To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 3 October 1799
From James McHenry, 3 October 1799
War department Trenton October 3d. 1799—
Sir,
You will perceive from the enclosed report by Mr. Thomas Billington that the new uniform Coat proposed for the Cavalry will cost the United States One dollar and seventy five Cents per Coat more than the established uniform. Unless there are some strong inducing considerations with you for preferring the new I shall give orders to the Purveyor to proceed in having a sufficient number of Coats &c. made up agreeably to the old uniform.
I enclose you copies of Orders respecting supplying Clothing for the companies intended to be recruited for the Second and third regiments—
I have transmitted the letter to Col. Hodgdon enclosed in yours of ye. 28. Septeme. It is proper I should wait for information from him before any order is taken on the subject—
I have the honor to be with great respect Your obedient servant
James McHenry
(LS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; LS, letterpress copy, James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing Thomas Billington to Samuel Hodgdon, September 24, 1799 (copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress); McHenry to John Harris, October 3, 1799 (copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress); McHenry to John Wilkins, Jr., October 3, 1799 (copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). In the LS copy of the letter from James McHenry, there is an "X" mark in the left margin beside the line in the first paragraph beginning "Unless there are some strong inducing...."