James McHenry, Secretary of War
American Minute with Bill Federer (reprinted with permission)
The Star-Spangled Banner was written while the
British bombed Fort McHenry, named after Secretary of War James McHenry.
Dr. James McHenry served as a surgeon during the Revolutionary War.
He was taken prisoner by British when General William Howe captured Fort
Washington, New York.
Paroled in 1777, James McHenry was at the Battle of Monmouth, then became
an aide to General George Washington in 1779.
On September 24, 1780, James McHenry was riding
with General Washington and Major-General Lafayette to inspect the defenses of West
Point.
A breakfast was planned that morning with the
fort's commanding officer, General Benedict Arnold.
Being delayed, Washington sent McHenry ahead to
give his apologies to Benedict Arnold.
McHenry arrived only to find confusion in the
fort, as Arnold had planned on betraying West Point and capturing General
Washington.
Just moments before, Arnold's treasonous plot to
betray America's military had been discovered, with the British spy, John
Andre, having a map of West Point hidden in his boot.
Arnold fled to the British ship, Vulture.
On May 8, 1783, Yale President Ezra Stiles
stated:
"A providential miracle at the last minute detected the treacherous
scheme of traitor Benedict Arnold, which would have delivered the American
army, including George Washington himself, into the hands of the enemy."
The Continental Congress issued a Day of
Thanksgiving, October 18, 1780: "In the late remarkable interposition of
His watchful providence, in the rescuing the person of our Commander-in-Chief
and the army from imminent dangers, at the moment when treason was ripened for
execution."
After the War, Dr. James McHenry was elected to
the Maryland Legislature and sent as a delegate to the Continental Congress.
He was at the Constitutional Convention and signed the U.S. Constitution.
George Washington wrote to James McHenry, July
31, 1788:
"I earnestly pray that the Omnipotent Being,
who has not deserted the cause of America in the hour of its extremest hazard,
may never yield so fair a heritage of freedom a prey to anarchy or
despotism."
James McHenry served as Secretary of War under Presidents George Washington
and John Adams.
He transitioned western military posts from Great
Britain's control to the United States under the Jay Treaty.
He advised the Senate against reducing military
forces.
James McHenry is credited with establishing
the Department of the Navy, based on his March 8, 1798, recommendation that
the "War Department should be assisted by a commissioner of marine."
As Secretary of War, he added his voice to those
demanding a military academy to train officers, laying the groundwork for the
United States Military Academy at West Point.
Charles Carroll, a Signer of the Declaration of
Independence, wrote to James McHenry, November 4, 1800:
"Without morals a republic cannot subsist
any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion,
whose morality is so sublime and pure and which insures to the good eternal
happiness, are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security
for the duration of free governments."
After public service, former Secretary of War
James McHenry became President of the first Bible Society in Baltimore,
Maryland, stating in 1813:
"Neither ... let it be overlooked, that
public utility pleads most forcibly for the general distribution of the Holy
Scriptures. The doctrine they preach, the obligations they impose, the
punishment they threaten, the rewards they promise, the stamp and image of
divinity they bear, which produces a conviction of their truths, can alone
secure to society, order and peace, and to our courts of justice and
constitutions of government, purity, stability and usefulness.
In vain, without the Bible, we increase penal
laws and draw intrenchments around our institutions. Bibles are strong
intrenchments. Where they abound, men cannot pursue wicked courses, and at the
same time enjoy quiet conscience ..."
McHenry continued: "Consider also, the rich
do not possess aught more precious than their Bible, and that the poor cannot
be presented by the rich with anything of greater value. Withhold it not from
the poor.
It is a book of councils and directions, fitted
to every situation in which man can be placed. It is an oracle which reveals to
mortals the secrets of heavens and the hidden will of the Almighty ..."
James McHenry concluded: "It is an estate,
whose title is guaranteed by Christ, whose delicious fruits ripen every season,
survive the worm, and keep through eternity. It is for the purpose of
distributing this divine Book more effectually and extensively among the
multitudes, whose circumstances render such a donation necessary, that your
cooperation is most earnestly requested."
After his death on MAY 3, 1816, James McHenry's
wife, Margaret "Peggy" McHenry, wrote: "Here we come to the end
of a life of a courteous, high-minded, keen-spirited, Christian gentleman. He
was not a great man, but participated in great events and great men loved him,
while all men appreciated his goodness and purity of soul. His highest titles
to remembrance are that he was faithful to every duty and that he was the
intimate and trusted friend of Lafayette, of Hamilton, and of Washington."
American Minute is a registered trademark of
William J. Federer. Permission is granted to forward, reprint, or duplicate,
with acknowledgment.
