From George Washington to James McHenry, 25 August 1799
To James McHenry
Mount Vernon 25th August 1799
Sir,
Some of the Officers of Cavalry, who accepted their appointments, and were informed by you in the Public Gazettes, that their Pay would commence therewith, have applied to me to know where, & in what manner they were to draw for it.
Not being able to supply them on these points, I take the liberty of troubling you with this Address, on the subject; that I may be enabled to answer any enquiries of the sort in future.1 With great esteem & respect I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most Obedt Hble Servt
Go: Washington
ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW. GW traced over a portion of the letterpress copy with a pencil.
1. McHenry responded from Trenton on 4 Sept.: “In answer to your letter of the 25th of August ultimo, I beg you to inform such of the Officers of the Cavalry who have applied to you to know where and in what manner they are to draw for their pay; that there being no paymaster appointed to the Regiment, they may draw upon the paymaster General at the Seat of Government for their pay and Forage Money from the date of their acceptance to the 31st of August ulto inclusive, except those who have received an advance from the Accountant’s Office who will draw upon him for the Balance due to them up to that period” (DLC:GW).