To Alexander Hamilton from John Wilkins, Jr., 24 March 1800
From John Wilkins, Jr., 24 March 1800
Pittsburgh 24th. March 1800
Sir
I have been honoured with your two letters of the 26th. February ul. & the 6th. instant, received last post.
I have with great satisfaction sanctioned the appointment of Lt. Colonel Ogden as Deputy Quarter Master General—I consider the acquisition of his services as very important to the department.
I would with great pleasure appoint Captain B. Shaumberg, a Brigade Quarter Master, as I know him to be an officer of distinguished merit, & well calculated for the appointment; but the Law requires that the Brigade Quarter Master shall not be of a rank higher than that of a first Lieutenant—The “Act for the better organizing of the Troops of the United States, & for other purposes” Section the 7th. “That no officer shall be appointed &c. as the Quarter Master of a Brigade, who when appointed shall be of a rank higher than that of first Lieutenant”
I have written to General Wilkinson stating this objection, & shall wait your farther instructions on this subject.
I have the honour to be, Sir, with the greatest respect your very Humble St
Jno. Wilkins Jr
Qr Mast Genl
(ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). There is an "X" mark in the left margin of the first page beside the line in the second paragraph beginning "the acquisition of his services..." and another on the same page beside the line in the third paragraph beginning "of distinguished merit, & well calculated...."