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THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
HAMILTON, Alexander (1755-1804). Draft circular letter signed ("Alexander Hamilton"), as Inspector General, accomplished in clerical hand with two autograph additions in Hamilton's hand, to Lt. Col. Hall, New York 18 February 1799. 1 page, folio, closed tears at vertical creases, framed with an engraved portrait of Hamilton. Not examined out of frame.
Details
HAMILTON, Alexander (1755-1804). Draft circular letter signed ("Alexander Hamilton"), as Inspector General, accomplished in clerical hand with two autograph additions in Hamilton's hand, to Lt. Col. Hall, New York 18 February 1799. 1 page, folio, closed tears at vertical creases, framed with an engraved portrait of Hamilton. Not examined out of frame.
HAMILTON'S LAST BID FOR MILITARY GLORY AS HE PREPARES FOR WAR WITH FRANCE
When the outrage of the "XYZ Affair" brought France and America to the brink of war in 1798, President Adams turned to George Washington to lead a new Army. The General agreed to serve on condition that he had Hamilton "as a Coadjutor, and as assistant in the turmoils I have consented to encounter" (McDonald, 340). For his part, Hamilton told Adams "the place in which I should hope to be most useful is that of Inspector General with a command in the line," (McDonald, 340) and he assumed his new post (along with the rank of major-general) in July 1798. Here he writes to a New York subordinate: "The recruiting service as connected with the duties of Inspector General, has been committed by the department of War to my superintendence. It is expected that it will shortly commence for the additional troops which are to be raised. One regiment of Infantry is assigned to Maryland. It is conceived to be expedient that for the purpose of recruiting them the state shall be divided into two districts and these two into ten Subdistricts or company rendez-vouses within each of which a company is to be raised. You will be pleased" - and here Hamilton adds a parenthetical phrase in his own hand - "(consulting first of your Major on [whom] you can conveniently & expeditiously call to your aid), etc., etc., etc.," then the secretarial text resumes: "to devise a plan for the distribution of the State into the necessary number of districts and subdistricts and you will without delay report the result to me. Dispatch is essential; and I doubt not that upon this and upon every other occasion you will display zeal and activity." He adds a final sentence in his own hand: "A plan for the headquarter of each, proper for assembly & accommodating the recruits, must be named."
HAMILTON'S LAST BID FOR MILITARY GLORY AS HE PREPARES FOR WAR WITH FRANCE
When the outrage of the "XYZ Affair" brought France and America to the brink of war in 1798, President Adams turned to George Washington to lead a new Army. The General agreed to serve on condition that he had Hamilton "as a Coadjutor, and as assistant in the turmoils I have consented to encounter" (McDonald, 340). For his part, Hamilton told Adams "the place in which I should hope to be most useful is that of Inspector General with a command in the line," (McDonald, 340) and he assumed his new post (along with the rank of major-general) in July 1798. Here he writes to a New York subordinate: "The recruiting service as connected with the duties of Inspector General, has been committed by the department of War to my superintendence. It is expected that it will shortly commence for the additional troops which are to be raised. One regiment of Infantry is assigned to Maryland. It is conceived to be expedient that for the purpose of recruiting them the state shall be divided into two districts and these two into ten Subdistricts or company rendez-vouses within each of which a company is to be raised. You will be pleased" - and here Hamilton adds a parenthetical phrase in his own hand - "(consulting first of your Major on [whom] you can conveniently & expeditiously call to your aid), etc., etc., etc.," then the secretarial text resumes: "to devise a plan for the distribution of the State into the necessary number of districts and subdistricts and you will without delay report the result to me. Dispatch is essential; and I doubt not that upon this and upon every other occasion you will display zeal and activity." He adds a final sentence in his own hand: "A plan for the headquarter of each, proper for assembly & accommodating the recruits, must be named."
Sale room notice
The letter, examined out of frame, has been neatly hinged with japanese tissue to a larger sheet. It is not laid down.