1To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 2 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, Trenton, November 2, 1799. “I received this morning your letter of the 31st Octbr. ulto. enclosing and submitting for appraisal, a project of a new arrangement of the officers of the four old Regiments of Infantry. The books and records of this office being packed up, it is out of my power to make any comparison between the project and the order in which these officers stand in...
2To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 8 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 29th. ulto. prior to the return of the Public offices from the City of Trenton to the Seat of Government. As it presents objects of considerable expenditure, I thought it my duty to lay it before the President, and have since given to the subjects it embraces, an attentive consideration. You inform me, that General Wilkinson furnished estimates which you enclose...
3To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter dated the 25th. ulto: at Trenton, when the business of the Office, had closed there and preparations were making to return to the Seat of Government. This letter relates to claims against the United States for Services rendered by Lieutenant Campbell Smith, which are stated to be of two kinds. 1st: For Services as Judge Advocate for more than two years previous to the...
4To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Since the return of the War Office to the City of Philadelphia, I have reverted to your letter of the 31st: ulto: and given as mature a consideration as circumstances would permit to the new arrangement of the Officers of the first, second, third and fourth Regiments of Infantry, as proposed by Brigadier General Wilkinson, and approved by yourself provisionally, but subject to a negative from...
5Enclosure: James McHenry to Anthony Wayne, 27 August 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I here transmit the arrangement of the legion and Cavalry which you will please to have promulged and carried into execution. You will perceive by adverting to the table of Regiments and Rank that the President has been guided by the rule of Seniority and that the Officers with a few exceptions remain attached to the Men which they have been accustomed to command. For example the First Sub...
6To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 16 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 13th and one of the 14th. instant each inclosing a letter to Caleb Swan Esqr Paymaster left open for my perusal. Immediately upon receiving the first mentioned I wrote to Mr Swan a letter of which the enclosed is a Copy. It pains me exceedingly that either from the delay of the Officers in forwarding Muster and pay Rolls, a defective arrangement for forwarding the...
7To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I recd two hours ago your letter of the 14th, begging me to call upon and send you certain papers you had lodged with Mr Bingham. As he has not yet returned to the City I dispatched my servant with a note to which I have received the answer inclosed. I do not remember to have seen the papers aluded to. Yours truly & Affectionately ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to...
8To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I recd. your letter of the 12th on the 15th inst. It is an answer to my letter of the 8th inst relative to permanent fortifications at Loftus’ heights on the Mississppi part of them (the water batteries) begun and nearly finished, and materials or a great part of them provided for a fort on the heights; at least such is my information, by order of Brigadier General Wilkinson, without the...
9To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 25 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, November 25, 1799. Questions the validity of John F. Hamtramck’s statement that a number of officers do not know “the common rules of arithmetic and how to write.” States that if the officers are so illiterate, “it is high time, that the facts be ascertained and a decisive remedy adopted.” Requests that Hamilton “require Colonel Hamtramck to designate the officers who come...
10To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed, special directions, from the President of the United States, relative to the funeral honours, to be paid to the memory of their late illustrious and beloved Chief, General George Washington, by the army of the United States, you are requested to be particularly attentive to, so as to insure by your orders the most reverential testimonials, of that profound grief, with which every...
11Enclosure: [Instructions to the Army on Funeral Honors for George Washington], [19 December 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
The President, with deep regret, announces to the Army the death of its beloved Chief, General George Washington. Sharing in the grief, which every heart must feel for so heavy and afflicting a public loss, and desirous to express his high sense of the vast debt of Gratitude, which is due to the Virtues, Talents and ever memorable services of the illustrious deceased, he directs that funeral...
12To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 6 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to request that you would be pleased to transmit me a return of all the Troops in the Service of the United States specifying the several regiments to which they belong. As this return is to accompany a report which I am making out to submit to the President I beg that the return may be furnished with as little delay as possible. I have the honor to be with great respect ...
13To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 7 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Being much pressed to prepare information called for by Congress, I can at present only notice the subject of your letters of the 2nd & 4th inst. Not considering the question whether rations can be issued to Officers’ Servants (who are not Soldiers) as within the Executive Competency to determine, I have embraced it in my report to the President as a subject for a Legislative provision. I...
14To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 17 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, January 17, 1800. “I have received this morning your three letters dated the 15 and 16 instant. It being presumed that Lieutenant Baldwin will do duty until it is known that his resignation is accepted he may be informed that it is accepted.… The uncertainty which hangs over the new regiments as it respects their being continued on the establishment has hitherto prevented me...
15To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [17 January 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
I recd. yours of the 15 inst this morning, informing me, that urgent business would call you to Albany on Sunday. I inclose you my report. I think it too probable, that the house of Representatives will determine upon a suspension of the recruiting service, and doubt the firmness of the Senate. Yours affecy ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; ADf , James McHenry Papers, Library of...
16To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 25 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The house of Representatives yesterday passed a bill to suspend enlistments for the six additional companies of cavalry and twelve regiments of Infantry. It is now before the Senate, and may also receive the sanction of that body, altho’ (perhaps) not immediately. It is therefore thought advisable, that the terms of enlistment be altered and until otherwise directed run, “for and during the...
17To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I now have the Honour to transmit to you a Copy of my circular Letter to Colonels Moore, J. Smith, Read, Bentley, Hall, Parker, Ogden & W S. Smith, in consequence of the Bill which passed the House of Representatives on Friday last, to suspend enlistments for the six additional Companies of Cavalry & the twelve Regiments of Infantry. You will please to issue such further orders as to you shall...
18To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterday informing me of your return to New York. What I suggested might happen has been realized. The Senate yielded to the supposed momentum of public opinion, or some other agent as powerful, and passed the bill from the House of Representatives to suspend further inlistments for the twelve Regiments & 6 companies of cavalry. A feeble attempt was made in...
19To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 24 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, February 24, 1800. “… The selection of Col. Ogden for Deputy Quarter Master General is very judicious. He is well qualified in my opinion to discharge the duties, provided he gives himself up entirely to them.… There is a question however which it may not be amiss for you to examine relative to this appointment previous to your making a final communication to Colonel Ogden. A...
20To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter dated the 21st: instant on the 25th. I have examined your new list and arrangement of the Officers of the four old Regiments of Infantry, with the original arrangement as it stands on Record and find that it differs therefrom in a few transpositions only, viz: in removing Capt. Tinsley from the first to the fourth and Capt. Bird from the fourth to the first, Surgeon...
21To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 28 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is the list of the Officers of the four regiments of Infantry which was omitted to be sent in my letter of Yesterday. I am Sir with great respect Your obed Servant. LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. In the Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress, is the final list of the officers of the first four regiments of infantry arranged by relative rank with a column of “Remarks”...
22To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [1 March 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
Will you give a few hours to the formation of a bill, or bills, providing. 1. For the modifications of the two Regiments of Artillerists agreeably to the principles laid down in my report. 2. For establishing the Fundamental School and School of Artillerists & Engineers. 3 For such other points mentioned in my report as requiring legislative provisions. 4 An explanatory clause in the latter...
23To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 7 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your two letters dated the 2d. & 3d. instant. I enclose copy of “An act to suspend in part an act, intitled an act to augment the army of the United States, and for other purposes” passed the 20~ ultimo—providing that all further enlistments under the 2d. Section of the original act, shall be suspended until the further order of Congress, unless in the recess of Congress, and...
24To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
You will be pleased to cause the following Regulations to be observed respecting Soldiers allowed to be taken from the line of the army, to attend on officers. To the Commander in chief or General having a seperate command is allowed three without arms. To the inspector General, Quarter master General, each Major General not having a seperate command, and to the adjutant General two of the...
25To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 14 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are Regulations respecting certain Supplies and respecting objects of special and extra Expence. I request you will be pleased to take such order relative thereto as will tend to facilitate their due execution. I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your obedt. servant. LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Regulations respecting certain supplies and respecting...
26To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Chapin, Agent for Indian Affairs, has informed me, under date of 6th ulto, that “the Tuskarora Nation, residing near to Niagara, complain of Major Rivardi, (or his people under his command) of killing three of their Horses, & on finding proof to that effect he has refused to make them satisfaction.” This complaint is of a serious nature: you will be pleased to take such order upon it, as...
27To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your two letters of the 7th. one of the 10th. two of the 11th. 3 of the 12th. one of the 13 and one of the 14. instant. Agreeably to the rule approved of by the late General Washington relative to the order of rank among field Officers and the documents in this Office Major Hopkins will take rank of Major William D. Beale. The rule prescribes that as to all such of the field...
28To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I received last night your letter inclosing the draught of a bill relative to the articles of war. I made out two draughts of bills for the military academy, one on the most enlarged plan with limitations which ensured against any extension beyond the Fundamental School and school of Engineers and Artillerists until an appropriation for the purpose. The committee have preferred the other bill...
29To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 26 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letters of the 18 and 25, instant. I herewith transmit you the relative rank of the field Officers of the twelve additional regiments of Infantry as made out by the late Commander in Chief together with Copies of his letters and of the several papers referred to him. The letter from Colonel Read herein enclosed was not received until after the papers were returned by...
30To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Here is what the committee have reported. They would not go further, and I wish Congress may go as far. You forgot, when you thought to combine interests, that the little passions are great intermeddlers in the most important affairs. Yours truely ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; ADfS , James McHenry, Library of Congress. For an explanation of the contents of this letter, see...