To James Madison from Killian K. Van Rensselaer, 14 November 1794
From Killian K. Van Rensselaer
Albany Novr. 14th. 1794.
Dr Sir
The Bearer Robert S. Van Rensselaer1 (son of Coll. Philip Van Rensselaer)2 has it in contemplation to make a tour through some part of Europe, he is a young Gentleman of respectability and Character and Recommend him to you as such. His father will evince his Gr⟨at⟩itude to you & I will consider myself under obligations also, if you will furnish him with letters to Mr. Munro3 & Mr. Pinckney in Europe, with whom I have no acquaintance.
Chancellor Livingston & Coll. Burr have both interested themselves in obtaining letters, and I must beg the favour of your attention to this request also. I am Dr. Sir with Sentiments of Esteem Yours
K. K. Van Rensselaer4
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. For a selection of Robert S. Van Rensselaer’s letters, 1795–96, during his tour of Europe, see Catherina V. R. Bonney, A Legacy of Historical Gleanings (2 vols.; Albany, 1875), 1:113–19, 126–28.
2. Philip Van Rensselaer, brother of Killian K. Van Rensselaer, served as deputy quartermaster general and a member of the Committee of Safety at Albany during the Revolution (ibid., 1:69, 77, 79).
3. See JM to Monroe, 14 Dec. 1794.
4. Killian Killian Van Rensselaer attended Yale College and became a private secretary to Philip Schuyler. He was a Republican congressman from New York, 1801–11 (, p. 1853).