1To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit copy of a letter, I have left in the Office—addressed to my successor in the Department of War—detailing & explaining certain measures which have been taken in my administration—and recommending certain objects to his peculiar attention. I have the honor to be with perfect consideration, Sir, / Your Obedient Servant MHi : Adams Papers.
2To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully takes the Liberty to transmit to the President of the United States, a statement of his recollection of the substance and incidents of the Conversation which passed between them the evening preceding the Resignation of his office, committed to Writing immediately afterwards. He also transmits Copies of sundry papers having reference to certain parts of that...
3Enclosure: James McHenry to John Adams, 31 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The Secretary of war respectfully takes the liberty to transmit to the President of the U. States, a statement of his recollection of the substance and incidents of the conversation which passed between them the evening preceding the resignation of his office, committed to writing immediately afterwards. He also transmits copies of sundry papers having reference to certain parts of that...
4Enclosure: James McHenry to John Adams, 31 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I respectfully take the Liberty to state to you my recollection of the substance and incidents of the conversation which passed between us on the evening (the 5th instt) preceding my Resignation of the Office of Secretary for the Department of War. I dined on the same day with Mr Nicklin, and was at table when informed that my Servant waited at the door to see me. He brought me a Note which...
5To John Adams from James McHenry, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to submit a letter just received from Robert Gilmore Esquire, Chairman of a Committee of Gentlemen charged with the general superintendance of, and disbursing of Monies, for the Fortifications erecting at Baltimore, for the defence of that City and Harbour. The representation made so far as it goes, appears to me strictly correct:—The fact that a Committee consisting of...
6To John Adams from James McHenry, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Since my last on the subject of the appointment of Lt. Col. Smith to the command of the 2nd. Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, I have had the honour to receive a communication from you authorizing me to send a Commission for your signature, if I approve, of the measure, to promote Major Tousard to be a Lieutenant Colonel, and another to appoint him Inspector. I have respectfully to...
7To John Adams from James McHenry, 24 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The pressing solicitations of Major Tousard oblige me to represent to you, that the Season is now arrived for prosecuting with activity the Defences contemplated at Rhode Island, and other places to the Eastward. That without the funds he expects to derive from a settlement of his accounts for former extra Services as an Engineer—it will be impracticable for him to meet the expences,...
8To John Adams from James McHenry, 23 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War has the Honour to submit for the Consideration of the Heads of Departments, the propriety of the President’s selecting & authorizing a qualified person to visit and examine into the actual State of the Garrisons, Indian Trading Houses or Factories, and public property of every description, with the manner of preserving or disposing of the same for use or Consumption, in...
9To John Adams from James McHenry, 23 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully submits the enclosed Draught of a Letter to General William Shepherd, General Warham Parks, and Justine Ely Esquire, and the Documents connected therewith to the President of the United States, for his Determination & Orders. MHi : Adams Papers.
10To John Adams from James McHenry, 23 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received your note yesterday afternoon, inclosing a letter to you, from Wm. S Smith Lt. Colonel of the 12th Regiment of Infantry dated the 21st instant. You request my candid opinion upon the project contained in the letter inclosed. Whether his (Col. Smiths) request can be granted in whole or in part, consistent with military and political justice and propriety, without favour or affection....
11To John Adams from James McHenry, 22 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received your Note yesterday afternoon, inclosing a letter to you from Wm. S. Smith Lt. Colonel of the 12th. Regiment of Infantry dated the 21st. instant. You may wish my candid opinion upon the project contained in the letter enclosed. Whether his (Col. Smith’s) request can be granted in whole or in part, consistent with military and political justice and properly without favour or...
12To John Adams from James McHenry, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you some letters of recommendation in favour of Robins Chamberlain, two of which have just been received. I beg leave to mention that the applicant has this morning mentioned his wish to be appointed in the Artillery I have the honor to be / with the greatest respect / Your obedient Servant DLC : James McHenry Papers.
13To John Adams from James McHenry, 10 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honour to present schedules, shewing the vacancies in the 1st. & 2d. Regiments of Artillerists & Engineers, and the 3d Regiment of Infantry, on the permanent military establishment of the United States, together with the cadets in the Corps of Artillerists, and the names of all the Gentlemen recommended for Lieutenancies in the same, with the letters recommending them. In...
14To John Adams from James McHenry, 9 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Among the last acts of my official situation, I pray leave to present the Case of Major Lewis Tousard, of the first Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers. This officer, from his knowledge as an Engineer, and the necessity of the case, in a service and country which afford few Engineers, has been much employed in proceeding from place to place on the Seaboard, to view and determine on...
15To John Adams from James McHenry, 8 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you the proceedings of a Court Martial held at Richmond for the Seal of Lieut James Triplett of the first regiment of Artillerists and Engineers— I have the honor to be / with great Respect / Your obed servant. DLC : James McHenry Papers.
16To John Adams from James McHenry, 7 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose a note from Mr Waln received this moment, by which it appears that Mr Wheling declines the accommodation you were pleased to direct me to propose. I respectfully mention that I cannot forbear suggesting, that Mr. William’s pretensions are in my opinion very great, and that the peculiar situation in which he has been placed by his provisional appointment under your...
17To John Adams from James McHenry, 7 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letters were received to-day. I shall take the liberty to call for them to-morrow and to receive your orders respecting them or any of them. I have the honour to be with perfect consideration / Sir / your ob st. DLC : James McHenry Papers.
18To John Adams from James McHenry, 7 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor, to inclose Copy of a Letter received from General Knox, dated the 19th. ulto. in answer to one from me, making certain enquiries, relative to the Claim of Silas Dinsmore late an Agent to the Cherokee Nation of Indians, already submitted to your consideration— I am Sir / with perfect consideration / your obedient / humble servant DLC : James McHenry Papers.
19To John Adams from James McHenry, 6 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to request, that I may be permitted to resign the office of Secretary of the Department of war, and that my resignation be accepted, to take place on the first day of June next. Explanations may be desired of some parts of the business of the War Department, while under my direction, which I shall be very ready to give, and can more conveniently do so by continuing in an...
20To John Adams from James McHenry, 6 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Conformably to your directions, I requested, and had an interview, with Mr. Waln this morning and communicated to him, that if it would suit Mr. Whelen best, on account of his family and connections to hold an agency in the branch of the Purveyor at Philadelphia, at a salary from 1000 to 1200 Dollars per annum, in preference to the Principal office which would require the removal of his family...
21To John Adams from James McHenry, 2 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am informed that Tench Frances Eqr Purveyor of public supplies, died last night; This event creates a vacancy in an important office, which the necessities of the service, require, should be filled with as little delay as possible. Permit me respectfully to present to you, the name of Mr. Jonathan Williams as a successor to this office. He is a gentleman of intelligence, activity, experience...
22To John Adams from James McHenry, 1 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
An Act of Congress, passed the 4th of May, 1798, entituled “An Act to enable the President of the United States to procure Cannon, Arms & Ammunition, and for other purposes,” provides—Section 1. “That a Sum not exceeding Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars shall be, and hereby is appropriated, and shall and may be paid out of any Monies not before appropriated, under the direction of the President...
23To John Adams from James McHenry, 29 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
Having maturely reflected upon the principal question, contained in your communication, dated yesterday, to the Heads of Departments, and Attorney General, and beleiving it of great importance to the honour, dignity and consistency of the Government, that a public Printer should be appointed by the President, I have respectfully to submit my opinion on the subject. The principal question I...
24To John Adams from James McHenry, 16 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully submits the following observations in obedience to the direction of the President of the United States. The Secretary very much doubts the soundness of the principle, upon which a refusal to deliver up merchant vessels captured by a Belligerent power is founded. It appears to the Secretary, considering the question upon general ground, that merchant vessels...
25To John Adams from James McHenry, 12 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
In the hurry of copying my letter of the 2d. instant, which I had the honor of delivering to you yesterday, I find an error escaped my notice, in the 22d. page 14th. line from the top—the word four being inserted instead of the word six —which was intended. I am Sir / with the greatest respect / your most obedient / humble servant DLC : James McHenry Papers.
26To John Adams from James McHenry, 2 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I find myself indespenssibly compelled, altho’ with the most perfect deference and respect, to represent, that the greatest embarrassments and impediments, in conducting the business of, and well grounded complaints against, the Department of Government, with which I have the honour to be charged, have been occasioned by delays occurring in the office of the accounting officer, or refusals, to...
27To John Adams from James McHenry, 1 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Seccy. of War begs leave to inform the President that commissions have been transmitted, to all the officers of the new regiments whose appointments have been confirmed by the Senate. It would have been a very useless and unnecessary expence to have made out commissions for those appointed in the recess of the Senate, inasmuch as new ones must have been issued on their appointment being...
28To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War in compliance with the desire of the President communicated through the Secretary of State, has the Honour respectfully to submit the following facts and opinions in the case of Captain Levin Jones, against whom a bill has been found by a Grand Jury for Murder. It is respectfully conceived that the Prerogative of granting a nolle prosequi ought not to be exercised but with...
29To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
We have had the honour in obedience to your commands maturely to consider the papers and subject referred to us in your letter dated 29 January Ultimo, and the law of Tennessee passed the 26. October 1799 and a letter from the Governor of the said State to William Cocke and Joseph Anderson Senators and William Charles Cole Claiborne Representative of the State of Tennessee in the Congress of...
30To John Adams from James McHenry, 19 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed proceedings of a Court Martial in the case of Lieut: Samuel Hoffman of the Twelfth Regiment of Infantry with a letter from Major General Hamilton dated the 18th. instant, is respectfully submitted to the President of the United States. I have the honor to be, / with the greatest respect, / Sir, / your most obedt. & hble. servant MHi : Adams Papers.
31To John Adams from James McHenry, 10 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit to your consideration, a report relative to the military establishment of the United States. It suggests several propositions, which if adopted, it is respectfully presumed would ameleorate our military system, and contribute essentially to the security and respectability of the United States. I have the honour to be Sir, with the greatest respect Sir / Your most...
32To John Adams from James McHenry, 5 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully requests the attention of the President of the United States, to certain measures and arrangements, which appear to him to be indispensable to the improvement of our military system, and solicits, if it shall be thought proper, that the same may be submitted to Congress. No sentiment is more just than this, that, in proportion as the circumstances and policy...
33To John Adams from James McHenry, 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Yellow fever has again, not only appeared, but made so alarming a progress in this City—that in my opinion it will be necessary immediately to move the Public offices—It is ted to remove them to Trenton; I write the last paragraph the 7h. of August—haveing waited for some of the intended inclosures, which are not yet copied, but will be forwarded as soon as possible. I am Sir / with the...
34To John Adams from James McHenry, 1799 (Adams Papers)
Answer to Questions proposed by the President of the U States— 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 comparative strength of the parties—the motives for peace or war—the antecedent relations—the...
35To John Adams from James McHenry, 17 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
We have examined the papers in relation to Mr. Pintard, in the hands of the Secretary of State, including his exculpatory letters to the President, and to the Secretary of State. It appears that Mr. Pintard while acting as Consul, carried on trade with parts of the Dominions of the Emperor of Morocco, at that time in Zebullion, and that he persisted in this trade after our Minister Mr....
36To John Adams from James McHenry, 27 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received for the use of the Indian Department, vz. from Francis Mentgis, 350 Dollars, and from Samuel Lewis Senr. 1320 Dollars, which sums have been applied in the manner following vz. 1st. To the Indians who were convened at Philadelphia in 1796 & 1797, in proportions regulated by the influence of the persons and importance of the purposes intended to be effected 1170 Dollars. 2d. To...
37To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the Proceedings of two General Courts Martial, one held at Detroit, on the 23rd. July last by order of Colonel Hamtramck on Sergeant Adams Steer; the other held at Fort Fayette, Pittsburg on the 10th. day of October instant, by order of J. F. Hamtramck Colonel Commanding the Western Army, on Cornelius McMahon a private Soldier, together with the letters of Major...
38To John Adams from James McHenry, 29 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with the requisition of the President of the United States, of the 18th of October instant, the Secretary of War has the honour most respectfully to submit the following suggestions, relative to the information and advice, it may be proper and necessary to lay before Congress, at the approaching Session. That, without descending to particulars, such a general notice should be...
39To John Adams from James McHenry, 25 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
As Secretary of the Department of War, a great constituent branch of the Government of the United States, I deem it incumbent upon me, not only to perform my particular duties, to the best of my judgement and abilities but to prevent if practicable that kind of conduct in Officers connected with the Department, which has a direct tendency, to embarrass its administration, and destroy the...
40To John Adams from James McHenry, 23 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the Proceedings of two General Courts Martial, in the case of Robert Brown a Matross in the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers, sentenced to die, for the situated crimes of Desertion Mutiny, and disobedience of orders, aggravated by a resistance of civil Authority; and of Serjeant Adam Steer of Captain McClary’s company, sentenced to be shot for desertion, together...
41To John Adams from James McHenry, 21 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letters, bearing date the 23d. and 30th. of Augt. and 9th 13th & 14th of Septr. inst. I find on recurring to the case of Augustus de Grasse, that he was left out of service for two reasons. 1st upon information, that he spent in gaming &c whatever he received from the government. 2. Because he could not be made useful in the office of...
42To John Adams from James McHenry, 11 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose, the proceedings and sentence, of a general court martial, held at Loftus’s heights, on the 11th day of April last, by order of Brigadier General Wilkinson. At this Court Lieutenant Jacob Kreemer, of the first Regiment of Infantry, was tried and sentenced. The sentence conformably to the 18 section of “an act to ascertain and fix the military establishment of the...
43To John Adams from James McHenry, 7 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter from Major General Pinckney expresses his wish and respecting an appointment in the army for Thomas Pinckney junr. the son of his brother Major Pinckney. If you think it proper to appoint the young gentleman a Lieutenant in the 1st. Regiment of Artillerists & Engineers I have no doubt but it will be pleasing to both father & brother. Mr Pinckney is a student at Princetown...
44To John Adams from James McHenry, 4 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose you a letter from Major General Pinckney dated the 12 of Augt. ulto containing a request, that Mr. Pierre Gaillard, may be appointed the eighth first Lieutenant in the room of Mr. Charles Boyle who has refused to accept. With the greatest respect I have the honour to be, Sir, / Your most obt / & most hble st. MHi : Adams Papers.
45To John Adams from James McHenry, 2 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
In May last I issued a notification in the news papers, requiring officers absent on furlough or otherwise in certain of the States, to report themselves to Major General Hamilton. It appears by a letter from the General dated the 28th Ulto, that this measure has not produced its effect, and that a more decisive and stronger one is absolutely necessary. I have therefore issued the inclosed...
46To John Adams from James McHenry, 31 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to submit for your approbation the inclosed list for promotions and appointments in the Twelfth Regiment of Infantry, and request if approved your authority to announce to the several candidates their respective appointments—I also submit the recommendations of those who are nominated as second Lieutenants. I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, / Your most...
47To John Adams from James McHenry, 28 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose the Copy of a letter from Mr. Jonathan Waldo, respecting the application of monies for the improvement of the defences of Salem, and an alteration in the name of the Fort, with my answer. The circumstances and time did not seem to admit of a previous communication to you had it been considered necessary in such a case. Generally forts have been named by the...
48To John Adams from James McHenry, 24 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
The fever threatening this City with similar ravages to what took place in the years 1793, 1797 & 1798 has induced to the measure of removing the offices to Trenton where I expect to be on Monday next. Altho’ the personal inconveniences attending upon this removal are very great, I lament it yet more on a public account. With the greatest respect, I / have the honour to be, Sir, / Your most ob...
49To John Adams from James McHenry, 19 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letters No. 1 relative to the fortifications at Baltimore, exhibit the whole proceedings with the naval Committee of that City. The schedule No. 2. the monies which have been expended on the different harbours of the United States, with the several appropriations and the balance still in the treasury. You will perceive from these letters, that by my first engagement with the naval...
50To John Adams from James McHenry, 16 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter of the 10th of August inst. and shall cause the name of Dr. David King to be entered among the candidates for medical appointments, and his recommendations to be filed. I have the honour to be / with the greatest respect, Sir, / your most obt & most hble St— MHi : Adams Papers.