1To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 25 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Fort Wayne [ Territory Northwest of the River Ohio ] January 25, 1799 . “It Gives me a singular pleasure to have an opportunity of Congratulating you on the choice that the President and Senate have made in the appointment of the Inspector General of the Army. America will see once more those Military talents which formerly were confined in their execution to too small a Compass; now Diffuse...
2To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 2 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Fort Wayne [ Territory Northwest of the River Ohio ] February 2, 1799 . “It will no Doubt be Surprising to you to See an officer of my Rank, and of twenty one years service—make an application so incompatible with the profession of arms; But Sir the Military Establishment of the united States is So unsettled and so changeable, that a promotion frequently proves more injurious than advantageous...
3To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 1 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to acknowledge your Letters, of the 9th, 12’th and 23’rd of May, with their several inclosures, to which, I shall devote my particular attention, they all came to hand on the 27th Ultimo. The Object of the Indian boundary line, is so much forwarded that Mr Ludlow, Deputy Surveyor will be at Lormies on the 10th Instant. I have this information from the Governor; in consequence of which,...
4To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 17[–18] July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Detroit [ Territory Northwest of the River Ohio ] July 17 [ –18 ], 1799 . “On the 7 Inst I left Fort Wayne, and on the 14 in the evening arrived at this place.… Not finding an opportunity of Sailing immediately for Michelemakinac as I had the honour of informing you in my letter of the 1st. and the uncertainty of returning in time to execute any Command you might charge me with, I have...
5To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 19 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Pittsburgh September 19, 1799. Acknowledges Hamilton’s letters of June 5, July 2, 22 , 31, 1799. States that at Detroit the officers and men need practice in maneuvers, that the non-commissioned officers do not command the respect of the men, and that the problems with the police have been corrected. Adds that all the garrisons need copies of “the Baron and the Articles of War.” Complains of...
6To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 27 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Fort Fayette ( Pittsburgh ), September 27, 1799 . “… I have reviewed the Troops of this Garrison; they are a handsome set of young Men, make a good appearance, and their Cloathing is in good order, their policie does honor to … the Commanding Officer; but like all the other Troops are defficient in tactics; the Arms are in good order but without Gun Slings, and the Cartridge Boxes tho’ clean...
7To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 5 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
as you have requested me to give you my opinion fully on the Military affairs of this Country, I take the liberty of Submiting Some Observations for your Consideration. it appears to me that the Want of Discipline in our troops is produced from the following causes. 1st. the incompleatness of the Regiments which for the want of Men never allows an officer a Command equal to his Rank, the...
8To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 29 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of the 11th Inst. and shall pay particular attention to its contents. The packet Boat at Detroit is a small Vessell which (I have been informed) was directed to be built by General Wilkinson as also a nother Vessell which is to be a Brigg. the Packet is begun, the Brig which is a very handsome one, was, when I was at Detroit nearly finished. there is...
9To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 19 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge your letter of the 4th Inst. Respecting my observations on the ignorance of Some Officers in the Old Regiments, I meant it Only as a Retrospective View of the many Bad appointments which have been made for some years past, the most of whom we have got Clear of. I have my Self last Indian war, made a Number quit the Service, and last Spring I Compelled a new...
10To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 19 December 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Pittsburgh, December 19, 1799. “… I never had any Reports from Loftus’s Heights; it appears to me that the Troops on the Mississippi have considered themselves independent of my Command in the absence of General Wilkinson, for the other day a Gentleman in the Contractors imploy arrived from Loftus’s Heights, and who called on the Commanding Officer of that place, for any Commands he might have...