James McHenry-- Part 2: Appointed Secretary of War Under Washington

James McHenry was paroled in January 1777 and released from parole in March.  General George Washington was impressed with him so made him aide as secretary in May 1779.  McHenry was present at the Battle of Monmouth.

In August 1780, he was transferred to Major General Lafayette's staff where he remained until he retired from the army in 1781.

Later, he participated in the Constitutional Convention.

During George Washington's second term as president, he appointed James McHenry as his Secretary of War in 1796.  One of his major tasks was to transition the western military posts from British control to American.under the terms of the Jay Treaty.

--Brock-Perry