To Alexander Hamilton from Adam Hoops, 5 November 1798
From Adam Hoops
New York, November 5, 1798. “Inclosed are two letters: one from Captain Frye1 Stationed at Governors Island describing the Cloathing & accoutrements furnished to his men and the Other from Doctor Dwight …2 stating certain particulars relative to the Troops on Bedloes Islands.”
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Frederick Frye of Massachusetts had been appointed a captain in the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers on June 2, 1794 (, 159, 160). On November 3, 1798, Frye wrote to Hoops: “In conformity to your request respecting the uniform Clothing &c. of my Company—I beg leave to state to you the deficiences that exist, both in respect to the bad quality of some part of the Clothing, and the improper construction of other parts.… Permit me, Sir, to add that a considerable part of the Garrison are, at present, incapable of doing duty for want of Clothing …” (ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
2. Nathaniel Dwight was a surgeon’s mate in the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers (, 278, 279). On November 4, 1798, Dwight wrote to Hoops: “… Since my arrival here there has been, at a time, twenty men in the hospital, affected with a Dysentery which arises, in this instance, I apprehend, from the following general causes: Viz: a change in mode of living—from some carthartic quality in the water on this Island—& from a dificiency in clothing, suitable to the present, & approaching season” (ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).