Letter Signed

Discussion of Hugh McAlister & Issue of Citizens Entitled to Reward for Returning Deserters

Quotes a letter from General Hamilton, who agrees with McHenry that soldiers who apprehend deserters should be rewarded for doing so, as it would make them "zealous, and active in the search," and avoid expense in other means of catching deserters. Gives the account of Hugh McAllister, who received a certificate of entitlement to $10 reward after delivering a deserter to a captain of the 2d Regiment of Artillerists & Engineers at Carlise, Pennsylvania. Notes that Simmons refused to honor this certificate. McHenry is following the president's request that he investigate the matter. Asks that Simmons and the Comptroller of the Treasury investigate whether the resolution in the Appendix to the Articles of War, quoted by Hamilton, can allow for private citizens to be entitled to advertised rewards if they apprehend and deliver deserters.

1799

10

14

War Department, Trenton

William Simmons

James McHenry

Major General Alexander Hamilton

deserters

President of the United States

Captain Miller

Infantry

Callander Irvine

2nd Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers

Hugh McAlister

Francis Gibson

Comptroller

War Department, Trenton

Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Reading

Articles of War

reward

apprehension

claim

certificate

1799101440101

12