Alexander Hamilton Papers

To Alexander Hamilton from Andrew Dunscomb, 26 January 1794

From Andrew Dunscomb1

Richmond January 26th. 1794

Dr Sir,

Your friendly favor of the 17th Inst.2 I recd. ⅌ last post. You will please embrace any leisure moment during the present session of Congress, to Act upon the subject matter of my last3—requesting in my behalf, if needfull, the aid of Mr Benson,4 and Mr King,5 thro’ Congress.

I take this opportunity to inform you, that, as a mark of the continuance of an opinion long entertained, I have, in opposition to the fashion of the times, added the name of Hamilton to that of my Wife’s, this day imprinted on my infant Daughter.

With good wishes & respect   I remain your Obt servt

Aw. Dunscomb

Alexr. Hamilton Esqr

ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.

1Dunscomb’s letter concerns either his repeated applications for appointment to public office or a petition to Congress which had been referred to H.

Dunscomb had applied to George Washington for an appointment on November 17, 1789, January 8, February 22, 1791 (LS, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress).

On February 17, 1790, “A petition of Andrew Dunscomb, praying that he may be paid his salary for services as Commissioner of Accounts, from the month of November, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, until the month of April, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five” was presented to the House of Representatives. On March 17, 1790, the petition was referred to H “with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House” (Journal of the House, I description begins Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States (Washington, 1826), I. description ends , 160, 177).

Oliver Wolcott, Jr., wrote to Dunscomb on June 26 and December 4, 1792, concerning Dunscomb’s petition. Wolcott warned of the danger of revising accounts settled by the Board of Treasury, but added: “The claim for fuel seems to stand upon principles some what different, but as this part of your demand is under reference to the Secy. of the Treasy.… I forbear to express any opinion on its merits” (ADf, Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford). On June 26 Wolcott had written: “It is much regretted that the pressure of public business allowed the Secy. no time to report on your claim. I think you may be assured that it will be attended to early in the next session” (ADf, Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford). H, however, did not report on this claim, and the petition was returned to the House of Representatives before his resignation became effective (H to Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, January 5, 1795).

2Letter not found.

3Letter not found.

4Egbert Benson had been a member of the House of Representatives from New York in the First and Second Congresses.

5Rufus King was one of the United States Senators from New York.

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