[Copies of Hamiltons l^re to Gov Lee, his Answer — respect^g the Command of the Army of the Insurgents Nov 20^th 1794 To whole on Po] [Copy] S^r. War department August 25. 1794. In place of the Secretary of War, who is absent, I am instructed by the President to signify to you his wish and request that you will come forth in the Command of the militia, which is to be detached from Virginia against the Insurgents in the Western parts of Pennsylvania; in which case you will have the command of the Whole force that may be employed upon that enterprize. The president anticipates, that it will be as painful to you to execute, as it is to him to direct, measures of coertion against fellow Citizens however misled. Yet he needed not the assurance you have already given him of the sense you entertain of their conduct and its consequences, to be convinced that he might count even on your zealous personal service, towards suppressing an example fatal in its tendency to every thing that is dear and valuable in political society. With the greatest respect & attachment I have the honor to be Your Excellency's most obed. & humble Servant His Excellency, Alex Hamilton. Henry Lee Esq^r Governor and Commander in Chief of Virginia. A Copy. York [Copy] S^r. York Town September 1^st 1794 I am this moment honored with your letter of the 25^th ultimo. The President has justly anticipated the feelings of my mind on the solemn occasion — I lament deeply the cause — I regret so deeply the necessity of resorting to the Bayonet to compel our fellow citizens to submit to the constitutions and laws of the people — But I also feel a thorough conviction of the justice of his conduct and hesitate not a moment in declaring my decision to afford my best support of his measures — [undecipherable: probably "Would"] to god it had been required in a Station better fitted to my talents and life important to our common Country — I should not have experienced the additional pain which very heavily burdens me from my knowledge of my inadequacy to the duties of this very responsible Station to which he has been pleased to call me. The high honor which his [undecipherable] always conveys, is extremely [undecipherable] by the manner of his choice of me and fills my mind with the deepest gratitude. The best return I can make will be by the constant and zealous exertion of my humble abilities in the line of my duty, and this I promise to do, and ardently pray that the Supreme ruler of the [undecipherable] will be propitious to my endeavors. I shall wait your further order and in the mean time execute one object of my mission below, which your letter of the 18^th do amply explains, then return to Richmond ready to move at a moments warning. I have &c. To Alex Hamilton Esq^r. Henry Lee Secretary of the Treasury. A Copy.