51To George Washington from James McHenry, 25 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
confidential & private My dear Sir. Trenton [N.J.] 25 Augt 1798 I have not I believe acknowledged directly your two letters of the 10th and two others of the 13th instant, altho’ I have substantially. The copy of a letter to the President under date of the 8th has detailed to you my project respecting the divisions or States from which I contemplated deriving the officers, for certain...
52To George Washington from James McHenry, 13 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am happy to inform you that I was able to attend in the office to-day. To-morrow I set out with my family to Trenton where we propose to remain ’till we can return with safety to the City. Mr Hodgdon has orders to send you press paper, writing paper, and press ink powder. I have also sent to Mr Law, the tin box received at New York from the East Indies, and directed to you. The colours...
53To George Washington from James McHenry, 8 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to be obliged to communicate to you, that a malignant fever, has again not only made its appearance, but some progress in this unfortunate City; and that an attack of my old bilious complaint, at present confines me, and prevents me, from making preparations, for removing my family, and the Office. The enclosed copy of a late letter, to the President of the United States, will...
54To George Washington from James McHenry, 6 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Feeling myself very much indisposed & feverish I think it best to acknowledge your letters of the 29th & 31st of July & the 1 & 2 of Augt. I have written a letter to the President relative to an arrangement for the speedy appointment of the officers to the 12 regiments &c. and other subjects relative to the army, in which I give it as my opinion that you have a right to appoint whenever you...
55To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
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. 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...
56To George Washington from James McHenry, 25 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you the abridged rules and regulations for the formations, field-exercise and movements of his Britannic Majesty’s forces; also some letters I have received and copies of the answers thereto on the subject of supplying you with aids de camp. I shall employ the Inspector General in revising what I have prepared relative to a system of discipline and police for the armies of the United...
57To George Washington from James McHenry, 18 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here between 7 & 8 o’clock on tuesday morning, and before seeing my family presented your letter to the President. He was at breakfast with Mrs Adams. They both read it and expressed themselves pleased. The same day I waited upon him to arrange the nominations. They stand as follows and are now before the Senate. vz. Alexander Hamilton Inspector &c. Charles C. Pinckney } Major Genls...
58Memorandum, 14 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Subjects respectfully submitted to the consideration of the General of the armies of the United States by the Secry of War 1. Will it be proper that the President should forthwith, proceed to appoint the officers to the army proposed to be immediately raised, by the bill pending before Congress “to augment the army of the U.S. and for other purposes.” or will it be expedient to defer, until...
59To George Washington from James McHenry, 6 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am to receive tomorrow the Presidents letter to you, and leave this in the mail stage on monday, and continue with it to Alexandria. I shall not of course sleep much after getting into it till I see you. To facilitate this event, I have to request, if it can be done without inconvenience, that one of your servants may be at Alexandria to serve as a pilot for me to Mount Vernon. Adieu, most...
60To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
The crisis, and almost universal wish of the people, to see you at the head of the armies of the United States, has been too strong to be resisted, the President has yielded to causes so powerful and nominated you accordingly, which has been unanimously confirmed to-day by the Senate. Thus you are again called upon by all voices, to fill a station which all think you alone qualified for at...
61To George Washington from James McHenry, 26 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) Dear Sir. Philad[elphia] 26 June 1798 I have received your letter of the 2 2d by to-days mail. If you could know how much I have had to do, and how much I have been compelled to neglect to do, since I received your letter inclosing one to Parker, and the other of the 6th of May, you would most heartily and readily pity and forgive me, had I utterly overlooked the several matters...
62To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have been for a long time past so hurried and so loaded with business as not to have a moment which I could devote to private correspondence. This is not an apology for neglect or indolence. I am exceedingly sorry it is true, because I foresee, it may without some change become quite unsupportable. Enjoy your happy situation; or if it is to be disturbed, let it be only by transient domestic...
63To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received this moment your letter of the 28th ulto. The land business being with Mr Wolcott I shall give him the letters and see that they are forwarded by to-morrows mail and the inquiry aluded to made of the Deputy Surveyor if found. Munroe’s memoir has been little read and has made no converts to his party. He has I think sunk in the public opinion. Fauchets publication has done no...
64To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I was too much hurried with business before leaving Philada to answer your last letter of the 14th of Augt and since my arrival here I have had a bilious fever, and more business than if I had remained in Philada, according to which reasoning I ought not to answer it now. The fact is I perhaps should have suspended the pleasure a little longer, if I had not received to-day the enclosed letter...
65To George Washington from James McHenry, 9 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday after hearing councel the Senate expelled Mr Blount. Mr Tazewell voted against his expulsion upon very frivolous ground. The affair makes a good deal of noise I mean talk without the plot or project being understood. You will see by the inclosed reports to the President the further disclosure of French projects. It would seem as if nothing short of a dismemberment of the union, and...
66To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
You will hardly stand in need of the inclosed paper to convince you of its writers principles altho’ it may be necessary as a proof of his criminal intentions. It is to be laid before Congress to-day. There are some circumstances that would induce a belief that there is more of French in the plot than British; altho’ Chisholm actually had conversation last winter with the British minister on...
67To George Washington from James McHenry, 15 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have been very much occupied since I had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 29th of May, and even now am very far from being a man of leisure. From the late events in Europe, there is ground for beleiving that England will be forced to accept of terms of peace, unless indeed France inebriated with victory, should require cessions which even the spirit of opposition would revolt at....
68To George Washington from James McHenry, 14 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I think it probable that there will be a house of representatives to-morrow and perhaps a Senate on tuesday, the speech of course will be on Wednesday. The speech will state the circumstances which have induced to the call of Congress; express a sincere desire that accommodation may take place; inform, that a fresh attempt will be made to endeavour to effectuate the object; recommend in the...
69To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Mrs Murray Mr Murray and Mr Dandridge left this City for Amsterdam. Mr Dandridge had reced your letter on Saturday. He has left a thermometer with me for a post in Jersey. It is a present from you, but what is the name of the post, and where does he live? I believe in my hurry I have not detailed the facts to you respecting Gen. Pinckney as particular as I ought. The principal are as...
70To George Washington from James McHenry, 6 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have received to-day your letter of the 3d inst. which contained the agreeable account of your safe arrival at home, and the objects with which you are surrounded. I am not sorry to hear that you have found so immediate employment; for altho’ I wish the hammering business was over and the smell of the oil gone I do not think either so great an enemy to happiness as having nothing to do. I...
71To George Washington from James McHenry, 24 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Once more at home, and I flatter myself recovered from the fatigues of your journey. You have witnessed on your route the great affection and attachment of the people and the sound part of the community, which is still visible in every company I go into, and which I am persuaded will not diminish, though the external marks of it may gradually be less strongly expressessed. This is the least...
72To George Washington from James McHenry, 28 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Indian Chiefs named Mus-qua-ca-nokan or Red pole, Wey-a-pur-sen-waw, or Blue Jacket, She-me-kum-ne-sa or soldier, Ase-me-the, and Muc-ca-te-wa-saw or Black chief, stiling themselves the representatives of the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanoes Ottawas, Chipwas, Putawatimes, Miamis, Eel River, Weas, Kickapoos, Piankashaws, and Kaskaskias have informed the Secretary of War in a talk delivered by...
73To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with the Presidents commands the Secretary of War lays before the President the points that have been submitted for consideration, in the Secretarys letters, bearing date the 8th & 10th of Octtober ulto. Will the President think proper, that detachments be made from West Point to complete the garrisons at Governors Island, Mud Island, Baltimore, Norfolk and Charlestown, to one...
74To George Washington from James McHenry, 14 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have just I believe got finished in time for the mail. I recd the enclosed last night and here they are. Should I write three lines more you would not read the contents till next mail. Yurs most respectfully & affectionately ALS , MHi : Adams Papers. The enclosures have not been identified. GW replied to McHenry from Mount Vernon in a letter of 19 Oct. marked “Private”: “Your letter of the...
75To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to the Command of the President as conveyed in his letter to the Secretary of War dated 1. July Ulto requiring the opinion of the heads of departments upon certain charges exhibited against General Wayne by Brigadier General Wilkinson, as relative to “the measures necessary to be pursued to do justice to the public, the accused, and the accuser,” the Secretary of War submits the...
76To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Packet, No. 1. which is enclosed contains the last dispatches from General Wayne. The private letter included therein, is a duplicate of one not yet come to hand, which it would seem contains the papers to which it refers. Packet, No. 2. The last letters from Tennessee. Packet, No. 3. The proceedings of a Court Martial on a soldier who attempted to desert. With the greatest respect I have the...
77To George Washington from James McHenry, 8 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
The situation of the Garrison at West Point has for some time past attracted a considerable share of my attention. I had scarcely entered upon the duties of my Office, before I discovered those materials that soon after gave occasion to the Court of Inquiry upon the Commandant, and produced the Resignation of Capt. Wadsworth (a very valuable Officer) which followed that event. You will...
78To George Washington from James McHenry, 25 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
I thought it best to wait till I could ascertain the full expression of the public sentiment, before I should comply with your request, to tell you all, and conceal nothing from you. Your address on the first day of its publication, drew from the friends of government, through every part of the City, the strongest expressions of sensibility. I am well assured, that many tears were shed on the...
79To George Washington from James McHenry, 14 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
If you have a few minutes to spare I could wish you to examine the within conditions for a new contract for cannon. The old contract was too defective to serve as a model or guide in any one respect. The public must be a considerable looser by it; and the cannon which we shall be obliged to recive by no means to be relied on. With the greatest respect I have the honour to be Sir your most ob....
80To George Washington from James McHenry, 31 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a draught of a letter to Colonel Stevenson which if approved of may be sent to him to-day. If you are not using the plans of the Forts Detroit and drawings of the lakes &c. in that quarter which Gen. Wayne left with you I will be much obliged to you for them to correct and complete a map which is in hand for the war office. With the greatest respect I have the honour to be Sir...
81To George Washington from James McHenry, 29 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
It appears from the conferences between the representatives of the Creek nation at Coleraine, and Commissioners of the U.S. that the former have required and the latter promised, that the President would send into their country, within four months from the date of the treaty, a person instructed upon the following points. 1. To fix upon proper scites for trading houses & posts, and explain to...
82To George Washington from James McHenry, 24 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
private. I inclose you a rough draught of a talk to the Cherokees and instructions to agent Dinsmore, containing a plan for promoting their civilization and rendering the management of them easier and more economical. If you think favourably of it I will revise and correct it and have Mr Dinsmore dispatched to his station. You will find it to contain little more than a mode for executing the...
83To George Washington from James McHenry, 11–12 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
I received the inclosed letter from Mr Hendricks on the 9th and that from Mr Clymer the 6th inst. One of these gentlemen you will perceive thinks another negotiation indispensible to prevent war; the other, that an augmentation of the regular force is absolutely necessary to the preservation of peace. Both, of course, meet in the opinion, that there is serious ground to apprehend hostility on...
84To George Washington from James McHenry, 8 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letters of the 1st and 3d instant. The inclosed packet No. 1. contains the opinion of the Attorney General on the power of the President to pardon military offences previous to the late act of Congress; and the form of a pardon for Lt Geddis for your signature. No. 2. contains the last dispatches from General Wayne, and copy of a letter which I have sent to General...
85To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 29th ulto with the treaty and papers relative to the Creeks. On looking over the treaty I find that it leaves to the President to mark the boundary line at such time and in such manner as he may direct. It is however mentioned by the commissioners, that since signing the treaty “several of the chiefs have urged that the President should cause the line to be...
86To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private. It strikes me, as among the first measures arising out of the proceedings of the Creek commissioners, that of a letter to the Governor of Georgia, somewhat in the stile of the inclosed. It would prove a considerable saving to the U.S. could the defence of the frontiers be carried on by regular troops without the aid of militia. It would give more consistency to military operations...
87To George Washington from James McHenry, 26 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
The agent of the department of war in Tenessee having requested that the vacant office of deputy paymaster and store keeper might be filled up; and it appearing, that Mr Henley the agent cannot go through the business himself; and if he could, that it would be improper, inasmuch as it would center in one person, 1st. the keeping and distribution of stores, and 2dly the power to determine the...
88To George Washington from James McHenry, 25 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
I here inclose a dispatch received on saturday from the Southward, containing a letter of the 27th ulto from James Seagrove; one of the 30th from Benjn Hawkins; and one of the 1st instant from the commissioners for treating with the Creeks, with a copy of the treaty concluded at Coleraine on the 29th of June ulto and a protest by the Georgia commissioners. I shall on the papers being returned...
89To George Washington from James McHenry, 18 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
The annexed packets contain the most essential letters received since my last. No. 1. Gen. Wilkinsons letters of the 11th, 16, 17th ulto. I have not thought it necessary to send the continuation of his charges which came by the same mail. No. 2. Is copy of a letter to Major Gen. Wayne resulting from Gen. Wilkinsons information relative to Fort Miamis. No. 3. A dispatch from Mr Seagrove and...
90To George Washington from James McHenry, 16–17 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
private. I have just reced your private letter of the 13th inst. I am sorry and vexed, that what I said in my letter of the 7th should have conveyed an idea that the least avoidable delay had taken place in the arrangements for the Algiers frigate; nothing like which was intended. But the inclosed papers will shew you that every thing has been done which the case required. You will see by Mr...
91To George Washington from James McHenry, 13 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honour to inclose you the directions given to Mr Fox one of the clerks of the department of war, and well skilled in the quality of ship timber and construction of vessels of war relative to an examination of the materials on hand and such a disposition of them as may comport with the safe keeping of such as may be useful in future, and such as may be fit for the vessel...
92To George Washington from James McHenry, 12 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
In addition to the suggestions in my letter of monday I would beg leave to submit the following considerations. With respect to the running of the Cherokee line. On Mr Dinsmore’s arrival from that nation I questioned him concerning the fittest persons to be employed on the part of the U.S. He said, that Gen. Pickens would be more agreeable to the Cherokees than any other person: that he knew...
93To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
With the view of keeping you informed of the course of the most important business of the war department I here inclose, packets No. 1. which contains the last letters I have received from Gen. Wayne. vz. one private of the 27 June and one of the 28, with copies of two letters to the general and one to the Quarter master general. No. 2. Contains the last communications from the commissioners...
94To George Washington from James McHenry, 7 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
private. Since I had the honour of writing you, the Chevalier Freire’s Secry has called to inform me, that the extreme heat of the weather had induced Madam Freire, to induce Chevalier Friere to postpone the projected visit to Mount Vernon till September. You will not therefore I presume have the pleasure of seeing them. Mr Pickering has mentioned to me, that such of the materials as are not...
95To George Washington from James McHenry, 6 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
In conformity with your Commands of the 1st instant, I have transmitted to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury, letters of which the inclosed is a Copy. In the mean while I shall turn my attention to the subjects on which you have desired my report, which I shall make as soon as the unavoidable duties of the Office will permit. With the greatest respect I am Sir Your most...
96To George Washington from James McHenry, 5 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
private. I made a visit yesterday to Chevr Freire, and to-day he called to let me know, that his secretary had seen Mr Listons Secretary, who told him that Mr & Madam Liston would set out for Mount Vernon on friday, and that he and Madam Freire would follow on the 18th inst. Seeing that these ministers will avail themselves of your politeness, may it not be proper to be a little more...
97To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
I was in the Secy of States office with Mr Wolcott when he recd your letter containing queries to be submitted to the heads of departments. On my return home I committed the inclosed observations to paper relative to the power of the President to remove a foreign minister. Having gone so far I have determined to send it as explanatory of my reasons for signing the paper which will be forwarded...
98To George Washington from James McHenry, 29 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
I beg you to sign the within authority to borrow for the use of the City of Washington and to have it returned to me with a power signed by the three commissioners. You may recollect that the one sent me for a duplicate contained only the names of two of them vz. Mr Scotts & Mr Thorntons. The Willinks may consider that power as imperfect as the law and your authority have reference to three....
99To George Washington from James McHenry, 27 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22d instant with its references. No. 1. here inclosed contains the documents respecting the meditated loan for the use of the federal City. No. 2. The last letters received from Brigadier General Wilkinson with copy of my letter of the 7. May referred to in his instructions to Colonel Hamtramck. General Wilkinson you will...
100To George Washington from James McHenry, 27 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to inclose you Adjutant General Beckwiths answer to my dispach to Lord Dorchester of the 10th of last month. I inclose, likewise, copy of the orders for the evacuation of the posts of Fort Miamis—Detroit and Michilimackinac the originals of which will leave this to-morrow morning at 5 o’clock by express. Capn Lewis delivered the orders requiring the evacuation of Oswego &...