1From George Washington to James McHenry, 5 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 21st Ulto I received on Thursday last, for which I am extremely obliged to you. I never doubted, but that the Treatment of our prisoners in the Hands of the Enemy was such as could not be justified either upon the principles of Humanity or the practice of War. Facts were too stubborn & glaring to admit a more favourable supposition. But had the charge not been supported...
2From George Washington to James McHenry, 11 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 3d Inst. inclosing your Resignation which I have delivered in to the Secy at War. I am convinced your transition from the Military to the Civil Line will be attended with good consequences, as you will be able to communicate that kind of information to the Body of which you are now a Member, which they often stand in need of in times like the present—And as...
3From George Washington to James McHenry, 12 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
The fair hand to whom your letter of the 20th of Jany was committed presented it safe, & as you rightly observd—the value of it was enhanced by it. Good Laws—ample means—& sufficient powers—may render the birth of your Intendant a public benefit; and from the spirit of your people I hope these are provided— without them the appointment must be nugatory—Never, since the commencement of the...
4From George Washington to James McHenry, 18 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
Mr Lindsay handed me your favor of the 14th—the disposition of the Prisoners is not with me, but I have accompanied your request to the Secretary at War, and have no doubt of his acquiescence—If the Ladies should derive as much additional pleasure from the attainment of this Band, as I wish them, they will soon be at the summit of happiness. At present, we are inveloped in darkness; and no...
5From George Washington to James McHenry, 15 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
If the Commanders of the Fleets and Armies of our late, most Gracious Sovereign , in America; are not guilty of more duplicity than comports with candid Minds; we are now advanced to that critical & important Crisis, when our hands are to be tried at the Arts of Negociation. In a Letter which I have receivd and forwarded to Congress, from Sir Guy Carlton & Admiral Digby, are these Words "We...
6From George Washington to James McHenry, 12 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am pained to find by your Letter of the 30th Ulto, that you cannot get rid of your fever. Try change of Air—come to the Camp—Any thing to remove a disorder which seems to pursue you with unabating obstinacy, & may, if suffered to run on you any longer, become too powerful for Medicine. The Army has at length taken the Field, and is Encamped at this place; waiting a junction with the French...
7From George Washington to James McHenry, 17 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
In a visit to the Post of Dobb’s Ferry last Saturday, I accidentally met with Majr Lynch at that place, & received from him your letter of the 30th Ulto. In a time like this, of general uncertainty with respect to the designs of the British Court, it is not at all wonderful to find men enquiring at every Corner for News—The North sends to the South, and the South to the North, to obtain it....
8From George Washington to James McHenry, 23 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am pained because I cannot answer the expectation & request of your letter of the 10th Instt—which only came to my hands on Sunday by the Post—to your satisfaction. To make such an application as you require to the Financier, would, I know, be unavailing—first, because he has most decidedly, refused to adjust, & discharge the claim of any Officer who is a resident in, & the subject of the...
9From George Washington to James McHenry, 18 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Immediately on the Rect of your Letter to me of the 2nd of the Month I orderd an inquirey to be made after the Negro—and have reced the inclosed Letter from Colonel Vose in answer. Had the Negro been in Camp I should have been happy in restoring him to Mrs Dulany—as well on account of her own Merit as the pleasure it would have afforded you, to have obliged a Lady who has so clever a Daughter....
10From George Washington to James McHenry, 24 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
Immediately upon the Receipt of your letter of the 15th expressive of your wish to go to the Court of Versailles, or London as Official Secretary to the Embassy; I wrote to Messrs Livingston & Maddison on the subject, & mentioned you in warm terms to them—the Letters will go by this days Post. I thank you very sincerely for your kind congratulation on the approaching Peace; none can enjoy it...