From George Washington to James McHenry, 28 July 1798
To James McHenry
Mount Vernon 28th July 1798
Dear Sir,
From a mistaken idea, numberless applications for appointments in the Army of the U. States are made to me. Where the applicants are known, or come under favourable auspices, I shall think it a duty incumbent on me to transmit them to the War Office.1
Mr Triplet’s family are respectable—of his medical or Surgical abilities I have no knowledge; Colo. Little whose letter I enclose, is the Lieutenant of this County; a Gentleman of character, and one on whom entire confidence may be placed; but I have advised him, notwithstanding, to obtain a line from Doctr Craik the Physician General, who must be acquainted with him as they are both residents of Alexandria.2 I am—Dear Sir Your Obedient Servt
Go: Washington
ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW.
1. GW sometimes refers to the letters that he is forwarding, and McHenry sometimes refers to having received such letters, but most of them were destroyed when the War Department papers were lost in a fire in 1802.
2. No letter from Thomas Triplett, Jr. (1776–1863), son of Thomas Triplett (1732–1780), nor one recommending him has been found. Triplett was awarded a degree by the college in Philadelphia in 1799 after he submitted his thesis on apoplexy. Charles Little (c.1744–1813), a Scot who arrived in Virginia in 1768, was married to Mary Manley. They lived at Cleesh near Cameron in Fairfax County.