Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources
Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library

| Table of Contents for this work |
| All on-line databases | Etext Center Homepage |

*To THE SECRETARY OF WAR

    (Private)

    Mount Vernon, July 1, 1796.

    Dear Sir: By the Post, rather than by the Express, you will receive my Official letter, and its Enclosures. For the difference of a few hours, in a case that is not urgent, I would have you avoid sending an Express to me. The latter does not travel faster than the Mail; of course there cannot (unless Sunday intervene's) be more, in any case (supposing an occasion to arise in one hour after the Mail was closed) than the difference of 48 hours in the receipt of the dispatches; as I send regularly, every Post day, to Alexandria for my letters. Your Express came in yesterday at 5 oclock in the afternoon, and if you had sent the letters by the Mail of Wednesday, they would have been here at 9 o'clock this Afternoon; a difference of 28 hours only.

    The information brot. by Captn. Lewis is very pleasing;26 and I hope the orders on both sides will go smoothly into effect: but the Aurora will have doubts, that all is not well, notwithstanding. This, however, is a matter of course; for the Executive Acts must be arraigned.

[Note:Captain Lewis, wrote McHenry to Washington (June 23), "was treated with much civility by Lord Dorchesters family…the people seemed every where pleased at the prospect of a friendly intercourse with our citizens. Lord Dorchester was particular in his inquiries respecting your health, and seemed pleased to learn that you were well…Lewis could have dined out for a month at Quebec. The first toast the King of Great Britain, the second, invariably, the President." McHenry's letter is in the Washington Papers . ]

    I hope you have got perfectly recovered, and that Mrs. McHenry and the rest of your family are well also.

    When I left Philadelphia, it was expected that Mr. and Mrs. Liston 27 (and from their own declaration) was to follow, on a visit to this place, in ten days; an interval of a few days, and then the Chevr. de Freire and Lady were to follow them; and altho' Mr. Adet gave me (tho' asked) no assurance that he would make me a visit, yet to Mr. Fayette he said he should set out in ten days. Since which I have heard nothing from, or of any of them, which occasions suspence, that impede other arrangements.

[Note:Mr. and Mrs. Robert Liston, the Minister from Great Britain, and his wife. ]

    If you could therefore indirectly, or at least informally, ascertain whether and when, I am to receive these visits, I should be obliged to you; as it would enable me to regulate some other matters which depend thereon. With sincere esteem etc. Friday 7 Oclock in the Morng.

    Have you allotted any Infantry for the Posts of Oswego and Niagara? How many, and when will they be there?