WASHINGTON TO HAMILTON.

(PRIVATE.)

DEAR SIR:

MOUNT VERNON, June 25th, 1799.

Your private letter of the 15th instant came duly to hand. So far as my information extends (which, by the by, is very limited), the recruiting service in this State progresses beyond my expectation, but is retarded very considerably from the want of clothing-the ragged appearance of the recruits having a tendency to disgust rather than to excite enlistments.

I think with you, that policy dictates the expediency of promoting Brigadier Wilkinson to the rank of Major-General, and will suggest the measure to the Secretary of War, in a private communication. It would feed his ambition, soothe his vanity, and, by arresting discontent, produce the good effect you contemplate. But in the appointment of this gentleman, regard must be had to time, circumstances, and dates; otherwise, by endeavoring to avoid Charybdis, we might run upon Scylla.

What I mean by this is, that the President might deem it expedient to take the next Major-General from the Eastern States; again, may recur to the former appointments of that grade in the provisional army; and further, if services in the revolutionary army are to be regarded, to relative rank, also, in dating the commissions of the Major-Generals yet to be appointed.

If General Wilkinson should be promoted, it would be expected, no doubt, that the oldest Lieutenant-Colonel commandant should step into his shoes as Brigadier; of course the oldest Major of the old line would succeed to the vacancy occasioned thereby. Who and what the character of these gentlemen are, I know not. The measure deserves consideration.

I am, always,

Your affectionate, &c.

HAMILTON TO M'HENRY.

(PRIVATE.)

NEW-YORK, June 25th, 1799.

MY DEAR SIR:

I conclude from your letter by to-day's post, that your own opinion in regard to the raising of a troop of horse, is made up, and that you only delay a determination from the necessity of a reference elsewhere. This is a point that I have so much at heart, that I should be sorry any thing was risked about it. If you think there is the least danger of disappointment, I will write to the Commander-in-Chief to obtain for you the support of his ideas.

It is of very material consequence to have a troop raised, as a stock on which to ingraft a system of tactics for the cavalry. Hitherto, it may be said, we have had none. Improvements are going on in Europe. This particular arm is not brought to perfection even there. Opinions are somewhat unsettled. It is very desirable to have an organ by which we can essay the various plans, and upon which we can establish the model of a good system.

As to the two troops already raised, they ought to remain where they are.

Another subject:

General Wilkinson is soon expected. I am strongly inclined to see him made a Major-General. He has had now a great deal of experience; he possesses considerable military information; he has activity, courage, and talents; his pretensions to promotion, in every view, are strong. If he should become disgusted without it, it would not be extraordinary.

Half-confidence is always bad. This officer has adopted military life as a profession. What can his ambition do better than be faithful to the government, if it gives him fair play?

HAMILTON TO MATTHEW CLARKSON.

DEAR GENERAL:

NEW-YORK, June 25, 1799.

The officers of the provisional army are intended to be appointed. Those for two regiments are to be drawn from this State, and I am desired to recommend fit characters. As far as you can give me assistance in this matter you will promote the public service and oblige me.

Any old officer who may deserve attention, will do well to reflect that when this army shall be called into activity, the affairs of the country will be too serious to permit him to remain a mere spectator.

If the command of a brigade were in question, I should press you to obtain your consent to serve. As it is I can only ask your aid in the nomination of others.

HAMILTON TO M'HENRY.

June 25, 1799.

* * * * * The clothing and equipments of the army are undergoing a systematic revision. Nothing has been altered or established in regard to the apparatus or exercise of this corps (the artillerists). The practice at different posts is various. I have directed part of the troops now at Fort Jay to be instructed in the French method, to enable me to compare that with our former method, and to decide which is preferable. Present conviction is, that a separation between the engineering and artillery branches is necessary to the perfection of each.

AN ACT FOR THE BETTER ORGANIZING THE CORPS OF ARTILLERISTS AND ENGINEERS, TO BE HEREAFTER DENOMINATED แ THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND ARTILLERISTS."

Draft by Hamilton.

1799.

1. Be it enacted, &c., that instead of the present establishment of the corps of artillerists and engineers, the same shall hereafter be composed of a regiment of engineers, a regiment of horse artillerists, and a regiment of foot artillery. That the functions of the engineers and artillerists shall be separate and distinct those of the former relating to fortification and other military constructions, and to the attack and defence of fortified places-those of the latter to the service of artillery; provided always, that this separation shall not be understood to prevent a commanding officer from designating the officers of one corps to perform duties peculiar to the other, when special circumstances shall in his opinion require it.

2. And be it further enacted, that a regiment of engineers shall consist of two lieutenant-colonels, first and second; three majors, twelve captains, twenty-four first-lieutenants, twenty-four secondlieutenants, and twenty-four cadets, to which shall be attached four companies of miners and artificers, to be formed as hereafter mentioned.

3. And be it further enacted, that a regiment of artillerists, whether horse or foot, shall consist of four battalions, each of four companies, and of these officers and men, to wit:—one lieutenant-colonel commandant, four majors, one adjutant, one quartermaster, one paymaster, each being a lieutenant; one surgeon, and two surgeon's mates, sixteen captains, thirty-two lieutenants, besides the three above mentioned; thirty two cadets, sixty-four sergeants, sixty-four corporals, one chief musician, sixteen other musicians, and privates, but that until

the

organizing and raising of one battalion of each of the said regiments shall be suspended.

4. And be it further enacted, that the officers and men (except

the artificers) of the two regiments heretofore established, shall be incorporated into the regiments of artillerists to be organized pursuant to this act. That such of the officers as upon examination may be found best qualified for the corps of engineers, may be transferred to that corps, and that supernumeraries, if any there be, may, with their consent, be transferred to the infantry, in grades corresponding with those which they shall possess, or may remain attached to the regiments of artillerists, and fill, according to their respective rank, future vacancies in battalions and companies as they shall accrue.

5. And be it further enacted, that the artificers of the present regiments shall be formed into four companies-two of miners, and two of artificers; that a company of miners or artificers shall consist of a captain, one first, one second-lieutenant, four sergeants, four corporals, and fifty-six privates. That the commissioned officers of these companies shall be officers of the regiment of engineers, to be assigned by the commander of that regiment.

6. And be it further enacted, that the pay and other allowances of the regiments of engineers and artillerists, according to the establishment hereby prescribed, shall be similar to those of the regiments to which they are to be substituted.

7. And be it further enacted, that in case open war shall break out between the United States and any foreign European power, or in case imminent danger of invasion of their territory shall, in the opinion of the President, be discovered to exist, it shall be lawful for him to organize and cause to be raised two regiments of horse artillerists in addition to that provided for by this act, together with the two battalions of artillerists suspended as aforesaid-and for this purpose, if in the recess of the Senate, to appoint alone the officers thereof, and to borrow upon the credit of the United States from the Bank of the United States, or any other body or bodies politic, or persons whomsoever, a sum not exceeding dollars.

8. And be it further enacted, that the corps of engineers and artillery shall be under the command of a general.