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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Hamilton, Alexander (1755-1804) to William Ellery

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00109 Author/Creator: Hamilton, Alexander (1755-1804) Place Written: s.l. Type: Letter signed Date: 13 December 1790 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; Order a Copy

Writes that he learned from the Collector of Customs at Providence that the ship Warren embarked without a coasting license or a register indicating her destination. Asks if she arrived in Newport without a license and if Ellery charged her with foreign tonnage. If she did not make a regular entry with Ellery, he is to proceed against her for the penalty. Rebukes Ellery for leaving his post without informing the deputy of his duties and requests that Ellery do so in the future.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Signed as Secretary of the Treasury, an office Hamilton held from 1789 to 1795. Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and was a member of the Continental Congress from Rhode Island from 1776 until 1785. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820.

Treasury Department
December 13th 1790

Sir

I am informed by the Collector of Providence that the Ship Warren lately departed from his District without a coasting licence [sic] or a register according to the laws of the Union and that she was bound to and arrived at Newport. I wish to know if she made a regular entry with you, as a vessel not having a licence [sic] and having foreign spirits and wines on board is obliged to do - also whether you charged her with foreign Tonnage, which every Ship not registered under the laws of Congress nor licenced [sic] is obliged to pay at each entry in the Coasting Trade.

Should she not have made a regular entry with you, as is directed in regard to ships not having American registers you are to proceed against her for the penalty, and for the foreign Tonnage. If she did enter you are then to proceed against her for the foreign Tonnage only.

I have received no notice of this matter from your deputy who I find from your absence and uncertainty about his duty was averse to proceed. I particularly request that when necessary avocations occasion your absence he may be instructed where to apply in case of extraordinary occurrences as the laws may be brought into disrespect or offenders may escape from the want of due information or decision.

I am, Sir
very respectfully
your Obedt Servant
A Hamilton

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804
Ellery, William, 1727-1820

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