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Lot 304
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A. Hamilton on "Some very important objects," A Timely Look at Imports and Exports, Written Just After Passing His Bill For Fed. Assumption of All State Debts
A. Hamilton on "Some very important objects," A Timely Look at Imports and Exports, Written Just After Passing His Bill For Fed. Assumption of All State Debts
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Description:

Alexander Hamilton
Philadelphia, PA, September 23, 1790
A. Hamilton on "Some very important objects," A Timely Look at Imports and Exports, Written Just After Passing His Bill For Fed. Assumption of All State Debts
LS

A Treasury Department Circular signed by Alexander Hamilton, proper documentation on imports and exports. 3pp of a bifolium, measuring 8" x 10", Treasury Department [Philadelphia], dated September 23, 1790. Dark and fully readable with a bold signature. Signed "A Hamilton." Expected flattened mail folds and light toning. Splits and chipping at folds have resulted in a minor paper loss of just a few words. These areas have been professionally restored. The second page is missing the lower blank half and has also been restored with archival paper. There is a break through Hamilton's signature, but it is still very clear and bold. The document details procedures for documenting the tonnage of imports and exports and filing necessary receipts. An insightful look into the bureaucratic responsibilities of the man who would define this country's banking system.

Reading in full:
"Some very important objects in the business of the next session of the Legislature will render the early transmission of the Federal quarterly returns and accounts that will be due the 30th instant indispensable necessary. The early receipt of these papers is not only requisite for some extraordinary purpose of this department but information drawn from them will be particularly [next line missing]. From the omission of returns from some of the Custom houses, when no imports or exports have taken place, and no import or tonnage have accrued; I find it necessary to request, that all returns may be regularly made at the period fixed for them respectably. If no business of the kind intended to be stated in any one of them should have been done, it is nevertheless absolutely necessary that a return be made for this purpose of being filed in this office. Without the regular receipt of the papers, periodically made up, no reliance can be placed on statements of this office relating to the business of the Custom House and they should be made agreeable to the Forms transmitted by the comptroller, including the value of exports which has in some instances been omitted. For the convenience of filing separately, I request that the copies of endorsements for registers and the returns of seizures be made in future on pieces of paper separate from your letters and unconnected with any other matter. I also wish that your papers may [next line missing] in its folded state, and that they may be endorsed by you, according to their contents before transmission to me. Relying on particular attention to the several points noticed in this letter, I am with respect Sir, Your obed. Servant… P.S. The remarks made upon your accounts similar to these in your past letters to me, are here after to be made in the Column of Remarks in the accounts themselves, as of the foot of the papers as they must go to the auditor and Comptroller."

Composed just two months after having passed his Bill for federal assumption of all state debts, Hamilton continues his work as Secretary of Treasury to stimulate the economy and strengthen the Union. From 1790-1791, Hamilton worked diligently to prepare four major economic reports for Congress. One such report was "A General Abstract of Duties Arising on the Tonnage of Vessels entered into the United States, from the first of October, 1789, to the 30th of September, 1790". The ideas reflected in this letter are also mirrored by Hamilton's insistence upon the need for protection against smuggling and illegal trade. It was just one month earlier that Congress had approved Hamilton's Revenue-Marine, later renamed Revenue Cutter Service, which would become the U.S. Coast Guard. The new fleet of ten vessels were stationed at specific ports along the east coast and enforced tariff laws, ensured all cargo was properly documented, and seized any vessel in violation of the law. The Revenue Marine was the first official armed force afloat.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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