ALS signed “A. Burr,” one page, 8 x 9.75, November 9, 1801, to merchant William Edgar discussing a complex land transaction. In full (with grammar and spelling retained): “My arrangements with my creditors are all made, except the english Claim which I have agreed to compromize; but this compromize cannot be compleated untill my sale takes effect, because it requires 12,000 Dolrs. Cash which I can in no other Way Command. It must also be done at Philada where the agent of the englishman resides—Ludlow's Journey is postponed till Thursday—[Henry] B[rockholst] Livingston insists that the property be divided by ballot before any deeds are given or Money paid—We propose to ballot tomorrow Night—you must name some one to represent you on this occasion: The Deeds will be ready immediately after this partition takes place; to each one for his separate property—I wish to go to Phila this Week because I shall have to conclude the business there and then return to this City before B. L. Sails—he will pay only a part untill that Debtor claim is settled and I am not very certain that he will pay any thing before that settlement takes place—Ludlow said he has no money and proposes to give a Bond & Mortgage I have thought it necessary to give you this summary of the state of things and I rely on your goodness to pardon these importunities." Under his signature, Burr adds a brief postscript which reads: “I thank you very much for your letter by the boy—I took the Liberty of shewing it to the parties and it has had a good effect.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds, some light mirroring of ink and small docketing notation and mounting remnants to reverse. Burr, like many of his contemporaries following the American Revolution, became involved in land speculation in the vast frontier. The "english Claim" to which he refers in this letter may have been related to a 200,000 acre land deal in upstate New York with an English merchant by the name of John Julius Angerstein in 1794. Burr’s partner, James Greenleaf, changed the arrangements of the deal and Burr, all but insolvent due to other bad land deals, narrowly avoided prosecution by Alexander Hamilton after managing to raise money through a series of loans. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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