To Alexander Hamilton from John Brown, 28 July 1793
From John Brown1
Banks of Ohio four miles above the
mouth of Great Miami July 28th. 1793
Sir,
The first of this instant I met General Wilkeson2 at head Quarters. He ask’d me if I had receiv’d a letter from you I answered him in the negative he seemed Surprised & Says you certainly have. I assured him I had not he then called his Aid and ask’d him who he gave the letter to (mentioning the one directed to me). Mr. Wade3 told the Genl. he had given it to the Quarter Master Generals Boatmen (who was often going down the Ohio by my Place & up the Great Miami to Fort Hamilton). The Genl. ask’d if he knew the man he gave the letter to. He said he did not. The Genl. was very angry at his non-attention.
I then Proceeded to trace up the letter if Possible & on inquiry found it had gone to Lexington (in Kentoucke) for Mr. John Brown, Member of Congress & heard the mistake was there known. I have since made farther inquiery but to no Purpose.
I Presume it was in answer to a letter I wrote you last January4 favour’d by the Honl. J. C. Symmes Esqr. Your Condesention in answering it I Esteem as an Honor done me, & take this Oppertunity to let you know of my disappointment.5
Publick Prints will anticipate any news I can Write from this Quarter.
I am Sr. with great Esteem Your most Obedt. Humbl Sert
John Brown
Col. Alexr. Hamilton.
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Brown had served as sheriff of Hamilton County in what is now Ohio from January, 1790, until March 12, 1792. He had also been active in laying out townships in the Symmes purchase.
2. Brigadier General James Wilkinson.
3. Lieutenant John Wade of the First Sub-Legion of the United States Army.
4. Letter not found.
5. No letter from H to Brown has been found.