Important Not to Make Bad Worse
Document 1799McHenry believes that the mission should continue to receive fair play and should be conducted with the same candor as if the measure is the best that could be devised. It is important not to make bad worse though he does not know what the President intends. Enclosed is a copy of Govenor Davie's letter relative to the station Harper wants in the cavalry. Apparently Governor Davie will visit the Directory, an arrangement recommended by Judge Elsworth.
No human transcription currently available for this document.
This transcription was generated by machine using Anthropic's Claude Code (model sonnet 4.6). It may contain errors or inaccuracies. Please verify against the document image. Learn more about our generative AI methodology.
[From
Secy at War
Aug. 7. 1799 —]
Philadelphia 7 Aug. 1799
my dear Sir.
I recd. your letter of the 2d inst. yesterday. I think with you, that we ought to give the mission fair play, and conduct ourselves with the same candour, as if we considered the measure the best that could have been devised. We must not make bad worse. What the President will determine upon I know not.
Inclosed is a copy of a letter to Governor Davie, relative to the station you wish for in the Cavalry should any reverse of fortune befal Suwarrow. In the mean while, keep your docket well filled, and let no one [underline: appear] more anxious to deserve a fortune, by industry and honourable practice.
It was only a few days ago I learned that Governor Davie had been "thought of, and applied to, and had consented, to assist the Directory. This arrangement was recommended by Judge Ellsworth.
Yours truely & sincerely
James McHenry
[undecipherable: probable reading: L. S. C.] Harker Sir
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Description
McHenry believes that the mission should continue to receive fair play and should be conducted with the same candor as if the measure is the best that could be devised. It is important not to make bad worse though he does not know what the President intends. Enclosed is a copy of Govenor Davie's letter relative to the station Harper wants in the cavalry. Apparently Governor Davie will visit the Directory, an arrangement recommended by Judge Elsworth.
Date
08/07/1799
Author
Recipient
Sent from
Philadelphia
Repository
Collection
Document number
1799080700001
Page start
1
Notable persons
Robert G. Harper
James McHenry
Judge Ellsworth
Governor Davie
Notable locations
Philadelphia
Notable items
your docket
reverse of fortune
honourable practice