To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 22 March 1799
From James McHenry
War Department 22 March 1799
Dear Sir
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.1
Would it interfere with your arrangements or be throwing the troops at Windsor in the State of Vermont too far from their ultimate place of destination, to order them to Easton or Bethlehem? It may be proper to keep a certain force in one or other of the rebellious counties for a time. Capn. Leonard has above or about 100 recruits.2 If you think they ought to be so disposed of, you will give orders for their immediate March to Easton or Bethlehem and direct the appropriate artillery officers to join him.
Yours affectionately & truly
James McHenry
Alex. Hamilton Esq
Major General &c
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; ADfS, James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress.
1. For McHenry’s letter to Governor Thomas Mifflin of Pennsylvania, dated March 20, 1799, see the Gazette of the United States, and Philadelphia Daily Advertiser, March 21, 1799. A similar letter was sent on the same date to Governor Richard Howell of New Jersey (Gazette of the United States, and Philadelphia Daily Advertiser, March 26, 1799).
For the “insurrection … in … Pennsylvania,” see McHenry to H, March 13, 15, 1799.
2. Nathaniel Leonard, the recruiting officer at Windsor, Vermont, was a lieutenant in the Second Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers.