Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

HAMILTON TO RIVARDI.

SIR:

NEW-YORK, March 1, 1799.

The inclosed letter will inform you, that the post you command has been placed under my superintendence by the Department of War. In consequence of this arrangement, the returns for December last, which you forwarded to the Commander-in-Chief, have been by him transmitted to me.

As my superintendence extends to all the posts on the northern and northwestern quarters, I am desirous of revising the reasons upon which they have been established, in order to be enabled to judge, whether the present disposition ought to be continued or altered. To this end, I am to request, that you will, as early as may be, visit the several posts Michilimackinac, Detroit, Fort Defiance on the Miami, and Presque Isle, together with such intervening and proximate positions as may present eligible military points, paying particular attention to the strait which connects Lakes St. Clair and Erie, and to the southwestern extremity of the latter lake. After doing which, you will repair to New-York to report to me the result of your observations, and to confer on the subject at large. In this examination, you will have an eye to the various considerations of defence, settlement and trade, with reference both to our British neighbors and to the Indians. I deem it unnecessary to enter into detail on these heads. The account I have received of your knowledge and discernment assures me that you will execute the commission with accurate observation and with comprehensive views. At the same time you will bear in mind that it particularly suits the state and temper of this country to effect as much as possible with the least possible expense.

With great consideration, I am, &c.

AN ACT FOR THE BETTER ORGANIZING OF THE TROOPS OF THE UNITED STATES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Draft by Hamilton.

March 3d, 1799.

1. Be it enacted, &c. That the troops heretofore authorized, and which hereafter may be authorized, to be raised, shall be composed and organized as follows, to wit: A regiment of infantry shall consist of one lieutenant-colonel commandant, two majors, first and second, one adjutant, one quartermaster, and one paymaster, each being a lieutenant, one surgeon, and two surgeon's mates, ten captains, ten first and ten second lieutenants, besides the three lieutenants before mentioned, ten cadets, two sergeant-majors, two quartermaster sergeants, two chief musicians, first and second, twenty other musicians, forty sergeants, forty corporals, and nine hundred and twenty privates, which, together, shall form two battalions, each battalion of five companies. A regiment of cavalry shall consist of one lieutenant-colonel commandant, two majors, a first and second, one adjutant, one quartermaster, and one paymaster, each being a lieutenant; one surgeon, and two surgeon's mates, ten captains, ten first and ten second lieutenants, besides the three lieutenants before mentioned, ten cadets, two sergeant-majors, two quartermaster-sergeants, two chief musicians, first and second, ten other musicians, forty sergeants, forty corporals, and nine hundred and twenty privates, including ten saddlers, ten blacksmiths, and ten bootmakers; which, together, shall form five squadrons, each squadron of two companies. A regiment of artillery shall consist of one lieutenant-colonel commandant, four majors, one adjutant, one quar master, and one paymaster, each being a lieutenant; one surgeon, and two surgeon's mates, sixteen captains, thirty-two lieutenants, besides the three lieutenants before mentioned, thirty-two cadets, four sergeant-majors, four quartermaster-sergeants, sixty-four sergeants, sixty-four corporals, one chief musician, ten other musicians, eight hundred and ninety-six privates, including one hundred and twenty-eight artificers, which, toge

ther, shall form four battalions, each battalion of four companies; provided, always, that the number of privates raised, and to be raised, for the regiment of cavalry, and the regiments of infantry heretofore authorized, shall not exceed the number, respectively, for which provision hath been made by law; nor shall the battalion of riflemen, nor the two additional troops of cavalry authorized by this act, be raised, until further provisions shall be so made, unless war shall break out between the United States and some European prince, potentate, or state, in which case it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, at his discretion, to cause the said regiments, or any of them, to be severally completed to their full establishment.

2. That every ensign and cornet, in the regiments heretofore appointed, shall be denominated hereafter second lieuten

ants.

3. That the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates hereinafter mentioned, who now a e, or at any time hereafter may be, in the actual service of the United States, shall be entitled to, and shall receive the following compensations, to wit: a major-general, one hundred and sixty-six dollars per month, and fifteen rations of provisions per day, or an equivalent in money; and when forage shall not be furnished by the United States, the further sum of twenty dollars per month. A brigadier-general, one hundred and four dollars per month, twelve rations per day, or an equivalent in money, and sixteen dollars per month for forage, when not furnished as aforesaid. A lieutenant-colonel commandant, seventy-five dollars per month, six rations per day, or an equivalent in money, and twelve dollars. for forage, when not furnished as aforesaid. A major of artillery, or cavalry, each fifty-five dollars per month, four rations per day, or an equivalent in money, and ten dollars per month for forage, when not furnished as aforesaid. A major of infantry, fifty dollars per month, four rations per day, or an equivalent in money, and ten dollars per month for forage, when not furnished. as aforesaid. A captain of cavalry, forty dollars per month, three rations per day, or an equivalent in money, and eight dollars per month for forage, when not furnished as aforesaid. A

captain of artillery, and infantry, forty dollars per month, and three rations per day, or an equivalent in money. A first lieutenant of cavalry, thirty dollars per month, two rations per day, or an equivalent in money, and six dollars per month for forage, when not furnished as aforesaid. Lieutenants of artillery, each, thirty dollars per month, and two rations per day, or an equivalent in money. A second lieutenant of cavalry, twenty-five dollars per month, two rations per day, or an equivalent in money, and six dollars per month for forage, when not furnished as aforesaid. A first lieutenant of infantry, thirty dollars per month, and two rations per day, or an equivalent in money. A second lieutenant of infantry, twenty-five dollars per month, and two rations per day, or an equivalent in money. A regimental surgeon, forty-five dollars per month, three rations per day, or an equivalent in money, and ten dollars per month for forage, when not furnished as aforesaid. A surgeon's mate, thirty dollars per month, two rations per day, or an equivalent in money, and six dollars per month for forage, when not furnished as aforesaid. A regimental paymaster, quartermaster, and adju tant, in addition to their pay, in the line, each, ten dollars, and six dollars per month for forage, when not furnished as aforesaid. A cadet of cavalry, ten dollars per month, two rations per day, or an equivalent in money, and six dollars per month for forage, when not furnished as aforesaid. All other cadets, ten dollars per month, and two rations per day, or an equivalent in money. A sergeant-major, and a quartermaster-sergeant, each, ten dollars per month. A chief musician, eight dollars per month. A sergeant, eight dollars per month. A corporal, seven dollars per month. A musician, six dollars per month. An artificer to the infantry and artillery, a farrier, saddler, and boot maker to the dragoons, each, ten dollars per month. A private soldier, five dollars per month. And to each of the said non-commissioned officers and privates, one ration of provisions per day.

4. That all non-commissioned officers, artificers, privates, and musicians, who are, and who shall be, enlisted, and the noncommissioned officers, artificers, privates, and musicians of the militia, or other corps, who at any time may be in the actual ser

vice of the United States, shall be, and they are hereby, exempted during their term of service, from all personal arrests, for any debt or contract. And whenever any non-commissioned officer, artificer, private, or musician, shall be arrested, whether by mesne process, or in execution, contrary to the intent hereof, it shall be the duty of the judge of the district court of the United States, and of any court or judge of a State, who, by the laws of such State, are authorized to issue writs of habeas corpus, respectively, on application by an officer, to grant a writ of habeas corpus, returnable before himself; and upon due hearing and examination, in a summary manner, to discharge the non-commissioned officer, artificer, private, or musician, from such arrest, taking common bail, if required, in any case, upon mesne process, and commit him to the applicant, or some other officer of the same corps.

5. That each non-commissioned officer, private, artificer, and musician, who shall hereafter be enlisted for the army of the United States, shall be able-bodied, and of a size and age suitable for the public service, according to the directions which the President of the United States shall and may establish; and shall be entitled to a bounty of twelve dollars; but the payment of four dollars thereof shall be deferred, until he shall have joined the army: And each commissioned officer, who shall be employed in the recruiting service, shall be entitled to receive for each non-commissioned officer, and private, and artificer, and for each sufficient musician, duly enlisted and mustered, the sum of two dollars, the same being in full compensation for his extra expenses in the execution of this service.

6. That when any officer shall be detached from a regiment, to serve as an aid to a general officer, or as assistant or other inspector, or as an assistant to the quartermaster-general, by whatsoever name, or as an assistant to the adjutant-general, by whatsoever name, the place of such officer in his regiment shall be supplied, by promotion or new appointment, or both, as may be requisite; but the officer detached shall, nevertheless, retain his station in his regiment, and shall rank and rise therein, in the same manner as if he had not been detached.

« EdellinenJatka »