From Alexander Hamilton to William Cooper, [16 December 1796]
To William Cooper1
[New York, December 16, 1796]
Dr. Sir
I have received your letter with a Post note of a thousand dollars on account of the Mortgage of the lands formerly Holkers in which Mr. Church is interested.2 The papers respecting this affair in my possession will be looked up & sent to Mr. Laurance3 by Mondays Post. This letter will serve you as a Receipt. Yrs. truly
A Hamilton
William Cooper Esqr
ALS, from a typescript furnished by an anonymous donor.
1. Cooper, the founder of Cooperstown, New York, was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Otsego County on February 17, 1791. He served as a Federalist member of the House of Representatives from March 4, 1795, to March 3, 1797, and again from March 4, 1799, to March 3, 1801.
For background to this letter, see H to John Chaloner, June 11, 1793. See also Thomas FitzSimons to H, March 21, July 14, December 17, 1795.
2. Under the date of December 12, 1796, H made the following entry in his Cash Book, 1795–1804: “Cash Dr. to John B Church for this sum received Wm. Cooper on acct of his Mortgage on Holkers estate 1000” (AD, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
3. John Laurance purchased land in partnership with Church and H. See H to Robert Troup, July 25, 1795, note 17; “John B. Church’s Account with Alexander Hamilton,” June 15, 1797.