From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [20 February 1798]
To James McHenry
[New York, February 20, 1798]
My Dear Friend
I regret that my occupations have not permitted me to give your report1 more than a cursory reading, before my being obliged to leave the city for Albany.2 I have put it under a cover addressed to you. If it cannot conveniently wait my return, which will be in a fortnight, it will be sent you upon a line directed to Mr. “James Inglis3 at Col Hamilton’s No. 26 Broad Way N York.” desiring him to forward you the Packet left in his care for you which will be done.
Interpret favourably & forgive
Yr. Affect
A Hamilton
1798
ALS, James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress.
2. H was going to Albany to attend the Court of Errors for an argument on behalf of his client Louis Le Guen. See , II, 48–164. See also H to Isaac Gouverneur and Peter Kemble, January 19, 1797; H to Elizabeth Hamilton, April 16, 1797; Le Guen to H, 24 April, 1798; Gouverneur to H, January 7, 9, 1798; Moses Lopez to H, January 7, 1798.
3. James Inglis, Jr., was a clerk in H’s law office.
On August 6, 1798, the New York Supreme Court read and filed “A Certificate of Alexander Hamilton bearing date the 4th of August 1798 … whereby it appears that James Inglis junior has served a Clerkship in his Office from the eighth day of June 1795 to the fourth day of July & that he is of good moral Character.” Inglis was admitted to practice before the New York Supreme Court on August 9, 1798 (MS Minutes of the New York Supreme Court, July 31–August 11, 1798 [Hall of Records, New York City]).