From George Washington to James McHenry, 3 December 1796
To James McHenry
Philadelphia 3d Decr 1796
Sir,
I have read all the letters of General Wayne, and their enclosures; as I have also done those of Captn Bruff and others, which you have laid before me.1
Note such matters (in all of them) as require particular directions, which I shall be ready to give whenever they are laid before me.
The other parts, which call only for Office attention, will, I am persuaded, meet with prompt & ready dispatch.2 It is my wish to keep the business of the Departments up, leaving no burthen on my Successor that ought, of right, to be executed while I am in Office.
Go: Washington
ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
1. For the letters from Gen. Anthony Wayne, see McHenry to GW, 10 Oct. (second letter), n.1; see also McHenry to GW, 2 November.
The letters from Capt. James Bruff, of the corps of artillerists and engineers, and other persons to McHenry have not been identified. Bruff, describing affairs and conditions at Fort Niagara, made at least three reports to the War Department between late September and early November 1796 (see Bruff to William Simmons, 20 Sept., 24 Oct., and 5 Nov., in DNA: RG 217).
2. For similar directions, see GW to McHenry, 17 October.