Beschreibung:

WASHINGTON, George, President . Letter signed ("G:Washington") as President, to Thomas Mifflin, President of Pennsylvania's Supreme Executive Council, "United States" [probably New York], 11 September 1789. 1 page, small folio, 248 x 196mm., folds carefully reinforced from verso, very minor spotting at left-hand portion, paper lightly browned, quarter brown morocco folding protective case. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT A rare Presidential circular letter dealing with one of the most significant and influential Acts of the new government under its first Chief Executive: "I do myself the honor to transmit to your Excellency the duplicates of two Acts, one to establish the Treasury Department, and one for registering and clearing Vessels, regulating the coasting trade, and for other purposes..." A few days after Washington's inauguration in April, Hamilton told a friend privately that he had been asked to accept the post of Secretary of Treasury, but no public announcement was made, yet, for the process of setting up the treasury department under the new Constitution proved a complex one. The first proposal to create the treasury was made by Elias Boudinot in mid-May. It required several months of debate--at times quite acrimonious--to set up the procedures, duties, and powers of the secretary, and to establish provisions for his removal. The Act was finally passed by the House in late June, and then, once differences between the House and Senate versions had been adjusted, the Act was finalized and signed into law by Washington on September 2. It specified strict procedures aimed at protecting the public funds and provided for strict penalties for abuse of power, but "otherwise...the Secretary was given a wide range of duties and a goodly measure of latitude in carrying them out. He was empowered to appoint his assistant to superintend the collection of the revenues, decide upon the forms of keeping accounts and prepare and report budgetary estimates" (F. McDonald, Alexander Hamilton: A Biography , p.133). The customs service, established by Act of July 31, automatically came under the control of the Treasury Department. On September 11, the same day as this letter, Washington submitted Hamilton's nomination to the Senate for confirmation, which was granted the same day, a Friday. Two days later, although it was a Sunday, Hamilton began work as Secretary of the Treasury.