To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 27 March 1799
From Alexander Hamilton
New York March 27. 1799.
Private
Dr Sir
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 delay, which may ensue. You have been informed that the recruiting service has been put under my direction, but for many matters of detail I must go to the Secretary for a sanction and it is not always that it is rapidly obtained. Things however are at last getting into such a state that this business may be expected to progress without interruption.
The letter some time since sent you for General Lee was intended to be left open. It respected the division of Virginia into four districts and Twenty sub-districts or company rendezvouses, designating a place in each for the head Quarters of the rendezvous—I have as yet had no acknowledgement of it.1
Before General Morgan left Philadelphia, I got him to give me a plan. Inclosed is a copy.2 If you think a better arrangement can be made, shall I ask the favour of you to have it done⟨.⟩ For I cannot now rely on the success of my resort to General Lee in any reasonable time.3 Very respectfully & Affecly I have the honor to be Sir Your obed. serv.
A. Hamilton
Will you have the goodness to put the letters herewith in a train to reach their destination with certainty. They are open that you may perceive their object.4
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. See Hamilton to GW, 18 Feb., and note 1 of that document.
2. The enclosure was a copy of Virginia divided and subdivided into Districts, for recruiting, undated, in DLC: Hamilton Papers.
3. Hamilton wrote to Henry Lee on 18 Feb. about the recruiting service in Virginia ( 22:486–87).
4. The letters, directed to Thomas Parker and William C. Bentley, were copies of a “Circular to the Commandants of Regiments.” See GW to Hamilton, 10 April, and note 3 of that document, and GW to Daniel Morgan, 10 April.