From Alexander Hamilton to Major General John Sullivan, 7 July 1777
To Major General John Sullivan1
Head Quarters Morris
Town [New Jersey] July 7th. 1777
Sir,
You will be pleased to forward the inclosed to General Putnam with all expedition, as it is of importance they should not be delayed. By His Excellency’s desire, I wrote to you2 a day or two ago, requesting that a Capt McConnel3 & a waggon master who had taken a horse from some inhabitants abused and confined them, should be sent to Head Quarters to have an examination in to their conduct. I am ordered to make mention of it again, and to repeat the Generals desire that they may be sent as before directed. He wishes to correct and discountenance such abuses by taking proper measures with those who commit them.
I am Sir Your most Obedient servant
A Hamilton ADC
ALS, New Hampshire Historical Society, Concord.
1. Sullivan was at Pompton, New Jersey. Two days after this letter was written, he was ordered to march to Peekskill.
2. Letter not found.
3. On July 9, 1777, Tench Tilghman, aide-de-camp and military secretary to Washington, wrote to Sullivan, “As the dispute between Capt McConnel and the Countryman is settled, you need not send him down” (, I, 412). This order was, however, countermanded as soon as it became clear that Sir William Howe did not plan to advance up the Hudson.