To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 2 June 1800
From John F. Hamtramck
Pitts Burgh June 2d 1800
Dear General
The Sudden resolution of Congress Respecting the New Regiments1 was to me very unexpected, for I had Calculated on their Continuance until our affairs with France would have been finally Settled. I had also indulged my Self with a pleasing hope that Some of the New Corps would have been grafted on the old Establishment, and that our army would have been sufficiently Respectable as to have had you for our chief, But to my great mortification all my wishes, all my hopes have in a moment vanished. No person Sir will Regret your leaving the army more than my Self, the Profession meets with an irreparable Loss, and Both officers and Soldiers loses one of their Best parents.
Permit me Sir once more to Return you my sincere thanks for the obliging letters you have honered me with and be assured that I am with every Sentiment of Respect and affection your most obedient
and Very humble Servent
J F Hamtramck
P.S. it is Reported that the Majority of the Electors for President lately appointed in the State of Tennessee are federal men, this Circumstance was very much unexpected.2
J F H
Maj. Gen Hamilton
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. “An Act supplementary to the act to suspend part of an act, intituled ‘An act to augment the Army of the United States, and for other purposes’” ( 85–86 [May 14, 1800]). For the text of this act, see H to Nathan Rice, May 13, 1800, note 1.
2. Hamtramck was mistaken. Tennessee’s electors cast all their votes for Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr (, X, 744, 1023). See also H to Theodore Sedgwick, May 4, 1800.