Alexander Hamilton Collection

Washington Cryptically Dreams of Resigning, Feigns Insult, and Teases McHenry for Delayed Answer to Queries on Funding the Army “I was in pain…resolving (like a man in the last agony) not to follow the trade & occupation of a G---- [General] any more.... Do not my dear Doctor tease your Mistress in this manner – much less your Wife, when you get one.”

In this highly personal letter, Washington offers a glimpse of the man behind the otherwise stolid image. After victory at Yorktown, Americans were awaiting news of a final peace treaty from Paris.

Washington remained at the head of the Continental Army and warily watched British General Sir Henry Clinton’s army in New York City. Washington and McHenry are actually discussing the very serious business of funding and maintaining troop levels to discourage future British actions.

Complete Transcript: Newburgh 15th Augt 1782 c My dear M Henry, Let me congratulate you, and I do it very sincerely, on your restoration to health. I was in pain for you. I was in some for myself - and wished for my PS of M----; and both my P-----e L-----s. in J----; resolving (like a man in the last agony) not to follow the trade & occupation of a G----. any more.

I attribute all the delays, & my disappointments in this business, to your sickness; for otherwise, I should denominate you an unfeeling – teasing – mortal. In proof of it, I would assert that in March last, I committed a matter to your care of which you took no notice till July following; – and then in such a way, as to set afloat a thousand ideas; which resolved themselves into almost as many anxious questions. These again, you acknowledge the rect of on the 26th of July, – and on the 3d of August promise an answer. When? When? three or four Weeks from that date; during this time my imagination is left on the Rack. I remain in the field of conjecture. – unable to acct for the causes of somethings, or to judge of their effect; In a word, I cannot develop some misteries, the appearance of which gave rise to those quæries, which were made the contents of a letter.

Do not my dear Doctor tease your Mistress in this manner – much less your Wife, when you get one. The first will pout, – & the other may scold – a friend will bear with it, especially one who assures you, with as much truth as I do, that he is sincere.

Adieu / G:oWashington c r [To] James M Henry Esq. [Address leaf]: (Private) / James McHenry Esq.r / Baltimore.

[Docketing in McHenry’s hand]: Aug 15th 1782 / Washington James McHenry was elected to the Maryland Senate in September 1781. After the American victory at Yorktown in October, he and took his post in Maryland government. Washington and McHenry continued their correspondence, with Washington advising McHenry to stress to his colleagues that in order “to make a good peace, you ought to be well prepared to carry on the war.”

Washington wrote McHenry that despite Cornwallis’ surrender, the British were preparing for a new campaign. To compete, the Americans needed men and money, but the government under the Articles of Confederation could only request money from the states. Washington’s letter of “March last” (March 12, 1782) reported that the Pennsylvania Assembly had “passed their supply bill without a dissenting voice” but that the Continental Army would still fall short of its quota. In April 1782, McHenry wrote to Washington in agreement that the British were attempting to fight on, but his state was unenthusiastic about recruiting more troops. In July, he finally responded to 22