Letter to Majors Genl. Hamilton & Pinckney from George Washington, November 10, 1798.

Letter to Majors Genl. Hamilton & Pinckney from George Washington, November 10, 1798.

1798-11-10

In this signed letter, President Washington presents queries regarding the possibility of a French invasion of the United States. Included in the topics of his questions to the Majors General are: likely location of French attack, weaponry needed for defense, and manner of uniforming the United States soldiers.

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Ms. 178, George Washington Correspondence

Ms178_Ser1No11

Queries propounded by the Commander in Chief
To Majors Genl. Hamilton & Pinckney

1st In an Invasion of the United States, by France, to be apprehended whilst that Power continues at war with Great Britain?

2d In case such an Invasion should take place, what part of the United States, in their opinion, is most likely to be first attacked?

3d Is it probable that the French will, in the way of exchange, or by other means, become possessed of the Floridas & Louisiana?

4th In case of such an event, what, probably, will be the consequences, as they relate to the United States? What measures will be best to counteract them? And can't those measures be carried into effect promptly, by the Commander in Chief of the Armies? or, must they be previously submitted to the War Office? This question, it will be perceived, presupposes a force in existence.

5th What can be done to supply our present deficiency of Engineers? From whence, and by what means are they to be obtained? Should a Frenchman be employed at any rate?

6 Would Riflemen, in place of Light Infantry, be
be eligible as a component part of each Regiment? and in that case, would Ferguson's Rifle claim a preference?

7th Under the idea that each grand division of the U. States is to furnish four Regiments of the augmented force, and each state, according to the Census, the Population, or medium between the two, is to raise its proportion

– how many places in each (its extent being considered) and where, ought to be assigned as rendezvouses during the Recruiting Service? At what place ought the General rendezvous in each state to be fixed, during the said period? and at what place, or places, in the U. States, ought the augmented force to assemble? If at more than one place, how many, where, & the number at each?

8th Of how many pieces of ordnance, of what sorts, and of what calliber [sic], ought the Park of Artillery to consist, independently of what is attached to Brigades or Regiments? and how many ought each of these to have?

9th Would it be advisable (after an adequate force is recruited) to withdraw the Troops which at present occupy the Posts on our Northern & Western Frontiers, and replace them with new raised Corps?

10th Of how many ranks do the French form their line of Battle, generally? Do they make much use of Pikes? And would it be an eligable [sic] weapon, with which to arm part of our Soldiery, as that is the Nation with which we expect to contend? Genl Pinckney may, from personal observation, be enabled to solve these two questions.

Queries relative to smaller matters, But meriting consideration, as an army is now commencing more systematically than formerly

the rules, regulations, and distinctions in which, may give a tone to measure which may prevail hereafter.

1st. If the clothing of the Regiments, and the fashion of that clothing

with distinctions between one Regiment and another are not already ordered by the proper authority, and in train of execution, — what had they best be?

2d Would not cotton, or (still moreso) flannel, be advisable for shirtings, and linings for the soldiery?

3d What had best be the distinction in dress, in the badges and other peculiarities, between the Commander in Chief & his suit, and the Majors General & their aids? Between the latter and the Brigadiers & theirs? and between them again & the Regimental Officers? also among the
among the Regimental Officers themselves commissioned and non-commissioned? and whether the staff (not in the line of the Army) of the different Departments both commissioned and Warrant Officers ought not to be designated by their dress, or some appropriate mark or badge? And in every case, and at all times in the Camp or Field be compelled to wear them

as well for the purpose of denoting the Corps to which they belong, as a mean by which irregularities, rioting and improper conduct may be discovered with more ease.

4th As there has been many objections to, & remarks made upon, the black Cockade (being that of Great Britain) might not something be devised by way of annexation thereto, to distinguish it from that of any other Nation? I have seen, and it appeared to have no bad effect, a small Eagle (of Pewter, Tin, and in some instances silver) fixed by way of button in the center of a rose Cockade

which was not only very distinguishable, but somewhat characteristic.

The sooner these queries are taken into consideration and opinions given on them, more agreeable will it be to

G. Washington

Philadelphia
10th November 1798