[New York 23^d Nov^r. 1799 [undecipherable] Gen^l. A. Hamilton — a [undecipherable] to the establishment of a Military Academy —] = (106) New York Nov. 23^d 1799 Sir The near approach of a [undecipherable] of Congress will naturally draw you to the consideration of such measures for the improvement of our military System as may require legislative Sanction. Under this impression I am induced now to present to you some objects which appear to me very interesting, and shall take the liberty to add, hereafter, such others as shall have occasion. One which I have always thought of primary importance is a Military Academy. This object has repeatedly engaged the favourable Attention of the Administration, and some steps towards it have been taken. But these as yet, are very inadequate — a more perfect [strikethrough: plan] is in a high degree de- sirable. No sentiment is more just than this, that in proportion as the [Government?] & policy of a Country fosters a large military esta- blishment, it is important that as much perfection as possible should be given to that which may at any times exist. Since it is agreed, that we are to keep [at?] [undecipherable] numerous forces instructed and disciplined military Science in its various branches ought to cultivate with particular care in proper Seminaries to that there may always exist a sufficient [undecipherable] of it ready to be imparted and diffused, and in qualified [undecipherable] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] number of persons to act as instructors to the additional troops which events may constantly require to be raised. This will also be to substitute the elements of our army to the thing itself, and it will greatly tend to enable the Govern- ment to dispense with a large body of Standing forces, from the facility it will give of forming Officers and Soldiers promptly upon emergencies. No sound mind can doubt the appli- cability of Military Science in time of War, any more than the moral certainty that the most pacific policy on the part of a Government will not preserve it from being engaged in War, more or less frequently. To avoid great evils, it must either have respectable force prepared for Service, or the means of preparing such a force with ex- pedition. The latter, most agreeable to the genius of our Government and Nation is the object of a Military Academy. (I propose that this Academy shall consist of five Schools — One to be called "The Fundamental School" — another "The School of Engineers & Artillerists" another "The School of Cavalry" another "The School of Infantry" and a fifth "The School of the Navy" — and of the following Officers and persons — [To act] generally to superintend the whole Institution. A Director of the Fundamental School A Director of the School of Engineers & Artillerists A Director of [the] School of Cavalry A Director of the School of Infantry A [Director of the School of the] Navy [A] Professor of Mathematics Three Professors of Natural Philosophy One Professor of Chemistry Two [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] Architects Two Drawing Masters A Riding Master A Fencing Master to be thus distributed among the several Schools To the Fundamental School A Director Two Professors of Mathematics One Professor of Natural Philosophy [Two] Drawing Master[s] To the School of Engineers and Artillerists A Director A Professor of Mathematics A Professor of Natural Philosophy A Professor of Chemistry, A [Professor] of Architecture A Drawing Master To the School of Cavalry A Director A Riding Master. A Fencing Master To the School of Infantry A Director [To the School of the] Navy A Director A Professor of Mathematics A Professor of Natural Philosophy An Architect In the Fundamental School to be taught Arithmetic Algebra Geometry The laws of Motion, Mechanics, Geography Topography, and Surveying Drawing of Fortresses and Landscapes. The principles of Tactics. In the School of Engineers & Artillerists, to be taught Fluxions, Conic Sections, Hydro- aulics, Hydrostatics, & Pneumatics. The theory and practice of Gunnery. Fortification, including sapping and mining, and the attack and defence of places. Chemistry, especially Mineralogy. The fabrication of Cannon and other arms. The principles of Con- struction, with the particular reference to aqueducts, Canals and Bridges. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] In the School of Cavalry The tactics and duties of Cavalry. Castrametation, the use of the Sabre and Broad Sword. In the School of Infantry The tactics and duties of the Infantry. In the School of the Navy Spherics, Astronomy, Navigation with the Doctrines of the Tides, Naval Architecture. The Director General and the other Directors to be Officers of the Army and Navy conforming to the Nature of each Schools. These Schools to be provided with proper apparatus and instruments for Philo- sophical and Chemical experiments, for Astronomical and Nautical Observations and for such other purposes as are requisite to the illustration of the several topics of instruction. [The time of the young] [undecipherable] [persons] selected from Military and Naval service ought to study [undecipherable] [years in the Fundamental School] and [undecipherable] for the [School] of Engineers and Artillerists [undecipherable] for the [School] [of Cavalry] [undecipherable] years more in the [appropriate School — if for the] [School of] Infantry [undecipherable] those [persons who by previous instruction elsewhere may have been] acquainted with [some or all of the branches taught in this Academy] be [admitted to] [undecipherable] [immediately commensurate] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Addition to these, Detachments of Officers and non-commissioned Officers of the Army ought to attend in rotation for the purpose of instruction and Exercise according to the dictates of the corps in which they respectively belong. It would be a useful addition to the system of the Government to annex always [have?] such a number of Detachments in proportion to those belonging to the Regiments of the Establishment [undecipherable] accommodated to [an army of] 50,000 men. The Site of the Academy ought to be upon a navigable water. For this purpose, a [sum] of [ground] ought to be provided by Government of dimensions sufficient for improvements in general, taking not less than twelve hundred yards in length and four hundred yards in breadth. The situation upon a navigable water is requisite to admit of experiments, [undecipherable] of Naval constructions and Exercises. It would also tend greatly to the per- fection of the plan if a position for the Academy could be obtained suited to [furnishing?] of [Common] and manufactories of small Arms. The pupils could here acquire the knowledge of this Art, and the detachments of troops could be made useful in the prosecution of this Works. Barracks and other proper buildings must be erected for the accommodations of the Directors, professors & Students and for the laboratories and this works to be carried on. It is proposed in the preparatory plan the two Schools of Engineers and Artillerists shall be united. The Studies relative to these two branches of Service run into each other so much that they may with convenience be pursued in the same School. Yet it is conceived that the intimate Union of the Officers of both in one corps, as in one general establishment, is not desirable. The Art of Fortification and the Science of Artillery, though touching each other in many points, are in their most distinct branches, and each so comprehensive that their separation is essential to perfection in either — This has been ascertained by experience. It is understood that all or many Governments of Europe, particularly attentive to the Military Art, have adopted this course of the two corps indicating it by their [undecipherable] relations in certain respects and by the desire of ensuring harmony in the Service, and that the result of the experiment has led to a reconsideration of the plan, as being productive of more disadvantages than advantages. Influenced, as well, by this experience in other countries as by my own observations and reflections — I beg leave to suggest for consideration a new arrangement on the subject, to be sub- mitted, if approved, to the legislative body. [The School] of Engineers and [Artillerist]s [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] A Regiment of Engineer Officers, and one of [Artillery] Officers [to form] two [separate corps in the general military establishment —] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Officers and Privates in the [undecipherable] [Battalions tends] to continue the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [transmitting?] the Engineer Officers in the two Selections to the Regiment of Engineers to be composed of two Battalions. [undecipherable] the Officers to be [put?] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] be a [undecipherable] of Miners and Artisans [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of a large number of Miners. This [corps?] to be a [undecipherable] of the Corps of Engineers and Artillery under a command of its [undecipherable]. The Officers to be taken from the Regiment of Engineers and Artillery at its directions continuing [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to rank and rise in the Corps from which they may be taken, and the President to be em- powered if he thinks proper, to appoint them to their places in the Regiments from which they [are] now to be detached. [undecipherable] these different corps [undecipherable] chief [incentives?] to promote a spirit of harmony and cooperation, while the separation of the Officers is designed to procure a more profound and accurate knowledge of each Branch. It will no doubt be allowed that liberal provision should be made by law for the proposed establishment, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] — yet it may be left in the direction of the [President] to appoint only so many professors as experience shall shew to be necessary. With great respect — Col McHenry — I have the honor to be [undecipherable] friend — A. Hamilton [The Sec^y of War]