61To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 26 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A question has arisen, respecting appointments, to a part of the Army establishment, on which I have to request your opinion, as soon as convenient, viz: Is it within the authority of the President, to appoint, the Officers, to the additional batalion, to the second Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, directed to be raised by “an act, for the better organizing of the troops of the United...
62From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It being urgent that the Two Regiments of Artillery should be organised into companies and disposed of to the several destinations which you have contemplated it results that a very inconvenient delay would attend the making of that arrangement in concert with General Pinckney as suggested in your late letter. As, likewise, this arrangement is mere matter of organisation, the distribution of...
63Enclosure: Arrangement of the Artillery, [25 April 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
Names Rank Date of Commission Residence Henry Burbeck Lieut. Colonel 7. May 1798 Michilimacinac John J. Ulrich Rivardi Major 26. February 1798 Niagara Moses Porter Captain 4 November 1791 Michilimacinac Alexander Thompson ditto 2. June 1794 Niagara
64From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have reflected, as you have desired, on the most proper principles for regulating the relative rank of the field Officers of the twelve additional Regiments. It is always prudent, when no special reasons dictate a deviation, to adopt for cases of this kind a rule which steers clear of comparison of personal merit and avoids the danger of wounding the pride of any of the parties concerned....
65From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have a second time maturely reflected on the proper rule for promotions in the army, and I continue to adhere to that which was adopted by the General Officers last Winter, & which is recapitulated in your letter. I am persuaded that in the general course of things it will work well and satisfactorily. A moment’s hesitation as to its universal application arose from the situation of the four...
66From Alexander Hamilton to John F. Hamtramck, 27 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will receive herewith duplicate of my letter to you of the 9th instant. It appearing that discontent has arisen from the establishment of Martial Law at Detroit, and a representation having been made against its exercise by Governor St Clair, and there being a question of delicacy about the boundaries of the authority to establish and exercise Martial Law in time of peace, it has been...
67To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, April 27, 1799. “I have considered the arrangement and distribution of the two Regiments of Artillerists and Engineers submitted to me … and approve of the same. You will be pleased to cause the said arrangement and distribution so far as it relates to your command to be carried into immediate effect.…” LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. H to McHenry, first letter of...
68From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 27 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 27, 1799. “I have reflected on the idea of furnishing the Regimental Quarter Masters with money to procure Quarters Transportation &c for the Recruits. It is a service which in an extensive State (New York for example) he cannot execute personally. If he employs substitutes at the different Stations, as the Contractor must do so likewise for his objects, it will either, by...
69To Alexander Hamilton from Nathan Rice, 28 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with your directions, I have proceeded to compleat the division of the State into subdistricts, at least that part of it which constitutes circle 14. I have not yet seen Colonel Hunnewell, & that no further delay might take place I entered on the business without him. It will be perceivd., that I have not exactly conformed to the division of the districts which was sketched by...
70Enclosure: Distribution of Massachusetts’ 14th Circle into Subdistricts, [28 April 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
Names of the Officers Superintending the Subdistricts Numbers of the Subdistricts The Principal Town or the Rendezvous of the Subdistricts Officers Superin-Tending Districts Plan of District Rendezvous Captain Ashmun No. 1 Pittsfield } Major Walker Springfield Captain Phelps No. 2 Great Barrington Captain Babbitt No. 3 Springfield
71To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 28 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] April 28, 1799 . Asks that soldiers employed in the quartermaster’s department be given extra pay for extra work. States that Dr. John G. Coffin, surgeon’s mate and acting quartermaster general, has had to assume responsibility for such payments and that he should be reimbursed. Also states: “… the State of my health is Such as To induce me To sollicit To be relieved.… I...
72From Alexander Hamilton to John F. Hamtramck, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 29, 1799. “… Are the Regimental Staff of the Regiments of the Western army complete? If not, let them be completed. I am not certain what has been the mode in time past of appointing Officers in that army; but the mode intended to be pursued hereafter is this—The commander of each Regiment is to nominate his Quarter Master & Adjutant, and the Pay Master so far as may be...
73From Alexander Hamilton to John F. Hamtramck, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 29, 1799. “… a Galley lately built at Pittsburgh called the Senator Ross has been … ordered to Massac there to receive further orders. The Commander of the Western Army being from situation most competent to judge what will be the most useful employment of this Galley, I leave it with you to dispose of her as you shall think best; observing only that the lower posts on the...
74From Alexander Hamilton to John F. Hamtramck, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 29, 1799. On July 17, 1799, Hamtramck wrote to Hamilton acknowledging receipt of “three letters of the 29th of April.” Third letter of April 29 not found. ]
75To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, April 29, 1799. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from … Mr. King” to H, Columbia University Libraries.
76To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Has it struck you, that it will be proper, notwithstanding the Commander in chief of the army has formally declined taking any agency or responsibility in its affairs until a certain state of things shall occur, for you to correspond with him, as the Chief, and give him such information from time to time relative to your comand as will enable him when he may enter upon actual service to...
77To Alexander Hamilton from Nathan Rice, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Duncan, my Pay Master was unable to compleat his bond in season for this days mail, I enclose it now for tomorrows, to be submitted to the Secretary at war. I requested in a former letter your directions respecting the Person to whom his bond was to be given, but have not had the honor of receiving your answer thereto. In your favour of the 15th you constitute me the judge of the...
78To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 30 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department [ Philadelphia ] April 30, 1799 . “The Governor of the North Western Territory Arthur St. Clair Esquire being ex-officio , Superintendant of Indian Affairs within the said Territory he is to be respected as such by all military Officers within the sphere of his Jurisdiction, you will be pleased therefore to direct the said military Officers to respect him as such, and to cause...
79From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I hear of no Cloathing arrived. The recruiting service is now actually begun here and elsewhere. I trust that the cloathing and other articles will certainly reach the Regimental rendezvousses before any of the men are there. It will be a discouraging omen if it proves otherwise. I beg you to appreciate the importance of having the articles forwarded as soon as they can be, even to those...
80From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 1 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is proper for you to be informed officially that I have appointed Capt. Church of your Regiment my Aid de Camp. I am sensible that in strict propriety, this ought to have been done previous to his appointment—in order that you might have had an opportunity to state to me if any particular reasons, in respect to the interests of the Regiment stood in the way of the appointment. The Omission...
81Circular 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,...
82From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 2, 1799. “I have received yours of the 30 April. and your directions will be immediately complied with.…” Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
83From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Very much attached to the idea of leaving the commanding officer of a distinct & distant army to regulate himself his particular dispositions—I have referred the employment of the Galley to Col Hamtramck on the supposition that by the departure of General Wilkinson the command has devolved upon him; with the intimation only of my opinion that probably the lower posts on the Mississippi offer...
84To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 2 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] May 2, 1799 . Sends a plan of Michilimackinac. Defends his request for extra pay for extra duty. Quotes from the following letter which he received from the Issuing Commissary: “By a letter which I received yesterday from the Contractor I am instructed (as this Garrison does not exceed 50 Men) To give up Stores under my charge To The Commanding Officer.… I hold myself in...
85From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 2 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
When lately in Philadelphia, I mention’d to you that the Secretary of War had given me to expect some Communication from you previous to the Execution of an Order which he has given me respecting a Military Escort to protect the marking of an Indian boundary line. This is intended to remind you of the matter and to repeat to you that I wait for this Communication. With great respect I have...
86To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, May 3, 1799. “… The cloathing for New York, New Haven & Trenton is packed up and will be immediately forwarded.… That for Pennsylvania is also ready to be delivered. To guard against a failure in the quantity of coats wanted for Massachusetts, I have obliged the Purveyor … to get made up in the most expeditious manner 640 Infantry coats … to be divided equally between the two...
87From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
After mature reflection on the subject of your letter of the 26th. of last month; I am clearly of opinion that the President has no power to make alone the appointment of Officers to the Batalion, which is to be added to the second Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers. In my opinion Vacancy is a relative term, and presupposes that the Office has been once filled. If so, the power to fill the...
88From Alexander Hamilton to Zebulon M. Pike, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 3, 1799. “The Secretary of War has transmitted me your letter of 23rd April. The practice of drawing rations for the Sons of Soldiers cannot be sanctioned.” Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Pike was a second lieutenant in the Second Regiment of Infantry. In this letter Pike had written to James McHenry: “… I have with me a young lad...
89From Alexander Hamilton to Nathan Rice, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter with the ones therein mentioned have come to hand. Inclosed is the Act for better organizing the army of the United States which will give you all necessary information. with true consideration I am Sir y ob S Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Rice to H, April 23, 1799 . 1 Stat. The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of...
90To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
East Chester [ New York ] May 3, 1799 . “I have been honoured with your Letter of the first of may; having always understood that Capt Church tho’ honoured by the appointment of being your Aid De Camp, intended, with your permission to recruit his Company; I mentioned to him, when in Town last, that the money & recruiting instructions, were ready for him, when it was convenient for you to...