To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 25 July 1798
From James McHenry1
War Department
25th July 17982
Sir,
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 the same day,3 and in the order, in which they appear in the annexed list, and that in registering them in this Department, the same order will be observed.
Permit me to add to this information, that, as no command can be immediately given to the general officers, the President conceives they will consider it proper, that the pay and emoluments of their respective commissions ought not to commence previous to their being called into active service; and to flatter myself that all considerations of a private nature will yield to the crisis, and afford me the pleasure of communicating your acceptance to the President.
I am, Sir, with great respect your obdt. Hb Set
James McHenry
Genl. A. Hamilton
LS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; LS, letterpress copy, James McHenry Papers, Library of Congress.
1. For an explanation of the contents of this letter, see the introductory note to George Washington to H, July 14, 1798.
2. In the letter which H received, the date was originally July 27, but “5” was written over the “7” to make the date July 25. On the letterpress copy the date is July 27. H thought that the date was July 25, for he endorsed this letter: “From the Secy of War July 25. 1798.” In addition, when he replied to this letter on July 28, he wrote: “I last evening had the honor of receiving your letter of the 25 instant.”
3. This is a reference to the fact that H’s commission is dated July 19, 1798, the same day on which the Senate acted on the nomination of officers to serve under Washington (, 293).