[ Autographs ] Jonathan Dayton 1760-1824 Signer of the Constitution, member of the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention. A.L.S. 2pp. sm. folio with integral address leaf, Elizabethtown, Dec. 7 1821 to Gen. Robert Swartwout. Dayton asks why his correspondent hadnot contacted him prior to Swartwout's effort to obtain passage of a bill to create a bank. Dayton intimates: "...there was a secret interest employed against you, which might have been neutralised at least if not conciliated in your favor. An effort from the right quarter, and rightly directed, would have ensured your success. Do you despair, or do you meant to make another attempt...' With more financial content. Professionally silked, slight fading of text with chipping at bottom and one small hole in text affecting about five words. Signature remains unaffected.