Research Catalog

Title

William P. Van Ness correspondence, 1795-1826.

Author

Van Ness, William Peter, 1778-1826.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Holt, Charles, 1772-1852.
• Irving, Peter, 1772-1838.
• Mitchell, I. (Isaac), approximately 1759-1812.
• Riker, Richard, 1773-1842
• Swarthout, John.
• Tallmadge, Matthias B. (Matthias Burnet), 1774-1819.
• Van Ness, Cornelius P. (Cornelius Peter), 1782-1852.
• Van Ness, John Peter, 1770-1846.
• Van Ness, Peter, 1734-1804
• Verplanck, Daniel C.

Description

.2 linear foot (2 folders)

Subjects

• Columbia County (N.Y.)
• Van Ness, William Peter, 1778-1826
• Hudson River Valley (N.Y. and N.J.)
• Washington (D.C.) > Social life and customs > 19th century
• Kinderhook (N.Y.)
• Judges
• Clinton, DeWitt, 1769-1828
• Columbia College (New York, N.Y.) Students
• Students
• Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836
• Lawyers
• Politicians
• New York (N.Y.) > Politics and government > 19th century
• Authors
• New York (State) > Politics and government > 1775-1865
• United States > Politics and government > 1783-1865
• Landowners

Access (note)

• Apply to Manuscripts and Archives Division for access at http://www.nypl.org/mssref.

Source (note)

• Material acquired in 1897.

Call Number

MssCol 4659

OCLC

881193563

Author

Van Ness, William Peter, 1778-1826.

Title

William P. Van Ness correspondence, 1795-1826.

Restricted Access

Apply to Manuscripts and Archives Division for access at http://www.nypl.org/mssref.

Summary

William Peter Van Ness (1778-1826) of Kinderhook, Columbia County, New York and New York City was a lawyer, U.S. District Court judge, author, and Columbia College graduate. He was active in Democratic-Republican politics and served as Aaron Burr's second in his duel with Alexander Hamilton. The collection consists of approximately 100 letters, most written to Van Ness at Kinderhook, New York City and elsewhere, from friends, political figures and lawyers, and from his brothers John P. Van Ness and Cornelius P. Van Ness. The bulk date from 1801 to 1819 and concern state and national political affairs, especially party politics in the Hudson River Valley region and New York City, and the electoral strategies of DeWitt Clinton and his supporters. Political appointments or offices for Van Ness and others are also discussed. Correspondents include Peter Irving, Isaac Mitchell, John Swarthout, Matthias B. Tallmadge, Daniel C. Verplanck, and other New Yorkers. Letters from his brother John in Washington, D.C., and a lesser number from Cornelius in New York and Vermont pertain to personal, family and political matters. Van Ness' relationship with Aaron Burr is seen primarily through John's letters, questioning his brother's public support of Burr. A small number of letters written by Van Ness include four to his father Peter Van Ness while a student in New York City, 1795-1796, as well as a letter to Richard Riker, July 17, 1810, accusing Charles Holt of spreading lies, with Holt's response to Richard Riker. Also present are some undated legal notes and voting tallies.

Source

Material acquired in 1897.

Occupation

Authors.

Judges.

Landowners.

Lawyers.

Politicians.

Students.

Added Author

Holt, Charles, 1772-1852.

Irving, Peter, 1772-1838.

Mitchell, I. (Isaac), approximately 1759-1812.

Riker, Richard, 1773-1842, recipient.

Swarthout, John.

Tallmadge, Matthias B. (Matthias Burnet), 1774-1819.

Van Ness, Cornelius P. (Cornelius Peter), 1782-1852.

Van Ness, John Peter, 1770-1846.

Van Ness, Peter, 1734-1804, recipient.

Verplanck, Daniel C.

Research Call Number

MssCol 4659