1798] OFFICERS 513 In making your selection of Company Officers, some attention (as well for the benefit of Recruiting, as other considerations) should be had to a distribution of them through the States. And where old Officers of celebrity, fit for the different grades can be obtained; who are in the prime of life, habituated to no bad courses, and are known to be well affected, they ought to be preferred. Next to these, young Gentlemen (not youths) of good educations and characters; and as far as it can be ascertained before hand, possessing a high sense of honor and love of Country should be brought forward, but in neither case a professed, or known enemy to Government, should be selected; for the same principles which lead them to oppose the Civil Administration of their Country wd. operate equally against the Military; and Caballing and Parties would soon be the result. You will please to consider this letter, its enclosures and all I have said on the subject as communicated in Confidence. and for particular reasons it is wished, that I may receive the result of your meeting and consultation soon, at any rate before the first or 2d. of next month. With very great esteem etc. P.S. If circumstances should prevent writing of all, the opinion of two, or yourself alone is desired *To HENRY KNOX Mount Vernon, October 23, 1798. My dear Sir: The enclosed, although of old date, is just come to hand. And believing you are still the Secretary Generl. of the Society of the Cincinnati, I transmit it to you; to be laid before the next General meeting of its Delegates; as there is no probability that I shall be at it myself. Since my letter to you of the 21st. I have received one from the Secretary of War, informing me of General Pinckney's arrival, and acceptance of his Appointment in the Army of the United States; and his request that the Major Generals of the Augmented force would be at Trenton, or Philadelphia, by the 10th. of next month; expressing at the sametime, an earnest wish that I would be present. Inconvenient as it will be to me, and perhaps hazardous, I will make exertion to be there at that time; and I need not add, that it would give me pleasure to find you among them; as many important points will come before them. I am &c. *To THE SECRETARY OF WAR Mount Vernon, October 23, 1798. Dear Sir: It gave me very sincere pleasure to find by your letter of the 17th., recd. last night, that Genl Pinckney accepts his Appointment in the Army of the United States. If it would not be too inconvenient for him to remain at the Seat of Government until the 10th. of next month (the ulterior day, allotted for the Assembling of the Majors General at Trenton or Philadelphia) and you would advise me thereof, immediately, I would make every exertion in my power to meet them at that time. For a variety of reasons, which will readily occur, the sooner such a meeting could take place the better; and perhaps no time, season, or circumstances, would be more convenient than the one proposed; nor more eligable for the purpose of concerting a Plan, upon general hypothesis; and rectifying, as far as possible, the evils which have proceeded from delay in Recruitg. With great esteem etc. 1798] SOUTHERN OFFICERS 515 *To BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM RICHARDSON DAVIE Mount Vernon, October 24, 1798. Sir: I am not informed of the cause, or causes which have impeded the appointed of the Regimental Officers agreeably to the Act "To augment the Army of the United States, and for other purposes." The want of which has, of course, (unpropitiously it is to be feared) retarded the Recruiting Service; nor do I know that any plan is yet adopted to effect either of these purposes. But the Secretary of War having suggested to me, that it was probable four of the twelve Regiments of Infantry, and the Six Troops of light Dragoons would be raised in the States South of the Potomac, including Kentucky and Tennessee, and requesting me to give him assistance in selecting proper characters for Officers in the different grades therefor, I know of no expedient so likely to give it efficiency as to call upon the General Officers in each State, lately nominated by the President, for their aid; the presumption being, that the Reputation of the Army, in which they may have to act a conspicuous part, and their own honour and responsibility will put them above local attachments, and self interested views; and consequently, produce more circumspection in the Selection of fit and proper characters for Officers, than is likely to be obtained by any other means. It is on this ground I have taken the liberty to address you, and hope for an excuse. Pursuing, the principle, by wch. the Secretary of War seems to have been governed; about a Regiment of Infantry, and a Troop of Dragoons would fall to the lot of No Carolina and Tennessee. Say nine companies of the first and the company of Dragoons to the former, and a company of Infantry to the latter. To assist you as much as is in my power, in the accomplishment of this work, I enclose to you a list of all the field Officers of the No. Carolina line, who served to the close of the Revolutionary War; and a list of the present applicts. for Commissions; designating their places of residence, the Rank they solicit, and by whom recommended, or brot. forward. My opinion is, that in making a selection of the field Officers, an entire range of the State should be taken; but, in the company Officers, regard should be had to distribution; as well for the purpose of facilitating the Recruiting service as for other considerations: and, where Officers of celebrity in the revolutionary army can be obtained; who are yet in the prime of life; habituated to no bad courses, and well disposed; that a preference ought to be given to them. Next to these, gentlemen of character; liberal education; and, as far as the fact can be ascertained from inexperience, men who will face danger in any shape it can appear; for if we have a land war, it will be sharp and severe. I must beg leave to add that all violent opposers of the Government, and French Partisans should be avoided; or they will disseminate the poison of their principles in the Army, and split, what ought to be a band of brothers, into parties. As this application is hypothetical (no decided plan being formed) you will please to consider it and the contents of this letter, in all its parts as given in confidence. The Papers you will be so good as to return, with the selection of the Officers for the Troops I have mentioned for the States of No Carolina and Tennessee; and, for a very particular reason, the sooner it could be done and sent me the more agreeable it would be. It might not be amiss to set down the names of more officers, of each grade, than are really wanting for the Regiment and 1798] A CITIZEN'S DUTY 517 Troop; but that I may know the estimation in which they stand you will be pleased to place those of each grade, numerically. With very great esteem &c. *To THE OFFICERS OF THE TENTH AND NINETYFIRST REGIMENTS OF THE VIRGINIA MILITIA Mount Vernon, October 24, 1798. Gentlemen: While I thank you for your kind and very flattering Address, and the pleasure which I received from your approbation of my acceptance of the Commission which may once more bring me into public life, I am sure you will do justice to the motives which have operated to draw me from that peaceful retirement, which, I fondly hoped, would never again have been interrupted. When injuries and Insults have been heaped upon us, and when the Sovereignty and Independence of our Country are threatned, it is, in my opinion, no longer in the option of a good Citizen to withhold his Services from the Public. Let his situation be what it may, he forfeits all claim to the rights of one, if, in such a critical moment, he should not use every means in his power to aid in repelling the unprovoked and indignant [sic] aggression. Upon this ground I have accepted my Commission; and upon this ground I trust that every true American will be prepared to defend his Country against foreign encroachments; and to perpetuate the blessings which he enjoys under his own Government. That there may be no occasion to gird on the Sword, none more ardently prays than I do; and no one, with more truth could add, that, if unfortunately, in defence of our rights we shall be compelled to unsheath I hope, after the object is attained, would return it to its Scabbard with more heart-felt |