To George Washington from James McHenry, 9 July 1797
From James McHenry
Philadelphia 9th July 1797.
Dear Sir.
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.1
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 having a part of it under French protection would satisfy the Directory. After gaining this point, at which I am sure they aim France will then play for the whole.2
Mr Boardley put into my hands the other day the annexed little work which he requested me to send you, excusing himself from doing it least it might be thought to require a letter of thanks which he did not wish to expose you to for such a trifle.3 I have not had time to read it. I pray my sincere respects to Mrs Washington & Miss Custis and to be beleived what I am your affectionate
James McHenry
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. For the expulsion from the U.S. Senate of William Blount, see David Henley to GW, 11 June 1797, n.2. Henry Tazewell (1753–1799), a graduate of William and Mary and a lawyer, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1794 to replace John Taylor; he was reelected in 1798.
2. The “inclosed reports” have not been identified.
3. This was John Beale Bordley’s 76–page pamphlet printed in Philadelphia in 1797 and entitled Sketches on Rotations of Crops, and Other Rural Matters. GW wrote McHenry on 14 Aug. asking him “to thank Mr Bordly in my name.”