61From John Jay to James McHenry, 28 April 1796 (Jay Papers)
I have been honored with Yours of the 25 th . Instant— The Chiefs have just left me— They insist on their having plenary powers, & seem much to regret that the Instrument expressing those powers cannot be found— The Interpreter as well as the Chiefs are certain that it was presented to the President. For my own part I perceive no reason to doubt, but on the contrary I beleive that they are...
62From 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...
63From 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...
64From 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...
65From 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...
66From 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...
67From 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);...
68From 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...
69From George Washington to James McHenry, 8 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Having written a great many letters for this day’s Post, and being a good deal fatigued thereby and with the heat of the weather, I shall do no more, at present, than to inform you that your letters of the 2d and 3d instant with the enclosures of the first came perfectly safe, and that my letter to the Secretary of State, of this date, will inform you confidentially of my decision with respect...
70From George Washington to James McHenry, 13 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private The purport of your private letter, of the 7th instant (that part of it I mean, which relates to the Frigate for the Regency of Algiers) has surprised me exceedingly. That no step yet, should have been taken to carry this measure into vigorous execution; and that it should be asked, near six weeks after it had been resolved to comply with the Deys request, and an actual stipulation of...
71From 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...
72From George Washington to James McHenry, 18 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 10th, 12th and 13th instant, with their enclosures, came all by the last Mail to Alexandria; and were received by me on Saturday morning. The contents of such parts as require it, shall be noticed. The greatest, and what appears to me to be an insuperable difficulty in the way of running and marking the boundary line between the United States and the Cherokee tribe of...
73From George Washington to James McHenry, 22 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
(private) Your private letter of the 16 came to my hands at the same time that your official one did of the 18th. From what is there said it appears by the enclosures, I am satisfied no unnecessary delay respecting the Algierine frigate has taken place. From a former one, & perhaps from a solicitude to execute promptly whatever is entrusted to me, I had conceived otherwise. As I have Mr Liston...
74From George Washington to James McHenry, 22 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 18th instant with its enclosures, came to hand by the last Mail. Such of the latter, as are original, I herewith return to your Office. It would appear from the extract of Mr Habersham’s letter, that the Treaty (or rather meeting) between the Georgians and Creek Indians, has terminated unfavourably; and will tend, it is to be feared, to hostilities. A favorable result could...
75From George Washington to James McHenry, 25 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter from Mr Landais, transmitting one from you to him, was received by the last Post. Filling the vacancies in the Corps of Artillery, before the adjournment of the Senate, was suggested; but why, as it was not proposed by the military Act, that it should undergo any diminution, it was not done, my memory does not serve me. If there are more Cadets in that Regiment than Mr...
76From George Washington to James McHenry, 1 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Post of Friday last brought me your dispatches of the 26th Ulto, with the Papers therein enclosed. The draught of a letter to the Agent of the Department of War, and the Instructions for the person proposed as Deputy paymaster and Storekeeper in the State of Tennessee, are guarded, and proper. The only doubt remaining with me, is whether so many Officers, in that quarter, are realy...
77From George Washington to James McHenry, 8 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 3d instant, with the information of our possession of Fort Ontario (lately occupied by the Troops of Great Britain) and the correspondence between Captn Bruff of the United States Troops, and Captn Clarke of the British was brought to me by the last Post. Several matters are submitted by the former for consideration; among them, the mode of supplying the Garrison with fire...
78From George Washington to James McHenry, 10 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private Colo. Hawkins is now here, on his way to Philadelphia, & proposes to proceed in the S⟨ta⟩ge of tomorrow. He has related many matters, and read many papers relative to the Treaty with the Creek Indians; the conduct of the State Commissioners of ⟨Georgia; &ca &ca.⟩ But as this is not the regular way of bringing business, of this sort, before me; I have requested that he and Mr Clymer...
79From George Washington to James McHenry, 12 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
The originals and drafts of letters enclosed in yours of the 8th instt are herewith returned. The publication of the letters to and from Lieutt Colo. England was certainly improper: and the reprehension of Genl Wilkinson for doing it , or suffering it to be done , is just; and the manner in which it has been conveyed to him is delicate. The draught of the letter to Colo. Gaither, predicated on...
80From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private The principles of the Enclosed Instructions I approve; and since they are drawn, I shall not object to the Phraseology; tho’ considering that it is Addressed to our agent, for his government part of them, I think is too much in the stile of a talk to the Indians. And I think too, as he is intended for the general Superintendent his attentions seems to be too much confined to the Creek...
81From George Washington to James McHenry, 17 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
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) I shall express no Sentiments...
82From George Washington to James McHenry, 3 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have read all the letters of General Wayne, and their enclosures; as I have also done those of Captn Bruff and others, which you have laid before me. Note such matters (in all of them) as require particular directions, which I shall be ready to give whenever they are laid before me. The other parts, which call only for Office attention, will, I am persuaded, meet with prompt & ready...
83From George Washington to James McHenry, 11 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
I shall have occasion to write to Mr Lear by tomorrow’s Post, and would thank you to let me know (in a summary way) what money he has drawn on acct of the Arsenal on the Potomack; and what report he has made to the War Office of his proceedings in that business, for I shall take an occasion (as from myself) to ask him what has been done therein. Yours always ALS (photostat), DLC : James...
84From 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...
85From George Washington to James McHenry, 28 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Let me entreat you to attend early this morning to a fit character as a Comsr to attend the proposed Treaty with the Indians, by Mr Morris; and on this head, and on the message proper to accompany the nomination, I wish you would advise with Colo. Pickering; who has had more to do in Indian Affairs than any other Officer now in the Government, and perhaps may more readily think of a proper...
86From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [March 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Take my ideas and weigh them of a proper course of conduct for our administration in the present juncture. You have called Congress—tis well. When the Senate meets (which I should be glad to see anticipated) send a Commission extraordinary to France. Let it consist of Jefferson or Madison Pinckney & a third very safe man, say Cabot . Proclaim a Religious solemnity to take place at the Meeting...
87From John Adams to James McHenry, 14 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States, requests the Secretary at War to take into his consideration the following Questions and make report of his opinion in Writing. 1. Whether the Refusal to receive Mr. Pinckney and the rude orders to quit Paris, and the Territory of the Republick, with such Circumstances of Indignity, Insult and Hostility as We have been inform’d of, are bar’s to all further...
88From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [April 1797] (Hamilton Papers)
Situated as I am at this moment I am obliged to confine myself to very general hints respecting the paper of the 15 of April. As to the first head—I think it will be adviseable that the Speech should be confined to the foreign Affairs of the Country giving the primary & prominent place to those with France. This will make the main business the more striking. Domestic matters may follow in...
89From George Washington to James McHenry, 3 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Private Dear Sir, Mount Vernon 3d April 1797 Your letter of the 24th Ulto has been duly received, and I thank you for the information given in it: Let me pray you to have the goodness to communicate to me occasionally, such matters as are interesting, and not contrary to the rules of your official duty to disclose. We get so many details in the Gazettes, and of such different complexions, that...
90From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 29 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I now send you a cursory answer to certain questions. They are imperfect & probably will come too late. But court avocations and distress in the family have prevented any thing better. General Schuyler has been critically ill though now as I hope out of danger. My Brother in law Mr. Rensselaer has just lost a favourite Daughter one & the Eldest of two Children without a prospect of more. The...