61To John Adams from James McHenry, 4 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
The more I contemplate the detail of organizing the twelve regiments of Infantry, to be raised; the more I percieve the difficulty of effecting it, with a dispatch proportioned to the emergency, and to the Public expectation. If the course is to be, first to concenter information in this department, from all quarters of the United States; then to digest an arrangment, to communicate it to you...
62To 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.
63To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 6 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Trenton, August 6, 1798. On this date McHenry wrote to Hamilton “stating that he is indisposed and feverish, and told of the rejection of the nomination of W. S. Smith as adjutant general, and of the need that the appointments should be hastened.” Letter not found. ] Executive Journal , I Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate (Washington, 1828), I. , 292, 293. Steiner, James...
64To George Washington from James McHenry, 6 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Feeling myself very much indisposed & feverish I think it best to acknowledge your letters of the 29th & 31st of July & the 1 & 2 of Augt. I have written a letter to the President relative to an arrangement for the speedy appointment of the officers to the 12 regiments &c. and other subjects relative to the army, in which I give it as my opinion that you have a right to appoint whenever you...
65To George Washington from James McHenry, 8 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to be obliged to communicate to you, that a malignant fever, has again not only made its appearance, but some progress in this unfortunate City; and that an attack of my old bilious complaint, at present confines me, and prevents me, from making preparations, for removing my family, and the Office. The enclosed copy of a late letter, to the President of the United States, will...
66To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 10 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have written to the President lately, mentioning that the more I contemplated the detail of organizing the twelve regiments of Infantry to be raised, the more I perceived the difficulty of effecting it with a dispatch proportioned to the emergency, and the public expectation. That if the course is to be to concenter information in this department from all quarters of the United States then...
67To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 11 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have just recieved a letter (of which the enclosed is a Copy) dated the 5th. instant from General Knox. I request you will attentively consider, the subject of it; and favour me with your opinion thereon. I am Sir, with great respect your obedt. hble servant LS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For an explanation of the contents of this letter and its enclosure, see the...
68To John Adams from James McHenry, 13 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit a duplicate of the talk to the Cherokees, and to request, if approved of, it may be returned with your signature as soon as convenient. I shall leave this with my family to-morrow for Trenton, to which place you will be pleased to direct your letters for this department. with the greatest respect and attachment, I have the honour to be Sir—Your very hble St— MHi :...
69To John Adams from James McHenry, 13 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received, on the afternoon of the 10th last, from Mr. Elisha Hall secretary to the commissioners for holding a treaty with the Cherokee nation, the following enumerated dispatches viz, 1st a letter dated Tellico 14th July 1798 signed A Moore, George Walton, and John Steele. 2nd a letter dated 16th July 1798 signed George Walton. 3rd the Journal of the proceedings of the commissioners...
70To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 13 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been able to go today to the office, to attend to business, and prepare to leave this City to-morrow morning with my family. We shall remain at Trenton till it is safe to return again. What is to be said to General Knox. I sent you his letter with a few lines written by my chief clerk while I was indisposed? I believe I signed it. My letter to the President left this the 7th instant. I...
71To George Washington from James McHenry, 13 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am happy to inform you that I was able to attend in the office to-day. To-morrow I set out with my family to Trenton where we propose to remain ’till we can return with safety to the City. Mr Hodgdon has orders to send you press paper, writing paper, and press ink powder. I have also sent to Mr Law, the tin box received at New York from the East Indies, and directed to you. The colours...
72To John Adams from James McHenry, 17 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have just received the enclosed letter and address. General Badgley of Hampton, lives near Baltimore, is one of the wealthiest men in the state of Maryland, and at the same time, influential and respectable. With the sincerest attachment / and respect, I am Sir / your faithful & / obt. st. Perhaps you may remember my putting an address into your hands the day before you left Philada to which...
73To John Adams from James McHenry, 20 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter of the 14th on the 21st instant. After what has passed with, and the conceptions of General Washington, respecting the relative grades of Generals Hamilton, Pinckney & Knox; the order observed by the President in presenting their names to the Senate, and by the Senate, in advising to the appointments, I cannot help apprehending some disagreeable...
74To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a patriotic address from the Brigadier general, and field officers of the third Brigade of Maryland Militia with a letter which accompanied the same from Brigadier General J. Swann, to the Secretary of War. The characters of most of the Gentlemen who have signed this address are known to me to be valuable and influential. I am, Sir, with the / Sincerest attachment...
75To George Washington from James McHenry, 25 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
confidential & private My dear Sir. Trenton [N.J.] 25 Augt 1798 I have not I believe acknowledged directly your two letters of the 10th and two others of the 13th instant, altho’ I have substantially. The copy of a letter to the President under date of the 8th has detailed to you my project respecting the divisions or States from which I contemplated deriving the officers, for certain...
76To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 28 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your note of the 25 inst. yesterday. I had written on saturday to the Lieutenant General as per copy annexed. You will return this paper, with your opinion respecting the proposed arrangements, and say nothing to anyone about its contents (I mean a part of its contents) either now or hereafter. Yours ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; ADf , James McHenry Papers, Library of...
77To John Adams from James McHenry, 29 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge your letter of the 18th instant. The communication respecting the cession of Castle Island was, I believe, made by the governor of Massachusetts to the Secretary of State. You referrd it to me, and I returned it previous to my visit to New York, with an opinion, that it would be proper to accept of the cession, but that it would be right the convicts should be...
78To John Adams from James McHenry, 4 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive your dispatches of the 15, 20. 21 & 23d of Augt. ultimo, with their respective inclosures. The 28th of Augt. ulto. I transmitted by Mr. Hall, to Geo. Walton Esqr. & Lt. Col. Ths. Butler additional instructions, of which the inclosed is a copy, with a commission to the latter gentleman, and on the 30th a duplicate of the instructions by post. No. 1 is a letter from...
79To John Adams from James McHenry, 6 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to enclose you a copy of a letter, and table therein referred to addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury and dated the 3rd instant. The object of this communication is, to apprise him of the sums of money which will be wanted in this department for the execution of the Laws; and, of the periods at which, in my opinion, they ought to be furnished. I shall make you...
80To John Adams from James McHenry, 6 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to recieve by this mornings mail your letter dated Quincy Augt. 29 Ulto. In making out the commissions for General Knox Pinckney & Hamilton, I shall follow the order you prescribe, and date Gen. Knox’s on the first day, General Pinckney’s on the second, and General Hamiltons on the third. You observe to me “There has been too much intrigue in this business, both with General...
81To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 6 [September] 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
The inclosures will explain to you, infinitely better than the longest letter I could write, the objects to which they refer. Do not I pray you, in writing or otherwise betray the confidence which has induced me to deal thus with you or make extracts or copies. I hope you will acquiesce in the necessity which seems to govern, and save us from the confusion which may result from a different...
82To George Washington from James McHenry, 7 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday evening your letter of the 3d inst. I had understood by the public prints you were indisposed, and am truely & sincerely rejoiced to learn from yourself that you have recovered. I think it will be proper you should intermit for some time your attention to business, and avoid the early morning and evening air, as well as much exposure to the hot sun. The President is...
83To John Adams from James McHenry, 10 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to enclose a copy of a letter from the Quarter Master General dated the 21st ulto, and a copy of a letter from Brigadier General Wilkinson dated the 25th of July ulto. I have the honour to be with due respect Sir / your ob & hbe St. MHi : Adams Papers.
84To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 10 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the 8th this morning. Mine to you to which it is an answer ought to have been dated the 6th instant. I do not, I cannot blame you for your determination. Mr Pickering Mr Wolcott & Mr Stoddert have agreed to make a respectful representation on the subject to the President. You will not of course hear from me, relative to the commands of the President, ’till the result...
85To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) My dear General Trenton [N.J.] 10th Sepr 1798 If any change should take place in settling the relative rank of the majr Generals you hope and expect to be informed of it. The inclosed letters will shew you the progress and state of the Question. You will return them, and I am sure will duly respect this confidence. It will be proper you should deliberate upon the part which will...
86To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 13 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I recd. yours of the 9th this morning. Why is it necessary you should repeat to me your request, or require any new evidence, that I will not take the same care of Philip Church as I would of my own son. Let Mrs. Church be assured I will. Yours affecy. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
87To John Adams from James McHenry, 15 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your letters of the 3d 4th and 5th of this month. It is somewhat difficult, I imagine to please the governor of Georgia. I thought I had been attentive both to himself and the State. There has been ordered to Georgia, on the 3d. of May 2 brass 6 pounders; 2 brass 3 pounders with carriages and impliments & 4 Iron 24 pounders with a sufficient quantity of...
88To John Adams from James McHenry, 18 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I inclose commissions for the Major Generals and Inspector of the army of the United States dated agreeably to your orders. At the instance of Mr. Wolcott, I have ventured to delay forwarding the Commissions, for a short time, to give him the opportunity of drawing up and presenting to you a respectful representation on the subject of the generals of the army. I have the honour to be, with the...
89To George Washington from James McHenry, 19 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 14th instant yesterday evening. Be assured I regret and lament from the bottom of my soul the delays, and heart distressing obstructions which have prevented the nomination of the field and other officers for the 12 additional regiments and cavalry. It is not however (whatever the public opinion may be) to me that any of them can be ascribed; for whatever depended...
90To John Adams from James McHenry, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 13th instant, for which I sincerely thank you. It has not only relieved me from some painful impressions, but afforded me ground to expect, I shall be able, when I have the pleasure of again seeing you, to satisfy you more fully that I exceeded, in no particular whatever, the line pointed out to me by your Instructions. Having acted, both...