Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 19 September 1799
Circular to the Commandants of Regiments
New York Sepr. 19th. 99
Sir
The Secretary of War has Determined to appoint immediately two Cadets to each regiment, and he has directed me1 to request from the several Commandants a special recommendation of two young gentlemen for the purpose.
You have nominated different persons, from time to time, as cadets severally:2 but [it is now wished that you should make a selection of two whom you prefer.]3
The Secretary of War observes in his letters that the Cadets are to expect promotion from merit only, and not on the principle of succession. You will be pleased to [take care that this be well understood by the parties.]
With great consn I am Sir
The Several Coms.
Df, in the handwriting of H and Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
2. For recommendations by commanders of appointments to the rank of cadet, see Aaron Ogden to H, August 5, 1799; William S. Smith to H, August 11, 1799; William C. Bentley to H, August 17, 1799; Richard Hunewell to H, August 22, 1799; Thomas Parker to H, August 24, 1799. All these letters, except the one from Parker, are listed in the appendix to this volume.
3. The words within brackets in this letter are in the handwriting of H.