151Enclosure: Candidates for Army Appointments from New Hampshire, [21 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Subalterns 1 Timothy Mountford Philadelphia 5 Silvester G Whipple Livemore Education & good family Hampton 23 years Gordon collegiate education & has read law eleven mon respectable Whipple Father —[sprightly & active] 6 William S Thorne Londonderry
152Enclosure: Candidates for Army Appointments from Vermont, [21 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Subalterns 5 Marmaduke Wait Windsor ☞ 25 year Payne Young Gentleman heretofore recomd by Morris & himself pretty good 2 Morris —education common morals good active enterprising Cadet 9 John H Brownson Father Brigadier General Lyon Nothing
153Enclosure: Candidates for Army Appointments from New Jersey, [21 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Subalterns 6 Robert Hunt son of A Hunt Trenton Lieutenant Qr Cavalry } Stockton
154Enclosure: Candidates for Army Appointments from Pennsylvania, [21 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
LIEUTENANTS & ENSIGNS John S Porter McPherson Probably good Ensign Philadelphia Francis Johnson Inquire of Chester David Denny perhaps Lt. Young & writes a good hand & good English Archibald D Davis Lancaster Young Dennis Wheelen David Denny do Elija Griffiths Richard Thomas
155From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I perceive it would be agreeable to the Commander in Chief to receive frequent communications from you and particularly to understand the state of public supplies, that is the quantities on hand & the measures in execution to procure others. I give you this hint as a guide & would advise to have a full statement made out with notes of what is further doing & send it to him. Yrs. truly ADfS ,...
156From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 27 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
You will have observed in the list transmitted you the name of Mr. Jacob Morton as for a Majority. I understood him that he would accept it. But he now tells me he will take nothing less than a Regiment. This seems too much to begin with, if a competent person who has served can be found. Mr. Abijah Hammond who was in one of the N Eng Regiments during the War though not soliciting it would...
157From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Col Stevens tells me he has exhausted the money you sent him in preliminary purchases of Timber &c. & is in debt with embarrassment to pay & likely to be compelled to dismiss workmen &c. Such a state of things is hurtful to the public service, discredits the Administration & increases expence. It ought to be avoided if possible. Stevens says pains have been taken to excite doubts about him &...
158From Alexander Hamilton to James McHnery, 8 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours dated by mistake Augt. 6th. I received yesterday. I postponed a reply ’till to day because I wished first to reflect maturely. My mind is unalterably made up. I shall certainly not hold the commission on the plan proposed, and only wait an official communication to say so. I return you the inclosures in your letter. You may depend on my fidelity to your friendly confidence. I shall...
159From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I think I heretofore mentioned to you that to avoid the chance of difficulty with the President, I had written or would write to him urging the appointment of Mr. Philip Church to a Captaincy. I have just received a very obliging letter from him, and in which he assures me of his willingness to appoint him to that grade, and that he would write to you accordingly. Thus is all difficulty on...
160From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you, My Dear Sir, for the prompt communication of the intelligence contained in your letter by yesterdays Post. As to the Regulations (if as I suppose you mean) those for the tactics & discipline of the army—I must answer that hitherto I have done nothing more towards it than some preliminary readings & reflection. The undetermined situation, & the necessity of a close attention to my...
161From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I received yesterday your private letter of the 16th, with its inclosures, now returned. It was essential for you to take a decisive course & to leave the blame of further delay at some other door. There can be no doubt of the propriety of combining the aid of General Officers. But Pinckney being now arrived, it seems to me very proper & necessary that he also should be called upon. You will...
162From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I was yesterday honourd with your letter transmitting my commission as Inspector and Major General. Agreeably to your desire I hold myself prepared to attend you within the period you assign. But as the object appears to embrace a concert of advice and assistance with General Knox, who cannot be expected in much less than the utmost limit of the time pre[s]cribed, I shall permit myself to...
163From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The state of my health and of the Weather yesterday and to day must prevent my communicating the result of the consultation intended to be had with the Gentlemen I mentioned in my letter of Yesterday. I answer your inquiry Thus far according to the data which I previously possessed. It cannot be expedient to keep men on such of the Islands as the winter shall find without fortifications in a...
164From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Trenton , November 9, 1798. In a letter to Hamilton on November 10, 1798, McHenry wrote : “I received your letter of yesterday this morning at 5 o’clock.” Letter not found. ] H was on his way to Philadelphia to meet with George Washington, McHenry, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney to discuss plans for the Army.
165Enclosure: George Washington to James McHenry, [13 November 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I observe by the concluding paragraph of your letter of the 10th. instant that you contemplate conferences between the Secretaries of State and of the Treasury and myself, for the purpose of obtaining auxiliary information from their departments. Several of the questions which you state seem indeed to require such information. But on reflection, it has occurred to me as most regular, that you...
166From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I now communicate the result of my conference with the Commander in Chief and General Pinckney, on the subject of extra allowances to Officers detached on service, so as to be obliged to incur expences, on the Road and at places where there are no military Posts We are all of opinion, that in such cases an extra allowance ought to be made, and this even to Officers who receive extra...
167George Washington to James McHenry, [13 December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Since my arrival at this place I have been closely engaged, with the aid of Generals Hamilton and Pinckney, in fulfilling the objects of your letter of the 10th of November. The result is now submitted. The two first questions you propose, respecting the appointment of the Officers and men of the troops to be raised in virtue of the act of Congress of the 16th. of July last among districts and...
168George Washington to James McHenry, 13 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
You will observe that in the arrangement of the officers allotted to New York there is an alternative of Wm. S. Smith or Abijah Hammond for Lt Colonel Commandant. Various considerations demand that the motive of this hesitation should be explained. Had military qualifications alone been consulted the name of Colonel Smith would have stood singly and he would have been deemed a valuable...
169George Washington to James McHenry, 13 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I shall now present to your view the additional objects alluded to in my letter of this date. A proper organisation for the troops of the UStates is a principal one. In proportion as the policy of the Country is adverse to extensive military establishments ought to be our care to render the principles of our military system as perfect as possible, and our endeavouring to turn to the best...
170From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 16 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I regretted that I was detained to the last moment of being in time for the stage, to which my baggage had been previously sent, and thereby prevented from calling upon you before my final departure from Philadelphia. If the recruiting service is to be confided to me, I ought as soon as possible to be definitively apprised of it, and in the mean time, I shall be glad to have the instructions...
171From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 17 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
You will observe among the propositions lately communicated by the Commander in Chief, that of the addition of two troops to complete the Regiment of Cavalry to ten troops. The idea was that these two troops should be Hussars . It is much to be wished that Congress would agree to a present addition of two troops to be carried to the actual number of the others. In the distribution of New York...
172From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
You are informed that Mr. Hill is in possession of drafts of surveys made during the last war of our harbour and bay. It is very interesting that the Government should acquire these drafts. You will I presume think that they ought to be deposited in your department as an item in the general mass of information necessary towards plans of general defence. If so you will purchase them, if it be...
173From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 20 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been reflecting on the subject of an arrangement for the command of the 2d. Regiment of Artillery and for the Inspectorship of Artillery. I believe on the whole you can do nothing better than appoint Tousard , who I understand is next in rank after Burbeck, to the command of the Regiment and Major Hoops to the Inspectorship. Confidence, by halves is seldom wise. Toussard is in the...
174From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I do not know what is the practice in nominations, as to annexing Counties to names; but I do know that to annex them to the military nominations about to be made will be likely to lead to error. In several cases it was somewhat uncertain what County was the place of residence, and if I recollect rightly there is certainly a mistake in this respect in at least one instance in the state of New...
175From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 20 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I am this moment favoured with your letter of the 18th. instant and thank you for the ideas personal to me. Mr. Laurance, somewhat abruptly, regrets that I promoted his son’s nomination, as it was his desire that he should continue to pursue his profession. As I could not divine this desire of his, he certainly had no cause of displeasure with me. In case Laurance’s name is witheld at the...
176From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
As it may possibly not have come to you through any other channel, I think it well to inform you that General Huntington has been displeased at not having received official notice of his appointment with his Commission. This, if not already so, ought to be remedied. I hear nothing of nominations. What malignant influence hangs upon our military affairs? With great esteem & regard Yr. Obed...
177From 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...
178From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 14 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I received on Saturday two letters from you desiring that your different propositions might be thrown into two Bills & suggesting the idea of an Incorporation of the several existing laws into one system. This idea is a good one, but to accomplish it with sufficient correctness would require several days to examine carefully and prepare with accuracy. Besides this, I incline to the opinion...
179From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [15 January 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
I find I cannot have ready for this days post the bill for the Provisional army. Inclosed are some additional clauses relating to organisation consequently to be inserted in the Bill sent by yesterdays post. You will easily determine their proper position there. They are necessary to systematic propriety. General provisions of this kind will prevent continual repetitions in every new law...
180From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 16 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will receive herewith the Draft of a Bill for a provisional army. It includes only those things of the former Bill which are appropriate to this object—the other parts of that Bill being now in full force. The operation of the Bill which has been already sent you renders the repetition of several clauses in the present un [ne]cessary. The aim indeed ought to be to have a fundamental...
181From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [21 January 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the draft of a Bill for regulating the Medical Establishment (I avoid purposely the term department which I would reserve for the great branches of Administration). You will see that nothing but an organisation with a general outline of duty is provided for. Detail-regulations will properly come from the President and the Departments, and the less these are legislated upon, in such...
182From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 24 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You ask my opinion as to proper arrangements for the command of the Military Force, on the ground that the Commander in Chief declines at present an active part. This is a delicate subject for me—yet, in the shape in which it presents itself, I shall wave the scruples which are natural on the occasion. If I rightly understood the Commander in Chief, his wish was that all the Military points...
183From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 6 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 6, 1799. “… I perceive that it will be useful for me in the progress of the trusts, which I am and shall be charged to execute, to have an accurate statement of the Officers of the corps of Artillerists and Engineers, and the distribution of them which has been heretofore made among the different portions of this Corps.…” Copy, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton...
184From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 6 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In one of your letters you desire me to think of the Distribution of the States into recruiting districts. I have accordingly turned my attention to the subject. But the result is that it will be best to assign to each Regiment its district and to charge its commanding Officer with the arrangement into subdivisions. If you approve this idea you had better write me an official letter, briefly...
185From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 11 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 11, 1799. “I have this moment received your letter of the 4th instant to the contents of which I shall pay particular attention.” Copy, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
186From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 23 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have maturely considered the questions raised by your letter of the 21 of January with the aid of such lights, as memory or inquiry could furnish with regard to usage. The truth is that the articles are so obscurely worded as to preclude a very clear construction. The second article of the 18th section of the original code seems to me to be repealed by the first resolution of the 31 of May...
187From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 5, 1799 . “I recur to your letters of the 31st of January 4th 15 21. 22 23 & 27 of February, for the purpose of doing whatever may remain to be done in relation to their contents. “… the complete formation of the several corps and their subdivisions which includes the appointment of the full complement of Officers is so essential to order that delay in this respect is very...
188From 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...
189From 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...
190From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 15 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have digested some alterations in and additions to the Recruiting Instructions which I now send for consideration and decision. The nature of each will announce its motive so as to render little comment necessary. A few remarks will be seen in the margin of some of the clauses. I shall be glad of a determination as soon as may be in order to the transmission of the instructions that they may...
191Enclosure: Additions to the Recruiting Instructions, [15 March 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
To Section III No foreigner by birth shall be enlisted unless he shall have become a citizen of the UStates and shall have resided at least one year in the County where he shall be enlisted. To Section VI These attestations must always be taken in the presence of and certified by a Commissioned officer and must be forwarded to the Inspector General (through the Commanding Officer of the...
192From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 16 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 16, 1799. “Though I have not as yet complete materials for arranging all the States into Districts and subdistricts—I now submit to you an arrangement as to some of them, in order that the recruiting service may begin in these, when you deem other things sufficiently mature to commence it. There occurs no important reason why it should not be successively undertaken. On the...
193From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Beware, my Dear Sir, of magnifying a riot into an insurrection, by employing in the first instance an inadequate force. Tis better far to err on the other side. Whenever the Government appears in arms it ought to appear like a Hercules , and inspire respect by the display of strength. The consideration of expence is of no moment compared with the advantages of energy. Tis true this is always a...
194From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with the object of your letter of the 15. instant, I have put in motion two companies of Artillerists from Fort Jay (Henrys and Cochrans) who are to embark at ten this morning for Amboy and to proceed from thence by way of Brunswick to New Town in Bucks County. There (at Brunswick) Lt: Boote with his party is instructed to join them. The two companies as they march will exceed...
195From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I understand, that the Officers for Connecticut have been appointed & their names published, but I have seen no paper containing them. If so, be so good as to send me the list, and if there have been other appointments since the lists transmitted me, pray let them be added. Pursuant to your very proper idea of having at the seat of Government of the Chiefs of Different Departments —it seems to...
196From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday about two oClock, the detachment proceeded on its destination. It consisted of one Captain (Henry) Two Leutenants, Two Musicians, Ninety two Non Commissioned Officers & Privates. They had seventeen Tents with them. I send you a plan for dividing Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania and Delaware into Districts and subdistricts. It appears to me desireable that the recruiting...
197From 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...
198From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant with the copies of letters from General Wilkinson mentioned therein. This communication reminds me that it will be necessary for me to peruse at large all that part of the correspondence of General Wilkinson, which relates to permanent or unfinished objects, in order that I may know how to direct in regard to the...
199From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honored with your several letters of the 21. 22. 26. 27 and 28 instant. All necessary directions have been given towards the commencement of the business of Recruiting in the states of Connecticut New York New Jersey Pensylvania & Delaware the moment the necessary supplies of bounty money and cloathing shall have been furnished, and towards the preparation for it in the other...
200From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 2, 1799. On April 4, 1799, McHenry wrote to Hamilton : “I have been honored with your letter of the 2d. Inst.” Letter not found. ]