51From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose to you a letter which I have just written to Captain Elliot as I know not what measures you may have taken on in consequence of my last communication on the subject. With great respect ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
52From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 14 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 12th instant has Your le In all the cases in which no time day has been mentioned as the place & time when persons proposed as Cadets began to render service to the respective regiments I have received no information from the several Commandants. You It will therefore be pleased proper to have the Warrants dated on the day that they are issued. With ( Df , in the handwriting...
53From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Majr Lillie Major Lillie who on his return — the Eastward through this City, asked — to represent him in a favourable light — the President, which I did particularly as to his conduct during our Revolutionary War. with great respect I am Sir Your obed Servt. ( Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
54From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Captain Thompson, of the fourth regiment, having resigned, — Mr Campbell Smith, standing first on the list of Lieutenants, is of course entitled to receive fill the vacancy. Immediate promotion in cases of this nature, except where there are serious objections to the individual, is enjoined both by duty right justice and policy. The individual Officer next in grade is entitled to the vacant...
55From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
As it may possibly not have come to you through any other channel, I think it well to inform you that General Huntington has been displeased at not having received official notice of his appointment with his Commission. This, if not already so, ought to be remedied. I hear nothing of nominations. What malignant influence hangs upon our military affairs? With great esteem & regard Yr. Obed...
56From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter from Colonel Ogden requesting that Wilmington may be appointed as a Company Rendezvous in the place of New Castle, I will therefore thank you to instruct the Agent of the War Department to have the contract made for the former place. with great respect I am Sir Your obed Servt. ( Df [two], in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
57From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to send you the enclosed papers, in order that you may see what grounds I gave my Sanction to the Expenditures made by Capt. Ellery. be apprised of the subject of them. I request that you will add your Sanction if lest the want of it should be an obstacle with the comptroller— With great respect I have the honor to be Sir Yr. ob. Servt. ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown...
58From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 1 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I wait for your instructions concerning the regulations proposed to you with respect to objects of extra expence. As soon as I receive your direction I shall issue orders for having the regulations carried into effect. With great respect I am, Sir If it shall be agreeable to General Pinckney to whom I have written on the subject, it is my wish to employ Major Tousard during the winter, in...
59From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 11 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, July 11, 1799. Quotes from Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Parker’s “letter of the 3d Inst.” concerning the shortage of clothing and states: “You see how the delay works & how necessary it is to apply an instant remedy.” Copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
60From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 17 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Part of the contents of your letter of the 10 of July last (which has happened to escape a definitive attention) being connected with the subject of that the 7 of Sepr., I shall reply to them together. Previous to the receipt of the last I had drafted rules relating to extra expences which after careful revision I send for your determination. They contemplate, it will be seen, a discretion to...
61From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 12 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Colonel Smith states to me that Captain White, of the eleventh regiment, has acted as Judge Advocate of all the General Courts Martial which have been held since the second of November, at Union Camp, and enquires whether he is entitled to any thing for the performance of this duty. The subject of compensation to persons acting as Judge Advocates has been heretofore matter of correspondence...
62From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I hasten to reply to your letter of yesterday respecting Artillery &c. for Fort Adams. By recurring to my letter, you will find that, stating the demand of General Wilkinson, I myself relinquish that for mortars and confine myself the application to two Howitzers and the Cannon & the ammunition. I understood from General Wilkinson, who is not here at this moment and will be absent for a few...
63From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The enclosed recommendation of Mr. Boyle was sent to me by Col. Rice. With great respe ct I am Sir &c ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
64From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 6 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I return Mr. Patterson’s letter. It is not my intention immediately to withdraw more than Cochran’s & Henry’s Companies. The other troops may remain on the insurgents scene. I should prefer their remaining together. Perhaps the vicinity of Easton may be the best single station. But I am not without apprehension that the Troops may be corrupted by remaining long in a disaffected scene. Is there...
65From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, August 19, 1799. Asks what “the rate of allowance to which officers are entitled for their retained rations” is and how the allowance is obtained. Agrees with McHenry’s decision to defer the appointment of cadets, but thinks that “in the meantime … it will be well to appoint two Cadets to each regiment … to act as ensigns.” States that he has received “Pressing applications” for...
66From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 24 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You ask my opinion as to proper arrangements for the command of the Military Force, on the ground that the Commander in Chief declines at present an active part. This is a delicate subject for me—yet, in the shape in which it presents itself, I shall wave the scruples which are natural on the occasion. If I rightly understood the Commander in Chief, his wish was that all the Military points...
67From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 6 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is an extract of a letter from Lieutenant Meminger. I deem it my duty to become the organ of communicating the ideas contained in this extract for your consideration. My opinion on the case has been already laid before you—The person being having committed been guilty of a complication of crimes appeared to me to be a fit subject of capital punishment. I presume however from the delay...
68From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25 June[–1 July] 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 25 [ –July 1 ] 1799 . Summarizes the contents of “letters … from Major Rivardi, at Niagara,” which “contain very unpleasant representations of the state of things at that post.” Describes steps taken to meet some of Rivardi’s complaints. States: “It appears by the statement of which a copy is enclosed that debts have been contracted for purposes of the garrison to the amount of...
69From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I beg leave to call recall your attention to my letter of the 10th inst mentioning the resignation of Lt. Blake acting Pay & Qr. Mas to the detachment at Wilmington under Major Cass and proposing Lt. Jacob Wilson as a substitute. I understand from Major Cass that the bounty money deposited in the hands of the different recruiting officers has been withdrawn by order of the PM General—This puts...
70From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 10 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Ought it not to be a rule to forward from your department to the Major Generals, as they are passed, copies of all laws respecting the military establishment? At any rate you will oblige me by sending those of the session just finished. I observe in the 5 § of the Recruiting Instructions, filled up in Manuscript, the term of inlistment is five years. The law for augmenting the army § 2 directs...
71From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose to you two letters in recommendation of Doctor Foster as for a medical appointment. I have confidence in the Gentlemen who have recommended Dr. Foster— ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
72From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A rule respecting the allowance of Barracks and Quarters is wanting. I submit to your consideration the following scale. To a Major General for himself four rooms, for each Aid one room, and a Kitchen. To a Brigadier General for himself four rooms, for his Aid one room, and a Kitchen. To the Inspector General in addition to his allowance as Major General two rooms for officers, and one for his...
73From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 24 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 24, 1799. “… I shall confer with Col Smith on the subject of his Major and communicate the result.… I am of opinion that the hat ought to be delivered with its furniture complete. It will often be no easy matter for the Officers to supply a deficiency; and it is one of those instances in which œconomy will be likely to disgust by the air of excessive parsimony. Will it not be...
74From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 17 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have but just returned to this city, having been unavoidably detained at Albany much longer than I had expected. Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See H to James McHenry, January 15, 1800 ; H to Elizabeth Hamilton, January 26 , 30 , February 5 , 10, 1800 .
75From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
A letter just received from General Wilkinson contains the following—“I beg you to bear in mind that my continuance here will depend much on the Secretary of the navy, for I can not in prudence hazard my family on the gulph without a convoy which he has engaged to me for the tenth or twentieth of the ensuing month.” I beg you to confer with the S of the navy without delay, in order that it may...
76From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a letter from Mr Samuel Davis, and request your instructions respecting the answer to be given. Should he by his delay in the acceptance of his appointment, not be entitled to it, his loss will be of no great detriment to the Service his loss, will serve judging from his letter, will not perhaps be unfortunate for the service. with great respect Sir ( Df , in the...
77From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 7 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, May 7, 1799. “… Col Smith … recommends as his Major … Theodosius Fowler Esqr.… I do not find among the p⟨apers before⟩ me any list of the Officers of the Additional Troops of C⟨avalry⟩. Will you be pleased to have it transmitted? I promised Mr. Jones your C⟨lerk⟩ a memorandum of the number of printed copies of oat⟨hs⟩ and weekly returns which it would be expedient to ⟨send⟩ to the...
78From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 10 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, July 10, 1799. “I send you an Extract of a letter of the 20th June from Col: Hunewell, recommending Eli Forbes Esqr. for Captain in place of Capt. Philips. It was an idea talked of between us though not settled, that the routine of promotion should take effect in ⟨ea⟩ch regiment as soon as the places of field Officers were ⟨ac⟩tually filled. If this rule is to govern it would be an...
79From 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...
80From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 1 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is an extract of a letter I have just received from Colonel Smith. I entirely concur in all the ideas it contains—On the subject of promotion to vacancies that occur, I have already written to you, more than once, in Strong terms, and can not but feel extreme regret that a System different from the one recommended should appear to have prevailed. In making this observation I allude...
81From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I hasten to reply to your letter of the 3d. instant. To Major Toussard I have hertofore written upon the Subject of it, but have not received an answer. If I am referred to the paragraph of the law cited in your letter for my authority to act—I must confess that I cannot find it there. If the Hospital contemplated was only a temporary one, the commanding General is only auxiliary to a...
82From 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...
83From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The enclosed papers herewith sent shew the result of the inquiry into the charge against Capt White. The impression which the whole evidence makes on my mind is that Capt White judged very ill in doing as he did because the transaction was of a nature to subject him to suspicion, but that he acted from no evil will far from acting with any evil intention he committed the error through an...
84From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 15 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be handed to you by Cornet Alexander Macombe, of the Cavalry of the U states, who when in Philadelphia will desire to pay his respects to you—He is a genteel clever young man & I trust the embryo of a good Officer. With respect & — Yr Obed Sr ( ALS [photostat], James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress).
85From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 13 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The Artillery stations on the seaboard within my command are divided into two districts, each of which is under the superintendance of a Major. It appears to me very desirable that there should be an Inspector of Artillery to each of these districts charged with duties similar to those which belong to an Inspector of Infantry. I can appoint the Officers but have not power to give a...
86From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Col. Smith relative to Joseph Cross a Private in the eleventh regiment— I do not think it proper, on the statement given, to order a discharge. ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
87From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Your two letters of the 20th instant have come to hand. The disbandment of the six additional troops of Cavalry has been announced in General Orders. The General and other Staff were not included in those Orders, not only because it might as conveniently be communicated by letter, but because it will be necessary that their power be considered as existing after the troops shall have quitted...
88From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
General Wilkinson has furnished me with the inclosed estimates of the cost of the Water Battery Barracks & Magazine, which have been undertaken at Loftus’s Height. And he gives it as his opinion by analogy, but without detail, that the cost of the fort proposed to be erected at the same place will about equal the sum of these Estimates say 16000 Dollars. I send you an estimate, which I have...
89From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Taylor informs me that he has recommended Doctor John Orton as Surgeon’s Mate in his regiment in place of Doctor Spaldin who declines serving in that capacity. From the manner in appearance of this Gentleman, and from manner in which Colonel Taylor speaks of him this Gentleman, I should suppose him to be perfectly worthy of the post— With great respect ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas...
90From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have communicated to Col Bentley your resolution as expressed in your letter of the 30th of Augt in respect to the late appointments for his Regiment. But the occasion claims from me some remarks, as due to my own opinion of propriety and the good of the service. I cannot doubt that the practice of your Department, as to the filling of vacancies in new corps, previous to your coming into it,...
91From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have reflected, as you have desired, on the most proper principles for regulating the relative rank of the field Officers of the twelve additional Regiments. It is always prudent, when no special reasons dictate a deviation, to adopt for cases of this kind a rule which steers clear of comparison of personal merit and avoids the danger of wounding the pride of any of the parties concerned....
92From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 24 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A press of business has — diverted my attention from measures to for convey — Capt Freyes company of Artillerists to Charles Town. On resuming the subject it strikes me that there ought to be an armed vessel of the Government to transport them; since doubtless on account of the very great distance they ought to go by water: And if so sent and if an accident should happen by the intervention of...
93From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Colonel Parker, in his letter of the twenty fifth of September, mentions to me that he has never heard from Captain Taylor of his regiment. I would thank you to enable me to give to Colonel Parker the requisite information on this subject. Enclosed are the arrangement of relative rank for the company officers of the eighth regiment, the accounts of Mess. Tennison and Burk, and some letters in...
94From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
After reading the enclosed confidential letter you will please return it. I remember what the General states. The idea was that the relative position between first and second Major in the interior of the Regiment should be fixed & selection was made with this view. Similar inconvenience will attend the 15th. Regiment. Major Walker was intended to be first. By the same construction he will be...
95From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will be pleased to receive herewith a statement of the articles of supply requisite for a Regiment of Infantry. It is necessary that the full quantity, including what has been heretofore forwarded, should be transmitted as fast as possible. With all the diligence that can be made, it is not probable that they will arrive too soon. After the proportion, which was indicated in the first...
96From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I am told, though I really have not seen the law, that one has passed suspending the Recruiting Service for the Twelve Additional Regiments. You are aware that an instruction from your Department ought to precede my agency upon that law. Yrs. truly ALS , Columbia University Libraries; ALS (photostat), James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress; copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton...
97From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 27 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to you, enclosed, the proceedings of the General Court martial held at Portland whereof Lt Leonard was Presidt. W— ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
98From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Rice mentions to me, in a letter of the twenty first of April, that he had that day informed Lieutenant Flagg of the acceptance of his resignation. Enclosed is an extract from Col. Rice’s letter on the subject of double rations— ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
99From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of the 25 instant inclosing a warrant for the execution of Serjeant Hunt. I have reflected carefully on the point submitted to our joint consideration, and upon the whole I incline to the side of Forbearance. The temper of our country is not a little opposed to the frequency of Capital punishment. Public opinion, in this respect, though...
100From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
On a subject, not very familiar to my experience I thot it well to consult others (one at a distance) which has occasioned a delay in fulfilling the object of your letter of the 24th of June respecting regulations for issuing straw, fuel &. I send you herewith the result of my enquiries and reflections. In regard to fuel, the late improvements in the construction of chimneys by Count Rumford,...