To Alexander Hamilton from Alexander Macomb, 13 April 1793
From Alexander Macomb1
New york April 13th. 1793
Dear sir
I take the Liberty of enclosing you an order of Mr Udney Hay to receive the Sum allowed to Mr. Simon Frazer of Quebec upon Mr Hay’s petition in his behalf2 which I learn is 400 Ds. and I will take kind your forwarding it to me as soon as possible, as an opportunity for Quebec offers in the course of the ensuing week, to which place I wish to Remit it.
I have just rec’d a Letter dated 27 feby from Mr Robert Hamilton3 of Niagara, wherein he mentions that Genl. Hull4 is in very good winter quarters at Mr Stedmans5 & that he will esteem himself happy if he can by any means aid in his negotiation or add to his comforts. If my services can in any wise be essential to you in the business of the treaty, you may freely command them.
I remain very respectfully Dr. Sir Yr. obt Servant
Alex Macomb
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Macomb, a native of Ireland, had engaged in trade with the Indians in the American West during the American Revolution and was a partner in the Detroit firm of Macomb, Edgar, and Macomb, which supplied the British Indian Department. After the Revolution he settled in New York where he became a leading land speculator.
3. Robert Hamilton and Richard Cartwright operated a trading station at Niagara. Hamilton held several official positions and was one of Canada’s wealthiest men.
4. For an account of William Hull’s mission to Canada, see H to George Hammond, December 29, 1792; “Draft of Instructions for William Hull,” January 14, 1793; H to William Edgar, January 17, 1793; Hull to H, February 6, 1793.
5. John Stedman was a trader at Fort Schlosser on the Niagara River.