Part 12

I had like to have omitted one remark, which is, that the subscription money may be guaranteed, if necessary, at 10 to 1, as a greater inducement. This will only be twenty millions of dollars, or five millions of pounds sterling; a cheap bargain to get rid of the perplexities we labor under, and convert the torrent of ideal money into a moderate, but sufficient, stream, to supply the real wants of the State. Congress, no doubt, would be able to borrow enough abroad to pay this debt, if it should not find better means within itself. But I shall be much mistaken, if the proprietors will desire to be repaid, and not prefer continuing the loan to Government on reasonable terms.

HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON.

Amboy, March 17, 1780.

Dear Sir:

I duly received your letter of the fourteenth, and shall not fail, in conjunction with General St. Clair, to attend to the military object of it. I am much obliged to your Excellency for the communication of your Southern advices. The enemy are still in the dark about their fleet and army gone that way, as we gather from the commissioners. They pretend to have little European news, though a vessel arrived two or three days since from England, after ten weeks passage. We send you some late New-York papers.

The commission has been several days at an end. The enemy, as was supposed, had no idea of treating on national ground. We are now in private conversation, and so far not without hopes that the liberation of our prisoners will be effected on _admissible_ terms. Two or three days more will probably put an end to the interview. General St. Clair and Colonel Carrington, beg their respects may be presented to your Excellency.

I have the honor to be, Very respectfully and affectionately, Your Excellency’s most ob’t servant, Alex. Hamilton.

DU PORTAIL TO HAMILTON.

Philadelphia, 21 March, 1780.

Mon Cher Colonel:

Quoique je compte partir pour le camp dans peu de jours, la crainte d’être encore retenu plus longtemps que je ne voudrais, (comme je le suis depuis un mois), me fait prendre le parti de vous écrire quelque chose qui me semble d’une certaine importance qui me concerne. Hier j’ai appris qu’il y a une quinzaine de jours hors de la nouvelle de l’arrivée des Anglais, un membre du Congrès représenta dans le Congrès, qu’il serait à propos de m’envoyer en Caroline avec la plus grande hâte. Il fonda sa demande sur les choses avantageuses qu’il avait entendu dire de moi, etc., etc. Il voulait que le Congrès me donnât sur le champ des ordres, et que je partisse sans délai. J’ignore quel est le membre qui a fait cette proposition, seulement je conjecture que c’est quelque delégué dés Etats du sud. On lui a répondu, que c’était au _Commandant-en-Chef_ qu’il appartenait de faire une telle chose, que le Congrès ne pouvait pas savoir s’il n’avait pas quelque raison de me retenir à son Armée, quoique dans la circonstance présente, il parut effectivement que je serais plus utile au sud, en un mot _que l’attention avec laquelle le Commandant-en-Chef veillait au salut de l’Etat ne permettait pas de douter qu’il n’employât tous les moyens qui étaient en son pouvoir, et que les circonstances permettaient_.

Il est très agréable, mon cher Colonel, d’être le sujet d’une aussi belle phrase, mais je suis fâché que la chose ait tourné ainsi; je suis aussi très fâché de n’avoir pas su tout cela dans le temps pour vous le mander. Car il était encore temps alors d’aller dans le sud; maintenant je ne sais plus que désirer. Cependant hier l’on nous débitait que des vaisseaux de transport servant de vaisseaux de guerre étaient arrivés à New-York pour prendre des Renforts; si cela était si confirmé, il n’y aurait apparence que les Anglais ne se proposaient pas de commencer leurs opérations avant l’arrivée de ces Renforts, alors ce serait peut être le cas d’y aller. Je laisse tout cela à faire à votre prudence, et à votre amitié, vous savez une partie des raisons que j’ai toujours eu et que j’ai encore de ne point faire de demande à ce sujet au Général Washington, mais vous savez aussi combien je désire d’aller en Caroline. S’il y a quelque apparence que je puisse y arriver à temps, je ne vois pas d’inconvénient à ce que vous faisiez usage auprès du Géneral de ce qui s’est passé dans le Congrès, parce que plusieurs membres de Congrès l’ont déjà dit à différentes personnes.

(Si vous voulez ensuite que je vous parle comme à mon ami, je vous dirai que j’ai eu lieu de voir que de m’envoyer là bas, aurait fait un fort bon effet ici, surtout dans le commencement.)

Supposez donc, que notre Géneral jugeât par des circonstances ultérieures qu’il peut encore être temps de m’y envoyer, comme il ne faut pas perdre un moment, il serait bon que je ne fusse pas obligé de retourner au camp. Pour cela il faudrait m’envoyer avec les ordres, toutes les lettres nécessaires pour le Géneral Lincoln et autres. Vous savez, mon cher Colonel, ce que je désire à cet égard. Si je vais là-bas, il faut que mon arrivée soit comme un de ces accidents au théâtre qui réveille les spectateurs, et redonne de l’activité et de la chaleur à la pièce, vous m’entendez.

Je crois que dans ce cas le Général doit écrire au Congrès, outre les raisons qu’il a de m’envoyer pour le prier de me faire donner tous les moyens nécessaires pour faire diligence.

Enfin, prenez bien garde à ceci, mon cher Colonel, si vous m’envoyez des ordres, sitôt que cela sera décidé, envoyez chercher Monsieur de l’Estaing, mon Aide-de-Camp, et dites lui s’il vous plaît de faire

## partir sur le champ ma malle et la sienne sur un waggon du quartier

maître, s’il y en a qui partant sur le champ, sinon sur mon propre waggon: qu’il n’oublie pas surtout mes papiers. Il peut ensuite venir après lui même et m’apporter les lettres du Général. Il faut qu’il fasse diligence; je ne puis partir sans différentes choses qui sont dans ma malle; qu’il se munisse lui même de ce qu’il lui faut. Mon adresse ici est: Mrs. Sword in Logan Alley, Second-street.

Je ne partirai point d’ici avant lundi prochain afin d’attendre votre réponse.

J’ai l’honneur d’être, mon cher Colonel, Avec le plus parfait attachment, Votre très humble et très obéissant servant, Du Portail.

Col. Hamilton.

SCHUYLER TO HAMILTON.

Philadelphia, April 8, 1780.

Dear Sir:

* * * * * * You have been mentioned in private conversation to go as Secretary to the Embassy at the Court of Versailles; there is but one obstacle which prevents me from making up my mind on the subject; that you will know when I have the pleasure of seeing you. In the mean time revolve the matter in yours.

The pride, the folly, and perhaps, too, the wickedness of some on a certain floor, combine to frustrate every intention to promote the public weal, and relieve my amiable Chief from his well-grounded anxiety; the few that feel for him, and are alarmed at the critical state of our public affairs, in every department, within as well as without, have not been able to carry a measure which they believed would have had salutary consequences. They have now proposed that a Committee should repair to head quarters, invested conjointly with the General, with a kind of dictatorial power, in order to afford satisfaction to the army, and to arrange the great departments thereof. Livingston, Elsworth, and Matthews, are appointed to prepare Instructions. Some good may result, if gentlemen who love the General, are not jealous of the army, and of a generous turn are sent; but should General Sherman be at the head of the Triumviri, the General will be tormented with a thousand little propositions which Roger has thrown together, and which he entitles a System. I shall not be sent on this business, “because, it would not be proper to send a person who, as he has been in the army, will probably have a bias in its favor.” This reasoning is conclusive.

Beware of communications to this quarter, which you would not wish the world to know; this hint will prevent you from writing but by a safe hand.

It is amusing to observe the effect Sir Harry Clinton’s private No. 15 has. The Southernites have their spirits much raised by it. The Northerns look big, and the enemy’s distress is owing to their virtue and exertions. They wish for the 12,000 Hessians to have the pleasure of devouring them. The war is to be at an end next winter, and as they wish to conclude handsomely, they will insist that their constituents complete their quotas without delay, and furnish aids of money, &c. En verité there are only two or three of the club who believe the letter spurious, but two who are decidedly of that opinion.

My best wishes to all at head quarters.

I am, dear Sir, sincerely yours, Ph. Schuyler.

Col. Hamilton.

HAMILTON TO BARON STEUBEN.

May 10, 1780.

Dear Baron:

General Knox, in conversation, has observed to the General, that instead of sending to Philadelphia for the fifteen hundred arms mentioned in your letter of the sixth, and sending those here to that place to be fitted, it would be a great saving of expense, in the article of transportation, to have the bayonets and accoutrements brought on without the arms, and fitted to those now here; which can easily be done at the Park. The question is, if the arms here have no other defect than want of bayonets. The General will be glad to know what you think of General Knox’s proposal. It seems to him eligible, unless there are reasons he is not acquainted with.

If there are any other articles you wish to have sent for (the General thinks you mentioned something of the kind to him), he will be glad to know what they are.

We have heard from the Marquis. He will be here at dinner. Will you dine with us also? The General requests it.

I have the honor to be, dear Baron, Your very humble servant, Alex. Hamilton, A. D. C.

HAMILTON TO DUANE.

May 14, 1780.

My Dear Sir:

This will be handed you by the Marquis, who brings us very important intelligence. The General communicates the substance of it in a private letter to you, and proposes a measure which all deem essential. For God’s sake, my dear sir, engage Congress to adopt it, and come to a speedy decision. We have not a moment to lose. Were we to improve every instant of the interval, we should have too little time for what we have to do. The expected succor may arrive in the beginning of June, in all probability it will not be later than the middle. In the last case we have not a month to make our preparations in, and in this short period we must collect men, form magazines, and do a thousand things of as much difficulty as importance. The propriety of the measure proposed is so obvious, that an hour ought to decide it, and if any new members are to come, they ought to set out instantly with all expedition for head quarters. Allow me, my dear sir, to give you a hint. The General will often be glad to consult the Committee on particular points, but it will be inexpedient that he should be obliged to do it oftener than he thinks proper, or any peculiar case may require. Their powers should be formed accordingly. It is the essence of many military operations, that they should be trusted to as few as possible.

The Marquis has a title to all the love of all America; but you know he has a thousand little whims to satisfy; one of these he _will have_ me to write to some friend in Congress about. He is desirous of having the Captain of the frigate in which he came complimented; and gives several pretty instances of his punctuality and disinterestedness. He wishes Congress to pass some resolutions of thanks, and to recommend him to their Minister in France, to be recommended to the French Court. The first of these is practicable. The last I think might have an officious appearance. The _essential_ services the Marquis has rendered America in France, give him a claim for all that can be done with propriety; but Congress must not commit themselves.

Again, my dear sir, I must entreat you to use the spur on the present occasion. The fate of America is perhaps suspended on the issue; if we are found unprepared, it must disgrace us in the eyes of all Europe, besides defeating the good intentions of our allies, and losing the happiest opportunity we ever have had to save ourselves. Adieu, my dear Sir.

Believe me to be, with the truest respect and affection,

Your most obed’t servant, A. Hamilton.

Hon. James Duane, Philadelphia. Honored by Marquis De Lafayette.

HAMILTON TO BARON STEUBEN.

June 7, 1780.

Dear Baron:

I am commanded by the General to inform you, that the enemy are out in considerable force; and, by the last advice, were advancing this way. We are going to meet them. The General is just set out for Chatham, and will be happy to meet you there.

Yours, respectfully, A. Hamilton, A. D. C.

HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON.

June 8, 1780.

Sir:

I have seen the enemy. Those in view I calculate at about three thousand: there may be, and probably enough are, others out of sight. They have sent all their horse to the other side, except about fifty or sixty. Their baggage, it is agreed on all hands, has also been sent across, and their wounded. It is not ascertained that any of their infantry have passed to the other side. There are four or five hundred on the opposite point; but it is uncertain whether they are those who went from this side, or those who were on Staten Island. I rather suppose the former.

Different conjectures may be made. The present movement may be calculated to draw us down and betray us into an action. They may have desisted from their intention of passing till night, for fear of our falling upon their rear. I believe this is the case: for as they have but few boats, it would certainly be a delicate manœuvre to cross in our face. We are taking measures to watch their motions to-night, as closely as possible. An incessant but _very light_ skirmishing. Very few boats, not more than enough to carry three or four hundred men at a time. It is likely more will come down this evening.

I have the honor to be, Your Excellency’s most obedient servant, Alex. Hamilton.

HAMILTON TO CHEVALIER DE TERNAY.

Au Cap Henry, le 13 Juin, 1780.

Monsieur le Chevalier:

Je suis envoyé par le Général Washington au Cap Henry pour y attendre votre escadre et vous remettre ainsi qu’à Monsieur le Comte de Rochambau, les dépêches de Monsieur le Marquis de La Fayette--ces dépêches, Monsieur le Chevalier, contiennent le plan d’opérations que le Général Washington a l’honneur de vous proposer, la situation des ennemies et la nôtre relativement aux forces respectives des deux

## parties, aux points occupés, aux moyens de subsistance et cetéra; tous

les changements qui pouvraient survenir sur ces objets doivent m’être communiqués, afin qu’à votre arrivée vous puissiez avoir sous les yeux le plus de données possibles. Les mêmes détails vous attendent à Rhode Island, et si vous ne devez les reçevoir qu’après être arrivé, il est presque indifférent, Monsieur le Chevalier, que votre escadre atterisse à Rhode Island ou au Cap Henry; mais il y a des circonstances qui, si elles vous étaient connues, tendraient peut être à vous déterminer plutôt pour l’un de ces points que pour l’autre, ou même pour un troisième point que vos instructions n’ont pu prévoir. C’est pour vous rendre compte de ces circonstances que je saisis l’occasion du fier Rodrique; heureux si, dans une conjoncture où les moments sont d’une si grande importance, cette lettre peut anticiper de quelques jours vos dispositions.

1º. Par le plan proposé à vous, Monsieur le Chevalier, et à Monsieur le Comte de Rochambau, les efforts combinés de l’armée Française et Americaine doivent se porter sur New-York, et vous êtes instamment prié de vous rendre immédiatement à Sandy Hook.

2º. Suivant les informations qui m’ont été récemment fournies par le Gouverneur de la Virginie, la ville de Charlestown est prise; les ennemis embarquent une partie des troupes qui en ont fait la Conquête; et d’après la certitude où nous sommes que la destination de votre escadre leur est connue, il semble que cet embarquement pourrait bien avoir pour objet de renforcer la garnison de New-York.

3º. La somme de leurs forces navales sur ce continent se borne à trois vaisseaux de ligne, un de 50 canons, deux de 44, et quelques frégates à Charlestown; un vaisseau de 74 et quelques frégates, sortis de New-York depuis trois semaines et dont nous ignorons la destination.

Ainsi, Monsieur le Chevalier, la première de ces considérations vous invite à Sandy Hook; la seconde réclame votre atterrage sur un point d’où vous puissiez être en mesure d’intercepter les Secours destinés pour New-York, et la troisième vous offre un terme de comparaison entre la plus grande force qui puisse escorter ces secours, et celle avec laquelle vous pouvez les attaquer. Il est encore à observer qu’excepté les trois vaisseaux de ligne, tous les autres (à Charlestown) sont dans le port, et que les plus gros n’en peuvent sortir, qu’après avoir été allégés, et avec la concurrence d’une haute marée et d’un vent propice.

Telles sont, Monsieur le Chevalier, les choses dont ma mission a pour objet de vous rendre compte, et comme il est de toute importance que ces informations vous parviennent le plus tôt possible, j’ai cru ne pas devoir négliger la probabilité, qui s’offre de les faire devancer votre arrivée.

En supposant, Monsieur le Chevalier, que le fier Rodrique vous rencontre et que vous jugiez à propos de vous rendre en droiture à Sandy Hook, il est un moyen de faire que les dépâches qui vous attendent à Rhode Island et du Cap Henry vous parviennent aussi promptement qui si vous aviez atterri à l’un de ces deux points: ce serait de dépêcher, vers l’un ou l’autre, l’un de vos plus légers vaisseaux qui recevrait à son bord l’officier chargé de ces dépêches, et vous irait rejoindre vers Sandy Hook, où vraisemblablement il se rendrait aussitôt que votre flotte, ou du moins beaucoup plus tôt que les réponses de Général Washington ou de Monsieur le Marquis de La Fayette, aux lettres qui leur annonceraient votre arrivée.

Si le Cap Henry était le point choisi, j’oserais vous prier, Monsieur le Chevalier, afin d’éviter tous délais, d’ordonner qu’à la vue, du signal que vous savez, le vaisseau y réponde par un signal contraire, je veux dire en avertissant la position des pavillons; qu’il envoie sa chaloupe à terre avec un officier muni des mots de reconnaissance; que cet officier me donne la première partie de ces mots et reçoive de moi la seconde. Par là je crois, Monsieur le Chevalier, que toute possibilité de surprise est sauvée, de part et d’autre, sans qu’il y ait un seul instant de perdre par le Cérémonial de la reconnaissance.

Je suis, &c. &c. &c. A. Hamilton.

A Monsieur le Chevalier de Ternay.

HAMILTON TO BARON STEUBEN.

Whippany, June 25, 1780.

Dear Baron:

The enemy, the day before yesterday, made a forward movement to Springfield, which they burnt, and retired to Elizabethtown Point. The same evening they crossed over to Staten Island; and there are a great many concurring circumstances which make it probable we shall next hear of them on the North River. As you are at West Point, the General wishes you to remain there until the present appearances come to some result. He has confidence in your judgment, and wishes you to give your advice and assistance to the commanding officer. As you have no command in the post, you can only do this in a private friendly way: but I dare say General Howe will be happy to consult you. You will consider this as a private letter, in which I rather convey you the General’s wishes than his commands.

All the army is in march toward you, and will be at Pompton this evening.

I have the honor to be, Very respectfully and affectionately, Your humble servant, Alex. Hamilton.

HAMILTON TO BARON STEUBEN.

Head-Quarters, Ramapo, June 30, 1780.

Agreeably to your request, my dear Baron, I communicated your project to the General. Happily the inactivity of the enemy has given us time to make dispositions which render the calling out of the militia unnecessary; and the whole has been accordingly countermanded.

The General requests that when you have completed the object of your errand in your department, and put things in train, you will rejoin the army.

I wrote you a line from Whippany, of which you made no mention.

I have the honor to be, yours, A. H.

HAMILTON TO BARON STEUBEN.

Head-Quarters, July 23, 1780.

I have received, my dear Baron, your two letters of the sixteenth and eighteenth. On the formation of the Light Infantry, the General has already written to you. I presume it will be, ultimately, nearly as you have proposed.

Smith set out, some days since, to join you. Bradford, I am told, is undecided about entering into the office. Col. Scammel has promised to bring him to me; and if he accepts, we will forward him. I believe Prescott will be appointed in the Light Infantry. _Entre nous_, ’tis not easy to find good Majors for this corps in the Massachusetts Line; and as it will act a good deal with the French troops, we wish it (for this additional reason) to be well officered. Prescott will answer the purpose: but he is not yet to know that he is in contemplation. We shall not long continue in our present position. The distinctions of departments are an old story, which now do not exist except with respect to South Carolina. You are with a detachment of the main army.

I dare say all you are doing will be found right. I shall join my _beau-pere_ to save you from the cord. The arrangement for your department was unfortunately sent to Congress soon after you went from here; with the most pressing instances to determine upon it without delay. We have heard nothing of it since. We have repeated our _prayers_ and _exhortations_. If we get no answer in three or four days, we must determine for ourselves.

Major Francis is returned from Philadelphia; but I have not seen him since the arrival of your letters. I will move the inquiry you wish, when I see him. Can you do any thing for him in your department?

A severe stroke upon us, is, that our arms, expected from France, are not arrived. I do not know how we shall be able to arm our recruits.

Graves sailed from the Hook the nineteenth. We had been playing off and on two days.

Adieu, my dear Baron, and believe me always, with the most respectful attachment,

Your humble servant, A. H.

BAUMAN TO HAMILTON.

West Point, August 13, 1780.

Dear Sir: