Papers of the War Department · Collection · Papers of the War Department

Letter from George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States to James McHenry Secretary of War expressing satisfaction with McHenry and President Adams in preparing for war with France, McHenry's lack of substantive letters, poor choices of General Officers and procurement of foreign manufactured arms

Writing from Mt Vernon, Washington expresses dissatisfaction with President John Adams and his Secretary of War James McHenry for inadequate preparations for the Quasi-War with France. Washington regrets that the spirit of enthusiasm for war with France, stemming from the treatment of the US commissioners by the French Directory, and the demands made on them as a precondition to negotiations, has since passed, and laments that this is to the detriment of the military recruiting effort. Washington goes on to criticize McHenry's correspondence as being lacking in substance and wanting of information. Short letters he notes are unsatisfactory and distressing. Washington expresses dissatisfaction that he does not receive adequate attention from the Secretary of War; that he has put more into his letters than McHenry into his, despite Washington's debilitated state. He asks that McHenry contrast recent correspondence as evidence of his unanswered questions. Washington says he will defer saying anything on the President's new [underlined] arrangement respecting the Major Generals until he has heard from Alexander Hamilton. Washington complains about the nomination of Anthony Walton White of New Jersey to rank of Brigadier. Off all the characters in the revolutionary army, no one is more obnoxious; especially among the southerners, where he is celebrated for nothing but frivolity. As for Sevier, he is best known for murder of Indians. What measures, Washington asks, are being made for the supply of small arms? If any foreign manufactured articles are needed such as cannon and horse artillery from Britain or Scotland, then no time should be lost in obtaining them. Closes by saying he has written as a friend.

The Account of James Seagrove

James Seagrove, late collector for the district of Saint Mary's in Georgia, has retained a number of revenue bonds on the grounds that certain demands may have to be paid by the War Department. Wolcottt requests information about what sums may be admitted as being due to Mr. Seagrove.

Whereabouts of My Two Chests of Tea?

Hodgdon asks Acheson to inquire of Mr. Skinner if he has any knowledge of the location of Mr. Easton to whom was delivered Hodgdon's two chests of tea.

Payment of Elias Langham's Draft

Enclosed is a post note in payment of Elias Langham's draft on Hodgdon in Taylor's favor.

All My Neighbors Have Left Me

Amidst a discussion of supply matters, Hodgdon despairs that even though his family remains well, all of his neighbors have left due to fear of contagion.

Sickness in Philadeliphia

Hodgdon bemoaned loss of neighbors in the city (Philadelphia) who left due to illness prevailing during summer months. Celebrates that his family is still well. Hodgdon chose to remain in the city to attend to his office. Noted that box containing sundry articles for Col. Sergeant and other valuable items for Gen. Wilkinson are traveling for Pittsburgh.

Sundry Supplies & Accounts

Hodgdon informs McHenry of several pending supply and account matters.

Personal Letter on Illness

Letter, alludes to epidemics.

Certification of payments; Ensign Joel Cook

Certification that $20 is due Ensign Joel Cook, being the balance of his pay from the date of his acceptance to 31 August 1798.

Certification of payments; pay of Ensign George W. Steele

Certification that $20.16 is due Ensign George W. Stall, being the balance of his pay from the date of acceptance of his appointment to 31 August 1798.

[Untitled]

Letter, Citation only

Fiscal Projections of the War Department for January to June 1799

Includes various departmental budgets, allotments for Indian gifts, bounties, subsistence for officers, forage, troops' pay, maintenance of defenses, the building of a grist and sawmill, troops' equipment and other military stores. Most or all of these are for the forces of "the old establishment," not the 12 new regiments raised by Congress for the conflict with France [the Quasi-War]; calculations for those units are in McHenry's cover letter to this document.

Balance of military appropriations

Balances of appropriations for the general account of the military.

Letter confirming shipment of military articles; and reference to Yellow Fever epidemic

Ebenezer Stevens confirmed shipment of military stores on board the Sloop Hercules. In writing to Samuel Hodgdon, Stevens notes that he is sorry to hear about the deplorable conditions as a result of the Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia. Hopes that Hodgdon and connections may escape the calamity. New York is in a very unhealthy state and vast numbers of inhabitants have fled to the country.

Money for Stores

Letter, urges timely settlement of a bill because of the scarcity of money in Shepardstown and the need for cash to maintain public credit. Mentioned the depopulation of Philadelphia due to yellow fever, expressed gladness in the recovery of the Sec. of War. Attempting to procure all the Maryland stores that were lost.

Request for Order to Military Stores to Produce Weapons for Cutters, Eagle and Diligence

Revenue Cutters, Eagle and Diligence required cutlasses, pistols, flints, and powder before they could set sail. Due to current state of calamity in Philadelphia, Stoddert requested and order be sent to Mr. Hodgdon or Mr. Harris for the articles required.

Requests Articles for Cutters to Go to Sea

Mr. Humphreys reports that 2 cutters are not ready to go to sea for want of supplies. Requests order for needed articles.

Discussion of Appointments of Brooks and North

Returns blank commissions. Speaks disparagingly of Major Brooks's appointment. Defers to McHenry and Stoddart to make decision as he considers Brooks a total stranger. Discusses appointment of General North. Requests attention to troops of North Carolina.

Addressing Libel, Officer Appointments & North Carolina Horsemen

Addresses libels uttered by Major Brooks; Adams says he leaves it to McHenry and Stoddert to make a decision about the man's fitness for appointment. States that General North must accept his appointment as offered, and should not expect negotiation on its finer points; asks McHenry to reply to "the corps of horse" of Warren County, North Carolina.

Addressing McHenry's Place in the Hamilton Relative Rank Intrigues

Authorizes the commissioning of generals of the army in the order of Knox, Pinckney, and Hamilton, and asks McHenry to call Knox and Hamilton into service whenever he deems fit. Answers McHenry's demand for explanation of an implication of McHenry in the relative rank intrigues by saying that he believes McHenry has always dealt with him candidly, but that he perhaps influenced Washington into asking that Hamilton be made first general in the field. However, Adams declares the matter settled.

Order of Commissions

Adams felt that McHenry believed the unanimous opinion of the public and the Federalists was that Hamilton should be appointed first. Adams negated this sentiment as false, noting that McHenry brought this opinion to Washington too forcibly, thus causing him to give the first commission to Knox.

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