151To John Adams from James McHenry, 29 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War, in conformity with the desire of the President as expressed in his letter of the 14th instant has the honour to submit the following suggestions. 1st Question. It is difficult to fix the precise point at which indignity or affront from one state to another ceases to be negotiable without absolute humiliation and disgrace. For the most part it is a relative...
152To John Adams from James McHenry, 5 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit the reflexions which have occurred to me on the questions contained in your letter of the 14th ulto. With respect to your letter of the 15. I shall give it as early an answer as circumstances will permit, and intreat that you will ascribe the delay to the pressing business of the office and importance of the subject. With the greatest respect I have the honour to be...
153To John Adams from James McHenry, 5 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War in conformity with the orders of the President has the honour to offer the following observations and suggestions relative to the objects of the Presidents letter of the 15th Ulto. With respect to the speech. It appears adviseable that it should be chiefly if not wholly confined to the foreign affairs of the country giving to these with France the primary and prominent...
154To 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...
155To George Washington from James McHenry, 14 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I think it probable that there will be a house of representatives to-morrow and perhaps a Senate on tuesday, the speech of course will be on Wednesday. The speech will state the circumstances which have induced to the call of Congress; express a sincere desire that accommodation may take place; inform, that a fresh attempt will be made to endeavour to effectuate the object; recommend in the...
156To 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...
157To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
In conformity with the request contained in your letter of the 30th relative to an augmentation of artillery & cavalry and arrangements for a provisional army, I have the honour to subjoin the following observations and statements. In order to have a fair view of the subject it may be proper to premise what is the force on the present establishment, and the how it is distributed. It may...
158To George Washington from James McHenry, 15 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have been very much occupied since I had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 29th of May, and even now am very far from being a man of leisure. From the late events in Europe, there is ground for beleiving that England will be forced to accept of terms of peace, unless indeed France inebriated with victory, should require cessions which even the spirit of opposition would revolt at....
159To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
You will hardly stand in need of the inclosed paper to convince you of its writers principles altho’ it may be necessary as a proof of his criminal intentions. It is to be laid before Congress to-day. There are some circumstances that would induce a belief that there is more of French in the plot than British; altho’ Chisholm actually had conversation last winter with the British minister on...
160To George Washington from James McHenry, 9 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday after hearing councel the Senate expelled Mr Blount. Mr Tazewell voted against his expulsion upon very frivolous ground. The affair makes a good deal of noise I mean talk without the plot or project being understood. You will see by the inclosed reports to the President the further disclosure of French projects. It would seem as if nothing short of a dismemberment of the union, and...
161To John Adams from James McHenry, 18 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
The President is requested to return the inclosed letter &c after having perused it to the Secy. of War. Israel Chapin is agent for Indian Affairs. With great respect I have the honor to be Sir / Your most obt. DLC : James McHenry Papers.
162To 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...
163To John Adams from James McHenry, 8 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the Indians on the North Western frontier give indications of their desire to remain at peace and under the protection of the U. States, notwithstanding the various efforts that have been made to debauch them. They have consented that the line of limits should be run, (with an exception by Little Turtle) agreeably to the Treaty of Greenville and the...
164To 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...
165To John Adams from James McHenry, 25 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose the last letters which I have received from and written to Brigadier General Wilkinson viz From General Wilkinson 2. July 7. 1797 1. July 29. 1. July 30. 1. 2d. August To General Wilkinson Copies of the 21. and 25. July and 11. August. From David Henley. one of the 1. August with its references and one from Lieut Piercy Smith Pope of the 28. June with two papers...
166To John Adams from James McHenry, 25 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
Since my letter of this morning which inclosed the last dispatches I had from General Wilkinson and others, I have thought it proper to write to the General relative to the subject of Mr. Powers’s mission, to prevent should any thing have delayed Cap Guion at Massac, any misconceptions on his part. I submit a copy of it. As I had sent off the original to which this letter refers, it is...
167To John Adams from James McHenry, 5 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
The recent death of Doctor Way has left the office of treasurer of the mint vacant, to which Mr John Knap a native of Maryland, but for some time an inhabitant of Philadelphia wishes to be appointed. This gentleman some time since produced to me recommendations from the Governor of Maryland, the Chancellor and one or two private gentlemen of that State in whom I have confidence, which bore...
168To John Adams from James McHenry, 24 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received at this place your letter of the 1st of Sepr. instant with its several references. I have been attacked here with a bilious fever from which I am getting slowly better, a restoration to my former state of health being impeded by the business I have been obliged to attend to and having no assistant to copy for me except a youth my nephew. The inclosed papers from No. 1 to No. 5...
169To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I was too much hurried with business before leaving Philada to answer your last letter of the 14th of Augt and since my arrival here I have had a bilious fever, and more business than if I had remained in Philada, according to which reasoning I ought not to answer it now. The fact is I perhaps should have suspended the pleasure a little longer, if I had not received to-day the enclosed letter...
170To John Adams from James McHenry, 3 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed dispatches from Brigr. General Wilkinson were received the 28th of Sept. ulto. The next day I thought it proper to write a letter to Capt. Guion (a copy of which is annexed) to prevent him from mistaking his duty or misunderstanding any longer the instructions I had sent him, which to me had appeared sufficiently explicit. He seems however to have got tired of one thing, I mean,...
171To John Adams from James McHenry, 20 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received by yesterdays mail your dispatch of the 20 September Ult. Major Lovell sent it from Pittsburg and expected to be here in a few days. The Spaniards it seems have thought proper to make a new move on the Chessboard and fall down the Mississippi. I shall offer no opinion as to its object: It is enough that it serves to discredit them among the Northwestern Indians who will find some...
172To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit the following letters and copies of letters and to request that the originals may be returned with such orders as you may think proper. vz. No. 1. Copy of a letter dated the 16th of Octbr. to Brig. Gen. James Wilkinson. No. 2. (a) Instructions to Capn. Pierce dated 16 Octbr. (b) Instructions to a detachment expected from Tenessee at Massac. (c) Instructions to Majr....
173To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 October 1797 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter under date of the 15th of this month on the 20th inst. In conformity with your desire therein, that I should commit to writing such things as I might judge necessary to be communicated or recommended to Congress at the opening of the session I beg leave to report as follows. It does not appear to me from any thing that has come to my knowlege, that...
174To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed copy of a letter to the Accountant for the department of War, dated the 11th: instant, with his answer of the same date, is respectfully submitted for your consideration. I have been induced to make this representation from the Accountant’s having refused to countersign a Warrant drawn by me agreeably, as I conceived, to my powers, and the practice of the Office; of the general...
175To John Adams from James McHenry, 30 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War begs leave to sub mit to the president certain facts and considerations which respect the situation of his department. 1. That the appropriation for the Salary of Clerks in the War Office is Four thousand and forty Dollars. 2. That this Sum was for a certain time thought sufficient for Seven Clerks. 3. That finding it inadequate to their support it became necessary in...
176To 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....
177To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have been for a long time past so hurried and so loaded with business as not to have a moment which I could devote to private correspondence. This is not an apology for neglect or indolence. I am exceedingly sorry it is true, because I foresee, it may without some change become quite unsupportable. Enjoy your happy situation; or if it is to be disturbed, let it be only by transient domestic...
178To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received this moment your letter of the 28th ulto. The land business being with Mr Wolcott I shall give him the letters and see that they are forwarded by to-morrows mail and the inquiry aluded to made of the Deputy Surveyor if found. Munroe’s memoir has been little read and has made no converts to his party. He has I think sunk in the public opinion. Fauchets publication has done no...
179To 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...
180To John Adams from James McHenry, 15 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to the request of the President the Secry. of War respectfully submits the following observations, on the subject of his reference of the 24th of Jany. ulto. It is an undoubted fact, that there is a very general indisposition to war in the minds of the people of the Untied States, and that there is a considerable part of them still peculiarly averse to a war with the French...