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Lot 79
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An original cover folder for Alexander Hamilton's law cases
An original cover folder for Alexander Hamilton's law cases
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Description:

Law Cases from the files of Alexander Hamilton

(Alexander HAMILTON) Present is the cover of the folder originally enclosing this collection of eight documents owned by pioneer autograph dealer Forest G. Sweet (1869-1956) of Battle Creek, Michigan, upon which is penned, in part, "law cases in which Hamilton / was counsel. Authentic papers from / Hamilton's files." Folder is worn and tattered at edges.Neither Hamilton's handwriting nor signature appear in this vintage collection. Minor flaws. Very Good condition.

Comprises:

(1) ALEXANDER HAMILTON DEFENDS A LOYALIST. Manuscript Document, 1p, 8" x 13", [New York, c. June 1785]. Headed " Mayor's Court. Edward Meeks vs Jeronimus Van Alstyne} Demurrer." Names penned at conclusion in unknown hand: " Hamilton Atty p Deft" and " Crimsheir Atty Plnt." In part, "And the said Edward Meeks says that he by any thing by the said Jeronimus Van Alstyne above by Pleading alledges ought not to barred from having his said Action against the said Jeronimus Van Alstyne...the matter herein Contained are not Sufficient in Law to barr the said Edward Meeks from having his said Action...Wherefore fir Default of a sufficient Plea in this behalf he the said Edward Meeks prays Judgement and that his Damages by reason of the Trespass aforesaid may be adjudged to him..." Hamilton was defending a Loyalist who collected rent from Patriot Edward Meeks whose dwelling he occupied during the British occupation of New York City. On June 24, 1785, Jeronimus Van Alstyne, through his lawyer Alexander Hamilton, stated that he was not guilty of trespass and receiving the rents from Meeks' dwelling during the period from 1776-1783 as charged by Edward Meeks, who seeks the money collected. After the war, a group of Van Alstyne Loyalists were taken by ship from New York City to Quebec, finally settling on Adolphustown and Kingston on Lake Ontario. Docket on verso in unknown hand " For Alex Hamilton Esqr."

(2) THE BANK OF NEW YORK, FOUNDED BY HAMILTON. Manuscript Document, 4.5p, 8" x 12.75, front & verso. New York, October 21, 1800. In part, "The Joint and Several answer of Robert Sharp and John Sharp (who are Impleaded with Joseph Eden, John Ward, Brockholst Livingston, Simon Gilbert, John Jones and Henry Masterton) Defendants to the Bill of Complainants of the President Directors and Company of the Bank of New York Complainants..." Brockholst Livingston later served on the U.S. Supreme Court (1807-1823). Alexander Hamilton founded the Bank of New York in 1784. Seal holes and red wax remnant in blank upper margins. Minor flaws. Contemporarily certified as a true copy by a clerk.

(3) HAMILTON WILL NOT ACCEPT A PLEA. Manuscript Document, 1p, 8" x 13". Supreme Court, New York, no date. Isaac Riley " says that they the said Isaac and Seth [Wetmore] did not undertake and promise in manner and form as the said Stephen [Fales] and George [Athearn] have above thereof complained against them..." Signed on filing docket on verso by Isaac and Seth's attorney " W. Johnson Atty." Beneath which is penned, not by Hamilton, "Mr. Hamilton told / Mr. Johnson he would not ac- / cept this plea." Triangular cuts at right edge.

(4) SUIT TO RECOVER THE VALUE OF TWO MAHOGANY LOGS. Manuscript Document, 8.5p, 8" x 13", front & verso, attached to each other in the upper left with red wax. New York, June 1802. Penned on docket, not by Hamilton: " A. Hamilton Esq." In part, "Supreme Court / Christian Haye / vs. / Samuel Burling} Case as prepared on part of Plaintiff. This was an action of Trover brought by the Plaintiff to recover the value of two Logs of Mahogany from the Defendant and was held...before Mr. Justice Radcliff..."

(5) CHARGING TRESPASS. Manuscript Document, 9p, 7.75" x 12.75", front & verso, attached to each other at top center with red wax. New York Supreme Court, 1796. All in unidentified hand including " Hamilton for Plf" at the conclusion and " Hamilton" on the docket. Notation on verso of ninth page in same hand: " City and County of New York Ebenezer Turell puts in his place Alexander Hamilton his Attorney against Richard M. Woodhull and Aaron Hall in a plea of Trespass on the case"

(6) TWO FORMER SOLDIERS EXCHANGE LAND RECEIVED AS BOUNTY FOR SERVICE IN THE REVOLUTIOARY WAR. Manuscript Document, 13p, 8" x 12.75", front & verso. Signed on last page " I do hereby certify the aforegoing to be a just & true copy of the original Bill filed in my Office - Dated this 21st day of Sept 1796. Isaac L. Kip clk Chy." Isaac L. Kip (1767-1837) was a New York City attorney and partner in the firm Brockholst Livingston. Kip was a registrar for the Court of Chancery and served in the state militia. Kip also served as an alderman for the Third Ward of the City of New York, and was both treasurer and director of the Dutch Reformed Church. Begins, in part, "In chancery To the honorable Robert R. Livingston Esquire Chancellor of the State of New York...Your Orator Sebastian Bauman of the City of New York Gentleman that your said Orator having received a grant for certain Lotts of Land in the State of New York as a bounty for his Services as a Major in the line of the said State during the late War between Great Britain & the United States was situate at a great distance from the others he sold the same for the sum of one hundred dollars & for the same sum of one hundred Dollars he purchased from a certain Oliver Logier a Lot containing the same Quantity of Acres more conveniently situated with respect to his other Lands and your orator shews that the said Oliver Lozier became entitled to the said Lott of Land by his Military Services as a Soldier in the Line of this State..."

(7) HAMILTON OPPOSES FUTURE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE LIVINGSTON IN A CASE. Manuscript Document, 1p, 6.5" x 8.5", New York, July 21, 1785. Penned, not by Hamilton: " Hamilton Atty for Def." and, on the docket on verso " Hamilton Atty." In part, "New York Supreme Court Thomas Duncan adsm Gulian Ver Plank} Plea. And the said Thomas Duncan by Alexander Hamilton his attorney comes & defends the force & injury when &c and says that he ought not to be charged with the said debt..." Also bears the name " B. Livingston for Plaintiff." Penned in unknown hand after the names of Hamilton and Livingston: " Thomas Duncan puts in his pace Alexander Hamilton his attorney at the Suit of Gulian Ver Planck ion the plea aforesaid."

(8) A WOMAN ACCUSES THREE MEN WHO " BEAT WOUNDED AND EVILLY TREATED" HER. Manuscript Document, 1p, 7.5" x 12.25", New York, 1786. Integral leaf bears docket on verso, all in unknown hand, in part, "New York Mayors Court / Jemima Widger / vs / Aaron Gilbert John / Johnson and James / King} Nan / Bogert Atty / for Pltff / For Alexr Hamilton Esqr..." In part, "Jemima Widger Complains of Aaron Gilbert John Johnson ad James King together with Robert Townsend..." on June 27, 1786, "with force and Arms to wit Swords Staves and Fists made an Assault upon the Said Jemima Widger and the Said Jemima then and there beat wounded and Evilly treated so that her Life was greatly despaired of And then and there did other Injuries to the Said Jemima Widger against the Peace of the People of the State of New York And to the Damage of the Said Jemima Widger two hundred pounds And thereof She brings this Suit..."

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