Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Holt, Charles, 1772-1852.
2. Irving, Peter, 1772-1838.
3. Mitchell, I. (Isaac), approximately 1759-1812.
4. Riker, Richard, 1773-1842
5. Swarthout, John.
6. Tallmadge, Matthias B. (Matthias Burnet), 1774-1819.
7. Van Ness, Cornelius P. (Cornelius Peter), 1782-1852.
8. Van Ness, John Peter, 1770-1846.
9. Van Ness, Peter, 1734-1804
10. Verplanck, Daniel C.

Description

1. .2 linear foot (2 folders)

Summary

1. 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.

Subject

1. Politicians
2. New York (State) > Politics and government > 1775-1865
3. Hudson River Valley (N.Y. and N.J.)
4. Students
5. Kinderhook (N.Y.)
6. Columbia College (New York, N.Y.) Students
7. Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836
8. Washington (D.C.) > Social life and customs > 19th century
9. Clinton, DeWitt, 1769-1828
10. United States > Politics and government > 1783-1865
11. New York (N.Y.) > Politics and government > 19th century
12. Landowners
13. Judges
14. Authors
15. Columbia County (N.Y.)
16. Van Ness, William Peter, 1778-1826
17. Lawyers

Call number

1. MssCol 4659

Access (note)

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

Source (note)

1. Material acquired in 1897.

Author

1. Van Ness, William Peter, 1778-1826.

Title

1. William P. Van Ness correspondence, 1795-1826.

Restricted access

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

Source

1. Material acquired in 1897.

Occupation

1. Authors.
2. Judges.
3. Landowners.
4. Lawyers.
5. Politicians.
6. Students.

Added author

1. Holt, Charles, 1772-1852.
2. Irving, Peter, 1772-1838.
3. Mitchell, I. (Isaac), approximately 1759-1812.
4. Riker, Richard, 1773-1842, recipient.
5. Swarthout, John.
6. Tallmadge, Matthias B. (Matthias Burnet), 1774-1819.
7. Van Ness, Cornelius P. (Cornelius Peter), 1782-1852.
8. Van Ness, John Peter, 1770-1846.
9. Van Ness, Peter, 1734-1804, recipient.
10. Verplanck, Daniel C.

Research call number

1. MssCol 4659