401To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 22 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will have seen by the News-papers that governor Mifflin has been required to hold in readiness to march certain companies of Cavalry, to assist in quelling the insurrection existing in the State of Pennsylvania. Govr. Howell has also been called upon to hold 8 companies of Cavalry in readiness to March for the same purpose. Would it interfere with your arrangements or be throwing the...
402To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 22 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, March 22, 1799. “I transmit for your information copies of several letters, viz, one from Captain Wm Littlefield dated Fort Wolcott 2nd Feby 1799 and one from General Hamtramck dated Fort Wayne 21st Jany 1799, together with a letter from Edward Livingston Esq. dated New York 9th March, one from John Dover dated Novr. 24th. 1798 directed to Mr Livingston and one from the...
403To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 24 March [1799] (Hamilton Papers)
I never received yr letr. on the subject of the recruiting service enclosing one to Colo Parker till the last evening. I woud with much pleasure contribute any aid in my power towards the successful execution of yr object for I really believe the best plan & the best execution will still be very slow in fruit among us. A consultation with the officers to be employed in the conduct of the...
404To Alexander Hamilton from William Macpherson, 25 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 22d on the subject of the insurrection in this State and should have replied immediately, but knowing that I was to receive my Instructions from the War Office on this day, I thought it best to wait. The fact is, Sir, that in the Counties of Northampton, Berks, Montgomery and part of Bucks, the people have manifested the...
405To Alexander Hamilton from Lewis Tousard, 25 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] March 25, 1799 . “… Auprès d’une ville, la Garnison reste souvent sand officers; on se croit à son devoir, parceque le fort n’est pas éloigné, et peutêtre au moment d’un évenement le fort seroit attaqué, avant qu’on eut pu avertir un seul d’entre les officiers.… il seroit essentiel que le General en chef commandant dans le departement Ordonnat … que dans les...
406To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 14th. instant, with its enclosures, came to hand by the last Post. In the present State of the Army (or more properly the Embryo of one, for I do not perceive from any thing that has come to my knowledge that we are likely to move beyond this) and until the Augmented force shall have been Recruited, Assembled and in the Field, the residence of the Paymaster Genl (I did not...
407To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 26 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received this morning your letter of the 23d inst. I shall write to day or to morrow to a Mr. Timothy Phelps a Merchant in New Haven Connecticut to know whether he will undertake to store and deliver the Cloathing to the Quarter Master for the 1. and 2d. District formed in that State and if he will I shall send the apportioned quantity to him as soon as it comes into the public store. I...
408To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a letter to the Adjutant General informing him that his presence and aid is considered essential to the due performance of the duties to be fulfilled by you, and placing him under your Orders. On looking over your letter of the 23rd: and my reply, I find I have omitted to approve formally, the numbers which you proposed to designate the new Regiments by. The arrangement of the...
409To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 29 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to acknowledge your private letters under date of the 14, 18 & 19th inst. All I intended by the observation in my public letter relative to the regimental Paymasters &c. was, that as these were to be Lieutenants, and the 3 additional lieutenants described in the late law, under these characters, had not been, it was proposed they should be appointed. I have no objection to the custom...
410To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 30 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have directed two parcels of Cloathing nearly equal to your requisition of the 19th. Instant, for the Connecticut and New York Recruiting Districts, one addressed to Col. Stevens, the other to Timothy Phelps Esq of New Haven, with directions that they shall be delivered and forwarded agreeably to your Orders. Considering that April is a good month for Recruiting, and that circumstances...
411To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 1 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your favour of March 21st. Mr. Wharton is a young man of virtue modesty and industry—he is pliant and docile—but I have observed no indications of invention or what may be called Talents . He is what I recommended him for, a proper person to copy and assist a man who has much business—but I do not think it probable that he could perform more than what is commonly expected of a...
412To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 2 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It being out of my power to send you copies of, you will herewith receive the following original letters from Brig. Gen. Wilkinson, which you will be pleased to return after taking such extracts from them as you may judge necessary. Letter No. 1 dated 6 Decr. 1798 Do No. 2 do 10 Jany. 1799 Do No. 3 Do 31 Jany. Do No. 4 Do 2 Feby. No. 5 Circular letter to the officers commanding posts No. 6
413To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 3 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] April 3, 1799 . Discusses the weaknesses of United States forts on the Great Lakes. Encloses “the Plan of Detroit.” Complains about contractors buying too much flour and about delays in settling quartermaster’s accounts and lack of reinforcements. States: “Sir John Johnson having politely offered me To Take charge of whatever I Should want to Send To Detroit & Mackinac, I...
414To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 4 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 2d. Inst. Inclosed is a copy of my letter to Mr. J. Huntington of New London, to the purpose of entering into contracts, to supply rations &c. for the troops to be raised in Connecticut. Similar letters have been sent to J. Jackson Supervisor at Boston for Massachusetts, to Jacob Sheaff at Portsmouth for New Hampshire, and one inclosed to Mr. Elijah...
415To Alexander Hamilton from Ebenezer Stevens, 4 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 4, 1799. “I have made out Mr Mangin acct of what I think he ought to be paid for his services & I wish you to examine it, & if you approve of the Same, you will give me an order to pay him.… I have not made the price, it is what the military Committee agreed to give him.” LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see Joseph F. Mangin to the...
416To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 8 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You doubtless know General Eustace much better than I do. He mentions your name, as well as Mr. Jays, as of persons whom he respects. The inclosed extract from his news-paper publications of last August give his picture of your friend Mr King. In the same series of papers he undertakes the vindication of Fulwar Skipwith, our late consul general at Paris, as an excellent patriot and an upright...
417To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 9 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, April 9, 1799. Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s letter of April 8, 1799 . Has directed that “advanced pay” for officers be provided to the regimental paymasters. LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
418To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 10 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mount Vernon, April 10, 1799. “I have received your letter of the 27th. ulto., enclosing a design of dividing the State of Virginia into Divisions, & Subdivisions, for the head quarters of the Rendezvouses in each: asking my opinion of the proper distribution of them, for the convenience of the Recruiting Service. The Grand division of the State, I conceive to be well allotted and with …...
419To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 11 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Governor St Clair has made a representation to me in a letter dated the 18th of February of which I enclose you a copy, by which it appears that much discontent, and uneasiness has been occasioned by the proclamation of Martial law at Detroit. To give a full view of the subject, I have also enclosed extracts from a correspondence between the Secretary of War and Brigadier General Wilkinson...
420To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 11 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury, has represented to me, in a letter dated the 20th. March ulto., that a Party of Troops, heretofore ordered, to be detached, to assist the Surveyor General in marking the Indian boundary line, conformably to the Treaty of Greenville, had utterly failed to cooperate, and that in consequence, the Northern line has been marked in no other manner, than the boundaries...
421To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 11 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, April 11, 1799. Acknowledges receipt of Hamilton’s letters of April 8 and 9, 1799 , and notes that the contents of the letter of April 8 “will be duly weighed and attended to,” but that until a “more perfect” system for supplying the troops is adopted, the existing system, as outlined in his letter to Hamilton of March 21, 1799 , will remain in effect. States that he is ready...
422To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
By referring to a list of appointments to the old regiments of Infantry, sent you some time since, you will find the names of the Captains to the respective Companies directed to be added to each of these regiments by the “Act to augment the army of the United States and for other purposes” passed 16. July 1798. I also transmitted to you the 8th. of March Ult. a list of the names of all the...
423To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 13 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, April 13, 1799. “The enclosed copy of a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Strong dated the 23rd: of January ultimo. was intended to have accompanied the papers referred to you in my letter of the 11th. instant.…” LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; LS , letterpress copy, James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress; ADf , James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress. David Strong...
424To Alexander Hamilton from Nathan Rice, 13 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 23rd ulto.; inclosing a list of the officers who are to compose my Regiment, distributed into companies. I delayed not to convene as many of my officers as could be assembled expeditiously for the purpose of electing a paymaster. A plurality of the votes were in favour of Lieutenant Robert Duncan. The choice met my approbation,...
425To Alexander Hamilton from Arthur St. Clair, 14 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Under the same cover with this I have taken the liberty to enclose to you some observations of mine on a Letter from George Nicholas of Kentuckey to his friend in Virginia. You will perceive that I have treated you very familiarly, but I am under no apprehension that the purpose will be mistaken. It was a mortification that I could not get them out in proper time, when I had the vanity to...
426To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, April 15, 1799. “I have received your favour of the 13th instant. The arrangement of sending the recruiting money, in the first instance to the Regimental Paymasters, instead of through an Agent to them, avoids a Commission of One per Cent generally to the Agent for paying the money to the Paymaster, and doubling the Accounts for the same object in the Accountants Books. Hence...
427To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 15 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is in consequence of an order from the Minister of War received on the 4th. Inst., that I have now the Honor to begin my correspondence with you. Accustomed to the frankness of a Soldier, nothing less than the fear of incurring the imputation of adulation or of impertinence could prevent the expression of my feelings on the occasion, but altho I wave professions, I may express the high...
428To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 16 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, April 16, 1799. “I have received this morning your two letters dated the 15. instant.… Several Officers appointed to the new Regiments had expressed uneasiness upon the ground of not receiving their Commissions. I know however the uneasiness among some of them proceeded from another cause. They were apprehensive they were to receive no pay ’till called into actual service,...
429To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 17 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In my letter to you of the 4th February last, after intimating the disposition proposed, by the Commander in Chief, for the existing regiments of Artillerists, and Engineers, I added “You will therefore give effect, to the aforesaid disposition, and so arrange the Companies of Artillery, that those belonging to the same regiment or Corps, may form contiguous Garrisons.” I had written to Major...
430To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [17] April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, April [ 17 ] 1799 . “I have occasionally thought of the plan for the providing and issuing military supplies, submitted in your letter of the 8th inst. It strikes me, that the additional assistants to the Purveyor and Superintendant of Military Stores which it proposes, will tend to facilitate both purchases and deliveries; and the powers assigned to the Inspector General and...
431To Alexander Hamilton from Ebenezer Stevens, 17 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 17, 1799. “I will thank You to take the Statemt. of Mr Mangin’s services, with you, to the Secrety at War, there will be but little due him from Government, as the amount now Stands, he has been of essential Services in Conducting the Works of Fort Jay &c: and I am sincerely desirous to have a Settlement made with him. Respecting my Compensation for the Services I have rendered...
432To Alexander Hamilton from Robert Boyd, 18 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] April 18, 1799 . Seeks employment building the gun carriages for the “Arm’d Vessells now building” in New York. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Boyd owned a gunsmith shop and operated a forge on Quassaick Creek in New Windsor.
433To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 19 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, April 19, 1799. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from … Mr. King” to H, Columbia University Libraries.
434To Alexander Hamilton from Ebenezer Stevens, 19 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 19, 1799. “Since I had the pleasure of addressing you under date of the 17th: instant I have considered, that it will be better for me to accept a Salary of Two thousand Dollars pr. Year from the date of my appointment as agent to the War department than to have a Commission on my disbursements to the first of February last and afterward a salary at that rate pr. annum.…” ALS ,...
435To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 20 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It was not before the last Evening, I had the Honor to receive your Letter of the 12th. Febry: altho the messenger who brought it, delivered me philadelphia Papers, as late as the 8th: Ultimo. I regret the delay but cannot account for it. I wrote you five Days since Fort Washington on the Ohio, & now enclose you a duplicate of that Dispatch, by a confidential half-bred Indian, who will bear...
436To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 22 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
As the recruiting service, for the twelve regiments, immediately to be raised, for the service of the United States, is on the eve of its commencement and injurious delays to the same may be occasioned, from the difficulty or perhaps impracticability of procuring qualified musicians promptly by enlistment; I think it proper to advise you, that each Captain will be permitted, if he cannot...
437To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 23 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Such was your Recommendation of Mr. Inglis for the place of a notary, that it is proper to mention to you the Reasons why he was not appointed. I think the number of officers should be regulated in general by the occasion or necessity there may be for them. In the City of New York there are at least Twenty public notaries; and that number being in my opinion more than sufficient, it does not...
438To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 23 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I wish you ⟨to⟩ state to me 1st. The rule which in your opinion will be the least exceptionable, whereby to determine the relative rank of the Field Officers of the new regiments, and the reasons for prefering the rule. 2d. Whether any objections have occurred to you, which ought to induce any alteration in the general rules of promotion suggested by the General Officers in the Commander in...
439To Alexander Hamilton from Nathan Rice, 23 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I can only now, in answer to your favour of the 10th. instant, do myself the honor, to acknowledge the receipt thereof, with its inclosures, consisting of General Brooks arrangement of this state, into districts & also some outlines of a similar nature by Mr. Sedgwick. I shall communicate to Colonel Hunnewell the contents of your Letter & sollicit a consultation with him; But as it may be...
440To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 24 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter dated the 23rd: instant advising me, that you entertain doubts, whether you can act upon, (by approving or otherwise) Sentences of Courts Martial, referred to you, from the Department of War, in cases, in which the Court has been instituted by that Department, through other organs than yourself. That there is a peculiar delicacy in inflicting punishment upon...
441To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 25 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A confidential opportunity having offered to New Orleans, I avail myself of it, to give you the following extract from a Letter just recd. from Governor Gayoso & dated the 15th Inst. “Your instructions to Captn Shaum Burgh, are not only according to the strictest discipline, but they show your Genls. evident disposition, to cultivate the best understanding between our Nations. “The party...
442To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 26 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A question has arisen, respecting appointments, to a part of the Army establishment, on which I have to request your opinion, as soon as convenient, viz: Is it within the authority of the President, to appoint, the Officers, to the additional batalion, to the second Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, directed to be raised by “an act, for the better organizing of the troops of the United...
443To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, April 27, 1799. “I have considered the arrangement and distribution of the two Regiments of Artillerists and Engineers submitted to me … and approve of the same. You will be pleased to cause the said arrangement and distribution so far as it relates to your command to be carried into immediate effect.…” LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. H to McHenry, first letter of...
444To Alexander Hamilton from Nathan Rice, 28 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with your directions, I have proceeded to compleat the division of the State into subdistricts, at least that part of it which constitutes circle 14. I have not yet seen Colonel Hunnewell, & that no further delay might take place I entered on the business without him. It will be perceivd., that I have not exactly conformed to the division of the districts which was sketched by...
445Enclosure: Distribution of Massachusetts’ 14th Circle into Subdistricts, [28 April 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
Names of the Officers Superintending the Subdistricts Numbers of the Subdistricts The Principal Town or the Rendezvous of the Subdistricts Officers Superin-Tending Districts Plan of District Rendezvous Captain Ashmun No. 1 Pittsfield } Major Walker Springfield Captain Phelps No. 2 Great Barrington Captain Babbitt No. 3 Springfield
446To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 28 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] April 28, 1799 . Asks that soldiers employed in the quartermaster’s department be given extra pay for extra work. States that Dr. John G. Coffin, surgeon’s mate and acting quartermaster general, has had to assume responsibility for such payments and that he should be reimbursed. Also states: “… the State of my health is Such as To induce me To sollicit To be relieved.… I...
447To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, April 29, 1799. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from … Mr. King” to H, Columbia University Libraries.
448To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Has it struck you, that it will be proper, notwithstanding the Commander in chief of the army has formally declined taking any agency or responsibility in its affairs until a certain state of things shall occur, for you to correspond with him, as the Chief, and give him such information from time to time relative to your comand as will enable him when he may enter upon actual service to...
449To Alexander Hamilton from Nathan Rice, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Duncan, my Pay Master was unable to compleat his bond in season for this days mail, I enclose it now for tomorrows, to be submitted to the Secretary at war. I requested in a former letter your directions respecting the Person to whom his bond was to be given, but have not had the honor of receiving your answer thereto. In your favour of the 15th you constitute me the judge of the...
450To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 30 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department [ Philadelphia ] April 30, 1799 . “The Governor of the North Western Territory Arthur St. Clair Esquire being ex-officio , Superintendant of Indian Affairs within the said Territory he is to be respected as such by all military Officers within the sphere of his Jurisdiction, you will be pleased therefore to direct the said military Officers to respect him as such, and to cause...