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ment which prevents me from calling for the assistance of the Adjutant-General when I deem it necessary?

WASHINGTON TO HAMILTON.

MOUNT VERNON, 25th March, 1799.

DEAR SIR:

Your letter of the 14th instant with its inclosures, came to hand by the last post.

In the present state of the army, (or more properly the embryo of one, for I do not perceive, from any thing that has come to my knowledge, that we are likely to move beyond this,) and until the augmented force shall have been recruited, assembled, and in the field, the residence of the Paymaster-General (I did not know there was one until your letter announced it), will be found most eligible at the seat of the general government; and you will please to give such orders respecting it, as you shall think proper, for I am unwilling to issue any.

Under this cover you will find a letter which I have just received from Colonel Hamtranck, with a short acknowledgment of its receipt; which you will be go good as to forward with your dispatches for the western army. With very great esteem and regard, I am, dear sir, &c.

MCPHERSON TO HAMILTON.

PHILADELPHIA, March 25, 1799.

DEAR SIR:

I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22d, on the subject of the insurrection in this State, and should have replied immediately, but knowing that I was to

receive my instructions from the War Office on this day, I thought it best to wait. The fact is, sir, that in the counties of Northampton, Berks, Montgomery, and part of Bucks, the people have manifested the strongest determination to oppose the laws, by openly, and with a military force, rescuing from the marshal a number of prisoners. I say military force, for they were headed by officers who are commissioned under the State, and were completely armed and equipped; it is also certain that, in addition to the party that effected the rescue, several detachments were on their march to accomplish the same purpose, when hearing that the business was done, they retired. In short the people of the before-mentioned counties seem ripe for any thing, and I am sorry to add, very strong indications of a similar disposition have appeared in the county of Northumberland; and although it is not likely that they have as yet any systematic mode of operation, it however appears to be a very dangerous combination, and that the most energetic conduct on the part of the administration is absolutely indispensable. How far the Executive accord with my sentiments you will judge when I have this day received orders to march as soon as the force can be collected, with 240 horse (to use the Secretary's expression), to the theatre of insurrection. My supporting parties are the detachments under Captain Henry, who has arrived at Newton, in the county of Bucks, and two companies of artillerists, who are ordered to rendezvous at Reading, in the county of Berks; the two most opposite points the Secretary could have hit on, and which I cannot correct unless I oblige the party at Reading to take a very circuitous route, or march them through the heart of the disaffected country-which I should not from the smallness of their number be justified in doing. I have, therefore, determined to leave them at that point, and shall to-morrow send orders to Captain Henry to move across the county of Bucks by a course I shall point out, which will be perfectly safe, until he comes in contact with my route, when I shall take post somewhere in the neighborhood of Bethlehem, and use my best endeavors to accomplish the purpose of my command. I confess I could have wished a different mode of operation had been

adopted, and which I am convinced would have made a more serious and lasting impression than my scampering through the country with a few horse. My plan would have been to march the volunteer infantry of this city, who, with Captain Henry's detachment, would have given me a sufficient force to take any post in the disaffected country, from which I could make excursions with my horse in every proper direction. But the

Secretary thinks otherwise, and I shall obey.

I shall from time to time give you information of my progress, and of every important occurrence.

I am with great regard,

Most truly yours.

HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON.

DEAR SIR:

NEW-YORK, March 27th, 1799.

At length we are on the point of commencing the recruiting service in five of the States, Connecticut, New-York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. It is hoped, that it will not be long in successfully embracing the others, where officers have been appointed. But in our affairs, till a thing is actually begun, there is no calculating the delays which may ensue.

You have been informed that the recruiting service has been put under my directions; but for many matters of detail, I must go to the Secretary for a sanction, and it is not always that it is rapidly obtained. Things however are at last getting into such a state, that the business may be expected to progress without interruption.

The letter some time since sent you for General Lee, was intended to be left open. It respected the division of Virginia into four districts, and twenty sub-districts, or company rendezvouses, designating a place in each for the head-quarters of the rendez

vous. I have as yet had no acknowledgment of it. Before General Morgan left Philadelphia, I got him to give me a plan. Inclosed is a copy. If you think a better arrangement can be made, shall I ask the favor of you to have it done? for I cannot now rely on the success of my resort to General Lee in any reasonable time.

Will you have the goodness to put the letters herewith in a train to reach their destination with certainty? They are open, that you may perceive their object.

Very respectfully and affectionately,

I have the honor to be, &c.

MCHENRY TO HAMILTON.

March 29th, 1799.

The regular troops ordered to the scene of insurrection have all reached their first points of destination, except the company from this place, which is to march when ordered by General McPherson. The General received his instructions on Monday last; and every thing dependent on me has been done which regards the expedition. It seems that the adjutant-general for this State has not yet been able to furnish him with certain necessary returns. Is it not remarkable that however slightly the present governor of Pennsylvania comes in contact with insurrection, that delay becomes unavoidable in quelling it?

DEAR SIR:

HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON,

NEW-YORK, April 3d, 1799.

Agreeably to your letter of the 25th of March, which, with its inclosures have duly come to hand, I have written to the Pay

master-General to repair to the seat of government. Your letter to Colonel Hamtranck goes by the same opportunity.

The arrangements for beginning to recruit in the States of Connecticut, New-York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware are so mature, that it will be very extraordinary if the business does not actually commence in a week.

Nothing in my power will be omitted to press it forward in the other States. The prospect of success in the Middle and Northern States is not bad.

I get nothing very precise about the insurrection. But every thing continues to wear the character of feebleness in respect to the measures for suppressing it; and though I hope it will not become very serious, yet it will not be astonishing if, from mismanagement, it should become more troublesome than it need to be.

With greatest respect and attachment, &c.

HAMILTON TO M'HENRY.

NEW-YORK, April 8, 1799.

SIR:

Nothing can be more desirable than a well-digested plan for connecting the different parts of our military system, in regard to the procuring and issuing of supplies. I send you the outline of a scheme for that purpose. It is important that this, or a substi. tute more eligible, should be without delay established. It is particularly essential, that the channels through which supplies are to pass to the troops, and the mode of application for them, should be designated and understood. The plan now transmitted, embraces this among other objects. I beg leave to urge a speedy attention to the subject.

With great respect and consideration,

I have the honor to be, &c.

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