1To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 29 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
I take the Liberty to deposite in your Hands, a rude manuscript map, which embraces a part of the Spanish provinces of Louisiana, Texhas, St. Anders, & St. a Fee, in the audience of New Gallicia; & Kingdom of Mexico,— This work, accomplished by deep Intrigue, under heavy pecuniary losses, & six years of perilous Action, may be considered as a foundation of some thing more extensive & more...
2To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 20 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
To justify to our Country and to the world your protection of me at a moment when and powerful enemies were combined to destroy me by implications which dare not meet the light, I profess before God and Man is among the leading motives of all my acting— The death of General Wayne silenced an investigation which I had much at heart, because it would have unfolded Scenes and circumstances...
3To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 24 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
At the particular desire of the Bearer, the Miamis Chief called the little Turtle, I give Him this Letter of Introduction to you; His consequence among the Nations, approximate to one North Western frontier, gave Him pretensions to this distinction, I have deemed it political to indulge Him, and hope the Step may not be displeasing to you.— To the details which I have given the Secretary of...
4To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 26 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
To justify to our Country & to the World, your protection of me at a moment, when numerous & powerful Enemies were combined to destroy me, by implications which dare not meet the light, I profess before God & Man, is among the leading Motives of all my Actions. The Death of General Wayne silenced an investigation, which I had much at Heart, because it would have unfolded Scenes &...
5To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 24 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received the enestimable Letter, which you condescended to write to me on the 4th of the present month—I am oppressed by your goodness to me, & I fail of utterance, adequate to my sensibilities.— Bound to you by duty, by principle, by patriotism, by gratitude, and all the subordinate Interests & attachments of the human Mind, what can be so grateful to my Heart & my Head as your...
6To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 13 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
The motives which prompt me to this intrusion, will I hope apologise for it.— Regard to the welfare of an honest Man, & in his station a faithful officer, (who has served under my observation for six Years past, & suffered much in Constitution) induces me to take the Liberty, of, presenting the Bearer Mr. Saml Henly to your consideration, who goes on furlough to his native air of Boston, for...
7To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 18 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
Ensign Peyton of the 1st. Regiment: will have the Honor to present this to you; ill Health obliges Him to retire from this Climate, more dangerous to us, than the swords of our neighbours.— A desire to be made known to you Sir, as natural as it is commendable, imboldons me to indulge Mr. Peytons request. By the medium of this note, and the assurance, that this Young officer is valuable in his...
8To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 27 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
With a sense the most respectful, I presume to intrude the documents enclosed on the President’s attention, in the hope that they may serve to amuse a leisure hour. The first is an imperfect register of the trading vessels, which passed our barrier post on the Mississippi during a short period, and is evidential of the progressive population and improvement of our Western Country, which sent...
9To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 12 September 1804 (Adams Papers)
During a Conversation which I had the Honor to hold with you, soon after your Inauguration in the Year 1797., I mentioned the circumstance of our little army being at that period, without an Established Uniform for the officers; you expressed surprise at the irregularity of the Fact, & to remedy the defect, directed me to make the necessary regulations.— I think it probable that an incident so...
10To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 12 September 1804 (Adams Papers)
I rely on your goodness to pardon me for this intrusion, which springs from my solicitude to preserve inviolate, as far as may be in my power, the sound principles by which Military institutions are governed. A single Officer (Col. Butler) not long since, resisted an order for regulating the Uniform of the Head; standing alone in apposition to his Brethren & the universal practice of armies,...
11To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 26 July 1824 (Adams Papers)
By the publick Prints I occasionally hear of your continued existence, amidst the plaudits of a grateful Country, & exemption from any of the grievous infirmities of Old Age Yet as the debt of Nature must be paid, this tresspass is directed rather at than to you, and is intended to introduce to you, Col. G. L. Dawson, The Maternal Grand-son, of your Old Antagonist the Earl of Bute; whom you...
12To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 15 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is in consequence of an order from the Minister of War received on the 4th. Inst., that I have now the Honor to begin my correspondence with you. Accustomed to the frankness of a Soldier, nothing less than the fear of incurring the imputation of adulation or of impertinence could prevent the expression of my feelings on the occasion, but altho I wave professions, I may express the high...
13To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 20 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It was not before the last Evening, I had the Honor to receive your Letter of the 12th. Febry: altho the messenger who brought it, delivered me philadelphia Papers, as late as the 8th: Ultimo. I regret the delay but cannot account for it. I wrote you five Days since Fort Washington on the Ohio, & now enclose you a duplicate of that Dispatch, by a confidential half-bred Indian, who will bear...
14To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 25 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A confidential opportunity having offered to New Orleans, I avail myself of it, to give you the following extract from a Letter just recd. from Governor Gayoso & dated the 15th Inst. “Your instructions to Captn Shaum Burgh, are not only according to the strictest discipline, but they show your Genls. evident disposition, to cultivate the best understanding between our Nations. “The party...
15To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 24 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Natchez [ Mississippi Territory ] May 24, 1799 . “Immediately after I received your Letter of the 12th: Feby: I dispatched an Express over land to Mobile, to gain intelligence of the Detachment, which had marched to take post on that River.… The Night before the last, I had the satisfaction to receive assurances from the Commanding officer, that He had reached the point of his destination …...
16To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 6 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here on the 3rd Inst. & expect to Embark on the 10th. directly for the port of your residence. I have Offered two & would have given four hundred do⟨l⟩lars for a passage in the Sloop which bears this as she is reputed a good sailer, but find myself excluded by a band of Kentuckeans, who anticipated my application. Contrary to my expectations I do not find an armed Vessel in port, &...
17To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 3 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Balise, Mouth of the Mississippi, July 3, 1799. “I reached this place the 30th. Ultimo where we are detained for a Wind to pass the Bar.… Immediately after my Arrival At New Orleans, I droped you a line by a Sloop, bound directly to New York, and I send this by the Schooner two Brothers bound to Baltimore. I am on Board the Willm. of Charlestown bound to London, to touch at the Port of your...
18To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 16 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the only Letter Book I have with me—unfortunately the most material one has been left behind. The inaccuracies of the copiest may be readily excused, but the frivolity & fallibility of Intellect, too current in my correspondence with the Minister, will require an exertion of your indulgence. My humiliation has been profound, my sufferings exquisite, whether justly or unjustly you...
19To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, [26 August 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
Brigr. Gen. Wilkinson has the Honor to transmit Majr. Genl Hamilton, an original communication from the Officer commanding Fort Massac, near the Mouth of the Ohio River, which appears to Him to merit some attention. He sends the Original, because the retention of it, is important to the Brigadier, & may be most properly deposited with the Majr. General. The debauch & consequent absence of the...
20To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Genl. Hamilton will find in the “Reglemens pour L’infanterie Prussienne” many substantial principles of duty & of service, inapplicable perhaps to our Modes of thinking & acting, but susceptible of modification. Brig Genl. W. begs leave to refer to the Chapter on “Subordination” in the second Volume particularly—and will be obliged by General Hamiltons attention to the Letter for Lt. Boote. AL...
21To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 2 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Indisposition Sir has prevented my seeing you, since the day before the last. I have a terible Cold, caught I know not how. If the Ministers report be correct, & it accords with my own information, & that of the adjutant Generals Office—the 1st. and 2d. Regiments want each two Mates, and the 3d. and 4th. each one, to compleat the Establishment, which should I humbly conceive be appointed, &...
22To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 6 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to submit to your Consideration, a rough delineation of the Maritime Coast of the United States, and those parts of the interior of our Country, which lay contiguous to the Dominions of Great Britain and Spain, as far North as the “Saut de St. Marie,” with the intention to exhibit to you, at one View, the Military posts occupied at this time by the several Powers, and such as...
23To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 12 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Trenton, October 12, 1799. On October 31, 1799, Hamilton wrote to Wilkinson and referred to “your several communications of the 12th. 15. 19th. & 27 instant.” Letter of October 12 not found. ]
24To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 15 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Trenton, October 15, 1799. On October 31, 1799, Hamilton wrote to Wilkinson and referred to “your several communications of the 12th. 15. 19th. & 27 instant.” Letter of October 15 not found. ]
25To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 19 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 19 1799. On October 31, 1799, Hamilton wrote to Wilkinson and acknowledged receipt of Wilkinson’s “several communications of the … 13th. 15. 19th. & 27 instant.” Letter of October 19 not found. ]
26To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 27 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, October 27, 1799. On October 31, 1799, Hamilton wrote to Wilkinson and acknowledged receipt of Wilkinson’s “several communications of the … 13th. 15. 19th. & 27 instant.” Letter of October 27 not found. ]
27To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 12 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here on Saturday & shall proceed on my Journey the 15th., and expect to reach Norfolk on the 20th. I take the Liberty to submit the enclosed to you from Lt Claiborne, who stands for a Company in place of Kreemer disgraced, and to advise that He should receive recruiting Instructions, in order to compleat his Command—altho unauthorized I can not forbear offering the Opinion, that the...
28To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 21 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your Letter respecting Hamtramck & Lt Claiborne, has come to Hand & is the last I have received from you. I left Phila. the 16th. Inst, arrived here the 17th. & shall sail Tomorrow in the Vessel intended for me, requiring so much time for equipment. From some conversation with the Secy of War, the Day before I left Phila. I fear the proposed organization of the four old Regts: will be cut up,...
29To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 21 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It is a truth, that in the variety of my Life, I have very seldom experienced so essential a privation, as the loss of your Society. I should find difficulty in the discrimination, but you have Interests about you, which I have never discovered in another, matter to captivate the understanding, & manner to charm the Heart—pardon this effusion of grateful Friendship, since it gives pleasure to...
30To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 15 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Soon after writing you from Baltimore on the 21st Ulto. I discovered that Capt Geddes, who commands the vessel in which I sail, had been deceived in his calculation of time necessary to prepare for Sea, and he did not leave Baltimore until the 29th, nor reach this place until the 9th Inst., where the Store Brig had been waiting for us more than two weeks. Capt. Geddes found it necessary to...
31To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 15 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Man who has been so frequently assailed by insidious slanders as myself, cannot be too circumspect or too vigilant. As my visits from Baltimore to the lower Counties of Maryland, & the unexpected detention of the patapsco, may be either misinterpreted or misrepresented, I venture to trespass the following details on your time; for altho I may consign to others contempt, the Envies, the...
32To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 22 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Since I had the Honor to address you on the 15th Inst: delays unexpected (which to me are in a great measure incomprehensible) have occurred, to detain me in Hampton road until this Day, & I avail myself of the return of the Pilot Boat to make this communication to you. Whilst smarting with chagrin at the delays & disappointment I have experienced, so repugnant to my expectations & my Habits,...
33To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 20 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
However unexpected & painful our tardy progress, I believe it will be satisfactory to you to know, that we are thus far safe, and that after a series of obstructions from Winds & Waves, unexampled to our Company, we have now a fair prospect of a speedy termination to our voyage. The average run from our present position, to the Mouth of the Mississippi, is eight Days, incident nevertheless to...
34To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 12 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
After a variety of difficulties and disappointments which will be detailed to you in a moment of more leisure, I arrived in this city yesterday at noon & have been well received, the ordinance Brig is here in safety and will proceed on her voyage up the river for Loftus’ Heights without unnecessary delay, but altho’ the attempt will be made, on a ground of œconomy, to accomplish the deposit of...
35To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 12 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
After writing the Minister of War on the 30th ulto. agreably to the enclosed copy & after having received a Pilot on board the Patapsco, we were driven to sea and tossed about by a furious storm, for five days without intermission, nor were all our efforts sufficient to regain our lost ground until the 7th inst when I landed at the Balise, where I found a barge in waiting from the Governor of...
36To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 25 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived at this place on the 22nd. inst. and find our military concerns, as far as my observation has extended, in good order; I am making up a report, in detail, which will be transmitted over land to you, and in the interim I send this letter to New Orleans, to take its chances by sea, in order to apprize you, that the Officers of the 3rd Regiment, on this station, having named Lieut....
37To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 27 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you the Day before yesterday, via New Orleans, & have now the Honor to inclose you a triplicate of that Letter, with the Copy of a communication of this date to the Pay Master General, respecting the paymaster of the Troops in this Quarter: on this subject having recommended Lt. Boote to you for the appointment of paymaster to the 3rd. Regt. before I sailed from the Chesapeake, I have...
38To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 7 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you on the 27th Ulto. over land, via Fort Washington agreeably to the enclosed duplicate, which was accompanied by the papers and documents therein mentioned. I avail myself of a safe opportunity to New Orleans, to send this to our Consul there, Mr Jones, with directions for its transmittal by sea, for your satisfaction and that of the Executive. The garrisons of Fort McHenry and...
39To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 24 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I transmit you under cover a duplicate of my last communication, and have the singular pleasure to inform you that the Snow Acteon, with the ordnance & public Stores, shiped for this post at New-York arrived here on the 21st. instant, in thirty days from New Orleans; by this operation much time and much expence has been saved, and the delusions which have prevailed with regard to the...
40To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 24 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The Bearer of this Letter Mr. Fletcher of New England, has made a short speculative vissit to the Territory, and can detail to you whatever may affect the national Interests or local concerns in this quarter. He is a Man of sense and I regard Him, because He admires, respects, & loves you. I beg you to bear in Mind, that my continuance here will depend much on the Secretary of the Navy, for I...
41To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 29 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
[ U.S. Frigate General Greene, June 29, 1800 . In a letter to Wilkinson dated July, 1800, Hamilton wrote: “I have this morning the pl⟨easure⟩ of your public and private letter of the 29 of June.” Public letter not found. ]
42To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 29 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
My anxiety to reach the Station you have assigned me, after delays long, painful, & unexpected, but on my part unavoidable, has determined me to forego the pride, pleasure, & Interests of a personal Interview with you, and to proceed by the Cheasapeake & the shortest route to pitts Burgh; I will acknowledge that considerations of Œconomy, furnish subordinate motives for this Step. I have my...
43To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 28 July 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I discredited a rumour at the Havanna, that our auxiliary force was disbanded, because I could find no reason to justify the measure, & it was not until my Arrival at Norfolk the 13th. Inst: that this unlooked for Event was confirmed. The expression of my regret & disgust on this occasion, might under the consequences which have ensued, produce doubts of my sincerity. I therefore will wave the...
44Enclosure: [Request for Information on Recruits], [28 July 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
General Wilkinson will be much obliged to General Hamilton, for information of the following Heads, & will be happy to receive it, as soon as may be Convenient Vizt. The Disposition & Strength of the 1st. and 2d. Regimts., with the present Station of the Officers of those Corps. The Strength, position & orders of the several recruiting parties, whether Stationary or in March. The Destination...
45To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 12 August 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have your favor by Van Ranselear & shall support his Views with my utmost Ingenuity, tho tis a difficult case & our Secty is I fear rather timid. He may however be held on the Rolls on the ground of expediency, until the Legislature meets, & then the glaring propriety, not to say necessity, of the establishment, will certainly give us a remedy even among Demons or Idiots. I am sorry to press...
46To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 13 October 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The order under cover will best explain to you, the Embarrassment I suffer for want of the Information & advice, I have long since sollicited from you. Without daring to condemn, I will lament your neglect of me, because it retards my puny arrangements, & prevents the completion of any system whatever: conscious of the variety, the extent, & the purpose of your Engagements at all times, to...
47To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 15 November 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Although you can have no motive for desiring to extend the circle of your acquaintance, yet I am persuaded your Hand & your Heart will ever be free, to the Honourable, the amiable & the erudite of whatever clime or Country; under this impression I have presumed to introduce to you Mr John Forbes of Pensacola, principal Copartner in America, of the opulent & respectable House of Paton & Leslie,...
48To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 26 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Testimonials in favor of Mr. Ellery & Mr. Alexander, which flatter my pride & gratify my affections, because they bring me Evidence of your remembrance, & inform me that you repose some confidence in the assurance, by which I am bound to receive your Commands, & to Honor your recommendation. The merited repute of this Interesting portal, to worlds known & unexplored, is...
49To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 7 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
At foot you have the Corps designated, to which the Infantry of the frontier Garrisons respectively appurtain; it may be Essential to note, that a Sergeant, Corporal, & eight Dragoons are included in the Return for Fort Sargent— Most respectfully I am sir Yr. Ob. Ser Oswego, the Garrison of, is from the 1st. Regt. Niagara. Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Do. Fort Wayne Do . . . . . . . . . . ....
50To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 30 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the Honor to inclose you an invoice of Medicine & Hospital Stores, intended for the use of the Troops on the Mississippi & Mobile Rivers, which may I hope be purchased & shiped on the Vessel, which — the ordnance & Military Stores, for the sake of Oconomy, dispatch, & accommodation; I am the more particular in this instance, because the Season has been remarkably sickly on our South...