221From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 20 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been reflecting on the subject of an arrangement for the command of the 2d. Regiment of Artillery and for the Inspectorship of Artillery. I believe on the whole you can do nothing better than appoint Tousard , who I understand is next in rank after Burbeck, to the command of the Regiment and Major Hoops to the Inspectorship. Confidence, by halves is seldom wise. Toussard is in the...
222From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 20 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I am this moment favoured with your letter of the 18th. instant and thank you for the ideas personal to me. Mr. Laurance, somewhat abruptly, regrets that I promoted his son’s nomination, as it was his desire that he should continue to pursue his profession. As I could not divine this desire of his, he certainly had no cause of displeasure with me. In case Laurance’s name is witheld at the...
223From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I do not know what is the practice in nominations, as to annexing Counties to names; but I do know that to annex them to the military nominations about to be made will be likely to lead to error. In several cases it was somewhat uncertain what County was the place of residence, and if I recollect rightly there is certainly a mistake in this respect in at least one instance in the state of New...
224From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
As it may possibly not have come to you through any other channel, I think it well to inform you that General Huntington has been displeased at not having received official notice of his appointment with his Commission. This, if not already so, ought to be remedied. I hear nothing of nominations. What malignant influence hangs upon our military affairs? With great esteem & regard Yr. Obed...
225From George Washington to James McHenry, 6 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 28th Ulto I have duly received. I have no wish that any sentiments of mine, handed to you officially, should be withheld from Congress, or the Public. All I should have desired, wou’d have been, that such parts of my Report of the proceedings which occupied the attention of the two Major Generals and myself in Philadelphia, and fit for Legislative consideration, might have...
226From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 7 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The unascertained situation, in which I have been, since my acceptance of the Military appointment, I now hold, has been not a little embarrassing to me. I had no sooner heard of the law creating the Office than I was told by members of the Congress that I was generally considered as the person designated by circumstances to fill that office and that the expectation of those who most actively...
227From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 14 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I received on Saturday two letters from you desiring that your different propositions might be thrown into two Bills & suggesting the idea of an Incorporation of the several existing laws into one system. This idea is a good one, but to accomplish it with sufficient correctness would require several days to examine carefully and prepare with accuracy. Besides this, I incline to the opinion...
228From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [15 January 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
I find I cannot have ready for this days post the bill for the Provisional army. Inclosed are some additional clauses relating to organisation consequently to be inserted in the Bill sent by yesterdays post. You will easily determine their proper position there. They are necessary to systematic propriety. General provisions of this kind will prevent continual repetitions in every new law...
229From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 16 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will receive herewith the Draft of a Bill for a provisional army. It includes only those things of the former Bill which are appropriate to this object—the other parts of that Bill being now in full force. The operation of the Bill which has been already sent you renders the repetition of several clauses in the present un [ne]cessary. The aim indeed ought to be to have a fundamental...
230From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 19 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
This will be handed to you by Mr. Brinley a Gentleman of New Port who is on the list of nominations of Lieutenants. You will find among the letters very strong recommendations of this Gentleman. I very well remember that the General Officers lately convened at Philadelphia hesitated not a little between this Gentleman & Mr. Ellery for the command of a Company & that finally it was agreed to...