To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel Dexter, 2 October 1800
From Samuel Dexter
War Department, 2d October 1800
Dear Sir
I have the Honor to enclose a Letter from General La Fayette,1 and one from the Widow of the late Colonel Fleury,2 which came to this Office with a number of others on the same subject under cover from Mr. Murray.3
I have not formally requested your assistance to Mr. Puzy,4 respecting the fortifications in the Harbor of New York, because, as the Law of your state is construed by me, the whole Business is under the direction of Governor Jay;5 and also because I know your propensity to promote the public welfare too well to believe it to be necessary.
I have the Honor to be Dear Sir, Very respectfully, Your very obed Servt.
Saml. Dexter
Genl. Alexr. Hamilton.
LS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
3. William Vans Murray.
4. See James McHenry to H, May 12, 1800; Jean Xavier Bureaux de Pusy to H, May 16, July 19, 1800; H to Dexter, July 9, 1800.
5. “An Act for the further defence of this State and for other purposes” provided: “… That the person administering the government of this State for the time being do cause the said arsenal or arsenals to be built and the said purchases to be made, in such manner and on such terms as to him shall seem most conducive to the interest of this State” (New York Laws, 22nd Sess., Ch. V [August 27, 1798]). See also the introductory note to H to McHenry, June 1, 1798.