To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 December 1781
Annapolis 3d Der 1781.
Dr Sir
I have placed my resignation in the hands of one of the electors but he omitted forwarding it to Congress at the usual time. I now take the liberty to send it to your Excellency as the lateness of the resignation makes it rather improper on my own account for it to go to Congress from myself.
I make no doubt but your Excellency when here suggested such measures as you saw necessary to be adopted at this period of our affairs. We shall endeavour at several things this session, but I fear there will be very powerful objections to the most essential. The supply bill for the current year, and a bill for filling up our regiments to their quota are among these. I know very well the necessity of accomplishing the latter, but at the same time, I could wish you, if your Excellency can spare it a moments leisure, to give me a few of your thoughts. Let me assure you these will have infinite weight; much more than if they were official; and may do more than all our reasonings. I hope Mrs Washington will find herself more agreeably situated than she was last winter. I fear if she is confined to New london that the almost total want of exercise and company will be very unfavorable to her present situation. Doctor Craik is on some business at this place, and we are both of the same opinion. I pray your Excellency to present her my sincere respects, and to believe me with the greatest veneration and esteem Your Excellencys ob. St
James McHenry
DLC: Papers of George Washington.