George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-20-02-0282

From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 13 July 1796

To Timothy Pickering

(Private & confidential)

Mount Vernon 13th July 1796.

Sir,

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.1

What, or whether any thing can with propriety be done in consequence of this information, must be left to yourself and the two other Secretaries to decide, from circumstances, & appearances on the Spot.

It may not be amiss to observe further, that Mr Dawson is the Son in law of Mr Jones—one of the Circuit Judges of this state,2 and, as I am informed, unfriendly to the Genl Government—and that Mr Monroe is the Nephew of Mr Jones, & has his son with him in France.3 As every day brings fresh matter to view—Vigilence, with caution becomes more & more necessary.4

Go: Washington

ALS, MHi: Pickering Papers; LB, DLC:GW.

1. GW enclosed an extract from David Stuart’s letter to him dated 11 July. The gentleman from Richmond has not been identified.

2. John Dawson was the son of Joseph Jones’s second wife, Mary Waugh Dawson Jones.

3. Joseph Jones, Jr. (c.1780–1808) travelled with James Monroe to be educated in France (see Journal, 19 June 1794, in 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 3:18; see also Monroe to his uncle Joseph Jones, 9 June 1796, in 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 4:32–33).

4. For Pickering’s reply, see his first letter to GW, 19 July.

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 13 July 1796
    Author
    Washington, George
    Recipient
    Pickering, Timothy
    Date
    13 July 1796

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 13 July 1796,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-20-02-0282. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 20, 1 April–21 September 1796, ed. David R. Hoth and William M. Ferraro. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2019, p. 431.]

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