From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 June 1799
To James McHenry1
New York, June 22, 1799. Encloses a letter from William S. Smith2 and suggests that it be forwarded to President Adams for his decision. States: “Let me recall to your mind the establishment of rules of promotion & especially the principle that when the field officers of the new Regiments are once appointed the Routine begins.”
ALS (photostat), James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress; copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
2. Smith to H, June 18, 1799 (listed in the appendix to this volume). In this letter Smith again proposed promoting Captain Dowe J. Fondey to second major in his regiment rather than appointing Theodosius Fowler to that position. See H to McHenry, May 24, 1799, note 1.