From Alexander Hamilton to John Holker, [8 January 1790]
To John Holker1
[New York, January 8, 1790]
Dr Sir
You will naturally imagine, that as well on public, as personal accounts, I must be anxious that Mr. Duer should be extricated from the embarrassments, with which he is perplexed, from the unsettled state of his affairs.2 The nature of Our connection will apologise to you for my interference in a matter, which is purely of private concern between you and him—so far as to express a wish that you could find means of coming to an amicable settlement. He assures me that he will do every thing that impartial persons could say he ought to do to this end. And I feel intire confidence in the sincerity of a declaration of this sort made to me.
I think Sir, on reflection, you will perceive that it must be your interest to prefer an amicable settlement with security for payment of any ballance which may appear in your favour to a litigious one, without that advantage.
And allow me to add that it would give me real pleasure, could you see it your interest to embrace the former part of the alternative.
I remain with esteem Dr Sir Your Obed sr
A Hamilton
ALS, John Holker Papers, Library of Congress.
1. This letter concerns Holker’s efforts to collect the funds owed him from the bankrupt Daniel Parker and Company, with which William Duer was associated. See H to Holker, January 29, 1789 (, V, 250); John Ross to H, November 29, 1791 (, IX, 544–46); John Murray to H, July 12, 1794 (, XVI, 595–96).
2. Duer’s financial difficulties arose from his extensive speculations in land and securities. H’s “public” and “personal” concern arose from the fact that Duer was Assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury and that he and H were friends.