Autograph, Contemporaneous or Certified Copy, Signed

Information Regarding Generals, and Reasons for War Department Conference at Philadelphia

Informs Pinckney that he has written to Hamilton & Knox, calling them into service at Philadelphia, and hopes that Washington will attend as well. He writes that Knox has refused his commission on account of being ranked third among the three major generals; that Hamilton will arrive as requested; and that Washington will meet once all have assembled, but will remain at Mount Vernon until that time. Explains why he is calling the generals together: 1) to make use of their experience in deciding upon the many applications for officers' appointments which have been received by the War Office; 2) to discuss the disposition of troops; 3) to discuss the provisioning of troops; 4) to discuss the necessary level of military stores. Says he hopes that Pinckney will be able to attend as Hamilton and Washington have expressed their willingness to do so.

1798

10

30

War Department

Enclosed in McHenry to Adams, 10/30/1798.

Charles Cotesworth Pinckeny

James McHenry

Secretary of War

Alexander Hamilton

Henry Knox

General Washington

War Department

commission

relative rank

generals

troops

applications

appointments

provisions

provisioning

supplies

stores

military stores

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