1From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 26 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 26, 1791. On May 3, 1791, McHenry wrote to Hamilton : “I did not receive your letter of the 26th till the morning of the 2d.” Letter not found. ] McHenry, who had served as George Washington’s secretary during the American Revolution, had attended the Constitutional Convention and the Maryland Ratifying Convention. He was a member of the Maryland Assembly from 1788 to 1790.
2From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [2 November 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Your letter of the 15 of October came duly to hand and an answer has only be[en] delayed through extreme hurry. My views on the point you mentioned cannot have changed and I am glad to know how you stand. All that confidence or attachment on my part could dictate will be employed. But nothing is certain. And nothing ought to be suspended on the event. Indeed I cannot perceive how the one thing...
3From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [10 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, August 10, 1792. On October 20, 1792, McHenry wrote to Hamilton: “I have just recd your letter of the 10th Ulto.” Letter not found. ] At this time McHenry was a member of the Maryland Senate.
4From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [23 September 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 23, 1792. On September 30, 1792, McHenry wrote to Hamilton : “I received your letter of the 23.” Letter not found. ]
5From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [27 September 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, September 27, 1792. On September 30, 1792, McHenry wrote to Hamilton : “I received … yours of the 27th.” Letter not found. ]
6From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
It is a good while My Dear Mac since I have either written to or received a line from you. I embrace the first moment I have been really able to spare to say some things to you which have for some time “lain heavy on my mind.” I have been conscious that I owed you an explanation concerning the issue of a certain Inspectorship and I have meditated it ever since that issue took place. In giving...
7From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 1 June 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
I am told the Executive Directory have complained of Mr. Parish our Consul at Hamburgh. Perhaps the complaint may be ill founded but perhaps also he was indiscreet in giving colour for it. Admit too that he is a good man. Yet we must not quarrel with France for pins and needles . The public temper would not bear any umbrage taken where a trifling concession might have averted it. Tis a case...
8From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [15 July 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the articles of War & rather think the case is not provided for by them. I incline to the opinion that The President ex officio as Commander in Chief has power to order a General Court Martial. But the exercise of this power would be liable to too much question & Criticism to be expedient. What then is to be done? The President has a right to dis⟨miss⟩ Military Officers as...
9From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [19 January 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
This will probably be handed you by Mrs De Neuville widow of Mr. De Neuville of Holland a Gentleman who embarked very zealously and very early in the cause of this country—was instrumental in promoting it and as I understand an object of persecution in consequence of it, which was a link in the chain of his pecuniary ruin. I think his widow has a strong claim upon the kindness of our country...
10From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [19 January 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, January 19, 1796. Letter listed in dealer’s catalogue. Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by Ben Bloomfield, New York City, 1954, List DM-2, Item 49.
11From George Washington to James McHenry, 3 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your very friendly letter of the 28th of June, and feel a grateful sense of the interest which you take in my welfare and happiness, and the kind solicitude which you express for the recovery of my health—I have now the pleasure to inform you that my health is restored, but a feebleness still hangs upon me, and I am yet much incommoded by the incision which was made in a very...
12From George Washington to James McHenry, 30 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) Dear Sir, New York Novr 30th 1789. I have received your letter of the 14th instt—and in consequence of the suggestions contained therein, added to other considerations which occurred to me, I have thought it best to return Judge Harrison his Commission, and I sincerely hope that upon a further consideration of the Subject he may be induced to revoke his former determination &...
13From George Washington to James McHenry, 11 July 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to James McHenry, c.11 July 1792. McHenry wrote GW on 17 July that he had received GW’s letter, noting: “It has the Philadelphia post mark of the 11th.”
14From George Washington to James McHenry, 13 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Mount Vernon Augt 13th 1792. Your letter of the 17th of July came duly to hand. I could, with pleasure, spend a day in Baltimore on my return to Philadelphia, if time & circumstances would permit; but it is not for me at this moment to say whether either would suit me; besides, I shall confess to you candidly, I have no relish for formal & ceremonious engagements, and only...
15From George Washington to James McHenry, 31 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Mount Vernon Augt 31st 1792 The characters given of Messrs Smith & Hollingsworth by you, comports very much with those I have received from others, and therefore of the two, the preference is given to the former. But as neither stand upon such high grounds as Mr Tilghman or Mr Hammond, and as it is my duty as well as inclination to fill Offices with the most suitable...
16From George Washington to James McHenry, 21 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Mount Vernon Septr 21st [1792]. Fearing some accident may have prevented my last (enclosing a letter for Mr Robt Smith) from reaching your hands, I take the liberty of giving you the trouble to receive this, requesting to be informed if this be the fact—and if not, what has been the result of your enquiries in the business Committed to you. I have had many applications in...
17From George Washington to James McHenry, 28 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 11th of this month, and thank you very cordially for the information contained in it. I have also received your letter of the 9th instant, recommending Mr J. H. Purviance to fill the Office of Surveyor of the Port of Baltimore. And altho’ you know it is not my custom to answer letters of this description; yet on the present occasion I have thought it...
18From George Washington to James McHenry, 8 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia 8th April 1794 Your private letters of the 31st of March & 3d instt have been duly received. Although it is a rare, if not an entire new thing with me, to answer letters applying for appointments, yet from motives of esteem & regard, & our former connexion in public life, I shall acknowledge the receipt of yours on this head; although I can say nothing more on...
19From George Washington to James McHenry, 1 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to James McHenry, 1 July 1795. A purported ALS was offered for sale by Parke-Bernet, The James McHenry Papers, Part I: Public Auction Sale, (3 May 1944), item 213.
20From George Washington to James McHenry, 20 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Let this letter be received with the same friendship and frankness, with which it is written, nothing would add more to the satisfaction this would give me, than your acceptance of the offer I am going to make you. Without further preface then, will you suffer me to nominate you to the office of Secretary of War? That I may give evidence of the candour I have professed above, I shall inform...
21From George Washington to James McHenry, 28 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 21st & 24th instant have been duly received. The last, in time on tuesday, to give in the nominations of yourself & Mr Chase for the Offices contemplated. The day following they were advised & consented to by the Senate; and the Commissions will be ready for the reception of you both on your arrival in this City. of this be so good as to inform Mr Chase; and, if he is still...
22Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to James McHenry, 28 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
By The President’s order B. Dandridge respectfully transmits to The Secretary of War the enclosed papers respecting proceedings had by Govr Blount with the southern Indians, with a request that he will carefully peruse them & see if any & what parts require to be acted upon immediately. The President desires that The Secy of War will, in his Letters to Govr Blount, request him to make known to...
23From George Washington to James McHenry, 11 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
The letters, with their enclosures from Genl Wilkenson, shew in an additional strong point of view, the indispensable necessity of moving the requisite quantity of Provisions & Stores to the upper Posts of the Army, North West of the Ohio. I therefore desire, you will not only make the necessary arrangements with Genl Wayne (to whom the contents of these Papers might be communicated) but...
24Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to James McHenry, 15 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
By the Presidents order B. Dandridge respectfully transmits the enclosed papers to The Secy of War; & informs him that the ideas on the subject of them both of The Secy of War & Secy of State, are agreeable to those of the President. The President suggests that by consult[i]ng with Genl Wayne perhaps a better distribution of the troops might be had—this however he submits to the Secretary. AL...
25From George Washington to James McHenry, 8 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter presents a serious—perhaps a just view of the subject which has been under consideration—and as I wish in every thing, particularly in matters of foreign relation, to conduct with caution; I request that your letter to the Govr General of Canada; the Instructions to Major Lewis; and all your arrangements respecting the reception of the Posts may accord with the ideas...
26From George Washington to James McHenry, 4 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
Return the enclosed as soon as Mr Ross (under strong injunctions) have read it—Never put papers, improper to be seen, under a cover sealed with a Wafer—At any time, but especially when wet, the contents m⟨ay⟩ be seen and the cover closed ⟨mutilated ⟩ without suspicion, or appearan⟨ce⟩ of being opened. ALS (photocopy), DLC : James McHenry Papers. McHenry wrote a note dated 4 June 1796 at the...
27From George Washington to James McHenry, 4 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
If it is not too late for Fenno’s Paper of this Afternoon, an extract from Chapins letter, respecting the removal of the artillery, Stores &ca from Niagara, to the other side of the River (British side) might afford pleasing information. I presume there can be no doubt of its authenticity. Yrs always ALS , PHi : Dreer Collection. The letter’s date derives from the publication of the suggested...
28From George Washington to James McHenry, 22 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 14th & 15th instant have been received, but not in time to have been answered by the Post of Monday last; being then on my Journey to this place. The ground on which you place the compliance with Lieutt Geddes’s request, appears to be the best the nature of the case is now susceptible of; and for that purpose, I return the Proceedings of the Court Martial and other Papers...
29From George Washington to James McHenry, 1 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th Ulto by Post, with its enclosures (the originals of which, I return) came to my hands on Wednesday. And your other letters of the 27th & 28th by Express, was received about five oclock yesterday afternoon. The accounts brought in the latter, are very pleasing indeed, inasmuch as they will serve to remove the doubts of the credulous (with respect to the Western Posts);...
30From George Washington to James McHenry, 1 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
By the Post, rather than by the Express, you will receive my Official letter, and its Enclosures. For the difference of a few hours, in a case that is not urgent, I would have you avoid sending an Express to me. The latter does not travel faster than the Mail; of course there cannot (unless Sunday intervene’s) be more, in any case (supposing an occasion to arise in one hour after the Mail was...