101From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 23 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Upon a careful inspection of the Articles of War I entertain doubts, whether I can act upon, by approving or disapproving sentences of Courts Martial referred to me from the Department of War, in cases in which the Courts have been instituted by that Department through organs other than myself. As there is peculiar delicacy in inflicting punishment upon questionable authority, I shall be glad...
102From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [24] April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I request that a competent supply of Tents Knapsacks Camp Kettles and Canteens may be forwarded with the Cloathing may speedily follow it. The Regimental or Circle rendezvouses wh ich have been appointed, liable however to revision, are for Connecticut New Haven , for New York the town — We st Chester , for New Jersey, Elizabeth Town for Pennsy lvania Bristol , for Maryland Havre De Grace .
103From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A Capt Bruff of the first Regiment of Artillery will arrive here in a day or two on his way to Maryland, where as you are informed, he will be employed in Recruiting a Company. I request that for this purpose he may be furnished with money Cloathing Knapsacks Camp Kettles & Canteens— ( ADf , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
104From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It being urgent that the Two Regiments of Artillery should be organised into companies and disposed of to the several destinations which you have contemplated it results that a very inconvenient delay would attend the making of that arrangement in concert with General Pinckney as suggested in your late letter. As, likewise, this arrangement is mere matter of organisation, the distribution of...
105From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have reflected, as you have desired, on the most proper principles for regulating the relative rank of the field Officers of the twelve additional Regiments. It is always prudent, when no special reasons dictate a deviation, to adopt for cases of this kind a rule which steers clear of comparison of personal merit and avoids the danger of wounding the pride of any of the parties concerned....
106From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have a second time maturely reflected on the proper rule for promotions in the army, and I continue to adhere to that which was adopted by the General Officers last Winter, & which is recapitulated in your letter. I am persuaded that in the general course of things it will work well and satisfactorily. A moment’s hesitation as to its universal application arose from the situation of the four...
107From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 27 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 27, 1799. “I have reflected on the idea of furnishing the Regimental Quarter Masters with money to procure Quarters Transportation &c for the Recruits. It is a service which in an extensive State (New York for example) he cannot execute personally. If he employs substitutes at the different Stations, as the Contractor must do so likewise for his objects, it will either, by...
108From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
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— ( AL , The Indiana Historical Society Library, Indianapolis).
109From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I hear of no Cloathing arrived. The recruiting service is now actually begun here and elsewhere. I trust that the cloathing and other articles will certainly reach the Regimental rendezvousses before any of the men are there. It will be a discouraging omen if it proves otherwise. I beg you to appreciate the importance of having the articles forwarded as soon as they can be, even to those...
110From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 1 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the enclosed letter from Mr Stevens respecting the provisions at Fort Jay that it may be for the instruction of to serve as information for the Accountants. ( Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
111From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 2, 1799. “I have received yours of the 30 April. and your directions will be immediately complied with.…” Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
112From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Very much attached to the idea of leaving the commanding officer of a distinct & distant army to regulate himself his particular dispositions—I have referred the employment of the Galley to Col Hamtramck on the supposition that by the departure of General Wilkinson the command has devolved upon him; with the intimation only of my opinion that probably the lower posts on the Mississippi offer...
113From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have duly received the letter you transmitted me mentioning from Capt Gates of the 13th. of February mentioning among other things the want of Cloathing and Blankets which I had have taken for granted were forwarded. Inclosed is the form of the oath to be taken by officers entering the army of the United States with great respect I have the honor to be Sir Your obed Servt. ( Df , in the...
114From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter from Colonel Ogden requesting that Wilmington may be appointed as a Company Rendezvous in the place of New Castle, I will therefore thank you to instruct the Agent of the War Department to have the contract made for the former place. with great respect I am Sir Your obed Servt. ( Df [two], in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
115From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter having informed me, that you some time since encouraged Capt Willing to expect a furlough, and having learnt from him that in consequence of this encouragement he had made arrangements and entered into engagements for the voyage, I thought it would compromit you to refuse the furlough request. I have therefore very much against my own judgment complied. The precedent in my opinion...
116From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
After mature reflection on the subject of your letter of the 26th. of last month; I am clearly of opinion that the President has no power to make alone the appointment of Officers to the Batalion, which is to be added to the second Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers. In my opinion Vacancy is a relative term, and presupposes that the Office has been once filled. If so, the power to fill the...
117From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Herewith is a letter with for Capt Bruff with recruiting Instructions, which I beg you to have forwarded to him. You will observe, that the term of Inlistment, which is inserted, is three years. If this is not right you will oblige me by having it altered and me informed of the authority for the alteration—I mention this because in the model you sent me five years are inserted and in looking...
118From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Person nominated as Pay Master to the Regiment commanded by Col Nathan Rice of Massachusettes is Robert Duncan . Inclosed is the distribution which he has made of his officers to Districts and subdistricts. Thus you see the Recruiting service for this Regiment only waits the requisite supply of money Cloathing &c for from your Department. The Town of Somerset has been in the first instance...
119From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclosed you Lieutenant Moseley’s bond who is is the bond of Lieutenant Mosely appointed Pay Master to the Regiment commanded by Col: Taylor, his the Colonels recommendation of him is strong, and I have no doubt am confident well founded. with true consideration &c— ( Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
120From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 4 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Col Ogden has written to m requested me to have appoint ed bridgetown as a Company Rendezvous in the place of Woodbury to which I have consented. I will thank you to instruct Colonel Rhea to make the a contract for the former place, if so requested by Col Ogden with consideration I am Sir Your obed servt. ( Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
121From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Majr Lillie Major Lillie who on his return — the Eastward through this City, asked — to represent him in a favourable light — the President, which I did particularly as to his conduct during our Revolutionary War. with great respect I am Sir Your obed Servt. ( Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
122From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 7 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 7, 1799. “… Col Smith … recommends as his Major … Theodosius Fowler Esqr.… I do not find among the p⟨apers before⟩ me any list of the Officers of the Additional Troops of C⟨avalry⟩. Will you be pleased to have it transmitted? I promised Mr. Jones your C⟨lerk⟩ a memorandum of the number of printed copies of oat⟨hs⟩ and weekly returns which it would be expedient to ⟨send⟩ to the...
123From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is desireable as fast as possible to execute the arrangement which you have adopted for the Distribution of the Artillery. The great distance of General Pinckney from the position of a large proportion of the companies allotted to his command seems to render the intervention of some other authority necessary in the first instance to cause them to be transported within the sphere of their...
124From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is the assignment of his Officers by Col Hall to the several Districts and subdistricts. He informs me that Lt. Ninian Pinckney has been nominated as Pay Master & Lieutenant Daniel Hughes as Adjutant of the Regiment. I recommend a confirmation. The others of his Regimental Staff The Quarter Master had not yet been nominated. Col Nathan Rice informs me that Lt Robert Duncan has been...
125From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 10 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I am advised that the recruit — has actually begun in Maryland. I recommend that arms and accoutrements be without delay forwarded for the use of the recruits in the several Circles. It is important that they be provided as soon as they reach their Regimental rendezvouses, as well to excite and keep up the military spirit as for the purpose of early instruction. With great respect I have the...
126From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 10 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of the arrest of Doctor osborne, which suspended his functions, it became necessary to employ a substitute to take care of the Garrison. Doctor Davis was engaged for this purpose by Major Hoops; —— upon what terms will appear from by the — inclosed copy of a letter from that officer. Doctor Davis claims strenuously —— a compensation equivalent to that which is allowed to a...
127From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 15 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be handed to you by Cornet Alexander Macombe, of the Cavalry of the U states, who when in Philadelphia will desire to pay his respects to you—He is a genteel clever young man & I trust the embryo of a good Officer. With respect & — Yr Obed Sr ( ALS [photostat], James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress).
128From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is urgent that arms for the troops to be raised be at the respective Regimental rendezvouses as speedily as possible. Military pride is to be excited and kept up by military parade. No time ought to be lost in teaching the Recruits the use of arms. Guards are necessary as soon as there are soldiers and these require arms. When I came to see the hats furnished for the Twelveth Regiment, I...
129From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 21, 1799. “… It is … necessary that ⟨t⟩he officers generally should be possessed of ‘The Rgulations for the Order and Discipline of ⟨t⟩he Troops of the UStates.’ I mean those which were instituted in our Revolution War. This system will of course obtain ’till there shall be a substitute. I pray that a competent number may be prepared & transmitted ⟨wi⟩thout delay.” ADf , Hamilton...
130From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The instructions in your letter of yesterday shall be without delay executed. As Winchester is the Regimental Rendezvous of Col Parker, it seems to me that the stationing of Major Bradley there would too much and too exclusively interfere with the recruiting for this Regiment. Staunton as being more central to the entire state will bear pretty equally upon both Circles and seems appears in...
131From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter from Col Smith of which the inclosed is an extract. As the mention of Capt Fowler to you was in conformity with his opinion, after a particular consultation, I was rather surprized at the turn of his letter. I however sent his recommendation, though I imagine it is likely to come too late. And in justice to Capt Fonda , I ought to add that he was Adjutant of a batalion...
132From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 23 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of the information conveyed by your letter of the 21 instant, I have authorised Col Strong, if from appearances he shall conceive there is well founded cause of alarm, to withdraw from Michilimacnac the whole or part of the Garrison for the reinforcement of his post. I did this for two reasons 1 because I did not perceive any other point from which he could be reinforced and...
133From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 24 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 24, 1799. “… I shall confer with Col Smith on the subject of his Major and communicate the result.… I am of opinion that the hat ought to be delivered with its furniture complete. It will often be no easy matter for the Officers to supply a deficiency; and it is one of those instances in which œconomy will be likely to disgust by the air of excessive parsimony. Will it not be...
134From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 24 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A press of business has — diverted my attention from measures to for convey — Capt Freyes company of Artillerists to Charles Town. On resuming the subject it strikes me that there ought to be an armed vessel of the Government to transport them; since doubtless on account of the very great distance they ought to go by water: And if so sent and if an accident should happen by the intervention of...
135From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25[–27] May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 25 [ –27 ] 1799 . “I recur to two of your letters of the 9th. & 10th. instant. The reflections in the first respecting the inlistment of foreigners intirely accord with my impressions, as you have heretofore seen. I adhere to the opinion, that none but natives or naturalised citizens ought to be engaged. Of the latter, residence in this Country anterior to our Revolution to be...
136From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you an extract of a letter from Colonel Hall relative to articles going to Baltimore. Would it not be better to send them to Havre de Grace that being the Regimental Rendezvous— (Copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
137From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 27 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The returns from every quarter shew that desertion prevails to a ruinous extent. For this the remedies are 1: greater attention to discipline 2. additional care in furnishing the Supplies due to the Soldiery of such quality and with such exactness as will leave no real cause of dissatisfaction 3, the forbearance to inlist foreigners, and, lastly, energy in the punishment of...
138From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed my Dear Sir was written on the idea that though the Troops in Tennessee are annexed to the command of General Pinckney as far as a distinct supervision on the sea-board is concerned, yet they remain a part of the Western army and are subject to the general superintendance and direction of The Commander of that Army . This connection seems necessary to the due course of service in...
139From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Annexed I send you an Extract of a letter from Col: Taylor to me of the 27th. Inst. Confiding in the Judgment of that officer, and considering the importance of promptly filling the vacancies, I beg leave to second his recommendation of the Gentlemen mentioned therein and shall be glad to have them officer approved With great consideration &c— (Copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton...
140From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30[–31] May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 30 [ –31 ] 1799 . “… I have this moment recd. your letter of the 29th. instant. I intirely agree with you on the subject of Apprentices & shall instruct accordingly. Indeed I ⟨th⟩ought it was universally to be understood that they were not to be enlisted.… The Court Martial at West Point being a Nullity it is my first impression that I can with propriety order another to try...
141From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 31 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Col J C Hall informs me that he has recommended for appointment to Lieutenancies — his Regiment Thomas Hewit and Benjamin Nowland. I beg to second the recommendation, if no preferable characters have been presented. It is very desireable to complete and keep complete the corps of Officers. Col Rice writes me that he has spoken to Mr. J. Jackson on the subject of transportation of articles; who...
142From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 5, 1799. “… As yet I have to regret that I am without the needful assistance to enable me to keep pace with the various objects of service—which occasions more delay in respect to the less urgent than is agreable to my plan. Measures are in train to obtain efficient aid and I hope ere long the whole Machinery will be in complete operation.…” Copy, in the handwriting of Ethan...
143From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed letter to Capt Henry speaks its own object. As his company was is ordered to march for this place Not knowing whether he may not be himself in Philadelphia nor whether his Company will have marched or not from Reading, I trouble you with it and request that you will have it forwarded according to circumstances. With great respect I have the honor to be Sir Yr Obedt St ( ADf ,...
144From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 6 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I return Mr. Patterson’s letter. It is not my intention immediately to withdraw more than Cochran’s & Henry’s Companies. The other troops may remain on the insurgents scene. I should prefer their remaining together. Perhaps the vicinity of Easton may be the best single station. But I am not without apprehension that the Troops may be corrupted by remaining long in a disaffected scene. Is there...
145From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 8 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The strong recommendation which I have received of Mr. William J Anderson for a Second Lieutenant in the Eleventh Regiment (Ogden’s) induces me to submit my opinion that it is adviseable to appoint him, there being a vacancy. He now resides at Burlington. I send you the copy of a list of Officers of the Tenth Regiment, exhibiting their relative rank of the several Officers. A few alterations...
146From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 8 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have finally determined upon the course which the inclosed copy of a letter to Major Adlum of this date indicates— With great respect I have the honor to be Sir Yr. Obed Ser ( ADf , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
147From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 8 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Capt Ellery, assistant to the Adjutant General, has taken his station in this City and has applied to me on the subject of to have him provided with Quarters. Independent of his personal accommodation, — — stands — need of an office for his business. This application has naturally brought the subject to my mind in reference its different relations to myself. The remuneration of professional...
148From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 10 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Col: Parker recommends for second Lieuts. in his Regiment, Uriah Blue of Berkley, and Robert Bell of Frederick I presume the recommendation to be well founded. He adds that Doctor Daniel Conrad offers to attend the Troops at Winchester for the stated allowance of surgeon’s pay without rations and a reasonable compensation for his medicines. You r will recollect that Winchester is the...
149From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 12 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A late letter from you suggests some doubts whether in the case of the Serjeant, who was convicted of Destertion and Embezzlement, the form in which the proceedings were at first transmitted ought not to prevent the execution of the sentence. My first impression was to defer a reply till the proceedings had been acted upon by the President; but on further reflection I have concluded to submit...
150From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 12 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 12, 1799. Quotes from a “letter from Col: Hall of the 10th. instant” and states: “… In the commencement of similar operations, a good Zeal will occasion some wondering, which must be sanctionned as to the past and checked as to the future. I recommend that provisions be made for reimbursement.…” Copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.