1To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
We have had the honour in obedience to your commands maturely to consider the papers and subject referred to us in your letter dated 29 January Ultimo, and the law of Tennessee passed the 26. October 1799 and a letter from the Governor of the said State to William Cocke and Joseph Anderson Senators and William Charles Cole Claiborne Representative of the State of Tennessee in the Congress of...
2To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 January 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to lay before you a copy of the act of the Legislature of Kentuckey, this day received, ratifying the amendment proposed by Congress to the Constitution of the United States, respecting the suability of States. The amendment having now been ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, has become a part of the Constitution of the United States. MHi :...
3To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
I intended some time since to have returned an answer to the letter you did me the honor to send me of the date of Oct. 10. relative to the communications to be made to Congress at the opening of the approaching session; but delayed it, expecting leisure to mature my ideas on the subjects to be brought into view: but that leisure has not yet occurred; and therefore now beg leave to submit the...
4To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
By the inclosed letter of July 30 from Mr. King, it seems that the King of Denmark intends to name a Consul to reside in the United States; but desires first to know whether it will be agreeable to the American Government. With your permission I will communicate to Mr. King the requested assurance that such an appointment will meet your approbation. The inclosed letter of Sept. 6th from...
5To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 6 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have now the honor to inclose a copy of Mr. Gerry’s letter of April 20. to M. Talleyrand, which completes communication of every thing new received from him. A copy of his letter of May 13th I sent by last Friday’s mail; and a copy of his letter of May 12th by Saturday’s mail. Several cases of the yellow fever have occurred. I am with great respect, / Sir / your most obt. servt. MHi : Adams...
6To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 27 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honour to inform the President, that he received Mr. Pintard’s papers here inclosed, from Mr. Wolcott—read & handed them to Mr. McHenry—& has this moment received them back from Mr. Stoddert. It appears that Mr. Pintard himself first gave them to Mr Lee. The Secretary of State sees no remark upon them from any of the gentlemen; nor has he any to make himself. MHi...
7To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 20 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Recollecting your anxiety that General Pinckney might [not] feel satisfied with the military arrangements of General officers proposed by you, I seize the first moment to relieve you from it. This morning Mr McHenry has received from Genl Hamilton a letter dated yesterday, in which is the following passage: After mentioning the arrival of General Pinckney, Genl Hamilton says— “You will learn...
8To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 26 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
On the 24th, two messengers arrived with dispatches from Mr. Ellicott and lieutenant Pope, dated the 27th & 28th of June, at the Natchez. Copies of those addressed to me I have now the honor to inclose. The Secretary of War informed me that he should, for want of time, transmit to you his originals from lieut. Pope. We have conversed together on their contents; but conceiving nothing to be in...
9To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 9 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The law prohibiting intercourse with the French Dominions is renewed, and extended to the 3d of March 1800. The material variation from the former law consists in the authority given to the President to open the intercourse with any part of those dominions when the safety and interest of the U. States will admit of it. This authority is comprised in the 4th section, a copy of which I inclose....
10To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I inclose a letter which I received last evening under cover from Mr. Pedro Josef Caro, accompanied by a letter from Mr. King intended as an introduction to Mr. Caro; but the latter having missed a passage to the U. States in the British Cutter which sailed from Falmouth for New-York on the 20th of April, & circumstances requiring his arrival in So. America with as little delay as possible, he...
11To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 26 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose 15 blanks, permissions to collectors to clear out flags of truce carrying French people from the United States, to which I request your signature, & that you will cause them to be returned to me. A second packet forwarded yesterday contained the residue of the commissions for the Commissioners of the Land Tax. I am with great respect / sir, your most obt. servt. MHi...
12To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 27 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that on considering, with the Secretary of the Treasury, the mode of communicating your proclamation for renewing the commercial intercourse between the United States and St. Domingo, we have concluded to transmit copies thereof by mail, as follows. To-morrow, Friday, to send off those for the District of Maine, for the States of Georgia, South and North...
13To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 26 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
On the 25th I was favoured with your letter of the 22d. The first measure of calling Congress together had been determined on by the President the preceding evening; and I had the draught of the proclamation inclosed, in my hand, to present to him, when I received your letter. Some other of the measures suggested had been contemplated; and all will receive attention from me & my colleagues. I...
14To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 23 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Mc.Henry has just handed to Mr. Wolcott & me his letter to the President on the subject of calling you and Genl. Knox into immediate service, together with General Knox’s letter to him in answer to the one inclosing his commission. Genl. Knox’s letter claiming the first rank, I see has been transmitted to you, and I was glad to see you, in your answer to the Secy. of War, tenacious of the...
15To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 30 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
The immediate publication of Govr Blount’s letter to Carey, after the receipt of the copy sent you by Colo. Henley seemed to render of little consequence this copy, which, however, I return, agreeably to your request on its transmission. To morrow I move my family and office to Trenton. Not that I think the danger of the contagious fever in any measure considerable: but persons are...
16To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 23 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I inclose a letter addressed to you by Mr. Murray, which came to hand this morning under cover from Mr. King. The draught of instructions preparing agreeable to your directions for the Envoys to the French Republic, will be ready in two or three days to submit to the consideration of the Heads of Departments. Judge Ellsworth was here when I recd. your letter on this subject; and I wrote...
17To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
When I took the liberty of referring you to Mr. Jacob Lewis for information relative to the Isle of France s , I presumed he might communicate something useful, because he would not, I conceived, have any interrested motive to deviate from facts: But when I learnt that he had returned home to Boston with his family, I thought it fortunate.—I had seen a letter from an American at the Isle of...
18To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to return you Mr. Murray’s letter’s decyphered; the first is, in different points of view, very interesting. The name he refers to I retain for another conveyance. General Pinckney is at Newark, where he proposes to stay ten days or a fortnight. He asked me (in his letter recd. the 16th) whether you would expect him to wait on you. I answered, that considering it must oblige...
19To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 8 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I recollect your once expressing to me your uneasiness that nothing had then been effected towards raising the additional corps of Artillery. Since that time Congress have authorized the raising forthwith twelve additional regiments of Infantry and six troops of horse. Little seems to be done in this business; which excites real uneasiness in the minds of those who know the fact and consider...
20To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 14 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter received yesterday from Mr. Liston. The application he refers to I made at the request of Mr. Read, Senator from South-Carolina, who stated to me, that the King of Great Britain had formerly made a present to the then province of South-Carolina of a number of heavy cannon which had belonged to the French ship Foudroyant (captured in I think...
21To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
This morning I was honoured with your letter of the 12th, and agreeably to your direction, have had a commission made out for Mr. John Morton as Consul at Havana, and now inclose it for your signature. All the European Powers having Colonies in the West Indies have hitherto refused the formal admission of Consuls from the U. States. The British Treaty in its 16th article and the Spanish treaty...
22To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully submits the following facts and observations, to the President of the United States, relative to matters of which he may deem is proper to give information, and to measures which he may think necessary and expedient to recommend to Congress, at the approaching Extraordinary Session. I. General Pinckney’s mission to the French Republic. The late President of...
23To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 25 April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 25, 1800. Pickering’s endorsement on Hamilton’s letter to him dated April 24–25, 1800 , reads: “answd. 25th.” Letter not found. ]
24To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 20 February 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose the opinions of the Heads of Departments and Attorney General, on the question of permitting a present supply of some very necessary articles of cloathing and provisions to be sent to St. Domingo. The value of the whole supply has been contemplated to rise to about fifty thousand dollars. I have the honor to be / with great respect / sir your most obt. servt. MHi :...
25To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to lay before the President sundry recommendations of Joseph Forman of Baltimore to be appointed a Consul in France. Mr. Lloyd, Senator from Maryland, knowing that the Consulate of Rotterdam is vacant, by the death of John Baeldemaker, informs that that place would be accepted my Mr. Forman, and solicited that the nomination might be made. MHi : Adams Papers.
26To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 4 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter for you came to hand this morning, without any letter from Mr. Adams to me. And the pamphlet accompanying this arrived yesterday, with letters from Mr. King, of which the duplicates have been before recd. and forwarded to you. A letter from Mr. Murray dated March 10th. is also inclosed. I have the honor to be / with great respect / sir your obt. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
27To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
You will recollect that John Scotchler presented to you a second petition, praying a remission of his fine. I desired Mr. Davis, the District Attorney of Massachusetts, to enquire into the truth of the petitioners allegations. His answer of the 29th ult. induced me to think that you would be inclined to forgive him. That answer with the draught of a pardon are now submitted to your...
28To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have just received the inclosed from Mr. Stoddert relative to Mr. James Reid, who desires to be appointed vice-Consul for Canton, as mentioned in my last; and have the honor to be with great respect / sir you most obt. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
29To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 25 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to inclose a letter received yesterday from Mr. King, our minister in London, dated the 16th of November. Thinking the President might deem it proper to communicate to Congress the decree therein referred to, the Secretary has prepared, and herewith presents, copies of the decree, and extracts respecting it from Mr. King’s letter. MHi : Adams Papers.
30To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 25 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter of the 21st covering several letters to be forwarded to Great Britain, which I shall do with great pleasure, and beg you to believe that I shall at all times cheerfully execute Similar commands. The plan for establishing the board of agriculture in England, I will lay before the Committee of Congress on that subject, as you request. Mr Monroe has made a...
31To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 20 February 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honour to lay before the President the petition of Robert Fisher of Harford County, Maryland, committed to gaol in Baltimore for theft committed in the Island of Cuba , praying a Nolle prosequi may be entered. Governor Howard has just been here with the father of the young man who anxiously waits your decision. On the enquiries of the Secretary, two letters were...
32To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 4 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 28th ult. and in consequence of your intimation that a successor to Mr. Daniel Hawley might properly be sought for, I inclose the testimonies of many respectable merchants of Philadelphia and New-York, & from Brigr. General Hughes of the latter city, recommending Mr. John Morton of New-York to be the Consul of the United States in some port in...
33To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 10 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have but just time to inclose the draught of instructions. I have some papers to forward respecting these, which shall go by to-morrows mail: if I wait longer now I shall miss the post of this day. I am most respectfully / sir your obt. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
34To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
After messages without number, Mr Anthony has brought me your copying press with the new brass rollers, for which he has charged ten dollars more than he at first mentioned as the probable price. The reason he assigns, is the greater weight of brass, increasing the founders bill to twenty one dollars. I have paid him, and inclose his receipt for $35, after endeavouring to reduce his demand....
35To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 8 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
You doubtless know General Eustace much better than I do. He mentions your name, as well as Mr. Jays, as of persons whom he respects. The inclosed extract from his news-paper publications of last August give his picture of your friend Mr King. In the same series of papers he undertakes the vindication of Fulwar Skipwith, our late consul general at Paris, as an excellent patriot and an upright...
36To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated last Saturday, stating that “as you perceive a necessity of introducing a change in the administration of the Office of State, you 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:” and that “you would wish the day on which his resignation is to...
37To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Capt. OBrien arrived here last Saturday from Lisbon. The Dey of Algiers is entirely our friend. Tripoli has agreed to a perpetual peace, for 40,000 dollars & some peace presents, without an annual tribute. In January last Mr Barlow mentions his expectations that peace would soon be effected with Tunis. The Dey of Algiers is now so warmly attached & has such entire confidence in the Honesty of...
38To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 20 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
Agreeably to the President’s direction, the Secretary of State respectfully offers the following notices of matters appearing to him proper to be communicated to Congress, at the opening of their approaching session. “It appearing probable; from the information I had received, that our commercial intercourse with some ports of the Island of St. Domingo might safely be renewed: Conformably to...
39To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 29 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
On the petition of David Steward & other respectable citizens of Baltimore, praying the President to order a nolle presequi in the case of Captain Levin Jones, late master of the American Brigantine called the David Stewart, who has been indicted for the crime of murder committed, as alledged on the body of William Davis one of his crew, on the high seas. The Secretary of State, in obedience...
40To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 15 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Since I had last the honor to address you, I have received from the Collector of Pennsylvania information of the arrival at Marcus Hook of Frenchman named Giraud, appointed Consul for Boston. It struck in one of the names presented last May by Mr. Létombe as Consul, for your exequatur was requested and refused. I turned to the Létombe’s letter, & found it so, with the variation of the last...
41To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 2 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
(confidential) Sir, Philadelphia August 2. 1799. A letter from Mr Murray of May 17 received this week, covers a letter from Talleyrand, dated May 12th, assuring him that the Executive Directory will receive the Envoys of the U. States in their official character; and that they shall enjoy all the prerogatives attached to it by the law of nations; and that one or more ministers shall be duly...
42To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 9 April 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
This morning the dispatches from our envoys are published, and I inclose a copy. In your letter of March 27th in answer to mine of the 25th just then received, you say, “I shall write again to-morrow.” I have received no letter from you since that of the 27th. which I mention on the presumption that you may have written, and because if you have, it is important on every account that it should...
43To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 23 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Last evening I was honoured with your letter of the 16th covering your answer to the address from Burlington in Vermont, and forward the same by this day’s mail. Copies of the address and answer I send to Mr. Fenno to be printed. Herewith I transmit a letter from Matthias Barton Esqr. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, inclosing an address from himself and subalterns, the officers of a company of...
44To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit, in a packet accompanying this letter, fifty Mediterranean passports, for your signature, and to be, / With perfect respect, / Your most obed. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
45To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 27 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Not meeting myself with any private conveyance, I have committed to the Atty Genl the care of forwarding the packet with your buckles; and also mentioned it to Mr Harrison, whose wife will shortly go to her father’s, & who will carry it, if Mr Lee should not find a conveyance. Mr Barlow sent by Capt OBrien a parcel of Barbary mellon seeds, addressed to the Society of Agriculture of...
46To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 17 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
Agreeably to your direction the papers which were laid before you respecting John Marsden Pintard Esqr. Consul of the United States for the Island of Madeira, including his own communications to you, have been committed to the Heads of Departments and Attorney General for their examination and consideration: and their opinions thereon I presume will be submitted to you immediately: by own I...
47To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning been honored with your letter of the 13th. and will introduce in the 10th article the idea you have been pleased to suggest, in the instructions to Mr. King, to negociate a commercial treaty with Prussia. A copy of these instructions shall be transmitted to Mr. Adams at Berlin, with the fresh instructions you direct. Yesterday I received from our Consul at Gibraltar the...
48To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 10 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed recd. Augt. 10. 1798. and forwarded by the President’s most obt. servant MHi : Adams Papers.
49To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday morning Mr. C. Humphreys handed me your letters and the dispatches of Mr. Gerry & others. I have now the honor to inclose some copies of our order for requiring the departure of aliens, pursuant to the act of Congress passed the 25th of June last. If the form of the Order meets your approbation, I respectfully submit to your consideration whether during your absence from the seat of...
50To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 18 June 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Rozier presented yesterday, your letter of the 13th; and, agreeably to my appointment, he called this morning and exhibited his cypher, and comparing with it his cyphered letters to Mr. Talleyrand which were taken in the Astrea and transmitted to me from Gibralter, I found in every passage examined, an exact correspondence with those letters written in words, copies whereof he gave me to...