From George Washington to James McHenry, 17 October 1796
To James McHenry
Mount Vernon 17th Oct. 1796
Sir,
By the last Mail I received three letters from you (with their several numerous enclosures) the first dated the 8th and the other two the 10th of this instant.
The enclosures are all returned under cover with this letter; and as I expect to be at the Seat of Government by the first of next Month (if the health of those who are to accompany me will permit it)1 I shall express no Sentiments either on your letters or those papers until then: but desire that you would, in the mean time, receive the whole of them, and make a summary of such things as shall be found necessary for me to act upon, against my arrival. Not only in the instances alluded to, but all others; that every thing which can be dispatched previously may not, by delay, interfere with the business of the approaching Session of Congress2—Matters of mere rotine, or Office decision, need never wait for any opinion of the President, or even be referred to him; as it serves to encrease (by the transcripts) your business, and to withdraw his attention from other concerns.
Go: Washington
Copy, in George Washington Craik’s writing, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW. GW docketed the copy.
1. GW returned to Philadelphia on 31 Oct., accompanied by members of his household including Martha Washington, George Washington Motier Lafayette and his tutor Felix Frestel, and GW’s secretary George Washington Craik (see GW to Alexander Hamilton, 2 Nov., and n.1; see also GW to William Pearce, 26 Oct., and n.1). GW and Martha were suffering from bad colds (see GW to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 14 Oct., and n.4).
2. The second session of the Fourth Congress convened on 5 December.
GW’s preparation for his eighth annual message to Congress may have prompted this request for a list of issues requiring his immediate attention. GW had solicited his cabinet for their input on that speech (see GW to McHenry, 19 Oct., found at McHenry to GW, 14 Oct., n.1; see also GW to Hamilton, 12 Nov., and n.2).