Hamilton's Version of an Apology
Document 1799Hamilton admits that if there was anything in his recent general order that imputes to the Secretary of War ignorance or inattention, it ought not to have been there. The letter to Captain Frye was, in Hamilton's view, irregular and should have been addressed to Major Hoops. It seems that McHenry has overlooked the inconsistency of what was done with his instructions and overlooking a fault is very different from not attending to it. And it is understood that the civil staff can often conduct the business of supplies without it passing through the medium of the Chief Military Officer.
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Type
Autograph Draft Letter Signed
Description
Hamilton admits that if there was anything in his recent general order that imputes to the Secretary of War ignorance or inattention, it ought not to have been there. The letter to Captain Frye was, in Hamilton's view, irregular and should have been addressed to Major Hoops. It seems that McHenry has overlooked the inconsistency of what was done with his instructions and overlooking a fault is very different from not attending to it. And it is understood that the civil staff can often conduct the business of supplies without it passing through the medium of the Chief Military Officer.
Date
08/05/1799
Author
Recipient
Sent from
New York
Repository
Collection
Document number
1799080540101
Page start
1
Notable persons
James McHenry
Alexander Hamilton
Secretary of War
Captain Frederick Frye
Major Hoops
Department of War
civil staff
Chief Military Officer
Notable locations
New York
Notable items
opinion
military etiquette
muster
instructions
conduct of an inferior
command
correspondence
sudden emergency