Alexander Hamilton Papers

To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Morris, 10 May 1796

From Robert Morris1

Philada. May 10th. 1796

Dear Sir

Your letter dated April 9th. but which was written yesterday, I presume,2 came to hand this Morning and I have since the receipt of it and of one from Colo Ogden seen Colo Walker who tells me that he left power with you to adjust with the latter the business of the Mortgage formerly granted by me to Colo W. Smith on behalf of Mr Pulteney &c., therefore I presume it has been settled in some way or other. Colo Ogden has sent me a Copy of the Articles of agreement made by him on my behalf with Othniel Taylor & Asa Danforth for the Sale of 50000 Acres of Land, and in order to have the affair compleatly finished, I proposed to Colo Walker that I would Convey the said 50,000 Acres to him and assign to him the above mentioned Contract which binds the parties to pay $57,500 and interest at the times therein mentioned. My debt to Mr. Pulteney for which the Mortgage was given is about fifty thousand Dollrs of Six ⅌ Ct Stock now Worth about 17/4 in the pound, but that I would Commute it into Money at 20/ or par, and Colo Walker to pay the bale of the Account, & enter Satisfaction on the Mortgage discharging me of the demand. It appears to me that this is necessary in order to give Value to the Mortgage I am to make to you and I have thus explained myself lest Colo Walker might misunderstand or not Recollect clearly my proposition. I think it is fair, honorable and generous such as will be approved by the principal, and therefore I expect that you will advise his Concurrence. I will have the Mortgage to you immediately drawn3 and the form you prescribe Shall be duly observed. I expect however to hear from you & Col Walker in answer to this letter, as I consider my hands to be tied up by the Chancery Suit, untill the Mortgage is discharged.

I am Dr Sir

AL[S], Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; LC, Robert Morris Papers, Library of Congress.

1For an explanation of the contents of this letter, see the introductory note to Morris to H, April 27, 1796. See also Morris to H, May 3, 1796.

2Letter not found.

3This is a reference to a mortgage on one hundred thousand acres of Genesee lands. The mortgage on this land was to secure Morris’s debt to John B. Church. See the introductory note to Morris to H, June 7, 1795. See also Morris to H, July 20, November 16, December 18, 1795; January 15, March 6, 12, 14, 30, April 27, May 3, 1796.

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