George Washington Papers

To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 August 1798

From James McHenry

War Department [Philadelphia] 1 Augt 1798

Dear Sir

This will serve for scarce any other purpose than to acknowledge your letter of the 22 July ulto and two others respecting candidates for military appointments.1

I inclose the act to augment the army of the U.S. You will see that it does not provide for a Quarter Master General, and that the Provisional army law provides that the Quarter Master General under it shall have the rank & pay of Lt Colonel only. I thought it best therefore that no Quarter Master General should be appointed ’till Congress meet again when they may amend their act.2

I hope to be able to write you again this week, but it is doubtful, as it will depend upon my being able to write to the President which I am affraid I cannot do under my present press of business as the objects I intend to address him upon are pretty important and will require deliberation.3 With the most sincere regard and attachment I am Dr Sir Your ob. st

James McHenry

ALS, DLC:GW; ADfS, MiU-C: McHenry Papers.

3For McHenry’s letter to John Adams, see McHenry to GW, 6 Aug., and note 1 of that document.

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