101From Alexander Hamilton to Joshua Loring, 25 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency General Washington has permitted Doctor Thomas Sendown, the bearer hereof, and Mr. Laghlin McIntosh prisoners with us on parole, to go into New York to be exchanged for two other Gentlemen of similar rank, prisoners with you. The Gentlemen he desires should be released instead of them are Doctor Samuel McKensie, taken at Three Rivers, and Mr. Daniel Frink Commissary, who was...
102From Alexander Hamilton to the New York Committee of Correspondence, [29 March 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey, March 29, 1777. On April 2, 1777, the New York Committee of Correspondence, writing to Hamilton, stated: “We received Your’s of the 29th. Ultimo and are extream⟨ ly ⟩ sorry to hear of your Indisposition.” Letter not found. ]
103From Alexander Hamilton to Hugh Knox, [March 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey, March, 1777. On December 10, 1777, Knox, writing to Hamilton, referred to “The fine, impartial, laconic & highly descriptive account you favour’d me with of the last Years Campain, in your letter of March last.” Letter not found. ]
104From Alexander Hamilton to the New York Committee of Correspondence, [2 April 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey, April 2, 1777. On April 5, 1777, Hamilton, writing to the New York Committee of Correspondence, stated: “Since my last I have had the pleasure of receiving your reply to my two favours of 29th. Ulto. & 2d. current.” Letter of April 2, 1777, not found. ]
105From Alexander Hamilton to the New York Committee of Correspondence, [3 April 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey, April 3, 1777. On April 8, 1777, the New York Committee of Correspondence wrote to Hamilton: “Yours of the third came safe⟨ly to hand⟩ this Day.” Letter not found. ]
106From Alexander Hamilton to the New York Committee of Correspondence, 5 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Since my last I have had the pleasure of receiving your reply to my two favours of 29th. Ulto & 2d. current. I am happy enough to be able to inform you that my indisposition, which was the occasion of my brevity when I last wrote, is now removed. The opinion I advanced respecting the Enemy’s not moving before the beginning of May seems to be Shaken, though not entirely overthrown by some...
107From Alexander Hamilton to Catharine Livingston, 11 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I take pleasure in transmitting you a letter, committed to my care, by your Sister Miss Suky, and in executing a promise, I gave her, of making an advance towards a correspondence with you. She says you discover, in all your letters to her, a relish for politics, which she thinks my situation qualifies me better for gratifying, than would be in her power; and from a desire to accommodate you...
108From Alexander Hamilton to the New York Committee of Correspondence, 12 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I this day received your favour of the 8th instant. Hurry of business prevents my entering into a particular detail of affairs, either with respect to the enemy, or ourselves; though matters remain much in the same situation, as when I last wrote. The enemy are unquestionably preparing to take the field as soon as possible; notwithstanding which, I believe it may be full as late, as I at first...
109From Alexander Hamilton to the New York Committee of Correspondence, 12 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency requests that you will transmit the enclosed letter to General Wayne, by the first safe opportunity. I am, gentlemen, Yr. most humble serv. Journals of the Provincial Congress of the State of New-York Journals of the Provincial Congress, Provincial Convention, Committee of Safety and Council of Safety of the State of New-York. 1775–1776–1777 (Albany, 1842). , II, 431. George...
110From Alexander Hamilton to Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling, 12 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I communicated your Lordship’s letter to his Excellency. He has desired me to send Capt Scott’s company their dismission, which you will therefore be pleased to give them, on the expiration of their time. General Green will bring you an answer to your letter respecting Mr. Willcox’s, by which you will perceive that his Excellency has approved, and that I have written to Mr. Willcox agreeable...
111From Alexander Hamilton to the New York Committee of Correspondence, [14 April 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
I take occasion to inform you, that an ⟨attempt⟩ was yesterday made to suprize Bound Brook. It partly succeeded but not to the enemy’s wish. They got possession of Bound Brook, but our people eluded their design of surrounding and cutting off the whole party, and made good their retreat to the pass of the mountains in the rear. We lost however 3 field pieces, one iron 6 pounder, and 2 brass...
112From Alexander Hamilton to the New York Committee of Correspondence, 20 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
The disposition of the Convention, with respect to the disaffected among you is highly commendable, and justified by every principle of equity and policy. The necessity of exemplary punishment, throughout the States, is become evident beyond a doubt; and it were to be wished every one of the thirteen would imitate the judicious conduct of New-York. Lenity and forbearance have been tried too...
113From Alexander Hamilton to William Livingston, 21 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
A number of disaffected persons having been taken up and brought to His Excellency, he ordered an examination into their cases to know who of them were subject to a military jurisdiction, & who came properly under the cognizance of the civil power; also to discriminate those who were innocent, or guilty of trivial offences from those whose crimes were of a more capital and heinous nature;...
114From Alexander Hamilton to the New York Committee of Correspondence, [21–27 April 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
It may not be amiss to hint that some sentences have been passed in persuance of this resolve, which have been improper. Confiscations of the real and personal estates of offenders have been in some instances ordained, and in others, whipping. It would be best where the nature of the case would justify it, to punish capitally; or where the crimes are not of sufficient enormity, to authorise...
115From Alexander Hamilton to the Commanding Officer of the German Battalion at Quibbletown, 25 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency desires me to inform you, that the Congress have been pleased, to appoint Monsieur Le Baron D.’Arondhl, colonel of the regiment, to which you belong. He conceives both the honor and advantage of the regiment, to be promoted by the appointment of a Gentleman to the command of it, so respectable by birth, the honorable Station he fill’d in the service of his Prussian Majesty, and...
116From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 26 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
It is his Excellency’s desire, that you have an immediate inspection made into the state of the mens arms and accoutrements, belonging to your division; and take effectual measures to have them put into the best order possible. Also to have your men completed to their proper complement of ammunition, strictly injoining the greatest care to avoid all wanton and unnecessary waste. I am Sir ...
117From Alexander Hamilton to the New York Committee of Correspondence, 28 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Extreme hurry of business puts it out of my power to say but very little. Your information concerning a piece of ordnance lately constructed at Philadelphia is true. There is such a piece at Head Quarters, weighs 227 ld, carries a three pound ball. The iron is wraught hooped and welded together. The General and others esteem it a great acquisi[ti]on. It has been fired twenty times as fast as...
118From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, [28 April 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
It appears by your letter to his Excellency that the detachment of Marylanders under Col Spotswood, have marched to your post, with the other troops. His intention and directions were, that they should remain at Princeton, as he wishes to keep the Corps united, but since the matter has fallen out differently, he desires that detachment may immediately return to Princeton. ALS , sold at...
119From Alexander Hamilton to William Livingston, 29 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosed was intended to be sent with the prisoners mentioned in the list; but before this could be done, Mr. Sims, one of the chief Justices of the State came to this town, and informed me, that the Governor and Council were upon the point of adjourning, and that the sending the prisoners to them would only be an embarrassment without answering, at present, any valuable purpose. He...
120From Alexander Hamilton to William Duer, 6 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer of this is Mr. Malmedi a french Gentleman of learning, abilities and experience. I believe he thinks himself intitled to preferment and comes to Congress for that purpose. At the recommendation of General Lee he was made Brigadier General by the State of Rhode Island, and filled the station to the satisfaction of his employers, as appears by a letter from Governor Cook, speaking of...
121From Alexander Hamilton to the New York Committee of Correspondence, 7 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you for the favor of the pamphlet, containing your form of government, which, without flattery, I consider as far more judicious and digested than any thing of the kind, that has yet appeared among us; though I am not so unreserved in my approbation as to think it free from defects. While I view it, in the main, as a wise and excellent system, I freely confess it appears to me to have...
122From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, 12 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received the pleasure of your favour of yesterday’s date. The reasons you assign for the interval of silence on your part are admitted as sufficient; though I regret that the principal one exists—the combination of the tories for a general insurrection. But perhaps on the scale of policy I ought rather to congratulate you on the event: That there are too many tories in your state as...
123From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, 19 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I this moment received the favour of your letter of the 16th instant. I partly agree and partly disagree with you respecting the deficiencies of your constitution. That there is a want of vigor in the executive, I believe will be found true. To determine the qualifications proper for the chief executive Magistrate requires the deliberate wisdom of a select assembly, and cannot be safely lodged...
124From Alexander Hamilton to Captain Francis Grice, [30 May 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Middlebrook, New Jersey, May 30, 1777. By Washington’s orders Hamilton wrote to Grice, assistant deputy quartermaster general, ordering the removal of all boats in the Delaware from Trenton up to Coryells. Letter not found. ] GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). , VIII, 144, note 29. Coryell’s Ferry, located on the New Jersey side of the...
125From Alexander Hamilton to Catharine Livingston, May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
When I was almost out of patience and out of humour at your presumptuous delay, in not showing yourself duly sensible of the honor done you, by me, your epistle opportunely came to hand, and has put all matters tolerably to rights. As I thought it well enough written, and no discredit to you, I ventured to show it to a Gentleman of our family. He was silly enough to imagine, that I did this...
126From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Adam Stephen, May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey May, 1777. “Mr. Carter who I am told is a friend of the cause has been here to complain that some persons under the Commersary’s orders, insist on taking from him two labouring oxen, which he cannot possibly spare from the business of his farm. As Agriculture is as necessary to go on as anything else, as The General wishes not unreasonably to distress the inhabitants...
127From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 2 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your favour per express, and as the absence of my former respectable correspondents has made a change necessary, I am happy that you have been substituted in their room. Except a body of Militia at and about Pumpton and a few detachments of observation, our whole army is now collected at two points; the main body here, and a division under General Sullivan at Princeton. Though this...
128From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
By order of His Excellency, I am to acknowlege receipt of your favour of yesterday. The General is astonished at that extraordinary want of cloathing you mention; as Mr. Mease informed Mr. Tilghman that a full proportion of this article had been retained in Massachusetts for all its troops. It is unaccountable, that they should be ⟨so⟩ unprovided, unless the cloaths destined for them should...
129From Alexander Hamilton to Major General John Sullivan, 4 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency has received your favour of this Day. In answer to it he commands me to inform you that though he is exceedingly happy to hear such an animation prevails among the inhabitants, yet he can by no means, consent to put arms in their hands. This article is too much wanted for the Continental army to be spared to the militia; and experience has taught us, that there has been infinite...
130From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Trumbull, 4 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency has examined your Provision report; and finds every part of it very well, except that relating to the placing a quantity at Trenton. This is the most improper place in the world; for if the enemy should move towards Philadelphia the provisions at trentown in the hurry occasioned by such an event would inevitably fall into their hands. You will therefore without loss of time have...
131From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 9 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency desires you will not open or distribute the Cloathing stopped at your post, ’till a Deputy Cloathier comes up to take Charge of it, who will be with you without Loss of time. I am Sir Your most humb servt. Df , or contemporary copy, in writing of Caleb Gibbs, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
132From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General George Clinton, 10 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
By His Excellencys Command, I am to desire you will give orders upon the deputy Clothier General at Peeks-Kill, for the necessary supply of Cloathing &c. for the four companies raising under your direction. It is not however intended, that more shall be drawn than a sufficiency for the number of men actually inlisted. I am Sir Your most Obedt servant ADfS , George Washington Papers, Library...
133From Alexander Hamilton to Major General John Sullivan, [12–25 June 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency has received your two last favours to day. In the first you hint the want of a reinforcement; but as the intention of your body is chiefly for observation and skirmishing and not to make any serious stand, it is the less necessary it should be powerful in numbers. It will however depend upon circumstances, how far it will be expedient to reinforce you; and as soon as any thing...
134Discharge of Joshua Austin, 13 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 13, 1777. “… Joshua Austin, belonging to the independent company of the State of Connecticut, … appears to be incapable of military service. He is hereby discharged from the Continental army.…” ADS , Connecticut State Library, Hartford.
135From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 28 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 25th came to hand last night. Since my last addressed to Mr. Morris, the enemy have been trying a second experiment to tempt us to an engagement, on equal terms of ground. Under the supposition of their intending to evacuate the Jerseys immediately, in order to keep up the idea of a persuit, and to be in a posture to take advantage of any critical moment that might present itself...
136From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 30 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you this moment by His Excellency’s order; but he is so anxious you should be acquainted with his apprehensions on the score of the enemy’s leaving Amboy, with some of their stores remaining in it, that fearing a miscarriage of my former letter he desires me to write another to the same effect. The enemy have had their own leisure to go off and carry whatever they thought proper. What...
137From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, 6 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your favour of the 4th, by express. If I recollect how far my last went, it did not announce the return of the enemy from Westfield to Amboy, nor their evacuation of that place since. After resting and refreshing themselves a night, they decamped the following day and proceeded to Amboy from which place they went to Staten Island as expeditiously as they could; where they still...
138From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Elias Dayton, 7 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Doctor McWorter has represented to His Excellency the case of a certain negro lately taken by a party of militia belonging to Mr. Caleb Wheeler. This fellow, it seems, some time since, went over to the enemy, and is now detained in confinement on that account. I am ordered to desire you to inquire into the circumstances of the affair, and particularly by whom the negro was taken, for on this...
139From Alexander Hamilton to Major General John Sullivan, 7 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
You will be pleased to forward the inclosed to General Putnam with all expedition, as it is of importance they should not be delayed. By His Excellency’s desire, I wrote to you a day or two ago, requesting that a Capt McConnel & a waggon master who had taken a horse from some inhabitants abused and confined them, should be sent to Head Quarters to have an examination in to their conduct. I am...
140From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 13 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your favour and one from Mr. Morris last night by express. The stroke at Ticonderoga is heavy, unexpected and unaccountable. If the place was untenable why not discovered to be so before the Continent had been put to such an amazing expence, in furnishing it with the means of defence? If it was tenable, what, in the name of common sense could have induced the evacuation? I would...
141From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 21 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
The intelligence, on which the order given you to join this army was founded, proving not to be as expected, His Excellency desires you to return to your old station and there remain ’till further orders. He thinks it not improbable the enemy may take it into their heads to make some incursion into the Jerseys to plunder and distress the inhabitants, or perhaps even to endeavour to destroy our...
142From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, 22 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favour of the 18th ⟨from Saratoga reached me⟩ yesterday. Your pronouncing Fort Edward among the other forts indefensible surprises me a little, as it is intirely contrary to the representations of several Gentlemen of judgment, who have had an opportunity of seeing and considering its situation, by whom we have been taught to believe, that it would be an excellent post, at least ⟨for⟩...
143From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 29 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure of your favour of the 25th. I cannot be induced to think the enemy are so numerous as you apprehend, and would place no dependence on what is said either by deserters or prisoners, further than as it respects their own company, nor even that with regard to prisoners in general who commonly have their cue, as the phrase is, and know very well how to manufacture stories...
144From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency commands me to acknowlege the receipt of yours of the 27th instant. The circumstance of the fleet appearing off, opposite to Blue Point does not indicate any movement to the Eastward. It was necessary in going out of the Hook, whatever course they might intend to steer, whether to the Southward or Eastward, to stand out in that direction for some time, as they went out with a...
145From Alexander Hamilton to Hugh Knox, [July 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
… have fallen into the enemy’s hands. This event redounds very little to our credit; for if the post was untenable, or required a larger number of troops to defend it than could be spared for the purpose, it ought long ago to have been foreseen, and given up. Instead of that we have kept a large quantity of cannon in it and have been heaping up very valuable magazines of stores and provisions,...
146From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 7 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I last Evening had the pleasure of your favour of the 2d. I am with you exceeding anxious for the Safety of your State, though the Numbers of the Enemy have very little part in producing the anxiety; the panic in the army (I am afraid pretty high up) and the want of zeal in the Eastern States are the only alarming Considerations, for tho Burgoine should be weak in numbers as I suppose him, if...
147Release of Officer from German Battalion, 7 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp Near German Town [ Pennsylvania ] August 7, 1777. Certifies that “Monsieur Bernard Pally De Couseau, Ensign in the German Batalion, is by his own request permitted to leave said batalion.” ADS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives.
148From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 18 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I most sincerely and heartily sympathise with you in the distresses and dangers under which your state is labouring at this critical period. I lament its misfortunes, as they are wounds to the common cause, as they more nearly interest those for whom I feel the warmest regard, and as they are suffered by a state, which I consider, in a great measure, as my political parent. I wish any thing in...
149From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Horatio Gates, 29 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Your two favours both of the 22d came to hand yesterday. His Excellency had been all the day out reconnoitring the country and did not return home ’till late in the evening; this morning he again went out upon the same business, and has desired me to acknowlege the receipt of your letters. The signal advantages gained over the enemy by Generals, Stark and Herkemar at so gloomy and distressing...
150From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 29 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] August 29, 1777. Sends extract from General Orders of June 18, 1777, stating that “Timothy Pickering Esquire is appointed Adjutant General in the Armies of the United States of America.” ADS , Pickering Foundation, Salem, Massachusetts. Before his appointment as adjutant general, Timothy Pickering had served as colonel of a Massachusetts militia regiment.