Letter from Henry Baldwin to Henry Clay

Sir

Pittsburgh 19th. March 1805

I inclose to you a note on Dr Charles Mayersbach,1 on which there will be due on the 31 of this month £91. 8. 5. payable to Messrs Field & Son. Those Gentlemen have taken the benefit of the bankrupt law, and Mr John Field Senior is the agent of his assignees and authorised to settle his affairs - & he is indebted to me a considerable sum, and has put this note in my hands to pay in part his debt to me. Dr Mayersbach lives as I am informed, about ten miles from Lexington. I wish you would use your endeavours to secure the money. I do not wish to distress him, and if he will secure the money in one year I shall be satisfied. If you can collect the money you will please to deduct from it a liberal fee; if not you will be so good as to inform me to what amount I am indebted to you for your trouble.

yours with esteem
HENRY BALDWIN

Footnotes

Baldwin, a native of Connecticut and a graduate of Yale University, had moved to Pittsburgh in 1801 and quickly attained prominence as a lawyer. He was later an iron manufacturer, a member of Congress, and an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

1. A resident of the northern district of Fayette County.

Source: The Papers Of Henry Clay Vol I 1797-1814, Page 181