1From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 November 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
The Prince Bailli Ruspoli of the order of Malta, who will deliver you this letter was strongly recommended to me by Mr. King. He appears to me a very Gentlemanlike respectable man. As such I ask for him your civilities. Among these you can do nothing more grateful to him than to give him a letter of Introduction to some friend of yours at Washington. Adieu My Dr. Mac Yrs. ever ALS , Montague...
2From 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...
3From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 November 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I am sorry that you were not pleased with my not having consulted you before I used your name in my publication. It was my intention to have done it—but finding my self pressed in point of time I concluded to wave it and on this reasoning— “The nature of the transaction is such as dispensed Mr. Mc. Henry from any obligation of delicacy to conceal any part of it. No blame can therefore attach...
4From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 13 November 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
You have seen my letter. You would think the close of it temporising. But the Fœderal Stomach would not bear a stronger dose. I regret that my early opinion was not pursued. All would then have stood better. The press teems with answers to my pamphlet. I may have to reply. If I do I shall reinforce my position by new facts. Assist me with such as you may possess. Did you yourself see the...
5From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 27 August 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Indeed, My Dear Mac, I have not enough the gift of second sight to foresee what N England will do. The mass of the people there are attached to Adams and the leaders of the second class pretty generally. The leaders of the first class pretty generally promote the joint support of Adams & Pinckney either because they dislike Adams or hate & fear Jefferson. Upon the whole I believe though not...
6From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 6 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My Dear Mac for the perusal of the Inclosed and wish you had not thought it necessary to forbid my taking a copy. Such a paper to be shewn confidentially would be very important. Charles Carroll of Carrollton ought as soon as possible to be apprized of all the circumstances. The man is more mad than I ever thought him and I shall soon be led to say as wicked as he is mad. Pray...
7From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 31 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
In a late letter you informed me that a list of recent promotions was making out, and would speedily be transmitted. It has not yet been received. I am anxious to have it soon as the day appointed for disbanding the troops is near at hand. Will you be pleased to send it, if possible, by Tuesday next, addressed to me at N York for which place I shall set out tomorrow. Df , in the handwriting of...
8From 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...
9From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 31 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is a letter which I have received from Lt. Lewis of the first regiment— On the expediency of making compensation to officers charged with the performance of extra duties; and the right of the Executive to do it I have already very fully expressed my opinion—I can add nothing to what I have heretofore said, but that Lt. Lewis in this particular case Lt Lewis ought to receive...
10From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 31 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Captain Kirkland of the twelfth regiment, from straightened pecuniary embarrassments circumstances and zeal for the service attachment to military life, is willing to accept a first Lieutenancy with in one of the old regiments of Infantry, or a second Lieutenancy in one of them with the prospect of speedy promotion to a first. From information received lately from your department, and from the...
11From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is an extract of a letter which I have just received from Colonel Rice— It was my intention to have caused the regiments to be provided with bands of music, and this I doubt not will hereafter be considered as an useful arrangement—from this circumstance, and the particular situation of things I think it advisable that the U States should take the Musical instruments procured by Col....
12From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
An order was received from you 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. The number of men enlisted under these conditions is inconsiderable, and an expectation appears to have been entertained among them that they would not be separated from their...
13From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have directed the Paymaster General to send to his Deputy with General Pinckney, bounty money sufficient to recruit two companies of Infantry, in addition to those mentioned in my letter to you of the twenty third instant. The first direction was given from memory. The present is founded on the enclosed Statement. I have made allowance for the recruits that may be obtained in Kentucky, & the...
14From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 27 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
If Lieut. Peyton’s resignation is not definitive, I request that the acceptance of it may be suspended—He has written me a letter for which it is indispensable that he should be arrested. I request to be inform’d without delay as to his situation— with great respect &c Send me if you please a copy of Lt. Peyton’s letter which I forwarded in mine of the 18th. ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan...
15From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to send you the enclosed papers, in order that you may see what grounds I gave my Sanction to the Expenditures made by Capt. Ellery. be apprised of the subject of them. I request that you will add your Sanction if lest the want of it should be an obstacle with the comptroller— With great respect I have the honor to be Sir Yr. ob. Servt. ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown...
16From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 23 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have directed the Pay Master General to deliver to his Deputy with General Pinckney, bounty money for four companies of Infantry. To Lieut. Richmond bounty money for four companies of Infantry, To Lieut. Woolstencraft bounty money for six companies of Artillerists. This I consider as a sufficient provision for completing the two Regs. of Artillerists including the additional battallion as...
17From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 23 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The letter with the inclosed came to hand the day preceding my leaving the City for this place. The hurry of the first moments here prevented my sending it sooner. Oh mad! mad! mad! Yrs. Affecly. ALS , The Sol Feinstone Collection, Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. McHenry to H, first letter of May 20, 1800 . See H to Aaron Ogden, May 8, 1800, note 1 .
18From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Your two letters of the 20th instant have come to hand. The disbandment of the six additional troops of Cavalry has been announced in General Orders. The General and other Staff were not included in those Orders, not only because it might as conveniently be communicated by letter, but because it will be necessary that their power be considered as existing after the troops shall have quitted...
19From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to transmit the proceedings of a General Court Martial in the case of Capt. Courtlandt of the 12th. Regt. to be laid before the President for his decision. Tho’ this Officer would soon be out of Service by the operation of the law for disbanding the troops; yet it is, in my opinion, very important, in point of example, that for such outrageous conduct, he should be sent from...
20From 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.
21From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have transmitted to the Pay Master General an abstract of the numbers of the Twelve Additional Regiments and have urged him to make an estimate of the sums which will be due including the three months extra pay, and without delay to remit adequate funds. I beg you to send for him and to second by your authority the instruction I have given. I am this particular because without great exertion...
22From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the sixteenth instant, and shall take immediate measures for giving effect to the directions of the President. Nothing is said in the directions relative to the six troops of Light Dragoons. I mention this least there should have been some unintentional omissions. If it be so it is proper that I should receive immediate information. Df , in the handwriting of...
23From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I beg leave to call recall your attention to my letter of the 10th inst mentioning the resignation of Lt. Blake acting Pay & Qr. Mas to the detachment at Wilmington under Major Cass and proposing Lt. Jacob Wilson as a substitute. I understand from Major Cass that the bounty money deposited in the hands of the different recruiting officers has been withdrawn by order of the PM General—This puts...
24From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the enclosed letter from Lt. Peyton and recommend as he has made the rect offer a condtn of continuance in service that his resignation be accepted— I would thank you to inform me and Major Cass who is at Wilmington of the decision in the case as soon as possible of the decision in the case. ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
25From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 16 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosing are letters from Captain Jordan and Lieutenant Soper offering a resignation of their commissions Col. Hunnewell urges strongly that they be accepted— Enclosed is an extract of a letter from Major Rivardi which I send you for your information. ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
26From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 15 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
If, My Dear McHenry, your retreat is from any circumstances painful to yourself I regret it with all the sincerity of a real friend; otherwise I congratulate you. It is impossible that our public affairs can proceed under the present chief or his Antifoederal rival without loss of reputation to all the Agents. Happy those who are released from the fetter. But my friend we are not to be...
27From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 13 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed The enclosed are a copy of a letter from Mr. David Thompson to whom the enclosed papers relate is not an officer of the army. It is therefore, in my opinion, indispensible proper that he receive a compensation for his services. If you concur with me, you will be pleased to give the necessary directions in the case— ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library...
28From 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...
29From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 10 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Lieutenant Philemon C. Blake offering a resignation of his commission. If it is accepted, it will be necessary to appoint another person to act as Pay & Quarter Master to the detachment under the command of Major Cass—The Major strongly recommends Lieut. Jacob Wilson for the purpose—I request your sanction to the nomination— It appears from a letter which I have just...
30From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 9, 1800. “Enclosed are … instructions relative to certain objects of incidental expenditure.…”