Hamilton, Alexander (1757-1804) to Sharp Delany
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05299 Author/Creator: Hamilton, Alexander (1757-1804) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Letter signed Date: 22 January 1791 Pagination: 2 p. : adress ; 25.2 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy
Instructions for commissioning a new revenue cutter for Delaware station, to be built on strict budget. Written from the Treasury Department. Addressed to Delany as Collector for Philadelphia.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Treasury Department
January 22d 1791
Sir
It being deemed necessary to proceed in the building of the cutter for the Delaware station I have now to request that you will immediately proceed in the business. It may be well that you should be informed that the Massachusetts Cutter has been contracted for at Newbury Port at about 22 ½ Dollars per Ton fitted completely as a vessel with sails, rigging, anchors & including two Boats, one of which would be sufficient for the present.
The cutter for New York has been agreed for upon the terms [2] already communicated, and for Hampton is expected to be completed for 1,000 Dollars. Her heel is 40 feet straight rabbit and she is of 48 Tons. I hoped that building in Philadelphia would prove as cheap as the medium of those three places and therefore expected that 1,000 Dollars would have been adequate to the building & fitting a proper vessel. I authorise [sic] you however to exceed that price if necessary by 10 percent, but not more. You will of course engage that punctual & vigilant attention of Capt. Montgomery to building and fitting his Cutter.
I am, Sir, very respectfully
Your Obedt. Servt.
Alexander Hamilton
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