Preparations for Building Military, Recommendation of William Buchanan Smith
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Preparations for Building Military, Recommendation of William Buchanan Smith
Description
Rumors that Congress will create standing military, Williams included recommendations of French gentlemen who he though fit to command. Hoped their military knowledge would excuse their nationality and Williams suggestion of a foreign officer over an American.
year created
1794
month created
02
day created
05
sent from location
Baltimore
recipient
in collection
in image
notable person/group
Henry Knox
Brigadier General Otho Williams
French
officers
William Buchanan Smith
foreign officer
congress
French gentlemen
command
William Smith
Ensign
brother
Campbell
executive officer
cavalry
corps of infantry
company
General Knox
Secretary of War
notable location
Baltimore
Maryland
France
Germany
sick chamber
notable item/thing
respectable military defense
session of congress
fortification
commission
military school
notable idea/issue
command
standing army
recommendation
document number
1794020440001
page start
1
number of pages
2
transcription
Baltimore February 4th 1794
Sir,
It has been suggested to me thoot Congress will this Session, establish a very respectable Military defence for the Country.
Under this impression I enlarged a little in my letter of yesterday, which will be herewith inclosed on the policy of retaining, in the service of the United States, such French Gentlemen as are Scientifically qualified for command.
The consideration, how few of our Country Men know any thing of Germany or Fortification will I hope escuxe the suggestion.
The present is to Solicit a Commission for William Buchanan Smith, Son of William Smith, of this Town whom you probably knew in Congress and Brother to Campbell, whom at my request you appointed Ensign; He is too Brother to Mrs Williams and I must therefore forbear to express the expectations that I should form of him after being initiated into a Military School. At present he is nothing at all; Having been all his life indulged in his love at case, and to little restrained from the present of his pleasures, he has lived at home dependant upon his father without acquiering any Character but that of a Buck; of which he seems now most heartily tired ad ashamed. He is about twenty six or twenty seven years of age (elder than Campbell) above six feet high - Very stout, but well proportioned, Handsome, and altho [undecipherable]-fident amongfriends posssses I believe the qualifications
of a good executive Officer.
Mr. Smith will accept the Commission of first Lieutnant in any established Corps of Infantry; or the of second Lieutnant in the Cavalary. But if several new Corps are to be raised it is probable the number of recruits [undecipherable]-ould raise might entitle him to a Company.
I am, Sir, With Esteem & friendship
Your Most Hbl Servant
I write very little at ease, in my sich-Chamber You will therefore pardon negligences and mistakes I pray for the prosperity and happiness of my [undecipherable] and feel a cordial affection for all my old Military Friends
Farewell
[Written along the left edge:]
To Gen.l Knox
3d and 4th February 94
Genl Knox
[internal notice, stamped:]
NOTICE:
This material may be protected by
copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code)
MS 908
THIS COPY IS MADE FOR REFERENCE
NOT TO BE REPRODUCED OR PUBLISHED
Sir,
It has been suggested to me thoot Congress will this Session, establish a very respectable Military defence for the Country.
Under this impression I enlarged a little in my letter of yesterday, which will be herewith inclosed on the policy of retaining, in the service of the United States, such French Gentlemen as are Scientifically qualified for command.
The consideration, how few of our Country Men know any thing of Germany or Fortification will I hope escuxe the suggestion.
The present is to Solicit a Commission for William Buchanan Smith, Son of William Smith, of this Town whom you probably knew in Congress and Brother to Campbell, whom at my request you appointed Ensign; He is too Brother to Mrs Williams and I must therefore forbear to express the expectations that I should form of him after being initiated into a Military School. At present he is nothing at all; Having been all his life indulged in his love at case, and to little restrained from the present of his pleasures, he has lived at home dependant upon his father without acquiering any Character but that of a Buck; of which he seems now most heartily tired ad ashamed. He is about twenty six or twenty seven years of age (elder than Campbell) above six feet high - Very stout, but well proportioned, Handsome, and altho [undecipherable]-fident amongfriends posssses I believe the qualifications
of a good executive Officer.
Mr. Smith will accept the Commission of first Lieutnant in any established Corps of Infantry; or the of second Lieutnant in the Cavalary. But if several new Corps are to be raised it is probable the number of recruits [undecipherable]-ould raise might entitle him to a Company.
I am, Sir, With Esteem & friendship
Your Most Hbl Servant
I write very little at ease, in my sich-Chamber You will therefore pardon negligences and mistakes I pray for the prosperity and happiness of my [undecipherable] and feel a cordial affection for all my old Military Friends
Farewell
[Written along the left edge:]
To Gen.l Knox
3d and 4th February 94
Genl Knox
[internal notice, stamped:]
NOTICE:
This material may be protected by
copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code)
MS 908
THIS COPY IS MADE FOR REFERENCE
NOT TO BE REPRODUCED OR PUBLISHED
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (2 pages) | THK07 (2 pages) | Collection: General Otho Williams Papers, MS# 908. | B:8, #880 |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Brigadier General Otho H. Williams | Baltimore | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Henry Knox | [unknown] | [n/a] |