31To George Washington from James McHenry, 13 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter by Mr Fairfax yesterday noon. The Marquiss who does nothing by halves has paid every expence incurred by his present till its arrival at this place as well as the wages and passage of their conductor, one Campion. While here the asses have been carefully attended by my own servants in my own stable, not caring to trust them to the hostler of a tavern, or from under my...
32To George Washington from James McHenry, 18 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 16th this evening and am extremely sorry at the loss of the French mans pocket book; but I flatter myself that your name being on the letters will be a means of recovering it. With respect to Campion the conductor of the asses he has no other claim to your consideration than as a faithful servant. I collect from himself that he is an expert swordsman, and that his...
33Establishment of a National Government, [30 May] 1787 (Madison Papers)
The delegates were considering in place of the first resolution of the Virginia Plan a substitute offered by Randolph: “that a national Government ⟨ought to be established⟩ consisting of a supreme Legislative, Executive & Judiciary” ( Farrand, Records Max Farrand, ed., The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 (4 vols.; New Haven, 1911–37). , I, 33). Mr. Madison—The motion does go to bring...
34To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have just received an express from Baltimore informing me that my brother lays dangerously ill, in consequence of which I set out immediately for that place. I wish to communicate this circumstance to your Excellency that it may be mentioned to the convention should my absence without leave be taken any notice of. With the greatest respect I have the honor to be your Excellency’s ob. st ALS...
35To George Washington from James McHenry, 20 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your election for members of convention being over must have furnished data by which to form an opinion of the probable fate of the constitution in your State. I wish you to favor me with a line on this subject, and whether you think an adjournment of our convention would operate with yours against its adoption. Our opposition intend to push for an adjournment under the pretext of a conference...
36To George Washington from James McHenry, 18 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
It has not been in my power to acknowlege the receipt of your letters of the 27 Ulto and the 8 inst. before to-day. Immediately on my return from Annapolis I sent the peas by Capn Mann with orders, if the wind would admit, to drop them at Mount Vernon, otherwise, to leave them with Col. Hoe; so that I expect they will have reached you long before this comes to hand. Campion for some time...
37To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
Captn Barney being the bearer of the present from the merchants of Baltimore would, I am persuaded, be a sufficient introduction, and insure to him without any thing further a favorable reception. I cannot however omit the occasion this offers me of placing it more upon his own merit. Permit me therefore to mention, that the federal cause in this Town is not only greatly indebted to his...
38To James Madison from James Mchenry, 17 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
To-nights post has brought me intelligence from your convention which induces me to send you the inclosed authentic information respecting the present state of the opposition to the constitution in Pennsylvania. I find the same misrepresentations have been played upon the uninformed with you which was practised with us. You are at liberty to make them as public as you please. The letter is...
39To James Madison from James Mchenry, 26 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
I am just returned from the Eastern shore of this state. I have been in every County save one, and find a laudable determination in each to make a choice of federal representatives for our ensuing assembly. I hope the time for commencing proceedings under the new Congress will favor this intention. If you have any data by which one may judge of the views or plan of the Antifederalists I beg...
40To George Washington from James McHenry, 27 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
It is whispered here that some leading characters among you have by no means dropped their resentment to the new constitution, but have determined on some secret plan to suspend the proper organization of the government or to defeat it altogether. This is so serious and alarming a circumstance that it is necessary to be apprised of its truth, and extent that we may be on our guard against...
41To James Madison from James Mchenry, 14 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your last letter. Will you be kind enough to favor me with your opinion on the following question. May a State lay a Tax upon transfers of book debts notes &c by their own citizens to citizens of another State or to foreigners? The States have a concurrent jurisdiction over subjects of internal taxation with Congress; but Congress have the power to regulate commerce between the...
42To James Madison from James McHenry, 5 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I did not learn till just now that you lodged in Town last night or I should have taken the liberty to have requested you to have called down, My brothers indisposition confining me almost entirely to his bed chambre. Col. Ballard formerly of your State is desirous of seeing you. He will have some business with Congress in which your good opinion may be of infinite service to him. He is...
43To George Washington from James McHenry, 29 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
Tho’ I may be among the last in congratulating my dear general upon his elevation to a rank which few men are born to enjoy, and still fewer deserve, yet I am persuaded you will beleive that I feel as much sincere joy on the occasion as those who may have been earlier in their demonstrations. You are now a king, under a different name; and, I am well satisfied, that sovereign prerogatives have...
44To George Washington from James McHenry, 12 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you, in conformity with the desire of a committee of citizens of this place a copy of an address intended to be presented to you on your way to Congress. It is a small tribute, but I can assure you it contains nothing which every one here does not feel. I recd your letter of the 1st instant. I must confess your reasons are of the most considerate kind, but you did...
45To George Washington from James McHenry, 17 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Baltimore, 17 April 1789. Recommends for office Robert Purviance, Joshua Barney, and Robert Ballard. “Should these persons be found acceptable I can assure you that it will give great joy to the federalists of this town. The cause in this place owes much to them and their friends. I have one other memorandum which I beg to deposit with you. When the inferior federal courts are organised I...
46To George Washington from James McHenry, 24 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
It may give you some pleasure to know from one who cannot be supposed to have any interest in concealing disagreeable circumstances from you, that all your late public acts, and the arrangements which respect your household meet with universal approbation. Men of different political sentiments have united in your praise. The unfriendly to the constitution have only ventured to observe “that...
47To James Madison from James McHenry, 21 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I was very happy to learn that you had dismissed the first reported bill for the collection of the revenue. In this State and perhaps in some of the others, the Laws were too much in favor of the officers at the expence of the revenue. Here, where the imports are so very considerable, instead of a naval officer and collector constituted to be checks upon each other, the whole power was lodged...
48To George Washington from James McHenry, 28 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your late indisposition which has alarmed me not a little makes me more desirous than ever that you should have some person near you who is well acquainted with your constitution and who has been accustomed to your confidence. This leads me to take the liberty to remind you of old Doctor Craik whom I well know, unless he is greatly changed cannot be very happy at a distance from you. I think...
49To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Mr Eiclberger of this place informs me that he has petitioned for surveyor or other appointment in the customs, and begs that I would mention him to your Excellency. I think he served about three years in the late army, since which he has carried on a retail trade with a very fair character. He is a Dutch man and not without influence among his countrymen which he has always used like a good...
50To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 October 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Being obliged to attend our Legislature the first of next month it will be out of my power to collect examine and prepare the necessary facts relative to your queries, at least till after the end of the session; and as a majority of the house of delegates is said to be antifederal I can form no judgement of its duration. Be assured I was not only made exceedingly happy by your appointment but...
51To George Washington from James McHenry, 4 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
About two years ago Mr Copeley an English manufacturer did himself the honor to pay his respects to you at Mount Vernon: Being about to return to his own country he wishes to renew his homage and respects, and has intreated me to recal him to your remembrance by another introduction. I pray you to excuse this liberty, and am with the greatest and most sincere respect Sir your most devoted and...
52To George Washington from James McHenry, 30 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I am much to blame. I have neither congratulated you on your recovery from a dangerous illness, nor yet sympathized with you in those many and perplexed labors in which you have been involved during the late important session of Congress. I will tell you the truth. Every sorrow and consideration whatever has been swallowed up or diminished in the depth of affliction I felt on the loss of my...
53To Thomas Jefferson from James McHenry, 14 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
If I may intreat you to take the trouble to read the inclosed memorial you will see how greatly I have been injured by the French marine minister’s non-compliance with an engagement with the late house of John McHenry & Co. It gives me sensible pain to be obliged to make use of this mode of solicitation for attaining so clear a piece of justice, but I do it because I know of no other likely to...
54To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 3 January 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
You may think I have neglected you from my long silence, but I can assure you I have never forgot you. Having withdrawn myself from every thing of a public nature, this has led me to endeavour to reduce my pleasures as much as possible to a small compass, and this to neglect many correspondents for whom I entertain the liveliest affection. That I love and esteem you, I know you will believe...
55To George Washington from James McHenry, 25 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr McHenry begs the President will do him the honor to accept a small parcel of asparagus sent by the stage. It is carefully packed up in dry earth, and if delivered according to directions Mr McHenry hopes it will be found to have lost but little of its vegetable properties ALS , DLC:GW . Tobias Lear replied to McHenry on 31 Jan. 1791: “The President of the United States has received Mr...
56To George Washington from James McHenry, 20 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Baltimore, 20 April 1791. Mr. Purviance has requested that his name be suggested for consideration for the vacancy occasioned by the death of the comptroller. “His chief reason for begging to be again brought to your mind is the small income of his present office, which last year produced only he tells me 801 dollars, and this year it is not expected to exceed 600. You who do not disdain to...
57To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 3 May 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
I did not receive your letter of the 26th till the morning of the 2d. I immediately after saw Gen. Williams and made such communication of your wishes as I thought most likely to be attended with success. You know his ambitious cast, and that he thinks he could be more serviceable at the head of a great department than collector of a district. I mentioned the death of the comptroller, and the...
58To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 October 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
The electors of the Senate of Maryland have chosen me one of the Senate of our State legislature, and many of my friends are urgent that I should accept. As yet I have given no answer. If you still entertain the project you mentioned to me when in Philadelphia it may somewhat influence my determination. Perhaps the complexion of several European powers, as it respects France, and the claims...
59To Thomas Jefferson from James McHenry, 23 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Fayetteville, Md., 23 Oct. 1791 . The recurrence of an indisposition that might be cured by a sea voyage has interested him in the possibility of a foreign appointment.—The prospect of war between France and other European powers, “and the claims for succours she may bring forward under the 11th article of the treaty of Alliance, in case of being attacked,” makes it necessary for the U.S. to...
60To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 November 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Since taking my seat in the Senate, which I have done more in conformity with your opinion than my own, I have used the opportunity it affords of conversing with Mr. Wm. Perry the gentleman I mentioned to you when in Philada. as a person well qualified for Auditor, and have discovered that had he been appointed he would not have refused. I have two reasons for telling you this now. That you...