George Washington Papers
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To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 29 July 1796

From Timothy Pickering

Department of State July 29 1796.

Sir,

I was yesterday honoured with your letter of the 25th and agreeably to your directions have had a commission made out for Samuel Williams to be Consul of the U. States at Hamburg, & now inclose it for your signature. I will take care to advise Mr Monroe of the appointment.

The untoward situation of the Cannon foundaries last year, excited apprehensions that the Contractors might fail of furnishing such as were fit for our frigates. Numerous essays had been made at both furnaces, and with little success.1 On my representing this to you, and the probability of obtaining a capital founder from France, you gave your approbation of the measure.2 It will certainly be the interest of this country to secure by liberal pay the services of such a man as Mr La Motte is represented to be; and his intention to come with his family I think a favourable circumstance, as it looks towards a permanent residence here as his future country. I supposed that a cannon foundary would compose an important part of our arsenal establishment; and that the presence of an accomplished founder would be essential to its most perfect construction.

I will inform Mr Monroe, that already possessing some engineers which are competent to our present undertakings, and there being no legal provision for others, we cannot invite any gentlemen of that profession from France.3 With the highest respect I am sir your most obt servt

Timothy Pickering

ALS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB, DNA: RG 59, Domestic Letters; LB, DNA: RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State.

1The government had contracted in 1794 with the Hope Furnace in Rhode Island and another furnace in Cecil County, Maryland. Problems arose with Hope Furnace (see Jabez Bowen to GW, 20 Feb. 1796, and n.1). For cannons delivered under these contracts, see James McHenry to the U.S. House of Representatives, 12 April 1798, in ASP description begins Walter Lowrie et al., eds. American State Papers. Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of the United States. 38 vols. Washington, D.C., Gales and Seaton, 1832–61. description ends , Military Affairs, 1:123.

2Pickering had written James Monroe, U.S. minister to France, on 7 Nov. 1795 that GW had approved the procurement of a cannon founder from France (Papers of James Monroe, description begins Daniel Preston et al., eds. The Papers of James Monroe. 5 vols. to date. Westport, Conn., and Santa Barbara, Calif., 2003–. description ends 3:509–10).

3GW replied to Pickering from Mount Vernon on 3 Aug.: “Herewith you will receive my signature to the Commission appointing Samuel Williams of Massachusetts, Consul for the United States at the Port of Hamburgh &ca—transmitted to me in your letter of the 29th Ulto.

“If Mr La Motte possesses much experimental as well as theoretical knowledge in the casting of Cannon &ca there can be no doubt of the utility of his Services—and coming with his family will be an evidence of his intention to remain—but the latter ought not to be accomplished at the expence of the United States unless his Services are secured. But Mr Monroe it is to be presumed will take care that one does not happen without the other” (LS [retained copy], DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; copy, MHi: Pickering Papers; LB, DNA: RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State).

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