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LS signed “A. Hamilton, Sec'y of the Treas'y,” one page both sides, 7 x 9, February 17, 1790. Treasury Department circular letter, in part: "I find that the process marked out in my letter of the 30th of November for Calculating the allowance, of 10 per cent for prompt payment has by some of the Officers been misapprehended in one particular—which is with regard to the first proviso, of the 19 Section of the Collection bill, confining the discount to the excess of the amount of the duties above 50 Dollars. As the same misapprehension may be more extensive than has come to my knowledge, I think it is proper to explain myself by a Circular communication. My intention was solely to determine the principle of Calculation, without reference to the object of that proviso. It is clear that the abatement is only to be on the excess: Thus, if the amount of the duty were …Dollars…150—, There would be deduction in the first place of 50—Excess, 100. 10 per Cent per Annum for 6 Months…5, Duty to be paid… 95.
That no difficulty may arise it is proper that it should be understood that any forms which shall be transmitted by the Comptroller of the Treasury, for keeping & stating accounts and making Returns are to be observed of course, though no particular direction from me should accompany them. Or in other words the transmission of such forms by the Comptroller is to be considered as evidence of their having received my approbation." Matted and framed with an engraved portrait of Hamilton to an overall size of 16 x 13; a window in the backing allows the front to be viewed. In fine condition, with small tape repairs to edge separations and light edge toning.
Written just months after the Treasury Department began operations, this circular reflects Hamilton’s hands-on effort to transform the new federal government’s revenue laws into a practical, standardized system. By clarifying the prompt-payment discount established under the Collection Act of 1789 and affirming the comptroller’s authority to prescribe uniform accounting forms, Hamilton helped impose the administrative precision essential to collecting customs duties—the young nation’s principal source of federal revenue.
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