Beschreibung:

HAMILTON, Alexander. Manuscript document signed ("Alexander Hamilton Secy of the Treasy"), rendering an official decision on the petition of ship's master Francis Anderson, Philadelphia, 22 September 1794. 1½ pages, folio, integral leaf detached, minor fold separations, WITH THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT SEAL: an embossed paper seal with motto "Thesaur Amer Septen Sigil." HAMILTON REFUNDS PENALTIES PLACED UPON A NEWPORT MERCHANTMAN A critical aspect of the Treasury Department's responsibilities involved the regulation of import and tonnage duties, since they provided the major source of the new nation's receipts. Here, Hamilton gives careful consideration to the case of ship's master protesting penalties his vessel has incurred: "Whereas a statement of facts with the Petition of Francis Anderson Master of the Sloop William of Newport in the District of Rhode Island...touching a certain penalty incurred under the Statute of the United States entitled 'An Act for enrolling and licensing ships or vessels to be employed in the coasting trade and fisheries and for regulating the same' was...transmitted...pursuant to the Statute of the United States entitled 'An Act to provide for mitigating or remitting the forfeitures and penalties accruing under the Revenue Laws in certain cases therein mentioned'...I, the said Secretary of the Treasury, have maturely considered the said statement...and it doth appear to my satisfaction, that the said penalty was incurred without willful negligence or any intention of fraud." Hamilton concludes that he has "decided to remit...all the right, claim and demands of the United States."