41From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 4 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
I know not what to say to your Letter of 23rd. There are Men whom disaster haunts through life. Sinclair was one & Wilkinson is another. With apparent capacities and without any manifest guilt, nothing ever succeeds in their hands. To cover the blunders of the war, recourse must be had to the blunders and intrigues and corruptions in politics, from the commencement of the Revolution and long...
42From Abigail Smith Adams to William Stephens Smith, 22 March 1814 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of March the 12th in replie to mine, of the 2d ult. the method you took to inform yourself respecting the Character and circumstances of the person in Question was highly judicious and the return you received, very Satisfactory and pleasing. the terms you have exa c ted met my cordial approbation. I should perhaps, had it been left to me have prolonged the time of...
43From Abigail Smith Adams to William Stephens Smith, 9 April 1814 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of 2 April I duly received I Should have replied to it by the last mail, but I was not in a humour at that time. I therefore d eclined it, hoping that the next post would be more Satisfactory to me, and account for a delay which did not correspond with former professions. it has accordingly brought Such explanations as an fully Satisfactory to all concernd —oweing to the delay of...
44From Abigail Smith Adams to William Stephens Smith, 1 October 1814 (Adams Papers)
It is already three weeks since you left us; I have not any knowledge of your progress farther than New-Haven, where General Humphreys informed me that he had the pleasure of meeting you. I wish to hear form you, although I cannot expect that you have anything agreeable of a public nature to communicate, from the desolate walls of Washington. I will, however, turn my face from that forlorn...
45From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 20 November 1814 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received your packet of the 7th. you ask “What is to be the result of the Convention at Hartford?” What a question! Had you asked my opinion of the measure I would have said, it is neither wise, honorable, or virtuous; and I would have requested you to give my compliments to every Virginian you meet, high or low, and tell him, that Massachusetts deserves to be made to repent of it...
46From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 2 December 1814 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 23d.— Gerry is gone to joine his Copatriots in lamentations over the degeneracy of his Country; at least in Sagadahock, Nantucket and Alexandria. I am, left alone, to carry the last and worst tidings to the Skies. What Shall I? What can I say of Mr Gerry’s Family? An amiable Wisdom and nine amiable Children. I can say no more— MHi : Adams Family Papers,...
47From Abigail Smith Adams to William Stephens Smith, 25 January 1815 (Adams Papers)
It is sometime since I have written to you and I feel that I owe you a Letter; you do not like our state movement any better than I do the long and and numerous Speeches of your wordy Fraternity. yet I like to read them, and when the character of the Gentleman is preserved, and due respect paid to constituted Authorities, I listen to the opposite Parties with pleasure, but I must say too many...
48From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 22 February 1815 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice in your Recovery from Sickness and wish a perfect restoration of your health—I think I may Congratulate you on the Glorious termination of the War. The Rejoicings here are enthusiastic, If Such Rejoicings here are at my Peace with France in 1800, had been Exhibited, would the Condition of our Country at this hour however have been better? Tallard when he had been beaten and taken...
49From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 4 April 1815 (Adams Papers)
Washington used to say Sometimes “They work me hard” Sam. Allen Otis said a day or two before his Death “They work me two hard” And I who have not the Honor to be “ Father of my Country” nor Secretary of the Senate, might now say in my Octoginary year, that John Taylor and a dozen others, some of them greater and some of them less Men, now work me confoundedly hard: but I will not say it. I...
50From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 23 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
Cobbets Letter to Niles, inclosed in yours of the 17th, with some of his usual fooleries, contains many important facts and ingenious reflections, Sometimes lear I love Clergimen because they are often Sociable and Sensible Men, and sometimes learned: but the Priesthood Seems to have Something militant and belligerent in its nature. The high ones are always gladiators. Their Controversies are...
51From John Adams to William Stephens Smith, 21 November 1815 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your for two Letters from the Valley; one dated October 4th. the other November the first, 1815. The Documents to which you refer are of so much Importance to your Reputation and to mine, that I wish you would depose it, the Sketch you have made of them, somewhere in print. It is at my Age impossible for me to look up the Scattered Volumes in which they are to be found and my...
52George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Stephens Smith, 4 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Totowa, New Jersey ] November 4, 1780 . Approves Smith’s decision to take the place of a retiring lieutenant colonel. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Smith was a lieutenant colonel in Spencer’s Regiment. In January, 1781, he became adjutant and inspector on the Marquis de Lafayette’s staff.
53From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 15 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 15, 1799. “I have received your letter of the 13th instant and thank you for the suggestions contained therein.…” Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Library of Congress.
54From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 1 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is proper for you to be informed officially that I have appointed Capt. Church of your Regiment my Aid de Camp. I am sensible that in strict propriety, this ought to have been done previous to his appointment—in order that you might have had an opportunity to state to me if any particular reasons, in respect to the interests of the Regiment stood in the way of the appointment. The Omission...
55From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 5 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 5, 1799. On June 12, 1799, Smith wrote to Hamilton and acknowledged “the receipt of your Letter of the 5th. inst.” Letter not found. ]
56From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 13 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, November 13, 1799. In reply to Smith’s letter of November 11, 1799, states: “There is no provision in the law for Chaplains , and I can not therefore comply with your wishes. I am nevertheless deeply impressed with the importance of divine service among the troops, and have heretofore made it a subject of communication with the S of War.…” Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How,...
57From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 18 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, November 18, 1799. “… I have not the smallest objection to the Officers being taught the use of the sword by the French gentlemen of whom you speak, nor to any measures of the kind which you may think proper to adopt that will not involve an actual expence to the public.” Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Smith to H, November 15, 1799 .
58From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 17 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 17, 1799. On December 23, 1799, Smith wrote to Hamilton and referred to “your Letter of the 17th.” Letter not found. ]
59From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 3 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Your different letters of the 23rd 24th and 28th. of December have been delivered to me. It is always difficult in contracts to define the quality of the articles which are to be furnished, and hence has arisen the silence of which you complain in the contract with the Agent for New Jersey. It is however implied in the nature of the transaction that the articles be good according to the common...
60From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 21 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 21, 1800. On March 5, 1800, Smith wrote to Hamilton : “I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of two letters of the 21st.… ulto.” One letter not found. ] The second letter of this date is listed in the appendix to this volume.
61From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 25 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, February 25, 1800. On March 5, 1800, Smith wrote to Hamilton acknowledging “the receipt of two letters of the … 25th. ulto.” One letter not found. ] The second letter of this date is listed in the appendix to this volume.
62From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 12 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letters of the 5th and 7th instants. As some of the subjects were discussed in conversation with you the other day it will not be necessary to repeat the remarks that were then made. On the subject of wood I have written to Col. Ogden. I can not say any thing relative to the claim of Captain White, having never been able to obtain from the S of War a definitive rule on the...
63From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Nathan Rice, and William S. Smith, 18 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The proper measure of the pace is a matter of primary importance in the Tactics of the Infantry. The establishments of different Nations differ in this particular. For example—Our pace is two feet English measure. That of the French is two feet French or about 26 Inches English. That of the English is 30 of their Inches, measuring in each case from heel to heel. This is rather capricious. The...
64From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Nathan Rice, and William S. Smith, 26 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a plan of the Formation of a Regiment for Exercise or Battle, of which I request your mature consideration, and that you will favour me as early as may be with the result of your reflections. The more careful and particular your criticism, the more will it oblige me. ADf , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. In the margin of this letter H wrote: “Two copies as in the original...
65From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 27 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 17th. instant, with its enclosures has been received. I am, for my own part prefectly satisfied with the representation given by the Major, of the conduct of your officers in the affair at Elisabeth town—but as an account of it has made its appearance in the public papers, which has represented the matter to their disadvantage, I think you are interested for the honor of...
66Enclosure: [Account of the Incident at Elizabethtown], [27 March 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
Some publications having appeared in the news papers in respect to a disturbance at Elizabeth Town implicating Capt Courtlandt & Lt. Livingston of the twelveth Regiment—it is proper that the public should know that early and particular inquiry was made into the affair by order of Major General Hamilton, & that, according to information received from very respectable authority in the Civil...
67From Alexander Hamilton to Nathan Rice and William S. Smith, [23 April 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
It appears by a Report of the Dy P M G that no return has come from the 12 Regiment of the Cloathing on hand as required by the general order of the 11th of March. Considering the time which has elapsed since the issuing of that order if there are any articles of Cloathing in the possession of the Pay Master of that Regiment he has been guilty of very great neglect for which he ought to be...
68From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Nathan Rice, and William S. Smith, 17 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Altho’ I have not been officially advised of it, yet I have received information sufficient to satisfy me that an act of Congress has passed for disbanding the twelve additional regiments on or before the fifteenth of June next, granting an allowance to the officers and soldiers of three months pay from the time of their discharge. I mention this to you that it may be understood unofficially...
69From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 18 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Brown, one of my Secretaries is the bearer of this letter—he goes before me to take possession of my quarters. You will have a Subaltern’s guard at those quarters on Wednesday next. With great consideration Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For H’s visit to the troops at Scotch Plains, New Jersey, see H to Aaron Ogden, May 8, 1800, note 1 .
70From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Nathan Rice, and William S. Smith, 29 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
An order was issued, some time since, as you will recollect, directing enlistments to be “for and during the existing differences with France,” or for the term of five years at the pleasure of the government. It appearing probable that the number of men enlisted under these conditions is very inconsiderable, and an expectation having been entertained among them that they would not be separated...