1From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 8 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
By the contract with James OHara Esquire, it appears that on the South East side of the Ohio within the State of Kentucke the ration is Ten Cents and two milles, on the North West side, at Cincinnati, thirteen cents, and that nothing is settled between that point and Massac. If the matter should remain as it is, the reserve force must be stationed on the South East side; for the difference of...
2Enclosure: Charles Lee to James McHenry, 10 February 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Relative to the claim of Lt Smith, who was appointed Judge Advocate to the Army by the Commanding Officer Genl Wilkinson in general orders, and who for sometime as it is stated to me rendered services in that capacity to the United States it is my opinion he is equitably entitled to compensation for those services. Though Genl Wilkinson does not in my opinion possess the power of appointing...
3From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 12 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I am this moment honored with your letter of the 8th instant. Considering the nature of my agency, in respect to the subject of it, I must understand the Remarks which are made as not applying to what I have done, but to the previous measures of General Wilkinson. It is known to you that the project was adopted and acted upon long before I was in command, that agreeing in opinion with General...
4From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 14 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 14, 1799. On November 18, 1799, McHenry wrote to Hamilton : “I recd two hours ago your letter of the 14th.” Letter not found. ]
5Enclosure: William Bingham to James McHenry, [18 November 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
It Surely must have escaped Genl Hamilton’s Recollection, that the Papers he alludes to, never were deposited with me. After reading the publication, in which he mentioned this deposit being thus made, I was Surprized at the omission of which, in Case I had been applied to for a View of them, I Should certainly have reminded him—under any other Circumstances, it would not have been delicate to...
6From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, November 22, 1799. “I have just been honored with your letter of the twentieth instant. The explanation that I entered into in the letter to which this is an answer was founded on a principle of caution, and did not proceed from the supposition that censure had been cast upon my conduct. I can readily assent to the position that in ordinary cases, where [no pressing exigencies...
7From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 23 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The near approach of a Session of Congress will naturally lead you to the consideration of such measures for the improvement of our military System as may require legislative Sanction. Under this impression, I am induced now to present to you some objects, which appear to me very interesting, and shall take the liberty to add, hereafter, such others as shall have occurred. One which I have...
8From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
From information which I have occasionally received it would appear that abuses are, from time to time, committed by particular officers, involving the irregular expenditure of money, that can appear only at the office of the Accountant of the War department. The thing seems to me to be sufficiently important to engage your attention, and I should suppose it would be proper to di[r]ect the...
9From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The preparation of a good system for the Tactics and police of the different portions of our Army is probably the most valuable service which it may be in my power to render the UStates in my present station & there are urgent reasons why this should be accomplished in the course of the present winter. To do it at all would in every situation require the aid of others; since I do not pretend,...
10From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 3, 1799. “… In conformity with your letter of the 25th of November I have written to Colonel Hamtramck requesting him to point out the individual officers whose ignorance is so strongly spoken of in his letter of the 5th of October. The remark of the Colonel did not appear to me to be directed particularly against late appointments but to embrace all appointments for the...
11From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 4 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 4, 1799. “I take the liberty to request of you information whether the claims of old Soldiers who served in the Revolution war, are still admissible. I make this inquiry to Serve an old Soldier who has consulted me on the subject.” Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. In MS this word is “Served.”
12From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Having some private business of importance to transact at Philadelphia, and there being several objects of a military nature which perhaps may be facilitated by a personal interview with you, it is my intention to leave this city on Monday next for the seat of government. With great respect & esteem I have the honor to be Sir yr. Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers,...
13From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have heretofore submitted to you a scale for the allowance of servants to the different grades of Officers with some supplementary ideas. I beg leave to add another suggestion in relation to this subject. The detaching from their corps soldiers, as servants to the various Officers of the general Staff, is productive of material inconvenience by withdrawing altogether from military service a...
14From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Pursuant to an instruction some time since received from you, I have now the honor to offer to your consideration a new plan for the uniform of the army. You are too sensible of the influence of good appearance, in point of dress and equipment, upon the spirit and Temper of an army, to make it necessary to illustrate its importance. The present uniform is materially defective in this respect....
15Enclosure: Uniform of the Army of the United States, December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Uniform for the Army of the United States For The Commander In Chief A blue Coat, without lappels, with lining Collar and Cuffs of Buff, yellow buttons and gold epauletts of double bullion tag with fringe, each having three stars. Collar Cuffs and pocket flaps to have full embroidered edges, and the button holes of every description to be full embroidered. The fashion to be in other...
16From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A complete revision of the Articles of War is desireable, as they require amendment in many particulars. But this would be so serious a work, that I fear it is not likely to be undertaken with a prospect of being speedily finished. Waving the expectation of such a revision, there are some things which could be done that would be important improvements. You are aware of the great obscurity...
17From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Application has been made to me on the Subject of Chaplains. I find by recurrence to the laws that four of these characters are provided for. This will furnish one to each brigade. I doubt not you will feel with me strong motives which recommend the speedily going into these appointments. The Revd. Mr. Hill has been proposed by Col. Parker and I now offer him to you as a Candidate. It appears...
18From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 9, 1800. “… The Adjutt: General is busied in preparing the Return you require. But his materials are unavoidably defective. The monthly returns heretofore sent you contain the substance of our information. All that is possible will be done.” Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See McHenry to H, January 6, 1800 .
19From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [13] January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Some of the maxims which obtain with the Officers at the seat of Government, charged with the adjustment of the accounts of those Agents who have to furnish supplies and make disbursements for the Military service are of a nature to produce much perplexity & inconvenience. To me they appear mistaken, such as are to be found no where else, and such as must render it impracticable to discharge...
20From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 13 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to send you the return of the Army of the UStates which you lately required and which was delivered to me this morning. It is accompanied by a letter from the Adjutant General which furnishes some necessary explanations. Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. McHenry to H, January 6, 1800 . William North to H, January 9, 1800 .
21From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 15 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I shall go to Albany on Sunday next on urgent business. Official communications from you will, of course, not reach me after Saturday, but I shall direct the Adjutant General to open such as may arrive and to take the measures which they render necessary in all cases that can not wait for a reference to me. Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. H was...
22From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 15 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
There are many officers in Town who have entirely worn out their Uniforms, and are anxious to procure new ones, their uncertainty as to the Plan however prevents them; fearful of being led into expence which would be very inconvenient by not adopting the proper one. Let me urge your immediate determination on this subject. with great respect I am Sir Your obed Sevt. Df , in the handwriting...
23From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed letter speaks for itself. I think upon the whole unless there are objections of which I am not aware it will be expedient to place Mr. Wilson in the new Batalion so as to reinstate him fully in the situation in which he would have been if he had not left the service. He appears to me a genteel sensible young man—and as to his morals has been well spoken of. You best know if there...
24From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 17 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have but just returned to this city, having been unavoidably detained at Albany much longer than I had expected. Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See H to James McHenry, January 15, 1800 ; H to Elizabeth Hamilton, January 26 , 30 , February 5 , 10, 1800 .
25From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have read with great pleasure your letter to the Committee of Defence. It presents the subject in a very correct and interesting manner, such as I should expect much good from; if I did not begin to think with Chief Justice Elsworth, that there is in a government like ours a natural antipathy ⟨ to ⟩ system of every kind . Yrs. affecly ALS , St. Croix Museum, Cristiansted, St. Croix, Virgin...
26From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 20 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeable to your wish expressed to me when at Philadelphia I have considered of a proper person to act as Deputy Quarter Master General to the Troops under my immediate command. Colonel Aaron Ogden is willing [to] accept of the appointment and as he is an officer who I can strongly recommend he will I trust meet with success. It is his wish that no immediate appointment may take place, to the...
27From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
As the season advances fast, when it will be proper to give effect to the new disposition for the Western Army—and as the arrangement of the Officers regimentally is a necessary preliminary to that Operation, I have recurred to your letter of the 15 of November last respecting the arrangement ⟨w⟩hich was submitted to you upon the plan of Brigadier General Wilkinson. A material object of the...
28From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the twenty fourth instant. I have reflected on the question proposed for my consideration, but am of opinion that the course heretofore recommended to be persued is the most proper. Should circumstances hereafter render it expedient to unite the two brigades the Division quarter Master would have a local situation, whereas the Deputy Quarter Master General whose...
29From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of forwarding to you the definitive arrangement of the relative ranks of the officers of 16 Uni States Infantry which has been approved of by me. with great respect &c Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. On February 26, 1800, in a letter listed in the appendix to this volume, H wrote to Lieutenant Colonel Rufus Graves, commanding...
30From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the inclosed papers as they came to me from the Pay Master General. It appears that the account of Capt Ellery, after having travelled backward and forward between the offices of the Pay Master and Accountant, has found no person who could adjust it. I cannot presume, that it has been finally rejected, because there is no evidence of a definitive application to you. If there are any...
31From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 1 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is a copy of a letter which I wrote some time ago to the Pay Master General on the subject of double rations. 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...
32From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I some time since sent you an estimate of the Cloathing requested for the Troops under my immediate Command for the ensuing year, proposing at the same time the materials should be forwarded so that the cloaths might be made up or altered during the Winter. I regret much that your arrangements could not answer my wishes, as the winter is far advanced, the time is approaching when some of the...
33From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I am told, though I really have not seen the law, that one has passed suspending the Recruiting Service for the Twelve Additional Regiments. You are aware that an instruction from your Department ought to precede my agency upon that law. Yrs. truly ALS , Columbia University Libraries; ALS (photostat), James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress; copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton...
34From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letters of the twenty seventh of February, and of the third of March. You mention that it will, probably, be thought expedient to suspend the filling of vacancies which may have been occasioned by staff appointments, or other causes. If, indeed, the disbandment of the additional regiments be an event which is expected very shortly to take place, the thing will be perfectly...
35From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Captain Izzard has determined to accept the appointment of Secretary to Mr. Smith our minister Plenipotentiary at the court of Lisbon, but, is desirous of retaining the commission which he holds in the army of the United States. I would submit to you the propriety of gratifying his wishes in this particular. When an officer is absent on public service, and the situation of affairs at home is...
36From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 7 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 7, 1800. States that the “law which provides for Brigade and Division Inspectors has made them no allowance for the article of forage.…” Quotes an order he has given to James Wilkinson on this question. Encloses extract of a letter from John F. Hamtramck on Indian affairs. Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. “An Act for the better...
37From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 7 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Ethan A. Brown has acted, for some time, in my office, in the character of Assistant Secretary; and I shall continue to have occasion for his services. It would therefore be gratifying to me if the President would bestow on him the appointment of second Lieutenant in the twelfth regiment. Mr: Brown has heretofore received a monthly salary. Should he be appointed to the office of Lieutenant...
38From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Some ill health joined to much occupation has delayed longer than I wished the preparation of the Bills you desired. Herewith I send you one of them. I regret extremely the dismembrement of the School of the Navy from the rest. Clear I am that all ought to be united under the Director General who might himself be subject to the orders of the Secretary at War in relation to the three first...
39From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Herewith you have the draft of a Bill respecting the Corps & Engineers & Artillerists. I vary in mode but not in substance from your report by defining the Regiment of Artillerists at its Complement (say four batalions &c.) and I suspend the organizing & raising of one batalion. This comes to the same result & appears to me most correct & systematic. I leave a blank for the privates, supposing...
40From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 11 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the seventh instant has been received. I have upon reflection, thought it expedient to order all the recruiting Officers of the additional regiments, with the men they may have enlisted, to their regimental rendezvouses; as it would be impossible to adopt any arrangements which would effectually prevent the enlistment of more men than are wanted to complete the old...
41From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 12 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Colonel Smith states to me that Captain White, of the eleventh regiment, has acted as Judge Advocate of all the General Courts Martial which have been held since the second of November, at Union Camp, and enquires whether he is entitled to any thing for the performance of this duty. The subject of compensation to persons acting as Judge Advocates has been heretofore matter of correspondence...
42From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 12 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
In reviewing your letter of February 27 I am doubtful as to the meaning of the following paragraph contained therein “With respect to the vacancies occasioned by the Staff appointments and other causes it is most likely it will be thought expedient to suspend filling them for the present.” I would wish to be informed whether it is your meaning that the vacancies occasioned by different...
43From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 13 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The Artillery stations on the seaboard within my command are divided into two districts, each of which is under the superintendance of a Major. It appears to me very desirable that there should be an Inspector of Artillery to each of these districts charged with duties similar to those which belong to an Inspector of Infantry. I can appoint the Officers but have not power to give a...
44From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [17 March 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the draft of a third Bill. I shall quickly send you that of a fourth which will comprise whatsoever may remain. Yrs. truly ALS , The Sol Feinstone Collection, Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia; ALS (photostat), James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress. The draft has not been found, but this was the draft of a “bill relative to the articles of war.” See...
45From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 17 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
General Pinckny has transmitted me confidentially the copy of a letter which he has written to you respecting the employment of the troops during the Ensuing Summer. I agree with him in the inexpediency of employing new troops in operations not military, as the digging of Canals &c and in the propriety of some extra compensation to any troops who may be so employed, as a douceur and a guard...
46From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have understood that the late Commander in Chief was forming some system to arrange the relative rank of the Field officers. I would wish you to inform me what progress he may have made, that the arrangement may be completed, and the rank of the Field officers, who are naturally very anxious on this Subject, be determined. I would wish to know, whether the regulations adopted by the...
47From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Cases, every day, occur to shew the immense inconvenience of being obliged to resort, for all articles of military supply, to the seat of government. The good of the service appears to me indispensibly to require the establishment of magazines in the great military districts with a small supply of the articles of constant necessity. This would obviate many difficulties, and produce, as I see,...
48From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Though from repeated reflection and action upon the subject my opinion was well made up when I received your letter of the 19th. yet I thought it proper once more to review the matter before I complied with your request. The principle of the doctrine advanced by the accountant will go much farther than the position which he now avows; namely, “that no authority short of Congress can make...
49From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 24 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Frequent applications are made to me concerning the relative rank of the Field Officers. It is very desirable that this should be universally settled & promulged without delay. I shall submit to you, before long, some ideas respecting the relative rank of the company officers of the different regiments. Enclosed are the commission of Lieutenant Flagg and a letter in which he offers to resign...
50From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
After reading the enclosed confidential letter you will please return it. I remember what the General states. The idea was that the relative position between first and second Major in the interior of the Regiment should be fixed & selection was made with this view. Similar inconvenience will attend the 15th. Regiment. Major Walker was intended to be first. By the same construction he will be...