B[enjamin] F[ranklin] Butler to MVB, 31 July 1816
Albany
July 31st. 1816.
Dear Sir
Enclosed is the bill of W. W. & T. L. Chester for floor covering. The money was to be sent on its arrival. As you have no funds in the Mechanick's & F. Bank, will you forward them a check on the Hudson Bank, payable to the order of W. W. & T. Chester, as they have requested?
S. Allen yesterday shewed me a written Opinion of Mr. Emmett, agreeing with yours on the subject of the National Lottery. He says Rodman is of a different opinion. He feels great solicitude in the subject, and wishes you to write to Rodman, to have the sellers &c of the tickets indicted.
Mr. Tillotson informed me last evening that a letter from Judge S. to Mr. Ross on the subject of the late Recorders conduct; had been carelessly left by Mr. Ross among the papers of the Council, and filed in his office. Southwick by some means or other got hold of it, and demanded a Copy. The Secy. agreed to abide the decision of Mr. Henry. He decided that such parts of the letter as related to subjects which had been acted upon, were matters of Record, & as such open to the inspection & liable to be copied. Accordingly Southwick got a copy of the greater part of the letter. Some of it was about the Adj. Genl. but that was not copied. I suppose you will have it in the next Register.
Your Obt. servant
B. F. Butler
P. S. There have arrived here during the last week, via Hudson as I understand, several reports of the splendor of your Albany establishment. They say your side board cost $1100! "How this world is given to lying"
B. F. Butler
31 July 1816