To Alexander Hamilton from Catharine Bedlow, 2 August 1796
From Catharine Bedlow1
New York, August 2, 1796. “Inclosed is the Letter of Helena Soyer2 which I Should have been Sent you before, but being daily in Expectation of Seeing you, it was defered to be given you till then. I could wish a Leasure Houre will permit you to call & See us as Mr Bedlow Continues Ill unable to transact any Business.”
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Catharine Bedlow, the oldest daughter of Hendrick Rutgers, was the wife of William Bedlow (Bedloe), grandson of Isaac Bedlow of Bedloe’s Island in New York Harbor. William Bedlow, a former sea captain and merchant, in 1784 became postmaster of New York City.
The following entry under the date of June 11, 1796, appears in H’s Cash Book, 1795–1804: “for retainer of Wm. Bedlow adsm. Medcaff Eden 10.” Another entry on July 8, 1796, records the receipt of the additional sum of ten dollars (AD, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). See also H’s Law Register, 1795–1804 (D, partially in H’s handwriting, New York Law Institute, New York City).
2. H’s endorsement of this letter reads: “with Helena Sawyers letter.”