the works of alexander hamilton, ed. henry cabot lodge (federal edition), vol. vii

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THE COLLECTOR'SFEDERAL EDITION OF THE WORKS OF ALEXANDER HAMIL- TON IS LIMITED TO SIX HUNDRED SIGNEDAND NUMBEREDSETS OF WHICH THIS IS NUMBER ..................

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The Works of Alexander Hamilton, Ed. Henry Cabot Lodge (Federal Edition), Vol. VIIThe Works of Alexander Hamilton, Ed. Henry Cabot Lodge (Federal Edition), Vol. VII

TRANSCRIPT

  • THE COLLECTOR'SFEDERAL EDITION

    OF THE WORKS OF ALEXANDER HAMIL-

    TON IS LIMITED TO SIX HUNDRED

    SIGNEDAND NUMBEREDSETS OF WHICH

    THIS IS NUMBER..................

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    The Worksof\

    AlexanderHamilton

    Editedby

    Henry Cabot Lodge

    " The sacred tights of mankind are not tc be rummaged for among old parchments ormusty records. They are written+as with a sunbeam, In the whole volume of human nature,by the hand of the Divinity Itself+ and can n_er bc erased or obscured by mortal power."

    [HA,'alLiON--/'ke Farmer Re]utpd, t77_, /Et. 18.]

    " We =re laboringhard to establish In this countryprinciplesmoreand more Hntiontd,andfree from all foreign li3grcdlents_SOthat we may be neither ' Greeks nor Trojans," bultruly Amencans."--[H_:,dlLll)_; TiJ KIhc, s 17_, _F..I._9-i

    VolumeVl!

    G. P. Putnam',_SonsNewYorkand London_bclknlcl_crbocl_crIPrco_

    19o4

  • H,_.k,

    l_bc ll_ntcl_ctbochcrprc_t_,lP,cw_ork

  • CONTENTS

    p&OItMILITARY PAPsRS--.-Co_tinu.d:

    HAMILTONTOMcHENRY . 3HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON 6WASHINGTON TO McHENRY 6

    HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON 3 8HAMILTON TO GUNN . 4I

    HAMILTONTOMcHENRY 42HAMILTONTOGUNN. 45HAMILTON TO McHENRY 47

    MEASURES OF DSFENCE 48HAMILTON TO MCHENRY SoHAMILTON TO _ 6I

    HAMILTON TO McHENRY 62

    HAMILTON TO WILKINSON 64HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON 67HAMILTON TO MCHENRY . 69PLAN FOR THE PROVIDING AND ISSUING OF

    MILITARY SUPPLIE_ 70

    HAMILTON TO WILKINSON. 75

    HAMILTONTOMcHENRY . 76HAMILTONTOWASHINGTON 77HAMILTONTOMcHENRY . 8oHAMILTON TO HAMTRANCK 82

    CIRCULAR . 83

    HAMILTONTOMcHENRY . 85HAMILTON TO COL. STEVENS 86

    HAMILTONTOMCHENRY . ,87HAMILTON TO HAMTRANCK 8 9

    iii

  • iv ContentsPAGS

    MILITARYPAPERS--Continued:HAMILTONTOWASHINGTON 9HAMILTON TO _ 92HAMILTONTO WASHINGTON 92HAMILTONTOMcHENRY . 94HAMILTONTO-- 96HAMILTONTO McHENRY . 97HAMILTONTOSECRETARYOFWAR IOOHAMILTONTOSTODDERT . IO2HAMILTONTO COLONELSMITH IO2

    HAMILTON TOMcHENRY . Io 3HAMILTON TO HARRISON . IIO

    HAMILTONTOMCHENRY . I I ICIRCULAR. IIIHAMILTON TOMCHENRY . I13CIRCULAR. I 16HAMILTONTOWASHINGTON I I 7HAMILTONTOMCHENRY "r25HAMILTONTOCOLONELMOORE I40HAMILTONTOMcHENRY I4xHAMILTONTOCOLONELMOORE 147HAMILTONTOMCHENRY . I49HAMILTONTOCALEBGIBBS IS9HAMILTONTOWILKINSON 160

    HAMILTONTOCOLONELSMITH i70HAMILTON TO McHI_NRY i70HAMILTONTO WASHINGTON 174HAMILTON TO MCHENRY I79HAMILTONTO GENERALPINCKNEY i90GENERALORDER x9xHAMILTON TO MCHENRY . I94HAMILTONTO COLONELSMITH I96HAMILTON TO MCHENRY . x97THE STEP 2oO

    HAMILTONTO MCHENRY . , _o 3HAMILTONTO DENOAILLES , 207HAMILTON TO MCHENRY . _o8

  • Contents vPAGK

    MILITARYPAPERs--Continued:HAMILTONTO COLONELSMITH . 2I IHAMILTONTO DENOAILLES 212

    HAMILTONTO GENERALPINCKNEY 2I3HAMILTONTOMcHENRY . 21_HAMILTONTOADAMS 216HAMILTONTOCALEBSWAN 218HAMILTONTO RIVARDI 221HAMILTONTO McHENRY . 22IGENERALORDER 224HAMILTONTO MCHENRY . 224

    THE JEFFERSONCONTROVERSY"AN AMERICAN . 23OAMICUS _44CATULLUSTOARISTIDES 247METELLUS 283CATULLUS. 288A PLAIN HONESTMAN 3OrHAMILTONTOWASHINGTON . . 303

    THE ADAMSCONTROVERSY:JOHN ADAMS 309HAMILTON TO ADAMS . . . 364

    THE REYNOLDS PAMPHLET .... 369APPENDIX ..... 4I 2

  • MILITARYPAPERSContinued

    I

  • MILITARYPAPERS. Continued

    HAMILTONTO McHENRY

    PHILADELPHIA,November, 1798.

    SIR:--I now communicate the result of my con-ference with the Commander-in-Chiefand GeneralPinekney, on the subject of extra allowance toofficersdetached on service, so as to be obligedtoincur expenses on the road, and at places wherethere are no military posts.

    We are all of opinion,that in such cases an extraallowanceought to be made,and thisevento officerswho receive extra compensations for peculiar du-ties,such as inspectors,quartermasters,etc. Theseextra compensations are considered as relative toideas of greaterskill or greatertrouble,rather thanto that of greater expense, in the executionof theofficesto which they are annexed. Without extraallowancein the casesin question, it is easy to seethat officers may exhaust in extra expenses theirwhole pay, and that great difficulty must beexperienced in finding fit characters to executeemploymentswhich may expose these persons tofrequent journeys. It is useless to say that theprinciple will not apply where the law shall havespecificallyprovided for travelling expenses.

    3

  • 4 Alexander Hamilton

    But the greatest embarrassment is to settle therule of extra allowances. Shall they be left at largeon the ground of reasonableexpensesaccording tocircumstances, or shall fixed rates be attempted?The formeris liable to great abuse, and the latter isnot easy to be regulated soas to unite economywithjustice. It is, however,our opinion that it oughtto be attempted.

    In adjusting a rate or rates, it is to be remembered,that the officer receivesestablished allowancesforhis time, service, and expenses. A full compensa-tion is not therefore to be aimed at in the extraallowances,but somethingproportionedto the prob-able excessof expense. This has governedthe esti-mate which is now submitted, viz., a dollar and aquarter per day for man and horse for each day thatthe officermust sleepat a place not a military post,and when the officeris of a rank to be entitled to aservant, then the addition of three quarters of adollar per day for the servant and his horse. Thisto apply to all but the seat of government and theprincipal town in each State. At such places theallowanceis to be a dollar and a half for the officerand his horse, and a dollar for the servant and hishorse. It is understood that the established allow-ancesto the officergo on at the same time.

    The caseof an officerdetached from one militarypost to another which he may reach the samenight, but yet so far distant as to incur expenseson the road, was not provided for in the abovearrangement.

    It is my opinion that half a dollar per day will

  • Hamiltonto McHenry 5

    sufficeforsuchcases,and this onlywherethe dis-tanceis notlessthanfortymiles. Theservantmayin suchcases,withoutinconvenience,take his pro-visionswithhim.

    It may,perhaps,be expedientto regulatea day'sjourneybya numberofmiles,andforthisthe follow-ingproportionsmaynotbe improper:fortymilestoa day,whenthewholedistancedoesnotexceedtwohundredmiles; thirty to a day, for all abovetwohundredandnotexceedingthreehundredandfifty;andtwenty-fiveto aday,forallabovethreehundredandfiftyandnot exceedingsixhundred;twentytoa day,forallabovesixhundred.

    But whiletheserates are offeredas the generalrule,it isforeseenthat theremayariseextraordinarycaseswheregreaterallowancesmaybe indispensa-ble. Suchcases must be referredto the specialdiscretionoftheheadofthe WarDepartment,to beassistedbya certificatefromthecommandingofficer,by whomthe officerclaimingwasdetachedon thespecial service,stating the reasonsand circum-stances. It is myopinion,too,on whichpointalsoI havenot consultedanyother,that the ratesoughtnotto retrospect,but oughtto beestablishedforthefuture,and that in all past and interveningcases,applyingonly the generalprinciple,reasonableex-penses,accordingto circumstances,oughtto govern.Theapplicationof a newrulemayproducehardshipand injusticewhenthe servicemay havebeenper-formedin the expectationthat practiceon formeroccasionswouldprevail.

  • 6 AlexanderHamilton

    HAMILTONTO WASHINGTON

    Decemberx3,x798.

    GeneralHamiltonpresents his respectsto theCommander-in-Chief,and sends the sketch of aletter, in conformityto whatpassedthismorning.

    WASHINGTONTO McHENRY,SECRETARYOF WAR

    Draftby Hamilton.

    PHILADELPHIA,Decemberx3,x798.

    SIR:--Sincemy arrivalat this place,I havebeencloselyengaged,with the aid of GeneralsHamiltonand Pinckney,in fulfillingthe objectsof your let-ter of the Ioth of November. The result is nowsubmitted.

    Thefirsttwoquestionsyoupropose,respectingtheappointmentofthe officersandmenofthe troopstobe raised,in virtueofthe act ofCongressofthe i6thof July last,amongdistrictsand States,willnatur-ally be answeredtogether.

    i. As to the appointmentof the commissionedofficersof the infantry,no particularreasonis dis-coveredto existat the presentperiodforcombiningthe Statesinto districts; but it is conceivedto beexpedientto adopt as a primary rule the relativerepresentativepopulationofthe severalStates. Thepracticeofthe governmentonotheroccasionsin theappointmentof publicofficers,has had regard,asfar as waspracticable,to the samegeneralprinciple,as onewhich,bya distributionofhonorsandemolu-ments amongthe citizensof the differentStates,

  • Washingtonto McHenry 7

    tends both to justiceand to public satisfaction.This principle,however,must frequentlyyield tothe mostproperselectionofcharactersamongthosewillingas wellas qualifiedto serve,and sometimesto collateralconsiderationswhich,arisingout ofparticularcases,do not admitof precisespecifica-tion. In the applicationof the rule in this, as inother instances,qualificationsof it must be ad-mitted. The arrangement,which will be nowoffered,proceedson this basis. You willobservethat it doesnot deviate fromthe table you havepresented.

    2. As to the non-commissionedofficersand pri-vates,it is conceivedto be both unnecessaryandinexpedientto make any absoluteappointmentamongthe States. It is unnecessary,because,con-templatingit as desirablethat the men shallbedrawnin nearlyequalproportionsfromthe respec-tive States, this object, wherecircumstancesarefavorable,willbe attainedby the verynaturalandproperarrangementof assigningto the officerswhoshallbe appointed,recruitingstations withintheStates to which they belong. It is inexpedient,because,if it shouldhappenthat the proportionoffit mencannoteasilybe had in a particularState,there ought to be no obstacleto obtainingthemelsewhere.

    3. As to the officersof the dragoons,it doesnotseemadvisableto confinethe selectionto any sub-divisionof the UnitedStates. Thoughvery strongconjecturesmay be formedas to the quarter inwhichthey wouldprobablybe employedin theease

  • 8 AlexanderHamilton

    ofinvasion,therecanbenothingcertainonthispoint,if thiswereeventhe criterionof a proper arrange-ment. Andit maybepresumed,thatit willconducemost to the generalsatisfactionto excludecon-siderationsof local aspect. But from the smallnumberofthiscorpswhichis to be raised,it wouldbe foundtoo fractional,and, for that amongotherreasons,inconvenientto aim at a proportionaldis-tributionamongall the States. It is, therefore,supposedmostadvisableto be governedprineipaUyby a referenceto the characterswhohaveoccurredas candidates;leavingthe inequalityin the dis-tributionto be remediedin the event of a futureaugmentationof this descriptionof troops. Theproportionat presentis in variousviewsinadequate;a circumstancewhich,it maybe presumed,willofcoursebe attendedto, shouldthe progressof publicdangerleadto an extensionof militarypreparations.

    Thematerialsfurnishedby you,withthe additionof thosederivedfromother sources,are insufficientfor a due selectionof the officerswhomit is pro-posedto allot to the Statesof Connecticut,NorthandSouthCarolina,andGeorgia. Hencethe selec-tionfor these Statesmustof necessitybe deferred.It is conceivedthat the bestplanforprocuringtherequisiteinformationand acceleratinga desirableconclusion,as to the three last-mentionedStates,willbe to chooseMajor-GeneralPinckney,whowillavailhimselfofthe assistanceof Brigadier-GeneralsDavisand Washington;to makethe arrangementof thoseofficersprovisionally,and subject to theratificationof the President. It will be in their

  • Washingtonto McHenry 9

    power to ascertain who are best qualifiedamongthose willingto serve; whichwillat the sametimeassurea goodchoice,and avoidthe disappointmentand embarrassmentof refusals. As to Connecticut,you are awareof the progressthat has beenmade,and ofthe misapprehensionwhichhasoccasionedanobstacleto a definitivearrangement. You will, itis presumed,be speedilyin possessionof the furtherinformationnecessary,and, havingit, can withoutdifficultycompletethe arrangementfor this State.

    Thethird, fourth, and fifthofyour questionsmaylikewisebe answeredtogether.

    Theact foraugmentingthe army isperemptoryinits provisions. The boundsof executivediscretion,as to the forbearanceto executesucha law,mightperhapsinvolvean investigation,nice in itself, andof a nature whichit is generallymost prudent toavoid. But it may safelybe said negatively,forreasonstoo plainto be doubted,that the voluntarysuspensionof the executionof a similarlaw couldnot be justifiedbut by considerationsof decisivecogency. The existenceof any suchconsiderationsis unknown.

    Nothing has been communicatedrespectingourforeignrelations, to inducethe opinionthat therehasbeenany changein the situationof the country,as to external danger,whichdictates an abandon-ment of the policyof the law in question. It neednot nowbe examinedhowfar it maybe at any timeprudent to relinquish measuresof security, sug-gested by the experienceof accumulatedhostility,merely because there are probable symptomsof

  • IO Alexander Hamilton

    approachingaccommodation. It neednot be urgedthat, if such symptomsexist,they are to be ascribedto the measuresof vigoradopted by the government,and may be frustrated by a relaxation in thosemeasures,affordingan argumentof weaknessor ir-resolution. For, has it not beeninsubstancestatedfrom the highestauthority, that no decisiveindica-tions have beengiven by France of a disposition toredress our past wrongs and do us future justice;that her decree, allegedto be intended to restrainthe depredations of French cruisers on our com-merce, has not given, and from its nature cannotgive, relief; that the most hostile of the acts, bywhich she has oppressedthe commerceof neutrals,and that which subjectsto capture and condemna-tion neutral vesselsand cargoes,if any part of thelatter be of British production or fabric, not onlyhas not been abrogated, but has recently receivedan indirectconfirmation; and that hitherto nothingis discoverable in the conduct of Prance, whichought to changeor relax our measuresof defence?

    Couldit be necessary to enforceby argument soauthoritative a declaration,as it relatesto the imme-diate object of consideration,these, among other re-flections,wouldat oncepresent themselves.

    Thoughit may be true, that somelate occurrenceshave rendered the prospect of invasionby Franceless probable or more remote, yet, duly consider-ing the rapid vicissitudes,at all times, of politicaland military events, the extraordinary fluctuations,which have been peculiarly characteristic of thestill subsisting contest in Europe, and the more

  • Washingtonto McHenry ti

    extraordinarypositionof mostof the principalna-tionsof that quarter of the globe,it can neverbewiseto vary ourmeasuresof securitywith the con-tinuallyvaryingaspectof Europeanaffairs. Averyobviouspolicydictatesto us a strenuousendeavor,asfar as maybe practicable,to placeour safetyoutof the reachofthe casualitieswhichmaybefallthecontendingpartiesandthe powersmoreimmediatelywithin their vortex. The way to effectthis is topursuea steadysystem,to organizeallourresources,and put themin a state of preparationfor promptaction. Regardingthe overthrow of Europe atlargeas a matter not entirelychimerical,it willbeourprudenceto cultivatea spirit ofseLf-dependenceand to endeavorby unanimity,vigilance,andexer-tion,under the blessingof Providence,to hold thescalesof our destiny in our ownhands. Standingas it werein the midstof fallingempires,it shouldbe our aimto assumea stationand attitude whichwill preserveus from being overwhelmedin theirruins.

    It hasbeenveryproperlythe policyofourgovern-mentto cultivatepeace. But, in contemplatingthepossibilityof ourbeingdrivento unqualifiedwar,itwillbe wiseto anticipate,that frequentlythe mosteffectualway to defendis to attack. Theremaybe imaginedinstancesof verygreat momentto thepermanentinterestsof this country,whichwouldcertainlyrequirea disciplinedforce. To raiseandpreparesucha forcewillalwaysbe a work of con-siderabletime,and it oughtto be readyfor the con-juncturewheneverit shallarrive. Not to be ready

  • 12 AlexanderHamilton

    then,maybeto losean opportunitywhichit maybedifficultafterwardsto retrieve.

    Whilea comprehensiveviewof externalcircum-stancesisbelievedto recommendperseveranceintheprecautionswhichhavebeentakenfor the safetyofthe country,nothinghascometo my knowledge,inour interiorsituation,whichleadsto a differentcon-clusion. The principalinquiryin this respectcon-cerns the finances. The exhibitionof their statefromthe Departmentof the Treasury,whichyouhave transmitted,as I understandit, opposesnoobstacle;norhaveI beenapprised,that any doubtis entertainedby the officerwhopresidesin thatdepartment,of the sufficiencyof our pecuniaryre-sources. Buton thispoint I cannotbe expectedtoassumethe responsibilityof a positiveopinion. Itis the provinceof the Secretary of the Treasuryto pronouncedefinitively,whetherany insuperableimpedimentarisesfromthis source.

    Thesoundconclusion,viewingthesubjectineverylight, is conceivedto be, that no avoidabledelayoughtto be incurredin appointingthe wholeof theofficers,andraisingthe wholeof the men,providedfor by the act whichhas been cited. If imme-diatelyenteredupon,and pursuedwith the utmostactivity,it cannotbe reliedupon, that the troopswillbe raisedand disciphnedin less than a year.Whatmaynot anotheryearproduce? Happy willit be forus,i/wehavesomuchtimeforpreparation,andill-judged,indeed,ifwedonot makethe mostofit! The adequatenessof the forceto be raised, inrelation to a seriousinvasion,is foreign to the

  • Washingtonto McHenry x3

    presentexamination. But it is certain,that evenaforceof this extentwell instructedand welldisci-plined,wouldin such an eventbe of great utilityand importance. Besidesthe direct effectsof itsownexertions,themilitiarallyingto it wouldderive,fromits exampleand countenance,additionalcour-ageand perseverance. It wouldgivea consistencyandstabilityto our firstefforts,ofwhichtheywouldotherwisebe destitute; and wouldtend powerfullyto preventgreat, thoughperhapspartial,calamities.

    The Senate being in session,the officersto beappointedmustofcoursebe nominatedto that body.

    The pay of all who shall be appointed oughtimmediatelyto commence. They ought all to beemployed,without delay, in differentways in therecruitingservice; but, were it otherwise,thereought to be no suspensionof their pay. The lawannexesit as a matter of right. The attempt toapplya restrictionby executivediscretionmightbedissatisfactory;and justice to the publicdoes notseem to requireit, becausethe acceptanceof anoffice,whichmakesthe personliableat pleasuretobe called into actual service,willcommonlyfromthe momentof that acceptanceinterferewith anypreviousoccupation,on which he may have de-pended. This observationcannot be applicabletomyself,becauseI have takena peculiaranddistinctground,to whichit is myintentionto adhere.

    Onthe subjectofyoursixth question,the opinionis, that, under existingcircumstances,it is not ad-visableto withdraw any of the troops from thequarter of the country whichyou mentiontowards

  • I4 AlexanderHamilton

    the Atlanticfrontier. But the dispositionin thosequartersprobablyrequirescarefulrevision. It isnot impossiblethat it willbe found to admitofalterationsfavorableboth to economyand to themilitaryobjectsto be attained. The local know-ledgeof GeneralWilkinsonwouldbe so useful inan investigationofthis sort,that it is deemedveryimportantto directhimforthwithto repairto Phil-adelphia. If thisbeimpracticableby land,hemay,it ispresumed,comeby wayof NewOrleans. It isobserved,that in his late communicationswith theGovernorhe has takenpainsto obviatejealousyofthe viewsofthe UnitedStates. Thiswasprudent,and he ought to be encouragedto continuethepolicy. It willalsobe usefulto employa judiciousengineerto surveyour postson the lakes,in orderthat it maybe ascertained,in the variousrelationsof trade and defence,what beneficialchanges,ifany, can be made. In this examinationPresqueIsleand the southwesternextremityof LakeEriewilldemandparticularattention.

    The replyto your seventhquestionis, that thecompaniesdirectedto be addedto the regimentsofthe oldestablishmentsought,as soonas convenient,to reinforcetheWesternarmy. It isprobable,that,in theprogressofevents,theywillnot belessusefultherethan on the sea-board. Theirdestinationinthe firstinstancemaybe Pittsburgh.

    Thefollowingdispositionofthe artillery(thesub-jectofyoureighthquestion)is recommended.Thetwo regimentsby their establishmentconsist oftwenty-eightcompanies.Of these nearly a bat-

  • Washingtonto McHenry I5

    talion,in pointofnumber,formspartofthe Westernarmy. Acompletebattaliontherewillsuffice. Lettherebe assignedto thefortificationsat Bostononecompany,to thoseat NewYorktwo, to thoseatNewporttwocompanies,to thoseat WestPointone,to thoseat MudIslandtwo,to thoseat Baltimoreone,to thoseat Norfolktwo,to thoseonCapeFearRAverone, to thoseat Charlestontwo,to thoseatSavannahone, to thoseat the mouth of the St.Mary's one. The remainingtwo battalionshadbestbe reservedfor the army in the field. Duringthe winterthey mayretain the stationsthey nowoccupy. But,as soonas they canconvenientlygointo tents, it willbe advisableto assemblethematsomecentralornearlycentralpoint,thereto be putin a courseof regular instruction,together withsuccessivedetachmentsof the officersand non-commissionedofficersof the sea-boardgarrisons,until their servicesshallbe actuallyrequired. Thefieldofficersof coursewill be distributedpropor-tionally,assigningto eachthe superintendenceof acertainnumberof companies,and, as to those ingarrison,ofthe postsat whichtheyare stationed.

    The permanentdistributionof the troops,afterthey shallhavebeenraised,whichis understoodtobe anobjectofyourninthquestion,willprobablybeinfluencedby circumstancesyet to be unfolded,andwillbestbe referredto futureconsideration.

    An arrangementfor the recruitingserviceis thepoint of primaryurgency. For this purpose,eachState shouldbe dividedinto as many districtsasthereare companiesto be raisedin it, andto every

  • x6 AlexanderHamilton

    companya particulardistrictshouldbe allotted,with oneplaceofrendezvousin it, to whichthe re-cruitsshouldbebroughtasfastas theyare engaged.A certainnumberofthesecompanydistricts,when-ever it can be done,shouldbe placedunder thesupervisionof a field-officer.Duringthe winter,inmostof the States,it wouldbe inconvenientto as-semblein largercorpsthancompanies. Greatcitiesare to be avoided. The collectionof troops theremay leadto disorders,and expose,morethan else-where,themoralsandprinciplesofthe soldiery. Butthoughit mightnowbeprematureto fixapermanentdispositionofthe troops,it may not be unusefultoindicatecertainstations,wheretheymaybe assem-bledprovisionally,and mayprobablybe sufferedtocontinuewhilemattersremainin theirpresentpos-ture. The stations eligiblein this view may befoundfortworegimentsin the vicinityofProvidenceRiver, somewherenear Uxbridge; for two otherregiments,in the vicinityof Brunswick,in NewJersey; for two other regiments,in the vicinityofthe Potomac,near Harper'sFerry; for two otherregiments,in the vicinityof Augusta,but abovethefallsof the Savannah. This dispositionwill uniteconsiderationsrelativeto the disciplineand healthofthe troops,and to the economicalsupplyoftheirwantsby water. It willalsohavesomemilitaryas-pects,in the first instance,towardsthe securityofBostonandNewport;in the second,towardsthat ofNewYorkandPhiladelphia;in the thirdandfourth,towardsthat of Baltimore,Charleston,Savannah,andthe SouthernStatesgenerally;and,in the third,

  • Washingtonto McHenry 17

    particularlytowardsthe reinforcementofthe West-ern army in certainevents. But the militarymo-tiveshaveonlya qualifiedinfluence;sinceit is notdoubted,that, in the prospectof a seriousattackuponthiscountry,the dispositionof the armyoughtto lookemphaticallyto the Southernregion,as thatwhichis by far the most likelyto be the sceneofaction.

    Asto yourtenthquestion,the opinionis,that thegovernmentitselfoughtto providethe rations. Theplanof furnishingmoneyto the recruits,as a sub-stitutefor this, is likelyto be attendedwithseveralinconveniences.It will give them a pretenceforabsenceinjuriousto disciplineand order,and facili-tatingmaraudingand desertion. Manyof the sol-dierywillbe disposedto lay out too muchof theirmoneyin ardent spirits,andtoo littlein provisions,which,besidesoccasioningthem to be ill, willleadto habits ofintemperance.

    Thesubjectofyoureleventhquestionispeculiarlyimportant. The two modeshave severallytheiradvantagesand disadvantages. That of purchasesby agentsof the governmentis liableto muchmis-managementand abuse, sometimesfrom want ofskill, but much oftenerfrom infidelity. It is toofrequentlydeficientin economy;butit ispreferable,as it regardsthe quality of the articlesto be sup-plied,thesatisfactionofthe troops,andthecertaintyof the supply,whichlast is a point of the utmostconsequenceto the successofanymilitaryoperation.The mode by contract is sometimesfound moreeconomical;but, as the calculationsof contractors

    "101... VlI*--_I

  • x8 AlexanderHamilton

    havereferenceprimarilyto theirownprofit,they areapt to endeavorto imposeon the troops articlesofinferiorquality. The troops, suspectingthis, areapt to bedissatisfiedevenwhenthereis noadequatecause,and whendefectsmay admit of reasonableexcuse. In the attentionto cheapnessof price,andothersavingsof expense,it fromtime to time hap-pens,that the suppliesare not laidin as earlyas theservicerequires,or not in sufficientquantity,or arenot conveyedwith duecelerity to the pointswherethey are wanted. Circumstanceslikethese tend toembarrassand even to defeat the best-concertedmilitary plans; which, in this mode, dependfortheir executiontoo much upon the combinationsofindividualavarice. It alsooccasionallyhappens,that the public,fromthe failuresof the contractors,is under the necessityof interposingwith suddenand extraordinaryeffortsto obviate the mischiefsanddisappointmentsof thosefailures,producing,inadditionto other evils,an accumulationof expense,whichthe fortunesof the delinquentcontractorsareinsufficientto indemnify.

    Theunionofthe twomodeswillprobablybefoundsafest and best. Prudencealways requires, thatmagazinesshallbe formedbeforehandat stationsrelativeto the probableor expectedsceneof action.Thesemagazinesmaybe laidin by contract,andthetransportationof the suppliesfrom the magazines,and the issuingof them to the army, may be thebusinessof the militaryagents,whomust be like-wiseauthorizedand enabledto providefor the de-ficienciesof the contractors,and for whatevermay

  • Washingtonto McHenry t9

    not be comprehendedin the contracts. This planwill to a great extent admit the competitionofprivateinterestto furnishthe suppliesat the cheap-est rate. Bynarrowingthe sphereof actionof thepublic agents, it will proportionablydiminishtheopportunitiesof abuse,and it willunite,as far as isattainable,economywith the efficiencyof militaryoperations.

    But, to obtain the full advantagesof thisplan, itis essential,that there shallbe a man attached tothe armyof distinguishedcapacityandintegrity,tobe chargedwith the superintendenceof the depart-ment of supplies. To procuresucha man, as mili-tary honorcan formno part of hisreward, amplepecuniarycompensationmustbegiven; andhemustbe intrustedwithlargeauthorityforthe appointmentof subordinateagents,accompaniedwith a corre-spondentresponsibility.Proceedingonthis groundtherewouldbe a moralcertaintyofimmensesavingsto thepublicin thebusinessofsupplies;savings,themagnitudeof whichwill be easilyunderstoodbyanyman,whocanestimatethe vastdifferencein theresultsof extensivemoneytransactionsbetweenamanagementat onceskilfuland faithful,and thatwhichis eitherunskilfulor unfaithful.

    Thissuggestioncontemplates,asapart oftheplan,that the procuringof suppliesof everykind, whichin ourpast experiencehasbeendividedbetweentwodepartments,ofquartermasterandcommissary,shallbe unitedunderone head. Thisunity willtend toharmony,system,and vigor. It willavoidthe dis-cordaut influenceof civil with militaryfunctions.

  • so AlexanderHamilton

    The quartermaster-general,in this case, instead ofbeinga purveyorasformerly,will,besidesthe dutiespurely military of his station, be confinedto theprovinceof callingfor the requisitesupplies,and ofseeingthat theyare dulyfurnished; in whichhe maybe renderinga veryusefulcheckuponthe purveyor.

    Theextentofyourtwelfthquestionhasbeenmat-ter ofsomedoubt. Butno inconveniencecanensuefrom answeringit with greater latitude than mayhave been intended. It is conceived,that thestrongest considerationsof national policy andsafetyrequire,that weshouldbe as fast as possibleprovidedwith arsenalsand magazinesof artillery,small-arms,and the principal articles of militarystoresand campequipage,equal to sucha force asmay be deemedsufficientto resist with effectthemostseriousinvasionof the mostpowerfulEuropeannation. This precaution,whichprudencewouldatall timesrecommend,is peculiarlyindicatedby theexistingcrisisof Europe. The nature of the casedoesnot furnishany absolute standard of the re-quisiteforce. It must be more or less a matterof judgment. The opinionis, that the calculationoughtto beon the basisoffiftythousandmen; thatis,fortythousandinfantryof the line,twothousandriflemen,four thousandhorse, and four thousandartillerymen. And,with regardto sucharticles,asare expendedby the use, not less than a full year'ssupplyoughtto be ready. This willallowduetimefrom internaland externalsourcesto continuethesupply,in proportionto the exigencieswhichshalloccur. As to clothing,sincewe may alwayson a

  • Washingtonto McHenry 2t

    suddenemergencyfinda considerablesupplyin ourmarkets,and the articlesare more perishable,thequantityin depositmaybe muchlessthan of otherarticles; but it ought not under present circum-stancesto be lessthan a year's supplyfor half theabove-mentionedforce, especiallyof the woollenarticles.

    I proceedto the lastof yourquestions,that whichrespectsthe stationsformagazines. It is conceivedthat threeprincipalpermanentstationswillsuffice,and that theseoughtto be Springfieldand Harper'sFerry,whichare alreadychosen,andthe vicinityofRockyMount,on the Wateree,in South Carolina.Thesestationsare in agreatmeasurecentralto threegreat subdivisionsof the UnitedStates; they are sointerioras to be entirelysafe,and yet onnavigablewaters,whichemptyinto the oceanandfacilitateawater conveyanceto every point on our sea-coast.Theyare alsoin well-settledand healthydistrictsofcountry. ThatnearHarper'sFerry,it iswellknownpossessesextraordinaryadvantagesforfoundriesandother manufactoriesof iron. It is expected,that acanalwillerelongeffecta goodnavigationbetweenthe Watereeand the Catawba,which,wheneveritshall happen, will render the vicinity of RockyMountextremelyconvenientto the supplyof NorthCarolinaby inland navigation. Pittsburgh, WestPoint in NewYork,the neighborhoodof Trentonin NewJersey,and Fayettevillein North Carolina,mayproperlybe selectedas placesof particularandoccasionaldeposit. Large cities are as much aspossibleto be avoided.

  • 22 AlexanderHamilton

    The foregoingcomprises,it is believed,a fullanswerto the questionsyou have stated. I shallin anotherletter offerto your considerationsomefurther matters, which have occurred, and aredeemedto be ofimportanceto ourmilitaryservice.

    Withrespectandesteem,I havethe honorto be, sir, etc.

    WASHINGTONTO McHENRY

    Draft by Hamilton.

    PHILADELPHIA,Decemberx3, x798.

    SIR:--I shaUnowpresentto yourviewthe ad-ditionalobjectsalludedto in myletterof this date.

    Aproperorganizationfor the troopsofthe UnitedStates is a principalone. In proportion as thepolicyofthecountryis adverseto extensivemilitaryestablishments,oughtto be our careto rendertheprinciplesof our militarysystemas perfectas possi-ble,and our endeavorsto turn to the best accountsuchforceas wemayat any timehaveonfoot,andto providean eligiblestandardfor theaugmentationsto whichparticularemergenciesmaycompela resort.

    Theorganizationof our military forcewill,it isconceived,be muchimprovedby modellingit onthefollowingplan:

    Letaregimentofinfantry,composedasat present,of two battalions,and each battalionof fivecom-panies,consistof these officersand men, namely:onecolonel;two majors, a first and second; oneadjutant, one quartermaster,and one paymaster,

  • Washingtonto McHenry 23

    eachof whomshall be a lieutenant; one surgeon,andonesurgeon'smate; ten captains; ten first andten secondlieutenants,besidesthe threelieutenantsabove mentioned; two cadets, with the pay andemolumentsofsergeants;two sergeant-majors;twoquartermaster-sergeants;two chiefmusicians,firstand second, and twenty other musicians;fortysergeants;forty corporals;and nine hundredandtwenty privates.

    Let a regimentof dragoonsconsistof ten troops,makingfive squadrons,and, of these, officersandmen,namely: onecolonel;two majors,a first andsecond; one adjutant,one quartermaster,and onepaymaster,eachof whomshallbe a heutenant;onesurgeon,andonesurgeon'smate; ten captains; tenfirst and ten secondlieutenants,besidesthe threelieutenantsabovementioned;fivecadets,with thepay and emolumentsof sergeants; two sergeant-majors; two quartermaster-sergeants;two chiefmusicians,firstandsecond,andten other musicians;forty sergeants;forty corporals;and ninehundredand twenty privates; the privates including,toeachtroop, one saddler,one blacksmith,and onebootmaker.

    Let a regimentof artillery consistof four bat-talions, each battalion of four companies,and, ofthese,officersand men,namely: one colonel;fourmajors; oneadjutant, onequartermaster,and onepaymaster,eachofwhomshallbe a lieutenant; onesurgeon,and twosurgeon'smates; sixteencaptains;sixteenfirst and sixteensecondlieutenants,besidesthe three lieutenantsabovementioned; thirty-two

  • 24 AlexanderHamilton

    cadets,withthe payand emolumentsof sergeants;foursergeant-majors;fourquartermaster-sergeants;sixty-foursergeants;sixty-fourcorporals;onechiefmusicianand ten other musicians;eight hundredand ninety-sixprivates,including,toeachcompany,eight artificers.

    Theprincipalreasonsfor thisorganizationwillbebrieflysuggested.

    It willbe observed,that the proportionofmentoofficersin the infantryand cavalryis considerablygreaterthan by the present establishment.Thispresents,in thefirstplace,theadvantageofeconomy.Bytheproportionaldecreaseof the officers,savingswillresultin theirpay, subsistence,and the trans-portationof theirbaggage. Thelastcircumstance,by lesseningthe impedimentsof an army, is alsofavorabletothecelerityof itsmovements.

    The commandof eachofficerwill becomemorerespectable.This will be an inducementto re-spectablemento acceptmilitaryappointments,anditwillbe an incentiveto exertionamongthose,whoshallbeengaged,byupholdingthat justifiablepride,whichisa necessaryingredientin themilitaryspirit.

    A companywillthen admit of an eligiblesub-divisionintoplatoons,sections,and demi-sections,eachofa properfront. Eachbattalionwillthen beofthesizejudgedproperfora manceuvringcolumnin the field,andit is thatportionof an armywhich,in the mostapprovedsystemof tactics, is destinedto fulfilthis object. A battalionoughtneithertobe toounwieldyforrapidmovements,nor sosmallas to multiplytoo much the subdivisions,and

  • Washingtonto McHenry 25

    render each incapableeither of a vigorousimpulseor resistance.

    Theproportionofofficersto menoughtnot to begreaterthan isadequateto the duemanagementandcommandof them. A carefulexaminationof thispoint willsatisfyeveryjudge,that the numbernowproposedwillbe equalto both. Thisconclusionwillbe assistedby the idea,that our fundamentalorder,in conformitywith that of the nationsof Europegenerally,oughtto placeour infantryin threeranks,to opposeto an enemy,who shallbe in the sameorder,an equalmassfor attack or defence.

    Theseremarksexplainsummarilythe chiefreasonsfor the mostmaterialof the alterationssuggested.

    But it isnot the intentionto recommenda presentaugmentationof the numberof rank and fileto theproposedstandard. It is only wished,that it maybe adoptedas that of the war establishment. Theregiments,whichhave been authorized,may con-tinue in this respect upon the footingalready pre-scribed; leavingthe actualaugmentationto dependon events,whichmay create a necessityfor the in-creaseof our force. The other alterationsrecom-mendedhaverelationrather to systematicpropriety,than to very importantmilitaryends.

    The term lieutenant-colonel,in our presentestab-hshment, has a relative signification,without anything in fact to whichit relates. It wasintroducedduringour revolutionarywar,to facilitateexchangesof prisoners;as our then enemyunited the grade ofcolonelwith that of general. But the permanentform of our militarysystem ought to be regulated

  • 26 AlexanderHamilton

    by principle,not by the changeableand arbitraryarrangementof a particularnation. The title ofcolonel,whichhas greater respectability,is moreproperfor the commanderof a regiment,becauseitdoesnot, like the other, implya relationhavingnoexistence.

    Thetermensignischangedintothat of lieutenant,as wellbecausethe latter fromusagehas additionalrespectability,offeringan inducementto desirablecandidates,as becausethe former,in its origin,signi-fied a standard-bearer,and supposed that eachcompanyhada distinctstandard. This,in practice,hasceasedto be the case,and for a variety of goodreasonsa stand of colors to each battalion of in-fantry is deemedsufficient. This standard is in-tended to be confidedto a cadet, in whomit maybe expectedto exciteemulationand exertion. Themultiplicationof grades,inconvenientwith regardto exchanges,is thus avoided.

    In the cavalryit is proper to allowa standard toeachsquadron,and henceit is proposedto have fivecadetsto a regiment.

    Thenature of the artilleryservice,constantlyindetachment,rendersit properto composea regimentof a greater number of battalions than the othercorps. This our presentestablishmenthas recog-nized. Butthereis nowwant of uniformity,whichleads to disorderlyconsequences; one regimentbeingcomposedoffourbattalions,the other ofthree.Thesameorganizationoughtto be commonto all.

    Thediminutionof the numberof musicians,whileit willsaveexpense,isalsowarrantedby the peculiar

  • Washingtonto McHenry 27

    natureof the artilleryservice. Theyanswerin thiscorpsfew of the purposeswhichthey fulfilin theinfantry.

    The existinglaws contemplate,and with goodreason,that the aids-de-campof generalofficers,except the commander-in-chiefand the officersinthe departmentof inspection,shallbe taken fromthe regiment. But they donot providethat, whenso taken, their placesshallbe suppliedby others.It is conceivedthat thisoughtto be the case. Theprinciplesof the establishmentsuppose,for ex-ample,that threeofficersto a companyof a givennumberarethejustanddueproportion. If,whenananofficerbe takenfroma companyto fdl oneofthestationsalludedto,hisplacebe notfilledbyanother,so that the numberof officersto a companymayremainthe same,it must followthat the companywiUbedeficientin officers.It istrue, thatthe num-ber of a companyis continuallydiminishing,but itdiminishesin officersas wellas men; and it is notknownthat the proportionis varied. Practiceinevery institutionoughtto conformto principle,ortherewillresult moreorlessof disorder. An armyis in many respectsa machine;of whichthe dis-placementofany ofthe organs,ifpermittedto con-tinue,injuresits symmetryandenergy,andleadstodisorderandweakness. Theincreaseof the numberofrankandfile,whileit strengthensthe reasonsforreplacingthe officerswhomayberemoved,willmorethan compensatein point of economyfor the ad-clitionof officersby the substitution. Thismaybereducedto thetest ofealc_llation.But,thoughthe

  • 28 AlexanderHamilton

    placeof an officerin hisregimentoughtto be sup-plieduponany suchremoval,he ought not to losehisstation in the regiment,but ought to rank andriseas ifhe had continuedto servein it.

    The provision,that the aids-de-campand theofficersof inspectionshallbe drawnfromthe lineofthe army,isnotrestrictedas to grade. Thereoughtto besucha restriction. The aidsof major-generalsoughtnot to be takenfrom a rank superiorto thatof captain, nor those of brigadiersfrom a ranksuperiorto that of first lieutenant. The inspectorsoughtinlikemannerto be limited,thoseofbrigadiersto the rank of captain, thoseof divisionsto that ofmajor. This willguard against the multiplicationof superiorgradesby removalsto fillsuchstations.

    The judiciousestablishmentof general rules ofpromotion,liable to exceptionsin favor of extra-ordinaryserviceor merit, is a point of greatestcon-sequence. It is conceived,that these rules are themostconvenientthat can be devised;namely,thatall officersshallrise in the regimentsto whichtheyrespectivelybelongup to the rank of major inclu-sively; that afterwardsthey shall rise in the line ofthe re:myat large,withthe limitation,however,thatthe officersof artillery,cavalry, and infantry shallbeconfinedto theirrespectivecorpsuntil they shallattain the rank of colonel, t

    It is very materialto the due courseof military ]service,that the severalclassesof an army shallbe ]distinguishedfrom each other by certain known _.badges,and that thereshallbe uniformityin dressand equipmentsubject to these distinctions. The

  • ..g_-

    Washington to McHenry 29

    dressitselfwillindeedconstitutea part of them. Itis of inferiormoment what they shall be, providedthey are conspicuous,economical,and not incon-sistent with goodappearance, whichin an army isfar from beinga matter of indifference. ThefoUow-ing uniformsand badgesare recommended;but, ifany of them are supposedliableto exception,theymay be changedat pleasure.

    The uniform of the commander-in-chiefto be ablue coat, with yellow buttons and gold epaulets(each having three silver stars), with linings,cape,and cuffsof buff; in winter,buff vest and breeches;in summer, a whitevest, and breechesof nankeen.The coat to be without lapels and embroideredon the cape,cuffs,and pockets. A white plume inthe hat to be a further distinction. The adjutant-general and the aids and secretariesof the com-mander-in-chiefto be likewise distinguishedby awhite plume.

    The uniformof the other generalofficersto be ablue coat with yellow buttons, gold epaulets, thelining and facings of buff; the under clothes thesame as those of the commander-in-chief.Themajor-generals to be distinguished by two silverstars on each epaulet, and, except the inspector-general,by a black and white plume, the blackbelow. The brigadiersto be distinguishedby onesilver staron each epaulet, and by a red and whiteplume, the red below. The aids of all generalofficers,who are taken from regiments, and theofficersof inspection,to wear the unifdrmSof theregimentsfrom whichthey are taken. The aids to

  • 3o AlexanderHamilton

    be severallydistinguishedby the likeplumeswhichare wornby the generalofficersto whomthey arerespectivelyattached.

    The uniformof the aids and secretariesof thecommander-in-chief,whennottakenfromregiments,to be a bluecoatwithyellowbuttonsandgoldepau-lets,buffliningand facings; the sameunderclothesasthe commander-in-chief.

    Theinspector-general,hisaids, and the officersofthe inspectiongenerally,to bedistinguishedbyablueplume. The quartermaster-generaland other mili-taryofficersin hisdepartmentto be distinguishedbya greenplume.

    Theuniformof the infantryand artillery to be abluecoat,withwhitebuttons andred facings,whiteunder clothes,and cockedhats. The coats of theinfantryto be linedwithwhite;of the artillery,withred.

    The uniformof the cavalry to be a green coat,with whitebuttons,lining,and facings; white vestandbreeches;with helmetcaps.

    Eachcolonelto be distinguishedby two epaulets,eachmajorby oneepauleton the right shoulderanda strap on the left. Allthe field-officers,exceptasabove,andthe regimentalstaff,to wearred plumes.

    Captainsto be distinguishedby an epaulet onthe right shoulder. Lieutenantsby oneon the leftshoulder. Cadetsby a strap on the right shoulder.Theepauletsand strapsof the regimentalofficerstobe of silver.

    Sergeant-majorsand quartern-m_ster-sergeantstobe distinguishedby two red worstedepaulets. Ser-

  • Washingtonto McHenry 3I

    geantsby a likeepauletonthe rightshoulder. Theflankcompaniesto be distinguishedby redwingsonthe shoulders.

    The coats of the musiciansto be of the colorofthe facingsof the corps to whichthey severallybelong. The chief musiciansto wear two whiteworstedepaulets.

    AUthe civilstaffof the army to wearplainbluecoats,with yellowbuttonsand whiteunderclothes.No gold or silver lace, except in the epauletsandstraps,to be worn.

    The commissionedofficersand cadets to wearswords.

    Allpersonsbelongingto the army to weara blackcockade,with a small white eagle in the centre.The cockadeof the non-commissionedofficers,mu-sicians,and privates to be of leather,witheaglesoftin.

    Theregimentsto be distinguishedfromeachothernumerically. The number of each regimentto beexpressedonthe buttons.

    It cannotfail to happenthat clothingmadeat adistancefromthe army willin numerousinstancesbeillfittedto the personsto whomit isissued. Thisis an inconvenience,as it respectsappearance,com-fort, and use. It merits consideration,whetheritmay not be remediedby makingprovisionby lawfor the necessaryalterationsat the costof the sol-diery. Asthereare alwaysto be foundtailorsin anmmy, the alterationsmay be made there duringseasonsof inactivity; and moderatecompensationsmay be established,to be deductedout of the pay.

  • 3_ AlexanderHamilton

    Thetailors,whensoemployed,beingexemptedfrommilitaryduty, willbe satisfiedwithverysmallallow-maces; and the soldierswill probably prefer thisexpenseto the inconvenienceof wearing clotheswhichdonot fit them.

    On this subjectof clothing,it is remarkedwithregret that the returns whichhave been receivedexhibit none on hand; though from verbal com-municationsit is understoodthat measuresare intrainforobtaininga presentsupply. It is desirablethat somemoreeffectualplanthan hashithertobeenpursued,shouldbe adoptedto procureregularandsu_cient supplieson reasonableterms. Whilewedependon foreigners,willit not be advisableto im-port the materials,rather than take the chance ofmarkets? Andwillit not be expedient,with a viewto economy,to have the clothingmadeup in thecountriesfromwhichit maybe brought? Themat-ter certainlydeservesseriousattention. Oursupplyin the modehithertopractisedis not onlyvery pre-carious,but must doubtlessbe obtainedat a verydearrate.

    Anotherpoint,no lessdeservingof particularat-tention, is the compositionof the ration of pro-visions. It wasin the last sessionaugmentedbeyondall formerexample. It is not recollectedthat theration,whichwasallowedduringthe war withGreatBritain,wasfoundinsufficientbytroopsonceformedto militaryhabits, and acquaintedwith the bestmethodsof managingtheir provisions. Thepresentration, estimatingby price, is understood to begreaterthan the rationin that war by at leastforty

    J]

    lIl

  • Washingtonto McHcnry 33

    per cent. This is evidentlya very importantaug-mentation. Various disadvantagesattend it; agreat increaseof expense; additionaldifficultyinfurnishingunder all circumstancesthe stipulatedallowance,consequentlya multiplicationof the pos-siblecausesofdiscontent,murmur,andperhapsevenmutiny; thenecessityofa greaternumberofwagonsfor transportation,and of coursethe extensionofthis always serious sourceof embarrassmenttomilitaryoperations.

    The quantity of spirituousliquors,which is acomponentpart of the ration,is so largeas to en-danger,wheretheymightnot beforeexist,habitsofintemperance,nllkefatal to health and discipline.Experiencehas repeatedlyshown,that many sol-diers will exchangetheir rum for other articles;whichis productiveof the doublemischiefof sub-jectingthosewith whomthe exchangeis made,tothe lossof whatis far morenecessary,andto all theconsequencesof brutal intoxication. Thestephav-ing beenoncetaken, a changeis delicate;but it isbelievedto beindispensable,andthat the temporaryevilsofa changecan bearnoproportionto the per-manentand immenseevilsof a continuanceof theerror.

    It maynot perhapsbe advisableto bringbacktherationto the standardofthe latewar,but to modifyit in somerespectsdifferently,so as not materiallyto affectthe aggregateexpense. It mayconsistofeighteenouncesof breador flour,onepoundand aquarteroffreshbeef,oronepoundof saltedbeef,orthreequartersofa poundof saltedpork; salt,when

    '."0I- Vll._.

  • 34 AlexanderHamilton

    freshmeat is issued,at therateof one quart,andcandlesat the rateof a pound,for everyhundredrations. Withregardto liquor,it may be best toexcludeit frombeinga componentpartoftheration;allowinga discretionto commandingofficerstocauseit to beissuedinquantitiesnotexceedinghalfa gillperday,exceptonextraordinaryoccasions.Vinegaralsooughtto be furnished,whento be had,at therateoftwoquarts,andsoapat therateoftwopounds,perhundredrations.

    Thereare oftendifficultiesin furnishingarticlesofthis description,andthe equivalentinmoneyis fre-quentlypernicious,rather than beneficial. Wherethere is a contract,the promiseof such articlesisapt to provemorebeneficialto the contractorthanto any otherperson. He commonlyso managesit,that the substituteis not a real equivalent. But itneednotbe observed,that whateveristo be doneinthisrespectmustbe soconducted,as not to infractthe conditionson whichthe troops now in servicewereenlisted.

    It is deeplyto be lamented,that a very preciousperiodof leisurewasnot improvedtowardsformingamongourselvesengineersandartillerists;andthat,owingto thisneglect,weare indangerofbeingover-takenby war,withoutcompetentcharactersofthesedescriptions.Toformthemsuddenlyis impossible.Muchpreviousstudy and experimentare essen-tial. If possibleto avoidit, a waroughtnot to findus whollyunprovided. It is conceivedto be ad-visabletoendeavorto introducefromabroadat leastone distinguishedengineer,and one distinguished

  • Washingtonto McHenry 35

    officerof artillery. They maybe soughtforprefer-ably in the Austrian,and next in the Prussianarmies. Thegradeof colonel,with adequatepecu-niarycompensation,may attract officersof a rankinferiorto that gradein thosearmies,whowillbe ofdistinguishedabilityand merit. But in this, as weknowfrompastexperience,nothingismoreeasythanto be imposedupon,nothingmore difficultthan toavoid imposition,and that thereforeit is requisiteto committhe businessof procuringsuchcharactersto somevery judicioushand, underevery cautionthat canput himuponhisguard.

    If there shaUbe oeeasionfor the actualemploy-ment of military foree,a corpsof riflemenwillbefor severalpurposesextremelyuseful. The etigibleproportionof riflemento infantryofthe linemaybetakenat a twentieth. Hencein the apportionmentof an army of fiftythousandmen, in my letter ofthis date, two thousandriflemenare included,and,in the estimateof armsto beprovided,twothousandrifles. There is a kind of rifle commonlycalledFerguson's,whichwilldeserveparticularattention.It is understoodthat it has in differentEuropeanarmiessupplantedtheoldrifle,asbeingmorequieldyloadedand more easilykept clean. If the shot ofit be equallysure,or nearlyso, those advantagesentitle it to a preference. It is very desirablethatthis point, and its comparativemerit in other re-spects, be ascertainedby carefulexaminationandexperiment.

    Perhapsgenerally,but more eert_.inlywhenthetroops shall serve in Southern climates, flannel

  • $6 AlexanderHamilton

    shirtswillbe mostconduciveto health. Willit notbe advisableto makeprovisionforretaininga dis-eretionin suchcases; eitherto allowa lessnumberofflannelshirtsequivalentto the presentallowanceoflinen,or, if thiscannotbe,to furnishthe soldierywiththe requisitenumber,deductingthe differenceof costout oftheir pay?

    The only provisionfor the appointmentof aquartermaster-generalis to be foundin the act ofthe _8thof May,authorizingthe Presidentto raisea provisionalarmy,whichlimitshisrankandemolu-mentsofthoseto lieutenant-colonel.Thisprovisionis conceivedto be entirelyinadequate. The mili-tary dutiesof the officeare of a nature to renderitofthefirstimportancein an army; demandinggreatabilitiesanda charactereverywayworthyof trust.Accordinglyit is the generalpractice,foundeduponverysubstantialreasons,to confideit to an officerofhighmilitaryrank. Theprobabilityis that, withouta similararrangementon ourpart, weshallnot beableto commanda fit character;and in takingoneofinferiorpretensionsweshallsubjectthe servicetodisadvantages,out of all proportionto any objec-tionswhichmaybe supposedto militateagainsttheconferringof suchrank. It is feared that an ap.pointmentunderthe existingprovisionwouldonlycreateembarrassment,should there be real neces-sity for militaryexertions; and that the alterna-tive must be either to leave the army destitute !of so necessaryan organ,or to give it onelikely iin the progressof thingsto proveunequal to thetask.

    |

  • Washingtonto McHenry 37

    It was muchdesired,for preventingfuturecon-troversy,to fix in the firstinstancethe relativegradesof the regimentalofficers. That of the fieldofficershas beenrenderedimpossible,withoutin-justiceand the hazardof muchdissatisfaction,bythe impossibilityof completingthe arrangementinConnecticutand the three most SouthernStates.But upon close examination,many obstaclesop-poseda definitiveestablishmentofthe relativerank,evenof the officersof companies,in the regimentswhich have been organized. Numerouscircum-stances,whichoughtto influencethe decision,areunknown;and withoutthis knowledgea finalar-rangementmight lead to very awkwardand per-plexingresults. In considerationof this difficulty,no morethan a temporaryone,liableto futurere-vision,has been adopted. It willbe necessarytoattend to this in the appointments,and to signifyto the personsthat they are to obeyaccordingtothe order of nomination,but that the Presidentreservesto himselfthe right, wherecogentreasonsforit shallappear,to changethe relativerank whichthat order may seemto recognize. He willjudgewhether,in makingthe nominationto the Senate,alikereserveisnecessary.

    I am wellawarethat severalof the matterssug-gestedin this letterwillrequirelegislativeprovision.If the wholeor any of them shallbe approvedbythe Executive,no time oughtto be lost in recom-mendingthemto the considerationof Congress.Asto someofthem, it is verydesirablethat the neces-saryprovisionby lawshouldprecedethe enlistment

  • 38 AlexanderHamilton

    of themen,to avoidtheobstacleto a change,whichmay resultfromcontract.

    Withgreat respectand esteem,I have the honorto be,etc.

    HAMILTONTO WASHINGTON

    Answerto Questionsof theSecretaryat WarofNovemberio, x798

    December,i798.

    No. i. First and secondquestions.--Therulewhichappearsproperas aprimaryone,isthe relativepopulationof the Statesseverally. In the applica-tionof thisrule, the distributionmadeby the Secre-tary appearssofarcorrectasto be deemedaneligiblestandard.

    Improperto tie downthe recruitingserviceby anabsolute apportionment of the men among theStates.

    Theofficerswillnaturallybe assignedto recruitinthe Statesofwhichtheyare; if the mencanbefoundthere they willbe had; but it is possiblethey maynot be obtainable,and there oughtto be liberty toobtainthem elsewhere.

    The troops of horse not to be confinedto anydivisionof the UnitedStates; but an exact distribu-tionofsosmalla numberwouldbeinconvenient. Itasthereforedeemedproperto let the arrangementbegovernedprincipallyby the characters who haveoccurredas officers. It is proposedto assign Vir-gmiaand Maryland3 troops; Pennsylvaniax; NewJerseyi; NewYorkandConnecticut1.

  • Hamiltonto Washington 39

    Thenumberofhorseinadequate.Presumingthatan increasewillbe foundeligible,the distributioncanbemadewithan ideato theotherStates. Con-siderationhasbeenhadasa secondarymotivetothefitnessofeharaeter.

    Thirdquestion.--Thefactsolvesthisquestion.Fourthquestion.--Provisionsof lawperemptory.

    Willnot examineboundsof executivediscretion;but it mustbe evidentthat a suspensioncannotbejustifiedbut by a veryurgentmotive. Nonesuchareknownto exist.

    Nothinghasbeencommunicatedasto foreignre-lations,to inducean opinionthat the grounduponwhichtheactforaugmentingthearmywaspassed,hasbeenchanged.Asfar as canbe inferredfromthe Treasurydocumentscommunicated,no ob-stacleisperceivedto arisefromfinancialconsidera-tions;but this is a pointon whichit cannotbeexpectedthat the responsibilityof any definitiveopinionwillbe assumed. Theheadof the properdepartmentwillno doubtexplicitlypronounce.

    FiSh quest/on.--Theopinionis, that theyoughtalltobeimmediatelyappointed,andimmediatelytoreceivetheirpay andbe put intoactivity. Thisiswiththeexception,fromwantofadequateinforma-tion,ofthetwoCarolinas,Georgta,andTennessee.

    It isconceivedthatit willbeexpedientto confideto GeneralPinekney,withtheaidofGeneralsDavisand Washington,to preparethe arrangementfortheseStates,subjectto theratifieatlonofthe Presi-dent, but with as large a chscretionto fix thearrangementasproprietywillpermit.

  • 40 AlexanderHamilton

    Sixth quest/on.--Inexpedientat presentto with-drawthe troopsin question,witha viewto reinforcethose on the sea-board. But our wholeplan onthe northwesternandsouthwesternfrontiermayre-quire revision,and it is deemedeligibleto requireGeneralWilkinsonto repair as soonas possibletothe seatofthegovernment,inorderthat it mayhavethe benefitof his localknowledgeand advice. Heshould be cautionedto avoid any demonstrationsof hostility towards the Spaniard; but, on thecontrary, as far as may be, to assumea differentcomplexion.

    Seventhquestion.--Itis conceivedbest that theadditionalcompaniesshall reinforcethe Westernarmy.

    Eighth question.mAsto artillery. It is under-stoodthat the two regimentscomprisetwenty-eightcompanies;that of these, eightare in the Westerncountry. The remaining companiesmay tempo-rarilybe thus disposedof: one to Boston, threetoNewport,oneto WestPoint, threeto NewYork,twoto Fort Mifflin,twoto Baltimore,twoto Norfolk,oneto Cape Fear River, three to Charleston,one toSavannah,oneto St. Mary's.

    It is desirablethat entire companiesbe stationed,andthe minglingof differentcorpsbeavoided. Thefieldofficerswill,of course,be distributedpropor-tionally.

    Ninth question.mThepermanent distributionofthe troopsafterthey shallhavebeenraised,may beinfluencedby circumstancesyet to be developed.Thefirstobjectofattention is the distribution,with

  • Hamiltonto Gunn 4t

    a viewto therecruitingservice. To this end,eachStateshouldbe dividedintodistricts,equalto thenumberof companiesto be recruitedtherein. Themento be brought to the companyrendezvousassoon as maybe after they are recruited; and acertain number of these rendezvous,whereit canconvenientlybe done,to be put underthe superin-tendenceof a field officer. Duringthe winter itwouldbe inconvenient,in most of the States, toassemblein largercorpsthan companies.

    Tenthq_stio_.--The publicoughtto providetherationsby contractor otherwise,as it maybe foundbest.

    Thegivingmoneyto therecruitwouldhavemanyinconveniences,bygivingpretextof absenceto pro-vide supply, unfavorableto discipline,tending todisputeswith the inhabitants, and to desertion.Manyof the menwillapply their moneyto strongdrink,rather than to food.

    Eleventhquestion. Contractsfor stationarypostsareto bepreferred;butforanarmyoperatinginthefield,purchasingis to be preferred,exceptthat themagazines,whichare to be formedat particularplaces,maybebestformedby contract.

    Twelfth quest/on._Sprmgfield,Harper's Ferry,RockyMounton the Wateree.

    HAMILTONTO GUNN

    NEwYORK,December_6, x798.DSARSin:

    I regrettedthat my excessiveavocationsdid notpermit me, as I intended, to call upon you before

  • 42 AlexanderHamilton

    I left Philadelphia. In additionto the pleasureofdoingit, I wasdesirousof knowingthe stateof yourmind with regard to militaryservice. It was notthat therewas any thing worth your acceptance,uponthe disposalof whichat the time I coredhavehad any influence;but I wishedto understandwhatwouldbe agreeableto you, with a viewto the pro-gressofaffairs. If weare to be seriouslyengagedinmilitaryoperations,'t is not a complimentto you tosay that you are one of thosemenwhomust be inthe field. With suchan enemy,weshallwantmenwhowillnot barelydotheirduty,but willdo it withan energyequalto all dangers.

    Withvery greatregard,etc.

    HAMILTONTO McHENRY

    NEwYORK,Decemberx6, t798.DEAR SIR :

    I regrettedthat I wasdetainedto the last momentof beingin time for the stagein whichmy baggagehad been previouslysent, and thereby preventedfrom callingupon you before my final departurefromPhiladelphia.

    If the recruitingserviceis to be confidedto me, Iought,as soonas possible,to be definitelyapprisedofit, andin themeantimeI shallbe gladto havetheinstructionsheretoforepreparedfor that purpose,that I mayendeavorto obtain,for yourfinal deci-sion,newlightsfromofficerswhohave had experi-encein thisbranchofthe service. Myownwasverylimited,andit isofgreatimportanceto proceedupona rightplan.

  • Hamilton to McHenry 43

    Yourecollectthat, shortlyafter myfirst appoint-ment, I wasdesiredto turn myattentionto a systemof reg_llationsfor the tactics and disciplineof thearmy. Fromthat momentI havedevotedmuchofmy time to the preliminaryinvestigations,and Ishall devote a much largerproportion,if I am toconsidermyselfas nowin service,and entitled tothe emolumentsofthe station; for,to be frankwithyou,it is utterlyout of my powerto applymy timeto the public service without the compensations,scantyenough,whichthe law annexesto the office.If I wereto receivethem from the day of the ap-pointment, I shouldbe at least a thousandpoundsthe worsefor my acceptance. Fromthe time thatit wasfullyknownthat I had re-engagedin militarylife,the uncertaintyof mybeingable to renderser-vicesforwhichI mightbe retaineddroveawaymorethan one half of my professionalpractice,which Imay moderatelyestimateat fourthousandpoundsayear. Mypecuniarysacrificesalreadyto the publicoughtto producethe reverseof a dispositionevery-whereto compelme to greaterthan the lawimposes.This remark,I am wellaware,is not necessaryforyou personally.

    Again,If I am to dischargewitheffectthe dutiesof my presentoffice,I must makefrequentjourneysfrom onepart of the army to another. Everybodyknows that the expensesof such journeyswouldquicklyeat out the narrowallowancesof a major-general.

    It willbe disagreeableto beexposedto the dilemmaof compromittingmy reputation and that of the

  • 44 AlexanderHamilton

    governmentby not producingthe results to be ex-pectedfrom the department,or of ruiningmyselfoncemorein performingservicesfor whichthere isno adequatecompensation.

    Theprecedentofthe last war is a fullcommentonthe proprietyofan extraallowanceto the inspector-general. It is indeed indispensable,if he is to beuseful.

    It isalwaysdisagreeableto speakofcompensationsforone'sself,but a manpast forty,with a wifeandsix children,and a very smallpropertybeforehand,is compelledto waivethe scrupleswhichhisnicetywouldotherwisedictate.

    Withgreat esteemand regard, I remain,etc.

    P. S.--I imagineit maybe of serviceto communi-cate to Wolcottthe two letters receivedfrom theCommander-in-Chiefcontainingthe results of ourdeliberation.

    HAMILTONTO McHENRY(Private.)

    Nzw YORK,December19,x798.DEAR SIR:

    Youare informedthat Mr.Hillis in possessionofdraftsof surveys,madeduringour last war, of ourharborandbay. It is veryinterestingthat the gov-ernment shouldacquire these drafts. You will, Ipresume,think that they ought to be depositedinyour departmentas an item in the generalmassofreformationnecessarytoward plans of general de-fence. If so, you willpurchasethem, if it be not

  • Hamiltonto Gunn 45

    alreadydone,and in this case, I willthankyou forthe immediateloan of them; havingbeen chargedby the Governorof thisState, underthe sanctionofthe President,withpreparinga planfor the fortifica-tion of our port, whichplan,whendigested,willbesent to you. Shouldyoudeclinethe purchase,be sogoodas to saysoto GeneralMcPherson,whowillberequestedto procurethe drafts for the use of thisState.

    HAMILTONTO GUNN

    NEw YORK, December22, x798.MyDBARSIR:

    The post of yesterdaybroughtme your favor ofthe _9th inst. The sentimentsin it personalto meare extremelygratifying,and I am very glad toascertainthe military groundupon whichyou arenot unwillingto stand. If thingsprogress,I trusttherewillbe noobstacleto youroccupyingit.

    Asto the furthermilitaryarrangements,my ideasare these: Consideringhow little has been donetoward raisingthe forcealreadyvoted,that an im-portant tax is yet in the firststageofan essay,that aprospectof peace is again presented by the tem-porizingconductof France, that seriousdiscontentsexistin parts ofthe countrywithregardto particularlaws, it appears to me advisableto postponeanyactual augmentationof the army beyond the pro-visionsofthe existinglaws,exceptas to the regimentofcavalry,whichI shouldbegladto seeincreasedbythe additionof twotroops,and by the allowingit to

  • 46 AlexanderHamilton

    be recruitedto the complementwhichhasbeenpro-posedby the Commander-in-Chief,as that of thewar establishment. What this is will.probablybecommunicatedby the Secretaryat War.

    But a considerableadditionought certainlyto bemade to our military supplies. The communica-tionsof the Commander-in-Chiefwill alsoaffordastandardfor the increasein this respect,as far asconcernstheforceto beemployedin thefield. Thereare, however,someother objectsof supplyequallyessential,whichwerenot within the viewof thosecommunications--heavycannon for our fortifica-tions, and mortarsfor the caseof a siege. Of theformer,includingthose already procuredand pro-curing,there oughtnot to be fewerthan onethou-sand,from eighteento thirty-twopounders,chieflyof twenty-fours; of the latter, includingthose onhand, there ought to be fifty of ten-inch calibre.This,youperceive,looksto offensiveoperations. Ifweare to engagein war,our gamewillbe to attackwherewe can. France is not to be consideredasseparatedfrom herally. Temptingobjectswillbewithinourgrasp.

    Willit not likewisebe properto renewandextendtheideaofa provisionalarmy? Theforcewhichhasbeen contemplatedas sufficientin any event, is40,000infantry of the line, 2,000riflemen,4,000cavalry,and 4,oooartillery,makingin the wholeanarmy of 5o,ooo. Why shouldnot the provisionalarmygoto the extentofthe differencebetweenthatnumberand the actualarmy? I think thisoughttobe the case,and that the Presidentoughtto be au-

  • Hamiltonto McHenry 47

    thorizedimmediatelyto nominatethe officers,toremainwithoutpay until calledinto service. Thearrangementscan then be made with sufficientleisureforthebestpossibleselection,andthepersonsdesignatedwillbe employedin acquiringinstruction.

    It will likewisedeserveconsideration,whetherprovisionoughtnot to be madefor classingall per-sonsfromeighteento forty-fiveinclusively,and fordraughtingout of them,in caseof invasion,by lot,the numbernecessaryto completethe entirearmyoffiftythousand. In the case of invasion,the ex-pedientof draughtingmust be resortedto, and itwillgreatlyexpediteit if therebeapreviousclassingwith a viewto such an event. The measure,too,willplacethe countryin a very imposingattitude,andwilladdto the motivesof cautiononthe part ofourenemies.

    Thesemeasuresareall that appearto beadvisablewith regard to our military establishmentunderpresentappearances. A loanas an auxiliarywillofcoursebe annexed.

    HAMILTON TO McHENRY ,

    (Private.)

    N_w Yoaz,December26,z798.DEAR SIR."

    Asit maypossiblynot havecometo youthroughanyotherchannel,I thinkit wellto informyouthatGeneralHuntingtonhasbeendispleasedat not hav-ing receivedofficialnoticeof his appointment,with

    xNowfirstpublishedfromthe HamiltonMSS.,vol.xviii., p. 79.

  • 48 AlexanderHamilton

    his commission.This,ifnotalreadyso,oughtto beremedied.

    I hearnothingof nominations.Whatmalignantinfluencehangsuponourmilitaryaffairs?

    Withgreatesteemand regard,Yourobedientservant,

    A. HAMILTON.

    P. S.--I leftwithGeneralPinckneya projectofamilitmT schoolwhichhewasto havesentme. HashequittedPhiladelphm?If so,haveyouheardanythingof thispaper? I want it.

    JAMESMCHENRY,Esq.

    MEASURES OF DEFENCEffi

    x799.

    Furthermeasurestobetakenwithoutdelay:I.--To authorizethe Presidentto proceedforth-

    with to raisethe io,ooomenalreadyordered.II.--To establishan academyfor military and

    navalinstruction. Thisisa vex-)-importantmeasureandoughtto be permanent.

    III.--To providefor the immediateraisingof acorpsof non-commissionedofficers,viz., sergeantsand corporals,sufficientwith the presentestablish-mentforan armyof 5o,ooomen. Thehavingthese

    xIt doesnot appearwhetherthis documentwas publishedat thetime,orwhetherit was a letterforprivatecirculationamongleadingmeninthe Cabinetandin Congress.It isa veryinterestingpaper,asit showsthe precisepolicywhichthe leaderof the war Federalistswishedto haveadoptedat agravecrisisin the historyof the countryandof hisown party. It wasprobablywrittenearlyin 1799.

  • Measuresof Defenc 49

    men prepared and disciplinedwill accelerateex-tremelythe discipliningof an additionalforce.

    IV.--To providebeforeCongressrisethat in caseit shallappearthat an invasionofthis countryby alargearmy is actuallyon foot, thereshallbe a draftfrom the militia to be classed,of a number suffi-cient to completethe army of 3o,ooomen. Pro-visionfor volunteersin lieuof drafts. A bountytobegiven.

    V.--To authorizethe Presidentto providea fur-ther naval forceof six shipsof the line,and twelvefrigates, with twenty small vesselsnot exceedingsixteenguns. It ispossiblethe shipsof the hneandfrigatesmay be purchasedof Great Britain, to bepaid for in stock. We ought to be readyto cutup all the small privateers and gun-boats in theWest Indies,soas at the sametime to distress theFrenchislands as muchas possibleand protectourtrade.

    VI.--Is not the independenceof the Frenchcolo-niesunderthe guaranty of the UnitedStates to beaimedat? Ifit is,therecannotbetoomuchprompt-nessin openingnegotiationsforthe purpose. VictorHuguesis probablyan excellentsubject. Thisidea,however,deservesmature consideration.

    VII.--It is essential the Executiveshouldhavehalfa millionof secret-servicemoney. If the meas-ure cannot be carried without it, the expendituremay be with the approbationof three membersofeachHouseof Congress.

    VIII.--Revenue in additionto the $2,000,000oflandtax, say:

    _rOL. VII.--4

  • 50 Alexander Hamilton

    Pax_hableProduct.

    [ A stamp duty on hats, as wellmanu-_factured at home as imported, dis-

    $500'000 [ tributed into three classes--io, i5, 25l cents.

    Saddle-horses,onedollareach,exclud-$xoo,ooo ing thoseengagedinagriculture.

    Salt,so as to raise the presentduty to25centsperbushel.Male servants of the capacities by

    .: whatevername: Maitred' h6tel,house-_o steward, valet de chambre, butler,

    _ under-butler,confectioner,cook,house-o_"_ porter, waiter, footrr,an, coachman,_o

    $500,000 4=0 groom,postilions,stable-boy,--foroneo_== such servant, $i; for two such ser-o vants, and not more,$2each; for three

    o-_ such servants, $3 each; above three,= $4 each', one dollar additional by

    bachelors.New modificationwith greater diver-

    Sxoo,ooo sity of licensesfor saleof wines.One per cent on all successionsby de-

    Sxoo,ooo scent or devise.

    IX.--A loan of $io,ooo,ooo. The interest to besuch as will insure the loan at par. It is better togive high interest, redeemableat pleasure, than lowinterest with accumulation of capital as in England.

    HAMILTONTOMcHENRYN_.wYoax,January7,I799.

    SlR'--The unascertained situation in which Ihave been since my acceptance of the mihtary ap-

  • Hamilton to McHem'y 51

    pointmentI nowhold,has beennot a little embar-rassingto me. I had no soonerheard of the lawcreatingthe office,than I was told by membersofCongressthat I wasgenerallyconsideredas the per-son designatedby circumstancesto fill that office,andthat the expectationofthosewhomost activelypromotedthe passingof the law was, that the in-spector-generalwould be brought into immediateactivity,particularlyto superintendthe raisingandorganizingofthe troops.

    This is mentionedas a mereitem in the incidentswhichinfluencedmy calculationsand arrangements.

    Verysoonafter, if not at the time,you communi-catedto memyappointment,you intimated,though

    ! not officially,yourdesirethat I mightoccupymyselfin preparingfor the considerationof the Executivea

    i systemof tacticsand discipline;and not longafter,i youexpressedto meyourintentionto committo mer

    the supervisionof the recruitingservice.In OctoberI receivedyoursummonsto attend at

    the seatofgovernmentwiththeCommander-in-Chief.I obeyed,and devotedto the purposeof this sum-monsabout a monthand a half.

    I received,in due course,a letter from your de-partment stating the expectationof the Presidentthat the generalswouldthink it properto watvethe

    _ emolumentsof their stations till calledinto service.i In my reply I acquiesced.

    But presumingthat I wouldspeedilybe officiallychargedwith the executionof duties, whichwoulddrawalong with them the compensationsattachedby the law to the station, I have acted on that

  • 5a AlexanderHamilton

    presumption. I havediscontinuedmy practiceasattorneyandsolicitor,fromwhichI had derivedaconsiderablepart of my professionalprofits; and Ihaveappliedno smallportionof my time to pre-liminaryinvestigations,in orderto thecollectionofthe best lightsfor forminga systemof tacticsanddisciplineas perfectas existsanywhereelse.

    Thevery circumstanceof my having accepteda militaryappointment,from the moment it wasknown,withdrewfrom me a large portionof myprofessionalbusiness. This, it will be perceived,wasa natural effectof the uncertaintyof my beingable in the progressof suits to renderthe servicesforwhichI mightbe engaged,at the customarypre-viousexpenseto the parties.

    Theresult has been,that the emolumentsof myprofessionhavebeendiminishedmorethan onehalf,andarestilldiminishing,andI remaininperfectun-certaintywhetheror whenI am to derivefromthescanty compensationsof the officeeven a partialretributionforsoseriousa loss.

    WereI rich, I shouldbeproudto be silentonsucha subject. I shouldacquiescewithout an observa-tion as long as any one might think the minutestpublic interest requiredan accumulationof sacri-riceson mypart. But afterhavingto soadvanceda periodof my lifedevotedall my prospectsof for-tune to theserviceof the country,and dependent,as I am,forthe maintenanceof a wifeand sixchild-ten on my professionalexertions,nowso seriouslyabridged,it isessentialformeto foregothe scruplesof delicacy,andto askofyouto definemysituation,

  • H_dhon to McHenry 53

    that I may determinewhether to continue or tochangemy presentplan.

    It will easilybe imaginedthat I shouldnotacceptcompensationswithheld from any other m a similarsituation. If actual employment is to be the cri-teflon in any other instance, it must be so in mine;but thenit is materialto me to understandwhether,in the contemplationof the Executive,I nowam, orimmediately am, to be employed, or not. In thenegative of this, my honor will compel submissionto the consequent sacrifice,so far as it is unavoid-able; but my arrangementswill be differentfromwhat they are at present, and will aim at makingthe sacrificeas small as possible.

    An early answer to this inquiry will particularlyobligeme.

    With great respect,etc.

    HAMILTONTO McHENRY

    NlcwYORE,JanuaryIS. t799-DEARSIR:

    I find I cannothave readyfor this day's post thebill for the provisional army. Inclosed are someadditional clauses relating to orga.nization,conse-quently to be insertedm the bill sentby yesterday'spost. Youwilleasilydeterminetheirproperpositionthere. They arenecessaryto systematic propriety.Generalprovisions of this kind will prevent con-tinued repetitions in every new law respectingthemilitaryforce.

  • 54 AlexanderHamiltonHAMILTON TO McHENRY

    NBwYoax, Januaryx6,x799.DEAR SIR:

    Youwillreceiveherewiththedraftof a bill foraprovisionalarmy. It includesonlythosethingsofaformerbill whichare appropriatedto this object;theotherpartsof that billbeingnowin full force.Theoperationof the bill,whichhasbeenalreadysentyou,renderstherepetitionofseveralclausesinthe presentunnecessary.The aim, indeed,oughtto be to havea fundamentalarrangementwhichwillattach of courseuponall subsequentprovisionsofforce,so that the lawforevery augmentationneedonlydefinethe numberto be raised,andthe dura-tionof service,and the modeofraising.

    Aneyehasbeenhadto thisinthe draftofthe firstbill,and oneofthe two additionalclausesnowsentfor the samebill has the sameview. Thiswillbemoredeliberatelyand correctlyattendedto in theplanof a billwhichI shallbeginto workuponfromthis time,but whichcannotbe readyfora consider-abletime. Abillfor the hospitalestablishmentwillfollowin two orthreedays.

    Yourstruly, etc.

    P. S.--Theconsiderablemutilationof the nomina-tions proposedby the Commander-in-Chief,as itappearsin the result,naturallyexcitescuriosity. Itoughtto be presumed,and yet the mind naturallydistrusts the presumption,that there are goodreasonsfor it, and that the servicewill be finallybenefited. ButI confessit wouldbe a reliefto me

  • Hamiltonto McHenry 55

    to knowa littlein detail,whath_ influencedthedeparture,howtheunfitnessof thosewhohavebeendeclinedhas appeared,andwhatmeansare in trainto do anybetter. Praybe particularand confiden-tial. You willnot considerany letter of minebe-ginning"Dear Sir,"as official.

    Measuresin the War Departmentwhichit may beext_dientto adopt.

    To organizeanew the militia, on a plan some-thing like the following,viz.:

    Tobe dividedinto fiveclasses.Firstclass,consistingofallunmarriedmenfrom 18

    to 25, except apprenticesunder 2i to merchants,mechanics,and manufacturers,and studentsunderthe sameageinuniversities,colleges,andacademies,and of divinity,law,andmedicine.

    Secondclass,consistingofallunmarriedmenfrom25to 40.

    Thirdclass,consistingofall marriedmenfrom x8to 25,exceptas exceptedinthe first class.

    Fourth class,consistingof all marriedmenfrom25to 40.

    Fifth class,consistingofallmenabove4o,andnotexceeding5o.

    l_.achclassto be formedinto corpsof infantry,artillery,and cavalry,combinedintolegionsto con-sist of four regimentsof infantry,one regimentofhorse,and a battalionof artillery. All whochooseto enterinto the cavalryand providethemselves

  • 56 AlexanderHamilton

    with horses,arms,and accoutrements,to be at lib-erty to do it. Each class to be calledout in suc-cessionas mlmbered;in wholeor in part, liabletoservefor a year. Noneof a highernumber to becalledout until all of any precedinglowernumberhavebeencalledout and servedtheir tour.

    In caseof domesticinsurrection,no man ab/etoserveshallbe excusedonany condition.

    In caseof foreignwar,any man maybe excused,paying_ dollars.

    No militia (exceptthoseinhabitingfrontiercoun-ties) shallbe obligedto serveagainst Indians,northoseinhabitingfrontiercountiesformore than oneyear.

    Anyman whoshall refuseto servehis tour whenrequired,to be imprisonedduring the term of ser-vice,or compelledto labor at somepublic workatthe optionof the government.

    Casesof exemptsto be definedin the laws.Therespectiveclassesto be liableto be calledout

    for inspectionand exerciseas follows:First class,-- daysin a year.Secondclass,-- daysin a year.Thirdclass,-- daysin a year.Fourth class,-- daysin a year.Fifth class,oneday in a year.I.--The militia,whenin service,to be subjectto

    the samerulesof disciplineand governmentas thearmy ofthe UnitedStates.

    II.--A regimentto be raised consistingof com-sionedofficersandpersonsengagedas sergeants,andwith the pay of such--that is to say, in their own

  • Hamiltonto McHenry 57

    corpstheyshallserveby rotationas sergeants,cor-porals,and privates,but out of theirregimenttheyshall only be employedas sergeants. All newregimentswhichmaybe raisedshallhave their ser-geantsfromthiscorps,whichshallhavea fixedsta-tion,and be carefullyinstructedin all the parts ofcamp,field,and garrisonservice. It may be con-sidered,whetherthis idea maynot be extendedtoartilleryand cavalry. This corpsto constitutethebasisof an army in caseof need.

    III.--To establisha t_ovisionalor auxiliaryarmy,composedoffourregimentsofinfantry,oneregimentof cavalry, and one battalion of artillery,formedinto a legionof two brigades,each brigadecom-mandedby a brigadier,and the legionby _ major-general.

    This legionto be raisedby voluntaryenlistment,accordingto a certaindistribution,in the followingparts of the UnitedStates: in the partof Pennsyl-vaniaand Virginialyingwestof the Allegheny,theNorthwesternand SouthwesternGovernments,Ken-tucky, SouthCarolina,and Georgia.

    The considerationof enlistmentto be a suit ofclothesof the valueof ten dollarsper annum,andwhenin the fieldthe same pay and allowanceasothertroopsof the UnitedStates.

    Tobeengagedforatermof_ years,but exceptin caseof domesticinsurrectionor foreigninvasion,notto beobligedto servein the fieldmorethanmonthsin oneyear. Onebrigadeto be raised inthe westernpart of Pennsylvaniaand Vh_nia, theNorthwesternTerritory,and the Stateof Kentucky.

  • 58 AlexanderHamilton

    The Brigadierto be immediatelychargedwith allthemilitaryaffairsoftheUnitedStatesinthat scene.The otherbrigadeto be raisedin the other part ofthe countryabovedescribed,with the sameimme-diatechargeto its Brigadierof the militaryaffairsofthe UnitedStatesin that scene.

    TheMajor-Generalto have the generaldirection.IV.--The followingmiscellaneousobjects to be

    aimedat:i. The establishmentof a systemof trade with

    the Indiansunderthe agentsofgovernment;a planin detailfor thispurpose.

    _. The establishingit as a principle,that everymanin arms to attack or resistIndians,except insome county under the actualjurisdictionof thelaws,shallbe ipso factoliableto the rulesfor thegovernmentofthe army.

    3. The establishrnentof manufactories,underpublic authority, of cannon, muskets and otherarms,powderand ball; all articlesof clothingex-cepthatsand shoes.

    Theorganizationof the armyto be revised;it is presumedto be susceptibleofonemoreperfect.

    HAMILTONTO McHENRY

    Ngw Yo_, January2x,x799.DEARSIR:I sendyou the draft of a bill for reg_ll_tingthe

    medicalestablishment.(I avoidpurposelythe termdepartment,whichI would reserve for the greatbranches of administration.)You will see that

  • Hamiltonto McHenry 59

    nothingbutanorganizationwithageneraloutlineof dutyisprovidedfor. DetailedregulationswillproperlycomefromthePresidentandthedepart-merits; and the less these axe legislatedupon, insuch cases, the better. When fixed by law, theycannotbe varied,as experienceadvises.

    This particularestablishmentis one to the rightfashioningof whichI feel myselfmore than ordi-narilyincompetent.

    Youmentionin oneof your letters, that, by thelaw of the i6th of July, the approprmtionfor theaugmentedarmy ceasesat the end of the presentsession. This is one constructionof that law. Adifferentmightperhapsbe mentioned. But be thisas it may,you willfindby a subsequentact of thesame date, entitled: "An act making certain ap-propriations," etc., that 9oo,ooodollarsare thereappropriated for the same object, without anyqualifications;and I take it forgrantedthat what-evermoneyshouldhavebeenissuedfromthe Treas-uryfor the useof the WarDepartment,previoustothe end of the session,upon the firstof thoseacts,mightbe expendedafterwardsby this departmentwithoutany questionaboutits regularity.

    HAMILTON TO McHENRY

    NRw YoRx,Janttarya4,z799.DEAR SIR:

    Youaskmy opinionastoa properarrangementforthecommandofthemilitaryforce,on thegroundthattheCommander-in-Chiefdeclinesatpresentanactivepart.

  • 60 AlexanderHamilton

    Thisis a delicatesubjectforme; yet inthe .qh_pein whichit presentsitself,I shallwaivethe scrupleswhichare natural on the occasion.

    If I rightly understoodthe Commander-in-Chief,hiswishwasthat all the militarypointsandmilitaryforceeverywhereshouldbe put under the directionof the two major-generals,whoaloneshouldbe theorgansofthe DepartmentofWar.

    Theobjectsof thisplanare to disburthenthe headof that departmentof infinitedetails,whichmustunavoidablycloghis generalarrangements,and toestabhsh a vig/laut military superintendenceoverall the militarypoints. Thereis no difficultyin thisplan,exceptas to the Westernarmy.

    It willbe a very natural dispositionto give to theInspector-Generalthe commandof all the troopsand postsnorth of Maryland,and to GeneralPinck-heythe commandof all the troopsand postssouthof the district assignedto the Inspector-General.Howwillthis planas to the Westernarmyanswer?

    Letall the troops uponthe lakes,includingthoseon the M_mi,whichcommunicatewithLake Erie,be united under the commandof oneofficer,to bestationedat -- Letall the troopsin Tennesseebe united under the commandof one officer,to bestationed at Let them consider them-selvesunderthe orderofthe Generalwhocommandsthe Westernarmy, and let the wholebe placedunder the Inspector-General.The officers com-manding on the lni_es,and in Tennessee,to bepermittedtocorrespondimmediatelywiththeIn.spector-General,andreceiveordersfromhim_

  • Hamiltonto. 61

    AUthecommunications,aswelloftheseofficersasoftheGeneraloftheWesternarmy,to besentopen,undercoverof theSecretary.ofWar,who,inurgentcases,willhimselfgiveorders,if theInspector-Gen-eralbenot onthespot,whichhewillcommunicateforhisfuturegovernmentto theInspector-General,andin casesnoturgent,willleavemattersto theagencyof the Inspector-General,accordingto theinstructionswhichheshallreceivefromtheDepart-mentofWar.

    It is easytoperceivethat thereareobjectionstothisplan. I amnotsurethatitoughttobeadopted.Thepo_randtheconlrewiUreadilyoccurto you,andyouwilltakeandreject,asshanappeartoyouproper;assuredalwaysthat,personally,I shallbe contentwithanyarrangementyoumaythinkadvisable.

    HAMILTON TO

    (Circular.)NBw Yozx,January3o,r799.

    SIR:--AletterfromtheSecretaryat War,ofyes-terday,placesundermysuperintendencethepostsandtroopsunderyourimmediatecommand.Allfuturecommunicationsthereforerespectingthem,includingreportsandreturns,are to be addressedto me; notasheretoforetotheSecretaryat War.

    It ismywish,assoonaspossible,to receivea fullandparticularcommunicationof thestateof thingswithinyourcommand,embracingthe numberandconditionoftheworksandbuildings;thequantitiesandkindsofartillery,arms,andstores:thenumberof the troopsandtheirsituations:as to discipline,

  • 62 AlexanderHamilton

    equipment,andsupply; andthat youwillin futurekeep me regularlyadvisedof whatevermay bematerialfor the successfuldischargeof yourtrustorthe advancementof the service.

    I cannotlet this first opportunitypass,withoutcallingyour attentionin an officialmannerto thedisciplineof the troops. The cursoryobservationwhichI havebeenhithertoableto make,hasbeensufficientto satisfythat thereexistsin thisrespecttoogenerala relaxation;an evilwhichmust,at alltimes,be correctedby the unionof care,prudenceand energy.

    Noargumentis necessaryto provehowessentialis disciplineto the respectabilityand successof theservice,andconsequentlyto the honor,interest,andindividualimportanceof everyofficerof the army.Tothe exertionsformaintainingit, myfirmsupportat all timesmaybe absolutelycountedupon,as itwillbe mysteadyaim,onthe onehand,to promote,to everyreasonableextent,thecomfortofthe troops;on the other, to securea strictobservanceof theirduty. Withgreatconsideration,

    I am, dearsir,Yourobedientservant.

    TotheCommandingOfficerat WestPointanditsdependencies.

    HAMILTON TO McHENRY

    NzwYoRZ,February6. t799.DEAR SIR:

    In oneofyourlettersyoudesiremetothinkofthedistributionofthe Statesintorecruitingdistricts. I

  • Hamiltonto McHenry 63

    haveaccordinglyturnedmyattentionto thissubject.But theresultis,that it willbe bestto assignto eachregimentits district,and to chargeits commandingofficerwith the arrangementinto subdivisions. Ifyou approvethis idea,you had better write me anofficialletter, brieflytellingme that the recruitingserviceis to be put undermy direction,and desiringme to makea preliminaryarrangementfor the dis-tribution of the States into recruitingdistrictsandrendezvouses;uponwhichI willsendthe properin-structions to the severalcommandersof regiments.

    I have not yet observedthat the placesof theofficersomitted in the arrangementreportedby thegeneralofficers,havebeens