Description:

Aaron Burr
n.p., n.d.
Aaron Burr Autograph Letter Inquiring About Legal Service Compensation
AL

An autograph letter in the hand of Aaron Burr, concerning payment for legal work. 2pp, front and back, measuring 7.75" x 9.5", n.p., n.d. Unsigned and to an unknown recipient. Many of Aaron Burr's surviving papers are neither signed nor dated. Burr asks that his unpaid attorney bill will be seen to and also mentions purchasing a New Year's present for the recipient's sister. With flattened mail folds and additional creasing at the corners. Light toning and soiling at the edges. Unsigned.

Reading in full:
"The attorney's Bill of Cost as taxed in the Three Ejectment Suits amount, together, to 219 60/100. Copies of these bills have been transmitted to Mr. [Matthias B.] Tallmage, but the amount has not been remitted. Will you see to this? Whatever sum you may find it convenient to send for my services, would also at this moment, be particularly acceptable. I wrote you immediately after my return from Poughkeepsie and addressed the letter to [William] Paterson as you directed; but I have never had the satisfaction to learn whether you had received that letter. I called at Mr. [Jonathan] Arnold's lodgings the day he left town; but unfortunately, about half an hour after he had gone. As the weather had suddenly become cold & there was a prospect of the snow being preserved for some time, I had hoped that he would have staid another day. He was to have taken a trifling New Year's present for your sister; but though a mere Toy, she shall have it by the next opportunity. With best wishes for your health & prosperity."

Aaron Burr (1756-1836) was a prominent lawyer before becoming Vice President of the United States and studied at Princeton before moving to Connecticut to study law. Following the American Revolution, Burr continued his studies and was admitted to the bar in 1782. He continued to practice law until the election of 1800 when he was elected Vice President. Burr's life took entered a downward spiral following his single term at VP, with his duel with Hamilton and his 1807 conspiracy trial inflicting great damage upon his reputation. After his trial for treason, Burr fled to Europe where he lived in self-imposed exile from 1808 to 1812. He finally returned to New York and his law practice in 1812 and lived out the remainder of his life in relative peace.

Jonathan Arnold (1741-1793) was an American physician and statesman from New England. He served in the Continental Army as a surgeon, and directed the army hospital in Providence. He later represented Rhode Island as a delegate to the Confederation Congress in 1782 and 1783. After moving to Vermont in 1787 he became a judge of the Orange County court.

William Paterson (1745-1806) was a close friend and mentor to Burr. He was an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the second governor of New Jersey, and a Founding Father of the United States. After the ratification of the Constitution, Paterson served in the United States Senate from 1789 to 1790, helping to draft the Judiciary Act of 1789. In 1793, he accepted appointment by President George Washington to serve as an associate justice of the Supreme Court and served on the court until his death in 1806.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.5" x 9.5"
  • Medium: AL

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August 27, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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