The life and correspondence of James McHenry, Secretary of War under Washington and Adams

Contents

Preface ....... ix

I. Early Years and Medical Study, 1753-1775 1

II. Surgeon and Prisoner, 1775-1778 . . 6

Preface

THE heirs of Dr. James McHenry have placed in my hands a trunk containing the correspondence and other manuscripts of their ancestor, with the request that I use these papers in the preparation of his biography. An examination of the collection showed its richness in unpublished letters written by the greatest men of the period of the American revolution and revealed the affection felt for McHenry by his many friends. The varied relation to public affairs which McHenry held during his life also made the papers of extraordinary interest. He came to the British North American colonies from the north of Ireland and had just completed a course of study in medicine under Dr. Benjaaiin Rush of Philadelphia, when the war of independence broke out. As a surgeon, a prisoner of war, a member of Washington's military family, and an aid to Lafayette, McHenry saw service throughout that great conflict and, at its close, became a legislator, being a member at the same time of the Maryland Senate, and of the Confederation Congress. In partnership with his father and brother in a successful mercantile business in Baltimore, he early accumulated a competence. In 1787, he served in the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia and, in succeeding years, was a Federalist member of the Maryland legislature, serving in both House of Delegates and Senate. Washington called him to become Secretary of War in January 1796, and, in that position, McHenry continued during most of Adams's administration. He retired to private life in May, 1800, and spent the sixteen years which still remained of his life as a ' private citizen, keeping a keen interest in politics and maintaining an active correspondence with Federalist leaders in Congress. Throughout his whole life, he showed himself a pure minded, high spirited, courteous, Christian gentleman. He was a man of rare charm and attractiveness, who gained and kept the love of the best men of his time. A mere list of names of his intimate friends, scores of whose letters are here published for the first time, proves the noblenass and loveliness of his character. Washx Preface

ington loved him, as he loved few men. The men with whom McHenry was associated in the Revolutionary army, such as Hamilton, Lafayette and Tallmadg'e, never lost the esteem they there learned to feel for him. Among the men he met in later public life, he gained the warm friendship of persons of such diverse characteristics as Pickering, William Vans Murray, and Uriah Tracy. The correspondence of men who played so prominent a part in affairs reveals much of importance upon the history of the times. I have been fortunate enough to be able to consult the papers of Washington and Hamilton, while these papers were in the custody of the Department of State in Washington, and the papers of Pickering in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society and, so to have seen both sides of the noteworthy correspondence of McHenry with those men. It is a privilege to have studied the life of so attractive and upright a man as McHenry — one who compelled friendship and was faithful in the performance of every duty committed to his care.

Bernard C. Steiner.

Chapter I Early Years And Medical Study

1753-1775

AMONG the Scotch Irish Presbyterian settlers who came to America in the eighteenth century were a father and two sons from Ballymena, near Belfast, county Antrim, Ireland. The elder of the sons, James McHenry, came first in 1771, sent out on a voyage to the colonies, because his health had become impaired by too close application to studies at a classical academy in Dublin. He was a youth of less than twenty years and was placed under the care of Captain William Allison, of Philadelphia, whose stepdaughter, Margaret Caldwell, he subsequently married. The date of James McHenry 's birth is uncertain. It is usually given as November 16, 1753, but the family records give the year as 1752, and in a letter to Timothy Pickering in June, 1813, McHenry gave it as November 25, 1751. The first is probably the correct date, as his only sister, Anna, who died in 1771, was born in 1751. The parents of James McHenry were named Daniel and Agnes and the family traditions state that Daniel had been a merchant in Ireland and that the McHenrys had been settled at Ballymena for many generations. Daniel McHenry was born in 1725, and, in 1772, was induced to emigrate to America through the representations of his son James. With him, came his wife and his younger son, John, the only remaining members of his family. In the autumn of 1773, Daniel McHenry established himself in business in Baltimore, together with his son John, under the firm name of Daniel McHenry & Son. In the newspapers of the day, they announce that they have just laid in a large and various assortment of merchandise suitable to the season in the last vessels from London, Liverpool, Ireland, etc., consisting of Dry Goods, Cloths, Hardware, Groceries, Spiceries, Wines, Teas, and Brandies. The store was on the east side of Calvert street, south of Market now

2 Life and Correspondence [Chap. 1

Baltimore street, within two doors of the corner. Mrs. Agnes McHenry died, aged forty-six years, on August 16, 1774.

Daniel McHenry continued in business with his son with considerable financial success and died November 3, 1782, aged fifty-seven years. The newspapers describe him as "a gentleman of respectable character." He does not seem to have purchased any real estate in Baltimore Town but had a country seat, probably in Anne Arundel county, as, in May, 1779, he advertised in the "Maryland Journal" $100 reward for a horse stolen from his plantation, eight miles from Dorsey's Ferry. John McHenry, who was born in 1755, and was only eighteen when the business was founded, continued it with success until his death on May 7, 1790, when the mercantile house ceased. In 1780, he began buying town property in connection with his brother and in 1785, he acquired the block upon which the postoffice now stands. As he never married, his property passed to his brother James.

James McHenry, 1 with whom we are chiefly concerned, is found in 1772, at Newark, Delaware, in connection with the academy there, probably as a student. The Reverend Patrick Allison and the Reverend Francis Allison, both connections of Captain William Allison, were among the incorporators of this academy, which fact, doubtless, explains McHenry 's presence there. Verses are still preserved which he wrote during his residence at Newark. His earlier biographer speaks of these verses as "attributable perhaps rather to youth and rural surroundings than to any decided inspiration." This taste for versification continued throughout his life and, though he is not known to have printed any of his verses, he left a portfolio filled with them, some of which we shall quote.

The Newark verses were sent to the "Pennsylvania Packet," on October 12, 1772, and are an imitation of Milton's L 'Allegro, a quotation from which was prefixed to them.

Fled's the philosophic train, Now's the blithe vacation's reign ; To yon owl I give my thesis, Whilst I wheel these chance-cut mases.

1 Much of this family history was kindly given by Mr. Wilson Miles Cary. A sketch of Dr. McHenry by Frederick J. Brown in the Md. Hist. Soc. Fund Pub. has also proved of value. McHenry speaks of being twenty when his wife was twelve. If this is correct he was born in 1753, as she was born in 1762. A sketch of McHenry, which speaks of him as "of wide information and of respectable talents but not of great abilities," is found in Ingersoll's History of the War Department, 422, and is based on Brown. Portraits of McHenry with brief sketches of his life are to be found in Carson's History of the Celebration of the Hundredth Anniversary of ths Constitution in Mag. Am. Hist., xiii, 104, and ibid., vii, 104.

I have read of Cam's fair rill,

Shady Windsor, Cooper's hill,

And of London, where is seen, (and of London where I ween)

Stars, and garters, and the queen; (all antiquity is seen)

And can spell of every stream

That to music owes its name.

Let the curious visit those.

With, thee, New-Ark, I'll repose, Shun a city's circling life, iStudy nature, but not strife.

Friendly Flaccus me excuse, 'Till I round these speaking views.

Dull is Plato, dry his morals, To the forest's floating carols, To the woodman's weighty stroke Lev'ling low the distant oak, To the nymphs with rustic tresses, Dancing round the apple presses, To the plowman's healthful toil, Curling o'er the fallow soil ; Now his lusty meal appears, Now unyoked his sweating steers : Bounteous heav'n twice he blesses, Twice bestows the bearer kisses.

Some are climbing chestnut trees, Others, busy as the bees, Culling from the roguish vine Subject for their winter's wine. — Boys with berry-tinged cheeks.

Boats a rustling thro' the creeks, Flails resounding to the beaches, Maids with aprons full of peaches, — Grant me oft these scenes to view Distant from the artful crew ; Near my Whiteclay's virgin stream, To enjoy the mid-day dream ; And with New-Ark will I live Whilst her plains these pleasures give.

McHenry 's best work is seen in brief lyrics and epigrams, like the following:

Of love, let fair Delia beware;

'Tis a charm that's destructive to ease, That heaps on the heart but despair,

While it seems to do nothing but please.

Tho' it comes in a form th' most mild,

'Tis a quest that is sure to betray ; Tho' rob'd like an innocent child

It has wings that soon waft it away.

But if it can pleasure impart

To know that your passion is known.

Then know you have pierc'd Damon's heart

With a flame that does equal your own.

What beauty could do Amarillis would try. Would know by her absence how many must die; So ordered her band-box, and footman and chair. Determined to pass through a town in despair. — But Venus, who sometimes to mortals is kind The scheme to defeat kept her sister behind.

4 Life afid Correspondence [Chap. I

When Cloe shone forth, what a Syren said I.

She'll murder a score at a stroke ; She opened her lips, I was ready to die,

But love flew away when she spoke.

The radiance of beauty Corinna could boast

But managed the thing without art : To be lov'd by a crowd, or to be the first toast

,She gave, till she lost every heart.

From Newark, he returned to Philadelphia and took up the study of medicine under the famous Dr. Benjamin Rush. Between the teacher and pupil a warm attachment sprang up, as is shown by the letters which were exchanged in later years. There is no evidence that McHenry ever practiced medicine, save during his service as surgeon in the army. His letters show no trace of a love for the profession, while his easy financial circumstances did not force him to earn a livelihood from his medical knowledge. Dr. Rush was a friend of George Washington and it has been thought that, through the former 's influence, McHenry first formed that acquaintance with the latter which was destined to exercise so great an influence over the life of the subject of this work.

The patriotic fever of the times seized the young physician and, shortly after Washington went to Cambridge, McHenry prepared to follow him 1 and drew up an informal will. The paper shows clearly the devoutness of McHenry 's religious faith and the depth of his affection for his family.

"Being about to set off for the head Quarters in New England, to serve as a volunteer, or Surgeon, in the American Army, raised by order of the Continental Congress and Provincial Conventions, to defend the liberties of Americans and mankind, against the enemies of both — I therefore, resign the disposal of myself and soul, in ail sincerety and lowly reverence to their first giver. And should the events of war number me with the dead, in the name of the disposer of these and all other events, I will and bequeath by this writing, all my portion of earthly possessions in the manner following.

"In the first place I hereby will, order, and devise that the one third of the Principal, and the one third of the proffits arising from my partnership with my Father Daniel McHenry and John McHenry my Brother, both of Baltimore Town, Maryland, be equally and impartially divided between the said Daniel McHenry my Father, and John McHenry my Brother. I moreover bequeath, to my dear and well beloved

1 There Lb a poem of McHenry's "To Mrs. M. on leaving Philadelphia 1774."

Brother, John McHenry aforesaid — all my wearing apparel — military habiliments — books — and physical materials, to be disposed of as he may think proper. Preserving only out of this bequest 'Beattie on the nature and immutability of truth' for my good and worthy patron and friend Capt. William Allison of Philadelphia as a slender memorial of my gratitude and friendship Also to my much esteemed and bosom friend James Dunlap, now apothecary to the Pennsylvania Hospital, the eighteen volumes of 'Van Sweeten 's Commentaries on the Aphorisms of Boerhaave. '

"As to the manuscript poetry and other rude sketches in my chest &c I earnestly desire and request that they may be all burnt.

"I enter not into the formalities of a will, because the tender affections, and strong affinities of Father, Son, and Brother, render it unnecessary. May every form of success attend the struggles of liberty, and every possible felicity my dear Father and Brother. Amen.

"Philadelphia 29 July 1775

"James McHenry "Witness present "Will Blair"

Chapter II Surgeon And Prisoner

1775-1778

McHENRY'S first service seems to have been without a regular commission and we know little of his activities, save that he was in attendance in the hospitals in Cambridge in January, 1776, whence he thus wrote his brother:

"My very dear Brother

' ' Am I to conclude by my not hearing from you since the 30th. Deer. Ulto. that your desire of serving America in a military capacity has subsided for the present. Had I known some time ago that your thought turned this way, I could have procured you a captaincy here. But I imagined you were of opinion with myself that one out of our little family was its full share. I must confess that I had much rather see you pursuing the less hazardous business you have been accustomed to than engaged in the army. I do not suppose that the cause stands peculiarly in need of your assistance. You must consider yourself as the head of a family. Your conduct, ought, therefore be such as may be productive of the best and most advantageous consequences. These I apprehend cannot be obtained by adopting the military plan. Do but reflect on the relation in which you stand and how much some people depend on your management and prudence. During the remainder of the suspension of our trade, our capital cannot be much diminished. Trade must soon be again opened, with other powers if not with European. A declaration of Independency may not be far off. And France — Holland &c &c will hardly abstain from a commerce which must show a very large balance in their favour.

" As to your scheme of going home, I also confess that as yet I have not been able to enter into its propriety. We can hardly suppose a reconciliation between England and America. Both are too far engaged to recede. Our terms of accommodation would be too humiliating to the false dignity of Britain, and their 's too ignominious for the sons of freedom. Strength must decide the present dispute. I have few fears of the scales turning against us. We have within ourselves materials for carrying on a war of any duration : We have many more natural resources than the ministry will confess. And may, if wanted, have foreign assistance. Under such circumstances, it would be foolishness in the extreme to accept of less than absolute independency. For in short we are only to be subjugated by pusillanimity and disunion. I would ask you if it is not advisable to stay where you are, and content yourself in doing a little till a change of times put it in your power to do more, or go home with a greater certainty of answering the purposes of trade. If for the present you can keep the old stock together we may be fully content. In all probability the merchant will soon find his usual employment. New manufactures — and trades will rise out of our confusions, and the calamities of war, in a short time be more than counterbalanced by a long train of blessings and advantages.

"But I would not have you think from what I have said, 1hat I mean to damp your military ardor. I am willing as soon as the cause demands it to give up my fraternal feelings. If you suppose this to be the period, when engaged in the service, do your duty faithfully and when called into action let not the justice of our glorious cause, or the spirit of a freeman forsake you. But I am sure these will not. And if you have joined the army I doubt not but that you have put our affairs in proper order and proper hands, as you must be uncertain when or where you may be called.

" If on the other hand you determine to cross the Atlantic I also expect you to make such arrangement and disposition of things as I mentioned in my last letter to you, thro' the medium of Capt. Allison. But as I said there, take the opinion of people who have more leisure to consider the step and a more extensive knowledge of the subject or consequences than I have.

' ' I must beg that in your future letters you will be more particular and less desultory. This will lead to a just habit of writing as well as thinking. You might ere now have told me a variety of things which I want to know. You have mentioned my father's family. Pray have I any sisters or brothers in it? But how many or can you find time to give me some idea of them? I thank my father for his compliments and beg you to return him mine, with the inclosed letter. You tell me that he lives happily. I am heartily glad of it. He has met with some heartaches in his time, so that I am pleased to think he is likely to finish his last act in peace and serenity.

"I cannot conclude this long letter, without telling you how much I am chagrined and disappointed at your writing so seldom. At your not discharging what some may imagine a duty which you owe in a peculiar manner, your * * and tenderly affectionate brother.

"I wish that you would see about getting, making and forwarding the shirts, if my father cannot. I could buy linen but it is a most extravagant price * * that which you sold when last with you at * * * is above a dollar per yd. ' '

He evidently continued with the army after the close of the siege of Boston, for, on July 26, 1776, Washington gave written consent to his application for a week 's leave of absence before going to Canada. The trip to Canada was probably given up and McHenry continued as a volunteer with the army. On August 27, his preceptor, Dr. Rush, sent him the following letter, transmitting a very commendatory resolution of the continental congress:

"Congress Aug 26 1776 ' ' Resolved that Congress have a proper sense of the merit and services of Doctor McHenry and recommend it to the Directors of the different hospitals belonging to the United States to appoint Doctor McHenry to the first vacancy that shall happen of a surgeon 's birth in any of the said hospitals. "Extract from the minutes

"Chas Thomson Sec'y-"

' ' The above resolution of Congress does you as much honor as if they had made you a director of a hospital. I need not hint to you after this how unjust it will be in you to desert their Service especially at the present juncture. You will please to furnish Dr. Morgan, Dr. Stringer, and the other Directors of the hospitals of the States with a copy of the above resolution. If there is at present a vacancy in any of these departments, you are authorised to demand a warrant for it. Wishing you my dear McHenry much health, honor and happiness I am with great regard your most Affectionate humble Servant

"B. Rush"

On August 10, McHenry had been appointed surgeon of the Fifth Pennsylvania Battalion, commanded by Colonel Robert McGaw, and stationed at Fort Washington. McHenry remained with the command until the fort was taken by Sir William Howe on November 16, 1776. He was one of five surgeons taken prisoners among the 2000 Americans who were included in the capitulation. Shortly after his captivity began he wrote Dr. Rush:

"My very dear Sir

"In my last from F. Washington I vainly amused myself with a prospect of seeing you in a short time. But the events of war are uncontrolable and have taught me of how little avail the wisdom and hardihood of a few are against the councils and courage of the many.

"I have not as yet reflected so deeply on the fate of a prisoner as to make me unhappy. And perhaps I shall not. For I am no admirer of that philosophy which is constantly in tears or beating itself to pieces against the impassable bars of its prison. Methinks I feel something within me like that kindly resignation which when duly attended to never fails to befriend the unfortunate. But

' ' Altho ' I am resigned with regard to my own fate, yet it were to be wished that an exchange of prisoners could be brought about as soon as possible. The officers thro' the goodness of his Excellency General Howe — have the liberty of the City — but the privates are crouded into Churches and the like. Prodire tenus, si non datur ultra.

"Col Magaw is ill of a fever, tho' in my opinion not dangerous. I am at private lodgings with him, Col. Miles, Atley, Swoope &c. Their evening and morning devotions begin and end with Horace's rus, quando ego te aspiciam.

"I am Sir yours most respectfully sincerely and affectionately James McHenry.

"New York 21st Novr 1776"

On this letter, McHenry endorsed the following reason why it was not sent:

10 Life a%d Correspondence [Chap, ii

"The commissary of prisoners Mr. Loring rejected this letter It would not pass"

Of his experience in captivity, we learn from a letter he wrote in Philadelphia to Washington on June 22, 1777 :

"Observing it asserted in Gen. Howe's letter to your Excy of the 21st April Ult. that 'one half of the sick prisoners were rec 'd into the British Hospitals — that the remainder were attended in their different places of confinement by their own Surgeons and lastly that these Surgeons, without restriction were supplied with medicines for this purpose until it was discovered that they disposed of large quantities by private sale;' I conceive it incumbent on me to give your Excellency what information I can on this subject, the better to ascertain its credibility, and that it may have its proper influence in the settlement of the proportion of prisoners to be accounted for.

"In the first place I would observe to your Excelly that Gen Howe seems to have fallen into a mistake in using the term B. H. in the sense in which he would have it understood. If it be not appropriated to amuse, his information must have come from persons whose interest it is that he himself should be deceived. For your Excellency is by no means to suppose that any of our sick prisoners were, at any one time whilst I was in N. Y received into the B. H., or treated in the same manner as their own sick and wounded.

' ' That great numbers of our sick and wounded were seperated from the rest, and put into houses provided for their reception is not to be doubted. But here they wanted, the necessary attendance, comforts, and convenieneies which constitute a hospital : either 'through design, or neglect of reasonable and practicable care,' Whilst. On the other hand no patients could be better taken care of, or better provided, than those in B. Hospitals. Had ours received a similar treatment no cause of complaint could possibly have arisen on this head. But a detail [of] some of their sufferings, and what was attempted for their relief in comparison to our Enemies will better shew the discrimination. I enter upon it with pain and reluctance.

' ' The condition of the prisoners in gen. the want of such assistance as G. H. had it in his power to supply, & wch was compatible with yr situation was at several times represented to Gen : Howe by letters from our field officers. No answer was received. In DectJEber. their distresses became more peculiarly interesting. Heretofore the sick were under the care of Dr Antil a refugee from . But from this period to their leaving N. Y. they were principally under the direction of a person who called himself Dr Louis Debute a man of a most infamous and abandoned character.

' ' And It was now tho 't advisable to acquaint Doctor Mallet (Surg. Gen. and providor to the B. H.) with their singular distresses. Accordingly in the presence of Col. Miles, I laid before him, and the commissary for Prisoners (Mr. Jos. Loring) their present condition. Mentioned their want of Hospital bed-bunks, bedding, and coverings — the almost total want of fire, in consequence of which several of their limbs had mortified — but more particularly their want of nurses and tenders to give cleanliness to the place and prepare and give them their drinks and nourishment at proper times. In short that they in a manner wanted every thing that could contribute to their comfort or recovery.

"Dr. Mallet reply 'd the account was affecting, and he was very sorry to hear it. He would look into the matter. But in the mean while could assure me that they were allowed the same as the patients in the B. H. And because it was thought, that it would please our officers better, they were under the care of one of our own Doctors. If things were peculated or misapplied — it was not his fault. This complaint, I answered was made to him, and Mr Loring because it was imagined, it came more immediately under their cognizance. My state of their cruel sufferings was a true one. The evidence was no further off than the Quaker meeting house where they lay. That Louis Debute who seemed to be chiefly intrusted with their treatment did not belong to us, nor had ever been in our service, as I could learn. That he was notorious for crimes, and had been pillored some time before we evacuated N. York. Moreover That Dr. Oliver who had the management of our wounded had lately dismissed him upon its being discovered that he disposed of their medicines and necessaries. To this Dr. Mallet replied — that he was found amongst our people; and he supposed him one of ourselves.

' ' Dr Mallet then requested me to take the direction of the house upon myself, and said that if I could procure nurses (which I had remarked they wanted more than medicines) he would willingly pay them. To this I answered, that he must be sensible my situation in N. York was by no means calculated to procure nurses. But if nurses or even proper tenders were provided, and Debute turned off, I would immediately undertake the business. But altho' bound as well byprofession as duty to render the sick service in my power, yet the superior regard which I owed my character, must determine me from the undertaking so long as he was continued.

"Mr Loring said Debute should not be suffered to prescribe, but as he was a useful fellow, might still be employed as an understrapper. I could not engage in the affair, I replied, until he was totally dismissed.

"Notwithstanding] this he was continued; tho' a Dr Hawkins, mate in the Gen. Hospital, came now and then to prescribe. But of his attendance or care they were little the better. And Debute was suffered to carry on his inhumanities and deceptions as usual 'till a more glaring act of cruelty rendered his dismiseion unavoidable.

"An officer, prisoner on Long Island, came to our lodgings to inform Cols McGaw & Miles that the Doctor who had charge of our sick, had that morning in his presence given one of them a blow with his stick, in consequence of which the man died 15 minutes after.

"Upon this I renewed my complaints to Dr Mallet with this additional circumstance of Debute 's barbarity: and begged, as the officer was willing to swear to the fact, that he might be tryed for the murder. The Doctor expressed much concern, and accompanied me to Debute. The fellow after some little hesitation confessed that he had that morning struck one of his patients ; but argued that it was the man who lay next to him who died. The first detatchment of our officers, in the mean while was ordered over to Long Island, and unfortunately amongst them the person who was to evidence this fact. And the murdered man was already buried with a number of others, so that no testimony could be had from inspection.