To Alexander Hamilton from Winthrop Sargent, 28 October 1793
From Winthrop Sargent1
New York 28th. October 1793
Sir
Again I presume to solicit your attention to my petition refered to you by Congress, in their session of 17902 for report. My Distresses from the Delay in this Business have been considerable, from calculating upon an Addition of Salery I have accumulated Expenses in the Discharge of my public Duties trusting to that Provision, which I flattered myself would long since have been made therefor. I have always believed in a favourable issue to my Expectations from the Opinions of my Friends; your own Sentiments if I mistake not were propitious thereto, but as Colo Lawrence3 and several other members of Congress to whom I had fully explained myself upon the Subject were often absent there may possibly exist Difficulties in the Completion of my receivable Expectations notwithstanding you may be fully convinced of the propriety of my Application as I think you were when I had the pleasure to converse with you upon the Subject.
With Sentiments of much respectful Esteem I have the honour to be your most obedient humble servant
Winthrop Sargent
Honble Colo Hamilton
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Sargent was secretary of the Northwest Territory. During the frequent absences of Governor Arthur St. Clair, he assumed the duties of acting governor and superintendent of Indian affairs.
2. Sargent’s memorial is printed in , II, 318–19. On December 29, 1790, his petition “stating the insufficiency of the provision made by law for the support of his office; and praying that the same may be made adequate to his services and expenses” was presented in the House of Representatives and referred to H (, 344). H reported on Sargent’s petition on January 31, 1794.
3. John Laurance was a member of the House of Representatives from New York from 1789 to 1793.