From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 20 February 1800
To James McHenry
New York Feby: 20. 1800
Sir
Agreeable to your wish expressed to me when at Philadelphia1 I have considered of a proper person to act as Deputy Quarter Master General to the Troops under my immediate command. Colonel Aaron Ogden2 is willing [to] accept of the appointment and as he is an officer who I can strongly recommend he will I trust meet with success. It is his wish that no immediate appointment may take place, to the command of his regiment, in which I see no objection to his being gratified as a temporary delay in that respect will not be injurious to the service.
I am just informed by a letter from his father of the death of Charles Smith 1st Lt. of the 1st. Regt.3
with great respect
Secretary of War
Df, in the handwriting of Philip Church, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. H had gone to Philadelphia on December 9, 1799, and had remained there until after the funeral ceremonies for George Washington on December 26, 1799. See H to McHenry, December 5, 1799; H to William North, December 22, 1799, note 3.
2. Aaron Ogden, a resident of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was lieutenant colonel commandant of the Eleventh Regiment of Infantry.
3. Isaac Smith to H, February 8, 1800 (listed in the appendix to this volume).