From Alexander Hamilton to Nathan Rice, 13 September 1799
To Nathan Rice
New York Sepr. 13. 1799
Sir
I enclose to you the copy of a letter from Captain Draper1 of your regiment. I am of opinion, from the circumstances which are stated, that it will be proper to discharge the person to whom the letter relates. You will therefore discharge him accordingly.
Df, in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Simeon Draper to H, August 16, 1799 (listed in the appendix to this volume). Draper wrote: “At the special request of William Richardson 2d. of Brookfield … and his friends the following statement of facts are made and humbly submitted. On the 18th of June last, said Richardson, having been previously arrested by, & escaped from a Sheriff, on mesne process, came to me and inlisted in the service of the United States. The same day the sheriff retook him and committed him to Goal. On application of Richardsons Friends for his discharge, I told them if a good man was produced to inlist in his stead I would endeavour that he should be discharged in consequence. The friends of Richardson did produce a good soldier in his stead who inlisted & recd. his bounty, and now does duty.… But several Hours previous to his inlistment I had made my Weekly return … and the name of Richardson was on the return. I then told his Friends I would write & use my influence that he should be discharged.…”