Alexander Hamilton Papers

To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Knox, 23 August 1790

From Henry Knox

[New York] 23d August, 1790.

An estimate of the expense of employing, for three months, one thousand seven hundred militia, and four hundred continental troops, in an expedition against the Wabash Indians—two hundred of the militia to be mounted.1
The Militia.
The pay, $24,012
The subsistence and rations at 16–90ths of a dollar, 31,302
Forage for the field and staff officers,    234
$55,548
The Continental Troops
Additional expense of subsistence and rations to the continental troops, during the same period. This expense arises from the contract; the price of the ration at fort Washington is stated at six and a half ninetieths of a dollar; but, from that post
   to the places of operation, the price will be sixteen-ninetieths, 4,146
The quartermaster’s department, including the hire of four hundred horses,
   purchase of boats, and transportation,
30,000
Contingencies,   10,306
$100,000

The contractors are to execute the duties of the quartermaster’s department; the extra services, therefore, which will be required of them, independent of the sum set down for contingencies, will amount to sixty-five thousand six hundred and eighty-two dollars. One half of this sum may be necessary to be advanced immediately, to enable them to perform effectually the services required.

ASP description begins American State Papers, Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of the United States (Washington, 1832–1861). description ends , Indian Affairs, I, 98.

1The expedition against the Indians took place in September and October, 1790.

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