DATE:
Item 1) - March 10, 1819
Item 2) - March 27, 1790
Item 3) - July 14, 1795
CREATOR: Aaron Burr (1756-1836) American political leader and third Vice President of the United States.
SCOPE:
Item 1) - A letter written to Mr. Samuel Miles Hopkins, Esquire
Item 2) - A Promissory Note written by Aaron Burr to Mr. William Malcom
Item 3) - A Promissory Note written by Aaron Burr to Mr. Jacob Watson
EXTENT: Three written items with addressee information.
TRANSCRIPTION:
New York 10 March 1819
Sir
Mr. Rogers agreeably to your permission, allowed me to search among the papers of the late Mr. Henry Esq. but as entrees & papers desired were not found. I did not ask to inspect your registers or papers but on inquiring since made of Col. Henry’s brother of the late M. (D-tt?) I am led to conclude that the business inquired of was transacted by yourself as the attorney of record in your own name and may be found in your Registers. I ask, therefore, that you would permit me to search in your Registers from (17)98 to 1803 and to take extracts of the entrees of all suits in which I may have been concerned either as a party or as adverse attorney and I wish that this privilege -- may be extended to your Chancery Registers for the same period - I recollect one (just as party?) in Chanc’y (Chancery) in which A.J.F. Prevost was a party & there may have been others -- My Registers for that period has been lost, which has constrained me in several instances to be troublesome(?) as the adverse counsel.
It is preferred that your Registers are in the hands of Mr. Rogers, but he is not certain of the fact, your _____? may therefore be to him or ____? ____?
_____?
I pray your prompt reply by mail. I am respectfully your ob servant
A. Burr
Mr. Hopkins Esq.
Letter is addressed to:
Samuel M. Hopkins Esq.
Moscow, N.Y.
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Thirty days after date I promise to pay to William Malcom Esquire or
order three hundred and fifty pounds currency value
27th Mar 1790
£340 Aaron Burr
On Reverse: W. Malcom
Bank of New York
______ Boyle
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Thirty days after date I promise to pay Jacob Watson Esquire or
order Eight thousand and five Hundred Dollars. Value Rec’d N. York
14th July 1795
Dollars $8,500 Aaron Burr
On Reverse: Jacob Watson
HISTORY:
Item 1) Aaron Burr, a civil lawyer, is requesting a Mr. Samuel Miles Hopkins, Esquire, a lawyer and court recorder, for access and permission to search Hopkins’ personal legal records for the years 1798 to 1803.
Item 2) and Item 3) Aaron Burr had apparently borrowed money from a certain Mr. William Malcom in 1790 and later from Mr. Jacob Watson in 1795.The two respective promissory notes signed by Burr are included in the M-17 Special Collection. It is to be noted that Burr, during the 1790’s, lived fairly lavishly and often borrowed money
For an extended history on the subjects of this letter, please click here to view a PDF document.
Keywords from this document include: Aaron Burr, promissory notes, William Malcom, Jacob Watson, Samuel Miles Hopkins, New York State Court of Chancery, August James Frederick Prevost,, Theodosia Stillwell Bartow Prevost-Burr, Colonel James Mark Prevost, John Bartow Prevost,, Royal American 60th Regiment of Foot, American Revolution
SPECIAL THANKS:
Special thanks to Roman Beuc, St. Louis Mercantile Library Docent, for transcribing the letter as well as researching and compiling an extended history on the topic.
ACCESS: Due to rarity and condition, access to this collection is limited. Please contact the staff in advance of your visit to coordinate access to these materials for research purposes.
For an extended history on the subjects of this letter, please click here to view a PDF document.
The collection is available for on-site use only in the
Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the material in Special Collection M-017 may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, subject to condition. For collections marked limited access, researchers are advised to contact the library at least three business days in advance of their visit to submit a request to view the physical material.
Researchers are advised to call ahead concerning changes in hours due to University intersessions and holidays. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building.
In observance of security procedures, certain services may not be available shortly before the daily closing time.
Preferred Citation: When citing the material from this collection, the preferred citation is: From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
