To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 24 September 1798
From George Washington1
Mount Vernon 24th Sep. 1798.
My dear Sir,
I have seen the correspondence between the President of the United States & Secretary of War, on the subject of the relative Rank of the three Major Generals first appointed.2 But as it was given in confidence, unaccompanied with an Official letter, I had no ground on which I could proceed, without betraying that confidence. I have therefore written for an official account of the President’s determination, as the foundation of the representation I propose to offer him, on this occasion.
Until the result of this is known, I hope you will suspend a final decision, and let matters remain in Statu quo till you hear again from
Your Affectionate
Go: Washington
Genl Hamilton
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; ALS, letterpress copy, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1. For an explanation of the contents of this letter, see the introductory note to Washington to H, July 14, 1798.
2. James McHenry sent this correspondence to Washington on September 10, 1798 (ALS, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress).