To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas FitzSimons, 17 December 1795
From Thomas FitzSimons1
Philadelphia, December 17, 1795. “Inclosed is the state of the Case depending between Mr. Church & Hollker,2 taken from the information given to me & submitted to Hollkers attorney here.… I have stated the facts as they Appear & in a Way that requires no evidence. If you approve them, after you have Named a Professional Man I will Name some other & let them chuse a third so that their decision may be final.…”3
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. For background to this letter, see FitzSimons to H, March 21, July 14, 1795. FitzSimons, a native of Ireland, was a Philadelphia merchant. From 1789 to 1795 he was a Federalist member of the House of Representatives.
2. For information on the case between John B. Church and John Holker, see H to John Chaloner, June 11, 1793; FitzSimons to H, March 21, July 14, 1795.
3. H endorsed this letter: “Ansr. Feby. 4, 179[6] agreeing & naming Mr. Lewis—Referees to decide as Judges in Chancellory Law & Fact.” H’s letter has not been found. Presumably H is referring to William Lewis, a Philadelphia attorney and Federalist, who had been judge of the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania from July 20, 1791, to April 11, 1792.