151Pay Order for Hire of a Horse, 22 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Piscataway [ New Jersey ] July 22, 1778 . Orders that John Langstaff be paid “the usual hire for a mare of his impressed the morning of the 19th. and returned in the evening of the 22d.…” Signed “Alex Hamilton, Aide De Camp.” ADS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. On verso is written: “Received ten dollars of Colonel Hamilton on account of the within order. John Langstaff.”
152From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 23 July [1778] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to your Excellency the evening of the 20th. by Major Neville. I remained in the neighbourhood of Black Point ’till the afternoon following. The Count had received his expected dispatches from Congress and was to sail, as I mentioned before, the first fair wind. At Brunswick yesterday, Mr Caldwell joined me. He was immediately from the Point and brought intelligence that the fleet got...
153From Alexander Hamilton to Elias Boudinot, 26 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favour of the instant. Baron Steuben will do me the honor to deliver you this. He waits upon Congress in a temper, which I very much regret—discontented with his situation—and almost resolved to quit the service. You know we have all the best opinion of this Gentleman’s military merit, and shall of course consider his leaving the army as a loss to it....
154Expenses for Trip from Haverstraw, New York, to Black Point, New Jersey, [28 July 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Dollars Received from Capt Caleb Gibbs of the public money in his hands 137 Dollars 137 Paid the expences of travelling for myself five pilots, horses & servants from Head Quarters, to Black Point, so far as vouchers were kept, which are herewith £19.4.9 48 Ballance 89 due from A Hamilton to be charged to his private account ADS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. On...
155To the Commissary of Clothing from the State of Virginia, 30 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency is informed, that there is a quantity of state-cloathing coming on under your direction for the use of the Virginia troops. It has been hinted to him that measures are taking to get particular regiments fully supplied to the disadvantage of others, which certainly would be altogether inequitable and improper. He desires you will make a point whatever partial applications may be...
156From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General James Clinton, 1 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
The General has received a letter written by Mr Erskine by your desire at half past Nine oClock this morning; by which he perceives there are parties of the Enemy hovering about you. He desires you will take the most effectual measures to ascertain what force they are in; and be particularly watchful, that while they may be amusing you in front, they may not throw a force superior to yours on...
157From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel William Malcom, [17 August 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
You will appoint a genteel sensible Officer to go to Fish Kill the 19th. instant, where he will receive orders from the Governor or the commissioners for conducting in character of a flag some inhabitants who are to [be] sent to New York. You will caution him to treat the persons in his charge with decency and politeness. It will be necessary to be very exact as to the time; and so to order it...
158From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 24 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Capt Nelson complains at Head Quarters, that he has been eight or nine months in arrest by order of Col Nagle without being brought to trial. This carries upon the face of it the appearance of a great grievance, but as the General has not an opportunity of ascertaining facts himself, he will be obliged to you to inquire fully into the circumstances of the affair, and make a report of the...
159From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Pettit, [3 September 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Two things I am charged by the General to write to you upon. One is to prevent any more wood being cut on Mr. Jay’s farm. Another is, to begin to cast about for providing materials for building Winter Quarters in case we should be obliged to winter in this part of the country—⟨––––⟩ boards tools &c. I am sir Yr. humb ser ALS , facsimile in Isographie des Hommes Celebres (Paris, 1843), II,...
160From Alexander Hamilton to Elias Boudinot, 8 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
It is a long time since I have had either the pleasure of writing to you or of hearing from you. The long letter you promised me through Colonel Harrison, which was to come by Baron Steuben has not made its appearance. I imagine you must have changed your mind. You are not to expect when you see this letter, that I have anything worth your attention to say to you; I write merely to show you...
161From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Horatio Gates, [8 September 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency desires me to inform you that having received information of the enemy’s being out advanced this side of Wards House, He thought it prudent to put the troops quietly under arms and has sent orders to the several Brigades for this purpose. This is the second note, I have written, the first the horsemen lost. I am Sir Yr. most Obed servant ALS , New-York Historical Society, New...
162From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [12 September 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Chouin the French Gentleman who lives at Head Quarters informs he has heard you had a bear-skin, which you would part with; and requests me to inquire if it is so. I told him I thought it very improbable you should have any but what you wanted for your own use; but for his satisfaction would inquire how the matter stands. I am Sir Yr most Obed ser ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library.
163From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Horatio Gates, 12 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency commands me to inform you, that he has received advice, that the enemy, who had made a debarkation at Bedford, after burning the little town, had reimbarked their troops and were hovering about the Coast. He does not think it expedient that you should advance too far from the army and therefore desires, that you will halt near Bedford ’till you hear further from him. I am Sir ...
164From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, [20 September 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency finds the relative situation of the country hereabouts something different from what his information led him to conceive and that Fredericksburgh is not quite that intermediate Point between Danbury and the Highlands, which would answer his views but is too far Northerly. He therefore desires you will halt on the ground this will find you upon ’till further orders. He will have...
165From Alexander Hamilton to Baron de Kalb, 24 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency has received advice, that the enemy have made an incursion into the Jerseys and that another body of troops has advanced beyond Kings bridge. Though He apprehends the object of these parties can only be a forage; it is possible they may intend something against the Highlands. He therefore thinks it necessary to give you this intimation, that you may hold yourself in readiness to...
166From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel William Malcom, [25 September 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of yesterday and have procured a warrant from His Excellency for 2000 dollars, the money for which I should receive and transmit; but it seems the Pay Master General has none at present in hand. I therefore inclose the warrant. His Excellency commands me to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 23d. He hopes your future supply of men will be regular and ample and...
167From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, 28 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fredericksburg , New York , September 28, 1778 .] Orders Stirling to New Jersey to take command of troops there. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
168From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, 28 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] September 28, 1778 . Sends instructions for Stirling’s command in New Jersey. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
169From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Pettit, [29 September 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to your favor of this morning, His Excellency desires me to inform you, that the matter in question between the officers & you, involves considerations too delicate to admit of his interference. It should be the subject of compromise between yourselves; He wishes some mode could be agreed upon mutually satisfactory, and thinks as far as the public service will justify it, a liberal...
170Pay Order, 2 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fishkill, New York ] October 2, 1778 . Directs Paymaster to send pay to Godlip Danroth of the German Regiment. ADS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives.
171From Alexander Hamilton to Major John Bigelow, 9 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
By His Excellency’s command, I am to request, you will immediately furnish him with an exact return of all the cloaths and materials for cloathing, you have provided in consequence of orders from Congress or the Board of War. This return must also show, what you have delivered, when and to whom, and what now remains in yr. possession. You will be pleased to be as accurate as possible. I am Sir...
172Publius Letter, I, [16 October 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
There are abuses in the State, which demand an immediate remedy. Important political characters must be brought upon the stage, and animadverted upon with freedom. The opinion I have of the independence of your spirit, convinces me you will ever be a faithful guardian of the liberty of the press; and determine me to commit to you the publication of a series of letters, which will give you an...
173Council of War, 16 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 16, 1778 . Describes state of American forces and of those of enemy. Asks opinion of officers on disposition of troops in winter quarters and advisability of sending a detachment to Boston. D , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
174Publius Letter, II, [26 October 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
The honor of being the hero of a public panegeric, is what you could hardly have aspired to, either from your talents, or from your good qualities. The partiality of your friends has never given you credit for more than mediocrity in the former; and experience has proved, that you are indebted for all your consequence, to the reverse of the latter. Had you not struck out a new line of...
175Cloth for Uniforms, 28 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Headquarters near Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 28, 1778 . Certificate of color of cloth drawn for uniforms for the various regiments by Hamilton and seven other aides to Washington. Lottery held to prevent soldiers of various regiments from complaining about color or quality of uniforms. DS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
176Examination of a Hessian Deserter, [31 October 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Trech—from the Corps of yagers —deserted ye 30th—yagers lie between the second and third redoubt with a creek running along their right; a regiment of Hessians lies between the first and second redoubts. Emericks corps lies between Fort Independence and redoubt No. 3—Pensylvaina Rangers behind them. No other troops on this side the Bridge except guards, that mount dayly in the redoubts—does...
177From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Goose Van Schaick, [4 November 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your favour of Yesterday. His Excellency desires me to inform you, that you are to march Immediately on receiving your Clothing to Fort Schuyler. He wishes you to Arrive there as speedily as possible. This you will pleas[e] to communicate to General Clinton and Act accordingly. I am sir Your most Obedient servant Copy, MS Division, New York Public Library. Van Schaick had been...
178From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [8 November 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency requests you will direct a couple sets of tools provided and sent to General McDougall to blow up rocks which greatly impede his carting &c. I am Sir Yr. Most Obedt ALS , Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia.
179From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Alexander McDougall, [8 November 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your favor of the 4th, and shall with pleasure communicate the intelligence we have at Head Quarters. On the morning of the 3d. one hundred and eight sail of vessels sailed out of the Hook, supposed from the best calculations to contain 7 or 8000 men. They first steered to the Eastward; but soon after changed their course and bore S.E with the wind at NW. The general accounts...
180Publius Letter, III, [16 November 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
It may appear strange, that you should be made a second time the principal figure of a piece intended for the public eye. But a character, insignificant in every other respect, may become interesting from the number and magnitude of its vices. In this view you have a right to the first marks of distinction; and I regret that I feel any reluctance to render you the liberal tribute you deserve:...