1From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 3 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
At the conclusion of my public employments, I have thought it expedient to notice the publication of certain forged letters which first appeared in the year 1777, and were obtruded upon the public as mine. They are said by the editor to have been found in a small portmanteau that I had left in the care of my Mulatto servant named Billy, who, it is pretended, was taken prisoner at Fort Lee, in...
2From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 14 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have given the draughts of the letters to Messrs Pinckney—Humphreys—and Adams an attentive perusal, and approve of their contents. It might however be better, to soften some of the strong expressions in the letter which is addressed to the first of those characters; or to convey them in Cypher, lest they should (which is not improbable) fall into hands they are not intended for. and might it...
3From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 9 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
Not having seen the conclusion of your Statement for Genl Pinckney (if completed); and not knowing in what manner you propose to sum it up; it has occurred to me that, closing with some such sentiments as the following, might not be improper. That the conduct of the United States towards France has been, as will appear by the aforegoing statement, regulated by the strictest principles of...
4From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 4 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
As it is very desireable that the papers respecting the discontents of France should be got into Congress, and sent also to Mr Pinckney as soon as possible; if you mean to give the other Gentlemen a perusal of the statement for the latter, it would save time if this was done as you are proceeding towards the close of that Statemt. It is questionable whether the present, and pressing avocations...
5From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 25 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter came under cover to me from the Sister of General Pinckney. Not knowing whether he had Sailed or not, she took this method of forwarding of it to him—and I request you to do this by the first good Conveyance. I am Yours Affectly P.S. I shall commence my Journey for Philadelphia this afternoon—but business will detain me one day at least in the Federal City. ALS , PHi :...
6From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 21 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th came duly to hand. Fortune seems to have declared for us, hitherto, in the Election, or more properly Selection & ballotting, for the odd Commissioner, under the Treaty with G.B.—But something must be done, & I presume immediately, to supply Mr Trumbull’s place as Agent in the other business, to which he was appointed. I wish most ardently that the flames of war were...
7From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 19 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
The letter from Mr King to you, is herewith returned. In your dispatches to him, he ought to be instructed to remonstrate in strong terms against those arbitrary & oppressive Acts of the B: Ships of War & Privateers, of which we have so often complained to little effect; and to press for redress. The moment for doing these is favorable: self respect and justice to our Citizens (especially our...
8From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 17 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11th instant was received by the last Post. Expecting to be at the Seat of Government by the first of next Month (if my Drivers, who have been sick are able to proceed) I shall be concise in this letter. My Sentiments relatively to the appointment of Mr Benja. Bourne, to be District Judge for the State of Rhode Island, were communicated to you in my last, and it is with...
9From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 5th instant with its enclosure, came to hand by Friday’s Post. The extracts therein, produced both pleasure & pain—the former at hearing that our Citizens are; at length released from their unfortunate confinement in Algiers; the latter to find that others of them have fallen into a similar situation at Tunis; contrary to the Truce, & to the arrangement made with Mr...
10From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 28 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 17th 20th & 20th instant, have been received. Enclosed you have a Warrant on the Secretary of the Treasury for two thousand dollars for contingent purposes, agreeably to your request. ’Tis well to learn from Mr Monroe’s own pen, “that he trusted the French Councils relative to us were fixed, & that he should hear nothing more from the Directory on the subject he had...
11From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed is approved, and if there is any Authentic ground to go upon, it ought to be extended to the case of Captn Jessup by strong & solemn expostulation or remonstrance. This conduct of G. Britain cannot, must not be suffered with impunity. ALS , ViMtvL . See Pickering to GW, this date . After receiving GW’s reply, Pickering wrote a second letter to Rufus King, U.S. minister to Great...
12From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 2 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your private letter of this date, & will arrest the talk intended for the Cherokee Indns until it can be further considered. For this purpose I send the one I have just received from you, back again; with a request that you would pursue the remarks you have begun; and let me have them as soon as you can, conveniently, in the morning; that I may be possessed of them before I see...
13From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private The last Post brought me the enclosed letter from General Pinckney. It becomes necessary now to prepare Instructions for him without delay. To bring him fully and perfectly acquainted with the conduct and policy of this government towards France &c. and the motives which have induced the recall of Mr Monroe. As this measure will excite, when known, much speculation; and set all the...
14From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 5 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private Your private letters of the 29th & 30th have been received. If Mr Churchmans account respecting the broken seal of Mr Monroes letter, to the Department of State be true, it bespeaks the man of candour, and does him credit; but I do not see why, when called upon, he should require time to consider whether he should relate the truth—or “give a certificate that might excite suspicions of...
15From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 1 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 26th and 27th Ulto were received by the Post on friday last. Forwarding without further direction, the Commission appointing Mr Davis Attorney for the District of Massachusetts in place of Mr Otis, after satisfactorily ascertaining those points which had occasioned the hesitation, was perfectly conformable to my intention. I rejoice to find by the account you have given of...
16From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 27 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your two letters—both bearing date the 21st instant—with their enclosures, were received by the last Mail to Alexandria. It would have been unfortunate, and much indeed to have been regretted, if the French government had had as great cause of complaint against the conduct of the United States, as they have shewn a disposition to complain. It was natural to expect, tho’ it was not easy to...
17From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 27 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private Your private letter of the 21st instant has been received. Mr Monroe, in every letter he writes, relative to the discontents of the French government at the conduct of our own, always concludes without finishing his story, leaving great scope to the imagination to divine what the ulterior measures of it will be. There are some things in his correspondence, & your letters, which I am...
18From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 25 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private Your private letters of the 19th 19th, and 20th instant have been duly received. The request of Mr J. Jones, to forward his letter to Colo. Monroe, is opposed to the speedy departure of Mr D—— for France; and yet the Gentleman who gave me the information spoke of it as a matter not doubtful: but added indeed (a circumstance I did not mention in my former letter) that it was on Mr Swan...
19From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 25 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 18th and 19th instant were received by fridays Post the 22d. If the answer which you returned to the Minister of the French Republic, to his enquiry relative to the prohibition of the sale of Prizes, brought by French armed Vessels into the Ports of the United States; should, as it ought, preclude any reply, it would be very agreeable: but it has not been found, that where...
20From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 12th & 13th instant, with their enclosures, were received by Mondays Mail, the 18th. The duplicate Commission for John Trumbull; the blank Commissions for the Revenue Officers; and the Patents passed by the Attorney General; are all signed & returned under cover with this letter. The want of funds to carry on Commerce with the Indian Tribes (agreeably to a late Act of...
21From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 18 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private If there be any thing yet to do , which can with propriety be done, towards fulfilling the several Treaties which the United States have entered into (without specifically naming them) it is my desire that there may be no delay in the execution: and if upon examining of them carefully, any matters should be found therein requiring the attention of either of the other Departments, that...
22From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 13 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
(Private & confidential) Yesterday, I was informed by a Gentleman from Richmond, that Mr Dawson was gone on to Philadelphia in order to embark for France; and about an hour ago, I received a letter of which the enclosed is an extract from a well informed acquaintance, & a stanch frd to his country. What, or whether any thing can with propriety be done in consequence of this information, must...
23From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 8 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) My letters to the Secretary of the Treasury of the 4th & 6th Instant, with the present enclosure, conveys fully the sentiments of the Attorney General with respect to the best mode of executing the Act “For the relief and Protection of American Seamen.” He has, since his opinion was transmitted in the above letter of the 6th, consulted two of our most eminent Lawyers, in these...
24From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 4 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Spanish Minister, Mr de Yrujo, spent two days with me, and is just gone. I caused it to be intimated to him, that as I should be absent from the Seat of the Government until the middle, or latter end of August, that I was ready to receive his letter of credence at this place. He answered (as I understood it) that his credentials were with his Baggage, on its passage to Philadelphia; and...
25From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 1 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th ulto is received. I am sorry Mr De Witt, from the competency of his abilities to discharge the duties of the Office of Surveyor General, declines accepting it. Colo. Tinsley’s recommendations, go more to the respectability of his character, than to his scientific knowledge. The first is essential, but not sufficient without the other. I will obtain the best information...
26From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 29 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Did Mr Liston furnish the letter you asked of him, in favor of Cap: Talbots agency, to the West Indies? Has any representation been made to him, independent of that application, consequent of the evidence you have recd of the Impressment of our Seamen? When I left Philadelphia, it was expected, & from Mr & Mrs Liston themselves, that they were to follow us in ten days; and allowing a...
27From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 27 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Post of friday—to Alexandria—brought me your dispatches of the 22d instant. Mr Adets answer to your communication, relatively to the Capture of the Ship Mount Vernon, leaves the matter as undecided as before; and his reserve may, it is to be feared, be considered as a collateral evidence of the truth of the information I handed to you in my last, and contributes to shew the necessity of...
28From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 24 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
The information contained in a letter of which the enclosed is a correct copy, (with the reservation only of names, agreeably to the request of the writer) may serve as a comment upon the conduct of the Owner of the Privateer Flying Fish; and as a developement also of the intentions of the French government so far as it relates to the Commerce of the United States with Great Britain. The...
29From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Pickering will attend to the Suggestion of Mr McHenry, & then return the letter, directed to Colo. T. Blount back, as requested. If there are any authorities which can be consulted on the remonstrance of Mr Vear, it might be well to have recourse to them. The opinion I gave was from what I conceive to be consistent with propriety and us⟨ mutilated ⟩ but, though I have no reason to...
30From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 9 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Instructions for Mr King, herewith returned, appear to me to be proper. To them, however, I think might be added a desire that he should attempt to remove any doubts which may arise in the construction of the [ ] article relative to our Trade ⟨with⟩ the East Indies; and to get relieved if it be practicable from the restrictions on our Vessels going from thence with their Cargoes to China....
31From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 6 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have given your Letter of instructions to our Minister at the Court of London, attentive consideration, and approve them; unless the last clause but one, should give rise to the negotiation of an article which may not accord with the result of a motion which is pending in the House of Representatives (introduced, if my memory serves me, by Mr Smith, of Baltimore)—of which, however, I have...
32Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Timothy Pickering, 13 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
Resolved, that The President of the United States be requested to cause to be laid before this House, the Treaty mentioned in his communications to both Houses of Congress, at the opening of the present Session, as having been negotiated with certain Indian Nations northwest of the river Ohio. By the President’s order B. Dandridge respectfully transmits to the Secy of State the above copy of a...
33Enclosure: Robert Brooke to Timothy Pickering, 16 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of enclosing to you, a letter from the Vice Consul of the French Republic (resident at Norfolk) complaining of improper purchases making in this State, by the British Consul and his agents; and calling on the Executive of Virginia for their interference to prevent the injury which those operations threaten to the interest of the French Nation. If the Subjects of the...
34Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Timothy Pickering, 23 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
By The President’s direction B. Dandridge respectfully transmits to the Secy of State a Memorial of sundry merchants of New York—The President requests the Secretary to return an answer to the Letter from the Committee, which accompanied the Memorial, informing them that the most pointed & strong remonstrances have been made against the Conduct of which they complain. B.D. also encloses a...
35From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 11 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I learn with concern that the statements from the War department referred to in my speech to Congress, are not yet handed in, & that some Members are ascribing delay of business to the want of information which has been promised, & which they have been expecting. I request that they may be presented without delay. I am always yrs &c. Copy, MHi : Pickering Papers; ADfS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW ....
36From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
In my communications to Congress at the opening of the ensuing Session, I shall refer to the department of War for information on the following subjects. A statement of our present Military force—terms of its enlistment —and the disposition thereof—generally. A statement of the fortifications, and defences of the several harbours, agreeably to acts of Congress passed for that purpose. The...
37From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 26 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Not doubting but that the statements, contained in the enclosed letter to Mr Pinckney, are grounded on facts, it appears to me to be as proper as it is spirited. Transcript, MHi : Pickering Papers. The transcript was certified as “A true copy” by Octavius Pickering, 22 Feb. 1866. The transcript of Pickering’s docket reads in part: “Approves the letter to Mr Pinckney of Oct. [22] relative to...
38From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 12 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 2d & 5th instant came to my hands on thursday last, but it was not in my power, conveniently to acknowledge the receipt of them by the succeeding Post. It is a very singular occurrence that Mr Pinckney should make use of a cypher to which there is no counterpart, or key in the Office of State! A kind of fatality seems to have pursued this negociation and in short all our...
39From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 7 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your communications of the 2d Inst. have been duly received. General Wayne will, I hope & expect, leave the Garrisons in his advanced Posts sufficiently respectable. In the present uncertainty of what may be the final result of the treaty with Great Britain, and from the intimations of Captn Brant, we ought not in my opinion to œconomise at too Great a hazard; nor build too much in the present...
40From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 5 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
This is merely intended to let you know that, your two letters, the one official, the other private, of the 30th ulto have both been received. If the Authors of such resolutions as are forwarded to me, relative to the Treaty with G. Britain mean well they will be benefited by such sentiments as you have communicated to Judge Walton: for nothing short of profound ignorance, or consummate...
41From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 2 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 25th, and two of the 28th Ulto have been duly received—one of them accompanied with a copy of the Treaty with the Western Indians—which I shall retain until my arrival in Philadelphia—presuming, if no accident happens, that the original will be with you as soon as the copy could were I to send it by the mail of tomorrow. In one of your letters of the 28th the proceedings of...
42From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 28 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
Two letters from you, dated the 21st instant, and one of the 23d, came to Alexandria by the Post on Friday. I will immediately set on foot an enquiry relative to the prospect of obtaining the lands sufficient for an Arsenal at the confluence of the Rivers Potomac & Shenandoah. From what I have heard of this site, and partly from what I know of it, it must be the most eligable spot on the whole...
43From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 27 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your private letter of the 21st instant, did not reach me until yesterday. A late letter of mine to you, will have fixed the Directorship of the Mint upon Mr Boudinot —The application therefore of Majr Jackson, however fit he may have been for the Office, is too late. But besides the reasons assigned in your letter against such an appointment at present, I should have preferred a character...
44From 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...
45From 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...
46From 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...
47From 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...
48From 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...
49From 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...
50From 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...