To George Washington from James McHenry, 17 July 1792
From James McHenry
Fayetteville [Md.] 17 July 1792.
Sir.
The letter you did me the honor to write which I had not received when I had the honor to see you was handed me the day after. It has the Philadelphia post mark of the 11th and was they tell me overlooked by the post-master here or rather his assistant when my letters were called for. I thought it proper to mention this particular to you that the cause of its detention might not be misunderstood.1
I have now to request of my dear General, that he will on his return devote one day to Baltimore town, and that sometime before, you will be so kind as to let me know the day we may look for you. The merchants who have a sincere love and attachment for you wish very much to give you a public dinner, which might perhaps be contrived without occasioning much delay, if you could arrange your stages so as to reach us early in the forenoon.2
Mrs McHenry begs to be presented to Mrs Washington. We both hope that the remainder of your journey was without accident and wish you that repose and happiness in your favorite Mount Vernon, to which you are so well intitled. I have the honor to be Sir, sincerely & affectionately3 Yours
James McHenry
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. This letter has not been found. McHenry apparently saw the president while GW was on his way to Mount Vernon for a visit that would last until October 1792.
2. For GW’s reply to McHenry expressing his willingness to “spend a day in Baltimore on my return to Philadelphia, if time & circumstances would permit” and his dislike of “formal & ceremonious engagements,” see GW to McHenry, 13 August. For the Baltimore merchants’ renewed request that GW stop in their city, see McHenry to GW, 25 Sept. 1792. GW and Martha Washington spent the night of 10–11 Oct. in Baltimore on their return to Philadelphia (Baltimore Evening Post and Daily Advertiser, 11 Oct. 1792).
3. McHenry mistakenly wrote “affectionalely” at this place on the manuscript.