Alexander Hamilton Papers

Contract with James and Shoemaker, [5 November 1792]

Contract with James and Shoemaker1

[Philadelphia, November 5, 1792]

On behalf of Messrs. Nicholas Low and Abijah Hammond of New York,2 I promise to pay to Messrs. James and Shoemaker or their order on demand such sums as may be advanced to John Campbell3 by them or their Agents for any machinery tools or utensils for a Stocking Manufactory which shall be shipped by the said John Campbell or by his order per the Ship Glasgow from any part of Great Britain to the United States consigned either to the said Nicholas Low or Abijah Hammond or to the said James and Shoemaker and for the freight of the said articles and the passage money of any persons who shall be embarked on board the said Ship for the United States, being makers of such machinery or Manufacturers in the Stocking Branch, together with five per Cent Commission on the amount thereof provided the said sums do not exceed Eight hundred Pounds current money of Pensylvania.

Witness my hand at Philadelphia the fifth day of November 1792.

ADf, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.

1The merchant firm of James and Shoemaker was located at 25 North Water Street in Philadelphia.

2On October 12, 1792, Nicholas Low had been elected governor and Abijah Hammond a director of the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures (“Minutes of the S.U.M.,” description begins MS minutes of the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures, City of Paterson, New Jersey, Plant Management Commission, Successors to the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures. description ends 72).

3On October 13, 1792, the directors of the society recorded the receipt of “a Letter from John Campbell of Philadelphia, proposing the establishment of a stocking manufactory.” On the following day the directors “proceeded to Inquire into the business of the Stocking Weaving which was dismissed for the present” (“Minutes of the S.U.M.,” description begins MS minutes of the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures, City of Paterson, New Jersey, Plant Management Commission, Successors to the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures. description ends 73).

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