![HAMILTON, Alexander. Autograph letter signed ("Alex Hamilton," with flourish), to an unidentified attorney (on behalf of a member of the Colden family), n.p. [New York?], 10 February 1788. 3 full pages, 4to. Very fine condition.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2005/NYR/2005_NYR_01630_1032_000(102125).jpg?w=1)
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HAMILTON, Alexander. Autograph letter signed ("Alex Hamilton," with flourish), to an unidentified attorney (on behalf of a member of the Colden family), n.p. [New York?], 10 February 1788. 3 full pages, 4to. Very fine condition.
HAMILTON AS A PRACTICING ATTORNEY IN A LAWSUIT OVER REAL ESTATE. An uncommon legal autograph letter written during the period when Hamilton was secretely collaborating with John Jay and James Madison on the anonymously published essays later collected as The Federalist Papers, explaining the nature of the new Constitution and urging its ratification. Here Hamilton elucidates a dispute over back rent owed on property formerly owned by the influential New York Surveyor and businessman Alexander Colden (1716-1774), quite possibly due to the dislocations of the Revolution. Mrs. Colden is indisposed, but: "...With respect to the suit against Tefts, the deduction of title is simply this: Mr. Alexander Colden, late Surveyor general, was proprietor of a patent...which included the premises in question...These he by his will...divested to Richard Nicholls Colden his eldest son...The deed intestate and the premises descended to Alexander Colden's eldest son and heir of Richard. The elder Alexander died sometime in January [17]74.... The Rent is due from 25 of September 1774 at which day it commenced. You are in possession of the lease...." Mrs. Colden "requests you will press the suits with all possible diligence as much time has elapsed and the sum...is considerable. Whatever papers are necessary can only come forward at the trial - the patent - the Will & the lease....The information given to Mrs. C. respecting the lot on which the store is erected was that the Aunt had in her life time given it by deed to Mrs. Spottens two sons. She fears the present story is a subterfuge...she can no longer rely on his assurances....Mrs. Colden when recovered will write to you...."
HAMILTON AS A PRACTICING ATTORNEY IN A LAWSUIT OVER REAL ESTATE. An uncommon legal autograph letter written during the period when Hamilton was secretely collaborating with John Jay and James Madison on the anonymously published essays later collected as The Federalist Papers, explaining the nature of the new Constitution and urging its ratification. Here Hamilton elucidates a dispute over back rent owed on property formerly owned by the influential New York Surveyor and businessman Alexander Colden (1716-1774), quite possibly due to the dislocations of the Revolution. Mrs. Colden is indisposed, but: "...With respect to the suit against Tefts, the deduction of title is simply this: Mr. Alexander Colden, late Surveyor general, was proprietor of a patent...which included the premises in question...These he by his will...divested to Richard Nicholls Colden his eldest son...The deed intestate and the premises descended to Alexander Colden's eldest son and heir of Richard. The elder Alexander died sometime in January [17]74.... The Rent is due from 25 of September 1774 at which day it commenced. You are in possession of the lease...." Mrs. Colden "requests you will press the suits with all possible diligence as much time has elapsed and the sum...is considerable. Whatever papers are necessary can only come forward at the trial - the patent - the Will & the lease....The information given to Mrs. C. respecting the lot on which the store is erected was that the Aunt had in her life time given it by deed to Mrs. Spottens two sons. She fears the present story is a subterfuge...she can no longer rely on his assurances....Mrs. Colden when recovered will write to you...."