[PRIVATE]: Uniforms

Item

Type

Autograph Letter Signed

Title

[PRIVATE]: Uniforms

Description

Personal opinion on uniforms for commander-in-chief. Offers Bushrod Washington as transporter of uniform to Mount Vernon.

year created

1799

month created

02

day created

10

sent from location

Mount Vernon

recipient

in collection

in image

notable person/group

James McHenry
George Washington
Bushrod Washington
Commander-in-Chief

notable location

Mount Vernon
Philadelphia

notable item/thing

uniform
epaulet
cockade

notable idea/issue

uniform style
dress
personal preferences
above articles are ready, and is certain of being here by the 22d instant
it would afford a good and safe opportunity for the conveyance of them to me, - but if has has doubts on this head, I would not hazard the receipt of them by him, by that time
as you will perceive by the enclosed letter to Mr. McAlpin left open, for your perusal and with an excuse for troubling you with these small matters, at a time when I presume you are pressed by important ones, I am with esteem + regard, and much truth

My dear Sir
Your Affect. Servant
G. Washington

James McHenry Esq.

document number

1799021040001

page start

1

number of pages

3

transcription

10 Febry 1799 Gen Washington

Private
Mount Vernon 10th Feby 1799
77

My dear Sir,
Your letter of the 1 instant is received-Whatever appearance, or shape the Uniform intended for me, may take, by your direction, will be entirely agreeable to my taste. It being the commencement of a distinguishing dress for the Commander in Chief of the armies of the United States (whomever he may be) and probably will be permanent one. My wish (although as it respects myself personally I have no choice) is, that it , may be correctly executed,-for which reason I thought it more eligible, in the first instance, that the directions concerning it should proceed from the Department of War, than from myself.-
I hope it will be made and sent to me by the time mentioned in my last -accompanied with the cockades, and stars for the Epaulets; without the whole of which, the draft with here comport with the order;-of course must be incomplete._
If my Nephew Mr. Bushrod Washington should not have left Philadelphia before the
above
above articles are ready, and is certain of being here by the 22d instant; it would afford a good and safe opportunity for the conveyance of them to me, - but if has has doubts on this head, I would not hazard the receipt of them by him, by that time; as you will perceive by the enclosed letter to Mr. McAlpin left open, for your perusal and with an excuse for troubling you with these small matters, at a time when I presume you are pressed by important ones, I am with esteem + regard, and much truth

My dear Sir
Your Affect. Servant
G. Washington

James McHenry Esq.

Item sets

Document instances

In image In source Location in source
[view document] (3 pages) RAQ01 (3 pages) Collection: General Collection # 799160

Document names

Type Name Location Notes
Author George Washington Mount Vernon [n/a]
Recipient James McHenry [unknown] [n/a]