Report on the Petition of Thomas Coit, [31 January 1795]
Report on the Petition of Thomas Coit
[Philadelphia, January 31, 1795
Communicated on February 2, 1795]1
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives]
The Secretary of the Treasury, respectfully makes the following report upon the petition of Thomas Coit, referred to him by the House of Representatives.2
The petitioner seeks a discharge from the responsibility from a sum of 157 dollars, which were in his hands as a collector of the revenue, and which are alledged to have been wholly lost, in the destruction of a house by fire.
In the opinion of the Secretary, that the powers of the accounting officers of the Treasury, exercised on the principles of common law are adequate to relief in every similar case, in which it is proper to grant it; and consequently, that the special interposition of the Legislature is unnecessary and inexpedient.3
Which is respectfully submitted,
Alexander Hamilton,
Secretary of the Treasury.
Copy, RG 233, Reports of the Secretary of the Treasury, 1784–1795, Vol. IV, National Archives; copy, RG 217, Miscellaneous Treasury Accounts, 1790–1894, Account No. 6554, National Archives.
1. , II, 312. For the letter of transmittal, see H to Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, January 31, 1795.
2. On February 19, 1793, the House received “A petition of Thomas Coit, Collector of the Revenue of the Second Division, in the State of Connecticut, praying to be exonorated from the payment of a certain sum of money which he collected on account of the duties accruing on a quantity of distilled spirits, and deposited in his storehouse at Norwich, in the said State, as a place of safety, and which, together with a part of the money so deposited, was consumed by fire on the night of the fifteenth ultimo.
“Ordered, That the said … [petition] be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.” (, I, 706.)
3. On February 3, 1795, “The House proceeded to consider the report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the petition of Thomas Coit: Whereupon, “Resolved, That the petitioner have leave to withdraw his said petition.” (, II, 314.)