From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 August 1799
To James McHenry
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.1 Agrees with McHenry’s decision to defer the appointment of cadets,2 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 money from different regiments. Believes that as officers are dispersed among the recruiting stations, the forwarding of muster and pay rolls should be dispensed with3 and money should be forwarded “upon estimate so as to complete the payment of arrearages of the officers up to the first of this month, of the non Commissioned Officers and privates up to the first of July.” States that several regimental commandants have asked for an extra supply of clothing4 and adds that recruiting in some districts has been so successful that the allotted clothing supplies are low. Recommends that the clothing supply be “as speedily as possible extended to three fourths of the complement of each Regiment.” States that the number of recruits in each of the twelve additional regiments is as follows:
| “11th | Regiment | 300 |
| 13 | do | 300 |
| 8 | do | 250 |
| 9 | do | 200 |
| 10 | 200 | |
| 12 | 200 | |
| 7 | 150 | |
| 14 | 150 | |
| 15 | 150 | |
| 16 | 100 | |
| 6 | 100 | |
| 5 | –.” |
Df, in the handwriting of H and Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. See William S. Smith to H, June 12, 1799; H to McHenry, June 25, 1799; Thomas Parker to H, June 14, August 7, 1799; William Willcocks to H, August 14, 1799.
2. See McHenry to H, July 8, 1799.
3. See McHenry to H, June 15, August 2, 1799; H to Willcocks, August 15, 1799.
4. See H to McHenry, June 14, July 9, 1799; Josias Carvel Hall to H, June 25, 1799; Parker to H, June 30, August 7, 1799; Theodore Meminger to H, August 8, 1799; Daniel Bradley to H, August 9, 1799.