1William Jay to Timothy Pickering, 24 June 1826 (Jay Papers)
My Father’s health not permitting him to answer your letter of last Month in his own hand, he has desired me to acknowledge the receipt of it, together with D r : Holmes’s Memoir & letter which accompanied it. My Father did not know, till informed by your letter, that your Son Henry was a resident in New York, & he requests you to assure him, that should he find it convenient to visit Bedford,...
2From James Madison to Timothy Pickering, 17 October 1825 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 4th. inst: inclosing a continuation of your printed letters on the improvement of our native breed of Neat Cattle has been duly received. The subject well merits the attention bestowed on it; and I shall cheerfully comply with the request to put the past & the ensuing nos. into the hands of a Gentleman to whom I doubt not they will be acceptable, & whose judgment & public spirit...
3From James Madison to Timothy Pickering, 17 September 1825 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. Sir, your letter of the 7th. instant, inclosing Nos. 5 & 6. of the New England Farmer. I have not now the title which you supposed, to this mark of attention. Finding that I could not attend the Meetings of the Agricultural Society of Albemarle, held at a considerable distance from me, I made way, by resignation, for a successor to the presiding office who might do more justice to...
4From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 6 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 2d instant has prescribed a dismal plan, which I was never very well calculated to execute, but am now wholly incapable. I can write nothing which will not be suspected of personal vanity, local prejudice or Provincial & State partiality. However, as I hold myself responsible, at this age, to one only tribunal in the Universe, I will give you a few hints at all hazards. As...
5Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering, 27 February 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved, Sir, your favor of the 12 th and I assure you I recieved it with pleasure. it is true as you say that we have differed in political opinions; but I can say with equal truth, that I never suffered a political to become a personal difference. I have been left on this ground by some friends whom I dearly loved, but I was never the first to separate. with some others, of politics...
6From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 12 February 1811 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 5 th Inst. requesting Information respecting the Aids afforded us by Spain in our revolutionary war. These come under two Heads—viz— those which preceded my leaving this Country for Spain in 1779—and those which were afterward rec d. — Your Letter relates only to the former— As to the first— In a Letter to me from the Count de Florida Blanca, dated the 24 Feb,...
7From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 26 February 1810 (Jay Papers)
The last Mail brought me both your obliging Letters — At this Moment I am constrained to write in Haste — When the present Governm t . was organized there were many interesting Papers of the former Congresses in the Hands of their Secretary M r . Thompson— there was a secret Journal as well as a public one— I presume that the Heads of the Departm ts . rec d . from him the papers appertaining...
8From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 9 February 1810 (Jay Papers)
I wrote to you by the last mail — On the 10 Aug t . 1782 Doct r . Franklin & myself waited on C[oun] t . De Vergennes, and a Conference between him and us, on the subject of Oswalds Commission ensued. The Count declared his opinion that we might proceed to treat with M r . Oswald under it— & c .— I observed that it would be descending from the Ground of Independence to treat under the...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering, 30 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States to Timothy Pickering, Senator for the State of Massachusetts. Certain matters touching the Public good requiring that the Senate shall be convened on Saturday, the 4th day of March next, You are desired to attend at the Senate Chamber in the City of Washington on that day; then and there to receive and deliberate on such Communications as shall be made to...
10From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 24 December 1808 (Jay Papers)
Accept my thanks for your friendly Letter of the 10 th . Inst: and for the Papers which you was so obliging to send me; and which I assure you did not “intrude on my Retirement”. When I withdrew from public Life, I carried with me the same cordial attachment to the Honor and Welfare of our Country, by which I had uniformly been activated. From early Youth it was my Desire and Intention to live...
11From Thomas Truxtun to Timothy Pickering, 27 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of the 23d current, accompanied with a report of the committee, on the subject of Gun Boats, in which you desire my opinion of their utility, that part of the message of the President of the United States, which relates to the defence of the sea port towns and harbours. I am now, as I ever have been of opinion, that a great commercial marine, such as the merchants...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering, 6 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments & thanks to mr Pickering for the accomodation offered of his copy of Knight’s book. the bill which he had recieved from the gentleman who was to procure him a copy had expressly stated it was not to be bought in London; and this was all Th:J. knew of the matter when he had the pleasure of seeing mr Pickering: but this morning the gentleman called on Th:J....
13From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to the honble mr Pickering and returns him the paper on the subject of boundary with thanks for the communication. he acknoleges the ingenuity of the views it presents, but thinks they can be combated on very solid ground, and that it is our duty to meet them. he thinks it impossible that an express stipulation that we shall go to the N. Western point of...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Pickering and sends him an office copy of Crozat’s grant, prepared to be sent by mr Bearing, of which he will therefore ask the return. RC ( MHi : Pickering Papers). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: copy of 1714 charter to Antoine Crozat (see TJ to Pickering, 15 Jan. ).
15From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Pickering and will send him tomorrow Louis XIVth.’s charter to Crozat , the book having been sent to the Secy. of state’s office to have copies of the charter made out, and the office being closed till tomorrow. he will thank mr Pickering for the return of the paper sent him, when perused, as it was a rough draught & no copy retained, and these...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Pickering and returns him Hutchins’s book with thanks for the use of it. that on Louisiana he had never before seen or heard of, and it has furnished him the first particular information of the line agreed on by the Commrs. under the treaty of Utrecht , he has ever been able to obtain. he had, the last summer, while among his books at Monticello,...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering, 8 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Pickering, and has searched without success in Hutchins’s Topographical Description of the Western country for the passage relative to the Northern boundary of which mr Pickering spoke to him yesterday. he imagines therefore he mistook the pamphlet to which he referred, and therefore asks the favor of the loan of it. RC ( MH ); addressed: “The...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 16 September 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I will make no apology for my delay in answering your inquiry some time since made, because I could offer none which would satisfy myself. I pray you only to believe that it proceeded from any thing rather than want of respect or regard. I shall now comply with your request. The highest toned propositions, which I made in the Convention, were for a President, Senate and Judges during good...
19From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 13 November 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
You no doubt have seen my pamphlet respecting the conduct and character of President Adams. The press teems with replies, and I may finally think it expedient to publish a second time. In this case I shall reinforce my charges by new anecdotes. My friends will no doubt be disposed to aid me. You probably possess some which are unknown to me. Pray let me have them without delay. You will...
20From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 19 June 1800 (Jay Papers)
I have just had the pleasure of recieving from M r . Williams your Letter of the 17 Instant. Had the weather been fair, I should now have been on the Road to Albany, and I shall set out the Moment it changes. M r . Williams tells me that he and M r Putnam purpose to go there by Water— they will probably arrive before me, as I shall travel leisurely, & pass a few Days at my Farm in WestChester....
21From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [14 May 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
I perceive that you as well as McHenry are quitting the Administration. I am not informed how all this has been, though I conjecture. Allow me to suggest, that you ought to take with you copies and extracts of all such documents as will enable you to explain both Jefferson & Adams . You are aware of a very curious journal of the latter when he was in Europe, a tissue of weakness and vanity....
22From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Diverse Causes and considerations essential to the Administration of the Government, in my Judgment requiring a Change in the Department of State you are hereby discharged from any further Service as Secretary of State. MHi : Timothy Pickering Papers.
23From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 10 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
As I perceive a necessity of introducing a change in the Administration of the office of State, I think it proper to make this communication of it to the present Secretary of State that he may have an opportunity of resigning, if he chooses. I should wish the day on which his resignation is to take place to be named by himself. I wish for an Answer to this Letter on or before Monday Morning...
24From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 28 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States requests the attention of the Secretary of State and all the heads of Department to the report of the Secretary of the Navy on ship yards & dock yards & their opinions & advice concerning it, as it is necessary a decision should be soon made MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
25From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [24–25 April 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
I send you the paragraph of a News Paper just published. I hope it is an Electioneering lie—but as it is likely to do mischief I will thank you by return of Post to inform me whether you have any thing to confirm or refute & particularly whether you have heared of the list with which Commodore Truxton’s name is connected. Yrs. truly ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. The enclosure...
26From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 23 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
The President of the United States proposes to the Consideration of the heads of Departments a Subject which although at first view it may appear of inconsiderable Moment, will upon more mature reflection be found to be of some difficulty but of great importance to the honor Dignity and Consistency of the Government. In every Government of Europe I believe there is a Gazette in the Service of...
27From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 21 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have considered Mr. Harrisons letter to you of the 10th. & in consequence of his opinion & the intimation of the judges, you may prepare a pardon for William Durelle, for all the sentence, except what relates to the security for future good behavior. I wish however that I had more information of the nature of the libell. You will please to write Mr. Harrison & inform him, that I leave...
28From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 15 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
The President desires the Secretary of State to send him as soon as possible a number of sea letters and Mediteranean passes for signature, sufficient for the years consumption that this cumbrous business may be out of the way. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
29From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 15 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The bearer of this, Mr. DuPont, formerly Consul at Charles Town, is personally known to you. He comes with the rest of his family to establish themselves in the United States. They are desirous of being favourably viewed by our Government and my intervention for this purpose has been requested. Inclosed is a letter from General Pinckney which speaks for itself. All that has come to my...
30From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 31 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your letter of yesterday I take this———early opportunity to inform you, that the determination of the President, is not at present to remove Mr. Pintard from his consulship at Madeira. I return you to be filed in your office, the respectable recommendations of Mr. Lamer & have the honor to be Sir / your most obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
31From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 7 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Attorney General has left with me and I now Send to you a Project of an explanatory Article or Treaty and a Project of a Letter to Mr King, defining an Ultimatum. There is no Business before the Government at this time of more importance than this and I pray you to turn, your Attention to it, and prepare a Draught of a Letter to Mr King, to be considered if possible on Monday Evening at...
32From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 5 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
The President requests the Secretary of State to send him a copy of Mr. Patric Henry’s letter in which he declines his appointment, to be laid before congress with the other papers relative to the mission to France. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
33From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 24 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 5th instant came to hand in due course; and the manner in which you proposed to dispose of my letter to Mr Murray, was perfectly agreeable to me. Knowing nothing of the writer of the enclosed letter, and unwilling to be hasty in encouraging proposals of this sort, without some information of the characters who are engaged in the Work; I take the liberty of enquiring, through...
34From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 12 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
I think it will be expedient to lay before congress, on the second day of the session, all the papers which relate to the embassy to France, that they may be printed together, & the public enabled to judge from correct and authentic documents. To this end I request you to order copies to be made of your letter to Mr. Murray & his answer, of his letter to Talleyrand & his answer which should be...
35From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 7 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have just now, recd. your favour of the 6th. I am glad Mr. Winchester has accepted his Commission. I return your Sons Extract from Liancourts Travels. Who could have put into his head, falsehoods so absurd and so gross? It could not be Simcoe. Absurd as he often was he could not have been guilty of this folly which is almost too palpable for our own Jacobinical Prints. Why have We no Copy of...
36From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 5 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am this moment favored with yours of this date, & thank you for the information it contains. It was proper to publish the news in Mr. Humphry’s letter. I return you Mr. Kings, as well as his. The assurances you propose to convey through Mr. King to the court of Denmark, that their consul will be cordially received are very agreeable to me.—I hope to meet you in Philadelphia on the course of...
37From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 3 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your private & confidential letter of the 24th Ulto came duly, and safely to hand. Its contents, I confess, surprised me. But as men will view the same things in different lights, I would now , fain hope that the P——has caught the true one; and, that good will come from the Mission, which is about to depart. These are my wishes, and no one is more ardent in them; but I see nothing in the...
38From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Private Dear Sir, Mount Vernon Octr 20th 1799 Your letters of the 29th Ult. and 9th instant, have been duly received; and for the information given in them, I feel myself obliged. In a note which I have just recd from Mr Stoddert, to whom I had occasion to write on business, is added in the close thereof “The President has decided that the Mission to France shall proceed without delay. The...
39From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 18 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
As the Session of Congress draws nigh, I pray you to favour me with your sentiments concerning the Communication necessary to be made to Congress of the State of the Nation, and particularly a concise narration of the Proceedings with St Domingo and the Isle of France. It may be doubtful however whether any thing need be said at present, on the last. A very succinct Account of the Invitation...
40From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 16 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I request you to order fair copies of the instructions, as corrected last evening, to be prepared and delivered to Judge Elsworth & Govenor Davie, with another for Mr. Murray without loss of time, & to write a letter to those gentlemen, as Envoys Extraordinary to the French republic, expressing with the affectionate respects of the President, his desire that they would take their passage for...
41From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 23 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return you Mr. Murrays letters of May 28. June 13 & 22d, July 13 & 15 & the parts of newspapers inclosed with them. The private letter you sent me from Mr Murray, sometime ago, contained much such a review of the pamphlet of Boulay de la Meurthe. I have been anxious to see it, but it is not yet arrived. A parrallel between the English republic & the French must be a curious thing. I have...
42From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 21 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
Sometime between the 10th & fifteenth of October, I shall join you at Trenton & will suspend, till that time, the ultimate determination concerning the instructions. I pray you to write to the Attorney General to meet us. We must be all together to determine all the principles of our negotiations with France & England. I have been obliged to sail for Europe in the middle of winter once, & on...
43From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 20 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Joseph Covachich at Barcelona requesting to be consul at Marseilles which you will please to file among other applications to be considered in due time I am Sir &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
44From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 19 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
On the 17th at night, I had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 11th, & have given it that attention, which the great importance of its contents deserves. On the subject of rôle d’equipage, I feel a strong reluctance to any relaxation of the peremptory demand, we agreed on before I left Philadelphia, & Gen. Marshall’s observations are very just, yet it may be wiser to leave it to the...
45From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 13 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are letters from Major McFarland, a meritorious old officer & as I have always understood an amiable, irreproachable character, though unfortunate & in distress. I pray you to attend to this thing, as soon as possible & if any thing is wanting to procure him a patent, to inform him or me of it, as soon as possible, for he has no time to loose MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
46From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 9 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Commissioners Scott & White. Whether the address in question, is one I sent you sometime ago or another, which may be comeing, I know not. In all things relative to the federal city, I rely much on your advice, aided by Messrs McHenry Stoddert & Lee. With much respect &c. Inclosed also is a letter from Mr Daniel Pettibone which ought to have been addressed to you. MHi...
47From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 8 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 22d Ulto came duly to hand. The subject being of importance to the New City; and at no time more necessary than at the commencement of the water improvements thereat—I sent it to the Commissioners of the Federal City; who were contemplating on regulations to avoid the evils which are but too common, and of late sorely felt; in almost the whole of our Seaport Towns of...
48From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 2 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a petition of George Schaffer Daniel Swarts, Henry Stahler, Christian Rhodes & Henry Shafford for a pardon of their crimes to which is subjoined a petition in their favor signed by many. I pray you to consider this with a number of others I sent you sometime ago & say whether I ought to give any answer. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
49From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 30 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a petition from American seamen on board the Carnatic Capt. Loring in Jamaica. I pray you to write pressingly to Mr. Savage, to demand Habeas corpuses for them if no other means will do. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
50From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 29 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received last night, your favor of the 23d. I am very glad to be informed, that the instructions for the envoys will be prepared in a few days, & that you have written to Mr Davie What think you of our envoys landing at Lisbon, & the frigate that carries them, takeing Mr. Smith to Constantinople, or cruising on the Spanish coast or in the Mediteranean? I am not for delaying the negotiation...