101From John Adams to James McHenry, 24 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Ebenezer Stocher & votes of a company of Infantry, under the name of the Newbury Port federal volunteers, offering their services. I pray you to answer them, accepting their services and to send their officers their commissions. I am Sir / your most humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
102From John Adams to James McHenry, 22 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
On Saturday Dr. Waterhouse made me a visit & introduced Dr Lyman Spalding whose appearance justifys the character given him in the inclosed letter. I believe we shall not find a more proper appointment. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
103From John Adams to James McHenry, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received the two letters inclosed dated Natchez 2d May & 10th August from David Fero, ensign third regiment. I pray you to inform me if you have any official information, relative to the subject, & to report to me your opinion what is proper to be done. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
104From John Adams to James McHenry, 12 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Resolutions and Address of the Officers of the Greens Troop of Horse &c Letter from Governor Sevier and the Letter from Allen Gillespie and Alexander Nelson I pray you answer with all the respect and Civility that is due to them: and to Accept of the offered service of the volunteer Corps, according to the Rules, by which you have answered all other Offers of a like kind. I am /...
105From John Adams to James McHenry, 6 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
It is my Desire that you embrace the first opportunity to sett out on your Journey to Mount Vernon, and wait on General Washington with The Commission of Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States, which by the Advice and consent of the Senate has been signed by me. The Reasons and Motives which prevailed with me, to venture on Such a step as the Nomination of...
106From John Adams to James McHenry, 13 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter of the 8th of this month, & have read the letter from Major General Hamilton & the proceedings of the court martial in the case of Joseph Perkins. All circumstances considered I think this instance the least capable of a pardon of any, which has been laid before me. I have thought, it my duty to sign the warrant for his execution, & return it inclosed with all the...
107From John Adams to James McHenry, 13 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose to you a letter to me of the 2d, from Mr Ashley Colton, with three certificates, inclosed in it from Gentlemen, whom I know to be of the very best character for probity. I pray you to consider these papers, and do as justice and prudence shall dictate. I have the honor to be Sir your very humble &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
108From John Adams to James McHenry, 29 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Mr Thatcher, member of congress recommending Major Joseph Savage to be a lieutenant Col commandant of the second regiment of Artillerists & engineers. You will please to consider this when you consider other applications for the same vacancy I am Sir your servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
109From John Adams to James McHenry, 24 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the letters of Gen. Pinckney and your answers inclosed in yours of 17th. There is no occasion for any comments on my part. I cannot refrain however from expressing a high gratification in the intelligence activity and zeal exhibited by the Gen. and my entire satisfaction with your answers. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
110From John Adams to James McHenry, 23 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am so continually entertained with applications to be chaplains & surgeons, that I pray you to give me some idea of your designs upon this important subject. Inclosed is a letter from Dr. Blake. Be so good as to send me a list of the twelve candidates to be Surgeons of Col Rice’s regiment. Are we to appoint regimental surgeons or only hospital surgeons? MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
111From John Adams to James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Recommendations of Rufus Graves and Joseph Dunham, from Mr Freeman and Letters from themselves requesting Appointments in the Army. And some notes of Observations made to me verbally and put down on paper at my desire, which you may consider at present and return to me when I meet you again, if ever DLC : James McHenry Papers.
112From John Adams to James McHenry, 18 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your favor of the 7th. I consent with pleasure to the appointment of Thomas Pinckney Jun. a lieutenant in the 1st regiment of Artillerists & Engineers. Gen. Pinckneys letter I return. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
113From John Adams to James McHenry, 22 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I consent to the appointment of Mr. William Hosack to be lieutenant in the first regiment of Artillery as recommended by Major Gen. Hamilton & by you in your letter of the 14 & that you should signify the appointment to the vacancy made by the resignation of Dr Hall as surgeon of the 10th regiment. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
114From John Adams to James McHenry, 1 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your two letters of 25 June and return you all the papers inclosed.—If you believe Fonda has a shade in his favor, you are at liberty to appoint him. He is to me a stranger. Fowler has been presented to me as an old officer and a man of property. I have read all the recommendations & approve of your list for the 7th. 8 & 9 regiments. If any of the surgeon’s mates should refuse...
115From John Adams to James McHenry, 10 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed certificates from a clergyman & two surgeons of good authority were brought to me yesterday by the gentlemen recommended. Dr. David King, whose countenance, figure, dress & conversation, certified in favor of his certificates. I pray you to place his name among the candidates to be a surgeon or a mate, & his papers among the files. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
116From John Adams to James McHenry, 15 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I arrived, with my Family at this Place four days ago and propose to remain here and at New york, till the Meeting of Congress. Letters addressed to me, to the Care of Charles Adams Esqr. Counsellor at Law in New york, will Soon find me. I pray you to commit to Writing such Things are you judge necessary to be communicated or recommended to Congress at the opening of the session, and convey...
117From John Adams to James McHenry, 11 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are recommendations of Major McFarland, Captain Nathaniel Thwing to be appointed in the army which I pray you to file with other recommendations & record among the candidates for appointments—Also a letter from Dr Waterhouse a very respectable authority recommending Wm: Amherst Barron to be one of the scientific teachers. I have the honor to be Sir your / most obedient Servant MHi :...
118From John Adams to James McHenry, 12 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Freeport volunteers are so well recommended, that I pray you to send their officers commissions. Their application & recommendations are all inclosed. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
119From John Adams to James McHenry, 18 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 11, & have read the sentence of the court martial against Lieutenant Jacob Kreemer of the first regiment of infantry & have no hesitation in confirming the sentence that he be dismissed from the service of the US MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
120From John Adams to James McHenry, 7 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
As It is an excellent Principle for every Man in public Life, to magnify his office and make it honourable I admire the Dexterity with which you dignify yours by representing an Army and means adequate to its Support as the first thing necessary to make the nation respected. Genius in a General is oftener, an Instrument of divine Vengeance, than a Guardian Angell. Stoddert I warrant you,...
121From John Adams to James McHenry, 14 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received only this morning your Letter of the 4th. of this month. Its Contents are of much importance. I desire that you would inform General Washington, that I consider him in the Public Service from the Date of his Appointment and intitled to all the Emoluments of it. He is at Liberty to receive all or any part, at his Discretion: and is fully Authorised to appoint his Aids and...
122From John Adams to James McHenry, 12 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I will not object to the surgeons & mates selected by Col Rice & Col Hunnewell for their regiments. But I am not fully satisfied with the appointment of Dr Blake. He would do very well as a mate but his age does not entitle him I fear to the preeminence, if his learning is sufficient. I wish we had a system digested & Hospital surgeons appointed who might give us better information. MHi :...
123From John Adams to James McHenry, 13 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return you the papers inclosed in your letter of the 1st. I have carefully read the proceedings of the court martial on Ensign David Fero It will be necessary for the legislature at their next session to make some provisions for cases of standing mute. The best possible jurisprudence in this case in my opinion is, to order the refusal to plead, to be recorded & then proceed to tryal in all...
124Enclosure: John Adams to James McHenry, Timothy Pickering, Oliver Wolcott, Junior, and Charles Lee, 24 January 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the U S. requests the Secy of State, the Secy of the treasury, the Secy of War and the Atty. general to take into consideration the state of the nation and its foreign relations especially with France. These indeed may be so connected with these, with England Spain Holland and others that perhaps the former cannot be well weighed without the other. If our Envoys extraordinary...
125From John Adams to James McHenry, 13 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your favour of the sixth and approve of your determination to make out the Commissions in the order of Knox on the first day, Pinckney on the Second and Hamilton on the third. This being done you may call Generals Knox and Hamilton into Service as soon as you please. Your request to be informed, whether I attach any portion of the Intrigues, which I alluded to, if any have been...
126From John Adams to James McHenry, 19 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I recd last night your favour of the 11 and thank you for the Copy of General Macphersons Letter and the List of his Prisoners. The Generals Conduct has been prudent and Successfull, and will terminate in the permanent tranquility of the People. I return you Reeders Letter and Jacksons Address. Have these Democrats, a morality of their own? or have they none? Do they really believe that lying...
127From John Adams to James McHenry, 19 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 12th, & have considered the opinions of the heads of departments. I wish that courts martial may be advised to be as cautious as possible, in all their proceedings, especially in cases of life, because the discipline of the army will depend much upon this habit. But the crime of Richard Hunt is of so deep a die, that I have not seen my way clear to avoid the...
128From John Adams to James McHenry, 16 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return the List of Appointments for the Eleventh Regiment Commanded by Colo. Ogden, inclosed in your favr. of the 9th: Approved— MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
129From John Adams to James McHenry, 3 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I pray you to put on the list of captains of infantry, Mr. Philip Church of New-York, who is very handsomely recommended by Gen. Hamilton, & whom from a personal accquaintance with him, I believe to be well qualified. I enclose to you also a letter & documents from his Excellency Governor Jackson of Georgia, which I pray you to consider, and answer according to those arrangements, which you...
130From John Adams to James McHenry, 7 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 29th of April and have considered the subject of it with as much attention as will be necessary to agree in general to your principles. Merit however I consider as the only true scale of graduation in the army. Services & rank in the last war or any other war are only to be taken into consideration as presumptive evidence of merit & may at any time be set...
131Enclosure: William Bingham to James McHenry, [18 November 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
It Surely must have escaped Genl Hamilton’s Recollection, that the Papers he alludes to, never were deposited with me. After reading the publication, in which he mentioned this deposit being thus made, I was Surprized at the omission of which, in Case I had been applied to for a View of them, I Should certainly have reminded him—under any other Circumstances, it would not have been delicate to...
132Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and Ebenezer Stevens to James McHenry, [14 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
We have carefully attended to the subjects presented to our consideration, by your note of yesterday and now offer to you the result of our reflections. The idea of a succession of batteries from the Hook, to the City, very naturally occurs in contemplating the defence of this port, and doubtless has advantages. It would present dangers in the approach which may be expected to have...
133From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Bentley, in his letter of the twentieth of October, strongly recommends Reuben Beale and Samuel Simmons as Cadets in his regiment, and I would advise that they be immediately appointed— With perfect respect I am ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
134From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 4 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Such progress has now been made in recruiting the sixteenth regiment that the appointment of a Surgeon is for it becomes indispensible. I know not whether I have proposed to you any person as qualified for the post. If I have, or there be any suitable Character before you I would recommend that an appointment immediately take place. Col. Graves urges that the vacancies created by the...
135From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The information respecting the causes which have interfered with the supply of Cloathing contained in your letter of the 10th. instant received on Saturday is in train to be communicated by a circular letter. I am glad to find that so much progress has been made. If the Contractor delivers in two thirds of the daily quantity he promises, and the articles are expeditiously forwarded, it will...
136From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 12 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter dated February 25th. 1800 last month from Colonel Parker requesting a certificate of my having directed him to lay out the State of Virginia into districts. the certificate I have made out adding to it my knowledge of the orders he has received from General Washington respecting the cantonment at Harpers ferry. in executing the above orders he has incurred considerable...
137From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 6 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your letter of the third inst. I have given direct directed Col. Stevens to provide such a number of Common and Horsemen’s Tents for the twelfth and thirteenth regiments as shall be sufficient with — what has been already furnished to make up their complement according to the peace establishment—From the situation of things in Philadela. I think it would be prudent to give the...
138From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 5, 1799 . “I recur to your letters of the 31st of January 4th 15 21. 22 23 & 27 of February, for the purpose of doing whatever may remain to be done in relation to their contents. “… the complete formation of the several corps and their subdivisions which includes the appointment of the full complement of Officers is so essential to order that delay in this respect is very...
139From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter from Col Smith of which the inclosed is an extract. As the mention of Capt Fowler to you was in conformity with his opinion, after a particular consultation, I was rather surprized at the turn of his letter. I however sent his recommendation, though I imagine it is likely to come too late. And in justice to Capt Fonda , I ought to add that he was Adjutant of a batalion...
140From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Lieut. This will be handed to you by Lieut. Rogers, of the first Regiment who is on the way to D’Etriot to join his regiment. for which purpose He wishes to procure his pay, of which he has never yet received any part. I should be glad Sir if you will facilitate the means of his receiving it. With great consideration & ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown and H, Hamilton Papers,...
141From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 13 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is a copy of a letter from Col. Rice relative to an issue of Clothing to the troops under his command previous to the expiration of the year—From the Movements in Congress which indicate a speedy disbandment of the additional regiments I have not thought proper to issue an order in the case without your sanction— Unless it is very certain that the If the troops will should not be...
142From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 27 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A letter from Major Toussard of the 19 instant has the following paragraph “The commissioners at Fort Wolcott and Fort Adams have received by the last mail the copy of your general Order, transmitted to them from Boston by Major Jackson which lessens the allowance fixed by the regulation to be observed in the delivery & Distribution of fuel and Straw to the Garrisons on the Sea Coast. The...
143From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 4 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Col Ogden has written to m requested me to have appoint ed bridgetown as a Company Rendezvous in the place of Woodbury to which I have consented. I will thank you to instruct Colonel Rhea to make the a contract for the former place, if so requested by Col Ogden with consideration I am Sir Your obed servt. ( Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
144From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 16 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Seeing the terrible delays which take place is it not adviseable immediately to authorise your Agents at New York & Boston to take prompt measures for increasing your supply of Cloathing tents and such other articles as are in Arrear? Considering past experience can you possibly depend on the present plan for the future supply? If blue Cloath cannot be found for the whole, better to take some...
145From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed are I have the honor to transmit the proceedings of the Court Martial in the case of Lt. Leybourne I have strongly disapproved the sentence of the Court W— ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing the proceedings of John Leybourne’s court-martial, February 22, 1800, signed by James Read ( DS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
146From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose to you a letter from Captain Chandler offering a resignation of his commission. ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
147From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
As the season advances fast, when it will be proper to give effect to the new disposition for the Western Army—and as the arrangement of the Officers regimentally is a necessary preliminary to that Operation, I have recurred to your letter of the 15 of November last respecting the arrangement ⟨w⟩hich was submitted to you upon the plan of Brigadier General Wilkinson. A material object of the...
148From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 20 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose to you a letter which I have received from Mr. Titcomb Cadet in the second regiment of Artillerists & Engineers. Major Jackson speaks very favorably of this Gentleman, and, I doubt not, you will consider the letter as a handsome not an ill specimen of his abilities. The occasional appointment of Cadets to vacancies that occur is necessary to the end of their establishment. Without it...
149From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 January 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
By an omission Lieut: Y. How’s name was left out in the definitive arrangement of the Officers of the 11th Regt. forwarded to you. he is to be placed 10th. 2. Lieutenant. with great respect Sir ( Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
150From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, July 9, 1799. “I have the honor to acknowlege the Receipt of your letter of yesterday with the list of some new appointments, in the 7th, 8 & 9 Regts which will be communicated to the respective commandants.… On this subject of Cadets it may be proper to fix some rule. I doubt the present expediency of appointing more than two to each Regiment of Infantry. But it is believed to be...