Alexander Hamilton Autograph Letter Signed.

HAMILTON, Alexander.

Item Number: 95216

New York:, 1795.

Rare autographed letter signed by Alexander Hamilton regarding books missing from his law library. One page, the letter is addressed on the verso to Hamilton’s personal friend and fellow lawyer Richard Varick. The letter reads, “New York June 16 1795 I beg the favour of you to cause a search to be made in your office for books belonging to me, and if any are found to send them to me. Inclosed [sic] is a list of books which I miss – There may be others of which I have neither minute or recollection – but believe my name will be written in any that belong to me. I am sir your very obedt. servt A Hamilton.” Accompanied is a list of Hamilton’s missing books titled “Deficient books of Mr. Hamilton’s Law Library” which includes volumes by Strange, Burrows, Wilson, and Buller. The recipient, Richard Varick served as the second Attorney General of New York from 1784 to 1789 and the 45th Mayor of New York City from 1789 to 1801. As Mayor, Varick focused on the yellow fever epidemics which struck repeatedly and revised the statutes of New York with fellow lawyer Samuel Jones. Double matted and framed with an engraved portrait of Hamilton. The entire piece measures 24 inches by 13 inches.

The first treasury secretary of the United States and one of America's founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton founded the nation's financial system, the Federalist Party, the United States Coast Guard, and the New York Post newspaper. He was the main author of the economic policies of George Washington's administration and, as Secretary of the Treasury, established a national bank, system of tariffs and trade relations with Great Britain. After the American Revolutionary War, Hamilton resigned his seat in the Congress of the Confederation to practice law, which he returned to in 1795 and was active in ending the legality of the international slave trade.