From the relation, which is thus constituted between us, I allow myself to anticipate great mutual satisfaction. Every disposition on my part will certainly facilitate it, and tend to promote the discharge of your trust in the manner best adapted to your honor and the advancement of the service.

It was the united opinion of the Commander-in-Chief, General Pinckney, and myself, when lately convened at Philadelphia, that your speedy presence in this quarter was necessary, towards a full discussion of the affairs of the scene in which you have so long had the direction in their various relations, and towards the formation, with the aid of your lights, of a more perfect plan for present and eventual arrangements. Much may be examined in a personal interview, which, at so great a distance, cannot be effected by writing.

The actual and probable situation of our public affairs, in reference to foreign powers, renders this step indispensable.

You will therefore be pleased, with all practicable expedition, to repair to Philadelphia; upon your arrival there giving me immediate advice of it. If this can be most conveniently accomplished by way of New-Orleans, you are at liberty to take that route. On this point you are the best judge, and will no doubt act with circumspection.

It must rest with you to dispose of the command of the troops at the different stations during your absence, and to give the proper instructions, in conformity with those which have been received from the Secretary at War.

On this head, only one remark will be made. The confidence in your judgment has probably led to the reposing in you discretionary powers too delicate to be intrusted to an officer less. tried; capable, perhaps, of being so used, as to commit prematurely the peace of the United States. Discretions of this tendency ought not to be transferred beyond what may be indispensable for defensive security.

Care must be taken that the nati n be not embroiled, but in consequence of a deliberate policy in the government.

Official letters from you to me, as you have been apprised by the Secretary at War, are to be forwarded through him. They

must be

open and under cover.

The design of this is, that he

may have an opportunity, in cases of great urgency, which could not conveniently wait for my direction, to interpose with the requisite measures.

In your absence, it will be proper that the officer, or officers you may substitute in the command, should communicate with you, also transmitting their letters open, under cover, to the Secretary at War. This will preserve unbroken the chain of your command.

SIR:

HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON.

NEW-YORK, February 15th, 1799.

The Secretary at War has communicated to me the following disposition with regard to the superintendence of our military forces and posts.

All those in the States south of Maryland, in Tennessee and Kentucky, are placed under the direction of Major-General Pinckney; those every where else under my direction, to which he has added the general care of the recruiting service.

The commencement of the business of recruiting, however, is still postponed, for the reason as assigned by the Secretary, that a supply of clothing is not yet ready.

In conformity with your ideas, I have directed General Wilkinson to repair to the seat of government, in order to a more full examination of the affairs of the western scene, and to the concerting of ulterior arrangements.

On this and on every other subject of our military concerns, I shall be happy to receive from time to time such suggestions and instructions as you may be pleased to communicate.

I shall regularly advise you of the progress of things, and especially of every material occurrence.

With perfect respect, I have the honor to be, &c.

HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON.

(PRIVATE.)

DEAR SIR:

NEW-YORK, February 16th, 1799

Different reasons have conspired to prevent my writing to you since my return to New-York; the multiplicity of my avocations, an imperfect state of health, and the want of something material to communicate.

The official letter herewith transmitted will inform you of the disposition of our military affairs which has been recently adopted by the Department of War. There shall be no want of exertion on my part to promote the branches of the service confided to my care.

But I more and more discover cause to apprehend that obstacles of a very peculiar kind stand in the way of an efficient and successful management of our military concerns. These it would be unsafe at present to explain.

It may be useful that I should be able to write to you hereafter some confidential matters relating to our administration without the mention of names. When this happens, I shall designate the President by X, the Secretary of State by V, of the Treasury by I, and of the Department of War by C. Every thing in the northern quarter, as far as I can learn, continues favorable to the government.

Very affectionately and truly,

I remain, &c.

HAMILTON TO M'HENRY.

SIR:

NEW-YORK, February 16th, 1799.

It is very material to me to have, without delay, the distribution of the additional twelve regiments and troops of horse among the respective States, according to the organization or arrangement which is contained in the report made to you in December, by the Commander-in-Chief.

This is requested with reference to the appointment of recruiting rendezvous.

MY DEAR SIR:

HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON.

NEW-YORK, February 18th, 1799.

Unwilling to take the liberty to ask you to give yourself any particular trouble on the subject, I have written the inclosed letters. I beg you to dispose of them as you suppose will best answer the end in view; that is, to obtain a speedy distribution of the State into districts and sub-districts.

With the truest attachment,

I have the honor to be, my dear Sir, &c.

HAMILTON TO SEDGWICK.

NEW-YORK, February 19th, 1799.

DEAR SIR:

It is intended to raise in Massachusetts, including the province of Maine, two regiments.

It is desired, for this purpose, to divide the State into four districts and twenty sub-districts, or company rendezvouses, to the end, that the recruiting service for each company may in the first instance be confined within a definite limit.

Will you, after consultation with such of your members as you deem expedient, favor me with a plan for the above purpose, and this as soon as may be? A place as the headquarters of rendezvous, to which the recruits may be conveyed, and where they may be accommodated, is necessary.

Yours truly.

DEAR SIR:

SEDGWICK TO HAMILTON.

PHILADELPHIA, 22d February, 1799.

Maine, a

In answer to yours of the 19th, the gentlemen from Massachusetts have been together. I mean just as I requested, and have agreed on the following as the most eligible division of that State for the purpose of recruiting on your plan. district; four places of rendezvous: Portland, Wiscasset, Augusta, and Castine. The counties of Essex, Suffolk, Bristol, Dukes County, Nantucket, Barnstable, and Plymouth, a district; seven places of rendezvous: Haverhill, Newburyport, Salem, Boston, Plymouth, Taunton, and Bridgewater. Middlesex, Norfolk, and Worcester, a district; five places of rendezvous: Groton, Watertown, Petersham, Worcester, and Dedham. Hampshire and Berkshire, a district; four places of rendezvous: Pittsfield, Worthington, Northampton, and Springfield.

It was presumed that it was not intended to mark the exact limits of each sub-district, as this could not be done without an enumeration of all the towns in the State, and if expedient to be be done at all, may be safely confided to the field officers.

I have seen as far as they are in the office of the Secretary of State, Mr. Murray's communications relative to the intercourse