Autograph Letter Signed

Obstacles of a Very Familiar Kind

Washington is informed of the disposition of military affairs and warned that obstacles may stand in the way of a successful management of military concerns. In the future, Hamilton's confidential letters will include code names for certain high level government officials.

1799

02

16

New York

New York

Cited in Washington to Hamilton, 02/25/1799.

Cited document that was neither sent to nor from the War Office

George Washington

Alexander Hamilton

Department of War

the President [John Adams]

the Secretary of State [Timothy Pickering]

the Treasury

New York

multiplicty of my avocations

imperfect state of health

official letter

disposition of our military affairs

exertion on my part

branches of the service confided to my care

obstacles of a very peculiar kind

management of our military concerns

confidential matters

It may be useful that I should be able to write to you hereafter some confidential matters relating to our Administration without the mention of names. When this happens, I shall designate the President by X, the Secretary of State by V, and the Treasury by I and the Department of War by C.

1799021690001

General Hamilton
General Washington
N York Feb.y 16. 1799
174.
pg 197
Private
(64)
New York Feby. 16. 1799
Dear Sir
Different reasons have conspired to prevent my writing to you since my return to New York -- the multiplicity of my avocations, an imperfect state of health and the want of something material to communicate.
The Official letter herewith transmitted will inform you of the disposition of our military Affairs which has been recently adopted by the Department of War. There shall be no want of exertion on my part to promote The branches of the service confided to my care.
But I more and more discover cause to apprehend that obstacles of a very peculiar kind stand in the way of an efficient and successful management of our military concerns. These it would be unsafe at present to explain.
It may be useful that I should be able to write to you hereafter some confidential matters relating to our Administration without the mention of names. When this happens I shall designate the President by X, the Secretary of State by V, of The Treasury by I, and of the department of War by C.
Everything in the Northern quarter, as far as I can learn continues forward to the Government. [undecipherable] affecty truly I remain
My dear Sir
Your obed..t Serv..t
A. Hamilton