From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 1 March 1800
To James McHenry
N York March 1. 1800
Sir
Enclosed is a copy of a letter which I wrote some time ago to the Pay Master General on the subject of double rations.1 The section which relates to this point still appears to me to be full of obscurity. It would seem to involve a contradiction in principle to allow double rations to the commander of a single post whilst they are refused to the permanent commander of a number of posts.
The question has recently been called to my attention by application from two Majors2 who have several posts under their superintendance.
Df, in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How and H, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
2. For Major Constant Freeman’s application, see Charles Cotesworth Pinckney to H, January 23, 1800, note 5. In addition, in a letter listed in the appendix to this volume, Daniel Jackson wrote to H on February 18, 1800: “I send you a copy of a letter from Wm Simmons Esq. Accountant Office …, wherein he considers me not as a permanent Commandant, nor entitled to my extra Rations.… I wish Sir your influance & direction respecting the Rations.”