Alexander Hamilton Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-25-02-0309

To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 28 March 1802

From Philip Schuyler

Albany March 28th. 1802

My Dear Sir

In a letter from Mrs. Church1 of tuesday last she mentions that my dear Eliza had been very much indisposed, but was better. as no mention is made of the disorder with which she has been afflicted, we apprehend that she has miscarryed,2 we are extremely anxious for further Accounts and pray they may be such as shall do away our apprehensions.

The Regents of the university3 have directed their chancellers to convey the lands at Lake George, Ti[c]onderoga and Crown point, formerly granted to the regents,4 and those to be granted at the present session of the Legislature,5 to The Trustees of Columbia College6 and Union College7 as tenants in Common in equal shares, as Also all the Arrears of rent due from the present Occupants, who hold the lands by lease for a term of years of which a few years are unexpired.8

At Ty[c]onderoga and Crown point there are ferrys, which already are valuable and will normally become more so.

I believe It would be prudent for the trustees of both Colleges to appoint one or more Agents with power either to sell or lease the premises as may [be] deemed most Eligible.9

At the next meeting of the regents I shall propose that the chancellers deed to the trustees be Entered of record in the office of the Secretary of state,10 and also to direct the treasurer of the board of regents to make out an Account of the Arrears, of rent due, and of the unexpired terms of the leases.11

Kitty12 is at Rhynbeck, Mrs. Schuyler and myself both well, she unites with me in love to you, our Dear Eliza & the Children.

Adieu My Dear Sir   I am ever most Affectionately yours

Ph: Schuyler

Gen Hamilton

ALS, Columbia University Libraries.

1Angelica Church was Philip Schuyler’s oldest child and the wife of John B. Church. In 1802 the Churches, who had divided their time between England and the United States, lived in New York City.

2Elizabeth Hamilton, H’s wife, was pregnant with her eighth and last child, a boy, who was born on June 2, 1802, and named Philip.

3Schuyler was a member of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York.

4“An Act for further Encouragement of Literature” (New York Laws, 13th Sess., Ch. XXXVIII [March 31, 1790]).

5“An Act to amend the Act, entitled ‘an Act for the encouragement of Literature’” (New York Laws, 25th Sess., Ch. CV [April 3, 1802]).

6H served as a trustee of Columbia College from 1787 (“An Act to institute an University within this State, and for other Purposes therein mentioned” [New York Laws, 10th Sess., Ch LXXXII (April 13, 1787)]), until his death in 1804.

7Union College in Schenectady, New York, was chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York on February 6, 1795. See Schuyler to H, January 25, 1795, note 6.

8See “Journal of the Meetings of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York,” April 9, 1801, March 26, 1802 (New York State Library, Albany).

9Columbia College did not appoint an agent for the land which it acquired from the University of the State of New York until 1805. For the appointment of agents for both colleges, see “Minutes of the Trustees of Columbia College,” May 14, 1805, Vol. II, Part I, 4 May, 1784, to 22 February, 1809 (typescript, Office of the Secretary of the University, Columbia University, 318–19).

10“Conveyance from the Regents of the University of the State of New York to the Trustees of Columbia College in the City of New York and the Trustees of Union College in the Town of Schenectady and State of New York,” September 12, 1803 (copy, recorded under date of April 3, 1804, Deeds in the Office of the Secretary of the State of New York, Vol. 25, 256–61, Albany).

11The Board of Regents had acted on these matters at its meeting on March 26, 1802 (“Journal of the Meetings of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York,” March 26, 1802 [New York State Library, Albany]).

12Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler was Philip Schuyler’s youngest child.

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