Discussion of Officer Appointments, Relative Rank, & President's Power to Appoint Officers
Document 1799McHenry notifies Adams that he will announce the new officers' appointments, as per Adams' instructions. Discusses the ramifications of a recent act of Congress concerning the right of the president to fill vacancies in the army & navy officer corps; concludes that Adams is able to approve additional officers because of this act, and promises to send Adams a list of suitable men. Considers the apportioning of officers to the army by state versus making sure meritable officers fill the posts. Discusses candidates for the office of Inspector of Artillery. Notes issue of relative rank between officers for the provisional army, as the offices were created simultaneously but are being filled consecutively; for this reason, seeming to contradict his promise earlier in the letter, McHenry advises against issuing any commission announcements until all can be announced simultaneously. Notes that officers raised in 1792 did not receive their commissions for a full year after appointment. Forwards correspondence from General MacPherson, and states that the Recruiting Service for the new regiments will begin soon.
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