Kirkland 176c Library of Hamilton College Clinton, N. Y. Copy. Albany 24th February 1795. Sir, Permit me to observe to you, that the difficulties, attending the collection of subscriptions already made to the Hamilton Oneida Academy, and procuring others, till the next season, induced the Trustees of said Seminary, to apply to you for a small loan, which you was pleased to grant, Colonel Sanger and myself becoming joint security for same. In order to complete their Building, the Trustees have since proposed to me, to convey the donation I have made to them, with a mortgage, giving them the Equity of Redemption, that I might thereby be able to procure them a thousand or fifteen hundred dollars. Could you, Sir, conveniently loan them, or me on their behalf, the sum of 10 or 12 hundred dollars for the term of one year, I will mortgage to you three hundred acres of land, including the Academy plat or lot of ground on which the Academy is erected. The Building has already cost them upwards of two thousand dollars. The land only, would be valued at 16 or 18 hundred dollars. __ Pity the Institution should be retarded for want of some friend to give it a lift at the present juncture: as few, if any, are established upon more liberal knowledge, and enlarging the bounds of human happiness, and aiding the reign of virtue. I wish to hear from you upon the subject by first conveyance. With sentiments of high respect and esteem, I am Sir Your obedient humble Servant Samuel Kirkland Stephen Van Renselaer Esquire The Honorable Stephen Van Rensselaer member of Senate New York 1795 Samuel Kirkland