1To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12 January 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 4th inst on Saturday last. After giving as much consideration as I could to the subject of the election of a President, which I perceived from conversation with some of the members of Congress who were here at christmas was likely to assume a serious form, it appeared to me that the proper line for the federal party to pursue in the case, was, to acquiesce with a...
2To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 31 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recd. a letter from Mr. W. this morning in which he says. “I have made enquiry respecting the declaration of Mr. Adams while in London in Nov. 1783—it seems he thought negociations could be better conducted there than in a foreign country, and observes—‘Here with the most perfect politeness to ministers we may keep them in awe; a visit to a distinguished member of opposition, even...
3To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 1 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
What is past and cannot be amended between friends had better be forgotten. Let it be so if you please. I am content. I have since your last reflected upon the policy & necessity of your replying to the answers to your animadversions on the character & conduct of the President, and incline to beleive that it would be wiser to suspend, for the present any further publication on the subject....
4To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 November 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 13 inst yesterday evening. [Altho’ I am not pleased at the facts attached to my name, in your letter to the President, having been brought into public view, without my consent, I can conceive nevertheless what might have prevented you from not requesting it. This supposed reason has weight if the facts could be considered of consequence, still however, in a case...
5To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12 October 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Wolcott informed me by a letter recd yesterday evening that he was to leave the seat of Government (on a visit to his family) to day. He goes by way of Lancaster & I expect will pass through to New York in which case I pray you to give him the inclosed letter. If any accident should prevent his seeing you, be pleased to send it to him. It will shew you what I think of things here and my...
6To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 4 September 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I recd. this morning your letter dated the 27 Ulto. with the one at first intended for Major Jackson. I sincerely beleive that there is not one of your friends who have paid the least attention to the insinuations attempted to be cast on the legitimacy of your birth, or who would care or respect you less were all that your enemies say or impute on this head true. I think it will be most...
7Enclosure: James McHenry to Philemon Dickinson, [3 September 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
In Maryland from causes which you will easily comprehend it will be extremely difficult, if at all possible to bring the federalists generally into vigorous action, in favour of Mr. Adams, and yet from the force of the impulse which has been given to the people before the subject could be understood, it is likely, whether the electors be chosen by the people, or the Legislature, that Mr. Adams...
8To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 22 August 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Do you possess enough of the second sight to tell me what our friends have done and intend doing to the Eastward? God forgive me, if I make false calculations about them or deliver myself up too easily to dreams and reveries. I see nothing ex cathedra in that division of Country from which I can augur a determination adverse to the election of the present chief. Johnson says somewhere, in his...
9Enclosure: James McHenry to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 22 July 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Have our party shewn that they possess the necessary skill and courage to deserve to be continued to govern? What have they done? They did not (with a few exceptions) knowing the disease , the man and his nature, meet it when it first appeared, like wise and resolute patriots: they tampered with it, and thought of palliations down to the last day of the late session of Congress. Nay their...
10To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 2 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I placed Mr. Stoddert (who acts as Secretary of war under a temporary commission) this morning about 11 o’clock in the chair I have usually occupied; I then formally laid upon his head eight volumes of the “code militaire” by Briquet with Caesars commentaries in French; kept them upon it ’till he was nearly stupified, when I pronounced him duly installed and as well qualified to discharge the...
11To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit copy of a letter, I have left in the Office—addressed to my successor in the Department of War—detailing & explaining certain measures which have been taken in my administration—and recommending certain objects to his peculiar attention. I have the honor to be with perfect consideration, Sir, / Your Obedient Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
12To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully takes the Liberty to transmit to the President of the United States, a statement of his recollection of the substance and incidents of the Conversation which passed between them the evening preceding the Resignation of his office, committed to Writing immediately afterwards. He also transmits Copies of sundry papers having reference to certain parts of that...
13Enclosure: James McHenry to John Adams, 31 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of war respectfully takes the liberty to transmit to the President of the U. States, a statement of his recollection of the substance and incidents of the conversation which passed between them the evening preceding the resignation of his office, committed to writing immediately afterwards. He also transmits copies of sundry papers having reference to certain parts of that...
14Enclosure: James McHenry to John Adams, 31 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I respectfully take the Liberty to state to you my recollection of the substance and incidents of the conversation which passed between us on the evening (the 5th instt) preceding my Resignation of the Office of Secretary for the Department of War. I dined on the same day with Mr Nicklin, and was at table when informed that my Servant waited at the door to see me. He brought me a Note which...
15To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 31 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose to your care a number of letters for General Wilkinson, which you will be pleased to deliver to him, in case he should arrive at your quarters, previously to your leaving the Army. I am Sir with great respect Your obedient servant ( LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
16To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 29 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 27. instant. On the receipt of your letter of the 18. instant enclosing one from Lieutenant Yelverton Peyton, a letter of which the enclosed is a Copy was written and transmitted agreeably to your request to Major Jonathan Cass of Wilmington— Enclosed is the Copy of Mr. Peytons letter to you of the 15 May I am Sir with great respect Your obed servant ( LS ,...
17To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are copies of two letters, which you will be pleased to return. They will convey to you my opinions on some recent propositions. Mr Stoddert who will after the 1st of June, exercise the duties of Secry. of war, asked me to day—if I had directed you & Gen Pinckney to thank the troops or say any clever things to them in the name of the President, on announcing to them the order for...
18To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 27 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have laid your letter dated Head Quarters Plainfield May 23d. instant, before the President. It is thought proper and expedient to suspend raising the Battalion of Artillerists additional to the second regiment of Artillerists and Engineers. You will therefore be pleased to attend to this instruction in the orders you shall issue relative to recruiting for the old establishment. The other...
19To John Adams from James McHenry, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to submit a letter just received from Robert Gilmore Esquire, Chairman of a Committee of Gentlemen charged with the general superintendance of, and disbursing of Monies, for the Fortifications erecting at Baltimore, for the defence of that City and Harbour. The representation made so far as it goes, appears to me strictly correct:—The fact that a Committee consisting of...
20To John Adams from James McHenry, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Since my last on the subject of the appointment of Lt. Col. Smith to the command of the 2nd. Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, I have had the honour to receive a communication from you authorizing me to send a Commission for your signature, if I approve, of the measure, to promote Major Tousard to be a Lieutenant Colonel, and another to appoint him Inspector. I have respectfully to...
21To John Adams from James McHenry, 24 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The pressing solicitations of Major Tousard oblige me to represent to you, that the Season is now arrived for prosecuting with activity the Defences contemplated at Rhode Island, and other places to the Eastward. That without the funds he expects to derive from a settlement of his accounts for former extra Services as an Engineer—it will be impracticable for him to meet the expences,...
22To John Adams from James McHenry, 23 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War has the Honour to submit for the Consideration of the Heads of Departments, the propriety of the President’s selecting & authorizing a qualified person to visit and examine into the actual State of the Garrisons, Indian Trading Houses or Factories, and public property of every description, with the manner of preserving or disposing of the same for use or Consumption, in...
23To John Adams from James McHenry, 23 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully submits the enclosed Draught of a Letter to General William Shepherd, General Warham Parks, and Justine Ely Esquire, and the Documents connected therewith to the President of the United States, for his Determination & Orders. MHi : Adams Papers.
24To John Adams from James McHenry, 23 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received your note yesterday afternoon, inclosing a letter to you, from Wm. S Smith Lt. Colonel of the 12th Regiment of Infantry dated the 21st instant. You request my candid opinion upon the project contained in the letter inclosed. Whether his (Col. Smiths) request can be granted in whole or in part, consistent with military and political justice and propriety, without favour or affection....
25To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received your Note yesterday afternoon, inclosing a letter to you from Wm. S. Smith Lt. Colonel of the 12th. Regiment of Infantry dated the 21st. instant. You may wish my candid opinion upon the project contained in the letter enclosed. Whether his (Col. Smith’s) request can be granted in whole or in part, consistent with military and political justice and properly without favour or...
26To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
There is no fact more evident to my mind, than the truth of the position, that it is impossible that our public affairs can proceed under the present chief or his antifederal rival without loss of reputation to all the agents. You are right in observing happy those who are released from the fetter. I feel so notwithstanding the wound my personal feelings received in dissolving the chain. The...
27Enclosure: James McHenry to John McHenry, Junior, 20 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
You will no doubt be somewhat surprised to hear that I resigned the office of Secretary of war, the resignation to take effect on the 1st of June, on the 6th instant, and may feel perhaps a momentary regret at my leaving the administration before you had closed your political career. I will mention to you some general circumstances inducing to this event, reserving a more particular detail...
28To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The six additional troops of Cavalry are certainly intended by the Law, transmitted to you, to be disbanded, as well as the twelve additional regiments of Infantry, and would have been mentioned in my letter of instructions, had the Law itself been before me—but the certified copy thereof, was sent, to have a few printed copies struck off. You will please include in the orders, and measures,...
29To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letters of the 10 May instant. You will be pleased to inform Lieut Blake that his resignation has been accepted and that his pay and emoluments will cease on the last day of this Month— I have no objections to Lieut Wilson being Paymaster to Major Cass’s detachment or to Lieutenant Wollstonecraft being Paymaster to the Second regiment of Artillerists and Engineers—You will...
30To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 16 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have recieved the following directions from the President of the United States —“I request you, to transmit copies of the Law, for reducing the twelve regiments to Major Generals Hamilton and Pinckney, and also to the Commandants of Brigades, with orders to the Major Generals to make immediate arrangements reducing those regiments on the 14th day of June.” In compliance therewith, I do...
31To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 16 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter dated the 5th inclosing a Copy of a Letter to you dated the 4th instant from Colo. Taylor, stating that delays & embarrassments arising from what appears to have been a reluctance in the proper Officer to take up the Business, have prevented a final settlement for monies expended for public Service by the Officers of the 13th Regiment whilst on...
32To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose you an appointment for Nathaniel Baldwin as a Cadet in the twelfth Regiment of Infantry—A Warrant was sometime since forwarded to him dated in December last. But he having produced Certificates of his having done the duty of Cadet since the first day of July last, it has been thought proper to issue the enclosed. You will direct him to transmit his former appointment to this Office—...
33To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 13 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honour to communicate to you, that on the 6th instant, I requested of the President of the United States permission to resign the office of Secretary for the Department of war. To the above request, I added a proposition, that my resignation be considered, as to take place on the 1st of June next, in order that I might be for a short time in a convenient situation, to explain to...
34To John Adams from James McHenry, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you some letters of recommendation in favour of Robins Chamberlain, two of which have just been received. I beg leave to mention that the applicant has this morning mentioned his wish to be appointed in the Artillery I have the honor to be / with the greatest respect / Your obedient Servant DLC : James McHenry Papers.
35To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Pusy I presume is known to you by an introduction from the Marquis de la Fayette, of course he needs none from me. I mention him to you for the purpose only of bringing him to your recollection. He is in my opinion the best informed and best instructed Engineer in the U.S. and highly qualified, by his attainments and actual experience to give the soundest ideas relative to the most proper...
36To John Adams from James McHenry, 10 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honour to present schedules, shewing the vacancies in the 1st. & 2d. Regiments of Artillerists & Engineers, and the 3d Regiment of Infantry, on the permanent military establishment of the United States, together with the cadets in the Corps of Artillerists, and the names of all the Gentlemen recommended for Lieutenancies in the same, with the letters recommending them. In...
37To John Jay from James McHenry, 10 May 1800 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of State communicated to me on the 7 th instant, your letter to him, dated the 16 th ulto, transmitting exempli^fi^ed copies of two Acts of the Legislature of the State of New York. The one entitled “An Act to cede to the United States the Jurisdiction of certain Islands, situate in and about the Harbour of New York” the other “An Act, complying with the Act of Congress,...
38To John Adams from James McHenry, 9 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Among the last acts of my official situation, I pray leave to present the Case of Major Lewis Tousard, of the first Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers. This officer, from his knowledge as an Engineer, and the necessity of the case, in a service and country which afford few Engineers, has been much employed in proceeding from place to place on the Seaboard, to view and determine on...
39To John Adams from James McHenry, 8 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you the proceedings of a Court Martial held at Richmond for the Seal of Lieut James Triplett of the first regiment of Artillerists and Engineers— I have the honor to be / with great Respect / Your obed servant. DLC : James McHenry Papers.
40To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 8 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a Copy of a Contract entered into by Elijah and Simon House for ye supply of rations in ye. State of Connecticut— I am Sir Your obed Servant ( LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing Army contract with Elijah and Simon House, October 4, 1799 (copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). A note on the cover of the LS from James McHenry reads:...
41To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 8 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 5th. instant respecting the resignation of Captain Thomas Chandler of the 14. Regiment of Infantry. On recurring to the files of ye Office I find a letter from you of the 9. January Ulto. on ye same subject which in the hurry of business was omitted being attended to— You will be pleased to inform Captain Chandler that the President has accepted his...
42To John Adams from James McHenry, 7 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose a note from Mr Waln received this moment, by which it appears that Mr Wheling declines the accommodation you were pleased to direct me to propose. I respectfully mention that I cannot forbear suggesting, that Mr. William’s pretensions are in my opinion very great, and that the peculiar situation in which he has been placed by his provisional appointment under your...
43To John Adams from James McHenry, 7 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letters were received to-day. I shall take the liberty to call for them to-morrow and to receive your orders respecting them or any of them. I have the honour to be with perfect consideration / Sir / your ob st. DLC : James McHenry Papers.
44To John Adams from James McHenry, 7 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor, to inclose Copy of a Letter received from General Knox, dated the 19th. ulto. in answer to one from me, making certain enquiries, relative to the Claim of Silas Dinsmore late an Agent to the Cherokee Nation of Indians, already submitted to your consideration— I am Sir / with perfect consideration / your obedient / humble servant DLC : James McHenry Papers.
45To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 7 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose you copies of Contracts entered into with William Colfax Robert Colfax and Alexander Richards for the supply of Rations in the States of New York Rhode Island Massachusetts Vermont and New Hampshire—the Connecticut Contract shall be forwarded to morrow— To the best of my recollection they have been twice before sent— I am Sir Your obed Servant ( LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of...
46To John Adams from James McHenry, 6 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to request, that I may be permitted to resign the office of Secretary of the Department of war, and that my resignation be accepted, to take place on the first day of June next. Explanations may be desired of some parts of the business of the War Department, while under my direction, which I shall be very ready to give, and can more conveniently do so by continuing in an...
47To John Adams from James McHenry, 6 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Conformably to your directions, I requested, and had an interview, with Mr. Waln this morning and communicated to him, that if it would suit Mr. Whelen best, on account of his family and connections to hold an agency in the branch of the Purveyor at Philadelphia, at a salary from 1000 to 1200 Dollars per annum, in preference to the Principal office which would require the removal of his family...
48To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 5 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose you two letters from E. B. Dayton to his brother the senator. It would seem, from the representations made to me, and these letters, that the demands of Col. Smith greatly distract the contractor; that he is kept in a state of uncertainty how long any orders requiring the issue of fresh or salt provisions is to be continued, that consequently it is out of his power to make...
49To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 5 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 2d. instant enclosing the resignations of Lieutenants Noyes and Hinman of the 13 Regiment of Infantry— You will be pleased to inform them that their resignations have been accepted, and that their pay and emoluments will cease on the 15th. instant. I am Sir with great respect Your obed servant ( LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
50To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 5 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The Gentleman to whom the within letter is addressed was in March 1799. appointed a Second Lieutenant in the first regiment of Infantry. No information of his acceptance or non acceptance has been received at this Office. It appears that he was recommended by you and Mr. Egbert Benson. Be pleased to have this letter conveyed to him I am Sir Your obed servant ( LS , Hamilton Papers, Libary of...