From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 November 1801
To James McHenry
New York Nov. 21. 1801
My Dear friend
The Prince Bailli Ruspoli1 of the order of Malta, who will deliver you this letter was strongly recommended to me by Mr. King.2 He appears to me a very Gentlemanlike respectable man. As such I ask for him your civilities. Among these you can do nothing more grateful to him than to give him a letter of Introduction to some friend of yours at Washington.
Adieu My Dr. Mac Yrs. ever
A Hamilton
J McHenry Esq
ALS, Montague Collection, MS Division, New York Public Library.
1. Prince or Bailli Barthélemy Ruspoli returned to London after his trip to the United States. In 1802 Pope Pius VII appointed him Grand Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. The appointment, which Bailli Ruspoli declined, was made under the terms of Article X of the Treaty of Amiens, which provided for the return of the island of Malta from England to the Order of St. John.
2. No letter from Rufus King to H recommending Bailli Ruspoli has been found.