From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, 3 June 1779
To Colonel Clement Biddle1
Head Quarters Middle
Brook [New Jersey] June 3d. 1779
Dr. Sir,
I inclose you a letter for Mr. Writtenhouse accompanied by a Theodolite which you will be pleased carefully to forward him for The General.2
(Now on my own account) Gibbs3 informs me you were obliging enough to promise that care should be taken of my mare and her colt at your place. I leave her in charge of Mr. Wallace4 as my servant will be too much employed while we stay to carry her to your Quarters. I request you will have her sent for as soon as convenient. I hardly think her safe here.
I am D Col Yr Obed serv
A Hamilton
Be pleased to forward the other letters by the first conveyances.
ALS, Independence National Historical Park Collection, Old Custom House, Philadelphia; ADf, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Biddle was commissary general of forage.
2. On June 3, 1779, Washington wrote to the astronomer and mathematician, David Rittenhouse, as follows: “I beg leave to trouble you with a Theodolite which is a little out of repair and to request that you will be good enough to have it put in order. As I am not in a hurry about it, I wish only to have what is necessary done at some moment of leisure. The Quarter Master at Philadelphia will receive and forward it to me.” A draft of this letter, in the writing of H, is calendared below.
3. Major Caleb Gibbs.
4. John Wallace, whose house Washington had used for his Headquarters while the American Camp was at Middlebrook, New Jersey.