Modern Printed Transcription of Letter/Document

Embryo of An Army

Delay in recruiting men directly after the passage of an act that augmented the army led to difficulty recruiting good men. Washington expresses skepticism as to whether a real army will ever come into being.

1799

03

25

Mount Vernon

Cited in Hamilton to Washington, 04/03/1799.

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

Alexander Hamilton

George Washington

Paymaster General

Colonel [John] Hamtramck

Mount Vernon

seat of the general government

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

Virginia

present state of the Army

embryo

augmented force

orders

dispatches for the Western Army

recruit

recruitment

In the present state of the army (or more properly the embryo of one for I do not perceive from anything that has come to my knowledge that we are likely to move beyond this)

until the augmented force shall have been recruited, assembled and in the field, the residence of the paymaster

will be found most reliable at the seat of the general government

under this cover you will find a letter which I have just received from Col. Hamtramck with a short acknowledgement of it receipt which you will be so good as to forward with your dispatches for the western army

1799032590100

General Washington
March 15, 1799
[undecipherable] --
[in other hands:] p 199 [below that] 211 [to the far right:] 219
Mount Vernon 25th Mar. 1799
[in another hand:] (92)
Dear Sir
Your letter of the 14.th instant with its enclosures, came to hand by the last Post.
In the present State of the Army (or more properly the Embryo of one, for I do not perceive from any thing that has come to my knowledge that we are likely to move beyond this) and until the augmented force shall have been Recruited, Assembled and in the Field, the Residence of the Paymaster Genl (I did not know there was one until your letter announced it) will be found most eligable at the seat of the General Government; and you will please to give such Orders respecting it, as you shall think proper, for I am unwilling to issue any.
Under this Cover, you will find a letter which I have just received from Col.o Hamtramck, with a short acknowledgement of its receipt, which you will be so good as to forward with your dispatches for the Western Army. With very great esteem & Reg.d
I am Dr Sir - Y.r Most Obed.t Servt
Go Washington
Maj.r Gen.l Hamilton