#james mchenry

[miserable-wanker]

Come, let us drink it while we have breath,

For there's no drinking after death.

-

General Lafayette and Washington's drunken aides (Hamilton, Laurens and McHenry) after the Battle of Monmouth

[a-loose-collection-of-ants]

I'm sure he'll be fine

[ixis-stuff]

hi i thought i’d dump post my lams art (laureloch, just laurens + jemmy, and washington aides art there too)

@nerenight ‘s washington aide one shot fic inspired art for the one with their writing in it and the sketch of hamilton asking if du ponceau wants to try on his glasses lololl!

oh my god i need to draw some of their other chapters, i personally think they capture the aides as a whole in my favorite way of all time (i can ramble for hours but well..)

[charlestownbound]

An extensive list of the sources I have found on Internet Archive

Last updated 12/23/24

It would be quite selfish of me to keep these to myself, wouldn't it? This list will be updated frequently, in accordance to what I have found. These were found while doing my own research for various topics, and taken from the bibliographies of many books. Some of these I will have cited in posts of mine, many others will not appear anywhere in my work. Mostly primary sources, but quite a few books make their appearance.

Sorted alphabetically by surname of author

B

Bass, Robert D. The Green Dragoon

Burr, Aaron. Memoirs of

C

Chernow, Ron. Alexander Hamilton

Clinton, George. Public Papers of Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3 Volume 4 Volume 5 Volume 6 Volume 7 Volume 8 Volume 9 Volume 10

H

Hamilton, Alexander. Papers of Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3 Volume 5 Volume 6 Volume 8 Volume 9 Volume 10 Volume 11 Volume 12 Volume 13 Volume 14 Volume 15 Volume 16 Volume 17 Volume 18 Volume 19 Volume 20 Volume 21 Volume 22 Volume 23 Volume 25 Volume 26 Volume 27

K

Kapp, Friedrich. The Life of Frederick William von Steuben

Kilmeade, Brian and Yaeger, Don. George Washington's Secret Six

L

Laurens, Henry. Papers of Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3 Volume 4 Volume 7 Volume 8 Volume 11 Volume 12 Volume 13

Lefkowitz, Arthur S. George Washington's Indispensable Men

M

Massey, Gregory D. John Laurens and The American Revolution

Moultrie, William. Memoirs of

P

Parton, James. The Life and Times of Aaron Burr

R

Ramsay, David. The History of The Revolution of South Carolina

S

Steiner, Bernard Christian. The Life and Correspondence of James McHenry

T

Tarleton, Banastre. A History of The Campaigns of 1780 and 1781, in The Southern Provinces of North America

W

Ward, Christopher. The War of The Revolution

Washington, George. Papers of Agricultural papers Revolutionary war series Volume 8 Volume 11 Presidential series Volume 7 Volume 15 Retirement series Volume 3

[suriantei]

Soldier, Poet, King- with the Aides!! :D

No Color Vers.

‘O Lai, ‘O Lei, ‘O Lai, ‘O Lord~

laurens n mchenry n harrison go brrrrrrr

[almaprincess66]

So I might be watching too much Bones recently but what if we make up a police detective mystery with the Aide-de camps?

I sort of already have a vision. This is so far what I have:

For the protagonists we have Meade and Tilghman as a comedy duo

Washington is the head of the police station

McHenry is the forensic medicine expert

Hamilton is the bright youth of the team that everybody questions first if he is old enough for his position.

Laurens is the newish addition to the team (his role is depending on if we stay with irl timeline)

(Also yes, there is the secret office romance thing going on but if it's modern day, we can change the homophobia to no work realtionships allowed.)

Feel free to add more!

[spectres-fulcrum]

The friendship of Achilles for his dear Patroclus, as celebrated by Homer, has survived the fate of empires and the charges of time, as if destined to serve as a perpetual monument sacred to friendship. May not another Homer arise to consign yours for Fayette to equal immortality, and tears of pleasure flow at its recital like an exhaustless stream through the long period of future ages.

McHenry to Washington on April 3, 1794 on Lafayette's imprisonment. A few lines before he had told Washington to be sensible, assumingly with what little they could do. (So take that Cabinet Battle #2 Washington cared for Lafayette to the point of being told he had to be sensible. But helping in France wouldn't have freed him)

I very much need to sit with this quote for a few days but also. If I'm getting this right McHenry is saying that if Lafayette died in his prison, Washington's grief would be akin to Achilles' to Patroclus and stories would be written about it, immortalizing their friendship for ages to come, as he says "May not another" so they don't want this friendship to be immortalized similarly to Achilles+Pat because it means it ended sadly. (I may be off about my initial interpretation)

It's... Very sad. Like I can't imagine how heartbreaking it it to write this and pray for your friend's sake your other friend lives cause it's shaping up for a grief that will shape generations. (It's giving Alexander and Hephaestion and Alexander clinging to Phai's dead body for days until the companions had to drag him away)

I think of Hamilton and Laurens as that generation's A+P because Laurens died so early and Hamilton retreated into himself and buried himself in work to ignore his grief but we very much could've gotten a world where they executed Lafayette and he and Washington's friendship was immortalized with Homerian grief. Heck, Adrienne was a day away from being executed the following year and she did nothing wrong but be married to Lafayette.

I just... comparing people to Achilles and Patroclus is really telling. Even ignoring the romance part(idk what the 18th century take on those two and romance was. I could see, if one of them had heard of it, the gay trio supporting it.)

[yr-obedt-cicero]

I am happy to have it in my power to mention the merit of your friend Hammy [Hamilton]. He was incessant in his endeavours during the whole day—in reconnoitering the enemy, and in rallying and charging.—But whether he or Col. [John] Laurens deserves most of our commendation is somewhat doubtful—both had their horses shot under them, and both exhibited singular proofs of bravery. They seemed to court death under our doubtful circumstances, and triumphed over it as the face of war changed in our favor.—Independent of any prejudice I may have conceived for Colonel Laurens in consequence of his virtues, I cannot but speak of him in terms of the highest military deserving.—Colonel [John] Fitzgerald also, and Colonel [Richard Kidder] Meade claim the greatest encomiums—The former received a slight contusion. Even the Secretaries caught the general contagion, and had the audacity to put themselves in places of danger, and to share some of the honors of the day. I wish I could do justice to his Excellency [Washington]; but you will hear of his conduct and the singular talents which he unfolded with the effects they produced in the complexionary the combat from other hands.

Source — James McHenry to Elias Boudinot, [July 2, 1778]

James McHenry recalling the Battle of Monmouth, which was only a week prior to the letter.

[deadpresidents]

“(Alexander) Hamilton is an intriguant -- the greatest intriguant in the World -- a man devoid of every moral principle -- a Bastard, and as much a foreigner as Gallatin [Albert Gallatin, a Founding Father born in Switzerland]. Mr. Jefferson is an infinitely better man; a wiser one, I am sure, and, if President, will act wisely. I know it, and would rather be Vice President under him, or even Minister Resident at the Hague, than indebted to such a being as Hamilton for the Presidency.”

-- President John Adams to his Secretary of War James McHenry, during a tense meeting after the President forced McHenry and other Hamilton loyalists in his Cabinet to resign for allegedly scheming against him, May 5, 1800.

[a-loose-collection-of-ants]

Doctor James McHenry for the burnout moodboard

This is another reminder to go read @nerenight's fantastic fic which has very nearly single handedly carried my interest in these boys

[nordleuchten]

Hey there! :) Curious if you can share some information about the dishonor that Major Tousard speaks about in his letter to Georges de La Fayette / the situation surrounding that particular letter.

Dear @ouiouixmonami,

I happily will do that. You have to apologize that my answer is somewhat delayed – your question got, in the truest sense of the word, lost in translation. I translated the term “brother-in-law” wrong in my head while pounding your question and that in turn let me to search for a person that never existed – but now I am back on track. :-)

For everybody who does not know the context, the question was asked in relation to this letter from a Major Lewis/Louis de Tousard to Georges de La Fayette.

Major Lewis/Louis de Tousard had married Anna Maria in 1795. Geddes had a brother, Simon Geddes. Geddes (died 1807) entered the military and on July 31, 1794, George Washington wrote in a letter to the Senate of the United States:

I nominate the following persons as Company Officers and Surgeon and Surgeons Mates in the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers.

“From George Washington to the United States Senate, 31 May 1794,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-16-02-0138. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 16, 1 May–30 September 1794, ed. David R. Hoth and Carol S. Ebel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2011, pp. 165–166.] (05/10/2023)

Simon Geddes of Delaware was one of the names on the list and he was thus made a lieutenant in June of 1794. Geddes next appears in the records in February of 1795 when he confirms Captain Bruff’s representation of the character of William B. Smith. They all served in the same corps.

Simon Geddes was found guilty and was dismissed from service during a court-martial held on May 12, 1796 (the sentence was not pronounced until the 16th of May). The records are sadly lost so we do not what his misconducts were. Regardless of that, Geddes applied to James McHenry, then Secretary of War, on June 8, 1796 for a re-trial based on a procedural error. James McHenry explained the matter in a letter to George Washington on June 14, 1796:

It is declared, in the articles of war, vz. Art. 1. for the administration of justice, that, “General courts-martial may consist of any number of commissioned officers from five to thirteen, inclusively; but they shall not consist of less than thirteen where that number can be convened without manifest injury to the service.”

This article discovers great solicitude that general courts-martial should consist of the highest number of members it prescribes; and implies very strongly, that every number inclusively between five and thirteen, is to be sought for, and prefered to that of five. It does more. It expresly precludes five members from being considered as a constitutional general court-martial, whenever thirteen can be convened, without manifest injury to the service.

A general court martial therefore, which should consist of five members only, could not be held to be legal, unless it should be evident that more members could not have been added, so as to approach it to thirteen without manifest injury to the service.

Viewing the question in this aspect, it might be proper, that the fact should be ascertained, whether the situation of the garrison or corps at West-Point, (at the time when the court tried Lt Geddis) was such, as to render a limitation of its members to five an indispensible measure. (…) I would submit therefore the propriety of returning the proceedings to the commandant of the corps at West Point, with instructions to make the necessary investigation, and grant a new trial, if it should appear to him, that a greater number of members than five might have been convened at that time, “without manifest injury to the service.

“To George Washington from James McHenry, 14 June 1796,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-20-02-0199. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 20, 1 April–21 September 1796, ed. David R. Hoth and William M. Ferraro. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2019, pp. 287–289.] (05/10/2023)

In short, Geddes, who had been found guilty by a committee of only five men, argued that the situation at West-Point at the time was such, that more man could have taken part in his court-martial.

Washington replied to McHenry on June 22 and agreed with his assessment, the matter was to be returned to the commandant as West Point – but it only got more complicated from here on. On July 26, McHenry received a letter from the officers at West Point, requesting that Geddes was to be released and pardoned. James McHenry faithfully brought the matter before Washington on the same day and stated his opinion whether Washington was at all able to revoke the sentence passed by the court-martial since a new law had recently been passed:

I have also received this morning the inclosed letter, and representation from the officers at West-point, praying that Lt Geddis may be released from his arrest.

On this subject I would observe, That the act passed last session of Congress fixing the military establishment of the U.S. contains the following section.

Sect. 18. “And be it further enacted that the sentences of general courts-martial, in time of peace, extending to the loss of life, the dismission of a commissioned officer; or which shall, either in time of peace or war, respect a general officer, shall with the whole of the proceedings in such cases, respectively, be laid before the President of the U.S.; who is hereby authorised to direct the same to be carried into execution or otherwise as he shall judge proper.”

This clause was incorporated into the act in order to remove some doubts heretofore started respecting the power of the President to pardon certain military offences in time of peace.

For my own part, I have no doubt, that independent of this act, the President possesses the power to remit sentences of courts martial extending to the loss of life or dismission of a commissioned officer I consider that part of the act therefore as surplusage.

If however it was to serve as authority it would not apply to the present case; inasmuch as it has had no retroactive effect given to it. The sentence on Geddis was pronounced on the 16th of May; and the act in question passed on the 30th.

I look to a higher authority for the power of the President to remit sentences of courts-martial.

The constitution art. II. sect. 2. constitutes the President [“]commander in chief of the army and navy of the U.S.” and vests him with “power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the U.S., except in cases of impeachment.”

Congress cannot pass any regulations for the government of the land and naval forces which may intrench upon, invalidate or nullify this power to pardon offences against the United States.

If this is a true exposition of the constitution, the President may if he should think proper comply with the request in favour of Lt Geddis.

“To George Washington from James McHenry, 26 July 1796,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-20-02-0319. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 20, 1 April–21 September 1796, ed. David R. Hoth and William M. Ferraro. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2019, pp. 497–500.] (05/10/2023)

In his letter from August 1, Washington was in favour of both McHenry’s reasoning and Gedde’s acquittal. But even he was not completely sure how to best go about it and wanted to confer with the Attorney General. He wrote:

I have no objection to the releasement of Lieutt Geddis from his present arrest, at the request of those Officers who have asked it; But as the Attorney General will be at Philadelphia, I would have his opinion taken on the power of granting a pardon for the Offence of which he has been found guilty, and Cashiered; and the mode by which it may, with propriety, be accomplished: for it may be questioned, whether a remital of the Sentence of the Court, ought not to be preceeded by an act of approval, or rejection, as the foundation. At any rate some attention to the form (which I request may be given) will be necessary.

“From George Washington to James McHenry, 1 August 1796,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-20-02-0334. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 20, 1 April–21 September 1796, ed. David R. Hoth and William M. Ferraro. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2019, pp. 546–547.] (05/10/2023)

Charles Lee wrote on August 4 to James McHenry that:

The Attorney General is of opinion that the President of the United States has power to Pardon Lieutenant Geddes for the offence of which he has been found guilty, though the sentence of the court martial has neither been rejected or approved. The enclosed form may be used.

Notes of “To George Washington from James McHenry, 8 August 1796,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-20-02-0349. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 20, 1 April–21 September 1796, ed. David R. Hoth and William M. Ferraro. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2019, pp. 565–567.] (05/10/2023)

James McHenry transferred the Attorney General’s opinion and the filled-out form to Washington on August 8 and Geddes was pardoned on August 12, 1796 by Washington’s signature, based on the following:

in consideration of the youth and inexperience of Lieutenant Geddes and for divers other good causes

Notes of “To George Washington from James McHenry, 8 August 1796,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-20-02-0349. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 20, 1 April–21 September 1796, ed. David R. Hoth and William M. Ferraro. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2019, pp. 565–567.] (05/10/2023)

Geddes was ordered to return to his command. One should think that the story ends here and that Geddes, lucky to have escaped without any serious consequences, would stay clear of any trouble – well, no.

Journal of the United States Artillery, Vol. 29, Artillery School Press, Virginia, 1908, p. 85.

After Geddes ultimate dismissal, Washington nominated a man named Robert Parkinson to replace Geddes and Parkinson did so on December 19, 1796.

With all that being said, I apologize for writing such a long post without really answering your question since I have no information on the original “dishounor” Tousard mentioned in his letter. But at least we know now that Simon Geddes managed to get himself in a whole lot of trouble.

I hope you have/had a beautiful day!

[aideu2you]

McHenry: An Apple a day keeps the Doctor away!

John: An Apple a day can keep anyone away if you throw it hard enough.

[charlestownbound]

Miscellaneous misadventures of Washington's aide-de-camps

One of the many enduring tales surrounding our dear Richard Kidder Meade is an account of him climbing a chimney in order to read a letter. While this smacks of the misunderstanding of one not used to parsing the language of the 18th century, it is with great pleasure that I present this tale to be true.

In a letter dated to March 18, 1780, James McHenry writes the following to Alexander Hamilton:

Meade writes you all that is interesting, and conducts the most weighty matters with a great deal of cunning sagacity. He thrust himself up the chimney this morning, while we were dressing round the fire, in order to be more at liberty as I supposed to read your letter, or hide any thing it might contain, from profane eyes. This peculiarity was soon followed by another. In short, he managed the business with so much management, that had I been less attentive to his operations I must have found out their object.

Source

[theworstfoundingfathers]

Who is the worst? Round 1: James McHenry vs Benedict Arnold

James McHenry (November 16, 1753 – May 3, 1816) was a Scotch-Irish American military surgeon, statesman, and a Founding Father of the United States. McHenry was a signer of the United States Constitution from Maryland, initiated the recommendation for Congress to form the Navy, and was the eponym of Fort McHenry. He represented Maryland in the Continental Congress. He was a delegate to the Maryland State Convention of 1788, to vote whether Maryland should ratify the proposed Constitution of the United States. He served as United States Secretary of War from 1796 to 1800, bridging the administrations of George Washington and John Adams.

Adams gradually found that three members of the cabinet repeatedly opposed him: [Secretary of War] McHenry, Secretary of State Timothy Pickering, and Treasury Secretary Oliver Wolcott Jr. They appeared to listen more to Alexander Hamilton than to the president and publicly disagreed with Adams about his foreign policy, particularly with regard to France. Instead of resigning, they stayed in office to work against his official policy.

Although many liked McHenry personally, Washington, Hamilton, and Wolcott were said to have complained of his incompetence as an administrator.

During the election of 1800, McHenry goaded Hamilton into releasing his indictment against the president, which questioned Adams's loyalty and patriotism, sparking public quarrels over the major candidates and eventually paving the way for Thomas Jefferson to be elected as the next president. The pamphlet leaked past its intended audience, giving the people reason to oppose the Federalists, since that group seemed to be dividing into bitter factions.

Benedict Arnold (14 January 1741 [O.S. 3 January 1740] – June 14, 1801) was an American-born military officer who served during the Revolutionary War. He fought with distinction for the American Continental Army and rose to the rank of major general before defecting to the British side of the conflict in 1780. General George Washington had given him his fullest trust and had placed him in command of West Point in New York. Arnold was planning to surrender the fort there to British forces, but the plot was discovered in September 1780, whereupon he fled to the British lines. In the later part of the conflict, Arnold was commissioned as a brigadier general in the British Army, and placed in command of the American Legion. He led the British army in battle against the soldiers whom he had once commanded, after which his name became, and has remained, synonymous with treason and betrayal in the United States.

Historians have identified many possible factors contributing to Arnold's treason, while some debate their relative importance. According to W. D. Wetherell, he was:

[A]mong the hardest human beings to understand in American history. Did he become a traitor because of all the injustice he suffered, real and imagined, at the hands of the Continental Congress and his jealous fellow generals? Because of the constant agony of two battlefield wounds in an already gout-ridden leg? From psychological wounds received in his Connecticut childhood when his alcoholic father squandered the family's fortunes? Or was it a kind of extreme midlife crisis, swerving from radical political beliefs to reactionary ones, a change accelerated by his marriage to the very young, very pretty, very Tory Peggy Shippen?