Alexander Hamilton Papers

To Alexander Hamilton from Ezekiel Gilbert, 4 October 1797

From Ezekiel Gilbert1

Hudson [New York] October 4, 1797. “My friend Doctor Benton,2 holds a Note for 5000 Dols. against Peirpoint Edwards3 of New Haven—he desires me to enclose to you a copy of it, in order that you may, if any Occasion admits of his being found within the Jurisdiction of our Supreme Court, have him taken and prosecuted to recovery. Should you be disposed to accept this business, or to place it where it will receive due attention, so that Benton may secure & collect the payment, he will be happy to make a most generous reward.…”

ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.

1Gilbert, a Hudson, New York, lawyer, was a member of the New York Assembly in 1789 and 1790 and a member of the House of Representatives from 1793 to 1797.

2Dr. Caleb Benton of Hillsdale, New York, engaged in land speculation. He was a member of the New York Assembly from 1796 to 1798.

3Pierpont Edwards, a New Haven lawyer, had been a member of the Connecticut legislature, the Continental Congress, and the Connecticut Ratifying Convention. He had been appointed United States attorney for the District of Connecticut in September, 1789.

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