John Peter Van Ness

John Peter Van Ness (1769-1846) was a Kinderhook lawyer and politician. The son of a famous Hudson Valley judge, he tried unsuccessfully for Congress until his 1801. He served one term and married a Washington heiress, becoming a prominent Washington socialite and politician, serving as city alderman and mayor from 1830-34.

Documents

As Sender

John Peter Van Ness to MVB, 3 November 1803

You possibly suppose that I feel an Indifference, or at least not that ardent sentiment of friendship, towards you which I have always professed. This sentiment Impression may have been made on you from my long silence, but beleive me that is not the case. My Attachment to you is as strong as ever, and anything in my power to serve you I shall always take pleasure in doing. I would with great... Continue Reading

Sender: John Peter Van Ness

Recipient: MVB

John Peter Van Ness to MVB, 11 November 1803

I wrote you lately by Mr. Jacob Vanness upon the very subject which I afterwards did, ^receive^ & before had, received a communication from you upon. I hope you have received this letter [. . .]as you are doubtless as we supposed now at N. York. I will not for a single moment suppose that you doubt my attachment to you: but I declare most solemnly to you that with all my warmth of feelings... Continue Reading

Sender: John Peter Van Ness

Recipient: MVB

John Peter Van Ness to MVB, 6 January 1803

Your's of the 3d & 27th. ult. have both been received by me and the contents have afforded me much gratification. Believe me it has not been either from an Indifference towards either yourself or those contents that they have remained so long unanswered. Among all the complicated private concerns in which I found myself involved immediately upon my return to this place, I felt a constant... Continue Reading

Sender: John Peter Van Ness

Recipient: MVB

John Peter Van Ness to Stephen Van Rensselaer III, 15 October 1809

Supreme Court Abrm. Van Ness adm. Van Alen & Van Buren The Widow Hugh Attornies Demandant— Costs Retain warrant of atty & <filng> £1.11 Notice of <illegible> & copy— 4.0 Mo. & rule to enter appearance 6.6 Dr. Pha for 4.6/.2 copies &<filng> <on> 5/ 11.0 three term fees 15.0 ____ Octr. Court 1808 £3.7.6 NY... Continue Reading

Sender: John Peter Van Ness

Recipient: Stephen Van Rensselaer III

As Recipient

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, 3 December 1802

I Received your welcome Letter this of Nov. 19th. this Evening in which you ask me “where I am & what I am about." To the first question from the Date of my Letter is a sufficient answer, to the seccond I answer by Informing you that I am engaged in studying the Law with your Brother Willm. You Rember the situation in which you Left me (viz) in expectation of hearing from you or your Brother... Continue Reading

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, 1 April 1803

Yours of the 25th ultimo, I Received on the 30th. & in pursuance of your Request I immediately called on Mr. Cooper & offered my Services to him in the Business, he gave me your Letter & desired me to endeavor to find Captn. Hague the Gentleman therein mentioned, I spent the whole of that day in endeavoring to discover him, but to no purpose I went to the Custom house, Coffe house... Continue Reading

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, cApril 1826

I scarcely ever take up the Telegraph without apprehension of meeting something that may injure the cause in Nyork. Suspected concert & union between Mr Clinton and myself are wormwood to the Republicans of Nyork & speculations upon ^the extent of^ our respective influence is putting a weapon in the hands of the adversary which may be wielded with great effect. A body of nearly 300... Continue Reading

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, 7 November 1827

This is the last day of the election. It has been animated beyond example. The friends of the administration hoped to produce a reaction in the state by their success in this City, but they will be sadly disappointed. Already have thirteen thousand voted been polled which is three thousand more than was given last year. Our ticket is largely ahead & unless (which would be a reflection on the... Continue Reading

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, January 1803

I received yours of the 6th. Instant I <received> a few Days ago with $20–Dollars enclosed, to a mind like yours, thanks and protestations of gratitude are not necessary, no, the pleasing sensations resulting from a good act to such a mind are superior to volumes of thanks, I therefore refrain. Any apology on your part for not writing me before or for speaking to me your Sentiments as they... Continue Reading

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, 21 May 1803

Agreeable to your Request I acknowledge the <Receip> Receipt of your Favour of the 14th. Instant with twenty Dollars enclosed. You request me also to give you a Statement of my present wants. Since I have been here I have Recd. of my Brother $154 & of you (before this last) $20 in the whole $174 of which sum I had the Misfortune to loose $10, & purchased Books at auction ver at a... Continue Reading

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Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, 30 May 1803

In my last I made a proposition to you, your answer to which I solicted by the return of the mail, since which I have not heard from you[.] I mentioned that I made this request for a reason which I would at a future period Explain, to do this, is at present my object, being in a great measure Destitute of thatt article which ^is^ here so all important at a Distance from you, which prevented me... Continue Reading

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, 25 November 1803

I Recd. both your Letters at this place, it is true that the non reception of the expected aid on my part created some considerable embarrassment, but it is equally true that I did never for moment qu entertain the least doubt as to the Sincerity of your Friendship, it gives me pain that you should entertain an Idea of that Kind. Your Letters contain reasons sufficient. I was examined on... Continue Reading

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, 4 December 1810

I presented the within Bill to ^(the agent of)^ Stephen Van Rensselear Esqr. he declined paying & said that you must pay it & he will settle it with you, you will therefore please to pay it to J. I. Van Alen Esqr.

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, 27 December 1802

I wrote you some time ago in answer to a Letter which I received fr[o]m you, fearfull howev[er] that It may ^not^ have reached you, and wishing to relieve the solicitude you, express for my Welfare, I have thought proper to write you again to inform you that I am at present foll[owin]g [m]y pursuing my studies with you[r] Brother where I shall Continue till you come to this place, if that should... Continue Reading

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, 3 May 1803

I hasten to Inform you that in Columbia The Republican ticket has succeeded for Members of Assembly. The Candidates elected are Stephen Miller Benjmn. Birdsail, Samuel Ten Brouk & my brother James. Kinderhook has done well, The Feds there are most grievously mortifyed at James’ Election[.] Spencer is about removing to Albany, he & Williams had a quarrel at the poll, I am told they... Continue Reading

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB and Cornelius Miller to John Peter Van Ness, 5 November 1812

Your note formerly discounted at the Bank of Hudson (indorsed by John C Hogeboom) has been left at our Office, as the Attornies for the Bank, for collection. It is an established regulation of the Bank, not to commence a suit against any of the Directors, of course Mr. Hogeboom cannot be sued as Indorser, & we can only proceed against you alone. We trust on the receipt of this you will make... Continue Reading

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, 10 September 1803

I have this day Recd. a Line from Mr. Jacob Van Ness, in which he expresses your solicitude and anxiety on account of your Brothers name not being included in the list of Counsellors admitted in our last August Term. I embrace the earliest oppertunity to remove your apprehensions on this head. Corns. was admitted as Counsellor (not as atty) & is now practising in Spencertown in Company with... Continue Reading

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, 26 October 1803

I wrote you some time ago since which I have not heard from you, I leave this place in two Weeks for Newyork in order for my Examinations at which place my engagements are positive, predicated on our arrangements. Those engagements I mentioned particularly in my last. This state of suspense is very disagreeable let me therefore solicit of you, to give me your Sentiments on the point of the most... Continue Reading

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, 8 April 1802

Some time ago we had a meeting to nominate town officers at which John Van Alen Esquire was nominated as candidate for supervisor. The Federals immediately determined to defeat us. Their waggons were continually going, fetching the lame and the blind and the aged to the polls. We were not wanting in activity. At 3 o'clock we took the lead. Not till this moment had they given up, but, Sir, at this... Continue Reading

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness

MVB to John Peter Van Ness, 7-8 April 1802

Your communication of the twenty eighth I Received in Due Time but Refrained from answering it before on account of the then approaching Town meeting. The Event of which I was Desirous of Informing you of, your last I have this moment Received. The Reasons which you assign ^in the former^ for Repealing the Carriage Tax &c. are to me & I trust to every one that hears them Satisfactory. ... Continue Reading

Sender: MVB

Recipient: John Peter Van Ness