1To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your private letter of the 17th Novr ulto, since which I have been very closely engaged in business. The inclosed news paper contains the Presidents speech delivered to-day. You will find it nearly what it ought to be, I had feared he would have entered into reasoning upon a certain measure which had he would most assuredly have attracted to the subject a very pointed direct or...
2To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
My attention, for some time past, has been so completely engrossed, that notwithstanding my earnest wish to communicate with you upon several subjects, I could not without neglecting some urgent business devote any moments to that purpose. In truth, the stone, however near I may seem to get it to the summit of the mountain, is perpetually upon the recoil, and demands constant exertion and...
3To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed are the rules which have been adopted by the President of the United States relative to rank and promotion in the Army. It is requested that you will as speedily as the nature of the case and circumstances admit determine the relative rank of the field officers of the Regiment of Cavalry, and of the 12 regiments of Infantry raised in pursuance of the Act of the 16 July 1798. For your...
4Enclosure: List of Field Officers, 3 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
As the Letters from the Colonels and Majors do not exactly agree with the records of the War department, it has been thought proper to annex to such of them as were in service during the late War, the time of their entering and quitting the service as entered in the Books and settlements of the Office. Lieutenant Colonels John Smith Captain 1 April 1778 deranged 1 Jany 1783 James Read Captain...
5To George Washington from James McHenry, 24 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
At length the articles for my young friend has been procurr’d and is now waiting for a conveyance. There is a vessel up for Alexandria which I am informed is to sail in a day or two. I shall send them on board to day directed to the care of Col. Fitzgerald. They are in two small boxes. The sword is well wrapped up and directed in like manner. The office will move on monday to Trenton. Yours...
6To George Washington from James McHenry, 14 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
Governor Davie of N. Carolina sent me by the last mail, three copies of a little work of his intitled, “instructions to be observed for the formations and movements of Cavalry,” one of which he requested me, which I now do, to present to the commander in chief. I do not recollect whether I mentioned to you, that he is one in the Commission to the Directory. The President has directed the...
7To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
Mr Murray has executed his instructions and Mr Pickering has received from him the answer of Mr Talyrand ⟨so⟩ that Mr Elsworth &c. will be received according to their functions, and respected agreeably to the law of nations, and one or several persons be duly appointed to treat with them. So far the answer would seem a compliance with the conditions announced to the Senate by the President....
8To George Washington from James McHenry, 29 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
Mr Bordley left the inclosed collection of his works with me with a request that I should forward it to you. There are some useful things in the book, but I believe little of it his own. Francis has procured the Sword for our young warrior, and tells me, the helmit will soon be finished, when the whole will be forwarded. It appears by a letter from Mr Murray to the Secy of State, that he had...
9To George Washington from James McHenry, 29 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday your private letter of the 25th inst. and its inclosures which I now return. The objections you suggest relative to the promotion of the officer in question are intitled to very serious consideration. Major Generals Lee & Hand may expect a station in the regular army, and certainly the Eastern quarter of the Union will not be pleased unless they have in it one Major...
10To George Washington from James McHenry, 28 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
After every exertion Mr McAlpin has been able to make, and after having procured the gold thread and a man who pretended to be fully competent to working it, he has been obliged to suspend the whole operation. The man was ignorant, and no person can be found more skilful. He has therefore prefered, rather than send you what I am sure you would not wear, sending the coat to England where it...
11To George Washington from James McHenry, 24 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
I send you by this mail, a small box containing military figures for the practice of tactics, being one of a few sets I ordered from London. Perhaps they may occasionally serve as a substitute for the chess board. Mr McAlpin called this morning to inform me that he had procured a sufficient quantity of gold thread and a person to work it; but that he was by no means certain he could have the...
12To George Washington from James McHenry, 18 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your packet of the 6th and letter of the 7th of June inst. This is intended chiefly to acknowledge the circumstance. Mr Frances being Purveyor I have employed him to procure the articles mentioned in your letter. I have also seen Mr McAlpin, who informed me, that, tho’ some Spring Ships had arrived, he has not been able to obtain the gold thread; and that he had apprehensions he...
13To George Washington from James McHenry, 21 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a list of the names of the persons appointed from Virginia, for the Cavalry and Infantry. It distinguishes, 1st Those who have accepted. 2. Those who have declined & 3d Those who have not been heard from. I sent your letter to McAlpin. But as the Spring vessels have not yet arrived by which the gold thread is expected, of course your uniform is not yet finished. I intended sending...
14Enclosure: List of Officers for Virginia Regiments in the New Army, 21 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
Seventh Regiment of Infantry. + Accepted. º Declined. Blanks, not heard from. Field Officers. + William Bentley Lieut: Colo. Powhatan + 1 Robert Beale Major Maddison + 2 James Baytop Major Gloucester County Companies + 1 Daniel Ball Captain near Richmond + 6 Van Bennet Lieutenant
15To George Washington from James McHenry, 19 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 13th inst. Before I concluded to request you to take upon yourself a task which involves the delicacies you have suggested, I had foreseen them, and reflected in what manner they might be avoided, and at the same time, the object in view obtained, without subjecting the government to difficulties or inconveniences which might be more sensibly felt by the Country....
16To George Washington from James McHenry, 11 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you three letters, one from Mr Posey recommending Mr Thomas Hord to a Majority in the provisional army; another from James Machir Esqr. recommending Mr William Bullett for the same grade; and one from Alexander Spotswood offering his services. You will please to return these letters with the list you have been requested to furnish, when it shall be completed. I have the honor to be,...
17To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
private Dear Sir. War Dept [Philadelphia] 2 May 1799. As it is by no means improbable those events may take place, which will render it indispensible and proper to raise the eventual army, in part or in whole, it has been thought expedient that measures should be taken, for selecting the best qualified among those who would be willing to serve to fill its different regimental grades, with a...
18To George Washington from James McHenry, 29 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received, this morning, your letter of the 23d inst. for which I am much obliged to you. I did not in my own mind consider you dilatory in your answer, aware of the nature of your employments, and the incessant interruptions, by company to which you are subject. There are one or two points you mention which I shall say a few words to. The officers of the additional Regiments were put upon...
19To George Washington from James McHenry, 31 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
This is sunday, and I shall employ, a part of it, in returning my acknowledgments for the candor, friendship and sincerity which is evidenced in your letter of the 25th instant. In answering to your questions I shall follow your own order. You ask in the name and in behalf of the officers who have been appointed, and of the army intended to be raised, what keeps back the commissions and...
20To George Washington from James McHenry, 30 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir Philadelphia 30 March 1799 I received by yesterdays mail your letter of the 25th inst. For the present and until I can enjoy a few hours leisure from the most urgent business, I must content myself with a simple acknowledgment of the kindness of intention and friendship it discovers. Such has been the pressure of business upon the Clerks, that they have only been able to make...
21To George Washington from James McHenry, 12 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
McAlpin called upon me this morning to inform me finally, that after the most diligent inquiry for gold thread, both here and at New York, he has not been able to procure a sufficient quantity to complete the embroidery of the coat; and that of course it will be necessary to suspend making it up until after the arrival of the Spring ships in which the article is expected. As yet the...
22To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received last night your letter of the 27th of Jany and this morning sent for Mr McAlpin and gave him your orders. It appears to me, that the round cuff and the usual pockets will be neater and handsomer than if slashed and also more dignified. I prefer for the same reason a plain waistcoat. I shall however take the advice of General McPhierson on the different points and endeavour to have...
23To George Washington from James McHenry, 21 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
I send you inclosed some minute information respecting the nominations which you may wish to see. I have at the request of a committee of the Senate furnished them with a bill embracing the new organization for the army, and am preparing another for the provisional army, and a third for the Hospital department. I have required from Genl Hamilton assistance and have received it. Yours ever and...
24To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received this morning your letter of the 6th Inst. I was very certain you had made a short estimate of your expenses when you thought two months pay would cover them. I have therefore directed the month of October to be added and the amount Dolls. 523 20/100 to be remitted you in the usual manner which I hope you will receive. This I presume will about face your expences. The letters...
25To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a copy of my report which I received this morning from the press. You will perceive, that I have used the matter you furnished me with pretty freely, and added several subjects which I hope will meet your approbation as well as the arrangment and general stile of the report. I am still extremely busy and can see no end to my labours. Yours affectionately and sincerely Col. Smiths...
26To George Washington from James McHenry, 28 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received two letters from you on your route home respecting my young freind Mr Custis, and one under date of the 16th inst. written at Susquehannah. Your ideas relative to the distribution of the general officers and their respective duties and commands correspond perfectly with my own. I hope no untoward circumstance will intervene to prevent their being carried into execution, and that I...
27To George Washington from James McHenry, 13 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
The Secy of war has the honour to inform the commander in Chief, that he expects a letter this morning respecting Col. Hall which if received shall be immediately sent to him. AL , DLC:GW . The letter regarding Josias Carvil Hall (1746–1814) of Havre de Grace, Md., who was given command of the 9th Regiment of Infantry in the New Army on 31 Dec. 1799, has not been found. During the...
28To George Washington from James McHenry, 11 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a schedule shewing the price of rations and component parts at certain posts from the first day of October 1798 to the 30 day of Septr 1799—agreeably to Contract. I have the honour to be D. Sir your most ob. st ADfS , MdAA . See McHenry to GW, 14 Nov., n.17 .
29To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I submit the inclosed letters to you and Major General Hamilton & Majr General Pinckney. The young gentleman who presented them to me and in whose favour they are has requested to have the honour to present them to you. With the greatest respect I have the honour to be Dr Sir your most obt ⟨st⟩ ALS , DLC:GW . The letters have not been identified, but they may be those written in support of...
30To George Washington from James McHenry, 29 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed papers contain the proceedings of two Military Courts, lately held at the city of Trenton, state of New Jersey, pursuant to warrants from the Secretary of War. The dispersed state of the troops in our western country rendered it difficult to collect a sufficient number of officers at any of the posts to compose a General Court Martial and impossible to do so without injury to the...
31To George Washington from James McHenry, 19 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
The enclosures, have been furnished, by the Secretary of the Treasury, in pursuance of the request, contained in my letter to him, of the 14th instant (copy of which you are possessed of) and for the purposes therein mentioned. You are requested, if you wish for copies, of this view, of the Finances, of the United States, to cause the same to be taken, by a confidential person, and to return...
32To George Washington from James McHenry, 16 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
As the enclosed paper, shewing the component parts, number of Men and pay of the Officers composing the present Army Establishment may save you a reference to the several laws upon the subject, I have thought it proper to have it made out and transmitted. With great respect, I am Sir, Your most obedt Servant, LS , DLC:GW . The enclosure lists the ranks of the “Army of the United States on the...
33To George Washington from James McHenry, 16 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you herewith a return of Ordnance and Military Stores, which has this moment been delivered to me by the Superintendant. I am with the greatest respect Your obedient Servant LS , DLC:GW . The enclosure, entitled Return of Ordnance, and the most important Articles of Military Stores belonging to the United States at the several Posts; as herein stated, was the...
34To George Washington from James McHenry, 14 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your Excellencys letter of the 13th instant last night. Some of the documents which were referred to in my letter of the 10th, I find cannot be completed by my Clerks, in any reasonable time. I shall therefore be obliged to submit the original books and records of the Office containing them, in their place, and request the same may be carefully returned. You will be...
35Enclosure: James McHenry to George Washington, 10 November 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
It appears by a letter from the President, dated Quincy Octr. 22. 1798, that it will not be in his power to be in Philadelphia ’till near the time fixed upon for the meeting of Congress. In order however to prevent any injury to the public service, as it respects officering the troops, directed to be raised by the late acts of Congress, he has written to me as follows: “If you, and the...
36To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
It appears by a letter from the President, dated Quincy Octbr 22d 1798, that it will not be in his power to be in Philadelphia ’till near the time fixed upon for the meeting of Congress. In order however, to prevent any injury to the public service, as it respects officering the troops, directed to be raised by the late acts of Congress, he has written to me as follows. “If you, and the...
37To George Washington from James McHenry, 9 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I reced about 2 o’clock P.M. Col. Lear’s letter, dated at Wilmington, and a few minutes since, his second letter, dated at Chester. I have engaged lodgings for you at Mrs Whites, in eighth Street near the corner of Market Street, and stabling for your horses at Dunwoody’s which is in its neighbourhood. There has been no fever in the house, and I think under all circumstances, it is the most...
38To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I reced yesterday a letter from Major General Pinckney a copy of which as I knew it would give you pleasure is inclosed. Yours ever & affty ALS , DLC:GW . Charles Cotesworth Pinckney’s letter to McHenry of 31 Oct. from Trenton reads: “Agreably to your desire expressed in your favor of yesterday, I shall endeavor to be with you either at this place, or Philadelphia, by the tenth of the next...
39To George Washington from James McHenry, 30 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive your letter of the 23d Instant. I received a letter this morning from the President, by which I find, that Mrs Adams’ health is so low, and her life so precarious, that it will be impossible for him to leave her till it becomes absolutely necessary for him to meet Congress. I regret extremely this circumstance, as well on account of the cause, as being deprived of...
40To George Washington from James McHenry, 26 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
(private & confidential) My dear General 26 Octbr 1798 I received last night your letter of the 21 st, and also your private and confidential one of the same date. I find the President is extremely guarded in his expressions; but I perceive, at the same time, that he will not refuse himself to any of your recommendations. I have you will see by my letter of the 16th of Octbr given you the...
41To George Washington from James McHenry, 20 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received a letter this morning from General Hamilton which I inclose. You will be pleased to return it, as well as the annexed poetry, the production of Mr Horry sent for the perusal of Miss Custis. Yours ever & affectionately ALS , DLC:GW ; ADfS , MiU-C : McHenry Papers. This probably was one of the three letters that Alexander Hamilton wrote McHenry on 19 October. In one of these Hamilton...
42To George Washington from James McHenry, 18 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is copy of a letter from General Pinckney received yesterday morning. I immediately answered it, a copy of which is also inclosed. Yours ever and affectionately ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed letters, both of which are in DLC:GW , are Charles Cotesworth Pinckney’s to McHenry of 14 Oct. and McHenry’s to Pinckney of 17 October. In his letter to McHenry, Pinckney indicates his...
43To George Washington from James McHenry, 16 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States on the 30th of Sepr Ulto inclosed to me commissions for the three Major Generals of the army, signed and dated on the same day. When I considered the communications which may be expected from this department, at the time of presenting his commission to each of the generals, I found myself embarrassed respecting the course which he meant I should pursue on the...
44To George Washington from James McHenry, 16 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) my dear Sir. Trenton [N.J] 16 Octbr 1798 You will see by the inclosed the step I have taken, and the information and aid which I expect to derive from the Major Generals in case it is approved, and also the desire I have to draw you for a short time to Philadelphia. I know not how all this is to end, and feel perfectly tired of the uncertainty in which so many important measures...
45To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive last night your letter dated the 30th of Sepr Ulto. I have reason to beleive that the information it contains is well founded. It would be a real and might produce the most extensive & lasting bad consequences, were the army to be composed of men who have heretofore opposed the government & its measures, and beleived in French professions and infallibility. I have a...
46To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received my dear Generals two letters dated the first instant, last night. You will have seen by the newspapers that I have sent an advertisement inviting proposals for clothing for the new regiments and cavalry; but I have not as yet, been able to accomplish a like measure to supply them with subsistence. It is not however too late, as contracts of this kind can be soon formed. When I...
47To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received your confidential letter dated the 26th of Septr ulto last Saturday evening. I now return the copy of your letter to the President which I expect will get to him seasonably, and produce a happy effect upon the question it particularly refers to. I had a letter from him dated the 26, this morning, but no notice of the subject of either Mr Wolcotts letter, or mine of the 21st. The...
48To George Washington from James McHenry, 21 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) My dear Sir Trenton [N.J.] 21 Sepr 1798 I received your letter of the 16 inst. yesterday evening. I thought it of consequence to make another effort, and acquaint the President with a part of its contents, in aid of the representation signed by Mr Wolcott, and to lose no time in conveying it to him. Inclosed is the copy of what I have which you will be pleased to return. I...
49To George Washington from James McHenry, 19 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 14th instant yesterday evening. Be assured I regret and lament from the bottom of my soul the delays, and heart distressing obstructions which have prevented the nomination of the field and other officers for the 12 additional regiments and cavalry. It is not however (whatever the public opinion may be) to me that any of them can be ascribed; for whatever depended...
50To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) My dear General Trenton [N.J.] 10th Sepr 1798 If any change should take place in settling the relative rank of the majr Generals you hope and expect to be informed of it. The inclosed letters will shew you the progress and state of the Question. You will return them, and I am sure will duly respect this confidence. It will be proper you should deliberate upon the part which will...