201From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 10 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Ought it not to be a rule to forward from your department to the Major Generals, as they are passed, copies of all laws respecting the military establishment? At any rate you will oblige me by sending those of the session just finished. I observe in the 5 § of the Recruiting Instructions, filled up in Manuscript, the term of inlistment is five years. The law for augmenting the army § 2 directs...
202From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose to you two letters in recommendation of Doctor Foster as for a medical appointment. I have confidence in the Gentlemen who have recommended Dr. Foster— ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
203From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A rule respecting the allowance of Barracks and Quarters is wanting. I submit to your consideration the following scale. To a Major General for himself four rooms, for each Aid one room, and a Kitchen. To a Brigadier General for himself four rooms, for his Aid one room, and a Kitchen. To the Inspector General in addition to his allowance as Major General two rooms for officers, and one for his...
204From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 24 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 24, 1799. “… I shall confer with Col Smith on the subject of his Major and communicate the result.… I am of opinion that the hat ought to be delivered with its furniture complete. It will often be no easy matter for the Officers to supply a deficiency; and it is one of those instances in which œconomy will be likely to disgust by the air of excessive parsimony. Will it not be...
205From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 17 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have but just returned to this city, having been unavoidably detained at Albany much longer than I had expected. Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See H to James McHenry, January 15, 1800 ; H to Elizabeth Hamilton, January 26 , 30 , February 5 , 10, 1800 .
206From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
A letter just received from General Wilkinson contains the following—“I beg you to bear in mind that my continuance here will depend much on the Secretary of the navy, for I can not in prudence hazard my family on the gulph without a convoy which he has engaged to me for the tenth or twentieth of the ensuing month.” I beg you to confer with the S of the navy without delay, in order that it may...
207From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a letter from Mr Samuel Davis, and request your instructions respecting the answer to be given. Should he by his delay in the acceptance of his appointment, not be entitled to it, his loss will be of no great detriment to the Service his loss, will serve judging from his letter, will not perhaps be unfortunate for the service. with great respect Sir ( Df , in the...
208From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 7 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 7, 1799. “… Col Smith … recommends as his Major … Theodosius Fowler Esqr.… I do not find among the p⟨apers before⟩ me any list of the Officers of the Additional Troops of C⟨avalry⟩. Will you be pleased to have it transmitted? I promised Mr. Jones your C⟨lerk⟩ a memorandum of the number of printed copies of oat⟨hs⟩ and weekly returns which it would be expedient to ⟨send⟩ to the...
209From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 10 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, July 10, 1799. “I send you an Extract of a letter of the 20th June from Col: Hunewell, recommending Eli Forbes Esqr. for Captain in place of Capt. Philips. It was an idea talked of between us though not settled, that the routine of promotion should take effect in ⟨ea⟩ch regiment as soon as the places of field Officers were ⟨ac⟩tually filled. If this rule is to govern it would be an...
210From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 8 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Nothing can be more desireable than a well digested plan for connecting the different parts of our Military System, in regard to the procuring and issuing of supplies. I send you the outline of a scheme for that purpose. It is important that this, or a substitute more eligible, should be without delay established. It is particularly essential that the channels through which supplies are to...
211From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 1 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is an extract of a letter I have just received from Colonel Smith. I entirely concur in all the ideas it contains—On the subject of promotion to vacancies that occur, I have already written to you, more than once, in Strong terms, and can not but feel extreme regret that a System different from the one recommended should appear to have prevailed. In making this observation I allude...
212From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I hasten to reply to your letter of the 3d. instant. To Major Toussard I have hertofore written upon the Subject of it, but have not received an answer. If I am referred to the paragraph of the law cited in your letter for my authority to act—I must confess that I cannot find it there. If the Hospital contemplated was only a temporary one, the commanding General is only auxiliary to a...
213From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 23 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 21st instant came to hand by the post of to day. There are some points in it respecting the recruiting service which demand immediate attention. “1. The Stations of the recruiting rendezvouses or the stations in each state where it will be proper to provide rations and send the Cloathing.” My letter of the 19th designated these stations in the five States, in which it is...
214From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The enclosed papers herewith sent shew the result of the inquiry into the charge against Capt White. The impression which the whole evidence makes on my mind is that Capt White judged very ill in doing as he did because the transaction was of a nature to subject him to suspicion, but that he acted from no evil will far from acting with any evil intention he committed the error through an...
215From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 15 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be handed to you by Cornet Alexander Macombe, of the Cavalry of the U states, who when in Philadelphia will desire to pay his respects to you—He is a genteel clever young man & I trust the embryo of a good Officer. With respect & — Yr Obed Sr ( ALS [photostat], James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress).
216From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 13 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The Artillery stations on the seaboard within my command are divided into two districts, each of which is under the superintendance of a Major. It appears to me very desirable that there should be an Inspector of Artillery to each of these districts charged with duties similar to those which belong to an Inspector of Infantry. I can appoint the Officers but have not power to give a...
217From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Col. Smith relative to Joseph Cross a Private in the eleventh regiment— I do not think it proper, on the statement given, to order a discharge. ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
218From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Your two letters of the 20th instant have come to hand. The disbandment of the six additional troops of Cavalry has been announced in General Orders. The General and other Staff were not included in those Orders, not only because it might as conveniently be communicated by letter, but because it will be necessary that their power be considered as existing after the troops shall have quitted...
219From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
General Wilkinson has furnished me with the inclosed estimates of the cost of the Water Battery Barracks & Magazine, which have been undertaken at Loftus’s Height. And he gives it as his opinion by analogy, but without detail, that the cost of the fort proposed to be erected at the same place will about equal the sum of these Estimates say 16000 Dollars. I send you an estimate, which I have...
220From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Taylor informs me that he has recommended Doctor John Orton as Surgeon’s Mate in his regiment in place of Doctor Spaldin who declines serving in that capacity. From the manner in appearance of this Gentleman, and from manner in which Colonel Taylor speaks of him this Gentleman, I should suppose him to be perfectly worthy of the post— With great respect ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas...
221From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have communicated to Col Bentley your resolution as expressed in your letter of the 30th of Augt in respect to the late appointments for his Regiment. But the occasion claims from me some remarks, as due to my own opinion of propriety and the good of the service. I cannot doubt that the practice of your Department, as to the filling of vacancies in new corps, previous to your coming into it,...
222From 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....
223From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 24 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A press of business has — diverted my attention from measures to for convey — Capt Freyes company of Artillerists to Charles Town. On resuming the subject it strikes me that there ought to be an armed vessel of the Government to transport them; since doubtless on account of the very great distance they ought to go by water: And if so sent and if an accident should happen by the intervention of...
224From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Colonel Parker, in his letter of the twenty fifth of September, mentions to me that he has never heard from Captain Taylor of his regiment. I would thank you to enable me to give to Colonel Parker the requisite information on this subject. Enclosed are the arrangement of relative rank for the company officers of the eighth regiment, the accounts of Mess. Tennison and Burk, and some letters in...
225From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
After reading the enclosed confidential letter you will please return it. I remember what the General states. The idea was that the relative position between first and second Major in the interior of the Regiment should be fixed & selection was made with this view. Similar inconvenience will attend the 15th. Regiment. Major Walker was intended to be first. By the same construction he will be...
226From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will be pleased to receive herewith a statement of the articles of supply requisite for a Regiment of Infantry. It is necessary that the full quantity, including what has been heretofore forwarded, should be transmitted as fast as possible. With all the diligence that can be made, it is not probable that they will arrive too soon. After the proportion, which was indicated in the first...
227From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I am told, though I really have not seen the law, that one has passed suspending the Recruiting Service for the Twelve Additional Regiments. You are aware that an instruction from your Department ought to precede my agency upon that law. Yrs. truly ALS , Columbia University Libraries; ALS (photostat), James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress; copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton...
228From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 27 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to you, enclosed, the proceedings of the General Court martial held at Portland whereof Lt Leonard was Presidt. W— ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
229From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Rice mentions to me, in a letter of the twenty first of April, that he had that day informed Lieutenant Flagg of the acceptance of his resignation. Enclosed is an extract from Col. Rice’s letter on the subject of double rations— ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
230From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of the 25 instant inclosing a warrant for the execution of Serjeant Hunt. I have reflected carefully on the point submitted to our joint consideration, and upon the whole I incline to the side of Forbearance. The temper of our country is not a little opposed to the frequency of Capital punishment. Public opinion, in this respect, though...
231From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
On a subject, not very familiar to my experience I thot it well to consult others (one at a distance) which has occasioned a delay in fulfilling the object of your letter of the 24th of June respecting regulations for issuing straw, fuel &. I send you herewith the result of my enquiries and reflections. In regard to fuel, the late improvements in the construction of chimneys by Count Rumford,...
232From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have heretofore recommended that the servants of Officers who are not soldiers should be permitted to draw rations—As the subject presses I would request your immediate decision on it as far as poss shall be convenient — ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
233From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 12 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The contracts which have been made for the supply of the troops on the sea board have contemplated a small scale of issues, where to be worth the undertaking, the price must be high. Accordingly in most of the States the price is much greater than it ought to be. It has occurred to me as possible to reduce it. It is in the option of the Government to station its troops where it will. It is not...
234From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have given directions, with the precaution you contemplate, respecting the subject of your letter of the 16th. In respect to the provision for the supply of recruits at Lewis Town—I observe that in fixing the limits of a subdistrict and a particular place of rendezvous within it, I consider that place as a head Quarters for all the recruits inlisted within the subdistrict; but that...
235From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 11 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Rice proposes Mess Joseph Stickney and Edward Le Britton Wilson as Cadets in his Regiment, and I would recommend that they be immediately appointed. The Col. mentions that they can not recruit a man from the want of cash money— With great ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
236From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 23 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have directed the Pay Master General to deliver to his Deputy with General Pinckney, bounty money for four companies of Infantry. To Lieut. Richmond bounty money for four companies of Infantry, To Lieut. Woolstencraft bounty money for six companies of Artillerists. This I consider as a sufficient provision for completing the two Regs. of Artillerists including the additional battallion as...
237Enclosure: Candidates for Army Appointments from New York, [21 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Subalterns 1 Nathaniel Paulding West Chester would prefer Artillery Mr . Hale refers to me speaks hyhly A probably a good Lieutantnt AH 2 John Treat Irving would prefer Artillery B Mr. Hale 3 Timothy Shalor Albany County
238From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 10 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inclose two letters one for the commanding Officer at Fort Mifflin the other for Major Adlum their Objects will appear on perusal. perhaps you may think it expedient to give some Special direction to the Quarter Master General, for assisting the conveyance of Masseys Compy. If you see no objection you will please to forward the letters. The arrangement as relative to this...
239From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 15 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
There are many officers in Town who have entirely worn out their Uniforms, and are anxious to procure new ones, their uncertainty as to the Plan however prevents them; fearful of being led into expence which would be very inconvenient by not adopting the proper one. Let me urge your immediate determination on this subject. with great respect I am Sir Your obed Sevt. Df , in the handwriting...
240From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to send you a summary of the recruits for the Additional regiments as they appear on returns which were received at the Adjutant General’s Office. On the back is an estimate from better information of the probable numbers to the end of the month— With great respect ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
241From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I feel it as a mark of consideration for my recommendation, that notwithstanding the force of the difficulties, which in your view operate against further advances not founded upon the prescribed forms, you are pleased to declare that you will once more give your sanction to the measure. I must entreat you even to go a step further and to order that it be without fail done. For Symptoms...
242From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 14 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is a construction of the law warranted by usage that the President shall appoint the requisite number of Lieutenants & leave three of them to be designated for Quarter Master & Pay Master in the manner practiced in the late army. But if this is supposed not to be a good construction the end may be produced by making it a rule that recommendations shall come through the described Channels to...
243From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 9, 1800. “Enclosed are … instructions relative to certain objects of incidental expenditure.…”
244Enclosure: Uniform of the Army of the United States, December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Uniform for the Army of the United States For The Commander In Chief A blue Coat, without lappels, with lining Collar and Cuffs of Buff, yellow buttons and gold epauletts of double bullion tag with fringe, each having three stars. Collar Cuffs and pocket flaps to have full embroidered edges, and the button holes of every description to be full embroidered. The fashion to be in other...
245From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 15 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
If, My Dear McHenry, your retreat is from any circumstances painful to yourself I regret it with all the sincerity of a real friend; otherwise I congratulate you. It is impossible that our public affairs can proceed under the present chief or his Antifoederal rival without loss of reputation to all the Agents. Happy those who are released from the fetter. But my friend we are not to be...
246From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 1 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I transmit you an extract from Major Hoop’s letter of the thirtieth of August. “I am informed by Lieutenant Fergus under date of 25th of June that he could not move without the assistance of some carriages to convey the utensils for cooking &c, and that he had applied to the agent of the war Dept. who told him he could not do any thing in it without the orders of the Secretary of War.” It is...
247From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25[–27] May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 25 [ –27 ] 1799 . “I recur to two of your letters of the 9th. & 10th. instant. The reflections in the first respecting the inlistment of foreigners intirely accord with my impressions, as you have heretofore seen. I adhere to the opinion, that none but natives or naturalised citizens ought to be engaged. Of the latter, residence in this Country anterior to our Revolution to be...
248From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 31 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will see my Dear friend in the case of Capt. Frey the evil tendency of correspondence by the head of the War Department with inferior officers, when there is a superior. For a thousand good reasons it cannot be too carefully avoided. Perhaps a sudden emergency where the superior officer is in a situation that recourse to him might defeat the object is the only exception. Yrs. truly ALS ,...
249From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 7 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The unascertained situation, in which I have been, since my acceptance of the Military appointment, I now hold, has been not a little embarrassing to me. I had no sooner heard of the law creating the Office than I was told by members of the Congress that I was generally considered as the person designated by circumstances to fill that office and that the expectation of those who most actively...
250From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 January [1800] (Hamilton Papers)
It has been enquired of me whether Cadets are entitled to Clothing. As they are non Commissioned officers the twentieth section of the “Act for better organizing the troops of the U States, and for other purposes,” appears to me to apply to them. I should suppose them to be entitled to the Clothing of a Sergeant Major I would thank you to enable me to answer the enquiries that have been made...