151To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I recd. your letter of the 12th on the 15th inst. It is an answer to my letter of the 8th inst relative to permanent fortifications at Loftus’ heights on the Mississppi part of them (the water batteries) begun and nearly finished, and materials or a great part of them provided for a fort on the heights; at least such is my information, by order of Brigadier General Wilkinson, without the...
152To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 25 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, November 25, 1799. Questions the validity of John F. Hamtramck’s statement that a number of officers do not know “the common rules of arithmetic and how to write.” States that if the officers are so illiterate, “it is high time, that the facts be ascertained and a decisive remedy adopted.” Requests that Hamilton “require Colonel Hamtramck to designate the officers who come...
153To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed, special directions, from the President of the United States, relative to the funeral honours, to be paid to the memory of their late illustrious and beloved Chief, General George Washington, by the army of the United States, you are requested to be particularly attentive to, so as to insure by your orders the most reverential testimonials, of that profound grief, with which every...
154To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 6 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to request that you would be pleased to transmit me a return of all the Troops in the Service of the United States specifying the several regiments to which they belong. As this return is to accompany a report which I am making out to submit to the President I beg that the return may be furnished with as little delay as possible. I have the honor to be with great respect ...
155To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 7 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Being much pressed to prepare information called for by Congress, I can at present only notice the subject of your letters of the 2nd & 4th inst. Not considering the question whether rations can be issued to Officers’ Servants (who are not Soldiers) as within the Executive Competency to determine, I have embraced it in my report to the President as a subject for a Legislative provision. I...
156To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 17 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, January 17, 1800. “I have received this morning your three letters dated the 15 and 16 instant. It being presumed that Lieutenant Baldwin will do duty until it is known that his resignation is accepted he may be informed that it is accepted.… The uncertainty which hangs over the new regiments as it respects their being continued on the establishment has hitherto prevented me...
157To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [17 January 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
I recd. yours of the 15 inst this morning, informing me, that urgent business would call you to Albany on Sunday. I inclose you my report. I think it too probable, that the house of Representatives will determine upon a suspension of the recruiting service, and doubt the firmness of the Senate. Yours affecy ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; ADf , James McHenry Papers, Library of...
158To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 25 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The house of Representatives yesterday passed a bill to suspend enlistments for the six additional companies of cavalry and twelve regiments of Infantry. It is now before the Senate, and may also receive the sanction of that body, altho’ (perhaps) not immediately. It is therefore thought advisable, that the terms of enlistment be altered and until otherwise directed run, “for and during the...
159To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I now have the Honour to transmit to you a Copy of my circular Letter to Colonels Moore, J. Smith, Read, Bentley, Hall, Parker, Ogden & W S. Smith, in consequence of the Bill which passed the House of Representatives on Friday last, to suspend enlistments for the six additional Companies of Cavalry & the twelve Regiments of Infantry. You will please to issue such further orders as to you shall...
160To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterday informing me of your return to New York. What I suggested might happen has been realized. The Senate yielded to the supposed momentum of public opinion, or some other agent as powerful, and passed the bill from the House of Representatives to suspend further inlistments for the twelve Regiments & 6 companies of cavalry. A feeble attempt was made in...
161To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 24 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, February 24, 1800. “… The selection of Col. Ogden for Deputy Quarter Master General is very judicious. He is well qualified in my opinion to discharge the duties, provided he gives himself up entirely to them.… There is a question however which it may not be amiss for you to examine relative to this appointment previous to your making a final communication to Colonel Ogden. A...
162To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter dated the 21st: instant on the 25th. I have examined your new list and arrangement of the Officers of the four old Regiments of Infantry, with the original arrangement as it stands on Record and find that it differs therefrom in a few transpositions only, viz: in removing Capt. Tinsley from the first to the fourth and Capt. Bird from the fourth to the first, Surgeon...
163To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 28 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is the list of the Officers of the four regiments of Infantry which was omitted to be sent in my letter of Yesterday. I am Sir with great respect Your obed Servant. LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. In the Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress, is the final list of the officers of the first four regiments of infantry arranged by relative rank with a column of “Remarks”...
164To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [1 March 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
Will you give a few hours to the formation of a bill, or bills, providing. 1. For the modifications of the two Regiments of Artillerists agreeably to the principles laid down in my report. 2. For establishing the Fundamental School and School of Artillerists & Engineers. 3 For such other points mentioned in my report as requiring legislative provisions. 4 An explanatory clause in the latter...
165To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 7 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your two letters dated the 2d. & 3d. instant. I enclose copy of “An act to suspend in part an act, intitled an act to augment the army of the United States, and for other purposes” passed the 20~ ultimo—providing that all further enlistments under the 2d. Section of the original act, shall be suspended until the further order of Congress, unless in the recess of Congress, and...
166To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
You will be pleased to cause the following Regulations to be observed respecting Soldiers allowed to be taken from the line of the army, to attend on officers. To the Commander in chief or General having a seperate command is allowed three without arms. To the inspector General, Quarter master General, each Major General not having a seperate command, and to the adjutant General two of the...
167To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 14 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are Regulations respecting certain Supplies and respecting objects of special and extra Expence. I request you will be pleased to take such order relative thereto as will tend to facilitate their due execution. I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your obedt. servant. LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Regulations respecting certain supplies and respecting...
168To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Chapin, Agent for Indian Affairs, has informed me, under date of 6th ulto, that “the Tuskarora Nation, residing near to Niagara, complain of Major Rivardi, (or his people under his command) of killing three of their Horses, & on finding proof to that effect he has refused to make them satisfaction.” This complaint is of a serious nature: you will be pleased to take such order upon it, as...
169To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your two letters of the 7th. one of the 10th. two of the 11th. 3 of the 12th. one of the 13 and one of the 14. instant. Agreeably to the rule approved of by the late General Washington relative to the order of rank among field Officers and the documents in this Office Major Hopkins will take rank of Major William D. Beale. The rule prescribes that as to all such of the field...
170To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I received last night your letter inclosing the draught of a bill relative to the articles of war. I made out two draughts of bills for the military academy, one on the most enlarged plan with limitations which ensured against any extension beyond the Fundamental School and school of Engineers and Artillerists until an appropriation for the purpose. The committee have preferred the other bill...
171To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 26 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letters of the 18 and 25, instant. I herewith transmit you the relative rank of the field Officers of the twelve additional regiments of Infantry as made out by the late Commander in Chief together with Copies of his letters and of the several papers referred to him. The letter from Colonel Read herein enclosed was not received until after the papers were returned by...
172To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Here is what the committee have reported. They would not go further, and I wish Congress may go as far. You forgot, when you thought to combine interests, that the little passions are great intermeddlers in the most important affairs. Yours truely ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; ADfS , James McHenry, Library of Congress. For an explanation of the contents of this letter, see...
173To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a private letter to me from Col. W. S. Smith in which he has stated at large his claim to rank. This I apprehend is done with a view that he may stand as the first or oldest Lieutenant Colonel of the 12 Regiments. I have not time to examine the merits of his pretensions and request you to undertake it, and in case you are of opinion that he should stand before Col. Hall to advise...
174To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 1 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I believe, from the opinions entertained of Beal, and disfavorable to Hopkins, that the former is the preferable officer; but can we upon such ground depart from the rules which have been laid down to govern in cases of relative rank. It strikes me, fewest inconveniences will be experienced by an adherence to them than we should find, were we once to admit mere relative merit to decide such...
175To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 5 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Mrs. Adams at her drawing room yesterday evening took occasion to mention to me, that she had understood, one of the regiments now in Jersey were to be removed to Rhode Island, perhaps to assist in completing the fortifications, that if so, and it did not break in upon any fixed disposition of the force, it would give her great pleasure could it be the Regiment commanded by Lt. Col. Smith....
176To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 14 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I understood from you some time since, that you had directed the suspension of the recruiting service for the 12 new regiments, and ordered all recruits and officers thereto belonging to their respective Regiments. Col Moore, I find, has not yet received these orders, and it would appear that some of the Regiments Southerly are still recruiting. I mention this to bring the ⟨subject⟩ to your...
177To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 5 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose you two letters from E. B. Dayton to his brother the senator. It would seem, from the representations made to me, and these letters, that the demands of Col. Smith greatly distract the contractor; that he is kept in a state of uncertainty how long any orders requiring the issue of fresh or salt provisions is to be continued, that consequently it is out of his power to make...
178To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Pusy I presume is known to you by an introduction from the Marquis de la Fayette, of course he needs none from me. I mention him to you for the purpose only of bringing him to your recollection. He is in my opinion the best informed and best instructed Engineer in the U.S. and highly qualified, by his attainments and actual experience to give the soundest ideas relative to the most proper...
179To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 13 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honour to communicate to you, that on the 6th instant, I requested of the President of the United States permission to resign the office of Secretary for the Department of war. To the above request, I added a proposition, that my resignation be considered, as to take place on the 1st of June next, in order that I might be for a short time in a convenient situation, to explain to...
180To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 16 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recieved the following directions from the President of the United States —“I request you, to transmit copies of the Law, for reducing the twelve regiments to Major Generals Hamilton and Pinckney, and also to the Commandants of Brigades, with orders to the Major Generals to make immediate arrangements reducing those regiments on the 14th day of June.” In compliance therewith, I do...
181To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 16 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter dated the 5th inclosing a Copy of a Letter to you dated the 4th instant from Colo. Taylor, stating that delays & embarrassments arising from what appears to have been a reluctance in the proper Officer to take up the Business, have prevented a final settlement for monies expended for public Service by the Officers of the 13th Regiment whilst on...
182To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
There is no fact more evident to my mind, than the truth of the position, that it is impossible that our public affairs can proceed under the present chief or his antifederal rival without loss of reputation to all the agents. You are right in observing happy those who are released from the fetter. I feel so notwithstanding the wound my personal feelings received in dissolving the chain. The...
183To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The six additional troops of Cavalry are certainly intended by the Law, transmitted to you, to be disbanded, as well as the twelve additional regiments of Infantry, and would have been mentioned in my letter of instructions, had the Law itself been before me—but the certified copy thereof, was sent, to have a few printed copies struck off. You will please include in the orders, and measures,...
184To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are copies of two letters, which you will be pleased to return. They will convey to you my opinions on some recent propositions. Mr Stoddert who will after the 1st of June, exercise the duties of Secry. of war, asked me to day—if I had directed you & Gen Pinckney to thank the troops or say any clever things to them in the name of the President, on announcing to them the order for...
185To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have laid your letter dated Head Quarters Plainfield May 23d. instant, before the President. It is thought proper and expedient to suspend raising the Battalion of Artillerists additional to the second regiment of Artillerists and Engineers. You will therefore be pleased to attend to this instruction in the orders you shall issue relative to recruiting for the old establishment. The other...
186To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 2 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I placed Mr. Stoddert (who acts as Secretary of war under a temporary commission) this morning about 11 o’clock in the chair I have usually occupied; I then formally laid upon his head eight volumes of the “code militaire” by Briquet with Caesars commentaries in French; kept them upon it ’till he was nearly stupified, when I pronounced him duly installed and as well qualified to discharge the...
187To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 22 August 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Do you possess enough of the second sight to tell me what our friends have done and intend doing to the Eastward? God forgive me, if I make false calculations about them or deliver myself up too easily to dreams and reveries. I see nothing ex cathedra in that division of Country from which I can augur a determination adverse to the election of the present chief. Johnson says somewhere, in his...
188To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 4 September 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I recd. this morning your letter dated the 27 Ulto. with the one at first intended for Major Jackson. I sincerely beleive that there is not one of your friends who have paid the least attention to the insinuations attempted to be cast on the legitimacy of your birth, or who would care or respect you less were all that your enemies say or impute on this head true. I think it will be most...
189To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12 October 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Wolcott informed me by a letter recd yesterday evening that he was to leave the seat of Government (on a visit to his family) to day. He goes by way of Lancaster & I expect will pass through to New York in which case I pray you to give him the inclosed letter. If any accident should prevent his seeing you, be pleased to send it to him. It will shew you what I think of things here and my...
190To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 November 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 13 inst yesterday evening. [Altho’ I am not pleased at the facts attached to my name, in your letter to the President, having been brought into public view, without my consent, I can conceive nevertheless what might have prevented you from not requesting it. This supposed reason has weight if the facts could be considered of consequence, still however, in a case...
191To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 1 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
What is past and cannot be amended between friends had better be forgotten. Let it be so if you please. I am content. I have since your last reflected upon the policy & necessity of your replying to the answers to your animadversions on the character & conduct of the President, and incline to beleive that it would be wiser to suspend, for the present any further publication on the subject....
192To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 31 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. a letter from Mr. W. this morning in which he says. “I have made enquiry respecting the declaration of Mr. Adams while in London in Nov. 1783—it seems he thought negociations could be better conducted there than in a foreign country, and observes—‘Here with the most perfect politeness to ministers we may keep them in awe; a visit to a distinguished member of opposition, even...
193To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12 January 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 4th inst on Saturday last. After giving as much consideration as I could to the subject of the election of a President, which I perceived from conversation with some of the members of Congress who were here at christmas was likely to assume a serious form, it appeared to me that the proper line for the federal party to pursue in the case, was, to acquiesce with a...
194To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 30 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a letter just recd. from Doctor Osborn touching the object of his arrest. With great respect I have the honour to be Sir your ot St ( ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing Samuel Osborne to McHenry, January 29, 1799 ( ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress ).
195To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 31 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is a letter to my Chief Clerk from Captain Stille of the 2n regiment of artillerists and Engineers praying to be disencumbered of a Lieutenant that temporarily was attached to his Company. I incline to think the recommendations upon which Carmichael, the officer, in question was appointed, were framed without due consideration. They presented him as possessed of the mathematics,...
196To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose for your information copies of letters (viz) one from Captn Frye dated Fort Jay, Feby 2nd 1799, one from Captn Stoddard dated Portland Jany 27th ’99 one from Lt Hancock dated Kempsville Jany 26th 1799 and one from Captain Bruff dated Indian Queen 15th Jany enclosing certain charges against Major Rivardi With respect to the letter from Captain Frye, Colo Stevens was instructed on the...
197To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 16 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter to General Wilkinson yesterday in time to go into the mail for Knoxville, Tennessee, from whence it will immediately pass to the General by express I have the honor to be with great respect, Sir Your most Obt Hb St ( LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
198To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 16th inst. this morning. It is out of my power to send you the distribution you ask for, as contained in the report made to me in Decmbr. ulto. by the Commander in chief. The instructions My instructions dated the 4th inst. contains whatever the commander in chief has said on this subject. His answer to my queries omitted entirely assigning any stations to 4...
199To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 21 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I transmit for your information a copy of a letter from Major Tousard, dated New-Port 10th Feby 1799 I have the honor to be with great respect Your most Obd Hbl ( LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing Lewis Tousard to McHenry, February 10, 1799 (copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). An endorsement on the cover of the LS from James McHenry reads: "answd. March 5. 1799."
200To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, first letter of 22 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose you a copy of a letter from Captain Gates dated Castle William Feby. 13th 1799 I have the honor to be with great respect your most Obd Hb St ( LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing Lemuel Gates to McHenry, February 13, 1799 (copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). On verso of the LS from James McHenry, H wrote a draft of his reply: "Wrote to Secy. The letter...