1From John Adams to James McHenry, 14 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States, requests the Secretary at War to take into his consideration the following Questions and make report of his opinion in Writing. 1. Whether the Refusal to receive Mr. Pinckney and the rude orders to quit Paris, and the Territory of the Republick, with such Circumstances of Indignity, Insult and Hostility as We have been inform’d of, are bar’s to all further...
2From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Situated as I am at this moment I am obliged to confine myself to very general hints respecting the paper of the 15 of April. As to the first head—I think it will be adviseable that the Speech should be confined to the foreign Affairs of the Country giving the primary & prominent place to those with France. This will make the main business the more striking. Domestic matters may follow in...
3From George Washington to James McHenry, 3 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Private Dear Sir, Mount Vernon 3d April 1797 Your letter of the 24th Ulto has been duly received, and I thank you for the information given in it: Let me pray you to have the goodness to communicate to me occasionally, such matters as are interesting, and not contrary to the rules of your official duty to disclose. We get so many details in the Gazettes, and of such different complexions, that...
4From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I now send you a cursory answer to certain questions. They are imperfect & probably will come too late. But court avocations and distress in the family have prevented any thing better. General Schuyler has been critically ill though now as I hope out of danger. My Brother in law Mr. Rensselaer has just lost a favourite Daughter one & the Eldest of two Children without a prospect of more. The...
5Enclosure: Answer to Questions Proposed by the President of the U States, [29 April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
To The first. It is difficult to fix the precise point at which indignity or affront from one state to another ceases to be negotiable without absolute humiliation and disgrace. It is for the most part a relative question—relative to the comparitive strength of the parties—the motives for peace or war—the antecedent relations—the circumstances of the moment as well with regard to other...
6From George Washington to James McHenry, 29 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am indebted to you for several unacknowledged letters, but ne’er mind that; go on, as if you had them. You are at the source of information & can find many things to relate, while I have nothing to say that could either inform, or amuse a Secretary of War in Philadelphia. To tell him that I begin my diurnal course with the Sun; that if my hirelings are not in their places at that time I send...
7From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
By the last Post I was favoured with your letter of the 3d instant and thank you for its enclosure, although, on the same day, I had, myself, transmitd a copy thereof to the Secretary of State. I had doubted a while, whether to forward it to your Office or that of State, but finally resolved to send it to the latter, as it seemed more properly I thought, to belong to that Department. If the...
8From George Washington to James McHenry, 14 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
It is a little out of time, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th ulto; but “better late than never.” and one object in doing it, is to pray you to thank Mr Bordly in my name, for the work he had the goodness to send me, through the channel of your conveyance. I presume the affair of Mr Blount will lye dormant until the Committee of Congress make a Report at the ensuing Session....
9From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [17 August 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are some papers, which were sent me shortly after my return to this City from Philadelphia but which from Mrs. Hamilton’s situation hurry of business &c have been forgotten. If there is any thing to be said to my correspondent you will enable me as speedily as possible to say it. I send you the 100 Dollars you sent me and a further sum to reimburse some money paid for me by Lewis ....
10From John Adams to James McHenry, 1 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received your two letters of Aug 25th. & have read their inclosures with attention. Your letters to Gen Wilkinson of July. 21st. 25th. Aug 11. & 25th appear to me all weighed & prudently and judiciously written. I have considered them with much satisfaction & they have my entire approbation. I return all the inclosures with this letter. I think you are in the right to remove your Family...