151From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [27 January–11 February] 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
It may serve to prepare the way for a direct answer to the questions stated by the President to make some preliminary observations. 1 It is an undoubted fact that there is a very general and strong aversion to War in the minds of the people of this Country—and a considerable part of the community (though even this part has been greatly alienated from France by her late violent conduct...
152From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [13 February 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of yesterday with its inclosure are come to hand & will be attended to as speedily as possible. I take the liberty to trouble you with the inclosed to receive the amount (which though the accumulated interest on all my Stock from the beginning of the funding system will be short of 200 Dollars). When received, pay yourself one hundred, our friend Lewis seven, & deliver the rest to...
153From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [20 February 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I regret that my occupations have not permitted me to give your report more than a cursory reading, before my being obliged to leave the city for Albany. I have put it under a cover addressed to you. If it cannot conveniently wait my return, which will be in a fortnight, it will be sent you upon a line directed to Mr. “James Inglis at Col Hamilton’s No. 26 Broad Way N York.” desiring him to...
154From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [17 May 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the instant. Not having seen the law which provides the Naval Armament , I cannot tell whether it gives any new power to the President that is any power whatever with regard to the employment of the Ships. If not, and he is left on the foot of the Constitution, as I understand to be the case, I am not ready to say that he has any other power than merely to employ...
155From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [1 June 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Our citizens are extremely anxious that some further measures for their defence should take place. Do me the favour to inform me confidentially what means are actually in the disposition of your department for this purpose when & how they will be applied. Yrs truly A Capt Hacker formerly of our Navy is desirous of being employed. One or two good men have recommended him to me. It seems however...
156Alexander 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...
157From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 20th. instant, inclosing one from General Washington came to hand this day. The object you suggest in it is one, which no doubt deserves a primary attention; and it will be paid to it. But it will be useful, that I should shortly confer with you fully on a variety of subjects, and after receiving an official communication of my appointment, I shall without delay, repair to...
158From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I last Evening had the honor of receiving your letter of the 25 instant, announcing to me my appointment as Inspector and Major General. At a crisis like the present I esteem it my duty to obey the call of the Government. Feeling too, as I ought, the value of the high confidence which is reposed in me, I beg you to convey to The President my most cordial acknowlegements and the assurance of my...
159From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 28 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you a number of applications for Military appointments with br[i]ef notes of my opinion. Allow me to remind you in writing of my nephew Philip Church whom I warmly recommend for a Captaincy in the Infantry. He is the eldest son of his father, has had a good education is a young man of sense of genuine spirit and worth—of considerable expectation in point of fortune. I shall esteem his...
160From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Scruples of delicacy have occasionned me to hesitate about offering to you certain ideas which it appears to me on mature reflection cannot be witheld consistently either with friendship to you or regard to the service. They are these— I observe you plunged in a vast mass of details. I know from experience that it is impossible for any man whatever be his talents or diligence to wade through...
161From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [1–2 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are sundry recommendations for appointments with notes of mine concerning them. I do not recollect whether I have heretofore mentioned to you Mr William Armstrong. This gentleman was a British Officer and served in the British army in America last War. But for a number of years he has been a citizen of this State—having also married in America and being the father of a Family. He...
162Enclosure: Henry Knox to James McHenry, 5 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recieved your letter dated on the 25th. ultimo, informing me that the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, had been pleased to appoint me a Major General in the Army. Impressed as I am with the conviction, that our Country, is about to enter into a Contest in which its existence as an independent nation will be involved, I should promptly...
163From 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...
164From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I write you herewith an official letter. Your private one of the 13th is before me. I regret that you have been unwell and rejoice that you are better. The affair of General Knox perplexes me. I wish him to serve. I am pained to occasion to him pain, for I have truly a warm side for him, and a high value for his merits. But my judgment tells me, and all I consult confirm it, that I cannot...
165From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
You will herewith receive the list mentioned in mine of yesterday. The names marked with an * are those which engage my preference as last ascertained. The list comprises the names you sent me and some others which have come directly to me. Besides these there are a number of applications with my Remarks upon them which were put up in a packet and either transmitted to you or delivered to Mr....
166Enclosure: Candidates for Army Appointments from New York, [21 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Subalterns 1 Nathaniel Paulding West Chester would prefer Artillery Mr . Hale refers to me speaks hyhly A probably a good Lieutantnt AH 2 John Treat Irving would prefer Artillery B Mr. Hale 3 Timothy Shalor Albany County
167Enclosure: Candidates for Army Appointments from New Hampshire, [21 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Subalterns 1 Timothy Mountford Philadelphia 5 Silvester G Whipple Livemore Education & good family Hampton 23 years Gordon collegiate education & has read law eleven mon respectable Whipple Father —[sprightly & active] 6 William S Thorne Londonderry
168Enclosure: Candidates for Army Appointments from Vermont, [21 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Subalterns 5 Marmaduke Wait Windsor ☞ 25 year Payne Young Gentleman heretofore recomd by Morris & himself pretty good 2 Morris —education common morals good active enterprising Cadet 9 John H Brownson Father Brigadier General Lyon Nothing
169Enclosure: Candidates for Army Appointments from New Jersey, [21 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Subalterns 6 Robert Hunt son of A Hunt Trenton Lieutenant Qr Cavalry } Stockton
170Enclosure: Candidates for Army Appointments from Pennsylvania, [21 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
LIEUTENANTS & ENSIGNS John S Porter McPherson Probably good Ensign Philadelphia Francis Johnson Inquire of Chester David Denny perhaps Lt. Young & writes a good hand & good English Archibald D Davis Lancaster Young Dennis Wheelen David Denny do Elija Griffiths Richard Thomas
171From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I perceive it would be agreeable to the Commander in Chief to receive frequent communications from you and particularly to understand the state of public supplies, that is the quantities on hand & the measures in execution to procure others. I give you this hint as a guide & would advise to have a full statement made out with notes of what is further doing & send it to him. Yrs. truly ADfS ,...
172From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 27 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
You will have observed in the list transmitted you the name of Mr. Jacob Morton as for a Majority. I understood him that he would accept it. But he now tells me he will take nothing less than a Regiment. This seems too much to begin with, if a competent person who has served can be found. Mr. Abijah Hammond who was in one of the N Eng Regiments during the War though not soliciting it would...
173From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 30 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Col Stevens tells me he has exhausted the money you sent him in preliminary purchases of Timber &c. & is in debt with embarrassment to pay & likely to be compelled to dismiss workmen &c. Such a state of things is hurtful to the public service, discredits the Administration & increases expence. It ought to be avoided if possible. Stevens says pains have been taken to excite doubts about him &...
174From Alexander Hamilton to James McHnery, 8 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours dated by mistake Augt. 6th. I received yesterday. I postponed a reply ’till to day because I wished first to reflect maturely. My mind is unalterably made up. I shall certainly not hold the commission on the plan proposed, and only wait an official communication to say so. I return you the inclosures in your letter. You may depend on my fidelity to your friendly confidence. I shall...
175From 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...
176From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you, My Dear Sir, for the prompt communication of the intelligence contained in your letter by yesterdays Post. As to the Regulations (if as I suppose you mean) those for the tactics & discipline of the army—I must answer that hitherto I have done nothing more towards it than some preliminary readings & reflection. The undetermined situation, & the necessity of a close attention to my...
177From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I received yesterday your private letter of the 16th, with its inclosures, now returned. It was essential for you to take a decisive course & to leave the blame of further delay at some other door. There can be no doubt of the propriety of combining the aid of General Officers. But Pinckney being now arrived, it seems to me very proper & necessary that he also should be called upon. You will...
178From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I was yesterday honourd with your letter transmitting my commission as Inspector and Major General. Agreeably to your desire I hold myself prepared to attend you within the period you assign. But as the object appears to embrace a concert of advice and assistance with General Knox, who cannot be expected in much less than the utmost limit of the time pre[s]cribed, I shall permit myself to...
179From 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...
180From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 9 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Trenton , November 9, 1798. In a letter to Hamilton on November 10, 1798, McHenry wrote : “I received your letter of yesterday this morning at 5 o’clock.” Letter not found. ] H was on his way to Philadelphia to meet with George Washington, McHenry, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney to discuss plans for the Army.