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==Secretary of War==

==Secretary of War==

His appointment by Washington in January, 1791, as Secretary of War, however, took him out of state politics and carried him once more into the national arena. The work of the War Department remained in his hands thenceforth through the administration of Washington and on into that of John Adams. When war with France seemed unavoidable in 1798, he had the supervision of the preparations for the conflict; and here his medical knowledge rendered him of peculiar value to the country, enabling him to speak with authority when he wrote to Congress, that "the Secretary does not discover in any of the Acts the necessary provision for the appointment of hospital officers or a hospital establishment. As military hospitals are indispensable to an army especially in time of war, it is respectfully suggested that provisions on the subject ought to be made by law, and that the regulations to be found in the resolutions of the old Congress, more particularly in those under date of September 30, 1780 and January 3, 1782, as certainly the faithful results of much experience, may afford some important lights respecting this Department. The certain consequences of disregarding so essential a measure in the event of war and the encampment of an army will be a train of diseases which must cut off a large proportion of our troops." The result of this judicious reminder was the act of March 2, 1799 providing for the best medical organization the Army had ever possessed up to that time.

His appointment by Washington in January, 1796, as Secretary of War, however, took him out of state politics and carried him once more into the national arena. The work of the War Department remained in his hands thenceforth through the administration of Washington and on into that of John Adams. When war with France seemed unavoidable in 1798, he had the supervision of the preparations for the conflict; and here his medical knowledge rendered him of peculiar value to the country, enabling him to speak with authority when he wrote to Congress, that "the Secretary does not discover in any of the Acts the necessary provision for the appointment of hospital officers or a hospital establishment. As military hospitals are indispensable to an army especially in time of war, it is respectfully suggested that provisions on the subject ought to be made by law, and that the regulations to be found in the resolutions of the old Congress, more particularly in those under date of September 30, 1780 and January 3, 1782, as certainly the faithful results of much experience, may afford some important lights respecting this Department. The certain consequences of disregarding so essential a measure in the event of war and the encampment of an army will be a train of diseases which must cut off a large proportion of our troops." The result of this judicious reminder was the act of March 2, 1799 providing for the best medical organization the Army had ever possessed up to that time.

The later years of Secretary McHenry's administration were marred by misunderstandings and disagreements with President [[John Adams]], largely because of McHenry's attachment to his old friend and comrade in arms, [[Alexander Hamilton]], and on May 13, 1800 the strained relations culminated after a stormy discussion with his chief, in the resignation of his portfolio.

The later years of Secretary McHenry's administration were marred by misunderstandings and disagreements with President [[John Adams]], largely because of McHenry's attachment to his old friend and comrade in arms, [[Alexander Hamilton]], and on May 13, 1800 the strained relations culminated after a stormy discussion with his chief, in the resignation of his portfolio.