26471From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [23 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The General approves what you have done; what you propose to do. He only remarks that the horses for the artillery which are to be employed upon the occasion and for the boats are to be kept to their stations. All those not necessary to the expedition may go a foraging; it will be time enough for them to be in camp on saturday morning by light. The Pensylvania line will move early tomorrow...
26472George Washington to Colonel Ephraim Blaine, 23 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Passaic Falls, New Jersey ] November 23, 1780 . Refers case of Major Daniel Hale to Blaine. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Blaine was commissary general of purchases.
26473George Washington to Captain Judah Alden, 24 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Totowa, New Jersey ] November 24, 1780 . Asks Alden to send enclosed letter to Lieutenant Colonel David Humphreys. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Alden was a captain in the Second Massachusetts Regiment.
26474George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel David Humphreys, 24 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Totowa, New Jersey ] November 24, 1780 . Announces relinquishment of projected attack. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Humphreys was an aide-de-camp to Washington.
26475George Washington to John Sullivan, 25 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Passaic Falls [ New Jersey ] November 25, 1780 . Introduces the Chevalier de Chastellux. Asks Sullivan to support the promotion of Brigadier General Henry Knox and Washington’s ideas on the “Inspectorate department.” Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Sullivan was at this time a member of Congress from New Hampshire. François Jean,...
26476George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 25[–26] November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] November 25 [ –26 ] 1780 . Will furnish the return of the officers of engineering department after Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail arrives. Advocates increase in compensation for officers in the inspectorship. Recommends Simeon DeWitt as the successor to Robert Erskine as geographer of the Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of...
26477From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [27 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The General desires you will have the boats removed from Doddes to Pompton as speedily as you can & from thence as soon as possible to Kings ferry. The Officer of the Jersey light infantry will take your orders. He will remain in the neighbourhood of Pompton till the Jersey Brigade arrives. ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. The expedition for which these boats had been...
26478George Washington to Colonel Charles Armand, 27 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Passaic Falls [ New Jersey ] November 27, 1780 . Regrets that Armand plans to resign. Commends Armand for his services. Df , in writings of Tench Tilghman and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26479George Washington to Colonel Christopher Greene, 27 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] November 27, 1780 . Asks Greene, if ordered to West Point by Comte de Rochambeau, to take only men who will remain in service under new arrangement of Army. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
26480George Washington to Major General William Heath, 27 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] November 27, 1780 . Asks Heath to forward a letter to Colonel Elisha Sheldon ordering Sheldon into winter quarters. LS , in writings of George Washington and H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
26481George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 27 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] November 27, 1780 . Sends instructions for the march to Kings Ferry. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26482George Washington to Samuel Huntington, [27 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey, November 27, 1780. ] Introduces the Chevalier de Chastellux. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26483George Washington to Samuel Huntington, [27 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey, November 27, 1780. ] Introduces the Vicomte de Noailles. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Louis Marie, Vicomte de Noailles, was a brother-in-law of the Marquis de Lafayette. He was “mestre de camp en second du regiment colonel-general hussards; mestre de camp en second of the Regiment Soissonnais” ( GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The...
26484George Washington to Samuel Huntington, [27 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey, November 27, 1780. ] Introduces Comte de Damas. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Charles François Louis Joseph César, Comte de Damas, was a captain in the Regiment du Roi and colonel and aide to Rochambeau.
26485George Washington to Samuel Huntington, [27 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey, November 27, 1780. ] Introduces Mauduit du Plessis. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Thomas Antoine, Chevalier de Mauduit du Plessis, had been an American officer but was now again in the French army.
26486George Washington to the Officer Commanding the New Jersey Brigade, 27 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] November 27, 1780 . Sends instructions for guarding area in vicinity of the “Clove.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26487George Washington to the Officer Commanding the New Jersey Light Infantry Companies, 27 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] November 27, 1780 . Orders boats at “Doddes” transferred to Pompton. Orders establishment of a guard at Dobbs Ferry. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26488George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 27 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] November 27, 1780 . Discusses situation in South. Explains that Army is moving into winter quarters at New Windsor. Asks Rochambeau to send Colonel Christopher Greene’s regiment to West Point. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26489George Washington to Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 27 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] November 27, 1780 . Orders Sheldon to march to Virginia and enter into winter quarters. Sends directions concerning the horses. Requests Sheldon to confer with the governor of Connecticut concerning the completion of his regiment. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26490To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 28 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Here I arrived last night and am going to set out for Philadelphia. Gouvion goes strait to New Windsor and by him I write to the General, I speak of Hand & Smith whom I recommend and add— “If however you was to cast your-eye on a Man who I think would suit better than any other in the World Hamilton is, I confess the officer whom I would like best to see in my .” Then I go on with the idea...
26491To Alexander Hamilton from Lieutenant Colonel Louis Dominique Ethis de Corny, 4 December 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
The ill state of my Health obliges me to request permission to return to france, for as short time as possible. I must, before my departure, acquit my-self of the double duty of thanking you for the favors with [which] you have honored me, and of solliciting your orders for my country. The satisfaction I feel of Being chosen to accompany the Marquis de La fayette and of executing under his...
26492To Alexander Hamilton from Marquis de Lafayette, 9 December 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
On the first days of your Arrival at Albany I dare say you had Nothing to do with Any Body’s letters. But I will now Become the Bolder in interrupting your Amorous Occupations as exclusive of other Motives the importance of the Matters I have to Mention may Countenance your indulging your dear self with some Minutes Respite. You may therefore, my good friend, Catch this opportunity of taking...
26493Registry of Marriage of Elizabeth Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton, 14 December 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Albany, December 14, 1780. After this date in the Registry of the Reformed Church of Albany appears the following entry: “Colonel Hamilton & Elisabeth Schuyler.” Photostat of MS Register of the Reformed Church, Albany, MS Division, New York Public Library. Elizabeth Schuyler and H were married at the Schuyler home in Albany.
26494Poem by Major James McHenry, [14–15 December 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Steiner, James McHenry Bernard C. Steiner, The Life and Correspondence of James McHenry (Cleveland, 1907). , 29–30. Steiner states: “… McHenry went to Albany for the wedding and wrote the following verses to his friend on the morning after the ceremony” ( ibid. , 29).
26495From Alexander Hamilton to Major James McHenry, [16–20 December 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you Dear Mac for your poetry and your confidence. The piece is a good one—your best. It has wit, which you know is a rare thing. I see by perseverence all ladies may be won. The Muses begin to be civil to you, in spite of Apollo and my prognosis. You know I have often told you, you wrote prose well but had no genius for poetry. I retract. Adieu. Steiner, James McHenry Bernard C....
26496From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [19 December 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Renselaar who has the direction of the Armory here tells me that the Board of War, write him they are unable to support it any longer, on the present establishment for want of supplies and propose to him to endeavour to have it carried on by contract. This he declares is impossible. The armory must either continue on the present footing or cease. As far as I understand the matter, there is...
26497To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [27 December 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 19th. came safe by the Doctr., who set out this morning for Philadelphia. I had, previous to the receipt of it, and without knowing that the Board of War had given any direction respecting the Armory at Albany, requested the Governor to exempt (if he could do it with propriety) the Citizens who were employed in it, from Military Services in cases of alarm, and had written to...
26498George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 1 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 1, 1781 . Instructs Pickering to set up plan for replacement of lost military articles, to provide the necessary “provision of tents, camp kettles and other articles for the next campaign,” and to check into behavior of the corps of artificers. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is misdated, as H did not return to...
26499From Alexander Hamilton to George Fisher, [9 January 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I am extremely anxious to get across to Head Quarters this night and it seems hardly possible to cross the river here or not without great risk. I wish to hire a couple of horses one for myself and one for my servant to cross the river at West Point with a guide to conduct us across the Mountain. I will pay him handsomely for his trouble. You will oblige me singularly if you can assist me upon...
26500To Alexander Hamilton from Major General Nathanael Greene, 10 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
General du Portail being on his way to the Northward gives me an opportunity to write you; which I should have done before, had not my letters to his Excellency contained as full information of the state of things, as I was able to give from the little time I had been in the department. When I was appointed to this command I expected to meet with many new and singular difficulties; but they...
26501George Washington to the Board of War, 12 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 12, 1781 . Asks board to issue commissions to the officers appointed by Colonel Charles Armand in Armand’s corps. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26502To Alexander Hamilton from Lieutenant Colonel Richard Kidder Meade, 13 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
What shall I say or think of my dear friend Hamilton, not a single line from him since we parted. I will not however charge you my dear fellow with not having done your duty, or at least of a want of inclination to do it. You may have complied fully with your promise & your letters miscarried; mine probably have shared the same fate. This is the third since I got home. The first was writ...
26503George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 15 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 15, 1781 . Introduces and commends Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens. Explains reasons for sending Laurens to France. Df , in the writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26504George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [15 January 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York, January 15, 1781. ] Summarizes conference between Laurens and Washington on state of American affairs. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26505From Alexander Hamilton to Philip Schuyler, 16 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York, January 16, 1781. On January 25, 1781, Schuyler wrote to Hamilton : “Yesterday I received your favor of the 16th. Instant.” Letter not found. ]
26506To Alexander Hamilton from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 17 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
The Bearer Mr. John Lewis is master of a sloop which almost from the Commencement of the war has been in the public service. At the close of the present season his vessel with all the other craft in the like employment were discharged; but without being paid for a long time even from eight months to two years past as he informs me. Since their discharge they have drawn no provisions; and being...
26507To Alexander Hamilton from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 18 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
In my conversation with the General about the ox-teams to be provided for the next campaign, I forgot one capital question. At what time shall the teams be ready to join the army? Or rather (as they will be collected at different distances) on what day shall they be engaged to be at any certain Rendezvous? They will have only pasturage for their support, which will not be sufficient till...
26508George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, 18 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 18, 1781 . Sends instructions concerning James Wilson, an American soldier condemned to death for treason. Informs Trumbull that a detachment of New Jersey troops has marched to Wyoming, Pennsylvania. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26509George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 20 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 20, 1781 . Discusses the mutiny in Pennsylvania. Proposes that the chain of communication between Headquarters and Rhode Island be restored. Will meet Rochambeau in Newport at the earliest convenient moment. Reports that the enemy has collected transports in North River and that Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens will stop at Newport before leaving for France. Df...
26510From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [21 January 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
The General approves of your allowing a ration per individual to the Capt and crews of the dismissed craft not to the families, to be charged as you mention in a settlement of accounts. He thinks the middle of May will be the proper period for rendezvousing the ox-teams for the next campaign. Yrs. with sincere regard ALS , RG 93 , Miscellaneous Records, National Archives; LC , Hugh Hughes...
26511From Alexander Hamilton to Margarita Schuyler, [21 January 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
Because your sister has the talent of growing more amiable every day, or because I am a fanatic in love, or both—or if you prefer another interpretation, because I have address enough to be a good dissembler, she fancies herself the happiest woman in the world, and would need persuade all her friends to embark with her in the matrimonial voyage. But I pray you do not let her advice have so...
26512From Alexander Hamilton to Philip Schuyler, 21 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York, January 21, 1781. On February 5, 1781, Schuyler wrote to Hamilton : “Your favors of the 21st & 30th ult: I had the pleasure to receive a few days ago.” Letter of January 21 not found. ]
26513George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Francis Barber, 21 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 21, 1781 . Sends information concerning Captain William Gifford. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Barber was a lieutenant colonel of the First New Jersey Regiment and H’s former teacher in Elizabethtown, New Jersey.
26514George Washington to George Clinton, 21 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 21, 1781 . Asks Clinton to investigate the Chevalier Destouches’s complaint concerning the seizure of wheat and flour intended for the French navy. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Charles René Dominique Sochet, Chevalier Destouches, was placed in command of the French navy in America after the death of the Chevalier de...
26515George Washington to Colonel Frederick Frelinghuysen, 21 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 21, 1781 . Is sending troops from West Point to quell the mutiny in New Jersey. Entreats Frelinghuysen to help in restoring order. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Frelinghuysen was a colonel in the New Jersey Militia.
26516George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve, 21 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 21, 1781 . Sends instructions concerning the mutiny of Shreve’s troops. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. On January 20, 1781, Shreve wrote Washington, “It is with pain I inform your Excellency, that the troops at this place [Pompton, New Jersey] revolted this evening and marched towards Trenton. Their behaviour and demands...
26517George Washington to John Sullivan, 21 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 21, 1781 . Has sent troops to quell the mutiny in New Jersey. Urges that no terms may be made with the mutineers. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26518George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 22 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, January 22, 1781. Places Howe in command of detachment ordered to attempt to quell mutiny in New Jersey. Sends general instructions. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26519George Washington to the Four Eastern States and New York, 22 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 22, 1781 . Sends news of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey mutinies. Asks for provisions from these states. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26520George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 23 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 23, 1781 . Sends news of the New Jersey mutiny and details of what has been done to quell it. Is of the opinion that unless funds are found “our opposition must very soon cease.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.