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

TO JAMES 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.

About Liberty Fund:

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TO JAMES McHENRY, SECRETARY OF WAR.

Quincy, 3 September, 1798.

Sir,—

I pray you to put on the list of captains of infantry, Mr. Philip Church, of New York, who is very handsomely recommended by General Hamilton, and whom, from a personal acquaintance with him, I believe to be well qualified.1

I inclose to you also a letter and documents from his Excellency Governor Jackson, of Georgia, which I pray you to consider and answer according to those arrangements which you have made for the general service. We ought to give all the attention in our power to Georgia, which is not only much exposed, but of much importance in the defence of the nation.

Inclosed, also, are recommendations of Aaron Mann, of Providence, and William Hunt, of Massachusetts.

[1 ]Mr. Hamilton, in his letter, says of this application in behalf of his nephew:

“Under these circumstances, very contrary to the general rules by which I govern myself, I take the liberty to request his appointment as a personal favor to myself, and I venture to undertake for him that he will not discredit it. The appointment will also lay himself and all his friends under a particular obligation.

Let me at the same time beg you to be persuaded, Sir, that I shall never on any other occasion place a recommendation to office on a similar footing.”