51To John Adams from James McHenry, 9 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose, the copy of a letter dated 8. July 1798 the original whereof, I have left with my chief clerk, to be sent by the first mail, to Brigadier General Wilkinson; also the letter from Governor Sumner, which you was pleased to put into my hands, on Saturday. With respect to Castle Island; It appears to me proper, that the cession, made of it, should be accepted, but...
52To John Adams from James McHenry, 12 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here yesterday evening and delivered your letter to the General. I have had much conversation with him, and have now the pleasure to inform you, that I expect to bring you his acceptance of the appointment with the proviso that he is not to be called into activity till such time as in your opinion circumstances may render his presence with the army indispensible. He appears to me to...
53Memorandum, 14 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Subjects respectfully submitted to the consideration of the General of the armies of the United States by the Secry of War 1. Will it be proper that the President should forthwith, proceed to appoint the officers to the army proposed to be immediately raised, by the bill pending before Congress “to augment the army of the U.S. and for other purposes.” or will it be expedient to defer, until...
54To George Washington from James McHenry, 18 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here between 7 & 8 o’clock on tuesday morning, and before seeing my family presented your letter to the President. He was at breakfast with Mrs Adams. They both read it and expressed themselves pleased. The same day I waited upon him to arrange the nominations. They stand as follows and are now before the Senate. vz. Alexander Hamilton Inspector &c. Charles C. Pinckney } Major Genls...
55To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 20 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I retained the inclosed letter which was put into my hands with permission to take a copy of it. I hope every thing has been arranged to your satisfaction, or if not wholly, yet nearly so. I shall transmit you very soon the rules & regulations for the formation & movements of his Britannic Majestys forces, and manual exercise for the same, in order that you may consider and report whether the...
56To 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...
57To George Washington from James McHenry, 25 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you the abridged rules and regulations for the formations, field-exercise and movements of his Britannic Majesty’s forces; also some letters I have received and copies of the answers thereto on the subject of supplying you with aids de camp. I shall employ the Inspector General in revising what I have prepared relative to a system of discipline and police for the armies of the United...
58To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 30 July 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
You must be fully aware how liable the Executive is to be misled in forming a just estimate of the character of candidates for military appointments, when it must, so often, depend upon recommendations that may have been obtained by the importunity of applicants, from a desire to oblige some friend, or to avoid creating an enemy or, perhaps given in the hope that the army may serve to suppress...
59Enclosure: 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...
60To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
This will serve for scarce any other purpose than to acknowledge your letter of the 22 July ulto and two others respecting candidates for military appointments. I inclose the act to augment the army of the U.S. You will see that it does not provide for a Quarter Master General, and that the Provisional army law provides that the Quarter Master General under it shall have the rank & pay of Lt...