To John Adams from James McHenry

29 June 1799

Sir.	War Department 29 June 1799

The inclosed plan, for connecting the different parts of our military system, in whatever regards the providing and issuing supplies for the army, has been reported to me by Major General Hamilton, and refered to the Secretary of the treasury who has verbally approved thereof. The plan appears to me a good one. It comprises such of the regulations as were found useful and necessary during the revolutionary war, with some additions to our present system.

Being a nation, and not of the lowest order, there are three ~~[ ]~~ things essential to the maintenance of our proper grade among the powers of the earth. 1st an army, and means adequate to its support. 2d. A system calculated to keep its wants regularly supplied. 3d. Genius in the general who commands it. If we can combine these three, with a navy, and I hope we can, we shall have nothing to fear from without or within.

I have the honour to be with the greatest respect Sir / Your most obt & hble St.

James McHenry

MHi: Adams Papers.

This early access document derives from raw transcriptions, prior to editing and publication in Rotunda's American History Collection. If this document is cited in formal research, it should be noted that it is not a final version, and that the URL you used to access it is not permanent.
Please report any errors or problems you notice in documents.