1To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 22[–23] October 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
I obey you. The homilies you delivered in Congress are still recollected with pleasure. The impressions they made are in favor of your integrity and no one but believes you a man of honor and republican principles. Were you ten years older and twenty thousand pounds richer, there is no doubt but that you might obtain the suffrages of Congress for the highest office in their gift. You are...
2To Benjamin Franklin from James McHenry, 24 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As it may be a satisfaction to the friends of the Marquiss de la Fayette, to learn that his visit to this country has been extremely flattering to its citizens, and that his reception has been marked by every circumstance expressive of gratitude and respect, I thought it would give pleasure to you (of whom I have often heard him express the liveliest...
3To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
Whilst the Marquiss de la Fayette was on his late visit to this country he suggested to me that if I could recollect the train of his military proceedings and commit them to paper, that you would send them to Doctor Gordon who is engaged in writing a history of the revolution; at least so I understood him on this occasion, for the subject being delicate I did not seek explanation. My desire...
4To Thomas Jefferson from James McHenry, 12 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Bentelow who will have the honor to deliver you this letter is a native of France where he goes to forward some merchantile concerns. He has served with honor in our army as Captain, and is a respectable citizen of this place. It being natural for him to wish to pay his respects to the first minister of his adopted country, I have presumed to gratify so laudable a wish by presenting him to...
5To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have just received from L’orient by the Iris, a present from the Marquiss de la Fayette for your Excellency, of a Jack ass two mules some pheasants and partridges, which I shall after some days rest forward to your Excellency. The reason for giving you so early information is to request you send two careful servants to assist in conducting them to your seat. I imagine I must send the birds...
6To George Washington from James McHenry, 13 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter by Mr Fairfax yesterday noon. The Marquiss who does nothing by halves has paid every expence incurred by his present till its arrival at this place as well as the wages and passage of their conductor, one Campion. While here the asses have been carefully attended by my own servants in my own stable, not caring to trust them to the hostler of a tavern, or from under my...
7To George Washington from James McHenry, 18 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 16th this evening and am extremely sorry at the loss of the French mans pocket book; but I flatter myself that your name being on the letters will be a means of recovering it. With respect to Campion the conductor of the asses he has no other claim to your consideration than as a faithful servant. I collect from himself that he is an expert swordsman, and that his...
8Establishment of a National Government, [30 May] 1787 (Madison Papers)
The delegates were considering in place of the first resolution of the Virginia Plan a substitute offered by Randolph: “that a national Government ⟨ought to be established⟩ consisting of a supreme Legislative, Executive & Judiciary” ( Farrand, Records Max Farrand, ed., The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 (4 vols.; New Haven, 1911–37). , I, 33). Mr. Madison—The motion does go to bring...
9To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have just received an express from Baltimore informing me that my brother lays dangerously ill, in consequence of which I set out immediately for that place. I wish to communicate this circumstance to your Excellency that it may be mentioned to the convention should my absence without leave be taken any notice of. With the greatest respect I have the honor to be your Excellency’s ob. st ALS...
10To George Washington from James McHenry, 20 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your election for members of convention being over must have furnished data by which to form an opinion of the probable fate of the constitution in your State. I wish you to favor me with a line on this subject, and whether you think an adjournment of our convention would operate with yours against its adoption. Our opposition intend to push for an adjournment under the pretext of a conference...
11To George Washington from James McHenry, 18 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
It has not been in my power to acknowlege the receipt of your letters of the 27 Ulto and the 8 inst. before to-day. Immediately on my return from Annapolis I sent the peas by Capn Mann with orders, if the wind would admit, to drop them at Mount Vernon, otherwise, to leave them with Col. Hoe; so that I expect they will have reached you long before this comes to hand. Campion for some time...
12To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
Captn Barney being the bearer of the present from the merchants of Baltimore would, I am persuaded, be a sufficient introduction, and insure to him without any thing further a favorable reception. I cannot however omit the occasion this offers me of placing it more upon his own merit. Permit me therefore to mention, that the federal cause in this Town is not only greatly indebted to his...
13To James Madison from James Mchenry, 17 June 1788 (Madison Papers)
To-nights post has brought me intelligence from your convention which induces me to send you the inclosed authentic information respecting the present state of the opposition to the constitution in Pennsylvania. I find the same misrepresentations have been played upon the uninformed with you which was practised with us. You are at liberty to make them as public as you please. The letter is...
14To James Madison from James Mchenry, 26 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
I am just returned from the Eastern shore of this state. I have been in every County save one, and find a laudable determination in each to make a choice of federal representatives for our ensuing assembly. I hope the time for commencing proceedings under the new Congress will favor this intention. If you have any data by which one may judge of the views or plan of the Antifederalists I beg...
15To George Washington from James McHenry, 27 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
It is whispered here that some leading characters among you have by no means dropped their resentment to the new constitution, but have determined on some secret plan to suspend the proper organization of the government or to defeat it altogether. This is so serious and alarming a circumstance that it is necessary to be apprised of its truth, and extent that we may be on our guard against...
16To James Madison from James Mchenry, 14 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your last letter. Will you be kind enough to favor me with your opinion on the following question. May a State lay a Tax upon transfers of book debts notes &c by their own citizens to citizens of another State or to foreigners? The States have a concurrent jurisdiction over subjects of internal taxation with Congress; but Congress have the power to regulate commerce between the...
17To James Madison from James McHenry, 5 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
I did not learn till just now that you lodged in Town last night or I should have taken the liberty to have requested you to have called down, My brothers indisposition confining me almost entirely to his bed chambre. Col. Ballard formerly of your State is desirous of seeing you. He will have some business with Congress in which your good opinion may be of infinite service to him. He is...
18To George Washington from James McHenry, 29 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
Tho’ I may be among the last in congratulating my dear general upon his elevation to a rank which few men are born to enjoy, and still fewer deserve, yet I am persuaded you will beleive that I feel as much sincere joy on the occasion as those who may have been earlier in their demonstrations. You are now a king, under a different name; and, I am well satisfied, that sovereign prerogatives have...
19To George Washington from James McHenry, 12 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you, in conformity with the desire of a committee of citizens of this place a copy of an address intended to be presented to you on your way to Congress. It is a small tribute, but I can assure you it contains nothing which every one here does not feel. I recd your letter of the 1st instant. I must confess your reasons are of the most considerate kind, but you did...
20To George Washington from James McHenry, 17 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Baltimore, 17 April 1789. Recommends for office Robert Purviance, Joshua Barney, and Robert Ballard. “Should these persons be found acceptable I can assure you that it will give great joy to the federalists of this town. The cause in this place owes much to them and their friends. I have one other memorandum which I beg to deposit with you. When the inferior federal courts are organised I...