1From John Adams to William Macpherson, 18 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
This Dedication of yourselves, in the Presence of God and the World, to defend, against the Attacks of Arrogance, Injustice and lawless ambition, that happy System of Government which you have inherited from your Fathers cemented by the best blood of America and sanctioned by your own approbation, is very Solemn and affecting. It has, I presume been well weighted deliberately considered and...
2To John Adams from William Macpherson, 18 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
Attached to the Government of the United States, from a conviction of the blessings which we derive from the just administration of wise and equal laws; and anxious to vindicate the character of our country from the aspersions of foreign insolence; we, citizens of Philadelphia, associated as soldiers under the denomination of MacPherson’s Blues, beg leave to offer our services, through you, to...
3From Alexander Hamilton to William Macpherson, 26 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
A Capt Hill , formerly of the British service, now in Philadelphia, is in possession of drafts of surveys, which were made during our war, of the Port & Harbour of New York. If the Secretary at War, of whom you will please to inquire, has not procured them for the United States, you will oblige me by purchasing them for the use of this State. The money which you may pay will be reimbursed upon...
4To Alexander Hamilton from William Macpherson, 3 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary at War not having in his possession the Drafts you wish to obtain, I applied to Captain Hill—who after taking some Days to deliberate offers to furnish a Plan—with the condition that a Copy shall not be taken of it—for 600 Dollars. As this Sum is infinitely beyond what I supposed he would demand—I must beg to hear from you again before I say any thing more to him. “Its to be...
5From Alexander Hamilton to William Macpherson, 22 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 22, 1799. “… It will be satisfactory to me, as far as may be convenient, to receive from you, from time to time, statements of the situation & progress of the Insurrection in Pennsylvania.…” ALS , Columbia University Libraries. For background to this letter, see James McHenry to H, March 13 , 15, 1799 ; H to McHenry, March 18 , 19, 1799 .
6To Alexander Hamilton from William Macpherson, 25 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 22d on the subject of the insurrection in this State and should have replied immediately, but knowing that I was to receive my Instructions from the War Office on this day, I thought it best to wait. The fact is, Sir, that in the Counties of Northampton, Berks, Montgomery and part of Bucks, the people have manifested the...
7From Alexander Hamilton to William MacPherson, 26 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secy of War has instructed me to digest & propose a plan for the organization and arrangement of the volunteer corps throughout the United States. As this subject has particularly occupied your attention, I shall be glad to be assisted with your ideas at large concerning it. You will be sensible that it is necessary to order that every part of our military system should as nearly as may be...
8To Alexander Hamilton from William Macpherson, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 21, 1799. “… With respect to the Volunteers it is certainly necessary some arrangement of them shou’d be made, and I suppose the proper mode is, to take the whole of the Troops of that description in the United States, and form them into Battns. Regiments, Brigades, and Divisions agreeably to their numbers. It would also perhaps be proper to make three or more districts, and...
9To Alexander Hamilton from William Macpherson, 13 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I some time ago mentioned to the Secretary of War, that I found myself in consequence of my appointment, involved in a Scene of expence I was unable to afford; and requested he wou’d give me his opinion, as to the propriety of my being consider’d as in service; he has the subject now under consideration, and I have no doubts is fully disposed to do what is right, as he most readyly admeits...
10From Alexander Hamilton to William Macpherson, 22 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the copy of an order which will govern you relative to the funeral honors to be paid to our departed Chief. You will be prepared I hope by Thursday. I must request you to render the ceremony as solemn as possible. Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Macpherson was in charge of the military ceremonies which were to be held in Philadelphia...