From George Washington to James McHenry, 10 August 1798
To James McHenry
Mount Vernon 10th Augt 1798
Dear Sir,
The letter from Mr Ames to Mr Bent, containing further evidence to his good character, I send.1
The other letter from Mr Carter (who married a Niece of mine) though private, I send also but request it may b⟨e⟩ returned; what he says of a cert⟨ain⟩ character—may be treasured up, but reported as coming from him.2
His brother is an utter stranger to me, and therefore I can add nothing to what he has said of him. The family you know, are among the most wealthy & respectable in this State.
My Nephew Lewis might (but as he has never applied to me, I cannot say that he would) be glad of some appointment. He was an Aid to Genl Morgan on the Western Expedition.3 I am—Dr Sir—Yr Obedt Servt
Go: Washington
ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW.
1. The letter to Lemuel Bent from Fisher Ames has not been found. GW wrote McHenry about Bent on 1 August.
2. The letter to GW from Charles Carter, Jr., seeking a captain’s commission in the army for his brother William Champe Carter is dated 25 July.
3. Lawrence Lewis was an aide to Daniel Morgan during the Whiskey Rebellion, and he was offered a captaincy in the light dragoons in January 1799. See Lawrence Lewis to GW, 21 Nov. 1798, n.4, and GW to Lewis, 23 Jan. 1799.