To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 7 January 1800
From William S. Smith
Union Brigade [Scotch Plains, New Jersey] Jany. 7th, 1800
Sir.
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 pieces of Linen for sca[r]fs one piece of black Ribbon to tye them, two yards of Black broad Cloath, to cover the urn, and the necessary black Crape, & the expences of the Expresses to the Paul Bearers, which amounted to ten dollars, the Contractor having furnished them. I think this will not be thought extravagant or superfluous, the bills of the articles are not yet presented; when they are, with your Leave I will give an order on the Contractor, who will take the receipts of those who furnished them, & I doubt not but by a line from you, to accountant of the War Office, they will be passed as correct.
I shall give the necessary directions to the Judge Advocate,1 relative to the Tryal of Lt. Hoffman,2 & I hope Col. Ogden will be sufficiently recovered by the time Lt. Hoffman arrives, to proceed on the business.
I have the honor to be Sir, Your most Obedt. Humble sert.
W. S. Smith, 12th. Regt.
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Captain Samuel White of the Eleventh Regiment of Infantry acted as judge advocate for all general courts-martial held at Union Camp, Scotch Plains, New Jersey, after November 2, 1799.
2. For Hoffman’s court-martial, see H to Smith, January 3, 1800, note 4.