Rare partly-printed DS, signed “A. Hamilton, M.G.,” one page, 9 x 7.25, no date but circa early 1800. Hamilton orders pay for his troops, in full: "Pay to Captain Benjamin Williamson Deputy Paymaster General on account of the Pay &c of the Troops under the immediate command of Genl. Hamilton to 31st Dec'r 1799—the sum of two thousand eight hundred and thirty two 73/100 Dollars, taking his receipt to be accountable therefor the toe Accountant of the Department of War.—And for so doing this shall be your Warrant." Boldly signed at the conclusion by Major General Hamilton during his brief six-month period as commanding general of the United States Army. In very good to fine condition, with splitting to the fragile folds, and a tear and chip to the bottom edge. An extremely rare format, with records showing only one other Hamilton pay order for troops to reach the market in decades.
Hamilton, following his important and influential term as Secretary of the Treasury in Washington's administration, and having served with distinction during the Revolutionary War, returned to the US Army in 1798 as a major general. When Washington died on December 14, 1799, Hamilton assumed command of the Army as its senior officer. In that post, he was responsible for organizing troops in anticipation of a seemingly imminent war with France. Congress had authorized a temporary expansion of the US Army to meet the crisis, and Hamilton made preparations to march his troops through the South to conquer the North American colonies of France's ally, Spain. By the time the Quasi-War cooled off and the Provisional Army was disbanded on June 15, 1800, around 4,100 men had been mobilized.
From The Michael Allen Collection.
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