351From Alexander Hamilton to Adam Hoops, 16 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will be pleased to cause the two companies, which have been put under marching orders, to proceed on Monday next to New Town in Bucks County Pennsylvania, where they will receive further orders either from the Secretary of War or from General Mc.Pherson. The Contractor is directed to provide a boat to convey them to Amboy—whence they will march to Brunswick and thence by the most...
352From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 16 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 16, 1799. “Though I have not as yet complete materials for arranging all the States into Districts and subdistricts—I now submit to you an arrangement as to some of them, in order that the recruiting service may begin in these, when you deem other things sufficiently mature to commence it. There occurs no important reason why it should not be successively undertaken. On the...
353From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Stevens, 16 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 16, 1799. “You have been requested to provide a competent person to attend in quality of Quarter Master, the detachment of Troops which is to proceed from Fort Jay on Monday next.…” LS , New-York Historical Society, New York City; ADf , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see James McHenry to H, March 15, 1799 ; H to William R. Boote, March 16,...
354From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Stevens, 16 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I request that you will provide without delay a Trusty person to go as express to West Point. He must be also an active person & have a good horse. He will set out some time this afternoon—When ready let him call upon me Yrs. ( ALS , New-York Historical Society, New York City). Endorsed by Stevens: "Ansd 17." Letter not found.
355From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Dayton, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The enclosed letter to Major Ford directs him to take the command of some detachments of Artillerists which have been ordered to march as auxiliaries to the Volunteers under Mc:Pherson destined against the Northampton Insurgents. Be so good as to have it forwarded by an expeditious and certain conveyance by express if none other equally prompt and certain offers. Do me the favor also to inform...
356From Alexander Hamilton to Mahlon Ford, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Two companies of Artillerists have just been detached from this Quarter under the command of Capt Henry of the 2 Regiment for New Town in Bucks County Pensylvania by the way of Amboy & Brunswick. At Brunswick they will be joined by Lt Boote with a party of Infantry. And Capt Shoemaker with a company of Infantry from Frederick Town Maryland and Capt Irvine with a Company of Artillerists from...
357From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Beware, my Dear Sir, of magnifying a riot into an insurrection, by employing in the first instance an inadequate force. Tis better far to err on the other side. Whenever the Government appears in arms it ought to appear like a Hercules , and inspire respect by the display of strength. The consideration of expence is of no moment compared with the advantages of energy. Tis true this is always a...
358From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with the object of your letter of the 15. instant, I have put in motion two companies of Artillerists from Fort Jay (Henrys and Cochrans) who are to embark at ten this morning for Amboy and to proceed from thence by way of Brunswick to New Town in Bucks County. There (at Brunswick) Lt: Boote with his party is instructed to join them. The two companies as they march will exceed...
359From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Ogden, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
As from the nature of the cases to be tried it is desireable to have a court strong in discernment—I wish Captain Williamson at all events to be a member. You will please to notify him accordingly. With great consideration and esteem I am Sir Yr obed Servt. (Copy, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
360From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
If my memoranda be right I sent Wilkinsons letter, by duplicates through you. If so I presume it is not necessary for the certainty of conveyance to send a triplicate. If I am mistaken in the first idea, or if any thing more is requisite, be good enough to say—If otherwise no reply It is very extraordinary that I receive no acknowlegement of my letters from the commandant at Fort Mifflin (...
361From Alexander Hamilton to William S. Smith, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will please to cause to be detailed for members of the Court Martial of which Major Wilcocks is appointed President, seven Officers of your Regiment of whom as many as practicable to be Captains You are apprised that the Court is to convene on Wednesday. With great consideration & esteem I am Sir Yr Obed St. ( Df , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
362From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I understand, that the Officers for Connecticut have been appointed & their names published, but I have seen no paper containing them. If so, be so good as to send me the list, and if there have been other appointments since the lists transmitted me, pray let them be added. Pursuant to your very proper idea of having at the seat of Government of the Chiefs of Different Departments —it seems to...
363From 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...
364From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have ——— Major Ford to give the detachment directed Major Ford to take the command as you suggested, The Detachment did not proceed yesterday as I intend and to open a correspondence with you and General McPherson. Your letters of the 16 and 18th. of March are just received. With great respect & esteem I have the honor to be Sir Your Obed Ser ( ADf , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
365From Alexander Hamilton to Horatio Dayton, 20 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is the natural of course for you to take the Directions of your Commanding Officer Major Hoops on the subject of your letter—but if there be in your opinion any circumstance of a nature so peculiar as to require a personal application to me, Major Hoops at your request will give you the permission you desire. In the mean time you will no doubt pursue his direction With consideration I am...
366From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 21 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I hope you will have understood that I did not mean by any thing in my late letter to blame the plan pursued with regard to vessels arriving contrary to the Non-Intercourse laws. I mean only to give you testimony of the character of an Individual & to place before you my professional ideas of the defective wording of the law as a kind of caution in the execution. I agree with you that the...
367From Alexander Hamilton to William Macpherson, 22 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 22, 1799. “… It will be satisfactory to me, as far as may be convenient, to receive from you, from time to time, statements of the situation & progress of the Insurrection in Pennsylvania.…” ALS , Columbia University Libraries. For background to this letter, see James McHenry to H, March 13 , 15, 1799 ; H to McHenry, March 18 , 19, 1799 .
368Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 23 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
As it is expected that the recruiting service will speedily commence, it is desireable that the Regimental staff should be ready to enter upon their functions. The laws have not declared how these Officers are to be appointed under the new system of organisation, and it is a question whether the direct sanction of the President be not necessary. At the same time it is thought adviseable, that...
369From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 23 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 21st instant came to hand by the post of to day. There are some points in it respecting the recruiting service which demand immediate attention. “1. The Stations of the recruiting rendezvouses or the stations in each state where it will be proper to provide rations and send the Cloathing.” My letter of the 19th designated these stations in the five States, in which it is...
370From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Leonard, 24 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In conformity with the views of the Secretary at War—I desire that you will forthwith proceed by the most convenient route with the troops under your command to the City of Albany, where you will receive further orders. Not Knowing what may be the state of your Corps in point of equipment I must authorise you to procure on account of the government such articles as are indispensable to enable...
371Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 27 March[–17 April] 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you herewith thirteen Setts of Rules and Regulations for the Recruiting service, one for each field Officer, and one for each Captain of a company. You will carefully fill the blanks according to the example in No 1. The sooner you distribute these, the better, that the Officers may, by studying them, be prepared to enter upon the business of recruiting when the order shall be given for...
372From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 27 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
At length we are on the point of commencing the recruiting service in five of the States, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania & Delaware. It is hoped, that it will not be long in successively embracing the others, where officers have been appointed. But in our affairs ’till a thing is actually begun, there is no calculating the delays which may ensue. You have been informed that the...
373From Alexander Hamilton to Charles W. Hare, 27 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is my decision in the case of Captain Vance I request you to notify to him. If he desires it, you will please to let him have a copy. I am with consideration Sir Yr Obed Servt. (Copy, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
374To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 27 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
At length we are on the point of commencing the recruiting service in five of the States, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania & Delaware. It is hoped, that it will not be long in successively embracing the others, where officers have been appointed. But in our affairs ’till a thing is actually begun, there is no calculating the delay, which may ensue. You have been informed that the...
375From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of a letter to Captn. Leonard. You best know from the previous situation, what to direct in regard to supplies. Albany is a point from which his subsequent motions can be conveniently regulated as circumstances may require. Inclosed is also the Copy of a General Order in relation to the sentence of the Court Martial which tried Captain Vance— You will likewise find herewith...
376From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant with the copies of letters from General Wilkinson mentioned therein. This communication reminds me that it will be necessary for me to peruse at large all that part of the correspondence of General Wilkinson, which relates to permanent or unfinished objects, in order that I may know how to direct in regard to the...
377From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honored with your several letters of the 21. 22. 26. 27 and 28 instant. All necessary directions have been given towards the commencement of the business of Recruiting in the states of Connecticut New York New Jersey Pensylvania & Delaware the moment the necessary supplies of bounty money and cloathing shall have been furnished, and towards the preparation for it in the other...
378From Alexander Hamilton to William Colfax, 30 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Lt. Leonard with a detachment of about one hundred men has been ordered from Windsor in Vermont to Albany and from thence to this City. You will be pleased to take immediate measures for supplying them with provisions, while in Albany, and for transporting them by Water to this place, the moment the opening of the River shall permit it. It will be proper to instruct your Agent in Albany to...
379Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 31 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[The State of is to form a Circle and to be divided into Districts and sub-districts according to the plan inclosed.] The recruiting service within this circle is to be for your Regiment and under your superintendence. You will assign each of the Majors of your Regiment to a district and each of your Captains to a subdistrict. He will take to his aid such of his Lieutenants as shall not have...
380From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 2, 1799. On April 4, 1799, McHenry wrote to Hamilton : “I have been honored with your letter of the 2d. Inst.” Letter not found. ]
381From Alexander Hamilton to John Murray, 2 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 2, 1799. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] ALS , sold in 1898 by John Cadby, Albany, New York, Catalogue 33, Item 133. Murray, a New York City merchant, was a director of the Bank of New York from 1789 to 1794. In 1798 he was a director of the New York Office of Discount and Deposit and president of the New York City Chamber of Commerce. He owned...
382From Alexander Hamilton to Horatio Dayton, 2 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I understand that major Hoops, pursuant to a permission from me, left this City yesterday for Philadelphia. In consequence of this, the Command of Fort Jay & its dependencies for the present devolves upon you as Senior Officer. When Major Hoops returns he will of course resume the command With great consideration I am Sir Your obed Servnt (Copy, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton...
383From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel Leonard, 2 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Immediately after your arrival at Albany, you will proceed by water to this City, preserving the spirit of the instruction contained in my letter to you of the 24. March Here you will be met with cloathing &c—for your detachment With great consideration I am Sir Your Obed Servt. (Copy, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
384From Alexander Hamilton to William North, 2 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Letter Not Found. (Sold at Anderson Galleries, New York City, January 30, 1929, Lot 39). Letter not found.
385From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 3, 1799. “… More recruiting Instructions are necessary, there cannot be less than thirteen copies to each Regiment (one for each Company one for each field officer): you only sent ninety in the whole.” Copy, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See McHenry to H, March 21, 1799, note 10 .
386From Alexander Hamilton to Caleb Swan, 3 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
By Special direction of the Commander in Chief and in conformity with the views of the Secretary of War, I am to desire that you will as soon as may be repair to the Seat of the General Government, where when arrived, you will take the orders of the Secretary at War. Previous to your departure, you will constitute a Deputy, who must act as Paymaster to the Western Army, and with whom you will...
387From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 3 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your letter of the 25th of March, which with its inclosures have come duly to hand, I have written to the Pay Master General to repair to the Seat of Government. Your letter to Col Hamtranck goes by the same opportunity. The arrangements for beginning to recruit in the States of Connecticut, New York, Jersey, Pensylvania and Delaware, are so mature that it will be very...
388From Alexander Hamilton to James Wilkinson, 3 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a Triplicate of my letter to you of the ——— and the copy of a letter to the Pay Master General of this date, which last is transmitted for your information in case by any accident you should have been detained With great consideration & esteem I have honor to be Sir Yr. obed. Servt. (Copy, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
389From Alexander Hamilton to Joseph Elliott, 3 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Duplic The letter of which the inclosed is a triplicate has been sent to you, —— by duplicate, addressed to you as Commanding Officer of Fort Mifflin. As it was forwarded, each time, through the Secretary at War, I am at a loss to imagine how it could have failed to reach you— As But as I have received no acknowlegement of it from you, I am compelled to conclude that it never did get to hand....
390To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 3 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your letter of the 25 of March, which with its inclosures have come duly to hand, I have written to the Pay Master General to repair to the Seat of Government. Your letter to Col. Hamtranck goes by the same opportunity. The arrangements for beginning to recruit in the States of Connecticut, New York, Jersey, Pensylvania and Delaware, are so mature that it will be very...
391From Alexander Hamilton to Ezra L’Hommedieu, 4 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
As the holder, I am to inform you that Mr. David Gelston has refused payment of his promissory note dated the first of August last for Eight thousand Dollars payable in Eight Months to you and indorsed by you, and consequently that I look to you for the payment of the same. Mr. Gelston has however deposited with Mr. Wilkes 4000 Dollars on account of the Note, which with your consent I will...
392From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 4 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I observe by the Boston papers, that some dispatches have been lately found on board a vessel from this port which was carried into Gibralter. The late consul here, Mr. Rosier, has just been with me and suggested that the dispatches are probably from him and allude (but without naming me) to some conversations with me relating to his being received as Consul General some time last Winter....
393From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Ogden, 5 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received yours of the 28th March. — think with you that it is better to postpone the recommendations for Quarter Master and Adjutant any decision on the points you have mentioned untill after the meeting of the Court Martial at which your officers are to attend. ( Df , misdated March 5, 1799, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
394From Alexander Hamilton to Lewis Tousard, 5 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
By the inclosed Copy of a General Court Martial Order you will find that I have appointed a General Court Martial of which Captain William Littlefield to be president. It must if possible consist of not less than Seven Members. I authorise you to summon in my name for this purpose any of the Officers mentioned in the inclosed list, besides those of the Garrison You will also name a person to...
395From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Brinley, 5 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received yours of the 12 March, and shall certainly pay attention to your request, altho’ it is not in my power at present to determine of the propriety of a compliance. ( Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
396From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Lloyd Moore, 5 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
For particular reasons, I request you to send the inclosed letter to Captain Elliot by a mode of Conveyance which will ascertain its safe delivery to him in person I will also thank you to inform me of the Receipt of this letter and the delivery of the inclosure. With great consideration & esteem Yr Obed Servt. (Copy, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
397From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 8 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 8, 1799. “… It has been suggested … that an advance of money to the officers on account of their pay is necessary. All of them have to incur considerable expence for their equipment and many of them cannot afford it out of their own funds. I agree in the necessity of the measure. The advance ought not to be less than four Months pay and ought to extend to all the additional...
398From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 8 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Nothing can be more desireable than a well digested plan for connecting the different parts of our Military System, in regard to the procuring and issuing of supplies. I send you the outline of a scheme for that purpose. It is important that this, or a substitute more eligible, should be without delay established. It is particularly essential that the channels through which supplies are to...
399Enclosure: Plan for the Providing and Issuing of Military Supplies, [8 April 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
The business of providing shall constitute one distinct branch of service that of issuing another. The Purveyor shall be charged with the procuring of all supplies except those for which contracts are made directly by the Chiefs of the Treasury or War Departments. The Superintendant of Military Stores shall superintend the issues of all supplies. The Purveyor shall have near him three...
400From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 8 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 8, 1799. “The Commander in Chief having approved the idea of calling the Pay Master to the Seat of Government, I send you inclosed by his direction an order for him to repair to the seat of Government.…” ADfS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. George Washington to H, March 25, 1799 . H to Caleb Swan, April 3, 1799 .