American statesman and politician (circa 1755–1804) who coauthored the Federalist Papers and served as the first secretary of the treasury. In July 1804, sitting vice president Aaron Burr, stung by a published criticism authored by Hamilton, challenged the esteemed statesman to a duel and fatally wounded him. LS signed “A. Hamilton,” one page both sides, 7.5 x 9, April 14, 1791. Circular letter reads in full: “The House of Representatives having been pleased to direct me to examine and report upon the amendments of the several Officers of the Customs I find it necessary to enable me to form a satisfactory judgment upon the Subject that I be furnished with an accurate account, as much as possible in detail of all the monies received in the four quarters of the year 1790 by every Officer of the Customs who conceives himself to be insufficiently compensated. You will therefore if you think it proper to have your case taken into consideration transmit me such an account, and you will exhibit in detail likewise in the same paper the expenses of every kind which you have actually paid during the same year. The sooner this information is received, the more early I can enter upon the formation of a report. Should you think proper to make any observations they will be acceptable. For greater clearness I wish the letter enclosing the above account to be confined to the Subject.” In very good condition, with uniform toning, light show-through from text on reverse, a few small separations along intersecting folds, old repair to reverse, and small chips/tears to top corners.
On January 18, 1791, the House of Representatives of the First Congress “Ordered, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to report to this House his opinion whether any, and what, further compensation ought to be made to the respective officers employed in the collection of revenue.” This letter was sent by Hamilton to an Officer of the Customs. On September 11, 1789, Hamilton became secretary of the newly created Department of the Treasury and the Customs Department was placed under his direct supervision. At the time, the government was burdened by the heavy debt of the Revolutionary War. Hamilton's first interest when he took office was the repayment of the war debt in full. "The debt of the United States…was the price of liberty,'' he has said at the time. As a source of payment, he implemented a revenue system based on customs duties and excise taxes. Hamilton's attack on the debt secured the confidence and respect of foreign nations. He introduced plans for the First Bank of the United States, established in 1791 which was designed to be the financial agent of the Treasury Department. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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