To Alexander Hamilton from Lewis Tousard, 25 March 1799
From Lewis Tousard, 25 March 1799
Newport March 25th. 1799
Dr. Sir,
I have the Honour of requesting your Permission to assemble a general Court-Martial at the Garrison. There are a Number of Prisoners charged with capital Crimes. Enclosed are the Names of the Officers who may be convened with little or no Expense to the Public.
| Present |  |
Capt. Wm. Littlefield |
| Lieut. George T. Ross | ||
| Lieut. Robert Overing | ||
| Ensign Saunders Rogers. | ||
| Capt. George Tillinghast | ||
| Lieut. Loveit Whipple. |
The new Law for the better organizing the Troops of the United States provides for a Quarter-master-Serjeant in each Battalion of Artillerists and Engineers. Serjeant Edward Kendall is a worthy Man, does all the Writings of the Company, & has been at hard Duty last Year, inspecting and keeping an Account of the Labourers’ Work. I have to request your Sanction of my having appointed him as such to my Battalion.
I would suggest the Necessity of ordering a second Subaltern Officer to this Garrison.
With Esteem and Respect I remain, Dr Sir, Your obedient and Very humble Servant,
Lewis Tousard Commandant
(LS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). On the cover H wrote a draft of his reply: "I have appointed as he will see by the inclosed copy of a General Court Martial order a General Court Martial of which Capt Littlefield himself to be President. It must if possible consist of not less than seven members—I authorise you to Summon in my name for this purpose any of the Officers mentioned in the inclosed list besides those of the Garrison—He must name a Judge Adv person to officiate as Judge Avocate. It belongs to the Comr of the Regiment to appoint Qr. Master Sergeants: There being I approve of his appointing one provisionally. His suggestion respecting a provisional subaltern will be attended to hereafter."