To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 30 January 1796
From Timothy Pickering
Jany 30 [1796]. 3 o’clock.
It being too late personally to wait on the President, Colonel Pickering respectfully informs That a Committee of Congress on the Military Establishment have wished a communication of the ideas of Colo. Pickering on that subject. The Comtee deemed it improper to ask those of the President; at the same time it seemed apparent that they would be glad to know them. The Committee proposed to meet next Monday Morning. Colo. Pickering will then wait on the President to receive his directions and opinions on this subject.1
Colo. Pickering begs leave also to remark that there are several vacancies in the corps of artillerists & engineers, occasioned by deaths and resignations: and as nobody seems to entertain an idea of a reduction of this corps, He respectfully submits to the president’s decision whether the vacances should not be filled.
Timothy Pickering
ALS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
1. On 17 Dec. 1795, in response to GW’s message to Congress of 8 Dec., the House of Representatives appointed Abraham Baldwin, Dempsey Burges, Samuel Maclay, Peleg Wadsworth, and Roger Griswold as a committee “to enquire whether any, and what alterations ought to be made in the present military establishment of the United States” ( 8:40–41). For the committee’s report of 25 March 1796, see ASP, Military Affairs, 1:112–14. The following Monday was 1 February.