George Washington Papers
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To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 16 August 1795

From Timothy Pickering

Sunday Augt 16. 1795.

Sir,

The inclosed letters from Governor Blount were brought to my house last evening.1 To gain time, I desired Colo. Hays, the conductor of the Chickasaws, to bring them this morning to the War-Office. We met: but major Colbert declined making any communications but to you in person. Hitherto he said his nation had depended on your officers—and had been disappointed: Now, nothing but an answer from your own mouth, to what he should offer, would satisfy him.2

I suppose the whole object of the journey is expressed in the letters of Wm Glover & Opoiamingo, & in Colbert’s speech to Governor Blount.3

When you shall be pleased to inform me at what time you can most conveniently see them, I will let them know it, and attend with them.

I have made a draught of the form of a ratification of the treaty somewhat different from that handed to me.4 The instructions you have been pleased now to send me, shall be considered immediately.5 Both shall also be submitted to the other gentlemen with the least possible delay. With the greatest respect I am sir your obt servant

Timothy Pickering

ALS, DLC:GW.

1These letters have not been identified.

2Pickering referred to Col. Robert Hays. The Chickasaw party included William Colbert, William McGillivray, and John Brown the younger. Malcolm McGee accompanied them as interpreter. The Chickasaws journeyed to Philadelphia, according to a report from Winchester, Va., “to procure assistance from the United States against the Creeks, who have commenced war against the Chickasaws, and who will in all probability cut them off, unless speedy relief is afforded them” (Account, 26 Aug., DNA: War Dept. Account Report Books; Dunlap and Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser [Philadelphia], 18 Aug.).

William Colbert (Cooshemataha; c.1742–1824) was the son of James Logan Colbert and a highly ranked Chickasaw woman. He acted as a war chief and political leader for the tribe.

3William Glover signed the Chickasaw treaties of 1801 and 1816 and was mentioned in the 1816 treaty among the “military leaders” (Kappler, Indian Treaties, description begins Charles J. Kappler, ed. Indian Affairs. Laws and Treaties. 5 vols. Washington, D.C., 1903–41. description ends 2:55–56, 135–37). Glover’s letter and Colbert’s speech have not been identified. The letter from the Chickasaw chief Piomingo to GW has not been found, but William Blount, governor of the Southwest Territory, discussed it in his letter to James Robertson of 10 September. According to Blount, Piomingo asked that “the President would take his children into consideration, and particularly his Daughter whom he wished to be taught to write and read” (“Correspondence of Robertson,” description begins “The Correspondence of Gen. James Robertson.” American Historical Magazine 1(1896): 71–91, 189–94, 280–91, 390–96; 2(1897): 59–86, 172–77, 278–79, 355–75; 3(1898): 74–83, 267–98, 348–94; 4(1899): 66–96, 163–92, 247–86, 336–81; 5(1900): 67–96, 162–90, 252–86. description ends 4:72–73).

4Pickering’s draft of the ratification has not been identified. On 14 Aug., Pickering informed John Jay: “No man can be more anxious for the fate of the treaty with Great Britain than you … The treaty will be ratified. This day the President finally sanctions a memorial announcing it to the British minister, Mr Hammond. The ratification will conform to the advice & consent of the Senate, unembarrassed with any other condition” (NNC).

Pickering sent a copy of the formal statement of the ratification to all the U.S. ministers. The document was later published in the newspapers. The text of the ratification reads: “Whereas the Senate of the United States did, by their resolution on the twenty fourth day of June, in the Year of our Lord 1795 (all the Senators of the United States being then present, and two thirds thereof concurring) ‘consent to, and advise the President of the United States, to ratify the treaty of amity, commerce and navigation, between his Britannick Majesty and the United States of America, concluded at London the 19th day of November 1794, on condition that there be added to the said Treaty, an article whereby it shall be agreed to suspend the operation of so much of the 12th Article as respects the trade, which his said Majesty thereby consents may be carried on between the United States and his Islands in the West Indies, in the manner, and on the terms and conditions therein specified.’

“And Whereas it will satisfy and be conformable with the said Advice and consent of the Senate, if there be added to the said Treaty an Article in the following Words, that is to say; ‘Additional Article—

‘It is further agreed between the said contracting parties, that the operation of so much of the twelfth Article of the said Treaty as respects the trade which his said Majesty thereby consents may be carried on between the United States and his Islands in the West Indies, in the manner and on the terms and conditions therein specified, shall be suspended.’

“Now therefore I George Washington, President of the United States of America, having seen and considered the Treaty and additional Article aforesaid, do in pursuance of the aforesaid advice and consent of the Senate of the United States of America, by these presents, ratify accept and confirm the said Treaty and the said Additional Article, as the same are herein before set forth.

“And I do moreover hereby declare, that the said Treaty, and the said additional Article form together one Instrument and are a Treaty between the United States of America and his Britannic Majesty, made by the President of the United States by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof.

“For the greater Testimony and Validity of all which, I have caused the Great Seal of the United States of America to be affixed to these presents and have signed the same with my Hand.

“Given at the City of Philadelphia, the fourteenth day of August, in the Year one thousand seven hundred and ninety five, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the Twentieth” (Miller, Treaties, description begins Hunter Miller, ed. Treaties and Other International Acts of the United States of America. Vol. 2, 1776-1818. Washington, D.C., 1931. description ends 272). An abbreviated text “copied in haste while at London” is in NHi: Rufus King Papers. A copy of the ratification appeared in the Aurora General Advertiser (Philadelphia), 24 Feb. 1796.

5The instructions have not been identified. Most likely Pickering was referring to a draft of the instructions to U.S. diplomats about the exchange of ratifications of the Jay Treaty.

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