From Alexander Hamilton to John F. Hamtramck, 29 April 1799
To John F. Hamtramck1
New York, April 29, 1799. “… a Galley lately built at Pittsburgh called the Senator Ross has been … ordered to Massac there to receive further orders. The Commander of the Western Army2 being from situation most competent to judge what will be the most useful employment of this Galley, I leave it with you to dispose of her as you shall think best; observing only that the lower posts on the Mississippi would seem to me the most fit destination.… I think it most expedient for the present that the Galley should be officered and manned by officers and men to be detached from the line. I presume it will not be difficult to find those who have sufficient marine knowlege to answer the purpose.”
ADf, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; LS, The Indiana Historical Society Library, Indianapolis; LS (photostat), James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress.
1. The copy of this letter which is in The Indiana Historical Society Library is enclosed in an envelope addressed to James McHenry. At the top of this copy H wrote: “General Hamilton respectfully transmits the Secy of War the copy of a letter to Col Hamtramck on the subject of the galley. It will shew what has been deemed by him the most eligible step.”
2. In the absence of Brigadier General James Wilkinson, who was en route to Philadelphia, Hamtramck was the commanding officer of the Western Army.