1From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Bentley, in his letter of the twentieth of October, strongly recommends Reuben Beale and Samuel Simmons as Cadets in his regiment, and I would advise that they be immediately appointed— With perfect respect I am ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
2From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 4 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Such progress has now been made in recruiting the sixteenth regiment that the appointment of a Surgeon is for it becomes indispensible. I know not whether I have proposed to you any person as qualified for the post. If I have, or there be any suitable Character before you I would recommend that an appointment immediately take place. Col. Graves urges that the vacancies created by the...
3From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The information respecting the causes which have interfered with the supply of Cloathing contained in your letter of the 10th. instant received on Saturday is in train to be communicated by a circular letter. I am glad to find that so much progress has been made. If the Contractor delivers in two thirds of the daily quantity he promises, and the articles are expeditiously forwarded, it will...
4From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 12 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter dated February 25th. 1800 last month from Colonel Parker requesting a certificate of my having directed him to lay out the State of Virginia into districts. the certificate I have made out adding to it my knowledge of the orders he has received from General Washington respecting the cantonment at Harpers ferry. in executing the above orders he has incurred considerable...
5From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 6 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your letter of the third inst. I have given direct directed Col. Stevens to provide such a number of Common and Horsemen’s Tents for the twelfth and thirteenth regiments as shall be sufficient with — what has been already furnished to make up their complement according to the peace establishment—From the situation of things in Philadela. I think it would be prudent to give the...
6From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 5, 1799 . “I recur to your letters of the 31st of January 4th 15 21. 22 23 & 27 of February, for the purpose of doing whatever may remain to be done in relation to their contents. “… the complete formation of the several corps and their subdivisions which includes the appointment of the full complement of Officers is so essential to order that delay in this respect is very...
7From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter from Col Smith of which the inclosed is an extract. As the mention of Capt Fowler to you was in conformity with his opinion, after a particular consultation, I was rather surprized at the turn of his letter. I however sent his recommendation, though I imagine it is likely to come too late. And in justice to Capt Fonda , I ought to add that he was Adjutant of a batalion...
8From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Lieut. This will be handed to you by Lieut. Rogers, of the first Regiment who is on the way to D’Etriot to join his regiment. for which purpose He wishes to procure his pay, of which he has never yet received any part. I should be glad Sir if you will facilitate the means of his receiving it. With great consideration & ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown and H, Hamilton Papers,...
9From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 13 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is a copy of a letter from Col. Rice relative to an issue of Clothing to the troops under his command previous to the expiration of the year—From the Movements in Congress which indicate a speedy disbandment of the additional regiments I have not thought proper to issue an order in the case without your sanction— Unless it is very certain that the If the troops will should not be...
10From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 27 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A letter from Major Toussard of the 19 instant has the following paragraph “The commissioners at Fort Wolcott and Fort Adams have received by the last mail the copy of your general Order, transmitted to them from Boston by Major Jackson which lessens the allowance fixed by the regulation to be observed in the delivery & Distribution of fuel and Straw to the Garrisons on the Sea Coast. The...
11From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 4 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Col Ogden has written to m requested me to have appoint ed bridgetown as a Company Rendezvous in the place of Woodbury to which I have consented. I will thank you to instruct Colonel Rhea to make the a contract for the former place, if so requested by Col Ogden with consideration I am Sir Your obed servt. ( Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
12From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 16 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Seeing the terrible delays which take place is it not adviseable immediately to authorise your Agents at New York & Boston to take prompt measures for increasing your supply of Cloathing tents and such other articles as are in Arrear? Considering past experience can you possibly depend on the present plan for the future supply? If blue Cloath cannot be found for the whole, better to take some...
13From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed are I have the honor to transmit the proceedings of the Court Martial in the case of Lt. Leybourne I have strongly disapproved the sentence of the Court W— ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing the proceedings of John Leybourne’s court-martial, February 22, 1800, signed by James Read ( DS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
14From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose to you a letter from Captain Chandler offering a resignation of his commission. ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
15From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
As the season advances fast, when it will be proper to give effect to the new disposition for the Western Army—and as the arrangement of the Officers regimentally is a necessary preliminary to that Operation, I have recurred to your letter of the 15 of November last respecting the arrangement ⟨w⟩hich was submitted to you upon the plan of Brigadier General Wilkinson. A material object of the...
16From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 20 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose to you a letter which I have received from Mr. Titcomb Cadet in the second regiment of Artillerists & Engineers. Major Jackson speaks very favorably of this Gentleman, and, I doubt not, you will consider the letter as a handsome not an ill specimen of his abilities. The occasional appointment of Cadets to vacancies that occur is necessary to the end of their establishment. Without it...
17From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
By an omission Lieut: Y. How’s name was left out in the definitive arrangement of the Officers of the 11th Regt. forwarded to you. he is to be placed 10th. 2. Lieutenant. with great respect Sir ( Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
18From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, July 9, 1799. “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 which will be communicated to the respective commandants.… On this subject of Cadets it may be proper to fix some rule. I doubt the present expediency of appointing more than two to each Regiment of Infantry. But it is believed to be...
19From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Yesterday about two oClock, the detachment proceeded on its destination. It consisted of one Captain (Henry) Two Leutenants, Two Musicians, Ninety two Non Commissioned Officers & Privates. They had seventeen Tents with them. I send you a plan for dividing Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania and Delaware into Districts and subdistricts. It appears to me desireable that the recruiting...
20From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [1 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Our citizens are extremely anxious that some further measures for their defence should take place. Do me the favour to inform me confidentially what means are actually in the disposition of your department for this purpose when & how they will be applied. Yrs truly A Capt Hacker formerly of our Navy is desirous of being employed. One or two good men have recommended him to me. It seems however...
21From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 11 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the seventh instant has been received. I have upon reflection, thought it expedient to order all the recruiting Officers of the additional regiments, with the men they may have enlisted, to their regimental rendezvouses; as it would be impossible to adopt any arrangements which would effectually prevent the enlistment of more men than are wanted to complete the old...
22From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 13 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the drafts of the proposed contracts sent me through Mr. O Hara, and have had some conversation with him concerning them. There are a few points some of which appear to me to require to be differently arranged, others to stand in need of explanation for the avoiding of Disputes. 1. In the proposed contract for the supply of the Western army, it is put in the option of the...
23From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The return lately sent me shews strongly the want of system of your Agents. Instead of an equal apportionment, while some Regiments are altogether without certain articles, others have a full or very ample supply of them. This appears particularly as to Muskets, Cartouch boxes, Knapsacks & Canteens . With regard to some of these articles, indeed, I know that orders have been given for supplies...
24From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, January 9, 1800. “… The Adjutt: General is busied in preparing the Return you require. But his materials are unavoidably defective. The monthly returns heretofore sent you contain the substance of our information. All that is possible will be done.” Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See McHenry to H, January 6, 1800 .
25From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 24 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 24, 1799. Discusses duties and salary of Ebenezer Stevens. States: “The necessity of a more adequate organisation of our Departments of Military supplies (to which adequate compensation is an essential idea) presses more and more upon my conviction. The details of execution are extremely defective.” Gives examples of defects in supply system and concludes: “These are small...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Major James McHenry, [16–20 December 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you Dear Mac for your poetry and your confidence. The piece is a good one—your best. It has wit, which you know is a rare thing. I see by perseverence all ladies may be won. The Muses begin to be civil to you, in spite of Apollo and my prognosis. You know I have often told you, you wrote prose well but had no genius for poetry. I retract. Adieu. Steiner, James McHenry Bernard C....
27From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 24 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Frequent applications are made to me concerning the relative rank of the Field Officers. It is very desirable that this should be universally settled & promulged without delay. I shall submit to you, before long, some ideas respecting the relative rank of the company officers of the different regiments. Enclosed are the commission of Lieutenant Flagg and a letter in which he offers to resign...
28From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 27 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
After consideration of the several candidates who have come under my notice for medical appointments in the Twelveth Regiment I would recommend them in the following order First—Samuel Finley, second John H Douglass, Third Samuel Davis Fourth Samuel Barnum fifth William McIntosh sixth D B — . This would consequently make Finley Surgeon and Douglass and Davis Mates. The experiment must decide...
29From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 31 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
There is a probability that the two Regts. of Artillerists can now be completed. According to the plan heretofore approved two battalions were to be reserved for the services of field —one to serve under the Command of Genl. Pinckney, the other to serve under my immediate command. These two Battalions, the additional Infy having been disbanded, may now be united in a Camp of instruction, and...
30From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 14 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 14, 1799. On November 18, 1799, McHenry wrote to Hamilton : “I recd two hours ago your letter of the 14th.” Letter not found. ]
31From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It would appear from the representations of G Wilkinson that the number of officers of the four old Regiments who have reported themselves to me pursuant to your notification bear no comparison to the number actually absent. The case seems to require some more decisive measure. I submit whether it will not be expedient for you to signify in the public papers throughout the States that all...
32From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you — Enclosed are certain accounts that have been transmitted me by Colonel Graves. You will perceive that some of the expences incurred by Colonel Graves were for articles — of Quarter Master supply which were not furnished by the Contractor under an idea that he was not bound to furnish them— This difficulty with — I could wish therefore that every facility in your power might be...
33From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 17 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of your letter of the 15 instant. The several points mentioned in it have been attended. In the commencement of a new branch of service it is necessary for dispatch to wave the usual forms. Hence the omission of returns. But I shall speedily send you an exact statement of the various articles of supply requisite for each Regiment—and which from the accounts received it will be...
34From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 31 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 31, 1799. “I have lately received pressing applications from various quarters … for a supply of Horsemens Tents. On this subject I can only renew the urgent requests which I have so frequently made to you.…” Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. These requests are in William S. Smith to H, August 15, 1799; Thomas Parker to H, August...
35From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 11 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, February 11, 1799. “I have this moment received your letter of the 4th instant to the contents of which I shall pay particular attention.” Copy, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
36From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 23 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of the information conveyed by your letter of the 21 instant, I have authorised Col Strong, if from appearances he shall conceive there is well founded cause of alarm, to withdraw from Michilimacnac the whole or part of the Garrison for the reinforcement of his post. I did this for two reasons 1 because I did not perceive any other point from which he could be reinforced and...
37From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 6 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose some letters in recommendation of Mr. Van Renselaer as a Lieutenant in the corps of Artillerists & Engineers—You will perceive that the letters come from persons of respectability—By what I have learnt in other modes the young Gentleman is perfectly probably worthy of the post which he sollicits. ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
38From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 7 [March] 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to send you the drawings and Uniform agreeably to the plan heretofore submitted for your approbation, with the — alteration in the Musician’s Coats — worsted lace with frogs, instea d — with gre at — P.S. A Letter from Richard Colonel Hunnewell of the 23. Feby. mentions that Mr David I Waters does not accept — of the appointment of Cadet ( Df , in the handwriting of Philip...
39From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 4 January 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
By yesterday’s post I received your letter of the 31 of December. I was just about to write to you on the principal subject of it. Nothing has given me so much chagrin as the Intelligence that the Fœderal party were thinking seriously of supporting Mr. Burr for President. I should consider the execution of the plan as devoting the country and signing their own death warrant. Mr. Burr will...
40From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 31 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The enclosed papers contain the proceedings of Courts Martial at Rhode Island which have been acted on upon. With great respect I am Sir &c &c ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
41From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The preparation of a good system for the Tactics and police of the different portions of our Army is probably the most valuable service which it may be in my power to render the UStates in my present station & there are urgent reasons why this should be accomplished in the course of the present winter. To do it at all would in every situation require the aid of others; since I do not pretend,...
42From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
From the letter which is enclosed you will perceive the measure that I have taken on the request of the Secretary of the Navy. I consider the marine corps as destined to serve on board of ships or at Marine and perhaps at Marine establishments on the Seacoast. It does not appear to me to be within their province to serve in the interior of the country. I enclose to you the letter which I have...
43From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 20 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 20, 1799. The dealer’s catalogue description of this letter reads: “Original draft of a letter with attestation by his son John C. Hamilton.” Letter not found. ] ADf , sold at Goodspeed’s Book Shop, Boston, Catalogue 129, Lot 997.
44From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you an extract from Col. Hunnewell’s letter of the seventeenth of September on the subject of Cadets. “I now beg leave to offer Mr. Oliver Emerson of York in the county of York in this State, a young gentleman about nineteen years of age—He has a good education, and good connections, a very steady firm young man—He has been a Clerk in my office for some time, and has always conducted...
45From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the following inclosed extract of a letter from Major Rivardi also a copy of my reply to him that you may judge of the propriety of the charge contained therein. In my answer I approved of the measure he had taken with regard to the Cloathing, but observed 150 dollars appeared to me to be a high price for the transportation of it with great respect I have the honor to be Sir Your...
46From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 6 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is an account of Major Toussard, for the rent of a house in New Port. It appears to me to be high, but as no quarters were provided at the fort, it became necessary that they should be furnished in some other mode. no regulation having been established on the subject of Quarters, it is of necessity that Officers should exercise a discretion, and unless you consider the present case as...
47From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Annexed I send you an Extract of a letter from Col: Taylor to me of the 27th. Inst. Confiding in the Judgment of that officer, and considering the importance of promptly filling the vacancies, I beg leave to second his recommendation of the Gentlemen mentioned therein and shall be glad to have them officer approved With great consideration &c— (Copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton...
48From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [13] January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Some of the maxims which obtain with the Officers at the seat of Government, charged with the adjustment of the accounts of those Agents who have to furnish supplies and make disbursements for the Military service are of a nature to produce much perplexity & inconvenience. To me they appear mistaken, such as are to be found no where else, and such as must render it impracticable to discharge...
49From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 7 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I shall doublly bear in mind the Intimation of Mrs. Adams—and shall take great pleasure in fulfilling her wish if there shall be occurrences which shall render it not incompatible with the good of the Service. On the disposition of the troops for the ensuring summer I shall ere long make you an official communication. Copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of...
50From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 24 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Upon the first perusal of your letter respecting Winter Quarters at Harper’s ferry I supposed it to be your intention that I should take definitive measures on the subject. Under that idea I wrote to Col. Parker the and Genl. Washington the letters which you will find enclosed. But I see observe, upon reading your letter a second time, that you have instructed me to take only preliminary...