LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 October Rare Books & Manuscripts #675  / 

30053

[A. Hamilton] DS- G. Morris, R. King, O. Wolcott

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
[A. Hamilton] DS- G. Morris, R. King, O. Wolcott
<B> Alexander Hamilton Printed Document</B></I> signed "<I>Gouv Morris,</B></I>" "<I>R King,</B></I>" "<I>Egbt. Benson,</B></I>" "<I>Oliv Wolcott,</B></I>" and "<I>Chas Wilkes,</B></I>" one page, 6.75" x 6". New York, November 29, 1804. In full, "<I>Certificate to Rufus King for a Share in the Trust intended in a certain Writing of this date, relative to the Estate of Alexander Hamilton, deceased; and this Certificate to be assignable, and to be receivable on Sales of the Estate by the Trustees, as a payment of Two Hundred Dollars: the Dividends, however, if any, which may have been paid on the Share, being first deducted.</B></I>" In 1804, a New York newspaper reported that Alexander Hamilton "looked upon Mr. Burr to be a dangerous man, and one who ought not to be trusted with the reins of government." The article also said that there were occasions when Hamilton had expressed an even "more despicable opinion of Burr." Burr demanded an apology. Hamilton refused. Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel and on July 11, 1804, in Weehawken, N.J. (dueling was illegal in N.Y.), Hamilton fired over Burr's head and Burr hit Hamilton in the abdomen. The bullet lodged in his spine and Hamilton died the next day. The forced sale of Alexander Hamilton's estate, mostly land, was not enough to satisfy his creditors, so a group of New Yorkers formed a Trust in order to pay his debts and provide for his family. The proposed amount to be raised was $100,000. <B>This certificate was issued to Rufus King, one of the Trustees who signed this certificate.</B></I> King and Gouverneur Morris signed the Constitution, as did Alexander Hamilton. <B>Rufus King</B></I> was the unsuccessful Federalist candidate for vice president in 1804 and 1808 and for president in 1816. <B>Gouverneur Morris</B></I> was Minister to France (1792-1794) and U.S. Senator (1800-1803); he delivered the eulogy at Hamilton's funeral. <B>Egbert Benson</B></I> was New York State's first attorney general (1777-1789) and a member of the Continental (1784, 1787, 1788) and U.S. Congress (1789-1793, 1813). <B>Oliver Wolcott</B></I> was Washington and Adams' secretary of the treasury (1795-1800) and Governor of Connecticut (1817-1827). <B>Charles Wilkes</B></I> was president of the Bank of New York for which Hamilton had acted as counsel. Anything relating to the Hamilton-Burr duel is extremely desirable and this document is in very fine condition.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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