1William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 23 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honor to write under date of the 16 th. ins t. —and am content that the communication I thought it my duty to make, has been received—and am also satisfied that it is not new to The President— The report that on my visit to Detroit, I gave out, that I was sent by The President, for ends of Government of some sort or other— is utterly and totally false...
2William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams, 21 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
It would be singular indeed, were I to permit your friendly note of March 9 th. to pass unanswered, and not to thank you for forwarding the letter from the west-ward, which accompanied it, I should not have taken the liberty of desiring my correspondents to have addressed letters to me, to the care of the Presidents secretary, had I not experienced the basest treatment thro’ the line of the...
3To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 13 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 13, 1799. “I take the liberty of suggesting for your consideration, whether it would not be conducive to the good of the service, to authorize the officers to engage persons in the capacity of Servants particularly attached to their persons, with the pay and rations of a Soldier, exclusive of the established Rank & file of the Regiment, so that under no consideration the...
4To 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...
5To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 12 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
East Chester [ New York ] June 12, 1799 . “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 5th inst.… we have neither tents nor the necessary Camp utensils. I will however endeavour to help them over these inconveniences, untill by your communications to the War office, the necessary supplies may be forwarded—each Company will at present require 4 good axes & 4 spades, and...
6To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 7 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp, 12th Regiment [ Bronx, New York ] September 7, 1799 . “… Upon a close inspection of the Regiments arms at present issued It pains me to observe, that they too generally appear to be old furbished up barrels, many of them full of flaws, new stocked & dressed perhaps to fulfil a contract, certainly not render essential service; of one hundred and ninety men inspected, including music, I...
7To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 10 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It would be of Service to the troops if some arrangements were made, that they might attend divine service on Sundays. The minister of this Parish is a firm good friend to Government, & the Army and preaches up the necessity of Supporting the one and accommodating the other. Finding the officers of the 11th. Regt. much disposed to visit their homes frequently I requested the Minister to give...
8To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 15 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Camp [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] November 15, 1799 . “… Yesterday two french Gentlemen presented themselves here, requesting my permission to teach the back and small sword to the officers of the Brigade.… I felt myself very unpleasantly situated, but informed the Gentlemen, that the particular delicacy of existing questions between their Country and mine, rendered it totally...
9To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your orders of the 21st. relative to the funeral Ceremony, which is to take place at this Camp on Thursday next, agreeably to your orders I immediately dispatched an officer to The Ajutant Genl. who I doubt not arrived at new york before 10. oClock the last night—of course, I have reasons to expect, the necessary supply of field artillery, blank...
10Enclosure: [Inscription for a Monument to George Washington], [23 December 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
Sacred To The Memory of The Illustrious George Washington General of The Armies of The United States of America, Who paid the Great Debt of Nature, The 14th. of December, 1799. On Mount Vernon Sol occubuit, nox nulla sequitur. To Commemorate his virtues. To hand down to Posterity, The Great The dignified Character of Their Exalted Chief, The Commandant And Officers of the Union Brigade,
11To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Brigade [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] December 23, 1799 . “In your Letter of the 17th. you mention your intention of retaining Capt Church with you, to this I cannot with propriety object, but I can with propriety say, the Regt. feel his loss, & I, particularly regret his absence, his pointed attention to duty, & his Gentlemanlike deportment has endeared him much to the Corps, I now see...
12To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Brigade [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] December 23, 1799 . “… I have not seen the Contractor, for a fortnight. I suspect he does not like the rotundity of my Phiz. I have been much fretted by his supplies. I have of course several times refused them—& have for Some time past, made it the duty of the field officer of the day, regularly, to inspect the provisions on the day’s of Issue, and...
13To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 24 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 23d. this inst. by the hands of the Post Master of Brumswick—the Orders contained in it, of the 21st. shall be minutely attended to, and executed with the deepest solemnity. I did myself the honor of addressing you last night which Letters I sent per stage this morning at seven oClock to the New Ark post office, to which I beg...
14To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 28 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Scotch Plains, New Jersey, December 28, 1799. On January 3, 1800, Hamilton wrote to Smith : “Your different letters of the 23rd 24th and 28th. of December have been delivered to me.” Letter of December 28 not found. ]
15To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 7 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 3d. inst. I have communicated with the Contractor on that part of its contents, which relates to his department—and I flatter myself I shall have no more grounds of complaint, if I have however, I shall not be silent. On the subject of the funeral expences—there is no other account to be presented, excepting the price of two...
16To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 8 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday I received a letter from Lt. Baldwin, wherein he states, that the present situation of his Health, obliges him to make a second application for a furlough, for such length of time, as may be thought sufficient, for the better recovery of his health, and refers me for further information, respecting the necessity of his making the application, to Doctor Douglass. I immediately...
17To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 13 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Lt. Colo. Ogden proposing to visit New york to-morrow, I have wished him to state to you fully, the situation of the interior of this Brigade. I see no possibility of preserving the necessary order, and regularity, indispensible in military service, unless I have the power deligated, competent to punish offenders, against the orders, I am as Commanding officer, authorised to Issue. The...
18To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 24 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to inform you that in obediance to The Proclamation of The President of the United States, recommending that on the 22d. day of Feby. public testimony should be given of the grief of our Nation for the death of General George Washington by suitable Eulogies, orations and discourses, or by public prayer—the Union Brigade discharged the duty required with respect & reverence—a...
19To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 5 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of two letters of the 21st. and two of the 25th. ulto. I have taken measures to obtain correct information, of the disturbances which took place at Elizabeth Town, between Capt. Courtlandt & Lt. Livingston, with some people at a public House. The account in the news paper is grossly exagerated as appears to me, from the statements I have already...
20To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 8 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Nothing but a point of the most delicate Honor, could have induced me to leave this Cantoonment for 12 Hours, without having previously obtained your permission as Commanding General, but the situation of that pledge is such, that I am under the necessity of presenting myself to you, without obtaining that permission. I shall do myself the Honor of presenting myself to you on monday at 12...
21To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 13 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Brigade [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] March 13, 1800 . Recommends “Major Shute of the 11th.… as a Candidate for the office of Supervisor of the State of Newjersey.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. William Shute was a veteran of the American Revolution and a resident of Elizabeth, New Jersey.
22To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 17 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Brigade [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] March 17, 1800 . “Not thinking it prudent to leave the sons of St. Patrick to frolick without my superintendance in Camp, I have declined the invitation from the Inhabitants of New Ark, to spend this day there. Our Camp is in mirth but not improperly. It is now 3. oClock, & St. Patricks most Zealous sons, are pretty tranquil. Enclosed are some...
23To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 25 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have communicated to Colo. Ogden the arrangements I have made relative to the experiments I am making on the proper measure of the pace, as stated in your Letter of the 18th. to whom at present, I beg leave generally to refer you. I have made arrangements to procure the necessary pendulums to correctly mark the cadence of the common 75—Quick 100—& wheeling times 120. pr. minute, I must...
24To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 31 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Brigade [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] March 31, 1800 . “I have had the honor of receiving yesterday your Letter of the 26th. enclosing the project for the formation of a Regiment for exercise and Battle. I feel a diffidence in revising it, but … I will however endeavour to overcome that diffidence, and give the subject my earliest attention conformable to your wish.…” ALS , Hamilton...
25To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 2 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Brigade [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] April 2, 1800 . “I have been honoured by your Letter of the 27th. ulto.… The communications you wish made in the public papers, shall receive my earliest attention.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
26To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 5 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of Submitting to your consideration the alterations of the plan for the formation of a Regiment for Exercise or Battle, forwarded in your Letter of the 26th ulto, you will observe that I am decidedly of opinion, we should fix our firm reliance on the well organised Battalions—the Brilliant dashes and light touches of advanced, Light Infantry—will not answer our...
27Enclosure: William S. Smith to John Adams, 21 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The brigade, which as Lieut. Col. commandant, I have had the honor to command, being on the point of dismissal, I take the liberty of suggesting, that the officers & soldiers are well instructed in the duties of their profession, & it would be of great public benefit, if as many of them, as might be requisite, should be taken to fill up the corps, government have concluded to retain in...
28To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 28 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of Submitting to your perusal a Letter this day received from The President, with a Copy of one from The Secretary of War which I should thank you to return. I shall make no comments on the observations of The Secretary, tho’ there are great Grounds. I should be much flattered if in your communication to the President, I should, if it is only pro hac be charged with...
29To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 31 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 30th. informing me that Major Tousard is arrived for the purpose of recruiting six companies of Artillerists, and requesting me to give facility to the accomplishment of the object. If The Government requires six Companies of Artillerists from this Brigade, I believe they can be completely furnish’d by the evening roll-call—but...
30To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 28 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have only this morning had the honor of receiving your Circular Letter of the 18th. inst. its contents shall be immediately attended to— I take the liberty of observing that any communications you may hereafter honor me with, will meet with a prompt and safe conveyance, by being sent to the Quarters of the Adjutant of the Regt. Mr. Cocks No. 56. Water Street. I have the honor to be Sir, Your...
31To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 11 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with your wishes expressed in your Letter of the 18th. Ulto. I have the honor of presenting a General return of the State of New York, with the Counties and Towns divided into two Grand-Divisions and Ten Sub-Divissions, specifying the beats of each Company recruiting for The Regiment . I shall be happy to find, that it meets with your approbation, and that the detention of your...
32To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 6 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreably to orders contained in your favours of the 31st. ulto. & 3d. Instant, received yesterday, at East Chester, I convened the officers of the 12th. Regiment, and they have unanimously nominated Lieutenat James Smith to be paymaster of the Regiment, I doubt not it will meet with your approbation and the approbation of The Secretary of War. Inclosed is his bond connected with his Brother...
33To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 8 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 23d Ulto. inclosing a list of the Officers of the 12th. Regiment distributed into Companies, that I would in concert with the Major suggest for consideration such alterations as from Circumstances may be deemed expedient with the reasons for those alterations, I take the liberty of enclosing a list of the Officers ranked as the...
34To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 17 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a Letter from Capt. Church of the 12th. inst. covering a copy of one of the 11th. from Mr. Simmons addressed to you, which states that a Warrant has issued for three thousand five Hundred and twenty Dollars—that the amount is forwarded to Mr. Fish, to be paid to the officers on account of the recruiting service, which he is directed to receive grant his receipts and disburse...
35To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 20 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In my last of the 17th. inst. I did myself the honor of acknowledging the receipt of a letter from Capt. Church of the 12th. enclosing a Copy of a letter of the 11th. inst. from the Accountants Office of the War department, addressed to you, wherein it is mentioned, that “A warrant has also issued for three thousand five hundred dollars, and the amount is this day forwarded to Mr. Fish to be...
36To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your favours of the 23d. & 24th. inst. on Saturday night, I have this morning made the necessary arrangements to commence recruiting in the first Grand division the Drums will beat this afternoon— If the arms of the Regiment are in store at this place, and you will attain an order from the War-office for me to receive them, I will have them put in order, fit for...
37To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 16 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
On the arrival of Capt. Fondy I have made the necessary arrangements, for recruiting in the second Grand Divission, he will of course call on you, for any additional orders which you may conceive necessary to give Considering the present situation of the interior of the Regiment, I should think the service would be benifitted, by the appointment of Capt. Fondy to the vacant majority, the...
38To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 25 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honoured by the receipt of your Letter of yesterday’s date, containing the enquiry from the Secretary of War, whether Capt. Justus B. Smith Lieuts. Thomas Thompson & Jacob C. Ten Eyck, mean to accept or decline their appointments, the question as it relates to my Brother Justus B. Smith would have been decided before this, had I received any communications on the subject of the...
39To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 11 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your Circular of the 23d. ulto., its contents shall of course be particularly attended to, the substance of the two last paragraphs have been duly communicated—and when ever applications are made, I shall forward them to you for your consideration, where I am acquainted with the applicant, I will agreable to your request express my opinion,...
40To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 18 [June] 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving last evening by the Stage, your private letter of the 14th. inst. relative to the appointment of a 2d. major to the 12th. Regt. When I mententioned Mr. Fowler it was connected with this observation, that I knew no other Gentleman who was solicitous for the appointment—that tho’ Mr. Fowler was not a remarkably brilliant officer, still I supposed him capable of...
41To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honoured by the receipt of your Circular Letter of the 18th. inst. relative to a further supply of bounty money, and suggesting the propriety of accompanying the necessary application for the same, at the war-office, with some statement of the progress of recruiting, It is not in my power at present, to forward any regular returns, not having as yet received any, under the...
42To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 1 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting to you, by the Adjutant of The 12th. Regt. the monthly return of Recruits to the 30th. ulto. inclusive, as far as they have come to hand—I have reason to believe further progress has been made by the officers in the interior—I enclose also the attestations of the enlistments of Capt. Bennets, Capt. Patterson & Capt. Courtlands Recruits, those of Capt. Landon...
43To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 12 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
As the assistant Adjutant General has made some observations, under date of the 5th. inst. on the return I had the honor of making to you of the 1st. and may have made a similar personal communication to you—I take the liberty of enclosing for your perusal under a flying seal, my answer to him which I doubt not to your mind will be sufficiently explanatory & satisfactory. I have the honor to...
44To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 16 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Alexander Stevenson, a Grandson of Edward Stevenson of Throgs neck deceased, is solicitous of entering into the 12th. Regt. as a Second Lieutenant, from an early knowledge of his family and the modest deportment of the young Gentleman aided by the respectable recommendations, he brought to me, I feel a solicitude, that he should be placed on the list of applicants to fill the...
45To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Recruiting service of the 12th. Regt. suffers considerably for the want of Subaltern officers. there is no acting Lieutenant to Capt. Kissam’s Company. Capt. Courtland is entirely destitute of aid, Capt. Fondy and Capt. Kirkland are similarly situated, & I belive Capt. Whites Lieutenants have either not accepted or have not joined their Company—if the filling of the vacant Lieutenancies...
46To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that some time past a soldier by the Name of Jno. Montgomery deserted from Capt. Pattersons Company—he repaired to the House of one Abraham Brown, at Mount Pleasant, about four miles from Tarry Town, on the Bedford road, where he told Brown, he was a deserter, that he had thrown his Cloaths into the dock at new York & that knowing him , he came to ask his...
47To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The cloathing issued to the recruits of the 12th. Regt. at the Rendevous’s of the Sub–districts, and the supplies delivered here, has consumed the whole of what was sent on from the War office—relative to coats, stocks & clasps—There are several men at present here, for whom we have not coats—as there is a prospect of having a considerable number of recruits arrive at this post in a few day’s,...
48To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
enclosed I submit to your purusal a Letter from Capt. Fondy, stating a particularly hard case, relative to the rank of Lt. Foster. It is sufficient for me fully to submit the statement to your consideration; confident if mistakes have been made, injurious to Lt. Foster’s rank, you will with pleasure use your influence to have them rectified—I have the honor to be, Sir Your most Obedt. Humble...
49To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 27 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Circular Letter of the 22d. and am pleased to find, there is a prospect, that the supply of cloathing is likely to keep pace with the recruiting service—I did not know that there was any defficiency, or that any person had presumed to charge the War-office with neglect on this subject, untill I perused the extract of a Letter from the Secretary of War, of the 10th. inst....
50To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 27 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed I have the honor of presenting a letter from Capt. Fondy, recommending Mr. Tobias V. Cuyler as a Candidate for a Lieutenancey in the 12th. Regt. I have not the pleasure of an acquaintance with Mr. Cuyler, but from the warmth of Capt. Fondy’s expressions relative to him, I have not the least doubt but Mr. Cuyler may with propriety be put in the scale with the other Candidates. The...