Alexander Hamilton Papers

To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 16 May 1800

From James McHenry1

War Department
16th. May 1800

Sir,

I have recieved the following directions from the President of the United States2—“I request you, to transmit copies of the Law, for reducing the twelve regiments3 to Major Generals Hamilton and Pinckney, and also to the Commandants of Brigades, with orders to the Major Generals to make immediate arrangements reducing those regiments on the 14th day of June.”

In compliance therewith, I do myself the honor, to inclose a printed copy of the Law mentioned,4 and request—That Major General Hamilton, and Major General Pinckney, will give the most prompt, and efficient orders, to insure, the reduction of the contemplated regiments, on the 14th day of June next ensuing.

The Major Generals will also be pleased, to enjoin those officers, and others, who have the Custody of Arms, Camp Equipage, or military stores, to observe the directions of the Superintendant of Military [Stores], with respect to their transportation and deposit.

General Hamilton will give the necessary orders to the Pay Master General, relative to the pay of the officers, and men to be discharged.

I am Sir   with great respect   your obedt hble servant

James McHenry

Major General Alexander Hamilton.

ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.

1On May 16, 1800, McHenry also sent this letter to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. See Division Order, May 29, 1800 (LC, RG 98, Post-Revolutionary War Records, Vol. 383, Orderly Book of Major General Charles Pinckney, National Archives).

2John Adams to McHenry, May 15, 1800 (LC, Adams Family Papers, deposited in the Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston).

3“An Act supplementary to the act to suspend part of an act, intituled ‘An act to augment the Army of the United States, and for other purposes’” (2 Stat. description begins The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, I (Boston, 1845); II (Boston, 1850). description ends 85–86 [May 14, 1800]). For the text of this act, see H to Nathan Rice, May 13, 1800, note 1.

4Copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.

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