From Alexander Hamilton to Ebenezer Stevens, 29 July 1799
To Ebenezer Stevens
New York July 29. 1799
Sir
Inclosed is a ⟨plan⟩1 for the uniforms &c of the army2 prepared at my request by Col Smith, with the aid of Col Fish3 and Capt Armstrong.4 I am desirous of seeing some models of Cloathing made agreeably to this plan—be⟨ginning wi⟩th those of the privates. It is my ⟨wish that⟩ the models may be framed as well with a view to the quality of the materials as to the fashions and ornaments of the Cloathing. The sooner they can be prepared, the better.
But to be the more certain that we meet the ideas of the framers of the plan—you will be pleased to have recourse to the assistance of Capt Armstrong who has been very obliging on the occasion and who I doubt not will with pleasure lend his further aid.
With great consideration I am Sir Your obed ser
A Hamliton
General Stevens
ALS, New-York Historical Society, New York City; copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. The material within brackets has been taken from the copy of this letter.
2. This is an untitled document which concludes: “all which is respectfully Submitted—With the approbation of Capt. Armstrong. Eastchester May 3d 1799. William S. Smith” (ADS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). In the margins of this document H wrote comments and made additions.
In the Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress, there is another version of this document which is undated and entitled “General Principles of the uniform of the Troops of the United States.”
3. Nicholas Fish, a veteran of the American Revolution and a close friend of H, was supervisor of the revenue for the District of New York.
4. William Armstrong was a New York City merchant.