From George Washington to James McHenry, 4 June 1796
To James McHenry
Saturday ½ past 12 [4 June 1796]
Dr Sir,
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.1 I presume there can be no doubt of its authenticity. Yrs always
Go: W——n
ALS, PHi: Dreer Collection. The letter’s date derives from the publication of the suggested extract (see n.1 below).
1. John Fenno’s Gazette of the United States (Philadelphia) for 6 June printed an “Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Canandarqua, dated May 18th, 1796. ‘The British are making every preparation to leave Niagara, and have already dismounted their cannon, and moved some of their military stores on their own side of the river, into a new magazine which they have built.’” Israel Chapin, Jr., had written McHenry on 18 May, and the extract came from that letter. A copy of Chapin’s letter is in NHi: Henry O’Reilly Collection.