41To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 28 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, February 28, 1793. The account of a cabinet meeting on March 2, 1793, reads: “The President communicated to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War and the Attorney General of the United States, a letter from William S. Smith Esqr. of the 28th of February past, to the Secretary of the Treasury.” Letter not found. ] Smith, who was John Adams’s...
42To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 6 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of presenting Capt. Pattersons Letter of resignation his particular situation, and the distress it will cause to Mrs. Patterson should he not obtain permission to retire from Service, will no doubt have their full weight on your mind, These and Circumstances connected, with the general situation of affairs, and his candid declaration that his continuance in service,...
43To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letters of the 18th. and 20th. inst. I will immediately make arrangements to have the experiments made on the proper measure of the pace recommended, and report the result— With respect to the relative rank of the officers of the 12th. I have always acted upon that which I received from you, as decisive, making the subsequent alteration of...
44To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 20 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Confidential Letter of the 17th. Capt. Andrew White has never yet served with his Regiment, having been constantly on the recruiting Service, of course, I have never had an opportunity of forming an opinion of his military talents or fitness for the station of Brigade Inspector— I am however favourably impressed by his personal conduct, he has been a few day’s with us, and...
45To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 29 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your favours of the 23d. & 24th. inst. on Saturday night, I have this morning made the necessary arrangements to commence recruiting in the first Grand division the Drums will beat this afternoon— If the arms of the Regiment are in store at this place, and you will attain an order from the War-office for me to receive them, I will have them put in order, fit for...
46To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 12 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to inform you, that agreable to your orders of the 4th. inst. which unfortunately I did not receive untill the 8th. I struck my Camp at Rivellie Beating this morning, marched the Regt to Hunts point, embarked and landed safely at this Post, between six and eight this evening—the Camp is pitched & I shall remain untill monday morning finding the 11th. Regt. still at Elizabeth...
47To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 7 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receeipt of your Letter of the 3d. enclosing one from His Excellency Govr. Jay, stating in strong terms the complaints of Benjamin Cornwell and John Coles who have presumed to speak with indignation to His Excellency relative to their officers—who promised them 12 Dollrs. Bounty the one has received but seven Dollrs. & 50 Cents—of course 50 Cents are still...
48To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 10 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It would be of Service to the troops if some arrangements were made, that they might attend divine service on Sundays. The minister of this Parish is a firm good friend to Government, & the Army and preaches up the necessity of Supporting the one and accommodating the other. Finding the officers of the 11th. Regt. much disposed to visit their homes frequently I requested the Minister to give...
49To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 1 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Nathaniel Baldwin is the young Gentleman who, some time past, I forwarded recommendation in favor of, from Poughkeepsie—he is so solicitous to enter the service, that he has resided with the regiment as a Voluntier for 3 weeks past, and proposed remaining with the Winter, his conduct has been perfectly correct, and is a promissing young man, he is the only one, I have yet made...
50To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 15 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letter of the 14th. has been delivered by Mr. Meridith of Brooklyn, who has come forward to give evidence in the case of Lt. Ladlie—he shall be properly intorduced to the Court, and all the papers relative to the affair, which you sent me, shall be delivered to morrow to the Judge advocate, who is Capt. White of the 11th— I am informed that the two Companies of Artillerists mentioned in...
51To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your orders of the 21st. relative to the funeral Ceremony, which is to take place at this Camp on Thursday next, agreeably to your orders I immediately dispatched an officer to The Ajutant Genl. who I doubt not arrived at new york before 10. oClock the last night—of course, I have reasons to expect, the necessary supply of field artillery, blank...
52To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 2 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
It is my duty to inform you, that a Soldier of the 13th. Regt. broke out yesterday with the small-pox— There are a number of men in that regiment & some few in the others, who have not had it, would you wish those who have not had it, to be inoculated or would you prefer that attention should be paid, to check the spreading of it? On the first symptoms, the soldier was moved to the hospital in...
53To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 31 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Brigade [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] March 31, 1800 . “I have had the honor of receiving yesterday your Letter of the 26th. enclosing the project for the formation of a Regiment for exercise and Battle. I feel a diffidence in revising it, but … I will however endeavour to overcome that diffidence, and give the subject my earliest attention conformable to your wish.…” ALS , Hamilton...
54To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 12 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I did myself the honor of addressing you last night, on the subject of materials for the Chimnies, and agreable to my arrangement had a sample load brought to camp by 12 oClock and have compleated a Contract for an immediate Supply, which will be delivered with every needful expedition, so that we shall go on smoothly untill the frost interferes—had I not been told of almost insurmountable...
55To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 28 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Permit me to introduce to you Mr. Abraham Fowler, he has always expressed an earnest desire to join this Regt. I formerly addressed you in his favour for a Company—I now solicit for him the oldest second Lieutenancy vacant in the Regt. and permit me to say, I am very anxious that he may have the appointment, fully confident, he will do honor to the station. I have never before expressed myself...
56To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 8 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 3d. relative to a communication made by Lt. Dwight—agreable to your request I have made the necessary enquiry Inclosed is a Copy of my Letter to Lt. Le Roy Livingston and his original answer—both of which are respectfully submitted— I have the Honor to be—Sir, with great respect Your most Obedt. Humble Servt. ( ALS , Hamilton...
57To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 21 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the satisfaction of informing you, we go on well, with our Hutts, the troops are industrious, the weather still fine, and we have now a great prospect of being comfortably under cover, let the storms come on, when the may, I speak however only relative to the soldiers, the officers can or ought to bear cold & storms better than the men they however, will also soon get sheltered, If I...
58To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 14 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreably to General Orders of the 12th. inst. I attend here as President of a General Court Martial, with three officers of the 12th. Regt. I find the Judge Advocate has not a list of the members who are to compose this Court & I can give him no information on the subject I present one Capt. & two Lieutents from the 12th. it was totally out of my power to furnish two Capts. without injury to...
59To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 7 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 3d. inst. I have communicated with the Contractor on that part of its contents, which relates to his department—and I flatter myself I shall have no more grounds of complaint, if I have however, I shall not be silent. On the subject of the funeral expences—there is no other account to be presented, excepting the price of two...
60To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 8 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your Letter of the 4th. inst. relative to the Winter Quarters of the 11th. 12th. & 13th. Regts. I wrote yesterday to General Stevens & he is now here, I am making the necessary arrangements for the fulfilment of your orders—as I am not conscious that the good of the service will be promoted by my remaining, here, I shall give the necessary...
61To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
enclosed I submit to your purusal a Letter from Capt. Fondy, stating a particularly hard case, relative to the rank of Lt. Foster. It is sufficient for me fully to submit the statement to your consideration; confident if mistakes have been made, injurious to Lt. Foster’s rank, you will with pleasure use your influence to have them rectified—I have the honor to be, Sir Your most Obedt. Humble...
62To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 26 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor of presenting the 3d. monthly recruiting return of the 12th. Regt—It has been thus long necessarily delayed, for want of the returns from the second Grand divission, and paper to make it out upon—there are also fifty eight attestations of enlistment, you will observe there are 287. total enlisted & 251. deffinitively approved on inspection I have the honor to be Sir, With...
63To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 6 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreably to orders contained in your favours of the 31st. ulto. & 3d. Instant, received yesterday, at East Chester, I convened the officers of the 12th. Regiment, and they have unanimously nominated Lieutenat James Smith to be paymaster of the Regiment, I doubt not it will meet with your approbation and the approbation of The Secretary of War. Inclosed is his bond connected with his Brother...
64To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 2 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Brigade [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] April 2, 1800 . “I have been honoured by your Letter of the 27th. ulto.… The communications you wish made in the public papers, shall receive my earliest attention.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
65To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 19 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letters of the 11th. 15th. & 18th. of the present month, the returns for medicine shall be immediately forwarded—Hill will of course wait his Tryal, by a General Court martial—a few day’s after he was brought to camp, I sent the sergeant major of the 2d. Battalion in disguise to the place where, Hill informed me his comrade was, who enticed...
66To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 2 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 2, 1793. According to an entry in JPP “Journal of the Proceedings of the President,” George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. for March 2, 1793, Hamilton submitted to the President “a letter from Colo. W. S. Smith of this date respecting the debt of the U.S. to France —with a Copy of a letter wh. he had written to Mr. Ternant on the subject —and an Extract of a...
67To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 23 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that some time past a soldier by the Name of Jno. Montgomery deserted from Capt. Pattersons Company—he repaired to the House of one Abraham Brown, at Mount Pleasant, about four miles from Tarry Town, on the Bedford road, where he told Brown, he was a deserter, that he had thrown his Cloaths into the dock at new York & that knowing him , he came to ask his...
68To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 21 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
As President of the General Court Martial ordered to convene at this post by the Genl. Orders of the 12th. inst., I have the Honor to inform you that we have finished every case submitted to our consideration & have adjourned— sine die — If you have no further orders to communicate, I shall of course proceed to-morrow to the station of the 12th. Regt. If you Have, the Bearer Mr. Coxe will...
69To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 14 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Referring to my Letter of 12th. I have the Honor to inform you, that Colo. Ogden was with me yesterday, I find the necessary tools are not yet forwarded and the Land not yet paid for—in full confidence that every essential point, which rests with the executive departments of Government, will be carried promptly into effect, and that we shall be furnished without delay, I have ordered the 11th....
70To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 29 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Having had the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 23d. inst. and answering that part of it, relative to the Clothiers department—I have the Honor to inform you that the reason why the order of the 7th. relative to the returns for Camp equipage and utensils were not before this made out, proceeded from a want of a proper communication from the Quarter Master Generals...
71To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 2 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th. ulto. and of enclosing the original Letter of Capt. Kissam dated the 19th. of Septr. expressive of his wish to resign. I also inclose you the accounts of the Paymaster of the 12th. Regt. relative to the receipts and disbursement of the several sums of money forwarded to him by the Pay Office— No. 1. states the receipt on...
72To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 18 [June] 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor of receiving last evening by the Stage, your private letter of the 14th. inst. relative to the appointment of a 2d. major to the 12th. Regt. When I mententioned Mr. Fowler it was connected with this observation, that I knew no other Gentleman who was solicitous for the appointment—that tho’ Mr. Fowler was not a remarkably brilliant officer, still I supposed him capable of...
73To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 11 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
William Hill a soldier of the 12th. Regt. a few Day’s past, having been to a neighbouring Dram shop, where he was induce d to take a glass too-much, deserted, and was taken at the fishing place, on staten Island—and brought back to the Regiment—his Conduct is the cause of great distress to himself, and his associates, the best Soldiers of the Regiment they have shewn extream sensibility on the...
74To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 17 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a Letter from Capt. Church of the 12th. inst. covering a copy of one of the 11th. from Mr. Simmons addressed to you, which states that a Warrant has issued for three thousand five Hundred and twenty Dollars—that the amount is forwarded to Mr. Fish, to be paid to the officers on account of the recruiting service, which he is directed to receive grant his receipts and disburse...
75To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 16 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Alexander Stevenson, a Grandson of Edward Stevenson of Throgs neck deceased, is solicitous of entering into the 12th. Regt. as a Second Lieutenant, from an early knowledge of his family and the modest deportment of the young Gentleman aided by the respectable recommendations, he brought to me, I feel a solicitude, that he should be placed on the list of applicants to fill the...
76To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 5 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor of Submitting to your consideration the alterations of the plan for the formation of a Regiment for Exercise or Battle, forwarded in your Letter of the 26th ulto, you will observe that I am decidedly of opinion, we should fix our firm reliance on the well organised Battalions—the Brilliant dashes and light touches of advanced, Light Infantry—will not answer our...
77To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 30 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The day after you Honoured this Camp with your presence, I was informed Capt. Patterson had presented to you, his Letter of resignation—noteing some anxiety fluttering on the Capts. mind; and being acquainted with Mrs. Pattersons solicitude, that the resignation should be accepted, I gave Capt Patterson leave of absence from this Camp, that he might reside in New York and attend to the...
78To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 31 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 30th. informing me that Major Tousard is arrived for the purpose of recruiting six companies of Artillerists, and requesting me to give facility to the accomplishment of the object. If The Government requires six Companies of Artillerists from this Brigade, I believe they can be completely furnish’d by the evening roll-call—but...
79To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 12 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
It is my duty to present the Inclosed Letter from the Surgeon of the 13th. Regt. addressed to me, with a Copy of my answer— I understand the medicine was supplied on the order of the D. Qr. Mr. Genl. by Mr. Dayton the Contractor— I must solicit your interference on this important point, and doubt not if you favour us with it, but we shall be well supplied in future— I have had many unpleasant...
80To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 30 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Not having the honor of hearing from you on the subject, of Doctor Davis joining the Regiment as second mate, it becomes my duty to communicate to you the necessity of Doctor Douglass having an assistant, the Regimental duty in the medical Department, is really too weighty to rest on one Gentleman—Doctor Douglass has been very attentive to the duties of his station, & I should suppose him...
81To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 5 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor of presenting the recruiting Return No 2 of the 12th. Regt. with 43. attestations of Recruits of Capt. Landons Company—21 of Capt. Bennetts—7 of Capt. Pattersons—7 of Capt. Fonday’s & 3 of late Capt. Smith’s returned by Lt. Cooper Which I hope will prove more satisfactory to The Asst. Adjutant General, than the first appeared to be. I have the Honor to be With great respect...
82To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 13 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 13, 1799. “I take the liberty of suggesting for your consideration, whether it would not be conducive to the good of the service, to authorize the officers to engage persons in the capacity of Servants particularly attached to their persons, with the pay and rations of a Soldier, exclusive of the established Rank & file of the Regiment, so that under no consideration the...
83To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 27 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Circular Letter of the 22d. and am pleased to find, there is a prospect, that the supply of cloathing is likely to keep pace with the recruiting service—I did not know that there was any defficiency, or that any person had presumed to charge the War-office with neglect on this subject, untill I perused the extract of a Letter from the Secretary of War, of the 10th. inst....
84To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 27 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Immediately on the receipt of your letter of the 21st. I sought an opportunity of a personal interview with Lt. Ladlie, but finding he had gone from his recruiting station to the interior of the Island probably on duty—I wrote a Letter to him under date of the 22d. wherein I requested, he would detail to me the Circumstances attending the enlistment of Joseph Steward a private in Captn....
85To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 20 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Considering the disposition, military knowledge, and pointed attention of Capt. George W. Kirkland to the duties of his station—I should not do justice to his military merit, were I not to recommend him to your particular notice—Finding by the General principles relative to rank, as designated in the General orders of September the 9th. That the Relative Rank of officers, who have not been in...
86To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 10 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have given the necessary order to Colo. Ogden to proceed to new york, and assist the Adjutant General in forming regulations for the Army, agreably to your Letter of the 7th. I hope your Letter to Lt. Vrooman, directed him to join the Regt. did I know the place of his residence, I would address him, we are much in want of officers to do the duties of the Camp, particularly as the long...
87To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 2 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honoured with your Letters of the 30th. ulto. and shall carry their contents into execution, I conclude that the Court martial will be formed by details from this Camp, & I shall give the orders accordingly, should it be contemplated to send any officers from other corps, they can take their stations on the Court upon their arrival—I have formed the Plan of the Hutts upon the...
88To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 24 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 23d. this inst. by the hands of the Post Master of Brumswick—the Orders contained in it, of the 21st. shall be minutely attended to, and executed with the deepest solemnity. I did myself the honor of addressing you last night which Letters I sent per stage this morning at seven oClock to the New Ark post office, to which I beg...
89To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 2 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 27th. ulto. bearing the post mark of the 31st. containing a schedule of articles said to be furnished by The Contractor under my order—and upon examining your Letters, you find, the articles marked are not included, in any of the directions general or Special which you have given—and request me to inform you whether they have...
90To Alexander Hamilton from William S. Smith, 13 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Union Brigade [ Scotch Plains, New Jersey ] March 13, 1800 . Recommends “Major Shute of the 11th.… as a Candidate for the office of Supervisor of the State of Newjersey.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. William Shute was a veteran of the American Revolution and a resident of Elizabeth, New Jersey.