly promote the circulation of their notes, if the bank could obtain an act of the Legislature here, for depositing the funds of the State in the bank, and making the taxes receivable in bank-notes. It would be farther necessary to give the bank power of proceeding in a summary manner in recovering payments of discounted bills. Upon the whole I think the Trade of this Country should agree upon the proper place for fixing the bank, should give assurance of their hearty union in its support, and at the same time that it should receive the countenance and protection of the State, before a branch is fixd here otherwise it might give rise to Such an opposition, as would defeat the end. And, in my humble opinion, the last essential, would be difficult to obtain unless some leading influential members of our legislature, should become Stockholders in the bank. One of the most able consel in this country, has already given it as his opinion, that a branch of the bank cannot be established in Virginia, if it demands, or receives an higher Interest than 5 ⅌ Cent. Besides, the operations of the government hath by no means been pleasing to the people of this country—on the contrary, the friends to it are daily decreasing. Some of the highest in rank, and ability among us, & who supported it in our convention, are now extremely dissatisfied, and loud in abusing its measures, while some others, of equal fame, only express their chagrine and disappointment in private to those, who joind them in wishing to see the government establishd.
Thus my dear Sir, have I given you my confidential opinion, agreeably to your request, and, with a freedom of remark & observation, unfetterd by restraint, or reserve.
The business of the Customs being but little in this District at this Season of the year, and having some things of importance to myself to attend to, in Winchester and Philadelphia, this summer; I propose leaving this for a few weeks, as soon as possible in the ensuing month, after my quarterly accounts are closed; by which time, I hope there will be but little money on hand, and there is no prospect of any business to render my attendance necessary. Besides, private business, which hath been neglected ever since my coming into Office, my constitution has been so much affected by the great application which I paid to the duties of my Office, and constant attendance at this unhealthy place for the first two years, that I find it absolutely necessary to spend some time in the upper country this summer.
It will be the middle of August perhaps before I reach Philadelphia, when I hope to find you so much at leisure, as to be able to attend to observations on the revenue laws, which I have long forborne to make, from a persuasion that, if every Collector had been as troublesome to you on that score as I have, it would have employd your whole time to have read our letters, and directed answers. So that, instead of feeling any surprise at not receiving answers to such parts of my letters as appeard to me to require immediate notice I have only wonderd how you got through the great load of business, which hath been thrown upon your shoulders.
I am   Dear Sir   with the sincerest Esteem & friendship   Yrs
W. Heth
Colo. A Hamilton.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Rufus King, 28 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: King, Rufus

PhiladelphiaJune 28. 1792
My Dear King

I have not, as you will imagine, been inattentive to your political squabble. I believe you are right (though I have not accurately examined) but I am not without apprehension that a ferment may be raised which may not be allayed when you wish it. Tis not to be forgotten that the opposers of Clinton are the real friends to order & good Government; and that it will ill become them to give an example of the contrary.
Some folks are talking of Conventions and the Bayonet. But the case will justify neither a resort to first principles nor to violence. Some amendments of your election law and possibly the impeachment of some of the Canvassers who have given proofs of premeditated partiality will be very well—and it will answer good purposes to keep alive within proper bounds the public indignation. But beware of extremes!
There appears to be no definite declared objects of the momements on foot which renders them the more Ticklish. What can you do? What do you expect to effect?
Yrs. affectly
A Hamilton
Rufus King Esq


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John Langdon, 28 June 1792
From: Langdon, John
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Portsmo. [New Hampshire] June 28th. 1792
Sr.

I was honor’d with your favor of the 18th Inst. by post; by which I see, Mr. Church supposes he was not one of the Owners of the Ship Portsmouth, at the time she was in France, in which he will find himself Mistaken, when he recollects, that he Came to this place with Mr. Moore and Mercer and Recd. his proportion of a very Valuable Prize, called, the New Duckinfield, which was Captured, by the Portsmouth; in the very Cruise, in which these expences, on the Ship were incurr’d; and at the same time signed, an Agreement and Direction, as one of the owners, of the Portsmo. to me, to fit out the Ship for another Cruise; there were also some small matters bro’t from France, in the Portsmouth, which he recd. his proportion of; Therefore there could be no doubt of his being an Owner that Cruise, as myself and the other Owners Consider’d and delt with him as such.
Inclosed is list of the Owners of the Armed Ship Portsmo, with the proportion each held. Mr. Archibald Mercer of New Jersey one of the Owners, and with whom Ive Settled will be able to give you full information Touching this Affair
I think Mr. Church purchased his part of the Ship latter part of the year 1777.
You’ll please Recollect the reason why this was not Settled in Course; The Demand was not, known till some time since the peace took place. I have the honor to be with highest Esteem & Respect. Sr. your most Obt. Servt.
John Langdon
Hon.A. Hamilton.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Short, 28 June 1792
From: Short, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

The Hague June 28, 1792
Sir

I have the honor of resuming from this place my correspondence with you which has been lately suspended by my change of place & circumstance. My late letters & particularly those to the secretary of State will have shewn by what cause so long a space of time has elapsed between my appointment & my arrival here. I am anxious that it should be seen that there was no activity wanting on my part to comply with the will of government in this instance. It was not made known to me until the 7th of May. I immediately took measures which I hoped would enable me to set out on the 26th of the same month—my departure was however unavoidably deferred some days longer. Then being forced to pass through England from the circumstances of the moment & in the hope of rendering my arrival here more direct & perhaps more early, it was not until the 15th inst. that I got to this place.
I found here your letter of Nov 30. 91. I have since recieved from Amsterdam yours of April 2. 10 & 16. 92. I received at Paris those which you had done me the honor to write me previously in the course of the present year. Mine to you have been dated Jan. 26. March 24. April 22. 25. May 14. 26.
Before taking up the subjects of your several letters as relative to the business at Amsterdam I will briefly report what has been mentioned in mine as relative to matters at Paris, in order that in quitting them I may leave with you as clear an idea as I can of the then situation. They are principally as follows.
1. Depreciation on payments made to France: I have already had the honor of informing you of my announcing your intention on this subject on the reciept of your letter—my reasons for considering it necessary to do so—& my applying this intention to payments to be made in future. Those made on the Antwerp loan only come within this description as yet. You have been informed also how it became indispensable to avoid risk to the U. S. & loss of time to make these payments at Antwerp to a person there authorized by the French government who gave his receipts expressed in florins & marking the exchange at the date of each payment. I have frequently mentioned to you also that the basis on which the depreciation should be calculated, being known & therefore no inconvenience being to be apprehended from a short delay, & having every reason to believe that the person who was to represent the will of government permanently at Paris either was or soon would be designated, I thought it most advisable under every consideration to leave so delicate a subject to his care. The event having manifested the propriety of my not taking this business on myself—I delivered to Mr. Morris my correspondence from Antwerp with the commissaries on the subject, & urged his settling it without delay, on account of the situation of the present government, with whom it was evidently better to regulate the value of assignats than with any other. He was fully sensible of this—but mentioned two causes of delay 1. a letter he had recd from the Sec. of State from which there appeared an intention to throw the depreciation on France—2. his not having been admitted reguarly to deliver his credentials, & his not chusing to do anything previously. I hope that ere this he will have recieved some further explanation from the sec. of State which will enable him to proceed—& that the other cause of delay will have ceased also as he informed me previously to my leaving Paris that the day was fixed for his having his audience of the King—& that he will have adjusted the business of depreciation with the French government, although I have as yet no letter from him announcing it. I am waiting for it with some impatience in order to re-commence the payments from Amsterdam, making the proper reservations for your draughts.
2. Prospect of paying off the French debt by a single operation—I have mentioned to you several alteratives which I thought the increasing credit of the U.S. would present to their choice. That which appeared to me to merit unquestionably the preference was the offer of the house of Boyd & Kerr, supported by La Borde & connected with Hope of Amsterdam. I spoke of this subject particularly in my letter of March 24. You will see there by what means it was delayed. Whilst the exchange continued regularly declining, they would have contracted without hesitation & with the prospects of considerable gain. Before the arrival of Mr. Morris at Paris, a rise in the exchange as unaccountable as unexpected took place which would have rendered such a contract at least unprofitable & probably ruinous to the houses which would have contracted. The new minister also of the department of finance, being much versed in the business of exchange & supposed to employ artificial means of influencing it, no house chose to risk such an enterprize under such circumstances. I informed Mr. Morris of the subject, & he will no doubt make a proper use for the U.S. of such an opportunity if it should again present itself. The Minister who was most feared by the bankers who wished to undertake this business & who indeed were the only ones competent to it, from the funds they had at command, has been lately displaced. I know not how far this may encourage them to renew their offers. I shall ever consider it as a misfortune that they were not formerly closed with—but I don’t doubt you will feel Sir, that the motives which I formerly had the honor of mentioning to you as influencing me in wishing for delay, were fully legitimate.
3. Application of a part of the debt to France, to succour S. Domingo as proposed by the minister of marine. My letters from Amsterdam & Paris will have informed you of the origin & progress of this business—& by what means I have been brought on to suspend the application of the first 4. per cent loan towards remittances to France, in hopes of its being converted into supplies to be purchased in the U. S. for succours to S. Domingo. The decree of the assembly was at length passed. I had agreed with the minister that you should hold 800,000 dollars at his disposition for these purchases, writing to you at the same time to draw for that amount at Amsterdam. My letters of April 22. & 25 & May 14 will have informed you how this business was delayed—& for what reasons—& also how in consequence of your letter of March 21. it was determined to hold that loan at your disposal instead of longer engaging the 800,000 dollars to the Minister of Marine. It was considered that the delay which he had as[k]ed & the sums already applied in America towards the demands of S. Domingo, would furnish Mr. Morris with fully sufficient reasons for considering the promise I had made, as no longer in force. I have not as yet heard from Mr. Morris what has been done in this business—but am persuaded there will have been no difficulty in it.
4. Favorable prospect for the U.S. from the disposition of the ministry as to the decrees relative to American commerce—& from the ministry’s having then for the first time a majority in the assembly. Although this does not immediately concern the American debt, yet as I mentioned it to you in a former letter I cannot avoid here touching it again for the last time. I must beg you to recollect the consideration which induced me to mention it to you in my letter of March 24 as well as what I then said respecting it. Since then that ministry have fallen out among themselves—lost the majority which they had in the assembly & consequently the force they exercised on the Monarch. They have been accordingly successfully dismissed although they were always probably unworthy of the confidence of the nation & certainly never enjoyed that of the King, yet if they could have supported themselves & kept the majority they first had in the assembly, I am fully persuaded they would have annuled the late hostile decrees to the commerce of the U.S. & this as well from the principles of the leading members of the ministry, as from their wish in general to counteract the proceedings of the former assembly, which wore a disposition that had become very popular in this. The destruction of this ministry has hastened a crisis in France, the most severe that has yet happened. It is probable that the system of absolute anarchy ⟨–––⟩ which has been growing up there for some time would in the course of things have brought it on. The post not having since arrived here (stopped as it is supposed either at Paris or on the way) we only know from a single letter sent by express that the mob had broken into the King’s Palace, & unopposed by the national guard had offered every insult to his person—armed with pikes on which the general devise was the death of the King. It is certain that he & his family were totally at their disposal & everyone trembles to learn the fate of this most unfortunate monarch—thus abandoned & delivered up to the fury of a race of miscreants which it was hoped the lights of the present age had dissipated in this civilized part of the world. Government will certainly receive much earlier & fuller information of this melancoly & alarming scene from their minister at Paris. I should not have mentioned it to you but for its connexion with what I had formerly said respecting the abolition of the late decrees respecting the commerce of the U States the late ministry possessing the majority of the assembly.
In the re-examination of your several letters which are now before me unanswered—the first circumstance which occurs as necessary to be taken notice of is the part of your letter of Nov. 30. relative to what I had said respecting the commencement of re-imbursements to the 1st of this month. It was an error into which I had been led by the bankers at Amsterdam. They gave me to understand it at a time when I was urging the excess of our means above our wants of money—& when they wished me to believe the contrary. I had not examined the contract & was pleased when I found it was an error.
I recieve Sir with an heartfelt satisfaction the expressions of your letter of April 2 relative to my exertions at Amsterdam in reducing the interest on the loan at that time to 4. p. cent. If my exertions in France to serve my country & give satisfaction to the government by whom I was employed there have been less successfully faced yet I must beg leave to repeat to you Sir assurances that it was not through want of zeal or efforts on my part. I feel much pleasure in persuading myself that your knowledge of the spirit which prevailed there, & the operations which naturally proceeded from the order of things then existing, will enable you to attribute the effects to their true causes—& convince you that nothing on our part could have arrested the torrent of innovation which prevailed during my residence there charged with the interests of the U. S.—& have protected, much less extended, the privileges of our commerce, in opposition to the cabals & private intrigues of interested individuals which ever gave—ever must govern such assemblies.
What you are pleased to say Sir with respect to the satisfaction with which the intelligence of the result of my exertions at Amsterdam was received by the President & the pleasure it gave to the public at large cannot but be doubly pleasing at this moment in particular.

I shall communicate to Mr. Morris an extract of your letter of April 2 respecting the adopting a rule for liquidating the payments to France—referring you to what I have said above on that subject.
Nothing has been done at Antwerp since my letter informing you that M de Wolf had suppressed a part of the loan at 4.½ p. cent on the condition of being supplied with bonds at 4. p. cent. I expect him here soon & will inform you of the result of our conference. He is very devious & thinks his exertions entitle him to be employed in a new loan at 4. p. cent. Mr. Morris also is an advocate in favor of it & from his superior knowledge & degree of confidence placed in him by government, his opinions are necessarily entitled to much weight. What you say on the other hand with respect to holding out the idea of confining the loan at Amsterdam in some measure counteracts this.
I observe what you say in your abovementioned letter with respect to your intended draughts. The two & an half million which you there speak of, you may draw for as soon as you please. In order that there may be no misunderstanding or delay on this subject—it will be well to mention to you that a part of the loans already made will suffice to answer your draughts. I had the satisfaction of announcing to you by a few lines written for that purpose only from Paris on the 26th of May, that a second loan at 4. p. cent had been contracted for. It is now going on. The 800,000 dollars I formerly mentioned to you on account of the minister of marine, to be drawn for, & afterwards as being to be held at your disposition, I shall consider as making a part of the 2½ million of guilders you mention in your letter of April 2, unless you direct the contrary in some future letter. Taking care therefore that the bankers shall be provided to answer your draughts for 2½ million of florins, so as with ½ million already drawn for to complete the 3 millions, I shall as soon as I hear from Mr. Morris direct them to proceed in their payments to France—the sums which they have already on hand having accumulated to a much greater degree & remained much longer idle that I would have wished, for the reasons which have been mentioned to you in my several letters. There will be no risk in applying a considerable part of the cash now intended towards the French debt & counting on future entries to answer a part of your draughts. It would be well therefore to inform me as nearly as you can of the times at which they will be made.
Your letter of April 10 informs me of payments made or to be made in America on account of the French debt. I observe they are expressed in dollars. Would it not be proper that your minister at Paris should be informed of them as well as the rate at which the dollar is to be converted into livres tournois? It would be advantageous probably if it were to be settled by the same rule by which he shall settle the payments made in florins if you have not already fixed it.
The information contained in your letter of April 16. was highly satisfactory. The bankers at Amsterdam seemed to think that the impression made there by the fluctuation of the funds in America was too partial & momentary to render it necessary to publish any thing respecting it. They apprehended it ought rather do harm & as my own opinion was similar I have not done it—& therefore kept your letter for my own satisfaction & to enable me to meet such observations as I may hear made on the subject. I do not apprehend that the state of things in France require any thing to be said there either respecting the business. Still for greater security I shall in consequence of what you say send a copy of your letter to Mr. Morris. I have the honor to be Sir, with the accustomed sentiments of attachment & respect your most obedient & humble servant.
W Short
Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury, Philadelphia


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Otho H. Williams, 28 June 1792
From: Williams, Otho H.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Ceresville [Maryland] 28 June 1792
Sir.

A necessary attention to my health required my leaving Baltimore, for a time, and occasions my writing to you from the vicinity of Frederick town.
I have just received your letter, dated the 18th Inst: relative to certain communications by the Commissioner of the Revenue, comprehending a letter from me of the 3d. of May last, to the Surveyor of the district of Baltimore.
It is matter of very great surprize to me that what occurred on the subject alluded to should be represented to you as “a controversy, between the officers, respecting the limits of duty.” I am still more surprized that you should think it justifiable to remonstrate in a strain of rebuke which I know is unmerited.
My letter to the Surveyor was occasioned by a representation of some of the Inspectors that they had been employed by him in the department of the Revenue in marking of Casks, & in such laborious & servile parts of the duty as they considered as degrading, and which they apprehended proceeded from pique and resentment. That they were detached from their particular duty as Inspectors of the Customs, & that they were not qualified, or requested to qualify, as the Excise law required that they were even obnoxious to penalty by law for acting as they had been desired and that they had no promise or expectation of indemnification or reward.
I gave no immediate, or direct, answer to this representation. In fact I did not answer to it at all; But wrote a line to the Surveyor containing, it is true, my opinion relative to their being employed in the revenue department which I conceived to be strictly agreeable to law and therefore not capable of being construed as contradictory to the Instructions of the secretary of the Treasury; For, although the Instructions direct the employing of Inspectors of the Customs as Inspectors of the revenue, as it appeared to me that the Legislature contemplated the expediency only of such a measure I could not imagine that a necessity was intended to be created, and an obligation imposed, without an alternative, by the mode of executing the Law.
The intimate connection between the departments, and the ambiguity of the “large chapter of undefined relative duties which appertain to every officer in every Station” made me conscious of my responsibility and more particularly attentive to my own Station. I saw the “possibility of an interference of duties” which you deny; I saw that the men whom I had selected, for integrity as well as for abilities, to perform duties, which ought not to be committed to unworthy or ignorant persons, might be engaged in a department wherein I had no controul; and that the Department under my particular superintendence must occasionally be supplied by such as I could pick up: and such as might be picked up by any one else and for any other purpose. Men proper for the service are not to be commanded at an hours warning. I saw too, while I was actually under this embarrassment, and the Government in greater hazard of being rendered odious than it otherwise might have been that those men who had devoted themselves to the service were in a situation to receive “Either none or smaller compensations” than the law allowed for the performance of duties for which they were especially appointed.
Upon recollection, Sir, it will occur to you that the form required by the Comptroller (whose instructions in respect to forms you have directed me to obey) for Inspectors accounts is for services on board of certain Vessels; and although (upon my representation of the necessity of often employing them otherwise, and the allowance by Law being for “days service in aid of the customs”) the Comptroller was pleased to dispense with that form, he yet insists on their accounts being Stated in detail. It was not provided for and it was impossible for me to conceive the propriety, even if it might be admitted at the treasury, of charging the Customs with expences incidental to the Revenue. By law & by my instructions I could pay only for services in aid of the former; and, in fact, respecting Services in aid of the latter I could have no official information.
I claim the merit, if it is such, of being prompt in the performance of my duty, and of not being disposed to “hesitate in the execution of the laws.” No officer is less “disposed to embarrass the public service” or “clog the wheels of administration.” I have given no “example of disorder.” My letter to the Surveyor was to prevent disorder; and to suggest to him the propriety of obviating in his double capacity, those objections which had been strengthened if not created, by his manner of enforcing instructions of which no legal intimation had given the least anticipation. It occured at a time of an extraordinary stress of business, when all the time of all the Inspectors was necessarily taken up in attending on and discharging of Vessels. Could I have apprehended that at such a time or at any time, the business of the Customs was to be retarded by that of the Revenue; or that, if additional aid was necessary, it was material to the Govert. by which department it was procured? There were Officers enough in one department, and it never occurred to me that it was my duty to create more in order to supply the other, in which the power of Creation is by law made adequate to its occasions.

When this affair is properly understood it will appear that all the embarrassments which did actual occur proceeded not from any “spirit of refinement or critical nicety about the boundarys of Official duty” in the Officers of the Customs.
I am much pained by the unexpected necessity of defending myself against the imputation of being the Author of them; and I feel not a little, Sir, from your suggestion that the Inspectors not performing duties required of them, whether legally obligatory on them or not, would be a good reason for substituting others.
The men at present employed as Inspectors have, most of them, been long in the service of their Country—some of them in much more respectable stations than at present. One of them had the honor to serve early in the first Congress, and several of them, through the whole of the late War, as Officers in the army. Want of a just requital of former services in respect to some of them may be assigned as the cause of their present humble condition.
I shall inform them, as I have heretofore done, that not only in the particular line of their duty as officers of the Customs, but in relation to the Revenue department, and in every other situation wherein it is in their power to promote the execution of the laws, and support the Government of the United States, it is a duty incumbent on them to do it. I will inform them also that it is your opinion that as Inspectors of the Customs they are bound to obey the orders of the Inspector of the Revenue, as such, and that obedience is expected of them. But I do not engage myself to dismiss them if they should demur to an opinion in which I cannot myself implicitly acquiesce. I believe that the officers as well as the departments were intended to be distinct. The Legislature otherwise wod. not have made a special provision for constituting officers of the one to be officers of the other, as if to reconcile a seeming incompatibility; but wod. have assigned the same duties at once or directed it to be done.
Confirmed as I am in this opinion before I became the instrument of what I must consider as injustice to deserving men I will appeal to that highest authority to which your letter refers. “If redress is not found there, the path” (you are pleased to tell me) “is plain.” To me it is very plain. Believe me, no sense of dishonor is attached to my idea of a private Station. Neither disgrace nor distress will attend me. But to others the path may not be equally plain and smooth. Thorns and difficulties may lie in their way; even the terrors of poverty may assail them, and force a compliance with directions right or wrong. This necessity, in my opinion (for I cannot abandon the privilege of thinking) would be an aggravation to the oppression, and I can not apprehend that the compulsive expedient which you recommend will be insisted upon. It would eventually destroy every degree of respectability and render the Inspectors unworthy of that confidence which must necessarily be reposed in officers of even the lowliest denomination.
Sure I am that if, when the Surveyor of Balte. was appointed Inspector of the Revenue he had said, as he reasonably might have done, that all his time and talents were necessarily engaged in discharging the duties of the first office, he would not have been told, “Sir, you must do this, and without compensation too, or—the path is plain.”
The analogy will not be questioned; nor can I conceive how any officer, who holds his Commission at pleasure, and who does not depend on popular consequence for support, can expect to be at all times exempt from a similar coercion.
Concerned as I certainly am in this question I will endeavour to acquit myself with that stedfast fidelity to the Government, the dignity of which is not independent of the Virtue of its officers, which, in all events, will insure me the quiet of my own conscience and the approbation of those who judge with information, candor and liberality.
I am, Sir, your most obedient, and most Humble Servant
O. H. Williams
A Hamilton Esqr Secy of the Treasury


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Tench Coxe, 30 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Coxe, Tench

Treasury Department, June 30, 1792. Returns “contracts for the stakeage of certain waters in North Carolina” which have received the President’s approbation.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 30 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Jay, John

Philadelphia June 30. 1792
My Dear Sir

The bearer of this is Lt Colonel Toussard, a French Officer, who lost his arm in our service during the late war. He is now Lt Colonel of the Regiment Du Cape, and lately from St Domingo with his family. Being desirous of purchasing some lands in our State, he is setting out on a journey to N York and has requested a line introducing him to you. This I readily comply with, as he is generally esteemed a man of real worth.
The attentions you may shew him will oblige   Dr Sir   Yr. Affect & Obed serv
A Hamilton
Chief Justice Jay


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Tobias Lear, 30 June 1792
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia] June 30, 1792. Transmits “three Contracts entered into for the stakage of certain waters in North Carolina, which have been submitted to the President of the United States & have received his approbation.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Lowell, 30 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Lowell, John

[Philadelphia, June 30, 1792. On July 12, 1792, Lowell wrote to Hamilton: “I recd. your letter of the 30th: of June last.” Letter not found.]


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William Short, 30 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Short, William

Treasury DepartmentJune 30. 1792.
Sir

I have before me your letter of the 22nd. of April last.
As I doubt not the details of the projected mangement will leave sufficient latitude, as to time, to avoid embarrassment to the Treasury, it cannot but be satisfactory.
A bill has been drawn in favour of the Secretary of State on our Commissioners for One hundred and twenty three thousand, seven hundred and fifty Guilders, which, together with the Five hundred thousand, of which you were advised by my letter of the 2nd. of April last will constitute part of the fund which may be reserved for the arrangement in question. I shall forbear any further drafts ’till I am advised of its completion.
You will no doubt take care to retain a competent sum for the payment of the Interest, which shall be payable during the present year on the Dutch and Antwerp Loans.
With much consideration   I have the honor to remain   Sir   Your obedient servant
Alexander Hamilton
William Short Esqr.Minister Resident at the Hague.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Walker, 30 June 1792
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Walker, Benjamin

[Philadelphia, June 30, 1792. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found.]


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [30 June 1792]
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[Philadelphia, June 30, 1792]

For carrying into execution the provisions of the third section of the Act intitled, “An Act making certain appropriations therein specified,” passed the Eight day of May in this present year.
I do hereby authorise you the said Secretary of the Treasury in the name and on the credit of the United States to borrow of any body or bodies politic, person or persons whomsoever the sum of Fifty thousand Dollars; and to enter into such Agreements for the reimbursement thereof as shall be needful and proper; hereby promising to ratify whatever you shall lawfully do in the premises.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand at the City of Philadelphia the thirtieth day of June in the year One thousand seven hundred and ninety two.
G: Washington


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Joseph Whipple, 30 June 1792
From: Whipple, Joseph
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, June 30, 1792. “I recd. by the post last evening your letter of the 21st instant. Soon after the receipt of your letter of the 4th of February last, I wrote you under date of the 28th of that Month and transmitted the Name of Benjamin Gunnison as a Suitable person in my opinion for first Mate of the Scammel.… I now beg leave to renew my nomination of Mr. Gunnison.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to John Bayard, Elisha Boudinot, and Nicholas Low, [June 1792]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Bayard, John,Boudinot, Elisha,Low, Nicholas

[Philadelphia, June, 1792]
Gentlemen

I have had a full conversation with General Schuyler on the subject of the several propositions which have been under consideration respecting the location of the buildings for the Manufactory. My original impressions on the point have been confirmed by the subsequent examination & I now entertain no doubt that the most adviseable course is to abandon for the present the idea of a Canal and to erect the necessary buildings near the Great Falls.
It is not clear to me that the advantages of pursuing the Canalplan would at any rate compensate the difference of expence; but I think it very evident that to attempt it in the first instance would disable the company from prosecuting with adequate means the subsequent arrangements necessary to the Manufactory.
As to the location of the District or Township I think it ought to comprehend the little Falls and the head of the Navigation of the Passaick and ought to embrace both sides of that River the whole distance between those two points. As to the rest the more compact it is & consequently the more ⟨near⟩ly in a Square the better. Many local ⟨circum⟩stances unknown to me must decide ⟨the precise⟩ form. I once thought it might be well to take three Miles by twelve on the Passaick; but on further reflection I see no solid advantage in such an extension in length and there will be an obvious convenience in a more compact form. The police of the district in particular can be much better regulated.
Permit me to suggest that as soon as the location is made a Meeting of the Directors ought to be called at a very short day. Many things press & much will depend on going forward henceforth with ardor & dispactch. With very great esteem & consideration   I am Gentlemen   Your obedient servant
Alexander Hamilton
Messrs Bayard Low &Boudinot


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William Seton, 7 May 1792
From: Seton, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

[New York, May 7, 1792. On May 10, 1792, Hamilton wrote to Seton: “I received your letter of the 7th instant.” Letter not found.]