Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-07-15
VOL. XVI.
Alexander Hamilton on Nerro Armies.
FHEADQu1RTERs, March Ia, l779.


HEADQUARTERS, March IA, 1873.
? "To JOM JAY: =SrR:- Laurens. who
viii have the honor Of delivering YOU this
letter, is on his way to South Carolina, on
project which I think in the present sit
ustion Of affairs there is very good one
and deserves every kind of support and
encouragement. This is, to raise two,
three or four battalions Of negroes. with
the assistance Of the Government Of that
State, by contributions from the owners. in
proportion to the number they possess. If
you should think proper to enter upon the
subject with him, he win give you a detail
OF his plan. He wishes to have It recon-,
mended by Congress to the State; and, as
an inducement that they should engage to
take those battalions into continental pay.
!" It appears to me that an expedient Of
this kind, in the present state Of Southern
affairs, is the most rational that can be
adopted, and promises very important ad-
vantages. Indeed, I can hardly see how
sufficient force can be collected in that
quarter without it; and the enemy's opera |
tons are growing infinitely more serious |
ana formidable. 1 have not the least doubt 4
the negroes will make very excellentso !
diers, with proper management; and 1 will |
venture to pronounce that they cannot be
put into better hands than those ne r-i-
hHuTens. he nus an the zeal, intelligence
enterprise, and every other qualification
necessary TO succeed in such an undertal-
ing. It is q maxim with some great mili-
tary judges that, with sensible officers, sol
diers can hardly be too stupid; and, on this
principle, it is thought that the Russians
would make the best troops in the world, if
they were under other officers than their
own.
"The King Of Prussia is among the
number who maintain this doctrine, and
has q very emphatic saying on the occa-
sion, which I do not exactly recollect.
mention this because hear it frequently
objected to the scheme of embOdying ne
groes, that they are too stupid to make sol
diers. This Is so far from appearing TO me
8 valid objection that l think their want of
cultivation (for their natural facilities are
probably as good as ours), Joined to that
habit Of subordination which they acquire
from life Of seryitude, viii make them
sooner become soldiers 4han our white in
habitants Let officers be men Of sense
and sentiment, and the nearer the soldiers
approach TO machines perhaps the better.
"I foresee that this project viii have to
self-interest. The contempt we have been
taughtto entertain for the blacks makes US
fancy many things that are founded neith-
er in reason nor experience; and an un-
willingness to part with property of so
valuable kind will furnish a thousand
arguments to show the impraoticability or
pernicious tendency Of scheme which re-
quires such sacrifice. But it should be
considered that if we do not make use of
them in this way the enemy probably will
and that the best way to eounteract the
propositions they will hold out will to offer
to them ourselves. An essential part of
the plan would give them their freedom
with their sarviees. This will secure their
fidelity, animate their courage, and, be-
lieve have a good influence upon those who
remain, by opening door to their emanei-
patton. This circumstance, l confess, has
no small weight in inducing me to wish the
success of the project; for the dictates of
humanity and true policy equally interest
me in favor of this unfortunate class of
men.
With the ti,,lan4 .--asr,ei ~ ,olA- !
g am, sir, your most obedient serv't,
WALEXANDER HAMILTON"