1Enclosure: James McHenry to Henry Knox, [19 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
An answer to your letter of the 5th instant has been delayed by some degree of ill health on my part. The general disposition it marks accords with the patriotic sentiments you have so consistently manifested. It is extremely regretted that any circumstance should induce you to hesitate about the acceptance of an appointment in which it is not to be doubted your services would be eminently...
2To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 24 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The services of Captain Elliott, who is with a Company of Artillery drawn from Fort Mifflin, and now in Northampton County, being indispensable to make draughts for Cannon and to superintend a laboratory, which it is intended to commence without loss of time, I pray you to direct Capt McClellan, or any other Captain of the Corps you may think proper, to relieve him as soon as possible—Captain...
3To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, first letter of 22 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose you a copy of a letter from Captain Gates dated Castle William Feby. 13th 1799 I have the honor to be with great respect your most Obd Hb St ( LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing Lemuel Gates to McHenry, February 13, 1799 (copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress). On verso of the LS from James McHenry, H wrote a draft of his reply: "Wrote to Secy. The letter...
4To John Adams from James McHenry, 16 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received the inclosed letter and list of persons proposed for military appointments from Major General Pinckney, and take the liberty to request, if the names should be approved of that it may be returned as soon as convenient, with authority to announce to the persons therein named their appointments and to make alterations therein should any intervening information or...
5To John Adams from James McHenry, 2 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am informed that Tench Frances Eqr Purveyor of public supplies, died last night; This event creates a vacancy in an important office, which the necessities of the service, require, should be filled with as little delay as possible. Permit me respectfully to present to you, the name of Mr. Jonathan Williams as a successor to this office. He is a gentleman of intelligence, activity, experience...
6To George Washington from James McHenry, 29 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received, this morning, your letter of the 23d inst. for which I am much obliged to you. I did not in my own mind consider you dilatory in your answer, aware of the nature of your employments, and the incessant interruptions, by company to which you are subject. There are one or two points you mention which I shall say a few words to. The officers of the additional Regiments were put upon...
7Enclosure: [List of Nominations for Senate Approval], [21 January 1799] (Hamilton Papers)
† Nathaniel White Lt: Colonel New Hampshire. O Bradbury Cilley Major ditto. O Caleb Gibbs Lt. Colonel Massachusetts. O John Hobby Major ditto. O John Chipman ditto Vermont. O James Sawyer Captain ditto. O George Woodward Lieut:
8To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 30 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 28 instant. Captain Edmund Taylor of the eighth regiment of Infantry accepted his appointment on the Tenth day of February 1799. His letter is dated Frederick County Virginia. I enclose you appointments for Thomas Burk and John Tennison as Cadets in Colonel Parkers regiment—they have been made out agreeably to the Certificates transmitted in your letter. You...
9To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 24 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are certain regulations respecting the delivery of Fuel, Straw and Stationery, and Horses furnished to Officers. I wish you to consider them, and to offer such additional ones to, or alterations in those proposed as in your opinion may be proper. The last has been conceived necessary to check an evil which may grow to magnitude. I request you particularly to determine how many Horses...
10To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 16 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
In answer to the last paragraph of your letter of the 13~ instant, just received—I observe—That I have already informed you, Law and express instructions from the Treasury Department, to the Pay Master General, have opposed obstacles to making advances of pay to the troops. After a mature deliberation on the subject, by the Comptroller, he appears indisposed to alter the instructions to the...
11To John Adams from James McHenry, 19 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I enclose the proceedings of a General Court Martial held at Fort Sargent on the Mississippi, on thursday the 22nd day of November 1798 by order of Brigadeir General Wilkinson. At this court Andrew Anderson, a soldier, was tried on a charge of deserting his post, on the night of the 31st of October 1798, and aiding and assisting two prisoners to make their escape from confinement at Fort...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 29 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, August 29, 1799. Writes in reply to Hamilton’s letter of August 25 and states: “It is understood to have been the general custom in the Army to act, pro hac vice, as Judge Advocate on General Courts Martial, whenever the Judge Advocate to the Army, could not be present, or that Office, as is now the case, was vacant; it is not known that any established pay or compensation was...
15To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 26 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received this morning the following letters, viz one of the 24th. instant, inclosing proceedings of a General Court Martial, one of the 24th. instant, respecting Winter Quarters on the Potomack—one of the 25th. instant, informing that you had fixed upon Greenbrook for the Winter Quarters of the 11th. 12th. and 13th. regiments, and one of the 25th. instant, stating that Call is the name...
16To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 8 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, July 8, 1799. On July 9, 1799, Hamilton wrote to McHenry : “I have the honor to acknowlege the Receipt of your letter of yesterday with the list of some new appointments, in the 7th 8 & 9 Regts.” Letter not found. ]
17To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 28 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter dated the 21st instant, pressing that measures, may without fail, and speedily, be taken to pay the sums due to the troops of the United States. Observations in your letter, relative to the causes, which have prevented the exhibition of muster and pay rolls, would seem to convey an idea, that in your opinion some delay or failure in this particular is attributable...
18To 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...
19To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 1 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose you a Copy of a letter from the Quarter Master General dated the 30th. Ultimo relative to widening the road from Le Boeuff to Presque Isle, and erecting a few bridges on the said road, and suggesting that the same could be done by a detachment of the Troops. You will be pleased to take the same into consideration, and take such order thereon as to you may appear proper— I am Sir with...
20Enclosure: 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...
21To John Adams from James McHenry, 7 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
Privious to my Taking any ultimate step relative to presenting the names of persons to offices, the battalion added to the 2d Regt. of Artillerists and Engineers by an act for the better organising of the troops of the U.S. and for other purposes, passed the 3d. of March ulto. I thought it adviseable to submit to the attorney General for his opinion the annexed paper. The inclosed is a copy of...
22To 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:...
23To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 13 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose you a letter from his Excellency Governor Jay, dated Albany 7th May ’99, respecting the appointment of John T. Bentley in the army. This letter is accompanied by one from Mr Bentley himself and a recommendation signed by Hosea Moffitt, Eleazer Grant and John W Schermerhorn. When you have considered these letters with a view to the vacancies to be filled up in the regiment commanded...
24To 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...
25To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 9 November 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a Copy of a report made by Colonel Lear to the Commander in Chief and which came to hand yesterday respecting quartering the Troops at Harpers ferry during the ensuing Winter— Dr. Hezekiah W. Bissell resides at Hartford in the State of Connecticut— I am Sir with great respect Your obed servant ( LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress), enclosing Tobias Lear...
26To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 7 September 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The enclosed papers are transmitted for your information—vizt Extract of a letter from Governor St Clair, dated 12 Augt 1799. Copy of Indian information to Capt Mclean of the British at Amherstburgh dated 19 July 1799. Copy of a letter from Govr. St Clair to the Chiefs of the Shawanese at the Ottawa Towns—1 Augt. 1799— I am with great respect Sir Your obedt Servant ( LS , letterpress copy,...
27To 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...
28To 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...
29To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 19 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 16 instant enclosing the Commission of Captain Erasmus Babbet. You will be pleased to inform him that his resignation is accepted and that his pay and emoluments will cease on the 15: May next— I am Sir with great Respect Your obed Servant ( LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
30To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 16 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter dated the 13 instant. It has been communicated to the President, from whom I have received instructions to make the following reply. The Plan you detail, for the disposition of the four regiments, on the former permanent establishment, as the result of communications with General Wilkinson, and the commander in chief, and according with the communications of the...
31To John Adams from James McHenry, 6 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a report, and documents, in the case of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Rochfontaine Commandant of the Corps of Artillerists, and Engineers. I am Sir / with much the greatest respect / Your most Obedient / Humble Servant— James McHenry War Department 6th: April. 1798— To the President of the United States. The Secretary of War respectfully reports. That certain Charges...
32To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 25 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I am directed to inform you that the President of the United States, by, and with the advice and consent of the Senate, has appointed you Inspector General, with the rank of Major General; and to transmit you your commission made out accordingly. It may be proper to mention that the nominations to the Senate for the General Officers of the established, and provisional army were presented on...
33To 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...
34To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 5 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just received the following letters viz. two of the Second, two of the third and one of the 4. of October instant. I shall make inquiry and inform you relative to the quantity of white Cloth on hand destined for Woollen Overalls for the Soldiers. Major Rivardi’s bill or draught, for the amount of the expences incurred in transporting the Troops from Oswego to Niagara and for the logs,...
35To John Adams from James McHenry, 14 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit two letters from Benj. Hawkins Eqr. dated the 25th of May & 15 of June Ulto. with the documents they inclosed. As they do not require from me any immediate attention, I have prefered sending the originals which I request may be returned. With the greatest respect. I have the honour to be Sir / Your most obt / & most hble St MHi : Adams Papers.
36To 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...
37To John Adams from James McHenry, 17 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose you, letters from Major General Pinckney under date, the 12th of March 19 & 20th of April, and 9th & 29th of May ulto. These will give you a continued detail of his movements and opinions, since the receipt of his instructions, and situation of things, on part of the Southern frontier. I also inclose copies of my letters to him of the 10th and 13th of June Inst....
38To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 15 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, June 15, 1799. “I received by yesterdays mail, three letters of the 12, and by the mail of this morning, two letters of June 14th instant.… The idea is undoubtedly correct respecting the keeping an extra supply of Clothing at the remote posts. It is not unknown to you, that from circumstances which I could not controul, even the quantity of Cloathing necessary for the old...
39To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive this morning two letters from you dated the 13th and 14th of April inst with the papers to which they refer. You wish that a plan may be considered for numbering the Regiments and arranging the rank of the Lt. Colonels and sent to you for consideration. With respect to numbering the Regiments, I observe It being proper to commence the recruiting service, in detail,...
40To 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...
41To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, [1 March 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
Will you give a few hours to the formation of a bill, or bills, providing. 1. For the modifications of the two Regiments of Artillerists agreeably to the principles laid down in my report. 2. For establishing the Fundamental School and School of Artillerists & Engineers. 3 For such other points mentioned in my report as requiring legislative provisions. 4 An explanatory clause in the latter...
42To John Adams from James McHenry, 19 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed proceedings of a Court Martial in the case of Lieut: Samuel Hoffman of the Twelfth Regiment of Infantry with a letter from Major General Hamilton dated the 18th. instant, is respectfully submitted to the President of the United States. I have the honor to be, / with the greatest respect, / Sir, / your most obedt. & hble. servant MHi : Adams Papers.
43To 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...
44To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 1 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose to you an appointment for Pearson Titcomb as a Cadet in the Second regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, He is at present attached to Captain Lemuel Gates’s Company at Castle William near Boston. You will be pleased to forward this appointment to the proper Officer with directions to have it delivered to Mr. Titcomb I am Sir with great respect Your obedient servant ( LS , Hamilton...
45To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 4 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 31. of May ultimo this morning. You will perceive by the Schedule which was transmitted you on the 23d of May ultimo that the whole of the articles for Colonel Rice and Colonel Hunnewells regiments were ordered on the 2d and 22d of May. The buttons left Philadelphia for Mr. Jackson on the 28 of May by one of the Stages. Inclosed is a Copy of the order on Mr....
46To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 5 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Trenton, August 5, 1798. On this date McHenry wrote to Hamilton “asking for a list of officers from the southern states and stating that Wolcott holds back the order for clothing.” Letter not found. ] Steiner, James McHenry Bernard C. Steiner, The Life and Correspondence of James McHenry (Cleveland, 1907). , 321.
47To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 29 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 15 August last I received from you the proceedings of a Court Martial in the case of Lieutenant Kreemer of the first regiment of Infantry; the sentence of which was a dismission from the service of the United States. These proceedings were accordingly laid before the President who on the 18 September approved of the Sentence and directed the same to be carried into effect If I recollect...
48To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 4 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 2d. Inst. Inclosed is a copy of my letter to Mr. J. Huntington of New London, to the purpose of entering into contracts, to supply rations &c. for the troops to be raised in Connecticut. Similar letters have been sent to J. Jackson Supervisor at Boston for Massachusetts, to Jacob Sheaff at Portsmouth for New Hampshire, and one inclosed to Mr. Elijah...
49To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 30 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the 28. instant, informing that General Wilkinson had mentioned to you that the Second and third Regiments are destitute of Surgeons, that he particularly recommended James Boyd Junr and Samuel Hayes as Mates, and that the Troops have suffered severely from the want of medical men. It has always been a rule with me, the moment I was apprized that any garrison or...
50To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 3 August 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose you copies Extract of a letter dated Newport the 24th. July from Archibald Crary Esqr. and copy of the opinion enclosed in the same to me of Doctor Isaac Senter respecting the most eligible place for erecting a Naval Hospital for that post. You have already had, the question referred to you, whether it would be proper to erect such an Hospital, on Rose or Goat Island, both of which...