2791From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 1 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I would thank you to inform me whether Mr. Brown has been appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned in Col. Taylor’s regiment by the non acceptance of Mr. Chew. If this has not been done I would recommend that the place be filled by the senior first lieut. according to the regular principles of Military promotion. Col. Taylor, in his letter of the second of October mentions to me that Austin...
2792From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to transmit the proceedings of a General Court Martial in the case of Capt. Courtlandt of the 12th. Regt. to be laid before the President for his decision. Tho’ this Officer would soon be out of Service by the operation of the law for disbanding the troops; yet it is, in my opinion, very important, in point of example, that for such outrageous conduct, he should be sent from...
2793From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In my letter of yesterday, in answer to yours on the subject of furnishing the Western Posts I omitted to g giving saying any thing about the Carriages for Cannon. General Wilkinson’s absence for a few days prevents me from speaking with precision as that point, It is however my opinion that they cannot well be made there of the right sort kind, & I would advise that they be made here and sent...
2794From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the proceedings of Courts martial of which Major Wilcox was president Capt. Read and Lt. Colonel Smith were respectively Presidents all which have — acted upon. For particular reasons I must be permitted to leave it with you to comply with Doctor Osborne’s request for a Copy With great respect Sir ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
2795From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 6 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My Dear Mac for the perusal of the Inclosed and wish you had not thought it necessary to forbid my taking a copy. Such a paper to be shewn confidentially would be very important. Charles Carroll of Carrollton ought as soon as possible to be apprized of all the circumstances. The man is more mad than I ever thought him and I shall soon be led to say as wicked as he is mad. Pray...
2796From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [23 September 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 23, 1792. On September 30, 1792, McHenry wrote to Hamilton : “I received your letter of the 23.” Letter not found. ]
2797From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Captain Izzard has determined to accept the appointment of Secretary to Mr. Smith our minister Plenipotentiary at the court of Lisbon, but, is desirous of retaining the commission which he holds in the army of the United States. I would submit to you the propriety of gratifying his wishes in this particular. When an officer is absent on public service, and the situation of affairs at home is...
2798From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 8 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Col. Parker Hall proposes Wm. Barton Browner and William Cary as Cadets in his regiment. Enclosed are recommendations which have been transmitted to me in favor of these Gentlemen. I would advise that they be immediately appointed. Col. Parker recommends Mr. Hill for the place of Chaplain, and speaks of him as a man of excellent character. If there were any a provision for Chaplains in the law...
2799From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
If there be any thing in my general order lately sent you, which imputes to the Secretary of War ignorance or inattention, I agree with you, my Dear friend, that it ought not to have been there. I add that if done with design it would be a very culpable indecorum. But if it does bear this construction, I have very clumsily executed my own intention. And I give you my honor that so far from...
2800From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclosed you Lieutenant Moseley’s bond who is is the bond of Lieutenant Mosely appointed Pay Master to the Regiment commanded by Col: Taylor, his the Colonels recommendation of him is strong, and I have no doubt am confident well founded. with true consideration &c— ( Df , in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
2801From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you the copy of a letter of the 4th instant from Col Taylor. It presents a picture of which the similitude has too frequently come under my observation. I must be permitted to observe that nothing can be more injurious to the service than that pecuniary embarrassment should be occasioned to officers, in reference to services duly performed and expenditures...
2802From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
An absence from the City, upon some urgent avocations, prevented my receiving ’till yesterday your letters of the 10th & 11th instant. I observe the suggestion which you have made to the President, towards calling General Knox and myself into immediate service. If he shall approve, I stand ready to execute in the best manner I shall be able, whatever business, may be confided to me. But I must...
2803From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The Quarter Master General has sent me Regulations expressed to me it as his opinion that the “Regulations to be observed in the delivery of fuel and straw to the Garrisons on the Sea Coast and recruiting parties” dated the twenty sixth of December 1797 apply to the Western Army—The Commanding officer at Pittsburg Col. Hamtramck has expressed an opposite opinion— The Regulations would appear...
2804From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is an extract of a letter which I have just received from Colonel Rice— It was my intention to have caused the regiments to be provided with bands of music, and this I doubt not will hereafter be considered as an useful arrangement—from this circumstance, and the particular situation of things I think it advisable that the U States should take the Musical instruments procured by Col....
2805From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 17 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, July 17, 1799. “Power has been given to the Inspector General to appoint a Secretary. For some time I have employed in this Capacity a person, who is a mere copyist, with an allowance less than the law authorises to be given to the Secretary. But I have now appointed as permanent Secretary, Thomas Y How of Trenton in New Jersey. The Kind of person required for this station, and who...
2806From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 15 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 15, 1799. “… A letter from General Washington of the 10th. instant has this passage ‘Not an officer in this state has yet received his Commission to the great dissatisfaction of all and relinquishment of many, who would no longer remain in a state of suspense and idleness.’ There is a strong impatience in the officers every where to have their commissions. It seems to me that...
2807From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose for your information some extracts from letters of Col. Parker which have just been delivered to me. You will find that the Col. repeats his observations on the appointment of —— and Stephens as first Lieutenants certain officers to higher grades than were expected. I have written to you on the subject but have not received an answer. It would be very satisfactory to me to be enabled...
2808From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honored with your several letters of the 21. 22. 26. 27 and 28 instant. All necessary directions have been given towards the commencement of the business of Recruiting in the states of Connecticut New York New Jersey Pensylvania & Delaware the moment the necessary supplies of bounty money and cloathing shall have been furnished, and towards the preparation for it in the other...
2809From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My Dear Sir for the military figures you have sent me. Tactics you know are literally or figuratively of very comprehensive signification. As people grow old they decline in some arts though they may improve in others. I will try to get Mrs. Hamilton to accompany in games of Tactics new to her. Perhaps she may get a taste for them & become better reconciled to my connection with...
2810From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The state of my health and of the Weather yesterday and to day must prevent my communicating the result of the consultation intended to be had with the Gentlemen I mentioned in my letter of Yesterday. I answer your inquiry Thus far according to the data which I previously possessed. It cannot be expedient to keep men on such of the Islands as the winter shall find without fortifications in a...
2811Alexander 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...
2812From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It being urgent that the Two Regiments of Artillery should be organised into companies and disposed of to the several destinations which you have contemplated it results that a very inconvenient delay would attend the making of that arrangement in concert with General Pinckney as suggested in your late letter. As, likewise, this arrangement is mere matter of organisation, the distribution of...
2813From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 4 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose to you two letters one for the Pay master General, the other for Lt. Rogers— Should you see the intention you will see on perusal—should you approve the measure you will please to forward them; if not you will I request that they may be returned them to me with a communication of your objections With great respect & ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown and H,...
2814From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 12 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A late letter from you suggests some doubts whether in the case of the Serjeant, who was convicted of Destertion and Embezzlement, the form in which the proceedings were at first transmitted ought not to prevent the execution of the sentence. My first impression was to defer a reply till the proceedings had been acted upon by the President; but on further reflection I have concluded to submit...
2815From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I now send you a cursory answer to certain questions. They are imperfect & probably will come too late. But court avocations and distress in the family have prevented any thing better. General Schuyler has been critically ill though now as I hope out of danger. My Brother in law Mr. Rensselaer has just lost a favourite Daughter one & the Eldest of two Children without a prospect of more. The...
2816From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 26, 1791. On May 3, 1791, McHenry wrote to Hamilton : “I did not receive your letter of the 26th till the morning of the 2d.” Letter not found. ] McHenry, who had served as George Washington’s secretary during the American Revolution, had attended the Constitutional Convention and the Maryland Ratifying Convention. He was a member of the Maryland Assembly from 1788 to 1790.
2817From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I think I heretofore mentioned to you that to avoid the chance of difficulty with the President, I had written or would write to him urging the appointment of Mr. Philip Church to a Captaincy. I have just received a very obliging letter from him, and in which he assures me of his willingness to appoint him to that grade, and that he would write to you accordingly. Thus is all difficulty on...
2818From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 February 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed are the proceedings of the Court Martial in the case of Lieutenant Hoffman. I presume there will be no doubt with the President as to the propriety of giving his sanction to the sentence of the Court. You will perceive that that part of the Articles of War which relates to the publishing of the offender is recommended to be dispensed with; and I could wish that this recommendation...
2819From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are the Proceedings of a General Court Martial held at Union Camp of which Major Fondy was President— With great respect I am, Sir, ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
2820From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 31 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is an Extract of a letter from Col: Read of the 6th. Regt. respecting Majors. I do not at this moment recollect to have been advised of the appointment of those Officers for that Regiment. If it remains to be done it is very desirable that it may not be longer delayed. Neither do I recollect to have been advised of the appointment of any Officers for the fifth Regiment—though it is...