From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 20 December 1798
To James McHenry
New York Dec. 20, 1798
Dear Sir
I am this moment favoured with your letter of the 18th. instant and thank you for the ideas personal to me.
Mr. Laurance,1 somewhat abruptly, regrets that I promoted his son’s nomination,2 as it was his desire that he should continue to pursue his profession. As I could not divine this desire of his, he certainly had no cause of displeasure with me.
In case Laurance’s name is witheld at the request of his father, I should be glad to see Young Harrison3 (the son of our district Attorney4 and a clever young man—about 20 already admitted to the bar) in his place. I do not mean as high up on the list.
Yrs. truly
A Hamilton
James McHenry Esq.
ALS, anonymous donor; ALS (photostat), James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress; copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. John Laurance, a New York City lawyer, was a United States judge of the District of New York from 1794 to 1796 and a member of the United States Senate from 1796 to 1800. He and H were close friends and political associates.
2. John McDougall Laurance.
3. George F. Harison.
4. Richard Harison.