51From George Washington to James McHenry, 13 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I observe by the concluding paragraph of your letter of the 10th instant that you contemplate conferences between the Secretaries of State and of the Treasury and myself, for the purpose of obtaining auxiliary information from their departments—Several of the questions which you state seem indeed to require such information. But on reflection, it has occurred to me as most regular, that you...
52From George Washington to James McHenry, 16 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter from Major Lawrence Lewis requires explanation, and it is the purpose of this letter to give it. He had, it seems, been making Overtures of Marriage to Miss Custis some time previous to the formation of the Augmented Corps in November last, at Philadelphia; without any apparent impression, until she found he was arranged as a Captain in the Regiment of Light Dragoons, and...
53From George Washington to James McHenry, 1 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
You will be at no loss to perceive, from my private letter to you of the 16th ulto, extracts from which you sent to the President of the United States; and from my representation to him, dated the 25th following, the rough draught of wch was enclosed in my last, what my determination is, if he perseveres in his Resolution to change the order of the Major Generals, and to disregard the...
54From 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...
55From George Washington to James McHenry, 12 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
The originals and drafts of letters enclosed in yours of the 8th instt are herewith returned. The publication of the letters to and from Lieutt Colo. England was certainly improper: and the reprehension of Genl Wilkinson for doing it , or suffering it to be done , is just; and the manner in which it has been conveyed to him is delicate. The draught of the letter to Colo. Gaither, predicated on...
56From 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...
57From George Washington to James McHenry, 13 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 2d Instt, covering your dispatches of the 10th Ultimo, was brought to me by the Messenger who carried my letters to you (of the 5 & 6th) to the Post Office in Alexandria. That no time might be lost in carrying the Presidents Plan, and the request contained in your letter of the 10th Ult., into effect, I have solicited the aid of Generals Morgan, Lee, & Marshall; & the...
58From George Washington to James McHenry, 28 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Knowing that the War Office has an Agency in the Western Lands, I take the liberty of putting the enclosed letters to General Putnam and Colo. Sargent under cover to you, open. By doing so, it supercedes the necessity of a repetition of what is therein mentioned. Another reason for giving you this trouble, is, that if Mr Massey is a Surveyor in the Northwestern Territory, it is highly probable...
59From George Washington to James McHenry, 10 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
The letter from Mr Ames to Mr Bent, containing further evidence to his good character, I send. The other letter from Mr Carter (who married a Niece of mine) though private, I send also but request it may b⟨e⟩ returned; what he says of a cert⟨ain⟩ character—may be treasured up, but reported as coming from him. His brother is an utter stranger to me, and therefore I can add nothing to what he...
60From George Washington to James McHenry, 28 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 21st & 24th instant have been duly received. The last, in time on tuesday, to give in the nominations of yourself & Mr Chase for the Offices contemplated. The day following they were advised & consented to by the Senate; and the Commissions will be ready for the reception of you both on your arrival in this City. of this be so good as to inform Mr Chase; and, if he is still...
61From George Washington to James McHenry, 29 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 25th instt came to Alexandria Yesterday evening, and was put into my hands this morn. For the Rules & regulations accompanying it, I thank you; and will read them attentively, if I am allowed time; but this is questionable, as I am assailed from all quarters, and by all descriptions of People, for Commissions, Introductions, recommendations, &ca to all of which common...
62From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Private My dear Sir, Mount Vernon 7th June 1799 When I began the enclosed letter (left open for your perusal) I intended to address it to Colo. Biddle; who transacts all matters of that sort for me in Philadelphia; but as I wrote on, it occurred that, possibly, the Quarter Master might be a more appropriate character to accomplish my order: for this reason, I have left the letter without a...
63From George Washington to James McHenry, 22 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 1st Instt came to this place whilst I was absent on a tour up the Potomack, or an earlier acknowledgement of it would have been given. The inclosure shall, either by this, or the next Post, be sent to Doctr Gordon for his information, and that justice may be done to a character so deserving of American gratitude, & the pen of a Historiographer as that of the Marquis de la...
64From George Washington to James McHenry, 14 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
Private Dear Sir, Chester [Pa.] 14th Decr 1798. Having requested that the nomination of Mr Custis might be with held (even if it should meet the Presidents approbation under any circumstances) until I could consult his Grandmother (Mrs Washington) and mother Mrs Stuart; I further pray that no mention of his name for such an Office may be made until the result is known; because, if their...
65From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are two letters of application for Appointments in the Army of the United States—One from Genl Morgan covering a letter from Capt. A. C. Randolph applying for an office in the Cavalry instead of the Infantry where you will find him among the newly appointed Captains. I have little or no personal knowledge of Capt. Randolph; but from the manner in which Genl Morgan speaks of him, and...
66From George Washington to James McHenry, 14 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
In order to form an opinion on the query contained in your letter of the 10th instant, whether it will be best to furnish Rations for the Troops by Contracts, or by purchasing and issuing Commissaries, it will be necessary that I should know the prices of Rations, now paid by Contract, at the several places where Troops are sta⟨tione⟩d. You will therefore be pleased to add this to the...
67From George Washington to James McHenry, 8 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia 8th April 1794 Your private letters of the 31st of March & 3d instt have been duly received. Although it is a rare, if not an entire new thing with me, to answer letters applying for appointments, yet from motives of esteem & regard, & our former connexion in public life, I shall acknowledge the receipt of yours on this head; although I can say nothing more on...
68From George Washington to James McHenry, 6 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 28th Ulto I have duly received. I have no wish that any sentiments of mine, handed to you officially, should be withheld from Congress, or the Public. All I should have desired, wou’d have been, that such parts of my Report of the proceedings which occupied the attention of the two Major Generals and myself in Philadelphia, and fit for Legislative consideration, might have...
69From George Washington to James McHenry, 1 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
The letters herewith, from Colonels Fitzgerald & Simms, conveys all the information I am enabled to give you relatively to the characters of Captn Piercy (who is a good looking man—apparently turned of Forty) and Mr Bent. Where applications are made to me by persons whom I know, or from the Report of those in whom I can confide, believe are deserving, I shall pass them on to your Office; with...
70From George Washington to James McHenry, 1 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
With a heart duly impressed with a sense of the kind invitation you have been pleased to give me to your House I receivd your favor of the 29th ult., and pray you to accept my thanks for this farther testimony of your polite attention to me; but at the same time I offer you this tribute of my gratitude, I must beg your excuse for not complying with the request. For, however pleasing it might...
71From George Washington to James McHenry, 13 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
You will observe that in the arrangement of the officers alloted to New York there is an alternative of Wm S. Smith or Abijah Hammond for Lt Colonel Commandant. Various considerations demand that the motive of this hesitation should be explained. Had military qualifications alone been consulted the name of Colonel Smith would have stood singly and he would have been deemed a valuable...
72From George Washington to James McHenry, 5 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have thrown together the following sentiments on the papers you put into my hand yesterday. Brevets which have been given with conditions annexed, ought, undoubtedly, to have the conditions fulfilled; because it is a contract between the Parties. Simple Brevets, must be determined by the usage & Custom of other Armies, if there is no established rule for considering of them in our own; I...
73From George Washington to James McHenry, 12 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 7th inst., enclosing reccommendations in favor of Mr James Glenn for a Captaincy in the Provisional Army; and shall attend to your request to return this, and similar papers, whenever the list for Virginia shall be completed. But, Sir, I must candidly acknowledge to you that I see no prospect of completing the selection of Officers from this State, for...
74From 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....
75From George Washington to James McHenry, 13 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Private My dear Sir, Mount Vernon 13th Augt 1798. It was not (as you will perceive by the letter herewith) until after I had written my private, & confidential letter of the 10th, to you, that I was favoured with the details contained in your letter of the 8th—The receipt of which, and finding that my ideas accorded so well with the measures you had suggested, for the consideration of the...
76From George Washington to James McHenry, 30 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are letters from several persons, as mentioned at foot, applying for appointments in the actual Army. I have no personal knowledge of the Characters of the Applicants, nor do I know whether there are any vacancies to which they can be appointed, however deserving they may be. With due consideration I have the honor to be Sir Yr mo. ob. St Df , in Tobias Lear’s hand, DLC:GW . Below “G....
77From George Washington to James McHenry, 6 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are sundry letters which have come to my hands, requesting Appointments in the Army of the United States. You will observe that all these letters, excepting one, are from foreigners; and as I presume it is a principle pretty well established, that it would be improper to admit persons of this description into our Army, unless it is a few Characters well skilled as Engineers or...
78From George Washington to James McHenry, 14 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
It is a little out of time, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th ulto; but “better late than never.” and one object in doing it, is to pray you to thank Mr Bordly in my name, for the work he had the goodness to send me, through the channel of your conveyance. I presume the affair of Mr Blount will lye dormant until the Committee of Congress make a Report at the ensuing Session....
79From George Washington to James McHenry, 1 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Post of Friday last brought me your dispatches of the 26th Ulto, with the Papers therein enclosed. The draught of a letter to the Agent of the Department of War, and the Instructions for the person proposed as Deputy paymaster and Storekeeper in the State of Tennessee, are guarded, and proper. The only doubt remaining with me, is whether so many Officers, in that quarter, are realy...
80From George Washington to James McHenry, 2 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Private Dear Sir, Mount Vernon 2d Augt 1798 Finding that I was not altogether correct, in giving the Uniform of the Company of Greyheads in the Town of Alexandria, I amend, as soon as possible, the mistake, by transmitting the letter of the Captn thereof—Colo. Simms—to Mrs Washington. Have you received my letter of the 22d of July? The enquiry there made, respecting the Quarter Master General...
81From George Washington to James McHenry, 10 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a letter and sundry Certificates which have been handed to me by a Monsr Demoumonier, a French Gentln who is desirious of entering into the service of the United States in the military line. I forward this letter & these documents to you as I have done all of a similar nature which have come to my hand; but how far it may comport with the line of policy marked out by the Govt of...
82From George Washington to James McHenry, 24 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 19th inst. enclosing recommendns of sundry persons in Kanhawa County for Military appointmts—These shall be Ret[urne]d in due time, agreeably to your desire. I forward to you a letter from Gustavus B. Wallace Junr of King George County, requesting an appointment in the present Cavalry. I am entirely unacquainted with the Applicant, and have had no opportunity...
83From George Washington to James McHenry, 16 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 2d instt came duly to hand. For the perusal of the enclosure I thank you—It is returned. We heard with much concern, but long after the thing had happened, of the accident which befel your son. We hope he is perfectly recovered from the fall, and you from your billious attack. Having no news to entertain you with, and could only fill a letter with the perplexities I...
84From George Washington to James McHenry, 10 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
After seeing the backs of the British Forces turned upon us, and the Executive of the State of New York put into the peaceable possession of their Capitol, I set out for this place. On Monday next I expect to leave the City, and by slow traveling arrive at Baltimore on Wednesday, where I will spend one day and then proceed to Annapolis and get translated into a private Citizen. I am y’r...
85From George Washington to James McHenry, 8 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Having written a great many letters for this day’s Post, and being a good deal fatigued thereby and with the heat of the weather, I shall do no more, at present, than to inform you that your letters of the 2d and 3d instant with the enclosures of the first came perfectly safe, and that my letter to the Secretary of State, of this date, will inform you confidentially of my decision with respect...
86From George Washington to James McHenry, 17 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are two letters of application for appointments in the immediate Army. One from John Smith, for a Lieutenancy, recommended by General Posey, and Captn Presley Thornton—the other a Recommendation of Richd Robey, by Captn Garnett Peyton and others, for the appointment of Cadet. Captn George S. Washington has requested that I would mention to you the name of John Stephens, of Berkley...
87From George Washington to James McHenry, 3 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Private Dear Sir, Mount Vernon 3d April 1797 Your letter of the 24th Ulto has been duly received, and I thank you for the information given in it: Let me pray you to have the goodness to communicate to me occasionally, such matters as are interesting, and not contrary to the rules of your official duty to disclose. We get so many details in the Gazettes, and of such different complexions, that...
88From George Washington to James McHenry, 10 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 1st instant is received. Whatever appearance, or shape, the Uniform intended for me, may take, by your direction, will be entirely agreeable to my taste. It being the commencement of a distinguishing dress for the Commander in Chief of the armies of the United States (whomsoever he maybe) and probably will be a permanent one—my wish (although as it respects myself personally...
89From George Washington to James McHenry, 4 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
Knowing nothing of Mr John Parker (whose letter I enclose you); of his fitness for the work he contemplates; or the utility of it when done; except bringing all these matters into a connected view; which indeed might be useful. But knowing as I well do, that many men when they want money, and do not readily know how else to come at it, are too apt to set projects of this kind on foot, to...
90From George Washington to James McHenry, 11 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
I met your favor of the 5th, in Alexandria yesterday. Today I dispatch one of my Overseers and two Servants for the Jack & Mules which are arrived at Baltimore. The Pheasants & Partridges, I pray you to procure a passage for them by Water, in the Packet. To bring them by Land would be troublesome, & might perhaps be dangerous for them. Be so good as to let me know the expence of these...
91From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your two letters, both dated the 1st instant, came to hand yesterday only. I thank you for giving me the perusal of their enclosures; and as I am upon the point of setting out to a meeting of the Stockholders of the Potomack Navigation, and may be from home two or three days, I return them without delay. I had, it is true, entirely forgot my old Coach until reminded thereof by Mr Small; upon...
92From George Washington to James McHenry, 27 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of——came safe, and in due time; for the information contained in it I thank you; your request was immediately complied with, as every one of a similar nature shall be. A Report is circulated in Alexandria and its vicinity, transmitted (it is said) in private letters from Philadelphia, that a correspondence has been discovered, or more properly, letters have been intercepted from...
93From George Washington to James McHenry, 5 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
Private My dear Sir, Mount Vernon 5th May 1799 Your private letter of the 29th Ulto was received yesterday, and requires but a short reply. From an observation of yours, in answer to my letter of the 23d Ulto, I perceive my meaning with respect to the settlement of relative Rank, has been misunderstood; or, if taken properly, I must adhere to the opinion I gave of the injustice which would be...
94From George Washington to James McHenry, 14 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
You will see by the inclosed Copies, which are answers to my letters to Mr Livingston and Mr Madison, upon what footing the appointments to Foreign Courts stand. If these Gentlemen should leave Congress previous to the taking place of this Event—Your friends in Congress should advise you thereof, & of the time at which these elections may probably be made—and I can facilitate your wishes by...
95From George Washington to James McHenry, 1 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to James McHenry, 1 July 1795. A purported ALS was offered for sale by Parke-Bernet, The James McHenry Papers, Part I: Public Auction Sale, (3 May 1944), item 213.
96From George Washington to James McHenry, 20 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I was very glad to find by your letter of the 13th instant that you had got well enough to resume your seat in the Office. On this circumstance I sincerely congratulate you. You must know as much of Mr Hoops as I do, and have it more in your power to obtain correct information of his character & fitness for the place that is suggested; but from respect to Mr Morris, and in justice to Mr Hoops,...
97From George Washington to James McHenry, 2 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be presented to you by Mr Elliot, the son of a meritorious Officer in the Revolutionary War. He has equitable (if not legal) claim to Land. I have advised him to shew you the nature of it. If it is within your power to serve him, I am sure you will. If not, you can advise him as to the course best to be taken. Always, & sincerely, I am Your Affectionate Humble Servant ALS...
98From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your private letter of the 29th Ulto with its enclosures, and return your letters to and from General Hamilton. In my letter to Genl Hamilton, which has been before you, you find I have fully expressed my opinion on the expediency—regarding circumstances—of promoting General Wilkinson to the Rank of Major General and I am always willing to give publicity to any sentiment...
99From George Washington to James McHenry, 21 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 16th instt came by the last Mail. The enclosures are well calculated to effect their objects. But the explicit declaration contained in the one to General Knox, added to his knowledge of my sentiments on the subject of relative Rank, leaves little hope, in my mind, that he will obey your summons, and render his aid in the manner required of him. I hope no difficulty will...
100From 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...