To Alexander Hamilton from John Chaloner, 14 August 1783
From John Chaloner1
Philada August 14. 1783
Dear Sir
Your favr of the 2nd.2 reached me the 12th Instant. Mrs. Dunkin is doubtfull whether She can procure the Chintz or not if she does it shall be forwarded as you directed immediately. Herewith the General3 will receive a Cape Letter from Mr Carter. The Pilot was a long while returning with it. Your draft on me I shall duly honour on Acct of Mr. Carter4 tho he omitted in his hurry to speak to me on the Subject.5 Mrs. Chaloner joins me in our best Compliments to you and your good Lady also to the Generals family and Mrs. Van Ransellar6 all of whom we hope are well. I shall embrace in the first Oppo. of communicating every information I obtain of our friends Wayfare and I remain with The greatest respect Sir Your most Obdt Servant
The Honble A Hamilton Esqr
Albany
LC, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
1. Chaloner, a Philadelphia merchant, was assistant commissary of purchases for the Continental Army during the Revolution. After the war, in association with Charles White, his business was conducted under the firm name of Chaloner and White.
Chaloner, while contracting for the Philadelphia office of the commissary department, had come to the attention of Jeremiah Wadsworth, commissary general of purchases and business partner of John Carter (John B. Church). All the business affairs of Wadsworth and Carter in Philadelphia were conducted through John Chaloner, and when in 1784 the partners were in Europe, Chaloner received the largest share of the thousands of pounds of merchandise they shipped from Europe to America. The partnership of Wadsworth and Carter was dissolved at the end of July, 1785; but, principally because Chaloner had mishandled their affairs, several years were required for Chaloner to settle his accounts with the partners.
2. Letter not found.
3. Philip Schuyler, at whose home in Albany H was living at this time.
4. Carter (or Church) had left the United States for Europe in late July, 1785. (See H to John Jay, July 25, 1783, note 3.)
5. See note 1.
6. Presumably Margarita (Margaret) Schuyler Van Rensselaer, Philip Schuyler’s daughter.