701To Alexander Hamilton from Stephen Van Rensselaer, 15 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Albany, March 15, 1799. “… The Assembly have a Bill for electing Electors of Presdt & Vice President —it will pass—are you of opinion that it would be proper for the Senate to concur? Unless NYork gives us a different representation the federalist are lost. Whether we have any object now since the late conduct of the President —you are a better judge than We if it is however necessary that we...
702To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [15 March 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
[Mount Vernon, March 15, 1799. Letter not found.] “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries.
703From Alexander Hamilton to William R. Boote, 16 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 16, 1799. “In consequence of orders from the Secretary of War, I am to desire, that you proceed with the party under your command to New Town in Bucks County—for which purpose you will join and accompany a detachment which will leave this quarter on Monday the 18th. instant, taking the orders of the commanding Officer of this detachment.… Let no time be lost.” LS , The Sol...
704From Alexander Hamilton to Adam Hoops, 16 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will be pleased to cause the two companies, which have been put under marching orders, to proceed on Monday next to New Town in Bucks County Pennsylvania, where they will receive further orders either from the Secretary of War or from General Mc.Pherson. The Contractor is directed to provide a boat to convey them to Amboy—whence they will march to Brunswick and thence by the most...
705From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 16 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 16, 1799. “Though I have not as yet complete materials for arranging all the States into Districts and subdistricts—I now submit to you an arrangement as to some of them, in order that the recruiting service may begin in these, when you deem other things sufficiently mature to commence it. There occurs no important reason why it should not be successively undertaken. On the...
706From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Stevens, 16 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 16, 1799. “You have been requested to provide a competent person to attend in quality of Quarter Master, the detachment of Troops which is to proceed from Fort Jay on Monday next.…” LS , New-York Historical Society, New York City; ADf , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see James McHenry to H, March 15, 1799 ; H to William R. Boote, March 16,...
707To Alexander Hamilton from Ebenezer Stevens, 16 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ March 16, 1799. Stevens endorsed the envelope of Hamilton’s letter of March 16, 1799: “Ansd 16.” Letter not found. ]
708From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Dayton, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The enclosed letter to Major Ford directs him to take the command of some detachments of Artillerists which have been ordered to march as auxiliaries to the Volunteers under Mc:Pherson destined against the Northampton Insurgents. Be so good as to have it forwarded by an expeditious and certain conveyance by express if none other equally prompt and certain offers. Do me the favor also to inform...
709From Alexander Hamilton to Mahlon Ford, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Two companies of Artillerists have just been detached from this Quarter under the command of Capt Henry of the 2 Regiment for New Town in Bucks County Pensylvania by the way of Amboy & Brunswick. At Brunswick they will be joined by Lt Boote with a party of Infantry. And Capt Shoemaker with a company of Infantry from Frederick Town Maryland and Capt Irvine with a Company of Artillerists from...
710To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 15 instant with alterations and additions proposed to be made to the recruiting instructions. These have been considered, generally adopted, and with some further alterations will be put into the hands of a printer to day, and a sufficient number of Copies sent you as soon as they shall be printed. With great respect I am Sir Your obedient servant LS ,...
711From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Beware, my Dear Sir, of magnifying a riot into an insurrection, by employing in the first instance an inadequate force. Tis better far to err on the other side. Whenever the Government appears in arms it ought to appear like a Hercules , and inspire respect by the display of strength. The consideration of expence is of no moment compared with the advantages of energy. Tis true this is always a...
712From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with the object of your letter of the 15. instant, I have put in motion two companies of Artillerists from Fort Jay (Henrys and Cochrans) who are to embark at ten this morning for Amboy and to proceed from thence by way of Brunswick to New Town in Bucks County. There (at Brunswick) Lt: Boote with his party is instructed to join them. The two companies as they march will exceed...
713To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, March 19, 1799. Encloses “copies of two Letters from General Wilkinson, one dated Novr. 6, the other Decr. 6, 1798.…” LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. In this letter James Wilkinson wrote in part: “It is impossible for me to ascertain the Fact, but I have cause to believe that Governor [Manuel] Gayoso [de Lemos], notwithstanding his professions … has held connivance...
714From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I understand, that the Officers for Connecticut have been appointed & their names published, but I have seen no paper containing them. If so, be so good as to send me the list, and if there have been other appointments since the lists transmitted me, pray let them be added. Pursuant to your very proper idea of having at the seat of Government of the Chiefs of Different Departments —it seems to...
715From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
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. I send you a plan for dividing Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania and Delaware into Districts and subdistricts. It appears to me desireable that the recruiting...
716To Alexander Hamilton from Samuel H. Stackhouse and John Shute, 19 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 19, 1799. “We beg Leave in Behalf of ourselves and sixty more young men to offer our services & to Engage to repair without Delay to the Seat of Insurrection in Northampton County Pensylvania.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See James McHenry to H, March 13 , 15, 1799 .
717To Alexander Hamilton from John De Barth Walbach, 19 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] March 19, 1799 . “Ayant appris par les papiers publics, Que le Gouvernement Se preparoit a faire marcher des troupes, contre les insurgés, du Canton de Northampton; et le Régiment, au quel j’ai l’honneur d’appartenir, n’etant pas encore levé; je prend la liberté, Général, de vous addresser la presente, pour offrir mes Services comme volontaire, Si vous le juger...
718To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Dayton, 20 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favor dated the 18th. was received this morning. The letter accompanying it for Majr. Ford was immediately sent to the Post office at Newark, from whence a Mail goes this afternoon to Morris. In answer to your enquiry respecting the Major’s character, I can assure you that he has ever been considered a good officer, and that I know him to be perfectly sound, correct & firm in his...
719To Alexander Hamilton from John Henry, 21 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Presuming that it will be satisfactory to you to know the progress I have made with the detachment under my command, I have the honor to inform You that I arrived at Princeton late last evening. The fatigue that necessarily results from marching in unfavourable weather, thro roads as deep and bad as can well be concieved, renders several of the detachment unable to continue with the main body...
720To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 21 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter dated the 5. March on the 11. instant and would have replied sooner to its contents had it been possible to have furnished you with the necessary information & documents required. The enclosed schedule A exhibits the appointments which have been made conformably to the list of names presented by the General Officers with the exceptions noticed in my letter of the 21 of...
721To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 21 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I was honored yesterday Night with your letters of the 15th. Ult. & 1st. Inst. The Post Setting of again this Morning & my being Tormented with the fever will I hope Serve as an Apology for my laconism & for any incoherence which may Slip in my Answer. Permit me first, Sir, To express my happiness at Seeing myself under the imediate orders of an Officer whom I have allways revered for his...
722From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 21 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I hope you will have understood that I did not mean by any thing in my late letter to blame the plan pursued with regard to vessels arriving contrary to the Non-Intercourse laws. I mean only to give you testimony of the character of an Individual & to place before you my professional ideas of the defective wording of the law as a kind of caution in the execution. I agree with you that the...
723To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Dayton, 22 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Elizabethtown [ New Jersey ] March 22, 1799 . “Your letter addressed to Major Ford reached the Post office in Newark a few minutes after the mail for Morris was sent off.… I was compelled to hire an express for 3 & ½ Dollars who delivered the letter to the Major this morng & brought back from him the enclosed to you.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter,...
724To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 22 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War is again declared by france agt. the temporising cabinet of vienna, and this has been the signal for Prussia to resume her former System of insecure neutrality. We may every hour expect the Result of a Battle between Jourdan & the arch duke who according to our last accounts were respectively advancing upon each other —the first Blow has been unfortunate for the allies, the whole of the...
725To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 22 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will have seen by the News-papers that governor Mifflin has been required to hold in readiness to march certain companies of Cavalry, to assist in quelling the insurrection existing in the State of Pennsylvania. Govr. Howell has also been called upon to hold 8 companies of Cavalry in readiness to March for the same purpose. Would it interfere with your arrangements or be throwing the...
726To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 22 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, March 22, 1799. “I transmit for your information copies of several letters, viz, one from Captain Wm Littlefield dated Fort Wolcott 2nd Feby 1799 and one from General Hamtramck dated Fort Wayne 21st Jany 1799, together with a letter from Edward Livingston Esq. dated New York 9th March, one from John Dover dated Novr. 24th. 1798 directed to Mr Livingston and one from the...
727From Alexander Hamilton to William Macpherson, 22 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, March 22, 1799. “… It will be satisfactory to me, as far as may be convenient, to receive from you, from time to time, statements of the situation & progress of the Insurrection in Pennsylvania.…” ALS , Columbia University Libraries. For background to this letter, see James McHenry to H, March 13 , 15, 1799 ; H to McHenry, March 18 , 19, 1799 .
728Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 23 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
As it is expected that the recruiting service will speedily commence, it is desireable that the Regimental staff should be ready to enter upon their functions. The laws have not declared how these Officers are to be appointed under the new system of organisation, and it is a question whether the direct sanction of the President be not necessary. At the same time it is thought adviseable, that...
729From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 23 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 21st instant came to hand by the post of to day. There are some points in it respecting the recruiting service which demand immediate attention. “1. The Stations of the recruiting rendezvouses or the stations in each state where it will be proper to provide rations and send the Cloathing.” My letter of the 19th designated these stations in the five States, in which it is...
730To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 24 March [1799] (Hamilton Papers)
I never received yr letr. on the subject of the recruiting service enclosing one to Colo Parker till the last evening. I woud with much pleasure contribute any aid in my power towards the successful execution of yr object for I really believe the best plan & the best execution will still be very slow in fruit among us. A consultation with the officers to be employed in the conduct of the...
731To Alexander Hamilton from William Macpherson, 25 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 22d on the subject of the insurrection in this State and should have replied immediately, but knowing that I was to receive my Instructions from the War Office on this day, I thought it best to wait. The fact is, Sir, that in the Counties of Northampton, Berks, Montgomery and part of Bucks, the people have manifested the...
732To Alexander Hamilton from Lewis Tousard, 25 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Newport [ Rhode Island ] March 25, 1799 . “… Auprès d’une ville, la Garnison reste souvent sand officers; on se croit à son devoir, parceque le fort n’est pas éloigné, et peutêtre au moment d’un évenement le fort seroit attaqué, avant qu’on eut pu avertir un seul d’entre les officiers.… il seroit essentiel que le General en chef commandant dans le departement Ordonnat … que dans les...
733To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 14th. instant, with its enclosures, came to hand by the last Post. In the present State of the Army (or more properly the Embryo of one, for I do not perceive from any thing that has come to my knowledge that we are likely to move beyond this) and until the Augmented force shall have been Recruited, Assembled and in the Field, the residence of the Paymaster Genl (I did not...
734To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 26 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received this morning your letter of the 23d inst. I shall write to day or to morrow to a Mr. Timothy Phelps a Merchant in New Haven Connecticut to know whether he will undertake to store and deliver the Cloathing to the Quarter Master for the 1. and 2d. District formed in that State and if he will I shall send the apportioned quantity to him as soon as it comes into the public store. I...
735Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 27 March[–17 April] 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you herewith thirteen Setts of Rules and Regulations for the Recruiting service, one for each field Officer, and one for each Captain of a company. You will carefully fill the blanks according to the example in No 1. The sooner you distribute these, the better, that the Officers may, by studying them, be prepared to enter upon the business of recruiting when the order shall be given for...
736To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a letter to the Adjutant General informing him that his presence and aid is considered essential to the due performance of the duties to be fulfilled by you, and placing him under your Orders. On looking over your letter of the 23rd: and my reply, I find I have omitted to approve formally, the numbers which you proposed to designate the new Regiments by. The arrangement of the...
737From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 27 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
At length we are on the point of commencing the recruiting service in five of the States, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania & Delaware. It is hoped, that it will not be long in successively embracing the others, where officers have been appointed. But in our affairs ’till a thing is actually begun, there is no calculating the delays which may ensue. You have been informed that the...
738To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 29 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to acknowledge your private letters under date of the 14, 18 & 19th inst. All I intended by the observation in my public letter relative to the regimental Paymasters &c. was, that as these were to be Lieutenants, and the 3 additional lieutenants described in the late law, under these characters, had not been, it was proposed they should be appointed. I have no objection to the custom...
739From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant with the copies of letters from General Wilkinson mentioned therein. This communication reminds me that it will be necessary for me to peruse at large all that part of the correspondence of General Wilkinson, which relates to permanent or unfinished objects, in order that I may know how to direct in regard to the...
740To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 30 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have directed two parcels of Cloathing nearly equal to your requisition of the 19th. Instant, for the Connecticut and New York Recruiting Districts, one addressed to Col. Stevens, the other to Timothy Phelps Esq of New Haven, with directions that they shall be delivered and forwarded agreeably to your Orders. Considering that April is a good month for Recruiting, and that circumstances...
741From 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...
742Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 31 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[The State of is to form a Circle and to be divided into Districts and sub-districts according to the plan inclosed.] The recruiting service within this circle is to be for your Regiment and under your superintendence. You will assign each of the Majors of your Regiment to a district and each of your Captains to a subdistrict. He will take to his aid such of his Lieutenants as shall not have...
743To Alexander Hamilton from Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 1 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. your favour of March 21st. Mr. Wharton is a young man of virtue modesty and industry—he is pliant and docile—but I have observed no indications of invention or what may be called Talents . He is what I recommended him for, a proper person to copy and assist a man who has much business—but I do not think it probable that he could perform more than what is commonly expected of a...
744To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 2 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
It being out of my power to send you copies of, you will herewith receive the following original letters from Brig. Gen. Wilkinson, which you will be pleased to return after taking such extracts from them as you may judge necessary. Letter No. 1 dated 6 Decr. 1798 Do No. 2 do 10 Jany. 1799 Do No. 3 Do 31 Jany. Do No. 4 Do 2 Feby. No. 5 Circular letter to the officers commanding posts No. 6
745From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 2 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, April 2, 1799. On April 4, 1799, McHenry wrote to Hamilton : “I have been honored with your letter of the 2d. Inst.” Letter not found. ]
746From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 3 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, April 3, 1799. “… More recruiting Instructions are necessary, there cannot be less than thirteen copies to each Regiment (one for each Company one for each field officer): you only sent ninety in the whole.” Copy, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. See McHenry to H, March 21, 1799, note 10 .
747To Alexander Hamilton from John J. U. Rivardi, 3 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Niagara [ New York ] April 3, 1799 . Discusses the weaknesses of United States forts on the Great Lakes. Encloses “the Plan of Detroit.” Complains about contractors buying too much flour and about delays in settling quartermaster’s accounts and lack of reinforcements. States: “Sir John Johnson having politely offered me To Take charge of whatever I Should want to Send To Detroit & Mackinac, I...
748From Alexander Hamilton to Caleb Swan, 3 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
By Special direction of the Commander in Chief and in conformity with the views of the Secretary of War, I am to desire that you will as soon as may be repair to the Seat of the General Government, where when arrived, you will take the orders of the Secretary at War. Previous to your departure, you will constitute a Deputy, who must act as Paymaster to the Western Army, and with whom you will...
749From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 3 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeably to your letter of the 25th of March, which with its inclosures have come duly to hand, I have written to the Pay Master General to repair to the Seat of Government. Your letter to Col Hamtranck goes by the same opportunity. The arrangements for beginning to recruit in the States of Connecticut, New York, Jersey, Pensylvania and Delaware, are so mature that it will be very...
750From Alexander Hamilton to Ezra L’Hommedieu, 4 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
As the holder, I am to inform you that Mr. David Gelston has refused payment of his promissory note dated the first of August last for Eight thousand Dollars payable in Eight Months to you and indorsed by you, and consequently that I look to you for the payment of the same. Mr. Gelston has however deposited with Mr. Wilkes 4000 Dollars on account of the Note, which with your consent I will...