1From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 1 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of yesterday I received, and am sorry to hear that the Quota of Militia which the Town of Salem was to furnish, by Resolve of the Honorable General Court can not be had. The Generous tender of Services made by you Sir & the rest of the Volunteers, claims a return of my sincere thanks. Should I have an occasion to call upon them, I shall do It; At present I wish them to Continue at...
2From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 30 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Office of Adjutant General being vacant by the resignation of Colo. Reed, and the power of appointing a Successor with me, I am induced from the good opinion I entertain of your attachment to the interests of the United States and your Military character, not only to make a tender, but most heartily to wish your acceptance of it. It will give me much pleasure if the Offer meets your...
3From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 25 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 9th & 14th instants. Upon the Receipt of the first I had no hopes of seeing you in the department which I wished, but by the latter I am pleased to find, that upon a full reconsideration of the matter, you had determined to accept of the office of Adjutant General, provided it had not been disposed of. I am obliged to you for the free manner in which you unbosom...
4From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 23 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 19th inst. with its enclosures on the subject of the Indian voyages upon the Western frontier. Previous to the Receipt of it, I had put that part of the 13th Virginia Regt, which remained here under marching orders, with an intent of sending them to Fort Pitt, as they were raised in that county. Immediately upon receiving the account of the alarming...
5From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 15 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 9th instant. I have directed the Blankets to be brought forward to Camp, after the North Carolinians are supplied the remainder shall be distributed among the troops who most want —The draughts from the Army for Teamsters, Mechanics and persons of different occupations are so great, that our return, upon command, amounts to almost half the effective fit for duty....
6From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 22 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was honored yesterday with the Boards Letter of the 19th Instant. From the apprehensions of the public of an Indian war in the western department, and the earnest applications of General McIntosh for Troops, I was induced the 15 of the month to detach Durkee’s & Ransom’s companies for that command. I am told by Lt Buck that they are halted at Lancaster. As they are detached from this Army,...
7From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of your letter of the 5th Inst. with its inclosures. I have communicated the resolve of Congress respecting the pay of supernumerary officers to the Auditor of accounts for the goverment of his conduct. In case there are any quantity of shoes, at the different manufactories under the direction of the board, I could wish them to be forwarded to camp as soon as possible. as also...
8From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 13th instant inclosing a Copy of a letter from Colo. Brodhead with an estimate of the Stores necessary for an expedition against Detroit —As there is no probability of an attempt upon that post at this time, I should not think it prudent to send the Artillery required and necessary Stores just now, but as we do not know what an unlooked for turn in the affairs...
9From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 21 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
As I shall have occasion to remove Colo. Rawlins’s Corps from Fort Frederick in Maryland, (where they are guarding the prisoners,) to Fort Pitt, I must request the Board to call upon Governor Johnston of Maryland to furnish a Militia Guard to releive Colo. Rawlins. I wish no time may be lost in making the requisition, and that the Governor may be informed of the necessity of sending the Releif...
10From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 26 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I must request the Board to give orders to have a considerable number of Cartridges made up with Buck Shott and Ball, indeed it might not be amiss to have all from this time made up in that manner. I wish to be informed what number of Hunting Shirts are on hand and where they are lodged—There are none among the Cloathing in Camp—and but 500 in the Store at Fishkill. If there are any more, they...
11XIV. George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 22 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
You have been directed to furnish the Commanding Officer of the Boats with materials for muffling the Oars. to pay particular attention that they are in good order—well provided with oars—mounted on good Carriages and in such a manner that they cannot be injured—that the Horses are with them by Thursday 12 OClock—that they are then removed through the Notch below the Mountain, there to remain...
12From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 19 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just received advice from Otis and Henley of Boston that they had, thro’ the interest of the State, procured upwards of forty teams which they had loaded and sent forward with Cloathing. They do not say how far the teams are to proceed, but, in all probability, no farther than Springfeild; at which place there is also a considerable quantity of Cloathing much wanted by the Army. The...
13From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 1 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The tranquility of winter quarters and the important change about to take place in our Military establishment offer a favourable opportunity to introduce system and order into the Army: and to effect a reformation of the abuses, which may have imperceptably crept into the several departments. That our circumstances require parsimony in the distribution of public stores, and the strictest...
14From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 21 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I directed Col. Humphrys the day before yesterday, to request you to have the beef salted in bulk at the several places on the River immediately transported by water, or (if impracticable) by land, to West Point, the matter has become more urgent, and the delay every Moment more dangerous. You will therefore take such measures as will be effectual for the purpose; and also to keep up the...
15From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 25 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
My horses, I am told, have not had a mouthful of long or short forage for three days. They have eaten up their mangers and are now (though wanted for immediate use) scarcely able to stand. I should be glad to know if there is any prospect of relief for them. I am etc. Fitzpatrick, Writings John C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources,...
16From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 25 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yours of this date is before me—When I wrote to Colo. Lutterloh I had no knowledge of your letter to Humphrey on the score of Forage. That which Roberts may get will, it is to be hoped serve till the farmers (enabled by the Snow) can bring in more—At any rate I cannot avail Myself of your private Stock. I shall be obliged to you for sending me by Eight oclock tomorrow Morning a Sleigh, pair of...
17From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 1 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have in contemplation a journey to Rhode Island, but previous to it, stand in need of a few articles from Philadelpa—which if obtained at all, must come soon. Is it in your power therefore, by the Morning, to provide me an Express on whose fidelity & dispatch I can absolutely depend? and can he, for the purpose of dispatch get fresh Horses on the communication? I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Ser....
18From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 5 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you a Copy of the Resolution of Congress of the 23d Janry on the subject of remounting the Regiments of Dragoons. It will be necessary to observe, that the Horses purchased for this service ought to be in size, strength, figure, & fleetness, capable of performing the duties for which they are designed. Otherwise the purchase Money will be thrown away, as has sometimes been the Case....
19From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 10 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed instructions were begun though not completed at the time they are dated; but the disturbances in the Army withdrew my attention from them and prevented their delivery ’till this time. For your satisfaction I shall here recapitulate the verbal directions given you in answer to your letter of the 14th of January—If my memory should fail me in any article which may affect your...
20From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I shall set out in a day or two for Rhode Island. The command in my absence will devolve upon Major General Heath. I must request you will make every effort to enable the Commissary to throw as ample a supply of provisions as he can into the Garrison of West point, that it may not be exposed to any accident from a sudden investiture —and will do every thing else, that depends on you, to...
21From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 15 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have ordered a detachment of light troops amounting to a thousand rank and file to assemble at Peek’s Kill in readiness to march towards Morris Town by the 19th. I am to desire you will have waggons ready for them by that period, to remain attached to them for some time and forage at proper stages on the route. It is necessary this business should be executed with punctuality. When you have...
22From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 19 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
If the detachment now forming, pursues its object, it will be a strong additional motive against having deposits at, and upon the Morris Town road to this place; because the Troops now on that communication will be considerably reduced, without the means of replacing them. If therefore my former order on this head is not fully complied with no time should be lost in the completion of it. A...
23From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 4 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
In the public letter which accompanies this you will receive such instructions for your conduct in your mission to the Seneca Tribe of Indians, as may without impropriety be communicated to them—Some others shall here be added more peculiarly proper for your own ear. It is particularly desireable that they be made to understand that all business between them and any part of the United States...
24From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 31 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to enclose for you the Report of the Secretary at War upon the papers which were referred to him, relative your transactions with the Seneka Indians in November last. To this satisfactory Report I am happy to add my entire Approbation of your conduct in this business—and am, With very great esteem & regard, Sir, Your most Obedt Servt LS , MHi : Timothy Pickering Papers;...
25From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your letters of the 8th and 15th of this month. I feel myself much obliged by the trouble you have taken, in the former, to detail your ideas with respect to introducing the art of husbandary and civilization among the Indians. I confess, that your plan, or something like it, strikes me as the most probable means of effecting this desirable end, and I am...
26From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 12 August 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Timothy Pickering, 12 Aug. 1791. Timothy Pickering wrote to his brother on 12 Aug.: “this day the President sent me a note, desiring to see me” ( Upham, Pickering, Octavius Pickering and Charles W. Upham. The Life of Timothy Pickering . 4 vols. Boston, 1867–73. 2:496).
27Tobias Lear to Timothy Pickering, 3 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I enclose the translation of the letter which was transmitted to the Secretary of War by the Governor of New York—The translation was made yesterday in great haste, and if it should not be sufficiently clear, referrence had better be had to the original, in the possession of the Secy of War. The President wishes, in your conversation with Colo. Louis, that you would learn the precise time of...
28From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 14 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
The numerous & various reports which I have received from people who were not possessed of any accurate information with respect to the state of the malignant fever with which Philadelphia is so unfortunately afflicted, and my intention being to return thither, or to it’s neighbourhood about the first of next month, have induced me to ask this information from you—and I beg you will advise me...
29Enclosure: Charles Storer to Timothy Pickering, 4 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Captain Ford & Lady arrived here yesterday: they left Niagara the 13th ulto & came by the way of Oswego. He gives me some information of things which took place after we left that country, and which, as they probably will be new to you, I herewith communicate them. He says that Talbot, Brant and Shehan had arrived at Niagara some days before he sailed: that they informed the Governor, that as...
30Enclosure: Matthew Clarkson to Timothy Pickering, 23 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I think it may be concluded that the state of the mortal sickness is become more favorable, this appears from the decrease of funerals in the City generally, and at the Hospital at Bush-Hill It is not possible to ascertain, with any degree of precission the degree in which it has abated. The general appearance is pleasing, the Physicians have fewer applications from new patients, the...
31Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Timothy Pickering, 22 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
By The President’s order Bw Dandridge has the honor of transmitting to the Secy of War the copy of a Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 21st Inst: & to desire the Secretary to furnish the statement therein requested by the House. ADf , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . On 21 Jan. the House resolved “that the President of the United States be requested to direct the proper officer to lay...
32From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 17 Feb. 1795 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Timothy Pickering, 17 Feb. 1795. On this date Pickering wrote to GW: “I have been honoured with your note of this morning.”
33From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 5 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
Congress having closed their late session without coming to any specified determination with respect to the Georgia sale of Lands and the application for the extinguishment of the Indian rights to those Lands; and not having expressed any sentiment respecting the nature of the predatory war between the southern Indians and the southern & southwestern frontiers of these United States, and the...
34From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 18 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
On considering that part of your letter of the instt which relates to the establishment of a Post at Presqu Isle I have no hesitation in giving it as my opinion that the position is eligable, in several points of view, & that the United States ought to fix one there. The doubt I have is, from whence, in the reduced, & reducing state of the Legion, and the uncertainty of the negotiation of...
35From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 6 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
Having fixed on monday the 13th instt to commence my journey for Virginia—& made arrangements to do business in the federal city on my way down accordingly —It is my desire that ⟨the⟩ Instructions for Genl Wayne’s government at the treaty which is proposed to be held with the Western Indians in June next, may be laid before me without delay, that I may have time to consider them. It is my...
36From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 7 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have perused the Bill which you sent me for laying out a town &ca at Presqu-Isle. The portion of land allotted for a fortification at that place by the 4th section, is much too small for the object; for if ever the work is assailed, the houses and other obstructions within range of its shot must be removed, or the artillery therein would be ⟨ren⟩dered useless & of course the defence...
37From Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Timothy Pickering, 11 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
By the Presidents order Bw Dandridge respectfully returns to The Secy of War the letter of Mr Monvel signifying his wish to resign his Commission, & informs the Secretary that the President knows no alternative but to accept it. Bw D. also transmits herewith a letter & enclosures from Gov: Mifflin to the President, upon the subject of which The President desires the Secretary to report to him...
38From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 13 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
It would be eq⟨ua⟩lly imp⟨roper⟩ (on acct of the expence, & other incon⟨venien⟩ces which would attend the measu⟨re) to⟩ continue the militia army in the wes⟨tern⟩ counties in this state, longer ⟨in service⟩ than the nat⟨ur⟩e & exigency ⟨of the case may⟩ require; or, under the reports wh⟨ich pre⟩vail of threatnings ag⟨ainst the Collectors,⟩ & other indications of latent disco⟨ntent,⟩ to disband...
39From Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Timothy Pickering, 21 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
By the Presidents order B. Dandridge respectfully returns to The Secy of War the Report &c. of Colo. Rochefontaine respecting the situation on the Potomac proper for an Arsenal; and informs The Secretary that as soon as he is possessed of every information which can be had from Colo. R. on this subject, the President will be glad to have a conversation with him concerng it. ADf , DLC:GW ; LB ,...
40From Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Timothy Pickering, 23 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
By order of the President Bw Dandridge respectfully encloses herewith to the Secretary of War, some papers which have been laid before the President by the Quakers of Philadelphia & which are intended to be sent to the hostile Indians. The President sees no objection to their being communicated to the Indians agreeably to the wish of the Quakers. The President leaves it with The Secy to...
41From Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Timothy Pickering, 14 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s order B. Dandridge respectfully returns to The Secretary of War the several papers respecting the site on the Potomac most proper for establishing an arsenal; and informs the Secretary that after an attentive consideration of said papers & viewing all circumstances The President is of opinion that the site on Conogocheague is the most advantageous & proper, & requests that...
42From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 27 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday morning I received your letter of the 21st instt; with its enclosures. The Post of tomorrow from Alexandria is the first by which I could answer it. If the meeting of the Commissioners, appointed to treat with the Onondagoes, Cayugas and Oneida Indians took place at Albany on the 15th instant, as was expected by the extract of Genl Schuylers letter to the Governor of New York; any...
43From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 31 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th instant was received by the last Post to Alexandria. I thank you for the information contained in it; as I shall for any further communication of the sentiments of the people respecting the treaty, which you may be able to obtain, and think worthy of transmission: for, as it is an interesting subject, on which mens minds are a good deal occupied, I should like, as far...
44From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., and Timothy Pickering, 12–18 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
At what time should Mr F——ts letter be made known to Mr R——? What will be the best mode of doing it? In presence of the Secs & A: Genl. If the explanations given by the latter, are not satisfactory, whether, besides removal, are any other measures proper to be taken? & what? Would an application to Mr A—— to see the paragraphs in Nos. 3 & 6, alluded to in F——ts letter, be proper? These might...
45From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 9 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
I had no time yesterday morning to look into the gazettes; nor did I know until the evening, that the French frigate Medusa had slipped her Cables & put to Sea on the 31st ulto; and was followed in a few hours by the Africa. This circumstance, be the result what it may, I regret exceedingly; & because the effect of the order as it relates to the British will be the same as if the Africa had...
46From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 11 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
The extreme badness of the Roads prevented my arrival at this place until nine oclock this morning, of course too late for the Mail of this day—Monday therefore being next Post day, which will occasion a delay of three days—and this probably the loss of a passage to Europe of one of the setts of Letters, herewith enclosed, I have thought it best to return them by Express; and have accordingly...
47From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 16 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
If, when this reaches your hands, there should be no contract or other obligation existing on behalf of the U.S. for the purchase of land on the Potomac, intended for the public Arsenal—I should wish all further negociation in this business to be suspended until proper inquiries can be made and information obtained respecting the property at the junction of the Potomac and Shanandoah Rivers in...
48From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 16 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
Monday’s Mail brought me both your letters dated the 11th instant —The one containing an extract from Majr Craig’s letter, relative to the conclusion of the treaty with the North western Tribes of Indians, was very acceptable. and I pray you to dispatch Seagrove, & impress strongly upon him the necessity, & the earnest desire of, the government that he would, without delay, effect if it can be...
49From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 18 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11th with two others from you dated the 14th instant, were received yesterday. The summary of the dispatches from Governor Blount, was more agreeable to me than complete transcripts of his letter with the enclosures; and the same practice where information only is intended, may govern in other cases. I am very glad to find that the Creeks are so well disposed for peace with...
50From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 23 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
Two letters from you, dated the 18th instant, were received yesterday. For the reasons you have assigned, I think it best that Mr Boudinot should fill the Directorship of the Mint; and request he may be informed so. At the same time, urge him to come forward, if for no other purpose than to arrange matters with the present occupant—and derive from him all the insight into the business his...