To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 August 1796
From James McHenry
War office 3 August 1796.
Sir.
I have received your letter of the 29th ulto with the treaty and papers relative to the Creeks.1
On looking over the treaty I find that it leaves to the President to mark the boundary line at such time and in such manner as he may direct. It is however mentioned by the commissioners, that since signing the treaty “several of the chiefs have urged that the President should cause the line to be run as soon as possible and make choice of the places for the posts,” to which they add “we have promised them they shall hear from the President in four months.”
I shall consider the whole and report upon it as soon as possible.
Captn Bruff received possession of Oswego on the 14th ulto. I transmit his letters announcing the event which came to hand yesterday.2 That part of letter, July the 15, included in brackets, I have thought would be agreeable to you should be published. I shall therefore send it to one of the printers.3
I presume it will be proper to provide for supplying the garrisons of Oswego and Niagara with wood in the manner suggested by Cap. Bruff and at the same time to allow each post a siene.
From the arrangements relative to provisions I expect that the troops will be well and regularly supplied. I have also been collecting to West point the recruits within a certain circle to form another small detachment for Niagara.4 I have the honour to be with the greatest respect Sir your most ob. st
James McHenry
ALS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
1. For GW’s letter to McHenry dated 29 July, see McHenry to GW, 25 July, n.4.
2. The enclosed letters from Capt. James Bruff have not been identified.
3. The Gazette of the United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser for 3 Aug. printed an extract from Bruff’s letter to McHenry “dated Fort Oswego or Ontario, July 15 … I have the pleasure to announce that the British commandant at Fort Ontario wrote to me on the 13th instant that the king’s stores were embarked and sent off; that he wished to get away with the detachment next morning at day light, and requested me to send an officer that day as early as possible.
“In consequence of this information and request, I instantly dispatched an officer; and next day (being the 14th) followed with the troops and two field pieces. On my arrival found the British garrison gone and Lieut. Elmer in possession of the fort. Immediately I landed the detachment and artillery and marched in, the music playing the President’s march; and under a federal salute, displayed the flag of the United States from the citadel.
“With pleasure I mention that the British commandant left the barracks and every other building clean, and in the best order they would admit of.” The British also “left their gardens filled with vegetables and fruit.”