James McHenry Papers
375 documents
Instructions to the commanders of warships to protect American trade
General instructions to commanders of armed vessels in the service of the United States in order to protect United States trade on the coast. Urges them to defend selves with all necessary force …
James McHenry PapersIn response to fraudulent claims for bounty lands
Addresses fraudulent claims by officers and soldiers from the old Continental Army for obtaining bounty lands. McHenry now requires that all claims be forwarded to the War Office on or before January …
James McHenry PapersGarrison at Fort Pinckney, South Carolina
Among other matters, Read talks about his approach to establishing a garrison at Fort Pinckney.
James McHenry PapersFurloughs for officers headed to the Mississippi
Directs that none of the officers scheduled to the Mississippi be granted furloughs unless the commander can adequately replace them.
James McHenry PapersFrench prisoners in Lancaster
Indicates that he has referred Hand's letter to the Secretary of the Navy. Hand reported that some French prisoners in custody of the Sheriff of Lancaster, Pennsylvania had exhibited poor conduct, and …
James McHenry PapersExplanation of orders and instructions
McHenry responds with "candor" and "frankness" to complaints from General James Wilkinson on orders and instructions. The Secretary of War offers explanations for each specific complaint levied by the …
James McHenry PapersEnclosed letter to Benjamin Hawkins
Encloses a letter which had been mistakenly lost among some private papers until a week prior when he discovered it. Alleges that its contents are not too old to be useful.
James McHenry PapersEnclosed letter for Colonel Hamilton
Indicates that he read Bauman's letter at 5 o'clock that morning and is enclosing a letter to be sent to Colonel Hamilton.
James McHenry PapersEnclosed copies of correspondence with Pinckney
Encloses a copy of the correspondence between McHenry and Pinckney over the commission of Major General in the Provisional Army.
James McHenry PapersEnclosed commission of Major General in the Provisional Army
Encloses Pinckney's commission of Major General of the Provisional Army and reaffirms the relative rank of the Major Generals despite the surrounding controversy: Hamilton, Pinckney, Knox.
James McHenry PapersDiscusses the patriotism and zeal of American citizens
Alleges that southerners exhibit less patriotism and zeal; hints at partisan divisions. Mentions that General McPherson, head of five companies of infantry, is present. Discusses artillery and rifle …
James McHenry PapersDiplomatic relations with Spain
Writes that a ship that he was onboard heading out of Lisbon was fired upon by a Spanish gunboat. Describes travels through Spain and happily reports that the Spanish have surrendered posts in …
James McHenry PapersDiplomatic relations with France and Britain
The U.S. Minister to Portugal acknowledges that he has not heard from McHenry as of late due to the raising of the Provisional Army. Tries to reassure McHenry that America will likely not be invaded, …
James McHenry PapersDiplomatic conversation with the Chevalier Yruho
Account of a conversation with the Chevalier Yruho, who visited the Adamses in Quincy, Massachusetts. Mentions that Yruho engaged in a non-personal diplomatic dispute with Secretary Pickering …
James McHenry PapersDetailed plans for the organization of the Provisional Army
McHenry fears delay on the part of Adams in responding to his propositions for the Provisional Army, along with his insistence that Knox be ranked first and Hamilton last among the three Major …
James McHenry PapersDelivery of dispatches to Captain Dale
Asks that a fast sailing pilot boat be prepared to sail at a moment's notice to carry dispatches to Captain Dale.
James McHenry PapersDefending reputation against political charges
Smith responds to what he considers "erroneous" political charges against him, claiming that he is uninfluenced by British or French politics, only believing in the politics of independence. Smith is …
James McHenry PapersDangers in re-arranging the rank of Major-Generals in the Provisional Army
Informs Tracy that Adams wishes to change the order of rank for the Major-Generals of the Provisional Army, with Knox first, then Pinckney, then Hamilton. States that such a re-arrangement would lead …
James McHenry PapersCourt martial trial of Captain Thomas Lewis
Writes to inform Vance that he has been appointed a member of the general court martial in Trenton for the trial of Capt. Thomas Lewis.
James McHenry PapersCorrespondence on Military Matters and Artillery Officers
President Adams addresses McHenry on some "very unpleasant information" coming from Benjamin Brooks, one of the majors of a new artillerist corps. Adams appoints his personal friend James Lovell as …
James McHenry PapersCorrespondence from the western posts
Discusses the murder of an Indian named White Eyes by a boy named Carpenter with a knife and club.
James McHenry PapersControversy over the lack of a commission for a Massachusetts local
Representative Sedgwick writes to McHenry expressing his constituent's disappointment in the failure of the War Department to offer a local gentleman Samuel Church a commission.
James McHenry PapersConcerning the USS Constitution
Letter from a shipwright in regards to the USS Constitution, launched on October 21, 1797.
James McHenry PapersConcerning the Society of United Irishmen or United Men
Regarding the activities of a Catholic priest named Madgit, believed to be a spy in the employment of the Directory. Substance of information by the superior of the Roman Catholic clergy in …
James McHenry PapersConcerning the recommendation of Mr. Bradley
States that he will pay particular attention to the recommendation of Mr. Bradley (most likely for the proposed Provisional Army), but reminds him that it is neither proper nor fitting at this time to …
James McHenry Papers
