Alexander Hamilton Papers

To Alexander Hamilton from William C. Bentley, 15 July 1799

From William C. Bentley, 15 July 1799

Richmond 15th July 1799

Sir,

Having now the advantage of a short acquaintance with the Officers of my Regimt.; and an opportunity of obtaining full information of their Characters, am better prepared to make the arrangement of their rank as was proposed by you in a former letter. That we should be perfectly correct, cannot be expected but I am persuaded we are sufficiently so to justify the arrangement as is here proposed. With very few exceptions, few Regiments can boast of as many genteel respectable Characters; this remark has been frequently made by the most reputable Characters among us. In making this arrangement, regard was had to the rank given them on the list you furnished; and the changes alterations that are made were by moving up those most prominent characters, whose pretentions evidently justified it; and by moving down a few Characters, (those only who were noticed to you in a former letter on this Subject) who, perhaps, had better be lower than their grades would admit of their being placed.

I am with every Sentiment of respect, Your Mo: Obt

W. Bentley

Majr. Genl. Hamilton

(ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing "A List of the Platoon Officers of the 7th United States Regiment" (AD, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).

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