To Alexander Hamilton from Jeremiah Olney, 17 February 1794
From Jeremiah Olney1
Customhouse
District of Providence 17th. Feby. 1794.
Sir
I have had an Interview with Ray Greene Esqr. District Attorney, on the Subject of Defending the Suits of Messrs. Arnold & Dexter2 in the case of the Brigantine Neptune now pending before the Superiour Court to be held in this Town on the 17th March next—but as he has been heretofore, employed by those Gentlemen in the prosecution of these Suits—he now finds his Situation extremely delicate and upon reflection has thought proper to Decline any Further agency in this business3—which renders it expedient for me to employ other counsel to assist David Leonard Barnes Esqr.4 on the Part of the United States, in view to this I have written on the Subject to James Sullivan Esqr.5 attorney at Law at Boston. I am informed he is a Gentleman of Eminence in his profession.
The Justice and propriety of my Defending against these Suits, Supported by able counsel, I presume cannot fail to ensure Success.
I have the Honor to be very respectfully Sir your Most Obed. Hum. Servt.
Jereh. Olney Collr.
Alexander Hamilton Esqr.
Secretary of the Treasury
ADfS, Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence.
1. Olney was collector of customs at Providence.
For background to this letter, see Olney to H, November 7, 15, 28, December 10, 13, 27 1792,, March 14, 25, April 15, 25, September 23, October 7, 21, November 21, 1793; H to Olney, November 27, 1792, November 7, 1793.
2. Welcome Arnold and Edward Dexter were Providence merchants.
3. Ray Greene had only recently become United States attorney for the District of Rhode Island, having been appointed to that office on January 27, 1794. see Henry Marchant to H, December 9, 1793; William Ellery to H, December 16, 1793.
4. Barnes was a resident of Providence.
5. Sullivan was attorney general of Massachusetts.