91To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 25 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, May 25, 1799. “… I transmitted last Tuesday by a Mr: Jones (lately appointed Consul at Orleans) a Duplicate of your letter to General Wilkinson.… For the present I should not incline to give the Indians any encouragement on the subject of their illegal Sales, or respecting the possibility of a treaty to repurchase &c. Let us see a little more of the development of the plot of...
92To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] May 27, 1799 . “I have this moment recd. your letter of the 24th and several enclosures, among the latter a letter to Lt Col. Hamtramck which I return for your reperusal. You will recollect, that the troops in Tenessee and on the Georgia Frontier are within Genl Pinckney’s command. Your letter to Hamtramck extends his authority to the troops in Tenessee. Will you be pleased to...
93To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 28 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, May 28, 1799. “I have received your letter dated 25th instant. The experiment of enlisting none but native citizens or naturalized foreigners at present in our army, I am much disposed to have fully made. The criterion of the latter to be either a residence in this country anterior to the revolution to be proved to the satisfaction of the recruiting officer, or a certificate of...
94To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 29 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Complaints having been made, relative to the enlistment of apprentices, for the army of the United States, I have been led to reflect on the propriety, or even general policy of such enlistments. Young men of respectable families, and handsome properties, are not infrequently bound apprentices, to learn a profession, or be initiated in some lucrative trade, art or mystery, it could only be in...
95To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 30 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Troops in Tenessee have never been considered as forming any part of the North Western army, or the Commander of the Western army as having any controul over them. It was necessary to the success of the objects to be accomplished in Tenessee, and the quick transmission of orders that this should be so. There is no position, which it is possible for a general to assume in the North Western...
96To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [4 June 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
I think the information contained in the inclosed letter from Mr Patterson intitled to attention. The writer stands high in the opinion of Mr Sitgreaves, and I have always heard him spoken of as a man of honour and veracity. He was a candidate for one of the Regiments. Be pleased to return me the letter. Yours Affely ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; ADfS , James McHenry Papers,...
97To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [6 June 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
Since my confidential letter to you, inclosing one from Mr. Patterson, relative to stationing some troops at Easton, I have had verbal information, which shews, if not an absolute necessity for, yet that the stationing troops there would produce immediate salutary effects, upon the disorganizing inhabitants in that neighbourhood. I would advise therefore, if no important objection exists which...
98To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 15, 1799. “Your observations relative to my agent for procuring supplies and the Superintendant are but too well founded. The last has so strong a supporter, that I cannot see when or how I am to get rid of him. As to the Purveyor, I have for some time been reconnoitring for an assistant to him whose talents and activity joined to mercantile knowledge would supply his...
99To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, June 15, 1799. “I received by yesterdays mail, three letters of the 12, and by the mail of this morning, two letters of June 14th instant.… The idea is undoubtedly correct respecting the keeping an extra supply of Clothing at the remote posts. It is not unknown to you, that from circumstances which I could not controul, even the quantity of Cloathing necessary for the old...
100To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Officers have been appointed for six additional companies of cavalry. It is not however deemed expedient, at present, to enlist for, or mount the Cavalry. I submit it, to your consideration, whether these Officers, may not be usefully, and properly employed, untill called into their appropriate service, by being attached to the Infantry companies, as well to assist in recruiting, as in...
101To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [19 June 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote a letter yesterday to the Secy. of the Navy respecting the propriety of being alert at our port, knowing that the French fleet is at sea, and the expediency of the measure suggested. Something will be done; but not much partly through want of means. All these things help forward the army, and the army and the expences attending it, are not to all views equally desirable. The Secy. of...
102To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 19, 1799. “I received this morning your letter of the 17th instant. I have ordered two thousand dollars to be forwarded to the Paymaster of the 12 and an equal sum to the Paymaster of the 13th Regiment.… There has been also delivered to the Paymaster of the Tenth Regiment One thousand five hundred and forty four dollars and fifty cents.…” LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
103To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I received this morning from on board a vessel from London 4 set of military figures for the practice of tacticks one of which I send you for your amusement. It may be made a substitute for the game of chess. There is a book which I would advise you to send to England for intitled the Officers manual in the field with 10 copper plates price in boards 15/Sg. It displays a series of military...
104To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, June 21, 1799. “… I wish you … to direct … the Quarter Master of the 13th. 14th: and 15th: Regiments to send his order to Mr: Williams Storekeeper at Springfield for the articles to be drawn from thence for these Regiments.… It is expected that Muster Rolls will be made out and precede any disbursement of money to the recruits for their pay. If this is not done I apprehend...
105To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 24 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are certain regulations respecting the delivery of Fuel, Straw and Stationery, and Horses furnished to Officers. I wish you to consider them, and to offer such additional ones to, or alterations in those proposed as in your opinion may be proper. The last has been conceived necessary to check an evil which may grow to magnitude. I request you particularly to determine how many Horses...
106To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 24 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, June 24, 1799. “I received this morning your letter of the 21st: Instant. The remarks you have offered relative to the Cavalry are deserving of attention, and the course you propose which combines a temporary saving, with immediate employment for the Officers in a mode conformable to the constitution of this kind of Troops will be considered. I shall inform you of the result. I...
107To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 26 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I find from frequent and repeated conversations that we have not been able to remove any one of the prejudices entertained by the Secretary of the treasury against the augmentation of the army: that he thinks, or seems to think, that the means of resources of the U. S. which can be called forth without annual loans, are inadequate to the expenditures required for the support of the army and...
108To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose a copy of a Letter to me, from John King, the Contractor for District No. 2 including the Counties of Essex, and Morris, in the State of New Jersey, relative to an order issued by you, on the 15th. instant, directing the Contractors, to issue fresh meat to the military. five days in each week; together with a Copy of my answer, and an extract from the particular contract with Mr....
109To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
My dear Sir. I answer to yours (just rcd.) of the 25th inst. It will be agreeable to me to see a troop of horse completely organised, that we may ascertain, as far as it is practicable, with so small a model, the improvements of which cavalry are yet susceptible. You may write therefore an official letter on the subject proposing it, and request my final directions. I shall give them. General...
110To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 2 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will find by copies of the several contracts for the garrisons under your command (with which you have been furnished), compared with the returns of troops in garrison, at which of them it will be proper to provide for the issues of the provisions by an officer appointed and paid by government. The late Major General Wayne was instructed by me, by letter dated 25th June 1796, as follows...
111To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 2 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, July 2, 1799. “If you find any thing to alter or propose which will make the enclosed regulations more perspicuous or perfect, I wish you to mention it and return them as soon as possible.” LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. McHenry sent the same letter on the same day to George Washington ( LS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress). On the back of this letter...
112To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 8 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, July 8, 1799. On July 9, 1799, Hamilton wrote to McHenry : “I have the honor to acknowlege the Receipt of your letter of yesterday with the list of some new appointments, in the 7th 8 & 9 Regts.” Letter not found. ]
113To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 8 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, July 8, 1799. Discusses Major John J. U. Rivardi’s account of conditions at Fort Niagara. Refers to McHenry’s letter of July 2, 1799, concerning former quartermasters. States that Rivardi disbursed extra pay for extra work and points out that such payments should not be given “for procuring supplies or performing work in the ordinary line of a soldiers duty.…” Encloses...
114To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 10 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose you Copies of a letter from J Jackson Esqr. Supervisor at Boston, with my indorsement of reference, to the accountant of this Department, and of the Accountants answer, or report, dated the 6th instant. The difficulties you will percieve, are almost daily occurring in the Accountants Office, relative to settlements for quarter Master’s supplies, by Contractors, or agents, and for...
115To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 10 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 6. of July containing a paragraph from a letter from Colonel Parker, by which it appears that his supply of Clothing had not then arrived except some hats and shoes. The articles in the annexed list No. 1. which comprehends the whole of your requisition left this City as appears by a note made on it by the Assistant Quarter Master General on the 29. May and June...
116To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 16 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I received this morning your letter of the 12th July instant on the subject of a modification of the invitations to supply rations for the troops of the United States on the Sea board. You will recollect that the advertisement, calling for proposals for the year 1799, is dated the 21st March ulto., and that the time within which proposals may be received is limited to the 25th July instant....
117To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, July 20, 1799. “Mr Jonathan Williams the gentleman I had intended for an assistant to Mr. Francis has suggested to me that he would be glad you should read certain papers explanatory of his conduct in a transaction relative to his Father in law Mr Alexander, which Mr Francis, on a representation by Mr Morris had viewed in a criminal light, and objected to the proposed association...
118To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 22 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, July 22, 1799. “I recd. this morning your letter of the 17th July inst. and have submitted Mr. Ths. Y. How to the President to fill the office of 2d Lieutenant, and recommended the appointment.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. McHenry to John Adams, July 22, 1799 ( ALS , Adams Family Papers, deposited in the Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston). On July 27,...
119To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [25 July 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
I request your opinion, upon the inclosed circular, to the different contractors &c for supplies of rations for the ensuing and the present year, predicated upon the ideas, communicated to me, by your letter of the 12th inst. and that you will return it to me and your opinion without delay if it, or any thing like it is to be acted upon. Some doubts have rested on my mind, whether such a step,...
120To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 25 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose a Warrant, under the signature of the President, and the seal of the War office of the United States, for the execution of Richard Hunt, a Serjeant in a Company of the Second regiment of Artillerists, and Engineers, commanded by Captain James Stille, who was tried on a charge of desertion, and also of carrying away the money for their pay entrusted to him, by the men of his company,...