George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/06-01-02-0057

To George Washington from James McHenry, 6 April 1797

From James McHenry

Philadelphia 6 April 1797.

Dear Sir,

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 very well remember, that before you brought me back into public life I always experienced somewhat of restlessness in the interval between dropping one pursuit and finding out another.

I have seen Gen. Lee, and have no reason to suppose from his information that any thing has happened to affect the house of Reed & Ford. I shall however make further inquiry and advise you accordingly.

I have got the Plate, images, two large Coolers & three small ones in one of my rooms, where they can remain till a fit opportunity offers to dispose of them or send them down.1

Mr Lear had not received the deeds from Richmond when here, but expected them very soon. I believe every thing has been conducted fairly and as it ought to have been.2

And now for a little news which I wish were of a better kind, or less unpleasant.

By Mr Kings last letter, it appears “that Mr Pinckney had received an order from the directory to leave Paris on the 28 of Jany and that he left it on the 30th.” This is the last official information. About an hour since Mr Vaughan told me that the Birds of London had received a packet from Mr Pinckney dated (I think) the 21 Febry Paris, containing letters for his friends in Charles town to be forwarded;3 that he concluded from thence that Mr Pinkney had not left Paris, at that date. I am Dr Sir most sincerely and affectionately yours

James McHenry

Mr Murray Mrs Murray & Mr Dandridge sail on Sunday in the freinds for Amsterdam direct.4

ALS, DLC:GW.

2It is possible that McHenry was referring to the deeds to the Kentucky property that GW bought from Henry Lee. See Alexander Spotswood to GW, 22 Mar.1797, and notes. See also Bushrod Washington to GW, 13 Mar. 1798.

3Mr. Vaughan was probably the Philadelphia merchant John Vaughan (1756–1841), one of the sons of GW’s old friend Samuel Vaughan, a London merchant. The “Birds of London” was the mercantile firm of Bird, Savage, & Bird, which was heavily involved in the South Carolina trade (see Thomas Pinckney to GW,18 June 1797).

4William Vans Murray (1760–1803) was named by GW U.S. minister to the Netherlands on 27 February. He sailed from Philadelphia in the Friend on 2 April, with his wife Charlotte Hughins Murray and his secretary Bartholomew Dandridge, and he landed on 7 June. Murray remained the minister until 1801, acting as one of the three commissioners sent to France in 1800.

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