1798]

CAVALRY OFFICERS

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you, or not? Long, long since I informed you that it would be extremely useful to me (if I was to have any hand in selecting the Officers for the four Regiments and Cavalry, proposed to be raised in the Southern division of the Union) to be furnished with a list of the Captains and Subalterns therein, who served in the Revolutionary Army but none has ever been sent. This, with the dates of their Commissions might be the means of coming at many valuable Officers and preventing many disputes hereafter.

Has Mr. Wolcott received any answer to his letter to the President? and to what effect.50 You know that I am always &c. P.S. It is sometime since Nelly Custis enclosed you a Post note, furnished by me, to discharge your advance for the Colours Has it ever been received? 51

*To THE SECRETARY OF WAR

Mount Vernon, October 21, 1798.

Dear Sir: Your letter of the 16th. instt. came by the last Mail. The enclosures are well calculated to effect their objects. But the explicit declaration contained in the one to General Knox, added to his knowledge of my sentiments on the subject of relative Rank, leaves little hope, in my mind, that he will obey your summons, and render his aid in the manner required of him.52

McHenry replied (October 26): "The President has neither acknowledged nor answered Mr. Wolcotts letter. I suppose he does not intend any direct notice of it.” McHenry's letter is in the Washington Papers.

"In McHenry's reply (October 26), he also wrote: "I recd. one hundred dollars in a letter from Miss Custis which discharged my advance for the Colours. I mentioned to Nelly the obstruction that prevented the precuring of tassels &c."

"McHenry had written (October 16): "After therefore considerable deliberation, and as the most respectful course to him [President Adams], I at last was induced to transmit the commissions to Generals Hamilton and Knox, and to inform them, that I considered the order of nomination and approval by the Senate as determining their relative rank. I have also, my dear Sir, written to Generals Hamilton and Knox,

I hope no difficulty will occur with General Pinckney; and if he cannot be prevailed on to remain at the Seat of Government until the 10th of November, (the ulterior day allowed for the assembling of the Major Generals) that you will avail yourself of all his information relatively to the characters best qualified to Officer the Corps allotted to the States of South Carolina and Georgia; and as far as his knowledge extends, of those of No. Carolina and Tennessee also.

I have said in the beginning of this letter, that the enclosures were well calculated to effect their objects. but I must except that part of them which relates to the Officering of the New Corps in the Southern and Western States, as greatly inferior to the one I suggested in my last letter to you, dated the 15th. instant: first, because it involves more delay; and 2dly, because the chance of obtaining good Officers is not equal.

If the President of the United States, or the Secretary of War had a personal, and intimate knowledge of the characters of the applicants, the mode suggested by me would be indelicate and improper; but at such a distance, and in cases were information must govern, from whom (as I observed in my former letter) can it be so much relied on, as from those whose interest, honor, and reputation is pledged for its accuracy?

The applications are made, chiefly through members of Congress. These, oftentimes to get rid of them; oftener still perhaps, for local and Electioneering purposes, and to please and gratify their party, more than from any real merit in the applicant, are handed in, backed by a sollicitude to succed, in order to strengthen their interest. Possibly, no injustice would be done, if I was to proceed a step further and give it as an

calling them into service, and soliciting their presence, as soon as possible, and in all events by the 10th of November proximo. I suggested also to the President that it would be desireable I should be authorised to require your attendance, and that his own presence would be important and give facility to all measures relative to this meeting." McHenry's letter is in the Washington Papers.

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MEETING AT PHILADELPHIA

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opinion, that most of the candidates brought forward by the opposition members, possess sentiments similar to their own, and might poison the army by disseminating them, if they were appointed. If, however, the plan suggested by you is to be adopted, indeed in any case, you will no doubt see the propriety of obtaining all the information you can from Majr. General Pinckney; and if he accepts his appointment, and cannot be prevailed on to remain with you until the other Majr. Generals assemble, to request him to call on Brigr. General Davie on his route to Charleston, and after a full, and free conversation with him on fit characters to Officer the quota of Troops from the States of No. Carolina (and Tennessee if he can aid in it) to inform you of the result, without delay.

I hardly think it will be in my power to attend at Trenton or Philadelphia at the time alloted to the Majr. Generals. Ist. because I am yet in a convalescent State (although perfectly recovered of the fever) so far at least as to avoid exposure, and consequent Colds, 2dly, My Secretary (Mr. Lear) has had a severe fever, and is now very low; and sevl. others of my family much indisposed; and 3dly. and principally, because I see no definitive ground to proceed upon, if I should go, from anything that has hitherto appeared. Nor is it probable you will have received the Presidents Instructions, and Genl. Knox's answer, in time to serve me with notice of the results, by the 10th. of November. I mean for me to get there; on, or about that day.

If General Pinckney could be prevailed on to remain with you, and there was a moral certainty of meeting Generals Hamilton and Knox, I would, maugre the inconveniences, and hazard I might run, attempt to join them, for the valuable purpose of projecting a Plan in concert with you; and them, which might be ineffectually accomplished at a partial meeting.

I shall, therefore, stand prepared, as well as the situation of things will admit, and wait your full communications on these several points, and govern myself accordingly. With great esteem etc.

*To HENRY KNOX

Mount Vernon, October 21, 1798. My dear Sir: Several causes have concurred, to retard the acknowledgment of the receipt of your favour of the 26th. of August. At the time it came to hand, I was much engaged in matters that could not be well postponed; and before I got through them, I was seized with a fever which was unremittingly severe for several days, and left me in so debilitated a state as to render writing, and business generally (when it could be avoided) not only irksome, but improper, and was forbidden by my Physicians.

During this state of convalescence, letters which required prompt attention, were pouring in upon me. This state of things; not knowing what the Presidents final decision would be; and not perceiving that I could say more to you on the subject of relative rank than I had done in former letters, unless to dilate on the several points which had before been touched, (and this appeared to me unnecessary, as your own ideas would anticipate all I could say) I delayed from day to day to do what I am now in the act of doing, that is writing to you.

I can again, my dear Sir, with much truth and sincerity repeat to you, the declaration made on a former occasion, namely, that if an amicable arrangement of precedence could have been settled between Generals Hamilton, Pinckney, and yourself, previous to the nominations, it wd. have been perfectly satisfactory to me; but driven as I was, to make it myself, at the time, and in the manner it was transmitted, I was governed by the

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KNOX'S RANK

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best view, and best evidence I could obtain of the public sentiment relative thereto. The Senate acted upon it under an impression it was to remain so, and in that light the matter is understood by the Public; and it would be uncandid not to add, that I have found no cause since to believe, I mistook that sentiment. Let me add further, that as an Army was to be raised de novo; fourteen years after the Revolutionary Troops had ceased to exist that I do not see how any Resolution of the Ancient Congress can apply at this day, to the Officers of that Army. If it does, and the matter is viewed by others as it is by you, will any field officer of that army serve under General Dayton? Would it not deprive the President of the advantage of selection and arrangement? and what difficulties and perplexities would not follow if this idea and conduct should pre vail generally? Accompanied with the opinion which you seem to have imbibed of incidental Rank. Few knowing, and deserving officers of this description would feel very easy under such a decision, or be content with a feather, if they conceived that Rank meant nothing when inserted in their Commissions.

On what ground did the Baron de Steuben command a separate Corps in the State of Virginia in the year 1781. and Colo. Hamilton a select one at the Siege of York, if Incidental Rank does not give command according to circumstances and the discretion of the Commanding General?

But I am running into details which I did not intend. It would (if you could reconcile it to your own feelings) give me sincere pleasure to see you in the augmented Corps, a Major General.

We shall have either no War or a severe contest with France; in either case, if you will allow me to express my opinion, this is the most eligable time for you to come forward. In the first case to assist with your council and aid in making judicious