1From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, 7 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
General Wilkinson, who has been some weeks in the City, in consequence of an invitation having for object the readjustment of our Western Military affairs, is about to make a journey to Bra [ i ] ntree to pay his respects to you. On such an occasion, I hope it will not be thought improper that I should address you on the subject of this officer; since what I shall say will accord with what I...
2From Alexander Hamilton to John Adlum, 8 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 8, 1799. “It is concurred to be expedient for some time to come to keep a body of troops in and near that district of Country in which the late insurrection existed. In this Service it is intended for the present to continue the troops now at Reading.… General McPherson recommended the occupying of three stations Reading, Allentown , & Easton . If the Corps of troops was more...
3From Alexander Hamilton to John Adlum, 23 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 23, 1799. “… I am not anxious that any part of your force should be stationed at Easton if you think it of importance to keep the whole united. It would however be a strong motive to the stationing of a small party at Easton if the recruiting service could be benefited by the measure. It is not convenient at present to reinforce your detachment, but as I am not apprehensive of...
4Circular to the Artillery Field Officers, 15 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you for your information the arrangement which has been adopted for the organisation and disposition of the Regt. of Artillerists. You will perceive that the batalion which you are to command is to be stationed in You will do well to apprise without delay the officers who are to compose this batalion of the arrangement—so that such of them who may not at present be with their companies...
5Circular to the Battalion Commanders of the Second Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, 27 May[–1 June] 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have heretofore transmitted ⟨to⟩ you the arrangement of the second Regiment of ⟨Artillerists⟩ shewing the batalion which you are to command and its destination generally. Measures are taking to bring the companies not already there within the sphere of that destination. But you will immediately assume the command of all the fortified posts in the vicinity of the sea board within the States...
6From Alexander Hamilton to William C. Bentley, 10 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, July 10, 1799. On August 17, 1799, Bentley wrote to Hamilton: “Yours of the 10 Ultimo … was received in proper time.” Letter not found. ] Bentley, a Virginian and a veteran of the American Revolution, was lieutenant colonel commandant of the Seventh Regiment of Infantry. He was stationed in Richmond, Virginia.
7Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 22 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 22, 1799. “It has happened in one instance which has come to my knowledge that the hats sent on for the Recruits have been destitute of Cockades and Loops. In a similar case I authorise you to procure the deficiencies to be supplied and I will take care that the expence be defrayed. Where there is an Agent of the war Department, you will first apply to him to have what is...
8Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 23[–24] April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of War has assured me that a competent number of drums and fifes for your Regiment shall be forwarded with its Cloathing. And he has authorised me to instruct you to hire temporarily persons in the capacities of drummers and fifers to be employed in the Recruiting service till others can be enlisted, provided that they can be obtained for a compensation not exceeding eight...
9Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 23 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is important to the service in every way that vacancies which happen in the several Regiments should be as speedily as possible filled. As no persons can be more interested in this being done, and with a careful selection of character, than the Commandants of Regiments, it is desireable that they should from time to time propose to the General, under whose command they may be, candidates...
10Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 19 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of War has Determined to appoint immediately two Cadets to each regiment, and he has directed me 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: but [it is now wished that you should make a selection of two whom you prefer.] The Secretary of War...
11Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 7[–17] September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been suggested to me that particular officers in some instances have incautiously indulged remarks in the presence of their men respecting the bad qualities of articles furnished, which were of a nature to foster discontent in the minds of the soldiery. Instances of this sort, I am persuaded, must have been very rare, as the impropriety of the thing is too glaring to escape an officer...
12Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 15 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is a question whether it will be most adviseable to distribute the Cloathing for your Regiment among the several sub districts to be furnished to the recruits as they shall be raised or to deposit the whole either at the Regimental Rendezvous or at the place which you shall fix as the rendezvous of each district. As the right decision of this question may depend in part upon circumstances...
13Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 27 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In military service, it is essential that each individual should move within his proper sphere—according to a just gradation and to the relations which subsist between him and others. It is a consequence of this principle that a regular chain of communication should be preserved, and that in all matters relating to service each person should address himself for information or direction to his...
14Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 19[–20] September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I request the favour of your opinion as to such of the Majors captains & Lieutenants of your Regiment as may be best qualified for service in the department of the Inspectorship or of the Quarter Master. This is an inquiry for information which will be extended to the several Regiments. It is hoped that the opinion will be given with freedom & frankness as it may be relied upon that it will be...
15Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 18 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Intimations have been in some instances given that more bounty money will quickly be wanted. The Secy of War will naturally expect that an application of this sort should be accompanied with some view of the progress of the recruiting. I am aware that it requires a little time to get into the train of exact returns—but it is necessary to require the transmission of information more or less...
16Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 19 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is the form of a monthly return which you are to make to me pursuant to the XXXV of the “Rules and Regulations respecting the Recruiting Service.” It now becomes urgent that these returns shall be regularly made. They will govern my application to the Secy of War for provisions of money. You will, consequently, enforce punctually in the returns which according to those Rules &...
17Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 9 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Our political situation renders it very urgent that not a moment shall be lost in disciplining our troops as fast as they shall be raised. To this end it is essential that every officer shall personally exert himself to the utmost and that a very faulty practice which has occasionally prevailed in our armies as well as others shall be carefully avoided; namely Commanders of Regiments leaving...
18Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 22 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to the intimation of the Secy of War I transmit you an extract of a letter from him of the tenth instant by which you will perceive the causes which have hitherto interfered with a supply of cloathing adequate to the demand. If the assurance of the Contractor can in any degree be relied upon, the supply in future will more than keep pace with it. With great consideration I am Sir ...
19Circular to the Commanding Officers of the Western Army, 2 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 2, 1799. On May 30, 1799, John J. U. Rivardi wrote to Hamilton : “I do myself the honor of acknowledging your letter of the 2d. instant, respecting the Superintendent of Indian Affairs & shall regulate my conduct accordingly.” Letter not found. ] See James McHenry to H, April 30, 1799 ; H to McHenry, second letter of May 2, 1799 . In addition to Rivardi’s letter quoted above,...
20From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Dayton, [after 21 December 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
An Accurate view of the internal situation of the UStates presents many discouraging reflections to the enlightened friends of our Government and country. Notwithstanding the unexampled success of our public measures at home and abroad—notwithstanding the instructive comments afforded by the disastrous & disgusting scenes of the french Revolution, public opinion has not been...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Abraham Ellery, 29 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You having been appointed Assistant to the Adjutant General and he being at this time absent, I think it proper to indicate to you a general outline of the duties which you are to perform. The duties of Adjutant General, who unites the capacity of Deputy Inspector General, are various and extensive. In the two characters he may be regarded as the Assistant of the Commander of the Army and of...
22Circular to Four Captains in the Battalion Commanded by Adam Hoops, 6 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Company is to form part of a battalion under the command of Major Hoops. You will, therefore, hereafter communicate with him and receive his orders; making all your returns to him. Your letters for the present will be addressed to him at New York indorsed on public service and with your name. I send you a sett of new recruiting instructions to which you will strictly conform in whatsoever...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Decius Wadsworth, William Littlefield, Lemuel Gates, and Amos Stoddard, 5 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
All the garrison posts within the vicinity of the Sea Board in the States of Connecticut Rhode Island Massachusettes including the Province of Maine and New Hampshire are placed under the command of Major Jackson. His general station will be at or near New Port Rhode Island. You will consequently communicate with him and obey his orders. Your returns of every kind are to be made directly to...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Caleb Gibbs, 24 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your very improper letter of the 30th. of September. This is not the first instance of my life in which good offices on my part have met with an ill return. When you were informed, that The Commander in Chief (who, aided by General Pinckney & myself, made in the first instance the nomination of Officers for the twelve Regiments) had presented your name for the place of Lt Col...
25To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 13 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Incon⟨venient as it was to⟩ my finances, I have been ⟨induced⟩ to erect convenient to the ⟨Capital, in the⟩ Federal City, two houses which have ⟨the⟩ exterior of one, but by an ⟨arrangement of commu⟩nication may, according to the ⟨desire⟩ of the occupant, or occupants—may have all the conveniencies of one, or be entirely seperate & distinct. For these buildings a person of the name of John...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Stockton, 22 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Princeton [ New Jersey ] June 22, 1799 . “The cause of Samuel & Miers Fisher agt Walter Rutherfurd and others is set down for Argument in the Circuit Court of the U S. for this district on the first day of October next. I am desired by the Complainants to inquire of you whether they may place dependence on your being at the Court to argue this important cause for them.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers,...
27To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 19 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, April 19, 1799. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from … Mr. King” to H, Columbia University Libraries.
28To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 24 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are certain regulations respecting the delivery of Fuel, Straw and Stationery, and Horses furnished to Officers. I wish you to consider them, and to offer such additional ones to, or alterations in those proposed as in your opinion may be proper. The last has been conceived necessary to check an evil which may grow to magnitude. I request you particularly to determine how many Horses...
29To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 16 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to the last paragraph of your letter of the 13~ instant, just received—I observe—That I have already informed you, Law and express instructions from the Treasury Department, to the Pay Master General, have opposed obstacles to making advances of pay to the troops. After a mature deliberation on the subject, by the Comptroller, he appears indisposed to alter the instructions to the...
30To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 29 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, August 29, 1799. Writes in reply to Hamilton’s letter of August 25 and states: “It is understood to have been the general custom in the Army to act, pro hac vice, as Judge Advocate on General Courts Martial, whenever the Judge Advocate to the Army, could not be present, or that Office, as is now the case, was vacant; it is not known that any established pay or compensation was...