Samuel Kirkland letter, 18 May 1799

Content Description

Letter from Samuel Kirkland to C.R. and G. Webster, Printers, Albany, dated 18 May, 1799, from Paris (i.e., Clinton). ALS, stampless, folded, with traces of red sealing wax. Kirkland sent the letter along with $20 payment on a bond or note. "Paris 18th May 1799. Gentlemen, I have only a moment's time to present you my compliments, by the present conveyance, & inclose you twenty dollars which I wish you to give yourself the trouble to indorse it on my note. In about four or five weeks, I hope to do the same. The difficulties in procuring, or collecting money at this time of extreme scarcity, in this part of the State, are inconceivable. don't be offended at my small beginning to discharge the note. In haste, from, Gen[tlemen], your obed[ient] & very hum[ble] serv[ant], S. Kirkland." The address is given as "Messrs C.R. & G. Webster/Printers/Albany" and next to the address, "Car'd [carried?] by Capt. Lay". Written sideways below the fold is "Rev. Sam'l Kirkland/Paris May 1799/with _20 Dollars_/on his _bond_" and then in a different (later) hand, "the missionary/father of Pres. Kirkland". Charles R. Webster and George Webster were printers in Albany from 1784 to 1821, when George Webster died. Samuel Kirkland's son John Thornton Kirkland was President of Harvard, 1810-1828. Letter added to Samuel Kirkland Correspondence as item #208k.

Acquisition Type

Purchase

Provenance

Purchased from Dr. Roderick Hempt

Restrictions Apply

No