To George Washington from James McHenry, 12 March 1796
From James McHenry
War office 12 March 1796.
Sir.
I beg leave to subjoin to the names furnished Nicholas Hammond atty at law East Town & Mr Wm Hemsley.1 The latter possesses mercantile knowlege, is a man of respectability and long standing. The former a good lawyer of great integrity and well esteemed.
The inclosed paper respecting the Frigates is that which I mentioned last night.2
If the letter to Chapin herewith submitted meets your approbation or requires alteration I request it may be made and returned as soon as convenient. Mr Chapin leaves town on monday early. I have thought that circumstances authorise that he should be instructed to observe more œconomy in expenditures and attention to vouchers.3 With the highest respect I have the honour to be Sr your Excellency’s most ob. & h. st
James McHenry
ALS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW; ADfS, MdAA: James McHenry Collection.
1. In McHenry’s letter to GW of 8 March, he had submitted a list of names for consideration to become the commissioners authorized under Article VII of the Jay Treaty to ascertain the amount of losses from illegal captures of vessels. William Hemsley (1736/37–1812) of Queen Anne’s County, Md., frequently represented the Eastern Shore in the Maryland Senate between 1779 and 1790. He was related to the influential Tilghman family.
2. The enclosure has not been identified, but it probably was either McHenry’s second letter to GW of 11 March or his draft for a letter to Congress on that subject (see GW to Congress, 15 March).
3. The enclosure has not been identified, but it evidently was a draft of the letter sent to Israel Chapin, Jr., with a date of 11 March. That letter cautioned Chapin to observe economy, instructed him on keeping accounts, and directed that the supplies to be furnished to the Six Nations “should not exceed the Annuity” granted by the treaty of 1794. However, McHenry added in that letter that, “as it may not be prudent to reduce them at once or instantly to this standard you may depart so far from it only as may be absolutely necessary to preserve the friendship of important Chiefs and relieve distressed Individuals” (NHi: Henry O’Reilly Collection).
The following Monday was 14 March.