Title: From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 16 September 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: McHenry, James

Sir
New York Sepr. 16 1799

In recurring to your letter of the 29th of August, I observe there are some points which for a clearer understanding require from me some observations.
I shall make this preliminary remark, that in presenting with emphasis, as I am accustomed to do, deficiencies which appear to have existed—I am actuated by the sole and exclusive motive of shewing by particular instances that the past plan has been productive of imperfect results and that more comprehensive and adequate measures are necessary for the future. Our provisions have been made too much on the spur of the occasion, have been too generally confined to the absolutely necessary for the moment; rejecting the idea of a surplus for future casualties and exigencies. This defect in our plan is not imputable to any one individual; it may be traced partly to the immaturity of our institutions and affairs and partly to errors of opinion which embrace persons in various situations.
I am sensible that important steps both legislative and administrative have been taken towards a more provident and efficacious system; but a frequent contemplation of the imperfections of the past plan ought to have the effect of increasing the tendency towards improvement.
I must at the same time be permitted to add that in my opinion the want of a proper organisation of agents in the various branches of the public service and of a correct and systematic delineation of their relative duties have been a material cause of the imperfect results which have been experienced—that it continues to embarrass every operation and that while it lasts—it can not fail to enfeeble and disorder every part of the service.
To exemplify this present defect of organisation—it is sufficient to refer to the situation of the Quarter Master Generals Department, of the Medical establishment and of that of the Pay-Office. The Pay Master General with propriety is stationed at the seat of Government; but he has no deputy either at my head Quarters or at that of General Pinckney.
I am sensible that where the appointment of the Chiefs requires the consent of the Senate, it must now be deferred to the future meeting of that body, and that the subordinate persons whom the law places in the choice of those Chiefs cannot be constituted without them—but temporary arrangements may still be made as a substitute; and I confess my anxiety that this may be done, either immediately by you or by your direction to General Pinckney and myself each to regulate the matter within the sphere of his command.
Permit me earnestly to request that this business of organisation in all its branches may engage a prompt and decisive attention. Till this shall have been the case no Commanding Officer can perform well his peculiar duties; as his time and attention must be engrossed in details which are foreign to his station. And the consequence must be inefficiency and disorder.
I proceed to some particulars of your letter.
“You observe that you consider it as the Duty of the Commanding General not only to make returns of all articles, among these Cloathing wanted for his troops, but to make them in such season as to allow of making up and transporting them to their destinations.”
If this idea shall be adhered to I shall be very ready to perform my part; but I should wish a more precise definition of the objects. What are the articles to be embraced? There are some objects, as Artillery Muskets &c. of which it is always to be presumed there are sufficient quantities constantly ready in the public Arsenals and Magazines. What time or times will be deemed proper for the transmission of the returns? Are the destinations in detail to be pointed out or not?
But I beg leave to recommend the point to a serious reconsideration; and I take the liberty to offer some reflections in relation to it, which seem to me to deserve attention.
The total force which is to compose the Military establishment is regulated by law. That force as presented by law is itself the standard of all ordinary supplies to be provided, which ought always rather to exceed than fall short of the Complement. The Secretary of War consequently possesses ipso facto the rule which is to govern as to providing all the fixed and stated supplies.
If this force is to be divided into different armies still the aggregate of supply must be the same. Besides, that distribution will be arranged by the Secretary of War in Concert with the Commander in Chief. If left to the discretion of the latter he only is competent to furnish the Criterion.
It follows that the principal articles of supply, all those which are not dependent on the particular nature of military movements, will always depend on the establishment and will not be to be regulated by returns from particular Generals.
The temporary strength of corps, at one time increased by the accession of recruits at another diminished by the casualties of service ought never to be a guide in providing; because such a standard is fluctuating and uncertain, and because the supply ought to be commensurate with the full complement of the establishment.
The Commanding General who should have to present an estimate to the head of the War Department (and whose agency as to the ordinary and stated supplies is rendered unnecessary by the circumstance of there being other data previously in the possession of the Department) would be bound to govern himself in his estimate by the scale of the establishment and not by the temporary state of things.
Requisitions from time to time for the issuing of supplies may fall under a different consideration. These would have reference to the actual state of the forces; but these do not answer to the import of the terms you employ, which appear to aim at some annual or other periodical estimate to govern the providing as well as the issuing of the articles.
Premising these things as objections to the idea you have suggested in its full latitude, it remains to examine what is the proper course.
The head of the War Department must no doubt be aided by Agents who are conversant in the various branches of supply and competent Judges of what may be wanted.
These Agents ought to be certain officers or Boards established at the seat of Government more permanently fixed in their stations than the precarious commander of a particular army; such as the Purveyor of Supplies, a Board or Master of Ordnance or instead of these the Inspector of Artillery, the Superintendant of Military Stores; which officers ought to be aided by information from the Chiefs of the branches of supply connected with the army, as in our present system the Quarter Master General &c &c.
These latter officers being under the direction of the Military commanders would be obliged to communicate with them to receive their instructions and to inform them of what is done or intended so that they may be apprised of the competency of the provision made or to be made and may be able to direct calls or to represent to the Head of the War Department such further provisions as they may judge expedient.
As to the supplies to be from time to time issued, requisitions ought to come from the chiefs of the several branches of supply acting with the armies to those officers who at the seat of Government are charged with providing and furnishing the respective articles.
As on the one hand the complement of the establishment will be the guide in providing so on the other the returns of actual force to the Secretary of War from the Commander of each army will in the first instance be a collateral guide to the issues and a check upon extravagant demands and the accounts afterwards to be rendered will shew the application.
The forming of the permanent Arsenals and Magazines of a Country which ought to be always prepared to furnish the principal articles of supply is naturally a work of administration predicated upon an entire view of the political and military relations and the forces & resources of the Country. When these are thus formed—how few are the objects which the estimate of a particular General can apply? How are the partial & detached estimates of several particular Generals to reach the full extent of the supplies aggregately necessary? How is each to make his estimate of what may be requisite unless each has under his eye the entire state of all the national arsenals and magazines and enters into a minute examination of all the issues which may have been made? If he is [to] do all this upon his own responsibility—what time will he have for his purely military duties? Is it proper in theory that each General having a separate command should possess a complete view of the State of all the public Arsenals & Magazines?
I conclude that from the nature of the thing the business of procuring and of issuing supplies ought in a general view to be unconnected with the particular Commander of a particular army; that it is properly a business of administration in which the head of the War Department is to be aided by the subordinate organs of his department stationed at the seat of Government and by the heads of the several branches of Supply who act with the armies.
The Agency of the Commander in Chief and the Commanders of particular armies where requisite ought to be collateral and auxiliary not direct and primary.
It is true that there is a class of supplies which being governed by the actual operations contemplated such as transportation forage &c must be regulated by estimates and returns to come from the armies. But even in these cases the responsible persons to make the estimates and returns ought to be the chief or Chiefs of the Departments of Supply with the armies; who ought previously to submit their estimates and returns to the military commanders in order that they may be transmitted with their opinion and observations. Thus far it is conceived the Agency of the commanding General may be useful and proper. But the scheme of it as now indicated supposes as a preliminary the appointment of the proper heads of the several branches of supply.
Indeed this preliminary is essential to every form of agency in this respect which may be assigned to a commanding General. It is not presumable in principle and would never be found true in fact that the General of an Army is so minutely acquainted with all the details of supply as to be qualified to present a correct view of all the objects which may be requisite without the intervention of those officers whose peculiar province it is to manage the business of supply.
As to the subject of Pay, it would seem from your manner of expression to be your idea, that the Warrants of a Commanding General must be founded on certificates of the Pay Master General. But I must conclude, that this cannot be your meaning; as a very natural and fair construction of the laws will for this service substitute to him his deputy with each army; and as it is essential, in practise, that the interpretation shall admit of this substitution. How else are the troops remote from the Pay Master General to be paid at all? Consider especially the position of the Western army.
When the law of the 8 of May 1792 which charges the duty on the Pay Master General was passed, there was but one army—hence that act designates him singly.
But the act of the 3 of March last, contemplating that there may be several different armies, provides that there shall be a Deputy Pay Master General to each of them—without particularly defining his duties. It is evident that he must be intended to perform duties and important ones. What are they? The law being silent, they are of course all such as the Pay Master General is to perform where he may be; except as to any particular one, which from the nature of the thing ought to be confined to the chief. On any other principle, the Deputy will be as much excluded from one duty as from another which was before performed by his chief, and the appointment will become nugatory.

I infer, that all monies for the purpose of paying the pay subsistence and forage of the troops must still be delivered in the first instance by the Treasurer to the Pay Master General because this is conducive to union and to a regular chain of accountability: But that the Pay Master is to deliver over to each Deputy in mass a sum sufficient to answer all these purposes with the army to which he is attached and the Deputy is to disburse it in detail, and to execute all the services preparatory to that disbursement which by the first law were charged upon the Pay Master General including that of certifying the sums due to the Commanding General.
Principles of law no less than those of convenience warrant this construction, beyond the possibility of doubt after mature reflection.
Accordingly, in consequence of a representation of difficulty, on the point of Warrants, by the Pay Master General, I have advised him as the legal and proper remedy to appoint without delay one Deputy to the troops under the command of G Pinckney another to those under my command. I confidently trust that you will approve and if necessary enforce this advice. The ground of it is unquestionably solid.
The course which you indicate in the last paragraph but one of your letter appears to me perfectly correct and convenient.
With great respect   I have the honor to be sir   Yr. Obed se
The Secy of War


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Parker, 16 September 1799
From: Parker, Thomas
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Winchester [Virginia] September 16, 1799. “… I Really think that a Supply of money for the Troops is absolutely Essential. Many of the Soldiers are Becomeing Verry uneasy & Restless having been informed by the enemies to Government that they are to Receive no pay, and the Report Rediculous as It may appear gains Credit; especially as the officers have no money to advance them to Remove their Uneasiness & Reason without money has But little effect on such Characters.… Be pleased to Inform me how we are to be Supplied with Ammunition we have not a Supply at present even for the use of the Guards. We are not furnished with Bayonet Belts Scabbards or oil Rags & the Cartridge Boxes are Verry Clumsy & Indifferent. we have Received no further Supply of Coats or Vests Both which are much wanted. If the Information woud not be Improper I Should be pleased to be informed where It is probable we Shall be ordered to winter.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Lewis Tousard, 16 September 1799
From: Tousard, Lewis
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Portsmouth [New Hampshire] September 16, 1799. States that “In general the Fortifications of the New England States are in the most Shabby condition,” that they have been incorrectly constructed by unqualified personnel, and that the mounted guns are altogether inadequate. Also states: “I may tell you, dear Sir, that as long as an Inspector of Artillery is not appointed and charged alone with that department—a great deal of money will be Spent to no advantage to the United States and rather to the disadvantage of the Service in the moment of danger.… The President I think is much divested of his antient prejudices against me. I think a new application for that inspectorship as Soon as the Senate is assembled would prove effectual.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 17 September 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: McHenry, James

Sir
New York Sepr. 17. 1799
Part of the contents of your letter of the 10 of July last (which has happened to escape a definitive attention) being connected with the subject of that the 7 of Sepr., I shall reply to them together.
Previous to the receipt of the last I had drafted rules relating to extra expences which after careful revision I send for your determination. They contemplate, it will be seen, a discretion to make exceptions in special cases. The rule in such matters, cannot be entirely absolute, without involving too much embarrasst. As the establishment of a general rule will attach a particular responsibility to each deviation from it, it will in the main prevent unnecessary deviations.
The Regulations do not include the restrictions which may be thought fit to be laid on the commanding Generals. These it is supposed had better be the subject of particular communications by letter to those officers.
The two other points mentioned in your letter of the 10th. of July shall now be attended to.

First as to compensations or Allowances to servants not Soldiers.
It appears to me a clear point that the resolution of Congress of March 1780 is not in force and consequently cannot be an authority for such allowances. There being no other it is not seen how any general practice of the sort could be now supported.
With regard to the expediency of the practice, in principle, I have strong doubts. I fear that it might lead to the abuse of compensations for nominal servants while soldiers would still be the real ones. Pretexts of sickness &c. in the hurry of a campaign might disguise the abuse. I question too whether in times of peace it would be adviseable to augment the public expences by the addition of persons of this description.
I incline most to the plan of the Great Frederick; which was to let the Officers in time of peace be served by the ordinary soldiers, in time of war by supernumeraries specially inlisted for the purpose and discriminated by a distinct uniform or livery, forbidding the soldiers of the ranks on any pretence to [be] employed in this capacity. This practice procured all the advantages without the dangers of the other plan.
The number of servants which it is conceived proper to allow to the respective grades of Officers are
To the Commander in Chief or General having a separate Command three without arms to attend him on horseback.
To the Inspector General, Quarter Master General, each Major General not having a separate command and to the Adjutant General two of the like description.
To the Brigadier General, Pay Master General or Deputy Quarter Master General Deputy Inspector General one of the above description and one with arms.
To each field officer and every other officer who ordinarily serves on horse back one of the firstmentioned description.
To every officer who usually serves on foot one with arms.
The servants required to have arms in all general exercises marches and movements are to be found in the ranks. When annexed to officers detached from corps they must join the guards connected with such Officers or their baggage. In the cases in which they would be otherwise without arms, if they are attached to Officers of Dragoons they will retain their arms.
The drawing of provisions for Children appears to me inadmissible and as far as I know unusual. They are, without this, incumbrance enough, when in Camp or Quartered especially in the course of a Campaign.
I remark incidentally that it is to be wished that a corps of Invalids and an Establishment for the maintenance and Education of the Children of persons in the army and navy were provided for by law. Policy Justice and humanity forbid the abandoning to want and misery men who have spent their best years in the military service of a country or who in that service have contracted infirmities which disqualify them to earn their bread in other modes. Employment might be found for such a corps which would indemnify the Public for the mere maintenance of its members in cloathing lodging and food. The UStates are perhaps the only country in which an Institution of this nature is not to be found; a circumstance which if continued will be discreditable. The Establishment as to Children is recommended by similar motives with the additional consideration that they may be rendered by it useful members of Society and acquisitions to the army & Navy as Musicians &c.
I shall wait for your opinion as to the abolition of issues to Children.
You will observe what articles are supposed by me to be proper to be furnished by the Contractors. Those are the only ones which I recollect as of ordinary and stated supply that will not naturally come from the Superintendant of Military Stores. Contingent or extra articles had better be under the management of the Agents. As to the scale of allowance in each case this has either been regulated by your Department or has already been the subject of some former communication from me—except in the instance of forage. I forbear to offer any scale for this article because I take it for granted that one is already established on the basis of long Experience. If you are desirous of a Revision of it by me I shall be ready to obey your orders for the purpose.
One point occurs in connection with the general subject of this letter. It appears to be the practice of the accounting Offices to reject items in the accounts of Contractors, which have been furnished upon the orders of particular military commanders even in cases in which no rule has been prescribed to the contractors. This in my opinion is neither just nor regular. The disbursement if vouched by such an order ought to be admitted to the Credit of the Contractor & charged to the Officer till a satisfactory explanation shall satisfy the Department that it ought to be a public charge. In most cases when not strictly proper in the abstract it will be expedient that the expence shall be defrayed by the Public, and a repetition prevented by more precise instructions, or where these have not been deficient, by the reprehension or punishment of the Officer. One bad consequence of embarrassing the adjustment of the Contractors accounts may be, that they will refuse in cases of the least doubt to comply with orders which are dictated by necessary and emergent services. Besides that on principle two discretions in undefined cases are an absurdity; and if but one it is properly with the commanding officer upon his responsibility; and the contractor who ought not to exercise a discretion ought in no event to suffer.
With great respect I have the honor to be Sir Yr Obe
The Secy of War


Title: Enclosure: Regulations Respecting Supplies and Objects of Extra Expence, [17 September 1799]
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To:

The several contractors besides rations including ardent spirits and vinegar shall only provide & furnish Quarters transportation forage, fuel straw stationary, and where there shall be no other provision for the purpose, medical assistance. The Quarters intended are those of a temporary kind. The power to provide them shall not extend to the building or repairing of barracks. In what they furnish they shall govern themselves exclusively by the regulations which shall have been established by law or by the war Department, and where none exist, by the orders of the particular Commanding Officer.
No barrack or other building shall be erected but by the order of the Quarter Master General the Deputy Qr Mr G in a separate Command, the Commander of an army or the Commander within a separate military district or department, or of the Secretary of War. No repairs shall be made to any barrack or building which shall incur a disbursement of money exceeding fifty Dollars but by the like order. Where there are several distinct forts or posts in a subdivision of a great military district united under the command of an intermediate superior, the particular commandant of either of those posts shall not cause any such repairs to be made though occasioning no greater expence than fifty Dollars without a previous report to such superior and his approbation. No extra expence for any special object or purpose shall be incurred by such particular commandant without a previous report to the said superior; who when such expence may exceed fifty Dollars shall not authorise it without first obtaining the sanction of his superior. The Commandant of a particular fort or post having no intermediate superior shall incur no expence for repairs nor any extra expence for any special object or purpose, which may require a disbursement exceeding fifty Dollars without the permission of the Commander of the army or district or of the Secy of War.
As often as any matter which may require any special or extra expence can wait without material injury to the service for a communication to and the direction of the Commander of an Army or District, it is not to be undertaken till after such communication and direction shall have been had.
These regulations admit of exceptions in cases of extraordinary emergency and of peculiar urgency, when the service would be likely to suffer material injury from the delay which might attend the observance of them. Every such exception will be on the special responsibility of the Officer by whom it may be made, who must immediately report to his superior the occasion and the expence probable or actual.
The Commander of an army or within a great district may by instruction in writing to be forthwith communicated to the Secy of War make exceptions in such cases where the remoteness of a fort or post shall render the application of these regulations manifestly inconvenient; entrusting a large discretion to the Commandant of such fort or Post.

The Quarter Master General, his Deputies and Assistants are primarily charged with the making of the disbursements in the cases abovementioned. Where there is no such officer, the Agent of the War Department in the vicinity shall do it. All orders for such disbursements must be definite & in writing to be transmitted with the accounts of them to the Accountant of the War Depart.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 September 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir
War Department Trenton 18~ Septr. 1799

I received this morning your letter of the 16~ instant inclosing extracts from Lieutt. Coll. Smiths letter to you of 7~ instant.
I cannot doubt the correctness of the Colonels representation relative to the state of the muskets. It is probable the old stock, long since provided, from which the delivery to his regiment may have been made is generally as he has represented. The muskets which have been fabricated under my administration, will be found, I expect, less exceptionable and next year, or when the soldiers shall have become acquainted with the use of their arms and acquired habits of attention to the care of them, it may be proper to put our best into their hands. Such of these they are now in possession of, which the Inspectors shall report unfit for service or to train with, will be exchanged.
The sacks I must presume conform to pattern and have been passed by sworn inspectors. They may however be illy calculated for hard service.
The appointments to the Regiments which are defective in their complement of regular mates will be made next session of Congress. No inconvenience I apprehend can possibly result to the service from this delay, the temporary surgeons mates supplying their places.
Having determined to appoint two Cadets to each of the new Regiments you will be pleased to require a recommendation from the Lieutenant Colonels of two young gentlemen whom they would respectively prefer. Cadets should be informed they are to expect promotion, from merit only, and by no means on the principle of succession. This ought to be clearly understood.
Inclosed is a copy of a letter from John Bray, dated Brunswick the 17~ instant. Mr. Bray will be informed, that the business his letter relates to, is exclusively with you.
I have the honor to be, with great Respect, Sir,   Your most Obedient and Huml. Servt.
James McHenry
Major General Alexander Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William North, 18 September 1799
From: North, William
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Dr Sir,
Albany Sept 18th. 1799

Having heard that you were at Ball Town Springs& to return to Albany on Monday last, I came here to pay my respects to you & ask your directions with regard to my entré upon the duties of my Office. When here, the Family informed me that you were on your way from New York—On tuesday, that you, with Mrs Hamilton & Mrs Church were at Claverac. The arrival of Mrs Church last evening, left me no hope of seeing you here at present. It is my intention of being at, or in the vicinity of New York on the first of October, should you still think it proper,—if however, owing to the sickness or any other cause, you should think fit to lengthen my leave of absence, or alter my destination, I shall receive your commands with pleasure, not only because they are your commands, but because they will coincide with my own & the wishes of my friends.
With the greatest respect   I have the honor to be   Sir Your Ob Servt
W North


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from William C. Bentley, 19 September 1799
From: Bentley, William C.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Richmond [Virginia] September 19, 1799. “… Our recruiting instructions forbids recruiting Mulatto’s. As Batmen are allowed to officers, may not recruits of that description be taken for that purpose alone? They are better Calculated than the White natives of this Country for menial Service. Will an Officer who shall take a Servant with him, be intitled to draw rations for him? If this indulgence should be granted, It will only be accepted by the Field Officers. By an Act of Congress intitled ‘An Act to amend and repeal, in part, the Act intitled, “An Act to ascertain and fix the Military establishment of the United States”’ Says the 4th Sec., That to each Officer commanding a Seperate post, there shall be allowed twice the number of rations to which they would otherwise be intitled. I shall be glad to be informed whether this allowance extends to any Officer commanding a recruiting Station, and how far it does extend.…”


Title: Circular to the Commandants of Regiments, 19[–20] September 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Commandants of Regiments

Private & confidential
New York Sepr 19. [–20] 1799
Sir

I request the favour of your opinion as to such of the Majors captains & Lieutenants of your Regiment as may be best qualified for service in the department of the Inspectorship or of the Quarter Master. This is an inquiry for information which will be extended to the several Regiments. It is hoped that the opinion will be given with freedom & frankness as it may be relied upon that it will be received in perfect confidence. It will be understood that it is altogether eventual and uncertain whether any appointment of either sort will be made from the Regiment.
With great consideration & estm   I am Sir   Yr Obed ser


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 19 September 1799
From: Hamtramck, John F.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Pittsburgh September 19, 1799. Acknowledges Hamilton’s letters of June 5, July 2, 22, 31, 1799. States that at Detroit the officers and men need practice in maneuvers, that the non-commissioned officers do not command the respect of the men, and that the problems with the police have been corrected. Adds that all the garrisons need copies of “the Baron and the Articles of War.” Complains of the drunkenness of the Indians at Detroit. Supports the passage of a law for the Northwest Territory similar to the Canadian act of March 29, 1777, prohibiting the sale of liquor to the Indians without written permission from the Governor General of the province, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, or the commanding officer of a post. Encloses a copy of a letter from the chief of the Kaskaskias, which has been forwarded to Governor Arthur St. Clair. States that Detroit should not be reinforced, for Colonel David Strong’s information concerning Indian hostility was unfounded and was originated by land speculators.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 September 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir,
War Department, Trenton,September 20th: 1799.

Upon the repeated representation of Judge peters to the Secretary of State for a Guard of Regular Soldiers to be stationed over certain State prisoners confined in Norristown Goal, and his request for an immediate order to Major Adlum for the purpose, I directed a letter to that Officer of which the enclosed is a copy. I return your letter to Colonel Moore received yesterday, that it may undergo a modification should you think it proper to relieve the Guard which may have been ordered by Major Adlum from the Troops at Reading.
With great respect,   I have the honor to be,   Sir, your obedt: servant,
James McHenry
Major General Alexander Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 September 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir
War Department Trenton 20 Septr. 1799

The ill state of Mrs. Pinckney’s health, has been such as to induce a permission to be granted to the general, to accompany her to New Port Rhode Island, where I expect he now is or soon will be.
It is not impossible that the alarming indisposition of Mrs. Pinckney may have engaged for a considerable time past much of the generals solicitude and attention, and his removal with her to Rhode Island has also abstracted him from the business of his command. Lest these circumstances, may occasion a postponement to too late a period, of such measures as are requisite to insure the best winter-quarters for the three Regiments, destined to be cantonned at or near Harpers Ferry, I must request you to take such steps as you may think necessary, to ascertain the fittest ground for their quarters; and to gain such information, relative to the price or rent of land and wood in that quarter, and other circumstances essential to a good choice.
I have the honor to be, with great Respect, Sir,   Your Obedient Humble Servant
James McHenry
Major General Alexander Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 September 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir
War DepartmentTrention 20~ September 1799

I have received your letter of the 16~ instant containing very important, and detailed observations, on a system of military supplies, for the armies of the United States.
Altho’ I fully agree with you, that the old and existing system, is defective in particulars, too weakly manned in some of its branches, and susceptible of amelioration—I must recollect, that it is yet the existing system, and that every thing now done, to facilitate our army supplies must have reference to its parts, and intents, and indulge a hope, it will enable us to go on, (as we must) under it, for some time longer.
I lost no time, in laying the system proposed by you, before the President for his sanction. He has returned it, with a request, that it should be submitted to the Heads of Departments, as (he expresses it) involving a great expence, and suggested a doubt, whether it can be adopted without Legislative aid. The System has accordingly been submitted to the Gentlemen mentioned, and still remains with them.
In our present situation then, it is still necessary, that the existing system for supplies, be our rule, and this, until an improved one, which certain difficulties now oppose, can be established.
What this system is; the course to be pursued under it; where it imposes duty; and attaches responsibility; I shall endeavour to exemplify, under distinct heads.
1st, Cloathing. It was recently the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury, and is at present that of the Secretary of War, to provide annually, by Contract, or otherwise, the full complement of cloathing for all the men required by the military establishment. This, as the army can never exceed the establishment, and from casualties will always be below it, implies a surpluss, but there is also, an additional quantity always ordered, to meet contingencies.
This cloathing when provided is deposited in the Public Stores. It is drawn out of stores and its transportation, and distribution is effected, in the following manner. The General Commanding in chief, or the General commanding a seperate army, or the General or other officer commanding a district, or detachment only, acting separate from the army, causes returns, to be made to him, by the proper officers, exhibiting all the cloathing required by, and due to, the troops under his command, taking care, whenever his command is divided into posts, and comprises different regiments, or different species of troops, that the returns shall exhibit with precision, the quantities required, for each particular regiment, corps, or post. These returns are to be transmitted to the Secretary of War, by the commanding General or officer. The Secretary is then to transmit them, to the Superintendant of military stores, whose duty it becomes, to see, that the cloathing is carefully made up, or packed up and labelled or directed, conformably to the returns and directions of the General or officer making the same. The Superintendant next, charges on his books, the officers respectively, to whom each parcell is directed, considering them as the persons who are to receive, and distribute the articles directed in their names. The Superintendant afterwards, is to deliver the whole of the Packages to the Quarter Master General, or his Deputy, as the case may be, who immediately becomes accountable, for their transportation, to the respective places of destination, for which they are labelled and invoiced—and their delivery at such places, to the persons charged to receive and distribute the cloathing. The Quarter Master General discharges his responsibility, by taking and producing to the Superintendant, the receipts of the officers respectively, charged on his books, with the different parcells, these officers in their turn exonerate themselves from accountability, by receipts from each soldier, for the cloathing he has received, which aggregately shew the final application of every article so delivered.
2d. Ordnance, and arms, Military Stores, and Camp Equipage.
It is the duty of the Secretary of War, to cause ordnance &c and military stores of every description, to be procured, and to an extent commensurate with appropriations made for the purpose. The appropriation is sometimes particular or specific, as a given sum of money, for small arms cannon &c and nothing is left to discretion. It is generally aggregate, as for military stores in the mass. In the latter case, much is left in the discretion, and to the responsibility of the Head of the War Department. He is to determine on the proportions of the various kinds of articles, comprised under the term Military stores—to be procured with a limitted appropriation. Whence shall he draw accurate information, to enable him to form a solid Judgment? In this case he considers it to be, the usage of all armies, to require information from the commanding General, and to be his duty, to give it with much deliberation and under a high sanction.
When the articles now contemplated are provided, and deposited in the Public arsenals or stores, the same course of requisition on the Secretary, must be observed, with like specifications and the articles must go thro a similar rotine, in the subordinate departments, be transported and delivered to the distributing officers or agents, for use or application under the same responsibility, and equal regard to exoneration of trust, as in the cases of cloathing.
3d. Medicines, Surgical Instruments, and Hospital Stores.
The Arrangement contemplated, by “An Act to regulate the Medical Establishment” passed the 2d. March last, not being acted upon—It becomes necessary, to proceed on the existing or old system; with respect to this Department at least for some months. Complaints of inattention to the safe keeping, and due distribution, or wanton waste, of medicines and hospital stores, especially the latter have of late been indistinctly heard, to mention this, may occasion some means of correction.
In the old system, no provision has ever existed for an Apothecary, to prepare medicines to be sent to the different quarters of the Army, nor for a distinct Purveyor, to purchase medicines, instruments, and Hospital Stores. The course has been for the senior surgeon of an Hospital, or attached to a Garrison, Regiment or permanent Detachment, to make returns to the commanding General or other officer exhibitting the medical articles and stores, necessary for a given time, for the sick of the troops, placed under his individual superintendance and care. These returns are transmitted by the Commanding General or other officer to the Secretary of war, who (sometimes submitting them, to experienced Physicians) considers it to be his duty, to direct the ordinary Purveyor of his Department, who is furnished with the returns, to purchase their contents. When purchased the articles are turned into the Public Store. The requisition is thus made, for medicine, instruments and stores, before the articles are procured, and is the guide for procuring them. The returns should be explicit as to destination—and the articles must go through the same rotine, under the same responsibility, and necessity of exoneration of trust as before mentioned.
4th. Quarter Master Stores, and means of transportation.
All things necessary for the transportation of troops, are to be procured by and from the Quarter Master General (or his Deputies or agents) who take orders for this purpose from the Commanding General or other officer. The same Department is to provide transportation for all military articles of every description and disburse the expence.
Quarter Master Stores are in part of a kind, that must be procured on the spot, and promptly, to answer immediate necessity. These it is the duty of the Quarter Master General or his Deputies to provide. A large proportion of them are however of a nature, to, either require time to prepare in any quantities, or, afford an opportunity to purchase more economically by means of the Purveyor of the War Department.
Requisitions for the latter, are expected to come in season to the Secretary of War, specifying quantities and kinds, either from the Commanding General or directly from the Quarter Master General, as circumstances may require. When procured by the Purveyor, these articles, are placed in the Public Stores, are charged to the Quarter Masters Department, deliverable for application to use, on other returns, from the Quarter Master General or (when he is too distant to be used as the medium) from the Commanding General, or other superior officer, and pass through the same rotine, under like responsibility, and necessity of exoneration as before.
It is proper to observe, that all articles, when put in packages, are directed by the Store-keeper, in the name of the Commandant of the Post they are destined for, and that he is charged with them; that it is understood, he delivers them over, to the custody of a Quarter Master where there is one, if none, to an officer acting in that capacity to a garrison, or if the post is a small one, to a confidential serjeant also acting in the same capacity—who can issue the articles composing the packages, only on the orders of a commandant or superior officer.
6th. Pay of the Army.
Having already explained my conceptions respecting the manner in which this is to be effected, and the injunctions of Law, and instructions to the Pay-master-general, intended to be conformable to law, from the Department of the Treasury on the subject; I must at present repeat, that it is required, muster and pay rolls in due form shall be made out and presented previous to payments in any case to the troops. That the rolls shall be examined, checked, and the sums due, thereon certified by the Pay Master General (or when he has appointed them) by his Deputies, if the Comptroller shall, (as I do explicitly concur in your opinion) to the Commanding General or other superior officer, who shall thereupon issue his warrant upon the Paymaster for payment accordingly. That it is considered to be the duty of the Secretary of War, to place such sums of money in the hands of the Pay Master general, from time to time, as he shall require, either upon his own estimate, or conformably to requisitions upon him, by the Commanding General, for the aforesaid purposes.
Heretofore the Law had made no provision for Deputy-paymasters, and it would appear that the 2d. Section of “An Act in addition to the Act for making further and more effectual provision for the protection of the frontiers of the United States” by providing “that the army be in future paid in such manner, that the arrears shall at no time exceed two months” had imposed a course, I shall immediately mention—but muster and pay rolls, I have never understood to have been dispensed with. They must necessarily have been required, previous to actual payments to the troops, for no credits have ever been allowed at the Treasury without rolls in due form as exhibits or vouchers.
To facilitate payments, and make them conform as much as possible, to the short periods prescribed by the law just cited, at the most remote or detached military points of the western army from communication with the Pay master, necessity obliged a recourse to the appointment of agents, such was Capt. Guion at the Natchez, Colo. Henley at Knoxville and Major Freeman in Georgia, and on the Seaboard to the substitution of the Accountant for Pay master, who certified the pay due in the latter quarter, to the different Garrisons, recruiting parties, or detachments, directly to the Secretary, always on muster and pay rolls in due form, forwarded or presented by the proper officers. The rolls were never dispensed with, and in no instance, that has come to my knowledge, has advances been made to troops, these were sometimes made to officers only, under peculiar circumstances, as when they were ordered to a distant command requiring an equipment, and involving extra expence.
I have not only mentioned to the Pay Master General my approbation of the appointment of distant Deputies, for the commands of General Pinckney and yourself, but urged his taking measures for the appointments without delay.
With respect to Deputy Quarter Masters General for the separate armies—I [re]collect that your opinion accords with mine, that until the Principal is appointed there can be no regular Deputy—and I am sorry to intimate that if my recollection is correct, the Gentleman contemplated for Quarter Master General, made his acceptance of the office depend upon the events of General Washingtons taking the field, and an actual state of War. I shall look into my information on this head, and at all events write to him to know, whether if appointed next session of the Senate, he will accept and enter immediately into service. Should this (which is to be desired) not be the case, necessity may compel to have recourse to agents—and it will be well to consider who may be suited to the appointments.
The existing system of supplies, executed as I have delineated, will bring the wants of the service in a great degree, if not completely, before the Commanding General—consequently will enable him to exercise the superintendance expected from him with much effect; It would seem too, that the general superintendence of all military concerns, peculiarly belongs to him as he can exercise it to most advantage. The observation applies to every Commander of a seperate army or great military District.
I must therefore request you will (until it can be ameliorated or a better substituted) that you will give to the existing system all possible efficacy, within your command. I shall enjoin the same upon General Pinckney—and rely implicitly upon both Generals for compelling the officers whose duty it shall be, to furnish estimates and returns, to make them in proper form and in due season. It must be evident, that if estimates of quantities when necessary, and returns for supplies, are not made in season, I may fail in making my provisions in due proportions, and delay in, or want of, transportation will often be unavoidable.
Permit me more particularly to expect, that you will revise the returns, or if necessary devise new ones, relative to cloathing—in order that they may exhibit, at stated periods, not only the articles actually delivered to the soldiery but the quantities remaining on hand at each post or encampment—and that you will explicitly enjoin it on the proper Officers to take receipts from each soldier, for the articles of cloathing delivered to him.
I have the Honour to be, with great Respect Sir   Your Most Obedient & Most Huml. Serv.
James McHenry
Major General Alexander Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Peter Goelet, 21 September 1799
From: Goelet, Peter
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Major General Hamilton
Sir
New York Sepr. 21st. 1799.

On the 21st. Augt: last I Enclosed You a Statement of the Ballance due on the Lands bought by General Schuyler, of the Trustees of the American Iron Company, with Interest to that day, Wishing to have that buseness in a Train so as to make a final Settlement when Mr Morris comes to Town, as his Stay generally is very short, but have not been favord with Your Answer, And shall be very Happy if You could now make it Convenient to Sittle the Ballance, I am with Respect
Sir Your Very Humble Servant Peter Goelet
Major General Hamilton

To the Trustees of the American Iron Company D

1799 Aug’ 21.
To Balle. due this Day
£763.4.10
Doll
1808 ¹⁰⁄₁₀₀

To Interest on ditto up to 21 Sepr. 1 Month
  4.1. 1

 10 ¹³⁄₁₀₀

£767.5.11
Dole
1818 ²³⁄₁₀₀


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 21 September 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: McHenry, James

Sir
New York Sepr. 21. 1799

I feel it as a mark of consideration for my recommendation, that notwithstanding the force of the difficulties, which in your view operate against further advances not founded upon the prescribed forms, you are pleased to declare that you will once more give your sanction to the measure.
I must entreat you even to go a step further and to order that it be without fail done. For Symptoms bordering on mutiny for the want of pay have been reported to me as having appeared in the twelveth and thirteenth Regiments. And discontents less turbulent have been communicated from several other quarters. An explosion any where would injure and discredit the service, and wherever the blame might really be would be shared by all.
No one can be more deeply impressed than I am with the necessity of a strict adherence to general rules and to established forms. But there will occur circumstances in which these ought to be dispensed with. And it is equally important, to judge rightly when exceptions ought to be admitted as when the general rule ought to be maintained.
The creation of a new army, in which every officer from the highest to the lowest is of new appointment, & in respect to which in and out of the administration there is a deficiency of some essential organs, presents a case which with the utmost diligence and care will require and justify relaxations.
For instance, the law and the instructions of the Treasury Department require that the Pay of the troops shall be founded upon warrants of the Commanding General regulated, by the reports of the Pay Master General or, as I maintain the construction of the late law to be, of his Deputy with a separate command. How was that practicable when the Pay Master General was at Cincinnati and he had no deputy any where? How can it now be done with reasonable convenience and expedition, when he resides at Philadelphia and he has no deputy attached either to my command or to that of General Pinckney?

Again Muster and Pay Rolls are to be in certain precise forms prescribed by the Treasury. These forms were received by me only four days since, and consequently could not hitherto be in the possession of the commandants of Regiments. It will not be said that I ought to have called for them; because certainly it lies with the department to communicate its own regulations uncalled for. Are the soldiery to suffer a privation of pay for several months, because these forms never prescribed, have not been fulfilled?
It is true that when I was at the head of the Treasury Department these forms passed under my eye; but it is no less true that I had forgotten the circumstance, and that considering it as an attribute of the Inspector General to devise forms, where none were before established by higher authority, I had caused to be prepared forms of Muster and Pay Rolls to answer the present exigency. Surely as the matter is situated, these forms ought provisionally at least to serve as substitutes for the established ones.
Various other particulars might be added to prove that dispensations with the ordinary forms ought to take place in relation to the new Regiments. But the foregoing are sufficient for illustration.
Every effort no doubt ought to be made and on my part will be made as fast as possible to put this and every other matter in its proper and regular train. But time is requisite and the organs which depend on administrative authority must first be instituted.
The Treasury as well as the war department, has too often experienced the necessity of accommodating relaxations in special cases not readily to admit upon reflexion that they are right in the existing position of our new army.
As to the persons, who are to muster the twelve regiments they are by my direction the Commandant of the Regiment and the surgeon or person officiating in that capacity. It seems to me that till inspectors are appointed—nothing would be done which would promise greater security to the public. I did not like to multiply Agents. I conceive that this is substantially conformable to the instruction from the Treasury and will be so understood. If not you be pleased to inform me.
With great respect   I have the honor to be Sir   Yr. Obed Ser
The Secy of War


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Nathan Rice, 22 September 1799
From: Rice, Nathan
To: Hamilton, Alexander

My dear General
Springfield [Massachusetts] Sepr. 22d. 1799

I have devoted my personal service during the last week intirely to the object of winter quarters for the troops. I had not considered it so difficult to find & obtain a proper position, as on tryal it appeared to be. Many were eligible, as embracing partial advantages, some which comprehended all could not be obtained of the owners at any price, others at so exorbitant ones, that I at once gave them up.
I consulted Mr Jackson agreeable to your request who could not offer me the least aid. I calld on Mr Ruggles the Contractor who accompanyed me to Uxbridge—whither I turned my first attention, and after examining it & reconnoitreing the adjoining Towns for two or three days, I contracted for a situation which appears to imbrace the indispensable requisites. It is an elevated, healthfull, plesant, Situation; near the centre of the Town of Uxbridge, containing twenty one acres of oak & chesnut Timber, estimated to contain 20 Cords of wood p Acre. It has in its ⟨–⟩ at 150 yards an excellent Spring reported amply sufficient for the Troops—in front of which at a small distance, is grounds for encamping while the hutts are erecting, & which will answer for discipline. The Use of which for the purpose, may be had for a small consideration. In my agreement Government have the election of purchasing the Soil for twenty one dollars pr acre—or the Wood, & use of the ground, for eighteen dollars p. acre, which were the best Terms I could obtain of the owner. Saw mills are in the neighbourhood, where as many boards as will be necessary, (of which some for the officers will be requisite) can be had at about Six Dollars pr M. Slabs also to cover the hutts, can be had for a trifle, which will be convenient & as cheap to Government as any thing which can be used. Uxbridge is twenty three miles from Providence thirty seven from Boston & nineteen from Worcester. It has a pretty fruitfull surrounding country & will well accommodate the Contractors, as Rum Whiskey, Leyder brandy, are distilld. in the place.
Mr. Ruggles returned to Boston as soon as I had agreed for the spot. I then proceeded to Oxford distant fourteen miles west of Uxbridge here I met with an eligible Spot for hutting. In some respects this Town is preferable to Uxbridge. It has a more compact settlement an extensive plain for a Parade and a fertile surrounding country—within half a mile of the centre of the Town & One hundred yards of a large Stream & pond of water I found a grove of excellent oak Timber, standing on a sufficiently elevated ground, with a southern aspect, estimated to afford at least forty cords of wood to the acre, which can be purchased, with the use of the grounds for twenty five dollars pr. acre. A Saw mill stands very near it. Boards & Slabs may here also be had & springs of good water. If the advantages of being near Providence are not important Oxford I conceive would be the most eligible Spot which I saw of that Sir you can better judge than myself.
Thus I have to the best of my ability executed your commission—it has been an unplesant one, as it attachd to it so great responsibility. You ought not to be deceived and our discipline has not arrived to that perfection—but every officer & Soldiers, will take the liberty to judge of the propriety of my representation & choice, & decide agreeably to their own wishes.
I conceive Sir whatever may be your determination, as to situations no time ought to be lost in having the troops on the spot—that the hutts may be erected previous to the setting in of cold weather.
With the highest respect   I am Sir your most Obt Servant
N: Rice
General Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Caleb Swan, 22 September 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Swan, Caleb

Sir
New York Septr: 22. 1799

Having forgotten the circumstance, known to me when at the head of the Treasury Department, that forms of Muster and Pay Rolls had been prescribed by the Comptroller of the Treasury, I instructed the Assistant Adjutant General to devise forms of those documents and to transmit them to the several commanders. You will find herewith the forms thus prescribed with a letter from the Adjutant General explaining the differences and the reasons of the alterations. Brevity was the principal motive of them. In all military documents it is peculiarly desireable to consult conciseness as far as it may comport with perspicuity and accuracy. Military men in the midst of active operations have very little leisure for writing.
Having observed this much, I shall only further say on this point that I have no predilection for the new forms and am perfectly content, that the old shall continue with or without modifications to meet such of the alterations as may be deemed improvements.
But the essential point is to have the Officers without delay furnished with those forms which it is expected shall be observed accompanied with the requisite instructions for carrying them into Execution.
To this end I have issued the order of which the enclosed is a copy and I expect that you will without delay send the several Pay Masters and persons acting as such the forms and instructions. Till you have a deputy it appears to me regular that your communications ought to be with this description of persons. Where you have or shall have a Deputy it is and will be proper for you to communicate with him and he with the Officers in Question. I may add that wherever a particular officer receives money from your Department for which he is accountable You or your deputy may with propriety hold a direct communication with him whatever be his station.
But it is proper that correspondence and communication between your office and the military should be restricted to persons of this description, except where for any special reason you find occasion to communicate with the Commanding General or other commander of an army or within a great military District.
The pointing out at an early period this course of proceeding is dictated by a love of regularity to which nothing is more conducive than great strictness in the modes of communication between Officers. It will be necessary to furnish each Commanding General with all the forms and general instructions which may be sent from your office for his information and government.
You may learn the names of the several Pay Masters from the Secy of War to whom they have been reported.
With great consideration   I am Sir   Yr. Obed ser
Caleb Swan Esq


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 23 September 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir,
War Department, Trenton,September 23rd. 1799.

I have received your letter of the 19th: instant.
On the 30th: ultimo I detailed my conceptions on the subject of late appointments to the new Regiments, these were grounded on former usage, on principles suggested by the Commander in Chief, as I thought on expedience and utility, and on calculations to ensure to the different Grades in a small establishment, the best selection of Officers.
I had supposed that the opinion of the Board of General Officers respecting relative Rank among the Officers they had selected, was explicitly declared, by the measure they adopted of numbering them provisionally, leaving it to a future time, and future indications to settle the Stations of those of the same Grade relatively and definitively. I had however considered, what they did by the list they formed, a definitive adaptation of office from the information before them, to the pretensions and abilities of the Candidates, in the last view, and during the formation or creation of the Corps of Officers. I could not but suppose, that declinations, left open the precise Ranks they happened in, to be filled from former or subsequent applicants, whose pretensions suited them to the vacancy; the former appointed being measured and fitted, and no experience intervening to enhance their merits. The same views would also induce the same opinion, respecting vacancies occasioned, (a few instances of which have occurred) by the resignation of Officers, who resigned immediately after appointment—from unsteadiness, intervening inducements, or a change in their private affairs, incompatible with Military Service.
I cannot but suppose that the ideas I have expressed were entertained by all persons in any manner concerned in army appointments—as vacancies occurred in the different Regiments, recommendations were forwarded to fill the precise Grades, by the Commandants themselves, and in some instances by General Pinckney and yourself, and this altho’ it might not have been attended to indiscriminately in cases of resignation and declension of acceptance. I will only refer to the case of Eli Forbes recommended by you in the place of Captain Philips, after the resignation of the latter on the 10th: July last.
The prospect of a better selection seemed to attend, a practice grounded on these ideas, which appeared too strictly sanctioned by former precedents in the creating of new Corps, to be of course, and to create no uneasiness. The first intimation of discontent, was conveyed by your letter, enclosing a copy of a letter to you from Lieut: Colonel Bentley, dated the 17th: ulto:
Permit me to observe that military etiquette, on the subject of succession, is the production of Rank once settled, and at least in our Armies, has not shewn itself heretofore, until that period arrived, altho’ afterwards it has been tenaciously adhered to, most probably with beneficial effects.

Having no inclination to protract the date at which the rule of succession should commence but expecting useful results from it, when it was proper it should take place—I contemplated a mode of determining its commencement in a way that was compatible with securing all the Military Talents probably attainable for the different regimental Grades, and therefore preferable to a prefixed, and declared day. The mode was, to refer to the Commanding General the declaration of relative rank definitively for the Majors and Company Officers of each Regiment. This reserved to the General, perfectly acquainted from his correspondence, with the internal state of each Regiment, the advantage in his discretion, of acquiring talent for the different company Grades, in case of vacancies, as long as any chance remained of such acquisition. In a word this mode was intended to give to the General the full power of declaring relative Rank, and commencing the rule of succession in each Regiment, at such time as the organization of its Officers, and the good and harmony of the Service might in his judgement appear to require.
I have the honor to be,   with great respect, Sir,   Your obedt. servant
James McHenry
Major General Alexander Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Staats Morris, 23 September 1799
From: Morris, Staats
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Fort McHenry [Baltimore, Maryland] September 23, 1799. “… I am extremely sorry to inform you Sir, that an epidemic is raging to an alarming degree in my Garrison, and on that account it is very fortunate that so many men have been sent out of the way of it. My nephew Lieut. Lawrence fell a victim to it yesterday, after only four days ilness. I shall this day give orders to have the men encamped at a distance from the barracks and shall remove my family immediately.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Thomas Parker, 2[3] September 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Parker, Thomas

Sir
New York Sepr. 2[3]. 1799

It is contemplated to establish the Eighth Ninth and Tenth Regiments in Winter Quarters somewhere in the Vicinity of the Potowmack and near Harpurs Ferry. As this station is within the territorial limits of General Pinckneys Command, the providing of quarters there did not fall within my province. But very urgent circumstances having suddenly induced General Pinckney to proceed to Rhode Island, which has deranged the natural course of the business, The Secretary of War has just directed me to take the requisite measures for effecting the object. The Quarter Masters Department not being yet organised I have concluded to confide the matter to your management.
The plan is to hut the troops during the present Winter which method the experience of the last war shewed to be extremely conducive to comfort as well as convenience. For this purpose a situation is to be sought, where there will be proper wood for hutting and plenty of fuel; I mean on the premisses: It is scarcely necessary to add that it must be airy elevated and dry so as to secure the health of the troops and must command an ample supply of good water. About Eighty Acres will suffice.
It is desireable, if practicable, to find out more than one spot, and even to extend the inquiry lower down the Potowmack towards the Fœderal City, but on the Virginia side. You will ascertain the terms upon which each spot may be purchased or hired. A purchase will probably, be found most convenient. When you have found a place, in your opinion fit, you will immediately report it with a particular description and the terms upon which it may be had to the Commander in Chief and transmit a duplicate of your report to me; and continuing your examination in the direction which I have mentioned you will successively report in the same manner. This letter will be transmitted to him to be forwarded to you with any directions he may think fit to give.
You will make arrangements for the care of the recruiting service in your absence and you will lose no time in executing this service. The late period of the season renders dispatch indispensable.
With great consideration   I am sir   Yr. Obed ser
Thomas Parker EsqLt. Col Comm


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Nathan Rice, 23 September 1799
From: Rice, Nathan
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir
Springfield [Massachusetts] Sepr. 23d 1799

On my arrival at this place application was made to me for the discharge of two recruits, being inlisted as was alledged before they were eighteen years old. Capt. Ashman with whom they engagd. in July, says they assured him they were 18. By certificates from the records of the Towns, which they produce to me, one of them, Asa Chamberlin was seventeen the 9th of last April. The other William Clerk 3d was 18 yesterday. They appear likely young men. must they be dischargd. or not?
I understand that three of the deserters from Major Winslows district rendezvous reported to you are apprehended. Two from this post also who had deserted are taken, and in confinement. One of them a great Scoundrel. I have not receivd your directions how those of this discription are to be tryed.

It was out of my power to make my return for August before I left home; as all had not been receivd from the subdistricts; it shall be forwarded on my return. My paymaster has paid to the officers all the recruiting money which he had receivd. several of them are destitute of it & some in advance to the public.
I have neglected to assemble & muster the men at the regimental rendezvous contemplating their speedy removal to winter quarters. If I have erred, will proceed to do it without delay. I am pleased with the proficiency, they have made in discipline. They are in appearance fine men. I find it now necessary to appoint my Adjutant. Permit me to nominate Lieutenant Henry Sergent. You will perhaps after the high recommendations I gave Mr. Roulstone wonder I did not name him. Was his penmanship equal to his other qualifications I undoubtedly should. I pray that his merits may be rewarded as I requested in a former letter.
I am sorry to have occasion to report two more deserters from this district. I have enclosed Major Walkers report of them. I flatter myself they will be taken, as some accounts have been had of their retreat. Pray Sir are the Officers or noncommissiond. officers entitled to the premium allowed by the public for taking up Deserters? Captain Chandler has in one instance promised it to a Serjeant who apprehended one. I have doubted myself whether it was proper.
The men begin to grow impatient for pay they say they were encouraged when inlisted in an expectation of receiving it at least in three months.
With great consideration,   I am Sir yr Ob Servant
Nathan Rice
PS. Please to direct your communications in future to me at Boston as from thence I receive them with more dispatch than from Hingham—when absent.

N R.
Major General Hamilton


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Caleb Swan, 23 September 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Swan, Caleb

Sir
New York Sepr. 23. 1799

I regret that I did not find in your letter of the 19 instant information that you were sending a supply of money for bounty and Pay to the additional Regiments. The Secy of War tells me that he had instructed you to report an estimate of what might be requisite and that he would sanction the advance. In my letter, to which yours is a reply, I request that two months pay may be forwarded. To this may be added a sufficient sum to make up, with what has been already furnished, the full bounty for one half the complement of the 5th 6th and 16th. and three fourths of the complement of the  and the full complement of the others. I sometime since sent to the Secretary of War, as a guide, the numbers of the several Regiments according to my information at that time. I now send the present state of them agreeably to later information.
It is my duty to urge in the most serious manner that not a moment may be lost in forwarding this money. Serious inconveniences are to be apprehended from the not doing of it. When it is considered that one material form, that of the warrants of the Commanding Generals, cannot be executed for want of the requisite appointments of Deputies and that the prescribed forms of Muster and Pay Rolls were only received by me from the war Department in the course of this week—When, I say, these circumstances are taken in connection with other obvious ones incident to the creation of new corps—there ought certainly to be no hesitation any where about making reasonable advances. If within proper limits, there can be no possible risk, more than are inseperable from all public disbursements where there are intermediate Agents. I count implicitly upon your zeal and exertion. I am assured of the sanction of the Secy of War and I take it for granted there will be no obstacle from any other quarter.

I am obliged by your expressions of confidence and shall lose no time in selecting a fit character as Deputy in this Quarter. The arrival of General Pinckney makes your resort to him for another Deputy very proper. I shall consider what the law permits as to other deputies and will give you my opinion as well of the regularity as of the expediency of an increase of the number.
The dispersed situation of the two Regiments of Artillery renders it difficult to designate Pay Masters by the nomination of the Officers. But I shall speedily devise a mode of effecting the object as nearly in conformity with usage as the circumstances will permit. I am clearly of opinion that all necessary organs of service ought without delay to be instituted & especially where the disbursement of money is concerned.
I request you to send me as soon as may be a statement of all the monies which have been advanced for bounty & pay to the additional Regiments and a statement of the arrears of pay now due to the four old Regts.& that you will give me a monthly view of the subject.
With great consideration   I am Sir   Yr Obed ser
Caleb Swan Esq


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 23 September 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
New York Sept 23d. 1799

I had the pleasure of receiving in due time your letter of the 15th. instant. The suggestions it contains will be maturely weighed. I postpone any thing definitive, till the return of General Wilkinson which is momently expected. The other Documents, besides No. 8, which accompanied this letter, were not material to the consideration of its contents, or they would have been forwarded. Even Number one does nothing more than exhibit in the form of a table the propositions which are found in the letter. I was afraid of burthening you with papers, which did not necessarily require your attention, being matters of mere detail.
Inclosed is a letter of this date to Col: Parker about Winter Quarters for the Eighth Ninth and Tenth Regiments. It is late to begin, but you perceive in it the causes of the delay.
It is extremely desirable that you would be pleased to take the direction of this matter, and to have the business done in such manner as you shall deem eligible. Not having a right to presume that you would choose to take the charge of it, I have adopted the expedient of addressing my self to Colonel Parker. But perhaps you may think of some preferable Agent. In which case, you will be so good as to retain the letter and give complete directions to such other Agent. Compensation and the defraying of his Expences need not be Obstacles.
At any rate, I hope you will not find it inconvenient to instruct Colo. Parker to conclude a bargain for such place, as upon his reports to you, shall be, in your opinion eligible. It is very necessary that these young troops should be early covered. Collateral Ideas with regard to Harper’s Ferry as a place for Arsenals and magazines may perhaps be combined. These will more readily occur to you than to me.
Scotch Plains near Bound Brook will be fixed upon for the 11th. 12th. & 13th. Regiments. A very eligible Spot, of about Ninety Acres, is offered there at 50 Dollars per Acre, for the fee simple. It affords the advantage of a good Summer encampment also; with a prospect of a Supply, for years, of fuel and Straw at cheap rates and the convenience of a pleasant and plentiful surrounding Country.
Search has been, for some time past, making for a suitable position for the three most Northern Regiments, in the vicinity of Uxbridge in Massachusetts.
With true respect & attachment   I have the honor to be   Dr. Sir yr.   obedt. servt.
Alex Hamilton
General Washington


Title: General Orders, 24 September 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander,Ellery, Abraham R.
To:

New York, September 24th 1799.

The Paymaster General having arrived and entered upon his functions at the seat of government, all muster and pay rolls are, hereafter, to be transmitted to him, instead of the office of the Adjutant General, until a Deputy Paymaster General shall have been appointed and announced to the troops. They are to be sent addressed to Caleb Swan, Esquire, Paymaster General, at Philadelphia, with the usual endorsement on public service, and the name of the writer.
The Paymaster General will prescribe and transmit the forms of muster and pay rolls, and of accounts connected with them, together with instructions for carrying them into execution, which are strictly to be observed by all officers whom it may concern.
Abraham R. ElleryAssistant Adjutant General.


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Caleb Swan, 25 September 1799
From: Swan, Caleb
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Trenton, September 25, 1799. “I have received your two letters of the 23rd Instant. I am in the act of complying with all therein required; but as I have to apportion the sums of money to the different Regiments, and obtain seperate drafts for the same out of the Bank in Philadelphia, it will necessarily consume a few days; you may however, calculate on the whole being done and the money put in motion in the course of a week. In this business I find myself standing on uncertain ground—committed to the hazard of accident by a robbery of the Mail or other contingency—and that kind of responsibility which I have been accustomed to only, of delivering the money in person to the proper accountable officer, changed altogether. And from the letter of the law, the tenor of my instructions, and the rigid adherence to rules and forms in the examining officers of the Treasury, I can have but faint hopes of relief in case of accident, unless it be through your agency, which I am in hopes will never be required; yet should any loss happen, I am persuaded of your efforts in my behalf.…”


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from Caleb Swan, 25 September 1799
From: Swan, Caleb
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Trenton, September 25, 1799. “In the pressure of business I omitted to mention in my letter of this day, that a calculation had been made previously to the receipt of yours of the 23. instant, for sending as much money to the new Regiments at this time as would discharge all arrearages of pay and subsistence up to the 30th of this month inclusive. This will amount to rather more than two months pay to some of the officers, who have generally received four in advance. And from the best information I possess, it will not far exceed two months pay generally to the soldiers, who have in some instances been paid a moiety by the paymasters, as will appear by the schedule of advances forwarded this day.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 September 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: McHenry, James

New York, September 26, 1799. Encloses extract of Lieutenant Colonel John F. Hamtramck’s letter of July 1, 1799, concerning his failure to be repaid for expenses incurred for the First Regiment. States: “I would request your particular Attention to this subject. You will be so good as to inform me whether the payment will be made, or if there are any special objections to the measure communicate them to me that I may be able to transmit them to Col. Hamtramck.”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to William North, 26 September 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: North, William

Private
New York Sept. 26th. 1799
Dr. Sir

There is nothing to change or postpone the call for you to this City. Your presence is necessary. Several things wait for it. The whole machinery must be in motion. The disease here is wearing out and your Office is in a healthy part of the Town. But still I advise you to repair in the first instance to the encampment of the 12th. Regt. at West Chester and inform me of your being there. Do not tell my friends that I write to you from N. York.


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 26 September 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth

My dear Sir
N. York Sept. 26th. 1799

I have heard of your arrival at Rhode Island. On the  I wrote you a long letter transmitting all the Instructions which respect the recruiting service &c. Did you receive that letter? Is there any one who would act upon it in your absence? I wish you could make a visit to Trenton convenient. More Organisation is indispensable. Several things of material concern are to be arranged. I shall go there with General Wilkinson as soon as he arrives from Boston whither he lately went. Your cooperation would be important. If you come with this view it must be speedy.
affectly. yrs. &c


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from John F. Hamtramck, 27 September 1799
From: Hamtramck, John F.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Fort Fayette (Pittsburgh), September 27, 1799. “… I have reviewed the Troops of this Garrison; they are a handsome set of young Men, make a good appearance, and their Cloathing is in good order, their policie does honor to … the Commanding Officer; but like all the other Troops are defficient in tactics; the Arms are in good order but without Gun Slings, and the Cartridge Boxes tho’ clean are not fit for service; the Non Commissioned Officers & Music are without Swords, and the latter are but passable, and have no Coats, the Pickets want to be renewed, but the Barracks of both Officers and Soldiers, are in very good repair. I have Received a Letter from the Surveyor General Rufus Putnam Esqr to whom I had wrote and requested he would inform me the reason why the Indian boundary line had not been run before in which he says that in May 1798 he had contracted with a Mr Ludlow to run the lines, and it then appeared probable that they would have been surveyed in the following Autumn, but other Surveys which he judged necessary to be previously executed, which were connected with, and preparatory to the Surveys of the Boundary Line, and which were not compleated till the uprising of the last Spring, was the cause that it was not done before. I expect some other information through a different chanel, which shall be communicated as soon as it arrives.…”


Title: From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 27 September 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: McHenry, James

Sir
New York Sepr 27. 1799

I regret that I did not find in your letter of the 23 instant some assurances, as to the future, which would have enabled me to tranquillize the minds of those Officers, who may have been rendered uneasy by the appointments which have been in discussion between us. Had this been the case, I should have gladly left the subject at rest; for certainly I have no inclination to animadvert on the past, except with the view of preventing if possible the continuance of a practice, which in my judgment is calculated to injure the service.

It is not my desire to controvert the position which you seem desirous to establish, that what has been done is justified by the usage of the Department, and that it has been countenanced by the recommendations of the Commandants of Regiments, of General Pinckney, perhaps of myself.
Yet upon recurring to my letter, in the instance you particularly cite, I do not perceive that it warrants the inference which has been drawn. That letter, reminding you of an opinion which I had before given of a contrary tendency, and which you were not understood to have adopted, only states that if a different rule was to prevail, the application of it to this case would probably be expedient; and for this conclusion it cautiously relies on the presumption that the commandant, who recommended, had not been unmindful of the probable effect of the measure on the feelings of his officers.
I have also referred to the letter of Col Hunewell, on which mine is grounded, and I find this paragraph preceding that which I presume was sent to you—“The Secy of War has officially informed me that Capt Philips of my Regiment has applied to decline his acceptance as Captain in the army &c.” This phrase is incorrect and ambiguous, but I am persuaded the impression on my mind was, that he had declined to accept, not that he had resigned after acceptance.
But I willingly relinquish the assertion of my own consistency, and consent to share the responsibility of what ever may have been done contrary to the course which I now advocate. I am only anxious that this course, which I deem most correct in itself, and most conducive to the harmony and success of the service, may prevail in future. In determining the propriety of it, neither the past usage of the department nor the ideas, deliberate or inadvertent, of particular officers are conclusive. If these have led to an inconvenient practice, it is no reason that a better should not be substituted.
The only argument for the past practice, which in the view of expediency I find in your communications, is the greater prospect of a good selection of character. But I have a strong doubt whether the operation will in this respect accord with the hypothesis. In the first formation of a corps, it is natural and usual to combine various and extensive information of the characters of candidates. A careful selection, guided by adequate lights, may be presumed to be the result. When, the corps being in a state of progression, a vacancy happens, the service commonly requires that it be speedily filled. And it is often probable, that the necessity of expedition will interfere with the judiciousness of Choice.
If I may credit the representations of some of the Commandants, this supposition is verified by the fact. Inferior characters in some of the new appointments have been placed over the heads of those which were preferable.
But admitting the fact, which is the basis of the argument, it still remains to judge, whether the little more of advantage, which in that particular may be obtained will compensate for the inconveniences of the scheme.
These inconveniences have been before adverted to. They resolve themselves into the dissatisfaction of Officers; by the contravention of expectations which are naturally formed—and which are connected with the strongest motives that actuate the breasts of military men.
In addition to the more general considerations, which create those expectations, it may be observed, that when officers by their exertions have contributed to raise the men or a considerable part of them who are to compose a Regiment, they are apt to consider new persons, placed over them as Intruders, to whom the fruits of their labours have been transferred. This impression is distinct from mere military prejudice. It results from the relation which intrinsically subsists between service and recompence. The usage of the Department, as stated by you, infringes that relation.
Thus justice coincides with the prepossessions of the military state to recommend, that the discretion to introduce new characters into corps once organised should be confined within narrow limits—and should not be permitted to move within so wide a circle as you assign to it. I cannot but adhere to the opinion that the limits delineated by me in my former letter, afford as much latitude as can be reconciled with propriety & the interest of the service.
I am not able to assent to the proposition that “Military Etiquette, on the subject of succession is the production of rank once settled.” The right of succession, is incident to every military establishment of which we have any knowlege. It is considered as the primary reward of service, and has its foundation in natural justice and in very strong passions of the human heart. The moment a corps is organised by the appointment of its officers, the expectation of promotion, by succession from a lower to higher grade, arises spontaneously in the heart of every officer, founded in a sentiment of right and in the analogy of practice. If the expectation is disappointed, unless in conformity with exceptions previously declared and understood, a sense of injury is excited.
If the relative rank between the individuals of a corps is suspended in the act of appointment, though the parties must and will resign themselves to a future decision of that point; yet they will expect that as against all strangers to the corps, they will enjoy a right of succession, to be applied individually among themselves as soon as there shall be a settlement of relative rank. This, they will consider as a principle of military right and Etiquette. With this, they will connect the point of honor, and will be apt to think themselves degraded, if the principle be not observed towards them.
As to the provisional arrangement of relative rank by the Board of General Officers on which you lay some stress—it had no other meaning than to reserve to the Government the right of readjusting the rank as between the Individuals who were recommended by then. It had no eye whatever to the introduction of new men—or to the suspension of the right of promotion in favour of persons of this description. The caution of the Board, in recommending the express reservation of a right to change the arrangement is an indication of their sense of the strictness of the rules of rank.
You intimate that you contemplated the period of a definitive settlement of the relative rank as that at which the right of succession should commence. This idea was for the first time intimated in your letter, to which this is an answer, and of course could not regulate the expectation of any officer. Besides, it is to make an important right depend in different corps upon local collateral and casual circumstances. The commanding General was empowered to make the definitive settlement of rank, but it was a prerequisite that he was to acquire the necessary information. In proportion to the distance from which this was to come, and to the dispersion of the officers over a greater or smaller extent of Country, must have been the celerity with which the settlement in each case could be made. Corps near the Quarters of the General might have been put in enjoyment of the right in a fortnight, while those at the extremities must have been postponed for months; though all were appointed at the same time. So unequal, and let me add without offence, so capricious a result cannot on mature reflection be thought a proper one.
It has happened, as well from the necessity of such an expedient, as in conformity with what was by me understood to be the sense of the Board of General Officers, that the field officers of each Regiment have been resorted to as the Agents of the readjustment of rank—reserving a discretion to approve alter or reject. In some instances through more diligence, perhaps less circumspection, or from better means of information, the field officers have executed with promptness the task confided to them. In others notwithstanding reiterated calls, the execution is still delayed, and for reasons which have too much appearance of validity to be disapproved.
Hence if the definitive arrangement is to be the criterion of the right of succession, some regiments will have been intitled to it for months past, and others may not be intitled to it for some time yet to come.
I must entreat that you will be pleased to review the considerations which I have stated, and I will allow myself to hope that the principles suggested in my last letter will appear to you solid and that they will still receive your sanction for future practice.
They are that when a new corps is organised, though vacancies by non-acceptance may be filled by new men, yet the right of succession shall immediately attach as to every case of vacancy, after acceptance of the person whose station may have become vacant.
That even as to the filling of vacancies, arising from non acceptance, a determinate period shall be fixed, sufficient for ascertaining who will accept and who will decline; after the expiration of which time, the right of succession shall begin to operate.
And I submit that three months from the time of organisation, by the first appointment of officers, ought to be deemed sufficient for that purpose.
General and certain rules in most affairs are of great consequence. In whatever relates to military institutions, they are peculiarly necessary. Partial or particular conveniences, to be derived from the suspension of them, are scarcely ever to be put in competition with the aggregate of advantages which they produce. A steady system, constituted by fixed rules, is the essential basis of a good and prosperous military establishment: a maxim which cannot be too constantly borne in mind or too carefully observed.
With great respect & esteem I have the honor to be Sir   Yr Obed ser
The Secy of War


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 28 September 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Private & confidential
Trenton 28 Sept. 1799
My dear Sir

I have understood this morning that the monies expended on the works which have been directed to be erected by Brig. Gen. Wilkinson at Loftus’s heights have already occasioned an expenditure of above 80,000 Dolls. I can hardly beleive in the information, and yet it is sufficiently circumstantial to create no little uneasiness. The works at this place, were undertaken without orders. I shall send you copies of his instructions and of two letters to him of the 2d Augt. 1798 & 31 Jany 1799. What he has done may be right however notwithstanding the light in which it strikes me.
The appropriation for the defensive protection of the frontiers, by which is meant militia services & fortfications is 60,000 only.
This passion for fort building, I mean permanent ones must be restrained. I believe there has also been a new one commenced on the Tom bigbee.
Yours affectionately
James McHenry
Gen. Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 28 September 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir,
War Department28th. September 1799

I have received your letter dated the 21st instant, pressing that measures, may without fail, and speedily, be taken to pay the sums due to the troops of the United States.
Observations in your letter, relative to the causes, which have prevented the exhibition of muster and pay rolls, would seem to convey an idea, that in your opinion some delay or failure in this particular is attributable to me.
It becomes therefore proper that I should observe, I can discover, in whatever relates to the pay of the army, no deficiency of any organ, which it lay with this Department to appoint. If one or more Deputies are thought indispensible to the Pay Master General, it will be recollected, that the appointment lays with him, not with me, and that so far as my sanction of the measure, seemed to be expected, I have readily accorded it.
It also deserves attention, that had Deputies existed, they could have made no payments to the troops regularly, but on muster and pay rolls, previously exhibitted, and your warrant.
The difficulty in my conception, has arisen from the want of muster and pay rolls only; and the forms for these were presented by the Department of the Treasury to the Paymaster General. It was his exclusive duty to communicate his instructions to the Commanding Generals, and to forward forms for use, to every Officer to whom they would be necessary. The instructions and forms originated, as by Law, they ought in another department; in these I individually had no agency; having every reason to suppose the instructions to the Paymaster, and the forms used, were satisfactory in practice, since the payments to troops went on without complaints from that cause, my attention indeed was never particularly called to either, until the late difficulties presented.
It was to confirm an opinion I had entertained and expressed, viz. That one or two of the officers of a regiment or company &c were considered by the Comptroller as competent to muster the troops of their command, and sign the requisite Certificates; that I procured the instructions to the Paymaster and forwarded them to you, and for no other purpose.
I request you to believe, the preceding observations are dictated by a desire to satisfy you, that as I have not intentionally, so I am not conscious I have in fact, neglected any duty, incumbent upon me, to facilitate the payment of the troops, to effect which in future, I am extremely anxious, the most proper and decisive measures should be adopted.
I am Sir   with great respect   your obedient humble servant
James McHenry
Major General Alexander Hamilton


Title: To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 29 September 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 29th Sepr. 1799

Your letter of the 23d. instant was received the 27th; and this day will proceed in the Mail to Winchester—the nearest Post-Town to Colo. Parker’s residence, if he should be at his own house, the letter enclosed for him.
There being no person in my view more eligable than Colo. Parker to carry your Instructions into effect unless Colo. Carrington had been in office as Quarter Master General, I had no hesitation in forwarding your letter to him, with such sentimts. as occurred to me on the subject, which differed in no essential point, from those you had given.
I confined him more pointedly than you had done, to the site near Harpers ferry for his Winter Cantonment—because very cogent reasons, in my opinion, required it, for besides possessing all the advantages enumerated in your letter to him (so far as my recollection of the spot, & information goes); being in a fertile & most abounding Country; and one of the strongest positions by nature, perhaps in America; It appeared to me, that the Encampment, and Arsenal which is established at that place, might mutually assist, & benefit each other.
If the States are wise enough to keep united, I have no doubt of this Arsenal being their principal place of Arms, and best foundary; as it is in the midst of Furnaces and Forges of the best Iron; Can receive at, & transport from it, by Inland Navigation, all its wants, & manufacture, in every direction—and is, indubitably—supposing the advantage of water transportation out of the question altogether, the great high way to the Country on the River Ohio.
For the reasons I have assigned, I did not hesitate a moment in giving the vicinity of Harpers ferry (at the confluence of the Rivers Potomac & Shenandoah) a decided preference—but if I am not mistaken, another strong inducement is afforded, namely—that there is a sufficiency of Land, purchased for the purpose of the Arsenal, to accomodate both objects. Of this I have informed Colo. Parker, but as Mr. Lear is from home (who was the Agent for the War Department in the purchase) I could not inform him with certainty. If the fact however, should be as I suspect, it will prove a most fortunate circumstance, as well in the article of expence, as in the time that will be gained in completing the Huts. If it should be otherwise, I have advised Colo. Parker to hold out to view, & examine many places, while he by some Agent, is endeavouring to possess himself, by purchase, the site near Harpers Ferry; without which he might be imposed on in the price of the Land. With very great esteem & regard I remain
Dear Sir   Your Obedient and Affecte. Hble Servant
Go: Washington
Majr. Genl Hamilton