General Orders, 7 June 1800
General Orders1
Adjutant General’s Office,
New-York, June 7th, 1800.
Major General Hamilton cannot permit the troops, which are about to retire from the Field, to depart, without carrying with them the assurance of the highest sense which he entertains of their highest merits. The zeal with which they came forward in defence of their country, when the signal of danger was given by the government, does great honor to their patriotism and spirit. Their conduct in service has corresponded with the laudable motives which led them into it. They have deserved the esteem of their fellow-citizens, and the warm approbation of their generals. They have exemplified how speedily American soldiers can be prepared to meet the enemies of their country.
The affection of the Major General, will accompany his fellow soldiers wheresoever they may go—nor will any thing give him more pleasure than opportunities of testifying to them, individually, by actions as well as words, the high regard which he cherishes for them.
W. North, Adj. Gen.
[New York] Commercial Advertiser, June 7, 1800.
1. In the Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress is an undated draft of this document in H’s handwriting. The draft reads: “Major G Hamilton has it in command from The President of the ustates to assure the officers and men of the corps which are about to retire from the service that he entertains a sense of the laudable zeal by which they were induced to take the field at the appearance of danger to their Country, and of their good conduct in every respect since they have been in the service—and that he deeply regrets any inconvenience which may result to any of them from an anticipated intermission of their services—that he doubts not their patriotism will lead them to make a just construction of the motives of the Government and that he relies firmly upon them as the zealous defenders of their country in any future emergency.
“The Major G is happy to be the organ of this expression of the sentiments of the President. To add the assurance of his high sense of their morals is a tribute due to them and to justice. He cherishes a deep sympathy in the feelings which naturally actuate them at so interesting a moment and he entreats them to be persuaded that his warm affection will follow them wheresoever they may be.”