To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 23 October 1794
From Alexander Hamilton
Bedford [Pa.] October 23. 1794
Sir
Col. Mentges delivered me your letter from Hartley’s1—Upon interrogating him, I do not find that there are more than two detachments of Militia on the way—one of New Jersey which by his account is likely to be pretty far advanced of Carlisle—& the other of Pensylvania from Allen Town, about fifty or sixty, more in arrear. Mentges is not very perspicuous which may have led you to a different apprehension. I found Governor Howel anxious that the Jersey Detachment which is so near at hand should be permitted to come up so as to make it difficult to urge their return. That from Pensylvania will I hope be arrested. If the Jersey Men should not arrive tomorrow it may be adviseable to halt them at Bedford, till the column gets through the mountains & then if pacific appearances continue send them back.
The advanced corps moved this morning. The main body will move tomorrow.
Nothing new has occurred. With the truest respect & attachment I have the honor to be Sir Your obed. servant
A. Hamilton
P.S. No doubt the measures taken ⟨re⟩specting Clarkes ⟨e⟩ncroachment on the Indians ⟨mutilated⟩ the issue will be noticed ⟨t⟩o Congress.2 Together with other events it will serve to give great credit to the Govert.
ADfS, DLC: Alexander Hamilton Papers. On the back of this document is a much later and unrelated note by an unidentified writer, apparently discussing the transcripts of sixteen of Hamilton’s letters to GW (see Hamilton to GW, 15 Nov., source note).
2. Hamilton was referring to the settlement south of the Oconee River attempted by Elijah Clarke and his supporters, for report of which, see James Seagrove to Henry Knox, 4 June (enclosed in Knox to GW, 9 July), and n.3 to that document. For the measures taken in response, see Knox to GW, 28 July, n.1.