81From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
If my memoranda be right I sent Wilkinsons letter, by duplicates through you. If so I presume it is not necessary for the certainty of conveyance to send a triplicate. If I am mistaken in the first idea, or if any thing more is requisite, be good enough to say—If otherwise no reply It is very extraordinary that I receive no acknowlegement of my letters from the commandant at Fort Mifflin (...
82From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I understand, that the Officers for Connecticut have been appointed & their names published, but I have seen no paper containing them. If so, be so good as to send me the list, and if there have been other appointments since the lists transmitted me, pray let them be added. Pursuant to your very proper idea of having at the seat of Government of the Chiefs of Different Departments —it seems to...
83From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday about two oClock, the detachment proceeded on its destination. It consisted of one Captain (Henry) Two Leutenants, Two Musicians, Ninety two Non Commissioned Officers & Privates. They had seventeen Tents with them. I send you a plan for dividing Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania and Delaware into Districts and subdistricts. It appears to me desireable that the recruiting...
84From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have ——— Major Ford to give the detachment directed Major Ford to take the command as you suggested, The Detachment did not proceed yesterday as I intend and to open a correspondence with you and General McPherson. Your letters of the 16 and 18th. of March are just received. With great respect & esteem I have the honor to be Sir Your Obed Ser ( ADf , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
85From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 23 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 21st instant came to hand by the post of to day. There are some points in it respecting the recruiting service which demand immediate attention. “1. The Stations of the recruiting rendezvouses or the stations in each state where it will be proper to provide rations and send the Cloathing.” My letter of the 19th designated these stations in the five States, in which it is...
86From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of a letter to Captn. Leonard. You best know from the previous situation, what to direct in regard to supplies. Albany is a point from which his subsequent motions can be conveniently regulated as circumstances may require. Inclosed is also the Copy of a General Order in relation to the sentence of the Court Martial which tried Captain Vance— You will likewise find herewith...
87From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant with the copies of letters from General Wilkinson mentioned therein. This communication reminds me that it will be necessary for me to peruse at large all that part of the correspondence of General Wilkinson, which relates to permanent or unfinished objects, in order that I may know how to direct in regard to the...
88From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honored with your several letters of the 21. 22. 26. 27 and 28 instant. All necessary directions have been given towards the commencement of the business of Recruiting in the states of Connecticut New York New Jersey Pensylvania & Delaware the moment the necessary supplies of bounty money and cloathing shall have been furnished, and towards the preparation for it in the other...
89From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 2, 1799. On April 4, 1799, McHenry wrote to Hamilton : “I have been honored with your letter of the 2d. Inst.” Letter not found. ]
90From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 3, 1799. “… More recruiting Instructions are necessary, there cannot be less than thirteen copies to each Regiment (one for each Company one for each field officer): you only sent ninety in the whole.” Copy, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See McHenry to H, March 21, 1799, note 10 .
91From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 8 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 8, 1799. “… It has been suggested … that an advance of money to the officers on account of their pay is necessary. All of them have to incur considerable expence for their equipment and many of them cannot afford it out of their own funds. I agree in the necessity of the measure. The advance ought not to be less than four Months pay and ought to extend to all the additional...
92From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 8 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Nothing can be more desireable than a well digested plan for connecting the different parts of our Military System, in regard to the procuring and issuing of supplies. I send you the outline of a scheme for that purpose. It is important that this, or a substitute more eligible, should be without delay established. It is particularly essential that the channels through which supplies are to...
93From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 8 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 8, 1799. “The Commander in Chief having approved the idea of calling the Pay Master to the Seat of Government, I send you inclosed by his direction an order for him to repair to the seat of Government.…” ADfS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. George Washington to H, March 25, 1799 . H to Caleb Swan, April 3, 1799 .
94From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 4th. instant, informs me of the contracts, which have been already made, and of the measures, which are in train for forming others in the states where none at present exist. There is an omission of New Jersey. I request information concerning this State also. You understand me rightly as to the issuing of Cloathing through the Regimental Pay Master. The execution will no...
95From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 10 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
As it will require time to form contracts where there are none already existing, I submit that it will be expedient, in such cases, to advance money to some person, to procure them by purchases on account of the Government; Where there is no Agent preferred by you the Regimental Quarter Master Naturally presents himself, as the person to whom the service may be Committed. New Jersey and...
96From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 13 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been yesterday & this morning honored with your several favours, three of the 11th and two of the 12th instant. The injunctions respecting the Indian boundary line will be carefully & promptly attended to. Speedy attention will also be paid to the affair of proclaiming Martial law at Detroit. At present I am not aware how the authority for it is found. But this as well as its expediency...
97From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 15 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 15, 1799. “… A letter from General Washington of the 10th. instant has this passage ‘Not an officer in this state has yet received his Commission to the great dissatisfaction of all and relinquishment of many, who would no longer remain in a state of suspense and idleness.’ There is a strong impatience in the officers every where to have their commissions. It seems to me that...
98From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 15 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
By a letter just received from Lt Leonard of Vermont he mentions that he has made the necessary preparatory arrangements for proceeding to Albany but cannot do it for want of money. He does not specify the sum be wants nor the object. I have no previous knowlege to guide me. You can judge and will forward the requisite supply. All I know is that the Public Agent at the Place wil l furnish...
99From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 17 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 17, 1799. “Your letters of the 15th. and 16th. are duly come to hand.… Tomorrow I shall leave this place for Philadelphia. Several things will best be settled by personal conference which in future will be mutually convenient & will promote the service.” Copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
100From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 20 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, April 20, 1799. “… As I do not conceive the United States to be now at War in the legal import of that term (which I construe to be a state not of partial but of general , hostility) I consider it as beyond my power to approve or execute such sentences as by the Articles of War are referred to the President in time of peace. But while I think it my duty on this ground to transmit...
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...