1To George Washington from James McHenry, 24 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Once more at home, and I flatter myself recovered from the fatigues of your journey. You have witnessed on your route the great affection and attachment of the people and the sound part of the community, which is still visible in every company I go into, and which I am persuaded will not diminish, though the external marks of it may gradually be less strongly expressessed. This is the least...
2To George Washington from James McHenry, 6 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have received to-day your letter of the 3d inst. which contained the agreeable account of your safe arrival at home, and the objects with which you are surrounded. I am not sorry to hear that you have found so immediate employment; for altho’ I wish the hammering business was over and the smell of the oil gone I do not think either so great an enemy to happiness as having nothing to do. I...
3To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Mrs Murray Mr Murray and Mr Dandridge left this City for Amsterdam. Mr Dandridge had reced your letter on Saturday. He has left a thermometer with me for a post in Jersey. It is a present from you, but what is the name of the post, and where does he live? I believe in my hurry I have not detailed the facts to you respecting Gen. Pinckney as particular as I ought. The principal are as...
4To George Washington from James McHenry, 14 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I think it probable that there will be a house of representatives to-morrow and perhaps a Senate on tuesday, the speech of course will be on Wednesday. The speech will state the circumstances which have induced to the call of Congress; express a sincere desire that accommodation may take place; inform, that a fresh attempt will be made to endeavour to effectuate the object; recommend in the...
5To George Washington from James McHenry, 15 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have been very much occupied since I had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 29th of May, and even now am very far from being a man of leisure. From the late events in Europe, there is ground for beleiving that England will be forced to accept of terms of peace, unless indeed France inebriated with victory, should require cessions which even the spirit of opposition would revolt at....
6To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
You will hardly stand in need of the inclosed paper to convince you of its writers principles altho’ it may be necessary as a proof of his criminal intentions. It is to be laid before Congress to-day. There are some circumstances that would induce a belief that there is more of French in the plot than British; altho’ Chisholm actually had conversation last winter with the British minister on...
7To George Washington from James McHenry, 9 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday after hearing councel the Senate expelled Mr Blount. Mr Tazewell voted against his expulsion upon very frivolous ground. The affair makes a good deal of noise I mean talk without the plot or project being understood. You will see by the inclosed reports to the President the further disclosure of French projects. It would seem as if nothing short of a dismemberment of the union, and...
8To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I was too much hurried with business before leaving Philada to answer your last letter of the 14th of Augt and since my arrival here I have had a bilious fever, and more business than if I had remained in Philada, according to which reasoning I ought not to answer it now. The fact is I perhaps should have suspended the pleasure a little longer, if I had not received to-day the enclosed letter...
9To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have been for a long time past so hurried and so loaded with business as not to have a moment which I could devote to private correspondence. This is not an apology for neglect or indolence. I am exceedingly sorry it is true, because I foresee, it may without some change become quite unsupportable. Enjoy your happy situation; or if it is to be disturbed, let it be only by transient domestic...
10To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received this moment your letter of the 28th ulto. The land business being with Mr Wolcott I shall give him the letters and see that they are forwarded by to-morrows mail and the inquiry aluded to made of the Deputy Surveyor if found. Munroe’s memoir has been little read and has made no converts to his party. He has I think sunk in the public opinion. Fauchets publication has done no...
11To George Washington from James McHenry, 26 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) Dear Sir. Philad[elphia] 26 June 1798 I have received your letter of the 2 2d by to-days mail. If you could know how much I have had to do, and how much I have been compelled to neglect to do, since I received your letter inclosing one to Parker, and the other of the 6th of May, you would most heartily and readily pity and forgive me, had I utterly overlooked the several matters...
12To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
The crisis, and almost universal wish of the people, to see you at the head of the armies of the United States, has been too strong to be resisted, the President has yielded to causes so powerful and nominated you accordingly, which has been unanimously confirmed to-day by the Senate. Thus you are again called upon by all voices, to fill a station which all think you alone qualified for at...
13To George Washington from James McHenry, 6 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am to receive tomorrow the Presidents letter to you, and leave this in the mail stage on monday, and continue with it to Alexandria. I shall not of course sleep much after getting into it till I see you. To facilitate this event, I have to request, if it can be done without inconvenience, that one of your servants may be at Alexandria to serve as a pilot for me to Mount Vernon. Adieu, most...
14To 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...
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19To 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...
20To 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...
21To 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...
22To 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...
23To 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...
24To George Washington from James McHenry, 21 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) My dear Sir Trenton [N.J.] 21 Sepr 1798 I received your letter of the 16 inst. yesterday evening. I thought it of consequence to make another effort, and acquaint the President with a part of its contents, in aid of the representation signed by Mr Wolcott, and to lose no time in conveying it to him. Inclosed is the copy of what I have which you will be pleased to return. I...
25To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received your confidential letter dated the 26th of Septr ulto last Saturday evening. I now return the copy of your letter to the President which I expect will get to him seasonably, and produce a happy effect upon the question it particularly refers to. I had a letter from him dated the 26, this morning, but no notice of the subject of either Mr Wolcotts letter, or mine of the 21st. The...
26To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive last night your letter dated the 30th of Sepr Ulto. I have reason to beleive that the information it contains is well founded. It would be a real and might produce the most extensive & lasting bad consequences, were the army to be composed of men who have heretofore opposed the government & its measures, and beleived in French professions and infallibility. I have a...
27To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received my dear Generals two letters dated the first instant, last night. You will have seen by the newspapers that I have sent an advertisement inviting proposals for clothing for the new regiments and cavalry; but I have not as yet, been able to accomplish a like measure to supply them with subsistence. It is not however too late, as contracts of this kind can be soon formed. When I...
28To George Washington from James McHenry, 16 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States on the 30th of Sepr Ulto inclosed to me commissions for the three Major Generals of the army, signed and dated on the same day. When I considered the communications which may be expected from this department, at the time of presenting his commission to each of the generals, I found myself embarrassed respecting the course which he meant I should pursue on the...
29To George Washington from James McHenry, 16 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) my dear Sir. Trenton [N.J] 16 Octbr 1798 You will see by the inclosed the step I have taken, and the information and aid which I expect to derive from the Major Generals in case it is approved, and also the desire I have to draw you for a short time to Philadelphia. I know not how all this is to end, and feel perfectly tired of the uncertainty in which so many important measures...
30To George Washington from James McHenry, 18 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is copy of a letter from General Pinckney received yesterday morning. I immediately answered it, a copy of which is also inclosed. Yours ever and affectionately ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed letters, both of which are in DLC:GW , are Charles Cotesworth Pinckney’s to McHenry of 14 Oct. and McHenry’s to Pinckney of 17 October. In his letter to McHenry, Pinckney indicates his...
31To George Washington from James McHenry, 20 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received a letter this morning from General Hamilton which I inclose. You will be pleased to return it, as well as the annexed poetry, the production of Mr Horry sent for the perusal of Miss Custis. Yours ever & affectionately ALS , DLC:GW ; ADfS , MiU-C : McHenry Papers. This probably was one of the three letters that Alexander Hamilton wrote McHenry on 19 October. In one of these Hamilton...
32To George Washington from James McHenry, 26 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
(private & confidential) My dear General 26 Octbr 1798 I received last night your letter of the 21 st, and also your private and confidential one of the same date. I find the President is extremely guarded in his expressions; but I perceive, at the same time, that he will not refuse himself to any of your recommendations. I have you will see by my letter of the 16th of Octbr given you the...
33To George Washington from James McHenry, 30 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter of the 23d Instant. I received a letter this morning from the President, by which I find, that Mrs Adams’ health is so low, and her life so precarious, that it will be impossible for him to leave her till it becomes absolutely necessary for him to meet Congress. I regret extremely this circumstance, as well on account of the cause, as being deprived of...
34To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I reced yesterday a letter from Major General Pinckney a copy of which as I knew it would give you pleasure is inclosed. Yours ever & affty ALS , DLC:GW . Charles Cotesworth Pinckney’s letter to McHenry of 31 Oct. from Trenton reads: “Agreably to your desire expressed in your favor of yesterday, I shall endeavor to be with you either at this place, or Philadelphia, by the tenth of the next...
35To George Washington from James McHenry, 9 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I reced about 2 o’clock P.M. Col. Lear’s letter, dated at Wilmington, and a few minutes since, his second letter, dated at Chester. I have engaged lodgings for you at Mrs Whites, in eighth Street near the corner of Market Street, and stabling for your horses at Dunwoody’s which is in its neighbourhood. There has been no fever in the house, and I think under all circumstances, it is the most...
36Enclosure: James McHenry to George Washington, 10 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
It appears by a letter from the President, dated Quincy Octr. 22. 1798, that it will not be in his power to be in Philadelphia ’till near the time fixed upon for the meeting of Congress. In order however to prevent any injury to the public service, as it respects officering the troops, directed to be raised by the late acts of Congress, he has written to me as follows: “If you, and the...
37To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
It appears by a letter from the President, dated Quincy Octbr 22d 1798, that it will not be in his power to be in Philadelphia ’till near the time fixed upon for the meeting of Congress. In order however, to prevent any injury to the public service, as it respects officering the troops, directed to be raised by the late acts of Congress, he has written to me as follows. “If you, and the...
38To George Washington from James McHenry, 14 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your Excellencys letter of the 13th instant last night. Some of the documents which were referred to in my letter of the 10th, I find cannot be completed by my Clerks, in any reasonable time. I shall therefore be obliged to submit the original books and records of the Office containing them, in their place, and request the same may be carefully returned. You will be...
39To George Washington from James McHenry, 16 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
As the enclosed paper, shewing the component parts, number of Men and pay of the Officers composing the present Army Establishment may save you a reference to the several laws upon the subject, I have thought it proper to have it made out and transmitted. With great respect, I am Sir, Your most obedt Servant, LS , DLC:GW . The enclosure lists the ranks of the “Army of the United States on the...
40To George Washington from James McHenry, 16 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you herewith a return of Ordnance and Military Stores, which has this moment been delivered to me by the Superintendant. I am with the greatest respect Your obedient Servant LS , DLC:GW . The enclosure, entitled Return of Ordnance, and the most important Articles of Military Stores belonging to the United States at the several Posts; as herein stated, was the...
41To George Washington from James McHenry, 19 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
The enclosures, have been furnished, by the Secretary of the Treasury, in pursuance of the request, contained in my letter to him, of the 14th instant (copy of which you are possessed of) and for the purposes therein mentioned. You are requested, if you wish for copies, of this view, of the Finances, of the United States, to cause the same to be taken, by a confidential person, and to return...
42To George Washington from James McHenry, 29 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed papers contain the proceedings of two Military Courts, lately held at the city of Trenton, state of New Jersey, pursuant to warrants from the Secretary of War. The dispersed state of the troops in our western country rendered it difficult to collect a sufficient number of officers at any of the posts to compose a General Court Martial and impossible to do so without injury to the...
43To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I submit the inclosed letters to you and Major General Hamilton & Majr General Pinckney. The young gentleman who presented them to me and in whose favour they are has requested to have the honour to present them to you. With the greatest respect I have the honour to be Dr Sir your most obt ⟨st⟩ ALS , DLC:GW . The letters have not been identified, but they may be those written in support of...
44To George Washington from James McHenry, 11 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a schedule shewing the price of rations and component parts at certain posts from the first day of October 1798 to the 30 day of Septr 1799—agreeably to Contract. I have the honour to be D. Sir your most ob. st ADfS , MdAA . See McHenry to GW, 14 Nov., n.17 .
45To George Washington from James McHenry, 13 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
The Secy of war has the honour to inform the commander in Chief, that he expects a letter this morning respecting Col. Hall which if received shall be immediately sent to him. AL , DLC:GW . The letter regarding Josias Carvil Hall (1746–1814) of Havre de Grace, Md., who was given command of the 9th Regiment of Infantry in the New Army on 31 Dec. 1799, has not been found. During the...
46To George Washington from James McHenry, 28 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received two letters from you on your route home respecting my young freind Mr Custis, and one under date of the 16th inst. written at Susquehannah. Your ideas relative to the distribution of the general officers and their respective duties and commands correspond perfectly with my own. I hope no untoward circumstance will intervene to prevent their being carried into execution, and that I...
47To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of my report which I received this morning from the press. You will perceive, that I have used the matter you furnished me with pretty freely, and added several subjects which I hope will meet your approbation as well as the arrangment and general stile of the report. I am still extremely busy and can see no end to my labours. Yours affectionately and sincerely Col. Smiths...
48To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received this morning your letter of the 6th Inst. I was very certain you had made a short estimate of your expenses when you thought two months pay would cover them. I have therefore directed the month of October to be added and the amount Dolls. 523 20/100 to be remitted you in the usual manner which I hope you will receive. This I presume will about face your expences. The letters...
49To George Washington from James McHenry, 21 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
I send you inclosed some minute information respecting the nominations which you may wish to see. I have at the request of a committee of the Senate furnished them with a bill embracing the new organization for the army, and am preparing another for the provisional army, and a third for the Hospital department. I have required from Genl Hamilton assistance and have received it. Yours ever and...
50To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received last night your letter of the 27th of Jany and this morning sent for Mr McAlpin and gave him your orders. It appears to me, that the round cuff and the usual pockets will be neater and handsomer than if slashed and also more dignified. I prefer for the same reason a plain waistcoat. I shall however take the advice of General McPhierson on the different points and endeavour to have...