351To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 31 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
To-day major Campbell handed me a letter from General Knox relative to the collecting of timber for bomb proofs in the four redoubts back of West-Point. I beg leave to inclose a copy of it, and of my answer. In reading Genl Knox’s letter, two things very naturally occurred: One, That if all the other works so materially depended on those redoubts, and they were not tenable for half an hour,...
352To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed estimate is calculated on the supposition that the army under your Excellency’s command, will be composed of 9 major generals 10 brigadiers 30 regiments of 1 Hazens infantry, of 500 2 N. Hampshire men each exclusive 8 Massachusetts of officers, viz. 1 Rhode Island 3 Connecticut
353To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 7 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
The conductor whom I sent to Albany with blankets for Colo. Willet’s regiment is returned. He arrived there the 4th before sunset; and has delivered the blankets to Colo. Willet, together with ten guineas which I sent to prevent any little difficulties and delays, which even so small a sum of money might obviate. He has brought no letters for your Excellency. I am, very respectfully, Sir, Your...
354To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 10 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received from my Counsel in Woolsey’s action, a special bail piece, which he says I with my bail must acknowledge before Judge Barber of Wallkill. I have proposed to go to-morrow and return by evening, if your Excellency has no commands to prevent it. I have been some time anxiously waiting for money from Philadelphia, to enable me to complete the payment of debts for which I am daily...
355To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 10 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
By the Bills brought in to my office in some cases, I find very large quantities of wood burnt by officers not hutted with the troops, quantities quite disproportioned to the allowances in Philadelphia, as formerly regulated at the War Office. The latter, it is true, are evidently insufficient for this climate & the quarters generally occupied. What they are your Excellency will see, if you...
356To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 1 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The committee of Congress on the late regulations for the quarter master’s department, on account of the numerous amendments which they appeared to require, reported their total repeal, and a substitution of others in their stead. This kept me in a state of suspense. But no decision having yet taken place, I beg leave, agreeably to the direction of those regulations, to lay before your...
357From Timothy Pickering to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 10 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your favour of this date just handed me, relative to the standards for the army, I have to inform you, that they came to the store at this place in a box with other articles, directed to Mr Frothingham field commissary of military stores, who opened the box & took out some of the articles, but left the standards, saying he would send for them: how ever, there they are yet. This is...
358From Timothy Pickering to Benjamin Walker, 22 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
In answer to the questions in your note of this date, you will be pleased to inform the commander in chief. That last May Saml Ogden Esqr. of Booneton contracted to make and deliver 1500 camp kettles in a very short time. From the 6th of July to the 23d of October he had delivered 1205—295 are still due, for which he has been importuned. On the 13th of February his Clerk wrote that they were...
359To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 26 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Brigadiers and commanding officers of Brigades have reconnoitred the environs of the cantonments, but find no place sufficient, in its present condition, for the manoeuvring of a large body of troops, indeed of any number exceeding a brigade. Capt. Nichols’s plantation, with the land eastward of it, towards Murderer’s creek, is spacious enough; but a growth of young wood covering many...
360To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 22 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
You was pleased to ask my opinion of the military establishments proper to be adopted by the United States, on the conclusion of the war. As it is a subject of the first consequence, I have considered it with attention: and now submit to your Excellency my thoughts upon it. In order to form a just judgment of the military institution necessary for the safety of a State, we must consider the...
361To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 26 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
On the receipt of your Excellency’s letter of the 6th instant relative to the measures necessary for taking possession of the posts on the frontiers, I considered the nature of the service, and made such inquiries as appeared necessary to enable me to form an estimate of the expense. The next day I waited on Mr Morris, who desired me particularly to state my ideas on the subject. These I laid...
362To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 28 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
It is now time to deposit at West-Point as much wood as will be necessary for the use of the garrison the ensuing winter. If it be practicable to determine, at this time, what shall be the strength of the garrison, and the number and ranks of the officers, I will lay in forage, as well as wood, in proportion, as soon as I am favoured with your Excellency’s decision thereon. The wood I propose...
363To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 29 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
The chain at West-Point has already suffered considerably by the rust, and will be daily growing worse. If it is to be kept for future use, it cannot too soon be housed; and in this case it is said it may be preserved from rust by painting. If it is not necessary to keep it, the sooner it is sold the better. It would probably fetch about two thirds the price of bar iron. The chain contains...
364To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 13 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening honoured with your two letters of the 8th. Measures were taking to supply the great article of wood, to the amount of five hundred cords, in addition to the quantity first proposed; in consequence of a late letter from your Excellency to general Knox; from which it was thought not improbable that a larger garrison than five hundred men must be provided for. Those measures...
365To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 27 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter of the 10th desiring me to give furloughs to such officers in my department as were not necessary for the troops remaining in service; agreeably to an act of Congress of the 26th ultimo, which you was pleased to inclose. I beg leave to inform your Excellency, that when the men inlisted for the war were furloughed last June, & the brigades in consequence...
366To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 15 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
We, the Officers of the part of the Army remaining on the banks of the Hudson, have received Your Excellency’s serious and farewel address to the Armies of the United States. We beg your acceptance of our unfeigned thanks for the communication, and your affectionate assurances of inviolable attatchment and friendship. If your attempts to ensure to the Armies the just, the promised rewards of...
367To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 15 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Officers of the part of the Army who agreed on the inclosed address, having committed to us the honor of presenting it. With great pleasure we now offer to your Excellency this testimony of their affectionate attachment & respect. We have the honor to be, with perfect consideration, sir, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servants, DLC : Papers of George Washington.
368To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 1 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
As I may not have another opportunity, I beg leave now to present to your Excellency the following questions & to be favoured with your answers or advice for my government. l. Whether any batteaux, & if any what number must be provided for the frontier service; and at what places, & by what time in the Spring, they must be ready? 2. For what number of troops, destined for the frontier service,...