To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Grymes, 23 November 1789
From Benjamin Grymes1
Somerset, Virginia
near Fredericke.
Novr. 23th. 89
Dear Col.
I have to address you on an interestg subject to my self, and am happy that fortune has placed you in the station, to render your Country the service you will undoubtedly do her. I am to acquaint you that I am entitled to 1/6 of a Ship called the Aurora chartered 10 or 12 years past by Mr. Morris2 in behalf of the Country, Mr. Morris inform me he is likely to get his accts settled this winter when he shall obtain a Certificate for the owners, and has directed his clerk Mr. John Richards to purchase my claim and one other, as I wish to sell, I have to request of you to inform me by the first Stage the present value of such Certificates and what prospect there is of their appreciating. If Mr. Morris has not proceeded in settlement of his accts. as far as I am interested, pray inform me when you expect he will and if he has what you would advise me to take for my proportion.
I had a letter from your old fd. Meade3 two days past he has just had another Son which gave him two Sons & as many daugts and all well. The Old Sec.4 live just opposite on the other side of the Potk has been long wedded but no children I have only five living and family all well my wife joins me heartily for your welfare and am yrs
sincerely
B Grymes
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Grymes had served in a Virginia regiment in the Revolution. He was the father-in-law of Richard Kidder Meade.
2. Robert Morris. The Aurora, formerly the British ship Oxford, had been chartered in October, 1776, by the Secret Committee of Correspondence of Congress.
3. Richard Kidder Meade who had served with H as an aide-de-camp to Washington during the Revolution.
4. Robert Hanson Harrison, who had also been one of Washington’s aides during the Revolution, was called the “old secretary” by members of Washington’s official family.