1William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams, 21 March 1798 (Adams Papers)
It would be singular indeed, were I to permit your friendly note of March 9 th. to pass unanswered, and not to thank you for forwarding the letter from the west-ward, which accompanied it, I should not have taken the liberty of desiring my correspondents to have addressed letters to me, to the care of the Presidents secretary, had I not experienced the basest treatment thro’ the line of the...
2William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 23 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter you did me the honor to write under date of the 16 th. ins t. —and am content that the communication I thought it my duty to make, has been received—and am also satisfied that it is not new to The President— The report that on my visit to Detroit, I gave out, that I was sent by The President, for ends of Government of some sort or other— is utterly and totally false...
3Enclosure: William S. Smith to John Adams, 21 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The brigade, which as Lieut. Col. commandant, I have had the honor to command, being on the point of dismissal, I take the liberty of suggesting, that the officers & soldiers are well instructed in the duties of their profession, & it would be of great public benefit, if as many of them, as might be requisite, should be taken to fill up the corps, government have concluded to retain in...
4To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 8 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday I received a letter from Lt. Baldwin, wherein he states, that the present situation of his Health, obliges him to make a second application for a furlough, for such length of time, as may be thought sufficient, for the better recovery of his health, and refers me for further information, respecting the necessity of his making the application, to Doctor Douglass. I immediately...
5To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Recruiting service of the 12th. Regt. suffers considerably for the want of Subaltern officers. there is no acting Lieutenant to Capt. Kissam’s Company. Capt. Courtland is entirely destitute of aid, Capt. Fondy and Capt. Kirkland are similarly situated, & I belive Capt. Whites Lieutenants have either not accepted or have not joined their Company—if the filling of the vacant Lieutenancies...
6To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 27 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure to enclose a Letter from Doctr. Samuel Finley soliciting the acceptance of his resignation as Surgeon of the 12th. I advocated his appointment & felt myself obliged when he was complimented with it, I have calmly weight him in the balance, and to my great mortification, he kicks the beam I have alway’s had a friendship for him but I cannot indulge myself further on that...
7To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 29 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 23d. relative to the General orders of the 11th. of March not being complied with by the 12th. Regt. I immediately wrote a note to Major Fondy demanding the reasons for this apparent neglect, the enclosed No. 1. is his answer, which is respectfully submitted, The Paymaster of the 12th. Regt. was in New York attending at the...
8To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 31 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreably to your request, I have had Abner B. Chapel of the 13th. mustered, and enclose the necessary Certificate Signed by the surgeon and the officer Commanding the Regiment, it is arranged I believe conformable to the Contents of your Letter of the 26th. supposing you might wish to file the original papers, I return them and have the Honor to be with great respect—Sir, Your most Obedt...
9To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 8 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The General Court martial whereof Lt. Colo. Ogden is President, met agreably to interior orders on Monday last, I wrote to the assistant Adjt. General, that if Lt. Hoffman was to be brought before this Court, it would be necessary to order Lt. Wands from Poughkeepsie to attend the Court, and that there might be no delay, gave Mr. Ellery his address, enclosed is his answer— I would wish to know...
10To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 19 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I am much incommoded by the Conduct of Store keepers, who have built small Houses, near the line—I have centinels posted near to prevent soldiers going in their houses, but it has very little effect—by the enclosed reports of the officers of the day, you will notice in part the Conduct of these people—will you favour me with your advice, how I can treat them? I have the honor to be with great...
11To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 29 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honor of presenting the returns from the surgeons of the three Regiments under my Command, of the medicine wanted in each for immediate use, and those articles on Hand which are not fit for use You will observe by the dates of the returns it has not been in my power more promptly to attend to the communications on this subject which you were pleased to make under date of...
12To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
East Chester [ New York ] May 3, 1799 . “I have been honoured with your Letter of the first of may; having always understood that Capt Church tho’ honoured by the appointment of being your Aid De Camp, intended, with your permission to recruit his Company; I mentioned to him, when in Town last, that the money & recruiting instructions, were ready for him, when it was convenient for you to...
13To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 16 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor of presenting two Letters recommending Mr. Thos. Arrowsmith as a Lieut. in the 12th. Regt. the respectability of General Fred. Frelinghuysen’s name, and that of Jonan. Ford Morris, Brigadier General in this State—(new jersey) aided, by his personal appearance will I have no doubt, be a sufficient inducement to think favourably, of his pursuit—he is twenty one years of age,...
14To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 15 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor of acknowledging the receipt of your Letter of the 12th. inst. and am much g r atified, that the course of conduct I have adopted relative to Lt. Hoffman meets with your approbation—Tho I feel myself superior to prejudice or partiality in deciding on a question of justice, still from motives of delicacy, I should prefer not to precide at the Court, when Lt. Hoffman is to be...
15To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 12 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment received yours of the 10th. Inclosing a Letter from Daniel Jones of Philadelphia addressed to The Secretary of War of the 5th. inst. I shall most assuredly attend pointedly to your request, and make enquiry into the case, and report the Circumstances without delay—I have the Honor to be, with great respect Sir, Your most Obedt Humble Servt. ( ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library...
16To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 15 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Camp [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] November 15, 1799 . “… Yesterday two french Gentlemen presented themselves here, requesting my permission to teach the back and small sword to the officers of the Brigade.… I felt myself very unpleasantly situated, but informed the Gentlemen, that the particular delicacy of existing questions between their Country and mine, rendered it totally...
17To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 10 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letter of yesterday’s date relative to Lt. Hoffman, was delivered to me this morning, my feelings were very sensibly effected, when Lieut Livingston made a verbal communication to me of Lt. Hoffmans conduct the preceeding night—I requested him to consider the case maturely and if he had charges of that serious nature against Lt. Hoffman they should be exhibited on paper, with his...
18To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 13 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Lt. Colo. Ogden proposing to visit New york to-morrow, I have wished him to state to you fully, the situation of the interior of this Brigade. I see no possibility of preserving the necessary order, and regularity, indispensible in military service, unless I have the power deligated, competent to punish offenders, against the orders, I am as Commanding officer, authorised to Issue. The...
19To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 27 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Lieutenant Ladlie having a few days past placed himself within my command, I have arrested him agreeable to your orders, understanding that there is no probability of Captn. Landons being able to obey the orders I sent him, in consequence of Civil process, considering the particular situation of Lieut. Hoffman, and the situation of other questions within the sphere of my command, it is my duty...
20To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 30 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this morning received your private and confidential Letter of the 19th. inst, from the post office at new Rochelle; it pains me to have the appearance of being so long inattentive to your communications. I have written to the Asst. Ajt. Genl. expressing my wish, that some more direct mode of communication, may be adopted, injury and inconvenience, may arise, if some alteration does not...
21To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 11 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed I have the honor of presenting two letters received this morning from Poughkeepsie, recommending Mr. Nathaniel Baldwin as a Cadet in the 12th. Regt. your acquaintance with Capt. Bennet & Mr. Van Rants, will enable you fully to appretiate their recommendations in favour of Mr. Baldwins pursuit—Capt. Courtland has arrived at this post with a few Recruits & says he sees no present...
22To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 8 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 23d Ulto. inclosing a list of the Officers of the 12th. Regiment distributed into Companies, that I would in concert with the Major suggest for consideration such alterations as from Circumstances may be deemed expedient with the reasons for those alterations, I take the liberty of enclosing a list of the Officers ranked as the...
23To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 4 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The Bearer Justus Cadwell the soldier of the 13th. whose place was proposed to be supplied Abner Chapel, having rejoined his regiment upon the expiration of his furlough, I have concluded it would furnish you with an opportunity of carrying your intentions promptly into effect by giving him a pass-port to Head Quarters— He will of course deliver this Letter, & not doubting but you have...
24To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 9 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that Lt. R. L. R. Livingston has this moment arrived in Camp, in consequence of orders founded on your communication on the Subject of Lt. Hoffman— I have the Honor to be Sir, Your most obedt. Humble Servt. ( ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
25To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 27 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed I have the honor of presenting a letter from Capt. Fondy, recommending Mr. Tobias V. Cuyler as a Candidate for a Lieutenancey in the 12th. Regt. I have not the pleasure of an acquaintance with Mr. Cuyler, but from the warmth of Capt. Fondy’s expressions relative to him, I have not the least doubt but Mr. Cuyler may with propriety be put in the scale with the other Candidates. The...
26To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 27 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Israel Loring has this morning informed me of the communications he has made to you, on the subject of his wish to enter the service and of the refference, you have been pleased to make, to me; I have known Mr. Loring for some time, and have no reason to doubt, of his ability to fill well the station of a second lieutenant, should he be complimented with the appointment in the 12th. Regt....
27To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 11 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your Circular of the 23d. ulto., its contents shall of course be particularly attended to, the substance of the two last paragraphs have been duly communicated—and when ever applications are made, I shall forward them to you for your consideration, where I am acquainted with the applicant, I will agreable to your request express my opinion,...
28To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Brigade [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] December 23, 1799 . “In your Letter of the 17th. you mention your intention of retaining Capt Church with you, to this I cannot with propriety object, but I can with propriety say, the Regt. feel his loss, & I, particularly regret his absence, his pointed attention to duty, & his Gentlemanlike deportment has endeared him much to the Corps, I now see...
29To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 28 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Scotch Plains, New Jersey, December 28, 1799. On January 3, 1800, Hamilton wrote to Smith : “Your different letters of the 23rd 24th and 28th. of December have been delivered to me.” Letter of December 28 not found. ]
30To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 16 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
On the arrival of Capt. Fondy I have made the necessary arrangements, for recruiting in the second Grand Divission, he will of course call on you, for any additional orders which you may conceive necessary to give Considering the present situation of the interior of the Regiment, I should think the service would be benifitted, by the appointment of Capt. Fondy to the vacant majority, the...
31To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 3 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you, that the non Commissioned Officers and soldiers of this Brigade, are under cover, & the Cantoonment in a state, to shelter them, from the inclemency of the season, our supplies tho’ tardy in the first instance, have finally, enabled me with some exertion, to produce comfort, content and satisfaction to the Troops, they continue in harmony and perfect good...
32To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 15 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of Submitting to your perusal, a Letter addressed to me by Capt. Kirkland—and an examination of Doctor Douglass—and Sergeant Chase—to which I beg leave to refer you, as explanatory of the Circumstances which took place, between Capt. Kirkland & Mr. Gridley, as stated in the affidavits which you forwarded and requested me to enquire into—and report— I have the Honor to be, with...
33To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 13 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed I have the Honor of presenting a Letter received this evening from Lt. Baldwin, with a Copy of my answer, wherein you will notice his solicitude to retire from Service, in consequence of the bad state of his health &c. Permit me Sir, to particularly request that Lt. Baldwin may be promptly indulged by the Secretary of war, in this pursuit; I am fully convinced his health requires, his...
34To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 14 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that such attention has been paid, to the soldier who I reported on the 2d. inst. as having broke out with the small-pox, that he is in a fair way of a speedy recovery—and that there is no appearance of the disorder having been communicated to others the attentions of Doctor Trowbridge of the 13th. are very conspicuous in this, as in most other cases, and...
35To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 7 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Capt. Samuel White of the 11th. Regt. has acted as Judge Advocate of all General Courts Martial, that have been held in this Brigade, he first commenced on the 2d. of Novr. is still by the orders of the 18th. ulto. instituting the General Court martial whereof Major Fondey is President designa ted by the General Orders to do that duty—I do myself the Honor to enclose a Copy of the Brigade...
36To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honoured by the receipt of your Circular Letter of the 18th. inst. relative to a further supply of bounty money, and suggesting the propriety of accompanying the necessary application for the same, at the war-office, with some statement of the progress of recruiting, It is not in my power at present, to forward any regular returns, not having as yet received any, under the...
37To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 16 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed I have the Honor of submitting a Letter this day received from Mr. Samuel Davis and solicit your instructions, relative to the answer to be given, I have the Honor to be with great respect—Sir, Your most Obedt Humble Servt. ( ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
38To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 17 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I very early communicated my opinion, of the propriety of erecting an Hospital at this Cantoonment, that opinion however being over-ruled by Colo. Stevens, I made every arrangement in my power, to accommodate the sick of each Regt. in a Hut appropriated for that purpose, they have hitherto been tolerably comfortable— But I am apprehensive in the approaching Spring, we shall be much incommoded,...
39To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 28 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have digested and put on paper a plan for the Hutting of the 12th. 11th. & 13th. Regt. and am ready to carry it into execution—but I feel a great diffidence, in consequence of the unbounded thirst for gain, which is shewn by some, to make a little more out of the poor public, whom they appear to conceive fair plunder—You will do me a favour by ordering Genl Stevens, or some authorized...
40To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 7 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp, 12th Regiment [ Bronx, New York ] September 7, 1799 . “… Upon a close inspection of the Regiments arms at present issued It pains me to observe, that they too generally appear to be old furbished up barrels, many of them full of flaws, new stocked & dressed perhaps to fulfil a contract, certainly not render essential service; of one hundred and ninety men inspected, including music, I...
41To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 14 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of your Letter of the 10th. inst. I have made enquiry into the case of the claim of Daniel Jones, relative to the enlistment of Henry Fennimore a soldier or rather a Corporal of the 11th. Regt. Inclosed I have the honor of submitting the report of the officer Commanding the 11th. in Camp, on the subject, and shall of course, pause for your further orders. I have the Honor to be,...
42To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 6 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is a Copy of a Letter that I forwarded to Capt. Cortlandts by Nathaniel Crafts, who on inspection I found totally disqualified to discharge the duty of a Soldier, in consequence of a rupture in the Groin, as reported in the return; and from accounts, for at Least fourteen years standing; and so apparent without close inspection that I am astonished at Captain Cortlands not having...
43To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 6 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of presenting Capt. Pattersons Letter of resignation his particular situation, and the distress it will cause to Mrs. Patterson should he not obtain permission to retire from Service, will no doubt have their full weight on your mind, These and Circumstances connected, with the general situation of affairs, and his candid declaration that his continuance in service,...
44To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letters of the 18th. and 20th. inst. I will immediately make arrangements to have the experiments made on the proper measure of the pace recommended, and report the result— With respect to the relative rank of the officers of the 12th. I have always acted upon that which I received from you, as decisive, making the subsequent alteration of...
45To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 20 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Confidential Letter of the 17th. Capt. Andrew White has never yet served with his Regiment, having been constantly on the recruiting Service, of course, I have never had an opportunity of forming an opinion of his military talents or fitness for the station of Brigade Inspector— I am however favourably impressed by his personal conduct, he has been a few day’s with us, and...
46To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your favours of the 23d. & 24th. inst. on Saturday night, I have this morning made the necessary arrangements to commence recruiting in the first Grand division the Drums will beat this afternoon— If the arms of the Regiment are in store at this place, and you will attain an order from the War-office for me to receive them, I will have them put in order, fit for...
47To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 12 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to inform you, that agreable to your orders of the 4th. inst. which unfortunately I did not receive untill the 8th. I struck my Camp at Rivellie Beating this morning, marched the Regt to Hunts point, embarked and landed safely at this Post, between six and eight this evening—the Camp is pitched & I shall remain untill monday morning finding the 11th. Regt. still at Elizabeth...
48To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 7 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receeipt of your Letter of the 3d. enclosing one from His Excellency Govr. Jay, stating in strong terms the complaints of Benjamin Cornwell and John Coles who have presumed to speak with indignation to His Excellency relative to their officers—who promised them 12 Dollrs. Bounty the one has received but seven Dollrs. & 50 Cents—of course 50 Cents are still...
49To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 10 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It would be of Service to the troops if some arrangements were made, that they might attend divine service on Sundays. The minister of this Parish is a firm good friend to Government, & the Army and preaches up the necessity of Supporting the one and accommodating the other. Finding the officers of the 11th. Regt. much disposed to visit their homes frequently I requested the Minister to give...
50To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 1 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Nathaniel Baldwin is the young Gentleman who, some time past, I forwarded recommendation in favor of, from Poughkeepsie—he is so solicitous to enter the service, that he has resided with the regiment as a Voluntier for 3 weeks past, and proposed remaining with the Winter, his conduct has been perfectly correct, and is a promissing young man, he is the only one, I have yet made...