contrary, so far as I have the means of judging, I should conclude that it would be expedient to begin partially, and extend as the provision of supplies extends. An arrangement will now be submitted for the States of Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. But, if necessary, I am prepared to offer what may answer the end for the other States, except the three most southern, and Kentucky and Tennessee. A plan for the two Carolinas and Georgia has been asked of General Pinckney, but there has not been time to obtain his reply. If the business were otherwise prepared, there could be no inconvenience in referring it to him to make the distribution definitively. The arrangement for Tennessee and Kentucky may also be referred to persons on the spot. MCHENRY TO HAMILTON. March 18th, 1799. SIR: I have received your letter of the 15th instant, with alterations and additions proposed to be made to the recruiting instructions. These have been considered, generally adopted, and with some further alterations will be put into the hands of a printer to-day, and a sufficient number of copies sent you as soon as they shall be printed. HAMILTON TO MCHENRY. (PRIVATE.) NEW-YORK, March 18, 1799. Beware, my dear sir, of magnifying a riot into an insurrection, by employing in the first instance an inadequate force. "Tis better far to err on the other side. Whenever the govern ment appears in arms, it ought to appear like a Hercules, and inspire respect by the display of strength. The consideration of expense is of no moment compared with the advantages of energy. 'Tis true, this is always a relative question, but 'tis always important to make no mistake. I only offer a principle and a caution. A large corps of auxiliary cavalry may be had in Jersey, NewYork, Delaware, Maryland, without interfering with farming pursuits. Will it be inexpedient to put under marching orders a large force provisionally as an eventual support of the corps to be employed to awe the disaffected? Let all be well considered. Yours truly. DEAR SIR: HAMILTON TO M'HENRY. (PRIVATE.) NEW-YORK, March 19th, 1799. I understand that the officers for Connecticut have been appointed and their names published, but I have seen no paper containing them. If so, be so good as to send me the list, and if there have been other appointments since the lists transmitted to me, pray let them be added. Pursuant to your very proper idea of having at the seat of government the chief of different departments, it seems to me advisable that you should have some agent for the commissariat or provision branch, to whom applications may be addressed, and from whom orders may issue to the different contractors or subagents. Did those provisions of the "act for organizing," &c., which declare that the Adjutant-General shall be ex officio Deputy Inspector-General, and which allow the Inspector-General a secretary, continue in the bill when passed? Is there any arrange 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 dispo sition 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. NEW-YORK, March 27th, 1799. DEAR SIR: 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 |