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Primary sourceDocument18 December 1790

Treasury Circular on Hydrometers for Spirits Duties

18 December 1790

An official 1790 Treasury circular issued under Hamilton's direction, instructing customs officers on using hydrometers to assess duties on distilled spirits.

This Treasury circular was issued under Hamilton's authority as Secretary, showing his direct administration of customs policy.

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Scan of a handwritten letter on aged paper, headed "Treasury Department" and dated December 18, 1790, addressed "Sir", with dense cursive text about the use of a hydrometer for spirits duties. A folded blank panel is on the left.
Treasury Department circular on hydrometers, 18 December 1790.

About this source

What it is

This is a handwritten circular from the Treasury Department, dated December 1790, addressed to customs collectors. It explains new rules requiring hydrometers to measure the proof of distilled spirits for tax purposes, following an act of Congress.

Why it matters

As Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton was responsible for building the financial systems of the new federal government. This circular shows the practical, detailed work involved in enforcing tax laws and shows Hamilton directing the customs service in its daily operations.

Look closer

  • What does this document reveal about the challenges of setting up a new national tax system?
  • Why might consistent measurement tools like hydrometers have mattered so much to the government's finances?
  • What tone does Hamilton use when addressing customs officers, and what does that suggest about his role?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Alexander Hamilton on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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