Outrage at Intrigue Surrounding Relative Rank of Generals; Assumption of Responsibility for Issue by President Adams

Adams states that he cannot share McHenry's stated sentiments on relative rank to General Knox, as he cannot agree with them. Affirms his belief that the law dictates that rank between officers commissioned on the same day should be determined based on prior service. Says that he made the nominations based on the list Washington sent him, and had hoped that rank would be worked out between the men. Did not believe the possibility of Hamilton's outranking any other major general was even an issue. Says he is willing to write Knox's commission on the first day, Pinckney's on the second, and Hamilton's on the third; if, otherwise, all commissions are written the same day, he says Hamilton will be outranked by the others, as well as by [Edward] Hand and [Henry] Lee [III]. Says that he [Adams] has never settled an issue of rank, and would gladly leave it and the office of president to Washington, but will not allow the president's responsibility be executed by someone [i.e. Washington] who is not holding the office. Says that the responsibility is, and must be his; disdains the amount of intrigue which has resulted from this issue, and reaffirms his opinion that the relative rank should be Knox, Pinckney, Hamilton. Extends sympathies for the ill health of McHenry and his family; notes Mrs. Adams' extreme sickness as well.

1798

08

29

Quincy

Copy enclosed in McHenry to Washington, 09/10/1798.

2 COLLECTIONS: one with photocopy images, one without images.

DEII Candidacy: This letter substantively reviews the ongoing relative rank issue, a major point of contention between Washington, Adams, Knox, Pinckney, and Hamilton, and concerns the power of the president to determine such things. Clear tension and large issues are present.

Cited document addressed to the War Office

James McHenry

John Adams

Henry Knox

George Washington

Hamilton

Commissioners

General Edward Hand

General Lee

Pinckney

Abigail Adams

Quincy

Boston

opinions

nominations

order of nomination

rank

office

power and authority

ill health

mutual and amiable accommodation

"My opinion is and always has been clear, that as the law now stands, the order of nominations or of recording has no weight or effect: but that officers appointed on the same day, in whatever order, have a Right to rank according to antecedent Services."

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