31From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 26 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the nineteenth instant with its enclosure— Were this a time of war I should not be embarrassed by your enquiry, but, in the present state of things, we must rely for a remedy — of the evil of which you complain on the influence of strict discipline up on the troops themselves. Where stores are erected near a high way you can place a sentinel on to prevent the...
32From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 26 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Colonel Taylor relative to the discharge of Justus Cadwell of Capt. Meiggs company. If Abner B Chapel, the man offered as a Substitute, and who is now I conjecture at the Brigade, after being examined, by the Surgeon, as should be approved of by him the Brigade Inspector or Commanding Officer of the Brigade regiment, you will notify me of it, and I will accordingly...
33From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 20 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have understood that the relative rank of the Officers of your regiment has not yet been communicated to them; as you may probably withold it from an idea of its not having yet received my final approbation, you will view the arrangement upon which we formerly agreed as decisive, with the single alteration, of Captain G. Kirkland’s being placed next in rank to Captain A. White with true...
34From 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...
35From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 17 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secr. of War informs me that the resignation of Captain Cole is accepted and that his pay and emoluments are to cease on the 20th instant—You will have this communicated to Captain Cole thro’ the Commandt. of his Regt. ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
36From 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...
37From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 5 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The S of War has just informed me that the President accepts Dr. Finleys resignation—You will inform Dr. Finley accordingly— ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
38From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 4 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
As the appointment of Brigade Major is not kno contemplated in the present Military Establishment it would be of no avail for me to give you the certificate required in your letter of the 24 Feby. I have therefore written to the Secretary of War sending him a copy of your letter and informing him that no Officer having been appointed as Brigade Inspector Lt. Cocks had done the duties of that...
39From 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.
40From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 25 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received Your two letters of the twentieth instant have been received. Neither remarks on the price of the wood contracted for I had not the smallest intention of finding fault with the part you had acted in the business—On the contrary I am well convinced that, as far as your agency was concerned that there was due care exercised—I am still however of opinion that the price is too high...