35151General Orders, 13 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Articles of War being obscore and unexplicit as to the power of appointing a General Court Martial, and it being very meterial that there shall be no doubt about the legalaty of the Constitution of a Court which is intrusted with the power of inflicting the highest punishment known in our Military Code, Major General Hamilton thinks it proper to declear the constitution of those Articles...
35152From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 13 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 13, 1799. On June 18, 1799, Pickering wrote to Hamilton and referred to “your letter of the 13th.” Letter not found. ]
35153From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 14 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I use, my Dear Sir, the privilege of an old friend to write to you in language as explicit as the occasion requires. The fact is that the management of your Agents as to the affair of supplies is ridiculously bad. Besides the extreme delay, which attends every operation, articles go forward in the most incomplete manner. Coats without a corresponding number of Vests —Cartouch Boxes without...
35154From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 14 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I send you copies and extracts of letters from Colonels Taylor and Smith and from Major Willcocks. These shew that further advances of money will be speedily necessary and that there ought to be increased exertion in the business [of] the supplies. It is my duty to observe that the dilatory and incomplete manner in which supplies are furnished, if not corrected, will quickly have an effect...
35155To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Parker, 14 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Winchester [ Virginia ] June 14, 1799 . “… on examining the Hats that have been sent on I find they are destitute of Cockades and loops.… The Recruiting money has been Received & distributed there was only a Sufficiency sent on to Recruit forty four men to a Company at eight dollars ⅌ man. An additional Supply will be Immediately wanted as Several of the officers of my Regiment have been verry...
35156General Orders, 15 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A pretention having been raised by some of the Contractors, to issue either fresh or salt meat to the Troops at their discretion Major General Hamilton thinks it proper, to declear his Sence that this pretention is unfounded and without an Express declaration in the Contract that the option is reserved to the Contractor, it must be understood that it is reserved to the public, it is expected...
35157To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 15, 1799. “Your observations relative to my agent for procuring supplies and the Superintendant are but too well founded. The last has so strong a supporter, that I cannot see when or how I am to get rid of him. As to the Purveyor, I have for some time been reconnoitring for an assistant to him whose talents and activity joined to mercantile knowledge would supply his...
35158To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, June 15, 1799. “I received by yesterdays mail, three letters of the 12, and by the mail of this morning, two letters of June 14th instant.… The idea is undoubtedly correct respecting the keeping an extra supply of Clothing at the remote posts. It is not unknown to you, that from circumstances which I could not controul, even the quantity of Cloathing necessary for the old...
35159From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 15 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to you a few days since chiefly to inform you of the progress of the measures respecting the recruiting service & that the symptoms with regard to it were sufficiently promising. The accounts continue favourable. I have just received a letter from General Wilkinson dated the 13 of April, in which he assures me that he will set out in the ensuing month for the seat of Government. The...
35160From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 16 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Seeing the terrible delays which take place is it not adviseable immediately to authorise your Agents at New York & Boston to take prompt measures for increasing your supply of Cloathing tents and such other articles as are in Arrear? Considering past experience can you possibly depend on the present plan for the future supply? If blue Cloath cannot be found for the whole, better to take some...
35161From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 16 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 16, 1799. States: “… the recruiting service … is … now in a course of execution in all the states from Massachusetts inclusively to Virginia inclusively. Thus the necessity of expedition in regard to the supplies becomes more & more urgent.…” ADf , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
35162From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 17 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor of your letter of the 15 instant. The several points mentioned in it have been attended. In the commencement of a new branch of service it is necessary for dispatch to wave the usual forms. Hence the omission of returns. But I shall speedily send you an exact statement of the various articles of supply requisite for each Regiment—and which from the accounts received it will be...
35163To Alexander Hamilton from Jonathan Williams, 17 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 17, 1799. Encloses “a pamphlet on Fortification with six plates, and 122 pages of a Treatise on Artillery with twenty four Tables.” States: “the remainder of the latter Work shall be forwarded as soon as it can be obtained from the Printer.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. This is a reference to Williams’s translation of Alexandre Pierre Julienne de Belair, The...
35164To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Burbeck, 18 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Michilimackinac [ Territory Northwest of the River Ohio ] June 18, 1799 . “I had the Honour of receiving your letter of the 16th of February.… The Fort is a very irregular work without Bastions or out works is situated on an eminence which completely commands the Harbour and Village its an extensive work and will require Five Hundred Men to completely man it. When I took possession, it was in...
35165Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 18 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Intimations have been in some instances given that more bounty money will quickly be wanted. The Secy of War will naturally expect that an application of this sort should be accompanied with some view of the progress of the recruiting. I am aware that it requires a little time to get into the train of exact returns—but it is necessary to require the transmission of information more or less...
35166To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Officers have been appointed for six additional companies of cavalry. It is not however deemed expedient, at present, to enlist for, or mount the Cavalry. I submit it, to your consideration, whether these Officers, may not be usefully, and properly employed, untill called into their appropriate service, by being attached to the Infantry companies, as well to assist in recruiting, as in...
35167From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 18, 1799. Quotes an extract from Major Daniel Jackson’s letter of June 6, 1799 , concerning the shortage of clothing and lack of money to pay recruits. Copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
35168From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 18 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You will be pleased to receive herewith a statement of the articles of supply requisite for a Regiment of Infantry. It is necessary that the full quantity, including what has been heretofore forwarded, should be transmitted as fast as possible. With all the diligence that can be made, it is not probable that they will arrive too soon. After the proportion, which was indicated in the first...
35169To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 18 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Rozier presented yesterday, your letter of the 13th; and, agreeably to my appointment, he called this morning and exhibited his cypher, and comparing with it his cyphered letters to Mr. Talleyrand which were taken in the Astrea and transmitted to me from Gibralter, I found in every passage examined, an exact correspondence with those letters written in words, copies whereof he gave me to...
35170Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 19 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is the form of a monthly return which you are to make to me pursuant to the XXXV of the “Rules and Regulations respecting the Recruiting Service.” It now becomes urgent that these returns shall be regularly made. They will govern my application to the Secy of War for provisions of money. You will, consequently, enforce punctually in the returns which according to those Rules &...
35171To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [19 June 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote a letter yesterday to the Secy. of the Navy respecting the propriety of being alert at our port, knowing that the French fleet is at sea, and the expediency of the measure suggested. Something will be done; but not much partly through want of means. All these things help forward the army, and the army and the expences attending it, are not to all views equally desirable. The Secy. of...
35172To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 19, 1799. “I received this morning your letter of the 17th instant. I have ordered two thousand dollars to be forwarded to the Paymaster of the 12 and an equal sum to the Paymaster of the 13th Regiment.… There has been also delivered to the Paymaster of the Tenth Regiment One thousand five hundred and forty four dollars and fifty cents.…” LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
35173To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 19 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favour of the 7th instant, with its inclosures, has been duly received. I am very glad to learn that the recruiting business, so far as it has been put in operation, succeeds agreeably to your wishes. It has commenced in Virginia, and I am informed that, in this vicinity (and I have no intelligence from the more distant parts of the State) its progress is very flattering. A supply of...
35174General Orders, 20 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 20, 1799. On July 11, 1799, John J. U. Rivardi wrote to Hamilton : “I received also General orders of the 6th, 15th, & 20th. of June.” General orders of June 20, 1799, not found. ] This letter is listed in the appendix to this volume.
35175To Alexander Hamilton from William Heth, 20 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Petersburg [ Virginia ] June 20, 1799 . “Your most obliging favor of the 6th found me a day or two ago at the commencement of my spring harvest, the crop of which, I fear will not be very abundant. This kind answer, Tho has settled all my Jealousies, and made me happy. But you must really drop me a line now and then , merely to prove that you some times think of a man, who scarce lets a day...
35176To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Hunewell, 20 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Portland, District of Maine, June 20, 1799. On July 10, 1799, Hamilton sent to James McHenry “an Extract of a letter of the 20th June from Col: Hunewell.” Letter not found. ]
35177To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I received this morning from on board a vessel from London 4 set of military figures for the practice of tacticks one of which I send you for your amusement. It may be made a substitute for the game of chess. There is a book which I would advise you to send to England for intitled the Officers manual in the field with 10 copper plates price in boards 15/Sg. It displays a series of military...
35178From Alexander Hamilton to Jonathan Williams, 20 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 20, 1799. “I have to thank you for your obliging attention to my request in transmitting the translations mentioned in your letter of the 17th. I shall peruse them with an eye to the claim of indulgence, which you prefer, though I am persuaded that you might safely have left them to pursue their fortune upon their intrinsic capital. The army is certainly indebted to you for...
35179To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ London, June 21, 1799. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from … Mr. King” to H, Columbia University Libraries.
35180To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, June 21, 1799. “… I wish you … to direct … the Quarter Master of the 13th. 14th: and 15th: Regiments to send his order to Mr: Williams Storekeeper at Springfield for the articles to be drawn from thence for these Regiments.… It is expected that Muster Rolls will be made out and precede any disbursement of money to the recruits for their pay. If this is not done I apprehend...
35181From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I thank you My Dear Sir for the military figures you have sent me. Tactics you know are literally or figuratively of very comprehensive signification. As people grow old they decline in some arts though they may improve in others. I will try to get Mrs. Hamilton to accompany in games of Tactics new to her. Perhaps she may get a taste for them & become better reconciled to my connection with...
35182From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 21, 1799. “The suggestion respecting the Cavalry in your letter of the 18th. instant leads to the supposition that the actual raising of the additional troops will be postponed for a considerable time. Though I have no doubt that powerful motives will have influenced this intention; yet I cannot but regret their existence; as well because the body of Cavalry provided for would...
35183To Alexander Hamilton from William Macpherson, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 21, 1799. “… With respect to the Volunteers it is certainly necessary some arrangement of them shou’d be made, and I suppose the proper mode is, to take the whole of the Troops of that description in the United States, and form them into Battns. Regiments, Brigades, and Divisions agreeably to their numbers. It would also perhaps be proper to make three or more districts, and...
35184To Alexander Hamilton from Ebenezer Stevens, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 21, 1799. Encloses the “extract of a letter” from James McHenry concerning Joseph F. Mangin’s accounts, which reads: “When General Hamilton was here, we examined my letter to you, respecting the pay of the Engineer which you employed. He found it sufficiently explicit. You will receive from him an explanation which I hope will enable you to settle finally his Account.” Asks...
35185From Alexander Hamilton to David Strong, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 21, 1799. “Yr. letter of the 7th of May I have received. There are several points in it which will be attended to in the conferences which will speedily be had with Genl. Wilkinson; in conjunction with whom the disposition of the Western Army will be revised.… The paragraphs of your letter respecting the supposed excessive issues of provisions have been communicated to the Secy....
35186From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Taylor, 21 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 21, 1799. “… In answer to your letter of the 8th Inst. There is no doubt that minors who have arrived at the age of eighteen and who are not Apprentices may and ought to be inlisted and retained in the service without the consent of any other persons.…” Copy, in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
35187From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 22 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 22, 1799. Encloses a letter from William S. Smith and suggests that it be forwarded to President Adams for his decision. States: “Let me recall to your mind the establishment of rules of promotion & especially the principle that when the field officers of the new Regiments are once appointed the Routine begins.” ALS (photostat), James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress; copy,...
35188To Alexander Hamilton from Richard Stockton, 22 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Princeton [ New Jersey ] June 22, 1799 . “The cause of Samuel & Miers Fisher agt Walter Rutherfurd and others is set down for Argument in the Circuit Court of the U S. for this district on the first day of October next. I am desired by the Complainants to inquire of you whether they may place dependence on your being at the Court to argue this important cause for them.…” ALS , Hamilton Papers,...
35189To Alexander Hamilton from Aaron Ogden, 23 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Elizabeth Town [ New Jersey ] June 23, 1799 . “… The success in recruiting in the several sub-districts, hes been exceedingly various, which may be ascribed in part to the different degrees of address or talent in that way, and of activity, in the recruiting Officers, in part to the good or ill disposition of the inhebitents toward the government and in part, to a went of Officers occesioned...
35190To Alexander Hamilton from Nathan Rice, 23 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have visited Taunton, Dighton, & Sommerset for the purpose of selecting the most eligible spot for a regimental rendezvous; I am decidedly in favour of Sommerset: It not only embraces the objects which induced you to fix on that spot, but is besides a most healthy situation, in the neighbourhood of a fertile country, abounding with provisions and sufficiently retired, to afford ample...
35191To Alexander Hamilton from Callender Irvine, 24 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Carlisle [ Pennsylvania ] June 24, 1799 . “I have received your letter of the 6th instant, covering a new set of Recruiting instructions.… I repeatedly reported to the Secretary of War last fall, that I could have enlisted many more men, indeed treble the number, if furnished with money & advice for that purpose. I never was informed what the establishment, was or is to be, nor how many men I...
35192To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 24 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are certain regulations respecting the delivery of Fuel, Straw and Stationery, and Horses furnished to Officers. I wish you to consider them, and to offer such additional ones to, or alterations in those proposed as in your opinion may be proper. The last has been conceived necessary to check an evil which may grow to magnitude. I request you particularly to determine how many Horses...
35193To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 24 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, June 24, 1799. “I received this morning your letter of the 21st: Instant. The remarks you have offered relative to the Cavalry are deserving of attention, and the course you propose which combines a temporary saving, with immediate employment for the Officers in a mode conformable to the constitution of this kind of Troops will be considered. I shall inform you of the result. I...
35194From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 24 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 24, 1799. Discusses duties and salary of Ebenezer Stevens. States: “The necessity of a more adequate organisation of our Departments of Military supplies (to which adequate compensation is an essential idea) presses more and more upon my conviction. The details of execution are extremely defective.” Gives examples of defects in supply system and concludes: “These are small...
35195From Alexander Hamilton to Nathan Rice, 24 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I am advised by the Secy. of War that Mr. Williams Storekeeper at Springfield has been instructed to furnish to the Quarter master of your Regiment upon your order 680 stands of Arms and as many Gun worms. Mr. Williams is to have them transported to your Regimental Rendezvous if they have not been received, you will take measures to obtain them. With great consideration I am &cc Copy, in the...
35196To Alexander Hamilton from Josias Carvel Hall, 25 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Havre de Grace [ Maryland ] June 25, 1799 . “… Your order of the 15th explanatory of the Contractor’s agreement with the Secretary at War is very timely.… There are Complaints that the small Parts of Rations are not regularly supplied.… I was … much disappointed, when I arrived at Balt:, to find there was not an article of Quarter Master Stores, except Drums & Fifes & but a very partial Supply...
35197From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I conclude from your letter by todays post, that your own opinion in regard to the raising of a Troop of horse is made up and that you only delay a determination from the necessity of a reference elsewhere. This is a point, which I have so much at heart that I should be sorry any thing should be risked about it. If you think there is the least danger of disappointment, I will write to the...
35198From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 25 June[–1 July] 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, June 25 [ –July 1 ] 1799 . Summarizes the contents of “letters … from Major Rivardi, at Niagara,” which “contain very unpleasant representations of the state of things at that post.” Describes steps taken to meet some of Rivardi’s complaints. States: “It appears by the statement of which a copy is enclosed that debts have been contracted for purposes of the garrison to the amount of...
35199From Alexander Hamilton to John J. U. Rivardi, 25 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I embrace the first moment which I am able to spare from objects of greater urgency and more extensive concern to reply to your several letters of the 21 of March the 3 & 28 of April the 2 and 30th of May; which with the documents mentioned in them have been duely received. It is matter of regret to me that I have not been able to pay an earlier attention to them; but the various and weighty...
35200To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Your private letter of the 15th instant came duly to hand. So far as my information extends (which by the bye is very limited) the Recruiting Service in this State progresses beyond my expectations, But is retarded very considerably from the want of cloathing, the ragged appearance of the Recruits having a tendency to disgust, rather than to excite enlistments. I think with you, that policy...