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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO J. MCHENRY, SECRETARY OF WAR. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 8 (Letters and State Papers 1782-1799) [1853]

Edition used:

The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 8.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

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TO J. MCHENRY, SECRETARY OF WAR.

Philadelphia, 6 July, 1798.

Dear Sir,—

It is my desire that you embrace the first opportunity to set out on your journey to Mount Vernon, and wait on General Washington with the commission of Lieutenant-General and Commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States, which, by the advice and consent of the Senate, has been signed by me.

The reasons and motives which prevailed with me, to venture on such a step as the nomination of this great and illustrious character, whose voluntary resignation alone occasioned my introduction to the office I now hold, were too numerous to be detailed in this letter, and are too obvious and important to escape the observation of any part of America or Europe; but, as it is a movement of great delicacy, it will require all your address to communicate the subject in a manner that shall be inoffensive to his feelings, and consistent with all the respect that is due from me to him.

If the General should decline the appointment, all the world will be silent, and respectfully acquiesce. If he should accept, all the world, except the enemies of this country, will rejoice. If he should come to no decisive determination, but take the subject into consideration, I shall not appoint any other Lieutenant-General until his conclusion is known.

His advice in the formation of a list of officers would be extremely desirable to me. The names of Lincoln, Morgan, Knox, Hamilton, Gates, Pinckney, Lee, Carrington, Hand, Muhlenberg, Dayton, Burr, Brooks, Cobb, Smith, may be mentioned to him, and any others that occur to you; particularly, I wish to have his opinion of the man most suitable for Inspector-General, and Adjutant-General, and Quartermaster-General. His opinion on all subjects must have great weight, and I wish you to obtain from him as much of his reflections upon the times and service as you can. Wishing you a pleasant journey, and a speedy return in improved health, I am, with great esteem,1 &c.

John Adams.

[1 ]On the 12th of July Mr. McHenry wrote to Mr. Adams from Mount Vernon, expressing his belief that General Washington would accept the appointment, with the condition that he was not to be called into active service until his presence should be absolutely needed. He further says:

“He has shown me the copy of a letter he had written to me, and which must have got to Philadelphia the day I left it, in which he treats on several points that will require your attention. I have, therefore, desired it to be delivered to you, and shall obtain from him the names of the persons he considers the best qualified for his confidential officers, and without whom, I think, he would not serve.”

The manuscript shows the last sentence to have been added after the letter was completed. General Washington, in his letter of the 16th of September, says, that this was inserted at his desire. Mr. Hamilton’s letter, hereafter to be noticed, of which Mr. McHenry was the bearer, had then been just received.

There is no evidence that General Washington ever voluntarily assumed the delicate office of dictating to the executive of the Union. He naturally desired the selection of such persons for his staff as were agreeable to him and as he could trust, and this he must have had at any rate. All that seems beyond this in his action, was the work of others. See the note to page 588 of this volume.