To Alexander Hamilton from James Read, 23 April 1800
From James Read, 23 April 1800
Ellis Island, April 23, 1800
Sir,
In consequence of your letter of ye 18th. inst. directing me to enquire into ye truth of a certain statement made to you by a Sergt. Brinson, I called at Fort Jay and mentioning ye matter to Lieutenant Hancock I received from him ye inclosed letter which I imagine may prove satisfactory. I took care to admonish him of ye impropriety of addressing himself to you previous to an application to his commanding officer and justice refused him
I am with ye greatest respect your obt. servt.
James Read
Captn commg ye Harbr of N York
Major General Hamilton
Ellis’s Island April 23d 1800
(ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing John Hancock, Jr., to Read, April 22, 1800 (ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).