1 Aug 1776 from Washington

[sideways, left side] James McHenry Esqr Secrety of War Philadelphia Private [half circle] X Mount Vernon 8th Augt. 1796 33 Dear Sir, Your private letter of the 3d instant, accompanying the official one of the same date, came to hand by the last Post.__ The draught of the letter to the Governor of Georgia is approved.__ I have added a word or two to the last paragraph by on by wary of hint, where we shall ^ look for the cause of Peace is not preserved on the frontier of that State. _ I request that you would begin to note the occurrences that have happened in the War Department (since the Adjournment of Congress) which will require to be communicated to that body in the Speech, or by messages, at the next Session.__ It is from the materials furnished by each Department, and the memorandums taken by myself, that the first is framed; and it will be be an omission, not to commit these to writing in the moment they occur; it being much easier to select, than to collect matter, for these purposes, when the hour arrives for digesting them into form.__ If other things (although they may be extraneous to your department) should occur, let them be noted^also.__ It is better to have them in all than to escape all the Memorandums I shall be furnished with. I am always & sincerely Yours Affectienate G:oWashington James 1796