To Alexander Hamilton from John Laurance, 13 January 1795
From John Laurance1
Philada 13th Jan 1795
Dear sir
Mr Fitzsimmons2 was to have paid an acceptance of mine, yesterday, for 1500 Drs, which was discounted at the Bank. He has not paid it, which may occasion me some inconvenience, as I propose leaving this place, with my Family, early on Thursday morning. Colonel Wadsworth3 mentioned to me he had paid you some money on account of Mr Church,4 which you might wish in New York. If you have 1500 Dollars, and can spare them until next week I will ⟨pay⟩ them in New York, or send them here for you. If you can oblidge me let me have your Check payable to my order.5
I am Your obed servt
John Laurance
Col Hamilton
P S Since writing the above Mr Fitzsimmons has informed me the acceptance shall be given either this week or the next so that I cannot depend on his payment before I go. You will therefore oblige me if you can as above.
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Laurance, a veteran of the American Revolution, was a delegate to the Confederation Congress from 1785 to 1787 and served in the New York Senate from 1788 to 1790. He was a member of the House of Representatives from New York during the First and Second Congresses. In May, 1794, he accepted the appointment as United States judge for the District of New York, and he held this position until 1796, when he was elected to the United States Senate as the successor to Rufus King. He remained in the Senate until his resignation in August, 1800.
2. Thomas FitzSimons.
3. Jeremiah Wadsworth served in the commissary department during the American Revolution. In 1788 he was a member of the Connecticut Ratifying Convention. He was elected as a Federalist to Congress in 1787 and 1788, but attended only in 1788. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1789 to 1795. In 1795 he was elected to the Connecticut legislature and to the Executive Council, remaining a member of the Executive Council by annual election until 1801.
4. John B. Church was the husband of Angelica Schuyler, Elizabeth Hamilton’s sister. Church, an Englishman, had been Wadsworth’s partner during and after the American Revolution. H served as Church’s business representative in the United States.
5. On January 13, 1795, H wrote “a bank check payable to Col. John Laurence & endorsed by him” (ADS, sold by C. F. Libbie and Company, May 8, 1894, Item 982).