Aaron Burr 1799 Autograph Letter Signed

** “YOU MUST BE EITHER DAWDLING . . . OR MORALLY OR PHYSICALLY DEAD" **

Autograph letter signed, "A. Burr”, January 13, 1799, Albany, to James Martin front and back of one page, requesting more frequent communications from him, suggesting a recently vacated house [to investigate the possibility of renting], requesting a draft of a case, discussing the possibility of submitting an application for writ of ne exeat, and reminding him not to consult the brother of one of the parties to the case, in full:

You must be either dawdling . . . or morally or physically dead: in any other event I should have heard frequently from you. I venture however a second time to attempt to awaken you from your lethargy or to attract you to town. 

The business of the house , I will not repeat — that which Sam Jones used to occupy in Nassau St & one next Door to (South of) Alderman Furman's in Broad Way deserve your attention. 

With all possible dispatch, prepare and send me a Draft of Bill, John S. Robertson vs Ja's Scott Smith. You have the agreement & my letter to Dr Robertson of the 28th ult. will give you some further particulars. Mr. R. seems apprehensive that Smith will elope--if these apprehensions should appear to be well founded, application must be made for a Ne exeat. P.R. Livingston, the Reg'r will tell you our mode should you not be informed. The application must , I think, be made to a master. You need not be warned against consulting Tho's Smith, the brother, on this business.

With separated integral address leaf.

Two centrai stains, folds, edge wear.

James Martin was admitted to the Bar in Boston in 1773 but left and practice law in the British West indies during the American Revolution. He returned to the US in 1791 and began a long and successful effort to reclaim property in Massachusetts confiscated from his parents. In 1792, he came a member of the New York bar, practicing law in Aaron Burr’s office. He purchased an estate in Jamaica, Long Island, New York and invested in property in Washington, D.C.