To Alexander Hamilton from Revell Elton, 16 June 1799
From Revell Elton, 16 June 1799
Philaa June 16th. 1799
Sir.
Upon the 5th. Day of March AD. 1791, One Charles Bunn an infant was by his own consent and the consent of his Parents, & under their Hands & Seals, by Indenture regularly executed, bound as an Apprentice to me the Subscriber Revell Elton & my Wife Sarah untill he arrived at twenty One Years of age, which will be on the 27th. Day of March AD 1802—The truth of all which can be established by the production of the Indenture, & by any affirmation that may required respecting the same. In the ⟨ ⟩ course of a few Days past, the apprentice deserted my service and enlisted in the Company of Captain Charles Marles in the City of Burlington I immediately applied to the Captain, who said that he could not discharge him without Orders: Upon this I came to the City of Philaa. to lay my complaint before the Secretary at War—The Secretary informed me that Orders had issued not to enlist apprentices & directed me to write to you, & that you would immediately furnish Orders to the Captain, whereby the apprentice would be discharged
I hope therefore, that without delay, you will please to direct such Orders to be sent to the Captain that I may regain My Apprentice—And am with respect &c Your—
Revell Elton
(LS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). On the cover H wrote a draft of his reply: "To be transmitted Referred to Col Ogden with direction to have the man restored if the fact be true—Write to the ⟨person⟩ & tell him that this has been done—"