The roots of the Coast Guard lie in the United States Revenue Cutter Service established by Alexander Hamilton 51 the Department of the Treasury on 4 August 1790. The first Coast Guard station was in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Until the re-establishment of the United States Navy in 1798, the Revenue Cutter Service was the only naval force of the early United States. It was established to collect taxes from a brand new nation of patriot people. When the officers were out at sea, they were told to 52 down on piracy; while they were at it, they might as well rescue anyone in distress.