2201Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 19[–20] September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I request the favour of your opinion as to such of the Majors captains & Lieutenants of your Regiment as may be best qualified for service in the department of the Inspectorship or of the Quarter Master. This is an inquiry for information which will be extended to the several Regiments. It is hoped that the opinion will be given with freedom & frankness as it may be relied upon that it will be...
2202Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 18 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Intimations have been in some instances given that more bounty money will quickly be wanted. The Secy of War will naturally expect that an application of this sort should be accompanied with some view of the progress of the recruiting. I am aware that it requires a little time to get into the train of exact returns—but it is necessary to require the transmission of information more or less...
2203The Stand No. III, [7 April 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
In reviewing the disgusting spectacle of the French revolution, it is difficult to avert the eye entirely from those features of it which betray a plan to disorganize the human mind itself, as well as to undermine the venerable pillars that support the edifice of civilized society. The attempt by the rulers of a nation to destroy all religious opinion, and to pervert a whole people to Atheism,...
2204Circular 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...
2205Enclosure: Regulations Respecting Supplies and Objects of Extra Expence, [17 September 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
The several contractors besides rations including ardent spirits and vinegar shall only provide & furnish Quarters transportation forage, fuel straw stationary , and where there shall be no other provision for the purpose, medical assistance. The Quarters intended are those of a temporary kind. The power to provide them shall not extend to the building or repairing of barracks. In what they...
2206General Orders, 7 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Returns are immediately to be made to the Deputy Quarter Master General or persons acting as such for all arms and accoutrements wanting, and Camp Equipage & Utensils necessary to enable the twelve additional Regiments of Infantry and the two Battalions of Artillery commanded by Majors Tousard and Hoops, to take the field. The Regimental and Brigade Returns will be signed by the Quarter...
2207Conversation with Robert Liston, [28 October 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
“It remains to be considered whether His Majesty’s Service might not reap considerable advantage from a general stipulation for the restitution of deserters in nearly the same terms with those employed in the French Treaty. Our friends in this Country think it would, and they strongly advise that an article of that tenour should be concluded. Among the number of these is Colonel Hamilton of...
2208Enclosure: Notes on Protecting the City from Disease, [26 February 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
Among the objects on all hands agreed to be necessary towards preserving the City from Pestilential diseases are the following 1 The conveyance of Water in pipes through every Part of the City as well for the more convenient Washing and cleansing of the Streets, Alleys and Lanes as for the supply of the Inhabitants. 2 The filling up, lowering and draining of such Grounds within the City as...
2209Enclosure: 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...
2210Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 19 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is the form of a monthly return which you are to make to me pursuant to the XXXV of the “Rules and Regulations respecting the Recruiting Service.” It now becomes urgent that these returns shall be regularly made. They will govern my application to the Secy of War for provisions of money. You will, consequently, enforce punctually in the returns which according to those Rules &...
2211General Orders, 23 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Officers and Soldiers who are discharged from the Service of the United States, except by way of punishment being entitled by the 25th Section of an Act passed the 3d March 1799 to their pay and Rations or an equivalent in money for such term of time as shall be sufficient to travel from the place where they receive their discharge computing at the rate of 20 Miles to the day. The commanding...
2212The Stand No. V, [16 April 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
To estimate properly the conduct of revolutionary France towards the United States the circumstances which have reciprocally taken place must be viewed together. It is a Whole not a Part which is to be contemplated. A rapid Summary, nevertheless, of the most material is all that can be presented. Not only the unanimous good wishes of the citizens of this country spontaneously attached...
2213Enclosure: Candidates for Army Appointments from New Hampshire, [21 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Subalterns 1 Timothy Mountford Philadelphia 5 Silvester G Whipple Livemore Education & good family Hampton 23 years Gordon collegiate education & has read law eleven mon respectable Whipple Father —[sprightly & active] 6 William S Thorne Londonderry
2214General Orders, 17 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York ] March 17, 1800 . Announces “Regulations respecting soldiers allowed to be taken from the line of the army to attend an officer.…” LC , RG 98, Post-Revolutionary War Commands, Castle Island Record, National Archives. This document is the same as James McHenry to H, March 18, 1800 , with the exception of the first paragraph of McHenry’s letter, which is paraphrased, and the final...
2215Receipt to William Cooper, [10 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Rec’d five hundred dollars of William Cooper on account of Mr. Churchs Mortgage on lands in Otsego County. Dollars 500 Some months past 1000 1500 DS , anonymous donor. Cooper, the founder of Cooperstown, New York, was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Otsego County on February 17, 1791. From March 4, 1795, to March 3, 1797, he was a Federalist member of the House of...
2216Candidates for Army Appointments from Virginia, November 1798 (Washington Papers)
x A John Cropper + These old officers order of merit by Heth & Carrin[gton] x B Jonathan Clark + x C Robert Porterfield + x D Joseph Swearingen + x E David Stephenson + x f John Blackwell + g Wm Bentley h Otway Bird John Heth (now in service) Carrington thinks him worth considering for Majority 1. A. Gibson mentioned for Majority now in service distinguished at Fort Recovery 2. Laurence Butler...
2217Enclosure: Instructions Relative to Certain Objects of Incidental Expenditure, [9 May 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
The following objects of incidental expenditure occur. 1. For travelling expences pursuant to the Regulations of the Department of War of 19 of Decemr. 1798. The allowance as to servants extends only to Field Officers and the Regimental staff. In computing the days journey, the following example is to govern supposing the whole distance to be Eight hundred Miles. Distance Rate days 200 40 5 150
2218Indenture, 19 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, November 19, 1799. The catalogue description reads: “His signature in full to an indenture for a household servant aged 13 years and seven months.” Indenture not found. ] ALS , sold at Mercury Stamp Co., Inc., January 5, 1970, Lot No. 3071.
2219General Orders, 26 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 26, 1799. Hamilton’s general orders, March 13, 1800, refer to “the general order of May 26th. 1799.” General orders not found. ]
2220Plan of the Formation of a Regiment for Exercise or Battle, [December 1799–March 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
A Regiment of Infantry is composed of a Lt Colonel Commandant 2 Majors first and second, An Adjutant a Pay Master and a Quarter Master who are Lieutenants, a surgeon & two surgeons Mates Two Sergeant Majors 2 Quarter Master sergeants Two Chief Musicians first and second Ten Captains Ten first and ten second lieutenants besides the three Lieutenants before mentioned, Ten Cadets Forty sergeants...
2221General Orders, 20 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 20, 1799. On July 11, 1799, John J. U. Rivardi wrote to Hamilton : “I received also General orders of the 6th, 15th, & 20th. of June.” General orders of June 20, 1799, not found. ] This letter is listed in the appendix to this volume.
2222Enclosure: Candidates for Army Appointments from New Jersey, [21 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Subalterns 6 Robert Hunt son of A Hunt Trenton Lieutenant Qr Cavalry } Stockton
2223Enclosure: James McHenry to Henry Knox, [19 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
An answer to your letter of the 5th instant has been delayed by some degree of ill health on my part. The general disposition it marks accords with the patriotic sentiments you have so consistently manifested. It is extremely regretted that any circumstance should induce you to hesitate about the acceptance of an appointment in which it is not to be doubted your services would be eminently...
2224Enclosure: A Statement of Facts Relative to General Pinckney’s Mission to France, [30 March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
General Pinckney, appointed minister plenipotentiary from the United States to the French Republic, left Philadelphia near the end of September, and arrived at Paris the 5th of December last, in the evening. On the 6th, he sent, by his secretary, to Mr. Monroe his letters of recall; and immediately afterwards waited on Mr. Monroe, who shewed him a letter from M. Delacroix, the French Minister...
2225Circular to the Battalion Commanders of the Second Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, 27 May[–1 June] 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have heretofore transmitted ⟨to⟩ you the arrangement of the second Regiment of ⟨Artillerists⟩ shewing the batalion which you are to command and its destination generally. Measures are taking to bring the companies not already there within the sphere of that destination. But you will immediately assume the command of all the fortified posts in the vicinity of the sea board within the States...
2226Enclosure: General Wilkinson’s Proposed Arrangement of Officers, [31 October 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
First Regiment Field & Staff John F. Hamtramck Lieut. Col. Commandant Thomas Hunt 1st Major – – – – – – 2d. Major Lieut. Robert Semple Adjutant Lieut. Yelverton Peyton Paymaster Lieut. Joshua S. Rogers Quarter Master John Elliott Surgeon – – – – – –
2227Elements of the Tactics of the Infantry, [1799] (Hamilton Papers)
The Elements of the Tactics of the Infantry consists of three branches. The 1 comprehending the position of a soldier without arms and the motions of his head and body. The second comprehending the position of the soldier with arms and the manual exercise . The Third comprehending the principles of marching, of alignments, of conversions, and of changes of Direction. As to the first branch....
2228"General Orders," 4 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Letter not found. (Copy, Pierpont Morgan Library, New York City).
2229General Orders, 26 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The Troops will be mustered on the first day of June or as soon after as may be, and the pay Rolls for the time which remains to them to serve, and also for the three Months pay granted by the Act of Congress passed the 14th. instant will be predicated upon the muster then made, and forwarded with the necessary receipts and vouchers as has been heretofore directed. Should casualties with...
2230Petition to the Mayor and Corporation of the City of New York, [26 August 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
To the Honble. Mayor & Corporation of the City of New York Humbly sheweth That we the Subscribers, your Petitioners & the Public in general, suffer great Inconvenience, and Danger, from the public Road as it now runs between the nine and ten Mile Stones, through the Land of Doct. Samuel Bradhurst, ascending that very difficult & dangerous Hill, being the only direct Way of Communication for...
2231Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 9 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Our political situation renders it very urgent that not a moment shall be lost in disciplining our troops as fast as they shall be raised. To this end it is essential that every officer shall personally exert himself to the utmost and that a very faulty practice which has occasionally prevailed in our armies as well as others shall be carefully avoided; namely Commanders of Regiments leaving...
2232Circular 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...
2233Enclosure: Arrangement of the Artillery, [25 April 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
Names Rank Date of Commission Residence Henry Burbeck Lieut. Colonel 7. May 1798 Michilimacinac John J. Ulrich Rivardi Major 26. February 1798 Niagara Moses Porter Captain 4 November 1791 Michilimacinac Alexander Thompson ditto 2. June 1794 Niagara
2234Enclosure: Answer to Questions Proposed by the President of the U States, [29 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
To The first. It is difficult to fix the precise point at which indignity or affront from one state to another ceases to be negotiable without absolute humiliation and disgrace. It is for the most part a relative question—relative to the comparitive strength of the parties—the motives for peace or war—the antecedent relations—the circumstances of the moment as well with regard to other...
2235General Orders, [18 May 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
It is the Duty of Major General Hamilton to announce that an act of Congress passed the fourteenth instant which authorises the President of the United States to discharge on or before the fifteenth day of June next all such Officers non commissioned Officers and Privates as had been appointed commissioned or raised under and by virtue of the Act to augment the Army of the United States, &...
2236General Orders, 4 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The General Court Martial, of which captain Amos Stoddart was President, having found James, alias Parker Hosmer, a private in the 2d Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, guilty of repeated desertion, and having sentenced, that the pay now due him be made answerable for the expenses attending his apprehension; that he receive ninety-nine lashes upon his naked back, at three different times,...
2237Enclosure: Act for Establishing a Military and Naval Service Academy, [9 March 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
An Act for establishing an Academy for Instruction relative to the Military and Naval Service of the United States. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and house of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled That an Academy be established for the purposes of instruction relative to the military and Naval service of the U. States to consist of four Schools One to be called “The...
2238Circular to the Artillery Field Officers, 15 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you for your information the arrangement which has been adopted for the organisation and disposition of the Regt. of Artillerists. You will perceive that the batalion which you are to command is to be stationed in You will do well to apprise without delay the officers who are to compose this batalion of the arrangement—so that such of them who may not at present be with their companies...
2239Enclosure: Additions to the Recruiting Instructions, [15 March 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
To Section III No foreigner by birth shall be enlisted unless he shall have become a citizen of the UStates and shall have resided at least one year in the County where he shall be enlisted. To Section VI These attestations must always be taken in the presence of and certified by a Commissioned officer and must be forwarded to the Inspector General (through the Commanding Officer of the...
2240Enclosure: [Declaration of Messrs. Monroe Mughlenburgh and Venable], [5 July 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
“That they regretted the trouble and uneasiness which they had occasionned to me in consequence of the Representations made to them—That they were perfectly satisfied with the explanation I had given and that there was nothing in the transaction which ought to affect my character as a public Officer or lessen the public Confidence in my Integrity.” AD , The Library, Lehigh University,...
2241General Orders, 27 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Pursuant to instructions from the Secretary of War, the terms of enlistment of recruits in future raised are to be changed, and instead of being enlisted for any particular corps or regiments, they are to be enlisted for the service at large. It is directed by the Secretary of War, by instructions dated January 25th 1800, that cadets in the fortifications upon the sea board, and West Point,...
2242General Orders, 24 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Paymaster General having arrived and entered upon his functions at the seat of government, all muster and pay rolls are, hereafter, to be transmitted to him, instead of the office of the Adjutant General, until a Deputy Paymaster General shall have been appointed and announced to the troops. They are to be sent addressed to Caleb Swan, Esquire, Paymaster General, at Philadelphia, with the...
2243General Orders, 12 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 12, 1799. On August 14, 1799, William S. Smith wrote to Hamilton: “Agreeably to General Orders of the 12th. inst. I attend here as President of a General Court Martial.…” General orders not found. ] This letter is listed in the appendix to this volume.
2244General Orders, 20 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The general court martial of which Major Willcock was president, having convicted Joseph Perkins, a private soldier of the 1st regiment of artillerists and engineers of the crime of desertion, aggravated by that of liberating and taking off with him two prisoners confined under the sentence of a court martial for desertion, over whom he was sentinel, and having condemned him to suffer death:...
2245Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 22 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to the intimation of the Secy of War I transmit you an extract of a letter from him of the tenth instant by which you will perceive the causes which have hitherto interfered with a supply of cloathing adequate to the demand. If the assurance of the Contractor can in any degree be relied upon, the supply in future will more than keep pace with it. With great consideration I am Sir ...
2246General Orders, 21 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
It is in future directed that general court martials not only investigate and ascertain the time lost to the service by the non-commissioned officers and soldiers found guilty by them of desertion, and the amount of expenses accruing to the United States by their pursuit and apprehension, but that the number of days, months, or years so lost, be distinctly noticed in the sentence and added to...
2247Enclosure: [List of Proposed Candidates for Military Appointment], [3 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Robert Heaton Junr. Captain George W. Kirkland Col. or Major a good of⟨ficer⟩ Jno Keating Colonel Bad Francis Drake Bad William Scudder Captain unknown Walter B. Vrooman Bad Thos U Williams Adjutant unknown Benjamin C. Curtis Captain
2248Enclosure: Plan for the Disposition of the Four Regiments of the Permanent Establishment, [12 October 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
One Regiment to be stationed partly in the State of Tennessee and partly in proper positions for the protection of the Frontier of Georgia, not extending farther Westward then the Apalachicole River. This Regiment to be attached to the command of General Pinckney. The part in Tenessee to be by him instructed in any great and sudden emergency to cooperate with General Wilkinson. The other three...
2249Candidates for Army Appointments from Connecticut, [November–December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Connecticut Captains 1 Austin Nichols Fairfield County Writes ill Wm. Edmond good constitution single man & in prime of life education equal to place active enterprising & on the whole qualified } Not very strong
2250Candidates for Army Appointments from Tennessee, [November–December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Tennessee Captains 2 Arthur Crozier Knoxville good letter Clayborne —a young man of respectable character good talents & was a Merchant 3 Nathan B Markland Knoxville Clayborne . possesses qualifications for a valuable Officer surveyor young man of amiable Character & good talents 6 Charles Porter Judge Anderson —recommends him as well qualified respectable connexion & unexceptionable character 1