1To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 14 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
The letter you sent me has been confined to myself; but the other letters you have written on the same subject, has in your successor at least created some unpleasant feelings. Where opinions clash, and where superiority is made too apparent something a little like envy will come into play especially should a suspicion take place that pains are used to gain proselites. I have this moment...
2To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose you a further request on the subject of the paper communicated to you in my last, that you may have the whole before you and that you may aid me with your talents and experience. It strikes me that, it will be proper for the Pres. to state to Congress the species of defensive force necessary for the occasion, and consider it an essential attribute of negociations I had given him in...
3To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 14 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letters and papers. I added to them, but changed nothing, for the train of ideas in both ran in the same channel and embraced the same objects. The speech extenuates nought—recommends proper measures—promises a fresh attempt at negotiation—and declares the principles by which administration mean to be governed, in other words that the President will follow the principles of the...
4To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 May 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you a line yesterday acknowleging the receipt of your late letters from Albany. I expect that there will be a quorum of both branches to-day. It appears that the news of the Emp. of Germ. having signified his intention to make peace was unfounded. Had it even been so, it ought to have augmented our endeavours to meet hostility. It is probable that a new character will be given Pinckney...
5To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [7 August 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd and read the enclosed. I think the advice contained in the last paragraph ought to be adopted. Mr J—— will say to Dawson “that inasmuch as you have expressly told Mr M—— that in your opinion his motives were malignant and conduct dishonorable, that he would advise you against throwing it into a more formal challenge, it resting with Mr Munroe to submit it to the expressions or...
6To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 August 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received this morning your letter of the 17th inst. Mr Jones is without your letter of the 4th to Mr Monroe, and the want of it delays the publication. With respect to the papers inclosed to you by Mr. Tillery. I wrote to McKee on the 25th of July ulto. “I will state to you briefly the difficulty which prevents any final determination at present on the two propositions which respect the...
7To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 26 January 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Will you assist me or rather your country with such suggestions and opinions as may occur to you on the subject of the within paper. Some of the questions it contains are very important, and an immature step or a wrong policy pursued or recommended respecting them may become extremely injurious or beget disagreeable consequences. I am sure I cannot do such justice to the subject as you can....
8To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12 February 179[8] (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. the result of my request to you and cannot be otherwise than pleased with it and thankful to you for it. The inclosed is my first conceptions on certain past transactions in which you were a participator and perhaps adviser. I believe every thing was then conducted as it has been since, after due deliberation and for the best. It is however no easy matter to account for the great...
9To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [8 March 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I have transferred your certificates and received your interest. I have also paid to Mr. Wolcott 40 20/100. I will pay to Mr. Lewis 7 dolls who says he does not recollect that you owed him any thing. I have retained 100, and herewith inclose the balance or 21 36/100. If this should find you at New-York I intreat you to spare an hour or two to the essay, and to send it to me as soon as...
10To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12 May 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I shall in a short time be able to get to sea, one or two of our frigates, and perhaps, in less than six or seven days, Cap Dale, in the Ganges, a lately purchased vessel. Can you spare an hour or two to help me to the instructions that it will be proper to give to their captains. Our ships of war, it is probable, will meet with French privateers, who may be in possession of our merchantmen,...
11To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 4 June 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just recd. yours of the 1st. I have calculated to be able to leave this on Wednesday, to examine the harbour of New York, and to with the aid of the best advice I can procure, determine what further works can be constructed out of the means that can be spared. Be kind enough to Tell Col. Stevens to have a pilot boat engaged and the proper apparatus ready to take depths and ascertain the...
12To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 6 June 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I had reckoned upon the immediate arrival of the Secry. of Marine when I wrote you that I should leave this City for New York to-day. He will not be here before Friday. I cannot of course set out sooner than monday. I have requested Lt. Col. Doughty to join me at Brunswick, and will bring with me one Hill who possesses information which may be useful. Yours sincerely ADfS , James McHenry...
13To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I retained the inclosed letter which was put into my hands with permission to take a copy of it. I hope every thing has been arranged to your satisfaction, or if not wholly, yet nearly so. I shall transmit you very soon the rules & regulations for the formation & movements of his Britannic Majestys forces, and manual exercise for the same, in order that you may consider and report whether the...
14To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 25 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I am directed to inform you that the President of the United States, by, and with the advice and consent of the Senate, has appointed you Inspector General, with the rank of Major General; and to transmit you your commission made out accordingly. It may be proper to mention that the nominations to the Senate for the General Officers of the established, and provisional army were presented on...
15To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 30 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
You must be fully aware how liable the Executive is to be misled in forming a just estimate of the character of candidates for military appointments, when it must, so often, depend upon recommendations that may have been obtained by the importunity of applicants, from a desire to oblige some friend, or to avoid creating an enemy or, perhaps given in the hope that the army may serve to suppress...
16To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 5 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Trenton, August 5, 1798. On this date McHenry wrote to Hamilton “asking for a list of officers from the southern states and stating that Wolcott holds back the order for clothing.” Letter not found. ] Steiner, James McHenry Bernard C. Steiner, The Life and Correspondence of James McHenry (Cleveland, 1907). , 321.
17To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 6 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Trenton, August 6, 1798. On this date McHenry wrote to Hamilton “stating that he is indisposed and feverish, and told of the rejection of the nomination of W. S. Smith as adjutant general, and of the need that the appointments should be hastened.” Letter not found. ] Executive Journal , I Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate (Washington, 1828), I. , 292, 293. Steiner, James...
18To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 10 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have written to the President lately, mentioning that the more I contemplated the detail of organizing the twelve regiments of Infantry to be raised, the more I perceived the difficulty of effecting it with a dispatch proportioned to the emergency, and the public expectation. That if the course is to be to concenter information in this department from all quarters of the United States then...
19To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 11 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just recieved a letter (of which the enclosed is a Copy) dated the 5th. instant from General Knox. I request you will attentively consider, the subject of it; and favour me with your opinion thereon. I am Sir, with great respect your obedt. hble servant LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For an explanation of the contents of this letter and its enclosure, see the...
20To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 13 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been able to go today to the office, to attend to business, and prepare to leave this City to-morrow morning with my family. We shall remain at Trenton till it is safe to return again. What is to be said to General Knox. I sent you his letter with a few lines written by my chief clerk while I was indisposed? I believe I signed it. My letter to the President left this the 7th instant. I...
21To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 28 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your note of the 25 inst. yesterday. I had written on saturday to the Lieutenant General as per copy annexed. You will return this paper, with your opinion respecting the proposed arrangements, and say nothing to anyone about its contents (I mean a part of its contents) either now or hereafter. Yours ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; ADf , James McHenry Papers, Library of...
22To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 6 [September] 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosures will explain to you, infinitely better than the longest letter I could write, the objects to which they refer. Do not I pray you, in writing or otherwise betray the confidence which has induced me to deal thus with you or make extracts or copies. I hope you will acquiesce in the necessity which seems to govern, and save us from the confusion which may result from a different...
23To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 10 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 8th this morning. Mine to you to which it is an answer ought to have been dated the 6th instant. I do not, I cannot blame you for your determination. Mr Pickering Mr Wolcott & Mr Stoddert have agreed to make a respectful representation on the subject to the President. You will not of course hear from me, relative to the commands of the President, ’till the result...
24To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12[–27] September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclosed you in a note of the 28th of Augt. ulto, a copy of a letter to General Washington dated the 25 of the same month. You have forgotten to return me this copy or notice this letter. The letter to the President mentioned in my last is still under deliberation. Yours affectionately & truly This letter has been at Watertown near Bosten by mistake from which place it returned this morning....
25To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 13 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I recd. yours of the 9th this morning. Why is it necessary you should repeat to me your request, or require any new evidence, that I will not take the same care of Philip Church as I would of my own son. Let Mrs. Church be assured I will. Yours affecy. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
26To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The sun begins to shine. I reced. this morning from the President a letter dated the 30th ulto. containing the following words. Sir. Inclosed are the commissions for the three generals signed and all dated on the same day. I am Sir your ob sr This is a Regal letter, and at the same time a loyal proceeding. Hasten the military regulations. I shall, I expect, soon call upon you. Burn this...
27To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 11 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
As it may be attended with very great inconvenience to add any new buildings this season to the Barracks on Governors Island, or to add new ones on Bedlows, or Oyster Islands, to accomodate the men at present on two of these Islands, I submit to your decision, whether it would not be best, after retaining such a number of the troops as can be comfortably wintered at Governors Island, to remove...
28To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honour to inclose your Commission as Major General in the army of the United States, and to request your attendance at Trenton or Philadelphia as soon as possible, and in all events by the 10th day of November next. The object of this request is to obtain your advice and assistance in concert with General Knox, and perhaps General Washington, in forming preliminary arrangements...
29To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 16 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
You will see by the enclosed, the steps I have taken, and the information and the aid which I expect to derive from the Major Generals in case it is approved. I know not how all this is to end, and feel perfectly tired of the uncertainty in which so many important measures are kept fettered and involved. I hope you will approve of this exposition, and the propriety of my fortifying or...
30To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 22 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 19th instant. You will see by the enclosed copy of a letter to Colo Stevens dated 21st of august the instructions which respect the fortifications on Governors, Bedlows and Ellis’s Islands. In conformity with your opinion I have directed Col Stevens to contract for the necessary additional barracks on Governors Island, and to have such buildings as...
31To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [10 November 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of yesterday this morning at 5 o’clock. mr wolcott will send instructions by the express to secure the powder provisionally for the public. We do not absolutely want the article, and could go on for some time without it. I think it right however that it should not leave the country. Yours affectionately ADf , James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found....
32To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received this moment your two letters of the 16 & 17th instant, and have read them over cursorily tho’ not without fully understanding them. I intend that the recruiting service shall be wholly confided to you and shall send you the printed instructions and a copy of the English system on which they are founded. It cannot however be entered upon immediately or until our cloathing is in...
33To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 28 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment received two letters from you under dates of the 20th & one dated the 26th. The President desired the list of nominations to be submitted to the heads of Departments for their observations; and I have not yet been favoured with these observations. I mean from all of these gentlemen. I expect them to day, and that the nominations will be made on monday. Col Smith’s name will...
34To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 5 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of my report. To give facility to the committee I think it would be proper that you should forthwith throw the 17 propositions it contains into the form of a bill, and send me the same as soon as possible. I shall write you on Monday if possible relative to preparatory steps for commencing early the recruiting service. I expect daily a report from Mr Francis shewing the...
35To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 9 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter dated the 7th. instant. The President has directed me to signify to you that he considers you in service from the first day of November 1798 in consequence of your being summoned by letter bearing date the 15 October to attend at Philadelphia or Trenton as soon as possible and in all events by the 10 November. Your pay and emoluments will therefore take date from...
36To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 9 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The official letter of this date fixes the commencement of your pay and emoluments. I shall as soon as possible define your duties and command. In the mean while I should be glad to have your own ideas on the subject. You will proceed on your report for a system of tactics & discipline. You will also endeavour to ascertain the best positions for your recruiting parties and general rendzvouses...
37To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 10 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you on the to request you to prepare a bill conformably to the propositions contained in my report of the 24th of Decr. ulto to the President. This morning Gen. Gun of the Committee of the Senate to whom this report has been committed waited upon me with a request from the Committee that I should prepare and furnish them with a draught of two bills, one comprising whatever in the...
38To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 11 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Permit me in addition to what I said yesterday to request, that laying aside other business you will occupy yourself on the two military bills only. The session is short, and but little of it to come. If possible let me have the bills by mondays mail or at furthest tuesdays. I have not been able to ascertain what part some of our friends in the house mean to take respecting the appropriations...
39To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 21 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, January 21, 1799. Encloses the “Proceedings of two Military Courts, held on Governeurs Island, one a General Court Martial on the 5th of September, the other a Garrison Court Martial on the 25. of the same month” and discusses “certain irregularities … of the said Proceedings.” Asks “Two Questions affecting the Legality of the General Court Martial.… 1st Can the Commandant of a...
40To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 21 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The Inclosed Schedule shews 1st Certain names contained in the list made out by the Generals, not sent to the Senate. 2d The names of those postponed by the Senate & 3d One name negatived by the Senate. I have not had an opportunity of learning from the Senators their reasons for putting a negative on the nomination of Nathaniel White. Bradbury Cilly declined. Caleb Gibb’s was seriously...
41To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 22 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I omitted to inclose to you yesterday the annexed schedule upon which my letter was a commentary. The General in Chief has mentioned to me in explicit terms that it is a part of his plan to decline the occupations of the office unless, and until his presence in the field should be required for actual operations or other imperious circumstances should require his assistance. That persevering in...
42To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 29 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, January 29, 1799. “Until your instructions can be made out defining the extent of your Command you will be pleased to require the proper reports to be made to you by the Garrisons at New York and West point and to exercise such superintendance over the same as may consert with military rules and usage and to make from time to time the necessary communications to this...
43To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 4 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Lieutenant General Washington having declined agreeably to the condition upon which he accepted of his appointment, any Command whatever of the Army of the United States u⟨ntil⟩ such time as his presence in the Field shall be required for actu⟨al ope⟩rations, or his Services demanded by peculiar and urgent circum⟨stances⟩ it is therefore proper to make such arrangements respecting the...
44To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 8 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your public letter of the 6 and another (private) dated also on the 6th. The latter this morning. Your instructions are and have been some days with the President. The moment he is pleased to decide so as to enable me to proceed you shall have them. I spoke to him yesterday, on the subject: he had not considered them, and seemed to insinuate the affair need not be hurried. I...
45To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 8 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, February 8, 1799. “I have the honor to inclose your instructions and shall send you the schedules and regulations referred to in them as soon as the same can be made out.” LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For these “instructions,” see McHenry to H, February 4, 1799 , which was enclosed in the letter printed above. On March 30, 1799, McHenry wrote to George Washington:...
46To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 8 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Certain inconveniences hitherto experienced relative to the pay of the troops induced me to recommend a Section to be adopted in the Bill for the organization of the Army which having passed into a law is now transmitted. As the greatest part of the Army will be on or near the Sea-board I can perceive considerable advantages of a public nature which would result from the Pay Master General...
47To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 13 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your private letter of the 10th inst. last night. The mode in which the laws are published prevents me from receiving any of them sometimes for six weeks or two months after their being inacted, unless I take copies of them from the originals lodged with the Secry. of State and get them printed. This is what I have done with the organization and eventual army acts, and shall as soon...
48To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A Proclamation of the President of the United States, a Copy of which I enclose, will inform you that a combination to defeat the execution of the Laws, for the valuation of lands, and Dwelling houses, have existed, in the Counties of Northampton Montgomery, and Bucks in the State of Pennsylvania, and proceeded in a manner subversive of the just authority of the Government, and that certain...
49To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 15 instant with alterations and additions proposed to be made to the recruiting instructions. These have been considered, generally adopted, and with some further alterations will be put into the hands of a printer to day, and a sufficient number of Copies sent you as soon as they shall be printed. With great respect I am Sir Your obedient servant LS ,...
50To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 March 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, March 19, 1799. Encloses “copies of two Letters from General Wilkinson, one dated Novr. 6, the other Decr. 6, 1798.…” LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. In this letter James Wilkinson wrote in part: “It is impossible for me to ascertain the Fact, but I have cause to believe that Governor [Manuel] Gayoso [de Lemos], notwithstanding his professions … has held connivance...