Albany, August 8, 1782.
Sir:
I have lately received a letter from the Superintendent of Finance,
inclosing a copy of a circular letter from him to the several States,
dated twenty-fifth July, ’81, in which he requests information on the
following important points.
“What supplies, of every kind, money, provisions, forage,
transportation, etc., have been furnished by this State to the United
States, since the eighteenth of March, 1780.”
“The amount of the money in the treasury: the sums expected to be
there; the times they will probably be brought in; the appropriations.”
“The amount of the different paper currencies in the State; the
probable increase, or decrease, of each; and the respective rates of
depreciation.”
“The Acts passed since the eighteenth of March, 1780, for raising
taxes, furnishing supplies, etc.; the manner they have been executed;
the time necessary for them to operate; the consequences of their
operation; the policy of the State relative to laying, assessing,
levying, and collecting taxes.”
In his letter, which is _circular_, to the Receivers, he says the
answers he has received to these inquiries are few and short of the
object; and he therefore urges me to take the most speedy and effectual
means, in my power, to enable him to form a proper judgment on such
of the subjects referred to, as the actual state of things renders it
important to know.
In compliance with this, I request the favor of your Excellency to
inform me, what steps have been taken on the several heads of which the
above is an abstract: and what progress has been made in the business;
particularly with respect to the first article. I shall also be much
obliged to you to direct Mr. Holt to furnish me, without delay, with
the Acts mentioned in the inclosed list.
Your Excellency must have been too sensible of the necessity of
enabling the Director of the Finances of the United States to form a
just judgment of the true state of our affairs, to have omitted any
measure in your power to procure the fullest information on the several
matters submitted to you: and I am persuaded the business is in such a
train that little will be left for me to do.
I entreat you will do me the honor to let me hear from you as soon as
possible on the subject.
It would promote the public business, if you would be so good as to
direct Mr. Banker to supply me with such information as I might call
upon him for. He is very obliging, but without some authority for the
purpose, there is a delicacy in calling upon him. I wrote at the same
time to Mr. Holt, printer for the State, desiring him to forward me
the copies of the Acts above mentioned; and telling him, that if the
Governor did not make satisfaction, I would do it. These Acts were all
those relative to finance and supply, from March eighteenth, 1780, to
this time.
With perfect respect,
I am your Excellency’s
Most obedient servant,
A. Hamilton.
To His Excellency Governor Clinton.