$12,600
Estimate: $800 - $1,200
The Alexander Hamilton Collection of John E. Herzog
Auction: October 25, 2021 11:00:00 AM EDT
(Philadelphia: Childs and Swaine), 1792. One sheet, 13 x 8 1/4 in. (330 x 209mm). Printed Treasury Department report, being: "a Report to the House of Representatives, accompanying an estimate of sums necessary to be appropriated in addition to those provided for by the act passed the 23d December 1791..." Lightly spotted; light edge-wear. A fine example. Evans 24941
A rare two-page supplemental report issued by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton to the House of Representatives detailing the sums, amounting to $34,497, necessary for paying certain accounts, in addition to amounts appropriated in service to the December 23, 1791 appropriations act. The additional amounts include close to $3,000 due to Indian Agent, and future General Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Benjamin Hawkins (1754-1816) and others for "treating with the southern Indians" (presumably the Choctaw and/or Creek), as well as salaries for government and military officers, and expenses for the functioning of the House of Representatives and Treasury Department. Hamilton instructs Congress that funds to be used to settle these expenses "are the surplus of the duties on imports and tonnage to the end of 1791; certain unexpended surpluses on former appropriations, and certain sums which have been paid into the treasury in consequence of settlements with individuals," adding, "that the only fund which has been heretofore appropriated for satisfying the purposes of the act for raising and adding another regiment to the military establishment of the United States, and for making farther provision for the protection of the frontiers...of the duties on spirits...which fund will not prove adequate to the object. A farther provision is necessary..." An interesting comment from Hamilton, stating that more government revenue is needed to be raised to support the operations of the government, while also mentioning the duties on spirits, a contentious tax that in a years time would lead to the Whiskey Rebellion.
We cannot locate a copy of this report ever being offered at auction. Rare.