Adams Submits to Judgment of Cabinet & Generals on Military Appointments; Gloomy Appraisal of Military Preparations
Document 1798Adams addresses the relative rank of the major generals, saying that when he chose to sign them all on the same date, he decided to abide by either an amicable decision among the group or the judgment of General Washington. Says he would have invited Washington to Philadelphia long ago if he did not need to remain at the bedside of his deathly-ill wife; waxes on the gloominess of this year. Asks McHenry to appoint officers as he sees fit, and send Adams more blank commission papers to sign as needed. Leaves appointments in the hands of McHenry, the generals, and the other members of the Cabinet. Expresses dismal feelings about the state of the army and martial preparations, disapproving of the low wage of private soldiers and believing that "there is no more prospect of seeing a French army here, than in Heaven."
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