Instructions to the Incoming Secretary of War
| Source | Name | Image(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Collection | Massachusetts Historical Society: John Adams Papers |  |
| Collection | Clements Library: James McHenry Papers | |
| Date | May 29, 1800 |
|---|---|
| Author Name | James McHenry (primary) Location: War Department |
| Recipient Name | Samuel Dexter (primary) |
| Summary | Instructions for McHenry's successor - Samuel Dexter - on important matters of the War Department, including: discharge of the Provisional Army, Indian policy, supply of clothing, trading houses on the western frontier, contractors for cannon, the Corps of Artillerists & Engineers, fortifications, and the establishment of an armory at Harper's Ferry. Also mentions his desire for a National Foundry for casting cannon, shot, and shells, which he has proposed to President Adams. |
| Document Format | Autograph Letter Signed |
| Document Notes | Enclosed in McHenry to Adams, 05/31/1800. DEII Candidacy: everything McHenry considered important to the current state of the War Department should be included herein. |
| Content Notes | [not available] |
| Related Persons/Groups | Samuel Dexter; James McHenry; Alexander Hamilton; Charles Cotesworth Pinckney; officers; privates; paymaster general; superintendent; quartermaster general; army; regiments; infantry; Thomas Butler; Natchez; musicians; Isaac Craig; James Wilkinson; William Chancellor; Indians; Chickasaw; Creek; Cherokee; Choctaw; savage; John Adams; contractors; accountant; artillerists; engineers; Mr. Foncin; French; troops; laborers; [Benjamin Stoddert]; directors; Congress; workmen; clerk; German; translator; Henry Lee; |
| Related Places | War Department; Savannah; Knoxville; Tennessee; Mississippi; Pittsburgh; Northwestern; frontier; Philadelphia; Chickasaw Bluff; Bank of the United States; Oconee; Tellico; West; Baltimore; Potomac; Harper's Ferry; Springfield; War Office; Virginia; |
| Keywords | Packet; papers; measures; directions; discharge; pay; military stores; clothing; tents; camp; equipment; garrisons; detachments; buttons; dollars; cloth; stipends; treaties; factory; medal; silver; bronze; emblem; manufactures; boxes; cattle; spinning; weaving; trading houses; contracts; cannon; accounts; expenditures; fortifications; armory; small arms; buildings; canal; ammunition; home; metal; ordnance; foundry; ore; shot; guns; shells; laboratory; magazines; powder; deposits; regulations; carriages; rent; salary; stores; depots; books; employment; |
| Key Phrases | [not available] |
| Transcription | [not available] |