To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 6 February 1800
From John J. U. Rivardi
Niagara [New York] February 6, 1800. Reports that he has “received orders of Colonel Hamtramck1 To Transmit in future all returns To him as commanding the division To which this Garrison is annexed” and that he “will act accordingly.” Requests that “a gold lancet case or Some other articles” be presented “as a Token of gratitude” to British doctors who “attended our Sick.”2 States that he “gave effect to the order respecting Soldiers children but felt Severely for one or two Soldiers who have numerous families & who for Several years had been used to consider the allowance of rations To Their Children as invariable.”3 States: “On the 24th Ulto. we paid our Share of military honors To The memory of the illustrious Washington. I followed as Much as circumstances permitted your orders as published in the papers.”4 Requests to be relieved and sent to West Point because of his health and his inability to afford the expenses of the command of Fort Niagara.5 Also requests an advance in pay if he is relieved.
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. “Colonel Hamtramcks Orders to the Western Army,” June 28, 1799 (copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosed in John F. Hamtramck to H, July 1, 1799.
2. See Rivardi to H, July 25, 1799.
4. “General Orders,” December 21, 1799. See also Rivardi to H, January 10, 1800 (listed in the appendix to this volume), in which Rivardi reported receiving the news of George Washington’s death.
5. This is a renewal of a request Rivardi had made several times in 1799. See Rivardi to H, March 21, April 28, May 30, June 27, 1799.