September 30, 1793 |
Inflict Due Punishment on Them |
Daniel Smith |
John Sevier |
"In answer of yours of the 27th instant, which I acknowledge to have received, I hold it would be proper to follow the trail of that large party of Indians who massacred Caveat's family on the 25th instant; and, if possible, inflict due punishment on them. The country is to be defended in the best manner we can, comporting with my general instructions to you of the 17th instant." |
September 3, 1795 |
Reprimand of Captain Home |
Timothy Pickering |
Phineas Bond |
Punishment for Capt. Home's actions and current aggressions should not be postponed any longer. Any additional information regarding the subject of inquiry requested. |
October 9, 1800 |
Regarding Appropriate Punishment for Officers |
John Adams |
Samuel Dexter |
Appears to signal delay in deciding appropriate punishment for several officers who treated a 3rd party in a poor manner. Adams is uncertain whether the punishments are too severe. |
March 12, 1797 |
Duties and Punishment of Artificers, Enlistments of Capt. Kalteisen |
Stephen Rochefontaine |
William Simmons |
Spafford's pay expended in pursuit of said soldier due to his desertion. Future muster rolls to contain trade or occupation of ever artificer in the corps, punishment for those tradesmen who do not fulfill their obligations discussed. "Evil" discovered in South Carolina regarding enlistments of Captain Kalteirsen. |
January 4, 1800 |
General Orders Regarding Punishment of Deserters |
Alexander Hamilton |
[not available] |
General Orders pertaining to the punishment of deserters with particular concern regarding preventing deserters from reenlisting with another corps. Hamilton recommends hard labor for the remainder of their term of enlistment. |
May 27, 1799 |
Desertion Prevails to a Ruinous Extent |
Alexander Hamilton |
James McHenry |
Hamilton lists his four remedies to solve the problem of rampant desertions. He is particularly insistent that the President should support the courts as they sentence deserters to the most extreme forms of punishment. |
June 5, 1799 |
On Army Discipline & a Sentence of Death |
John Adams |
James McHenry |
Concurs with McHenry on the need for enhanced discipline and punishment in the armed forces; asks for more information regarding the death sentence of an enlisted man. |
March 20, 1800 |
Regarding punishment of Captain Davis |
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney |
James McHenry |
Discussion on legal issues and punishment of Captain Davis regarding unspecified offenses. States that President Adams will not be inattentive to the maxim of Seneca. By the "maxim of Seneca," the author invokes the Latin phrase "let justice be done though the heavens fall." |
September 19, 1794 |
Opposers of the Government |
Isaac Craig |
John Nevill |
The opposers of the government are mostly ignorant and deluded men who have been led astray by a set of designing men that have taken shelter under the amnesty offered by the commissioners and will escape punishment. |
February 2, 1799 |
Crimes & Punishment |
William Littlefield |
James McHenry |
Littlefield discusses several instances when his soldiers have been caught and subjected to court martial or summary punishment. |
July 29, 1799 |
As to the execution of Sergeant Hunt, I incline to the side of forebearance. |
Alexander Hamilton |
James McHenry |
Hamilton reports that the President has granted amnesty to Sergeant Hunt, an act of forgiveness that will save him from being put to death. Hamilton argues that Hunt's execution would have been counter to the sentiments of the public and perhaps even have damaged the reputation of the military establishment. |
May 1, 1790 |
Indian Attacks |
Arthur St. Clair |
Henry Knox |
St. Clair mentioned Miami Nation hostilities and alliance with British traders. Advised punishment of hostile Indians for their depredations on frontier settlers and the raids on the Ohio river. |
April 30, 1791 |
COPY: Letter of Condolence Regarding Murder at Beaver Creek |
Arthur St. Clair |
Delaware Chiefs |
Assurances of punishment for the murder of Indians by white people, reprimands other bad Indians for "mischief". |
April 26, 1799 |
Charles Lee to James McHenry |
Charles Lee |
James McHenry |
Captain Vance court martial discussed and the supposed threats of personal punishment of Vance by W. Simmons. Civil and military court rules described. |
April 8, 1790 |
Instructions to Captain Henry Burbeck to evince friendly relations with Spain |
Henry Knox |
Henry Burbeck |
Burbeck is in vicinity of Spanish garrison. Knox tells Burbeck to evince the most cordial friendship with Spain. Be polite and temperate in the handling of any offenses. If caused by Burbeck's men, inflict exemplary punishment. If by Spanish, make statement with precision and coolness to nearest Spanish officer. |
January 13, 1800 |
Power to Punish Offenders |
William S. Smith |
Alexander Hamilton |
Lt. Col. Smith sees no possibility of preserving order indispensable to military service unless he is given the power to punish offenders. Prompt punishment cannot be inflicted if every question must be submitted to a General Court Martial. |
1799 |
Regarding the punishment for desertion |
War Department |
[not available] |
States that it is expedient to empower the Commanding General of an army to decide and execute upon all sentences of the court martial, including any recommendations of clemency, for the crime of desertion. Discusses penalties for desertion and insists that no pardon ought to be extended to deserters or traitors to the enemy. |
August 31, 1792 |
Report on conference with Cherokees |
William Blount |
Henry Knox |
Governor William Blount of Southwest Territory reports on a conference with the Cherokee. The Cherokees have expressed a desire for peace and friendship. Those who commit depredations deserve punishment, however, writes Blount. Mentions Double Head's presence at the conference. Also encloses a list of those killed, wounded and made prisoners. |
October 4, 1799 |
Punishment for Desertion |
Josias Carvel Hall |
Alexander Hamilton |
Hall ruminates on the possible punishments for desertion. He argues that death is too harsh for simple desertion and should be reserved for deserting one's post in the face of the enemy. |
November 24, 1795 |
Legal inquiry regarding incursions into Spanish territory in Florida |
Timothy Pickering |
William Rawle |
Some Spanish subjects, along with Americans from Georgia made expedition into Florida, took a Spanish fort, killed Spanish soldiers, stole property. Spanish government has complained. Asks questions regarding the nature of punishment; what to do about the Spanish subjects in Georgia; what instructions to give the military commander in Georgia if he finds the offenders. |
June 13, 1799 |
Rules & Regulations Respecting General Courts Martial |
Abraham R. Ellery |
Commanding Officer on the Mississippi |
General Order: Explains the rules and regulations for constituting general courts martial and specifies which officers are entitled to participate in said courts martial. Explains the obligation to allot one half gill per day of liquor to the troops if a supply of said spirits is available. |
February 25, 1800 |
Court Martial of Uriah Stafford |
Nathan Rice |
Alexander Hamilton |
Rice describes the circumstances leading to the Court Martial of Uriah Stafford, a soldier of the 16th Regiment, charged with disobedience of orders and striking an officer. He was found guilty and sentenced to 100 lashes on his bare back. Discussed rations and supplies and entitlement to certain quantities of subsistence. Enclosed extracts from Court Martial hearing. |
April 29, 1792 |
Humanity Will Dictate a Severe Punishment |
Henry Knox |
Alexander McGillivray |
Knox tells Alexander McGillivray that he hopes the boundary lines established in the Treaty of New York with the Creeks will be drawn soon so as to eliminate any potential for misunderstanding. As for the northern Indians, if they are not responsive to U. S. attempts to establish peace and continue their violence on the frontier, war is inevitable. |
January 23, 1785 |
Civil trial of an alleged counterfeiter |
William Thompson |
Joseph Howell |
Discusses civil trial of an alleged counterfeiter of U.S. government pay certificates. |
May 3, 1799 |
Discussion of Court Martial for Desertion |
James McHenry |
Daniel Strong |
Responds to decision by General Council and punishment sentenced for desertion. |