91To George Washington from James McHenry, 21 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) My dear Sir Trenton [N.J.] 21 Sepr 1798 I received your letter of the 16 inst. yesterday evening. I thought it of consequence to make another effort, and acquaint the President with a part of its contents, in aid of the representation signed by Mr Wolcott, and to lose no time in conveying it to him. Inclosed is the copy of what I have which you will be pleased to return. I...
92To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 12[–27] September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclosed you in a note of the 28th of Augt. ulto, a copy of a letter to General Washington dated the 25 of the same month. You have forgotten to return me this copy or notice this letter. The letter to the President mentioned in my last is still under deliberation. Yours affectionately & truly This letter has been at Watertown near Bosten by mistake from which place it returned this morning....
93To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received your confidential letter dated the 26th of Septr ulto last Saturday evening. I now return the copy of your letter to the President which I expect will get to him seasonably, and produce a happy effect upon the question it particularly refers to. I had a letter from him dated the 26, this morning, but no notice of the subject of either Mr Wolcotts letter, or mine of the 21st. The...
94To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The sun begins to shine. I reced. this morning from the President a letter dated the 30th ulto. containing the following words. Sir. Inclosed are the commissions for the three generals signed and all dated on the same day. I am Sir your ob sr This is a Regal letter, and at the same time a loyal proceeding. Hasten the military regulations. I shall, I expect, soon call upon you. Burn this...
95To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive last night your letter dated the 30th of Sepr Ulto. I have reason to beleive that the information it contains is well founded. It would be a real and might produce the most extensive & lasting bad consequences, were the army to be composed of men who have heretofore opposed the government & its measures, and beleived in French professions and infallibility. I have a...
96To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received my dear Generals two letters dated the first instant, last night. You will have seen by the newspapers that I have sent an advertisement inviting proposals for clothing for the new regiments and cavalry; but I have not as yet, been able to accomplish a like measure to supply them with subsistence. It is not however too late, as contracts of this kind can be soon formed. When I...
97To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 11 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
As it may be attended with very great inconvenience to add any new buildings this season to the Barracks on Governors Island, or to add new ones on Bedlows, or Oyster Islands, to accomodate the men at present on two of these Islands, I submit to your decision, whether it would not be best, after retaining such a number of the troops as can be comfortably wintered at Governors Island, to remove...
98To John Adams from James McHenry, 15 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter of the 30th of Septr. ulto. inclosing commissions for the three Major Generals of the army of the United States, signed and dated on the same day. In contemplating the communications which may be expected from this department, at the time of presenting his commission to each of the Generals, I found myself embarrassed respecting the course you meant I...
99To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honour to inclose your Commission as Major General in the army of the United States, and to request your attendance at Trenton or Philadelphia as soon as possible, and in all events by the 10th day of November next. The object of this request is to obtain your advice and assistance in concert with General Knox, and perhaps General Washington, in forming preliminary arrangements...
100To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 16 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
You will see by the enclosed, the steps I have taken, and the information and the aid which I expect to derive from the Major Generals in case it is approved. I know not how all this is to end, and feel perfectly tired of the uncertainty in which so many important measures are kept fettered and involved. I hope you will approve of this exposition, and the propriety of my fortifying or...
101To George Washington from James McHenry, 16 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States on the 30th of Sepr Ulto inclosed to me commissions for the three Major Generals of the army, signed and dated on the same day. When I considered the communications which may be expected from this department, at the time of presenting his commission to each of the generals, I found myself embarrassed respecting the course which he meant I should pursue on the...
102To George Washington from James McHenry, 16 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) my dear Sir. Trenton [N.J] 16 Octbr 1798 You will see by the inclosed the step I have taken, and the information and aid which I expect to derive from the Major Generals in case it is approved, and also the desire I have to draw you for a short time to Philadelphia. I know not how all this is to end, and feel perfectly tired of the uncertainty in which so many important measures...
103To John Adams from James McHenry, 18 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your several letters under date of the 13th 14th 17th and 21st of September and also of the 4th. 5th. 10th & 12th of Octbr. instant. I shall give the earliest consideration to the objects suggested in your letter of the 10th (which came to hand yesterday) and write you thereon as soon as possible. With respect to this sickness at Philadelphia, that may as well...
104To George Washington from James McHenry, 18 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is copy of a letter from General Pinckney received yesterday morning. I immediately answered it, a copy of which is also inclosed. Yours ever and affectionately ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed letters, both of which are in DLC:GW , are Charles Cotesworth Pinckney’s to McHenry of 14 Oct. and McHenry’s to Pinckney of 17 October. In his letter to McHenry, Pinckney indicates his...
105To George Washington from James McHenry, 20 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received a letter this morning from General Hamilton which I inclose. You will be pleased to return it, as well as the annexed poetry, the production of Mr Horry sent for the perusal of Miss Custis. Yours ever & affectionately ALS , DLC:GW ; ADfS , MiU-C : McHenry Papers. This probably was one of the three letters that Alexander Hamilton wrote McHenry on 19 October. In one of these Hamilton...
106To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 22 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 19th instant. You will see by the enclosed copy of a letter to Colo Stevens dated 21st of august the instructions which respect the fortifications on Governors, Bedlows and Ellis’s Islands. In conformity with your opinion I have directed Col Stevens to contract for the necessary additional barracks on Governors Island, and to have such buildings as...
107To George Washington from James McHenry, 26 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
(private & confidential) My dear General 26 Octbr 1798 I received last night your letter of the 21 st, and also your private and confidential one of the same date. I find the President is extremely guarded in his expressions; but I perceive, at the same time, that he will not refuse himself to any of your recommendations. I have you will see by my letter of the 16th of Octbr given you the...
108To John Adams from James McHenry, 27 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive on the 26th inst. your letter dated Quincy the 17th, inclosing me a letter from his Excellency Governor Jay, and a copy of an act of the Legislature of N. York, with a copy of your answer to the Governor, and of your letter to General Hamilton, and requiring me to submit these papers to the consideration of the heads of departments and according to their judgements...
109To John Adams from James McHenry, 30 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter dated the 22d inst. this morning. Inclosed are copies of letters from me of this date, to generals Washington & Pinckney, also copies of letters to me from Generals Hamilton & Knox the one dated the 19th inst. and the other the 23d. It is with sincere sorrow I received the information respecting Mrs. Adams’s low state of health, and your own distressing...
110To George Washington from James McHenry, 30 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter of the 23d Instant. I received a letter this morning from the President, by which I find, that Mrs Adams’ health is so low, and her life so precarious, that it will be impossible for him to leave her till it becomes absolutely necessary for him to meet Congress. I regret extremely this circumstance, as well on account of the cause, as being deprived of...
111To John Adams from James McHenry, 1 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
I recieved a letter yesterday from Major General Pinckney, in answer to mine of the 30th a copy of which is inclosed. I have the honour to be Sir with the greatest respect and attachment / Your most obt. st. MHi : Adams Papers.
112To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I reced yesterday a letter from Major General Pinckney a copy of which as I knew it would give you pleasure is inclosed. Yours ever & affty ALS , DLC:GW . Charles Cotesworth Pinckney’s letter to McHenry of 31 Oct. from Trenton reads: “Agreably to your desire expressed in your favor of yesterday, I shall endeavor to be with you either at this place, or Philadelphia, by the tenth of the next...
113To George Washington from James McHenry, 9 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I reced about 2 o’clock P.M. Col. Lear’s letter, dated at Wilmington, and a few minutes since, his second letter, dated at Chester. I have engaged lodgings for you at Mrs Whites, in eighth Street near the corner of Market Street, and stabling for your horses at Dunwoody’s which is in its neighbourhood. There has been no fever in the house, and I think under all circumstances, it is the most...
114To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [10 November 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of yesterday this morning at 5 o’clock. mr wolcott will send instructions by the express to secure the powder provisionally for the public. We do not absolutely want the article, and could go on for some time without it. I think it right however that it should not leave the country. Yours affectionately ADf , James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress. Letter not found....
115Enclosure: James McHenry to George Washington, 10 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
It appears by a letter from the President, dated Quincy Octr. 22. 1798, that it will not be in his power to be in Philadelphia ’till near the time fixed upon for the meeting of Congress. In order however to prevent any injury to the public service, as it respects officering the troops, directed to be raised by the late acts of Congress, he has written to me as follows: “If you, and the...
116To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
It appears by a letter from the President, dated Quincy Octbr 22d 1798, that it will not be in his power to be in Philadelphia ’till near the time fixed upon for the meeting of Congress. In order however, to prevent any injury to the public service, as it respects officering the troops, directed to be raised by the late acts of Congress, he has written to me as follows. “If you, and the...
117To George Washington from James McHenry, 14 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your Excellencys letter of the 13th instant last night. Some of the documents which were referred to in my letter of the 10th, I find cannot be completed by my Clerks, in any reasonable time. I shall therefore be obliged to submit the original books and records of the Office containing them, in their place, and request the same may be carefully returned. You will be...
118To George Washington from James McHenry, 16 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
As the enclosed paper, shewing the component parts, number of Men and pay of the Officers composing the present Army Establishment may save you a reference to the several laws upon the subject, I have thought it proper to have it made out and transmitted. With great respect, I am Sir, Your most obedt Servant, LS , DLC:GW . The enclosure lists the ranks of the “Army of the United States on the...
119To George Washington from James McHenry, 16 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you herewith a return of Ordnance and Military Stores, which has this moment been delivered to me by the Superintendant. I am with the greatest respect Your obedient Servant LS , DLC:GW . The enclosure, entitled Return of Ordnance, and the most important Articles of Military Stores belonging to the United States at the several Posts; as herein stated, was the...
120To John Adams from James McHenry, 19 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
There is a very great desire among a number of citizens & gentlemen composing the volunteer companies & City militia, to know as near as may be the day and hour at which you may be expected to arrive here. As I think it would not be right to disappoint their laudable zeal—I pray you to be so obliging as to drop me a line from New York to enable me to satisfy their inquiries, and afford them an...
121To George Washington from James McHenry, 19 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
The enclosures, have been furnished, by the Secretary of the Treasury, in pursuance of the request, contained in my letter to him, of the 14th instant (copy of which you are possessed of) and for the purposes therein mentioned. You are requested, if you wish for copies, of this view, of the Finances, of the United States, to cause the same to be taken, by a confidential person, and to return...
122To John Adams from James McHenry, 25 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
It must be, well know to you, that the pressure of business, upon me, at Trenton, which could not be neglected; the derangements consequent upon the removal of the office, to Philadelphia; the necessity, of making some arrangements, for my family, in the first moments of their return; and the almost constant attention, I have been obliged to give, to the objects, refered to the general...
123To George Washington from James McHenry, 29 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed papers contain the proceedings of two Military Courts, lately held at the city of Trenton, state of New Jersey, pursuant to warrants from the Secretary of War. The dispersed state of the troops in our western country rendered it difficult to collect a sufficient number of officers at any of the posts to compose a General Court Martial and impossible to do so without injury to the...
124To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I submit the inclosed letters to you and Major General Hamilton & Majr General Pinckney. The young gentleman who presented them to me and in whose favour they are has requested to have the honour to present them to you. With the greatest respect I have the honour to be Dr Sir your most obt ⟨st⟩ ALS , DLC:GW . The letters have not been identified, but they may be those written in support of...
125To John Adams from James McHenry, 7 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
The extra allowance to officers detached on service, so as to be obliged, to incur expences on the road, and at places where there are no military posts, occasions frequent references to the Secretary of War, which interfere much, and will still more, in the event of augmenting the army of the United States, with the most important business of the Department. The officers claiming such...
126To George Washington from James McHenry, 11 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a schedule shewing the price of rations and component parts at certain posts from the first day of October 1798 to the 30 day of Septr 1799—agreeably to Contract. I have the honour to be D. Sir your most ob. st ADfS , MdAA . See McHenry to GW, 14 Nov., n.17 .
127To George Washington from James McHenry, 13 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
The Secy of war has the honour to inform the commander in Chief, that he expects a letter this morning respecting Col. Hall which if received shall be immediately sent to him. AL , DLC:GW . The letter regarding Josias Carvil Hall (1746–1814) of Havre de Grace, Md., who was given command of the 9th Regiment of Infantry in the New Army on 31 Dec. 1799, has not been found. During the...
128To John Adams from James McHenry, 18 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I inclose the warrants, for holding two military courts, one, a General Court Martial on Captain Thomas Lewis, the other, a court of Inquiry, on the conduct of Captain Edward Miller, together with the proceedings, sentence, and opinion of the Court. At a period, when the army is to be greatly augmented, it is desireable to establish, the best principles for its police; I was therefore induced,...
129To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 18 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received this moment your two letters of the 16 & 17th instant, and have read them over cursorily tho’ not without fully understanding them. I intend that the recruiting service shall be wholly confided to you and shall send you the printed instructions and a copy of the English system on which they are founded. It cannot however be entered upon immediately or until our cloathing is in...
130Enclosure: Regulations Respecting Extra Allowances to Officers, [19 December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
In all cases where officers are detached on services, which oblige them to incur expences on the road , and at places where there are no military posts , except where the law has specifically provided for travelling expenses, the following regulations are to govern in the settlement of their accounts. I. Every officer detached as aforesaid, besides his legal pay and emoluments shall receive a...
131To John Adams from James McHenry, 24 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to submit, to your consideration and disposal, a Report relative to certain alterations, in the military establishment, which to me appear, to be necessary, and proper. I am Sir / with the greatest Respect / your most obedient / and very humble servant MHi : Adams Papers.
132To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 28 December 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this moment received two letters from you under dates of the 20th & one dated the 26th. The President desired the list of nominations to be submitted to the heads of Departments for their observations; and I have not yet been favoured with these observations. I mean from all of these gentlemen. I expect them to day, and that the nominations will be made on monday. Col Smith’s name will...
133To George Washington from James McHenry, 28 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received two letters from you on your route home respecting my young freind Mr Custis, and one under date of the 16th inst. written at Susquehannah. Your ideas relative to the distribution of the general officers and their respective duties and commands correspond perfectly with my own. I hope no untoward circumstance will intervene to prevent their being carried into execution, and that I...
134To John Adams from James McHenry, 29 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully reports, to the President of the United States, the enclosed List of Names, in part, for Officers to the regiments directed to be raised, by an Act passed the 16th. day of July last— The names on this List, were selected by Lieutenant General Washington, and Major Generals Hamilton and Pinckney, in pursuance of authority derived from the President. The...
135To John Adams from James McHenry, 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Yellow fever has again, not only appeared, but made so alarming a progress in this City—that in my opinion it will be necessary immediately to move the Public offices—It is ted to remove them to Trenton; I write the last paragraph the 7h. of August—haveing waited for some of the intended inclosures, which are not yet copied, but will be forwarded as soon as possible. I am Sir / with the...
136To John Adams from James McHenry, 1799 (Adams Papers)
Answer to Questions proposed by the President of the U States— To the first. 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. It is for the most part a relative question—relative to the comparative strength of the parties—the motives for peace or war—the antecedent relations—the...
137To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 5 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of my report. To give facility to the committee I think it would be proper that you should forthwith throw the 17 propositions it contains into the form of a bill, and send me the same as soon as possible. I shall write you on Monday if possible relative to preparatory steps for commencing early the recruiting service. I expect daily a report from Mr Francis shewing the...
138To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of my report which I received this morning from the press. You will perceive, that I have used the matter you furnished me with pretty freely, and added several subjects which I hope will meet your approbation as well as the arrangment and general stile of the report. I am still extremely busy and can see no end to my labours. Yours affectionately and sincerely Col. Smiths...
139To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 9 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter dated the 7th. instant. The President has directed me to signify to you that he considers you in service from the first day of November 1798 in consequence of your being summoned by letter bearing date the 15 October to attend at Philadelphia or Trenton as soon as possible and in all events by the 10 November. Your pay and emoluments will therefore take date from...
140To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 9 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The official letter of this date fixes the commencement of your pay and emoluments. I shall as soon as possible define your duties and command. In the mean while I should be glad to have your own ideas on the subject. You will proceed on your report for a system of tactics & discipline. You will also endeavour to ascertain the best positions for your recruiting parties and general rendzvouses...