Scope and arrangement
Ten letters to Thomas Tillotson (d.1832), physician and politician, who twice served as New York State Secretary of State between 1801-1808. Nine are from kinsmen Robert R. Livingston, Edward Livingston, Brockholst Livingston, and John Armstrong, Jr. Letters are addressed to him at Albany and Rhinebeck, New York and largely pertain to state and national politics and government. Robert R. Livingston’s December 13, 1787 letter at New York touches broadly on Constitutional developments, international affairs, and family matters. The majority of the items concern the contested presidential election of 1800, tied between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, and its aftermath. An 1812 letter from E. Jenkins describes Aaron Burr’s recent appearance as a lawyer in court at Albany. Two small letter fragments are also present.