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Subject Area: Economics
Subject Area: Political Theory

GALLATIN TO JEFFERSON. - Albert Gallatin, The Writings of Albert Gallatin, vol. 1 [1879]

Edition used:

The Writings of Albert Gallatin, ed. Henry Adams (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1879). 3 vols.

Part of: The Writings of Albert Gallatin, 3 vols.

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GALLATIN TO JEFFERSON.

Department Treasury, May 5, 1808.

Dear Sir,—

I do not perceive any alteration necessary in the letter,1 except that the governors do not generally know who are the importers of flour; shipments of that article, particularly to the southward, being commonly made by merchants residing in Northern ports. Perhaps it would be better that the governors should merely state from time to time the quantity of flour which may be wanted, directing such certificate to the Treasury, and not to the collector; but adding, if they choose, the port whence to be shipped, and the names of shippers. The great objection is, that whether left to the governors or to the collectors, it is giving them the power of creating a monopoly in favor of certain individuals. How to remedy that I do not know.

The letter, if written, should be extended to the governors of Georgia and New Hampshire. Indeed, Rhode Island and Connecticut do not raise the wheat necessary for their consumption. It would operate more powerfully as a check on the collectors if I was permitted to communicate to them the letter or its substance. Will you have the goodness to let me know which, and in what shape?

I enclose three applications for New Orleans. As I have not yet received the statements from the collectors in relation to them, it would be premature to decide. But I wish to have your general ideas on them, principally as to the articles of shipchandlery, which, as well as soap, tallow, butter, cheese, and lard, is generally imported from the Atlantic ports.

Respectfully, your obedient servant.

Other articles besides flour may be detained, which the States written to would want.

What shall I do with E. Livingston, whose arrival here may be daily expected, as you will see by the enclosed letter from Dallas?

[1 ]Letter to the Governors of New Orleans, Georgia, &c.; see Jefferson’s Works, v. 286, under date of May 6.