To Alexander Hamilton from Vincent Gray, [28 April 1804]
From Vincent Gray
New York
[Havana, April 28, 1804]
Sir,
Baron Humboldt1 Supreme counseller of Mines in the service of His Prussian Majesty and Member of the Royal Academy of Science at Berlin, Travelling for the purpose of Advancing the progress of Natural History, being on his return from South America and New Spain, to the Dominions of his Prussian Majesty, by way of the United States, I take leave to recommend him to your particular friendship and protection while he remains in your city; from a belief that you will from his character and pursuits, be highly gratified by being personally acquainted with him.
I have the Honor to be, Sir Very respectfully Your most ob. Servt.
Vincent Gray
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt was a naturalist and explorer. In 1799 he began an expedition of Central and South America with Aimé Jacques Alexandre Bonpland, a French naturalist. During his trip to the United States he met with Thomas Jefferson and members of the cabinet.
This letter was enclosed in Humboldt to H, June 27, 1804.