Massachusetts Politician Harrison Gray Otis Seeks Stephen Van Rensselaer’s Help In Hiring Carriages For A Trip To Niagara

HARRISON GRAY OTIS (1765-1848). Otis was a wealthy Boston lawyer, politician, and statesman. He was Mayor of Boston and a Senator from Massachusetts. STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER II (1764-1839). Rensselaer was a phenomenally wealthy and influential New York businessman and politician. He was Lieutenant Governor of New York and a Representative from New York; he also founded Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. ALS. 4pgs. May 26, 1823. Boston. An autograph letter signed “H G Otis”. Otis writes to wealthy and influential New York politician Stephen van Rensselaer, asking for Rensselaer’s help is hiring two comfortable carriages to take Otis, his family, and a friend to Niagara from Albany; this was a few years before the Erie Canal was completed: “My dear Sir: Mr. Harrison and myself intend with a part of our families to visit Niagara, and think it may be the most eligible mode to hire carriages at Albany. The ?? Mr. Harold thinks his friend Mr. Peirce can accommodate us, but as it is a matter of some importance to our comfort I tell him that I shall do nothing but through you. This is therefore to bespeak your condescension and kindness in making such a bargain for us as will secure our comfort and prevent imposition. We shall want at least two carriages and I should be glad to have it optional to take two, with each four horse, or one of them with a single pair. This man assures me that one of the carriages he has in view is admirably adapted to the propose and that he has another, very well adapted. Harrison you know is tall and requires soon to turn around, ??? there will be at least three ladies. Now my dear sir, will you do for us as for yourself. If in fact you think the stage line could accommodate us with extras, entirely to ourselves, and at our command as to the distance per driver, and would recommend that course, we would adopt it. But if horses could be found worthy of reliance and men that would do when horse fail it would be better to take them not of the regular line. We shall be in Albany God willing about the 5th of July, but will advise the men more certainly when I shall have heard of an absolute agreement with him being made. We prefer to pay so much for driver, without other charges. This is really a great liberty I know your uniform kindness to your friends, & shall make no apology for it. I am with great respect them yr friend Mr. H G Otis”. It is addressed to Rensselaer in Albany on the verso. The letter is in good condition. The last page is torn in two places, but the text seems to be unaffected. An unusual letter.