1. See Acts Requiring Presidential Action, c.8 June, printed as an enclosure to this letter.

2. Samuel Cabot (1759–1819), a Boston merchant, was a younger brother of George Cabot, U.S. senator from Massachusetts. The draft of Pickering’s instructions has not been identified, but he wrote final instructions to Cabot dated 29 June: “It has been represented to the President of the United States, that the Commissioners who are to examine and decide on the claims of American citizens for losses and damages sustained by the illegal capture and condemnation of their vessels and other property, under colour of authority or commissions from his Britannic Majesty, will find perhaps insuperable difficulties in adjusting the accounts and liquidating the charges, unless assisted by a person well versed in the commerce of the United States. With a view to obviate these difficulties, and to expedite the proceedings of the Commissioners, by which the citizens of the United States may obtain more speedy satisfaction for their losses; the President of the United States has determined on the appointment of such an agent, in the character of an Accountant; and has selected you for this employment. It is understood that it will meet your acceptance, and that you will be able soon to embark to attend the Commissioners in London.

“In executing the trust thus confided to you, it is expected, that under the direction of the Commissioners, you will inspect the documents in every case which shall be brought before them; arrange them in the fittest order for their examination; critically review all the items in the accounts, and when the charges appear to you too high or too low to note the same with your opinion of the charges that would be just and equitable; and state the accounts in the most convenient form for the final decision of the Commissioners. These are the general ideas entertained of the services you are to render in aid of the Commissioners. The whole board, it is presumed, will concur in the opinion of their utility; and in prescribing more particularly the duties you are to perform. But if the Commissioners on the part of Great Britain shall choose to consider you merly as an Agent of the United States, to exhibit and support the claims of their citizens, you will act accordingly, exercising your own discretion to effect a just and equitable settlement of their demands.

“The trust thus committed to you is so important, by the magnitude of the property it embraces, as to require your unremitting attention; and from the testimonies given of your talents and industry, the President feels a confidence that his expectations and those of his fellow citizens whose interests are thus committed to your care will be fulfilled.” Cabot also was empowered to examine “certain claims of British subjects … in the same manner as in the case of the American claims.” As compensation, he would receive $3,000 the first year and subsequently $2,500 annually, with the higher initial “allowance … being in consideration of the expenses you must incur in preparing for this service and in performing your voyage to London” (MHi: Pickering Papers; see also GW to Pickering, 9 June).