From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 March 1799
To James McHenry
New York March 19. 1799
Sir
Yesterday about two oClock, the detachment proceeded on its destination.
It consisted of one Captain (Henry) Two Leutenants, Two Musicians, Ninety two Non Commissioned Officers & Privates. They had seventeen Tents with them.1
I send you a plan for dividing Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania and Delaware into Districts and subdistricts.2
It appears to me desireable that the recruiting service should begin in these states without delay, and adviseable that bounty money, cloathing and other articles should be furnished in the proportion of one half the whole number of men to be enlisted. According to this ratio, there will be required for each of the four regiments of Infantry, Four Thousand two hundred & twenty four Dollars making in the whole 16896 Dollars. For one Troop of Horse to be raised in New Jersey. Three hundred & Eighty four Dollars together with the cloathing and other articles mentioned in the inclosed return.3
I wait your sanction to put the business in motion in these states. But previously I am anxious that the Regimental Staff be appointed or at least that persons to act in these capacities be selected with the prospect of being appointed. I request your authority for this purpose.
Has any plan been determined upon for providing the requisite number of horses.
With great respect I have the honor to be &c &ca your Obedient Servant
To The Secretary of War
P.S. It is requisite for me to know where contracts exist for the supply of provisions & Quarter Master Stores & the names of the Contractors.
Df, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. For an explanation of this and the preceding paragraph, see McHenry to H, March 13, 15, 1799; H to McHenry, March 18, 1799. See also H to William R. Boote, March 16, 1799; H to Adam Hoops, March 16, 1799; H to Ebenezer Stevens, March 16, 1799; H to Jonathan Dayton, March 18, 1799; H to Mahlon Ford, March 18, 1799.
2. Enclosure not found, but see H to McHenry, March 16, 1799.
3. This enclosure is dated March 20, 1799, and is entitled “Return of Articles requisite for four Regiments of Infantry to be recruited on the proportion of one half the whole number of the non Commissioned Officers & Privates of the respective Corps” (ADS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).