Difficulty in the Payment of Troops, Etc.
Document 1799Hamilton emphasizes that the troops must be paid promptly or many probems, including desertions, will resutl. The lack of musters or payrolls should not interfere with this goal. He notes that that the chief of each branch of the departments of supply and pay should have a deputy with each army or military district.
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Type
Draft Document
Description
Hamilton emphasizes that the troops must be paid promptly or many probems, including desertions, will resutl. The lack of musters or payrolls should not interfere with this goal. He notes that that the chief of each branch of the departments of supply and pay should have a deputy with each army or military district.
Date
09/14/1799
Author
Recipient
Sent from
New York
Collection
Document number
1799091437100
Note
Cited in Swan to Hamilton, 09/19/1799.
Copy in the handwriting of Ethan Brown.
Notable persons
Caleb Swan, Paymaster General
Alexander Hamilton
[Ethan Brown]
another deputy to act with the Army under General Pinckney
new troops must not be disgusted by delays in giving them their dues
Notable locations
New York
Notable items
difficulty has occurred in the payment of the troops
provision which requires the warrant of the Commanding General [Washington]
the chief of each branch of the departments of supply and pay should be stationed at the Seat of Government [Philadelphia]
he should have a deputy with each Army or separate military district to perform the requisite duties there
advance of money
my sanction by warrant to the last payments you mention
selection in the Southern Quarter
assistance of Colonel [Edward] Carrington
desire to promote the service in a manner consistent with the satisfactory discharge of your functions
the law vests you the right of selecting your deputy
it is a rule of military etiquette not to appoint definitively till you have reported to the Commanding General
sanction of General Pinckney which will not doubt be given
much discontent on the article of pay already exists in the new regiments
it is the cause or pretext of desertion
arrear of bounty money and two months pay [must] be sent to each of these regiments
want of muster or payrolls [should not] be an impediment in the progress of raising troops
temporary deviations are right and indespensable
permission of the Secretary of War [McHenry]