21To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 8 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Nothing but a point of the most delicate Honor, could have induced me to leave this Cantoonment for 12 Hours, without having previously obtained your permission as Commanding General, but the situation of that pledge is such, that I am under the necessity of presenting myself to you, without obtaining that permission. I shall do myself the Honor of presenting myself to you on monday at 12...
22To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 13 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Brigade [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] March 13, 1800 . Recommends “Major Shute of the 11th.… as a Candidate for the office of Supervisor of the State of Newjersey.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. William Shute was a veteran of the American Revolution and a resident of Elizabeth, New Jersey.
23To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 17 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Brigade [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] March 17, 1800 . “Not thinking it prudent to leave the sons of St. Patrick to frolick without my superintendance in Camp, I have declined the invitation from the Inhabitants of New Ark, to spend this day there. Our Camp is in mirth but not improperly. It is now 3. oClock, & St. Patricks most Zealous sons, are pretty tranquil. Enclosed are some...
24To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 25 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have communicated to Colo. Ogden the arrangements I have made relative to the experiments I am making on the proper measure of the pace, as stated in your Letter of the 18th. to whom at present, I beg leave generally to refer you. I have made arrangements to procure the necessary pendulums to correctly mark the cadence of the common 75—Quick 100—& wheeling times 120. pr. minute, I must...
25To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 31 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Brigade [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] March 31, 1800 . “I have had the honor of receiving yesterday your Letter of the 26th. enclosing the project for the formation of a Regiment for exercise and Battle. I feel a diffidence in revising it, but … I will however endeavour to overcome that diffidence, and give the subject my earliest attention conformable to your wish.…” ALS , Hamilton...
26To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 2 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Brigade [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] April 2, 1800 . “I have been honoured by your Letter of the 27th. ulto.… The communications you wish made in the public papers, shall receive my earliest attention.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
27To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 5 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of Submitting to your consideration the alterations of the plan for the formation of a Regiment for Exercise or Battle, forwarded in your Letter of the 26th ulto, you will observe that I am decidedly of opinion, we should fix our firm reliance on the well organised Battalions—the Brilliant dashes and light touches of advanced, Light Infantry—will not answer our...
28Enclosure: William S. Smith to John Adams, 21 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The brigade, which as Lieut. Col. commandant, I have had the honor to command, being on the point of dismissal, I take the liberty of suggesting, that the officers & soldiers are well instructed in the duties of their profession, & it would be of great public benefit, if as many of them, as might be requisite, should be taken to fill up the corps, government have concluded to retain in...
29To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 28 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of Submitting to your perusal a Letter this day received from The President, with a Copy of one from The Secretary of War which I should thank you to return. I shall make no comments on the observations of The Secretary, tho’ there are great Grounds. I should be much flattered if in your communication to the President, I should, if it is only pro hac be charged with...
30To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 31 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 30th. informing me that Major Tousard is arrived for the purpose of recruiting six companies of Artillerists, and requesting me to give facility to the accomplishment of the object. If The Government requires six Companies of Artillerists from this Brigade, I believe they can be completely furnish’d by the evening roll-call—but...
31To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 28 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have only this morning had the honor of receiving your Circular Letter of the 18th. inst. its contents shall be immediately attended to— I take the liberty of observing that any communications you may hereafter honor me with, will meet with a prompt and safe conveyance, by being sent to the Quarters of the Adjutant of the Regt. Mr. Cocks No. 56. Water Street. I have the honor to be Sir, Your...
32To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 11 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with your wishes expressed in your Letter of the 18th. Ulto. I have the honor of presenting a General return of the State of New York, with the Counties and Towns divided into two Grand-Divisions and Ten Sub-Divissions, specifying the beats of each Company recruiting for The Regiment . I shall be happy to find, that it meets with your approbation, and that the detention of your...
33To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 6 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreably to orders contained in your favours of the 31st. ulto. & 3d. Instant, received yesterday, at East Chester, I convened the officers of the 12th. Regiment, and they have unanimously nominated Lieutenat James Smith to be paymaster of the Regiment, I doubt not it will meet with your approbation and the approbation of The Secretary of War. Inclosed is his bond connected with his Brother...
34To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 8 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 23d Ulto. inclosing a list of the Officers of the 12th. Regiment distributed into Companies, that I would in concert with the Major suggest for consideration such alterations as from Circumstances may be deemed expedient with the reasons for those alterations, I take the liberty of enclosing a list of the Officers ranked as the...
35To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 17 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a Letter from Capt. Church of the 12th. inst. covering a copy of one of the 11th. from Mr. Simmons addressed to you, which states that a Warrant has issued for three thousand five Hundred and twenty Dollars—that the amount is forwarded to Mr. Fish, to be paid to the officers on account of the recruiting service, which he is directed to receive grant his receipts and disburse...
36To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 20 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last of the 17th. inst. I did myself the honor of acknowledging the receipt of a letter from Capt. Church of the 12th. enclosing a Copy of a letter of the 11th. inst. from the Accountants Office of the War department, addressed to you, wherein it is mentioned, that “A warrant has also issued for three thousand five hundred dollars, and the amount is this day forwarded to Mr. Fish to be...
37To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your favours of the 23d. & 24th. inst. on Saturday night, I have this morning made the necessary arrangements to commence recruiting in the first Grand division the Drums will beat this afternoon— If the arms of the Regiment are in store at this place, and you will attain an order from the War-office for me to receive them, I will have them put in order, fit for...
38To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 16 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
On the arrival of Capt. Fondy I have made the necessary arrangements, for recruiting in the second Grand Divission, he will of course call on you, for any additional orders which you may conceive necessary to give Considering the present situation of the interior of the Regiment, I should think the service would be benifitted, by the appointment of Capt. Fondy to the vacant majority, the...
39To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 25 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honoured by the receipt of your Letter of yesterday’s date, containing the enquiry from the Secretary of War, whether Capt. Justus B. Smith Lieuts. Thomas Thompson & Jacob C. Ten Eyck, mean to accept or decline their appointments, the question as it relates to my Brother Justus B. Smith would have been decided before this, had I received any communications on the subject of the...
40To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 11 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your Circular of the 23d. ulto., its contents shall of course be particularly attended to, the substance of the two last paragraphs have been duly communicated—and when ever applications are made, I shall forward them to you for your consideration, where I am acquainted with the applicant, I will agreable to your request express my opinion,...
41To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 18 [June] 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving last evening by the Stage, your private letter of the 14th. inst. relative to the appointment of a 2d. major to the 12th. Regt. When I mententioned Mr. Fowler it was connected with this observation, that I knew no other Gentleman who was solicitous for the appointment—that tho’ Mr. Fowler was not a remarkably brilliant officer, still I supposed him capable of...
42To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honoured by the receipt of your Circular Letter of the 18th. inst. relative to a further supply of bounty money, and suggesting the propriety of accompanying the necessary application for the same, at the war-office, with some statement of the progress of recruiting, It is not in my power at present, to forward any regular returns, not having as yet received any, under the...
43To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 1 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting to you, by the Adjutant of The 12th. Regt. the monthly return of Recruits to the 30th. ulto. inclusive, as far as they have come to hand—I have reason to believe further progress has been made by the officers in the interior—I enclose also the attestations of the enlistments of Capt. Bennets, Capt. Patterson & Capt. Courtlands Recruits, those of Capt. Landon...
44To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 12 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
As the assistant Adjutant General has made some observations, under date of the 5th. inst. on the return I had the honor of making to you of the 1st. and may have made a similar personal communication to you—I take the liberty of enclosing for your perusal under a flying seal, my answer to him which I doubt not to your mind will be sufficiently explanatory & satisfactory. I have the honor to...
45To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 16 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Alexander Stevenson, a Grandson of Edward Stevenson of Throgs neck deceased, is solicitous of entering into the 12th. Regt. as a Second Lieutenant, from an early knowledge of his family and the modest deportment of the young Gentleman aided by the respectable recommendations, he brought to me, I feel a solicitude, that he should be placed on the list of applicants to fill the...
46To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Recruiting service of the 12th. Regt. suffers considerably for the want of Subaltern officers. there is no acting Lieutenant to Capt. Kissam’s Company. Capt. Courtland is entirely destitute of aid, Capt. Fondy and Capt. Kirkland are similarly situated, & I belive Capt. Whites Lieutenants have either not accepted or have not joined their Company—if the filling of the vacant Lieutenancies...
47To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that some time past a soldier by the Name of Jno. Montgomery deserted from Capt. Pattersons Company—he repaired to the House of one Abraham Brown, at Mount Pleasant, about four miles from Tarry Town, on the Bedford road, where he told Brown, he was a deserter, that he had thrown his Cloaths into the dock at new York & that knowing him , he came to ask his...
48To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The cloathing issued to the recruits of the 12th. Regt. at the Rendevous’s of the Sub–districts, and the supplies delivered here, has consumed the whole of what was sent on from the War office—relative to coats, stocks & clasps—There are several men at present here, for whom we have not coats—as there is a prospect of having a considerable number of recruits arrive at this post in a few day’s,...
49To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
enclosed I submit to your purusal a Letter from Capt. Fondy, stating a particularly hard case, relative to the rank of Lt. Foster. It is sufficient for me fully to submit the statement to your consideration; confident if mistakes have been made, injurious to Lt. Foster’s rank, you will with pleasure use your influence to have them rectified—I have the honor to be, Sir Your most Obedt. Humble...
50To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 27 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Circular Letter of the 22d. and am pleased to find, there is a prospect, that the supply of cloathing is likely to keep pace with the recruiting service—I did not know that there was any defficiency, or that any person had presumed to charge the War-office with neglect on this subject, untill I perused the extract of a Letter from the Secretary of War, of the 10th. inst....
51To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 27 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed I have the honor of presenting a letter from Capt. Fondy, recommending Mr. Tobias V. Cuyler as a Candidate for a Lieutenancey in the 12th. Regt. I have not the pleasure of an acquaintance with Mr. Cuyler, but from the warmth of Capt. Fondy’s expressions relative to him, I have not the least doubt but Mr. Cuyler may with propriety be put in the scale with the other Candidates. The...
52To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 30 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is a Letter from the Quarter master of the Regt. stating the inconvenience he is exposed to, and the expence arising to the public, for the want of a Waggon and Horses attached to the Regt. the Qr. Master & Clothier’s stores remain at West Chester, and what articles we have already received at this post, is are paid for at the highest rate of transportation—by being furnished with a...
53To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 5 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor of presenting the recruiting Return No 2 of the 12th. Regt. with 43. attestations of Recruits of Capt. Landons Company—21 of Capt. Bennetts—7 of Capt. Pattersons—7 of Capt. Fonday’s & 3 of late Capt. Smith’s returned by Lt. Cooper Which I hope will prove more satisfactory to The Asst. Adjutant General, than the first appeared to be. I have the Honor to be With great respect...
54To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 6 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is a Copy of a Letter that I forwarded to Capt. Cortlandts by Nathaniel Crafts, who on inspection I found totally disqualified to discharge the duty of a Soldier, in consequence of a rupture in the Groin, as reported in the return; and from accounts, for at Least fourteen years standing; and so apparent without close inspection that I am astonished at Captain Cortlands not having...
55To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 10 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letter of yesterday’s date relative to Lt. Hoffman, was delivered to me this morning, my feelings were very sensibly effected, when Lieut Livingston made a verbal communication to me of Lt. Hoffmans conduct the preceeding night—I requested him to consider the case maturely and if he had charges of that serious nature against Lt. Hoffman they should be exhibited on paper, with his...
56To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 11 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed I have the honor of presenting two letters received this morning from Poughkeepsie, recommending Mr. Nathaniel Baldwin as a Cadet in the 12th. Regt. your acquaintance with Capt. Bennet & Mr. Van Rants, will enable you fully to appretiate their recommendations in favour of Mr. Baldwins pursuit—Capt. Courtland has arrived at this post with a few Recruits & says he sees no present...
57To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 14 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreably to General Orders of the 12th. inst. I attend here as President of a General Court Martial, with three officers of the 12th. Regt. I find the Judge Advocate has not a list of the members who are to compose this Court & I can give him no information on the subject I present one Capt. & two Lieutents from the 12th. it was totally out of my power to furnish two Capts. without injury to...
58To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 15 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor of acknowledging the receipt of your Letter of the 12th. inst. and am much g r atified, that the course of conduct I have adopted relative to Lt. Hoffman meets with your approbation—Tho I feel myself superior to prejudice or partiality in deciding on a question of justice, still from motives of delicacy, I should prefer not to precide at the Court, when Lt. Hoffman is to be...
59To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 21 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
As President of the General Court Martial ordered to convene at this post by the Genl. Orders of the 12th. inst., I have the Honor to inform you that we have finished every case submitted to our consideration & have adjourned— sine die — If you have no further orders to communicate, I shall of course proceed to-morrow to the station of the 12th. Regt. If you Have, the Bearer Mr. Coxe will...
60To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 27 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Immediately on the receipt of your letter of the 21st. I sought an opportunity of a personal interview with Lt. Ladlie, but finding he had gone from his recruiting station to the interior of the Island probably on duty—I wrote a Letter to him under date of the 22d. wherein I requested, he would detail to me the Circumstances attending the enlistment of Joseph Steward a private in Captn....
61To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 27 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Israel Loring has this morning informed me of the communications he has made to you, on the subject of his wish to enter the service and of the refference, you have been pleased to make, to me; I have known Mr. Loring for some time, and have no reason to doubt, of his ability to fill well the station of a second lieutenant, should he be complimented with the appointment in the 12th. Regt....
62To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 9 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that Lt. R. L. R. Livingston has this moment arrived in Camp, in consequence of orders founded on your communication on the Subject of Lt. Hoffman— I have the Honor to be Sir, Your most obedt. Humble Servt. ( ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
63To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 21 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your letter of yesterday’s date by Lt. Ludlow, and at 3 oClock this morning, and immediately dispatchd the Qr. Mr. Sergeant to West Chester, provissions were regularly issued at six, without any thing unpleasant taking place, except the desertion of three men between one and two oClock this morning, as soon as the provission was issued I detached Lt. Wands in...
64To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 26 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor of presenting the 3d. monthly recruiting return of the 12th. Regt—It has been thus long necessarily delayed, for want of the returns from the second Grand divission, and paper to make it out upon—there are also fifty eight attestations of enlistment, you will observe there are 287. total enlisted & 251. deffinitively approved on inspection I have the honor to be Sir, With...
65To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 28 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Permit me to introduce to you Mr. Abraham Fowler, he has always expressed an earnest desire to join this Regt. I formerly addressed you in his favour for a Company—I now solicit for him the oldest second Lieutenancy vacant in the Regt. and permit me to say, I am very anxious that he may have the appointment, fully confident, he will do honor to the station. I have never before expressed myself...
66To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 28 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that on the 26th. Capt. Bennet sent to the Regimental Rendezvous 1 Sergeant & six Privates & yeasterday Capt. Kirkland arrived with 36. recruits in good order—Enclosed are 18. attestations received last evening from Capt. Fondey— I have the honor to inform you that I have reconnoitred the Country, agreable to your wish, and cannot find any more eligiable Camp,...
67To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 30 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this morning received your private and confidential Letter of the 19th. inst, from the post office at new Rochelle; it pains me to have the appearance of being so long inattentive to your communications. I have written to the Asst. Ajt. Genl. expressing my wish, that some more direct mode of communication, may be adopted, injury and inconvenience, may arise, if some alteration does not...
68To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 2 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th. ulto. and of enclosing the original Letter of Capt. Kissam dated the 19th. of Septr. expressive of his wish to resign. I also inclose you the accounts of the Paymaster of the 12th. Regt. relative to the receipts and disbursement of the several sums of money forwarded to him by the Pay Office— No. 1. states the receipt on...
69To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 7 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your Letter, relative to the Winter Quarters of the 12th. Regt. I submit to your consideration the propriety of calling all the recruiting Parties to the Regiment before it marches, that when we go to our grounds, sufficient arrangements, may be made, for the accommodation of the whole, and when they are once definitively fixed, such recruiting...
70To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 8 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your Letter of the 4th. inst. relative to the Winter Quarters of the 11th. 12th. & 13th. Regts. I wrote yesterday to General Stevens & he is now here, I am making the necessary arrangements for the fulfilment of your orders—as I am not conscious that the good of the service will be promoted by my remaining, here, I shall give the necessary...