George Washington Papers
Documents filtered by: Recipient="McHenry, James" AND Project="Washington Papers"
sorted by: editorial placement
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-20-02-0206

From George Washington to James McHenry, 22 June 1796

To James McHenry

Mount Vernon 22d June 1796.

Sir,

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.1

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 relative thereto, that they may be forwarded to the Commandant at West point.

As Major Cushing founds his application for a furlough (among other reasons) on his having been on duty ever since he entered the service in the Year 1791—and because he was permitted to visit his friends in the Eastern States I think he ought to be endulged in a reasonable absence from the Army; counting the time he has spent in Philadelphia as part of it—although it was Not the place to have effected the last of the objects beforementioned; and surely not the best for restoring health, that had been debilitated by a severe intermittant last autumn; (another reason he has assigned in favor of the indulgence he solicits).2

I forgot to obtain a certified copy from the Office of State (with the Seal annexed) of the Act Guaranteeing the loan for the use of the Federal City—and another respecting (if I recollect rightly) the authenticity of the Commissioners appointment both of which were deemed necessary to accompany the Power of Attorney to Messrs Willinks.3 Let these be sent to me by the return Post, & I will cause triplicates to be forwarded from hence to those gentlemen in order to insure the arrival of one sett.4

ADf, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.

1The previous Monday was 20 June. For GW’s travel to Mount Vernon, see his letter to David Humphreys, 12 June, and Oliver Ellsworth to GW, 19 June, n.1.

2McHenry had written Maj. Thomas Humphrey Cushing on 30 May that GW would not grant a further extension of his furlough without additional inquiry: “I have submitted to the President your letter of yesterday and the complaint which it includes relative to Major General Wayne. …

“Were it to be permitted to Officers holding military commissions to withdraw from duty upon every representation of dissatisfaction with their commander on apprehension that if present with the Army they would be neglected in the distribution of commands or from a fear that their General would act towards them contrary to the regulations of the Army and a sound direction; were I say such reason to be considered as sufficient to obtain furloughs it would inevitably lead to a state of things which must soon destroy any army.

“You will perceive therefore in this answer of the Presidents, those principles of discipline and subordination which it is his duty to enforce and that of every officer to practice” (PHi: Wayne Papers). Cushing’s letter of 29 May has not been identified.

3For the requested act authorizing a loan, see GW to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 22 May, and n.1 to that document; for the power of attorney, see the commissioners to GW, 13 May, n.1, and GW to the commissioners, 30 May, and the source note to that document.

4McHenry acknowledged this letter when he wrote GW on 27 June.

Index Entries