251To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 14 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received a letter from John Q. Adams Esqr. dated at London the 19th. acknowledging the receipt of my letters informing of his appointment to the Court of Berlin, and that he should remain in London until his instructions should arrive. He regrets the publication of extracts from some of his letters, such as that of Novr. 4. relative to the conduct of the Dutch Republic, as it would...
252To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 12 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured with your two letters of the 4th instant, and am happy in your approbation of the matters therein referred to. Yesterday I received the inclosed letter from Colo. Francis Nichols, offering himself a candidate for the office of Treasurer of the mint. He was an officer in the Pennsylvania line in the war of our revolution. He now lives at Pottsgrove in that State. He...
253To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 9 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Of the two applicants for the office of Treasurer of the mint mentioned by Judge Patterson, one of them, Mr. Huger, must be in some measure known to you. I have several times seen him at the boarding house of Mr. Goodhue, Hillhouse &c. in Philadelphia, and from his conversations I had placed his abilities in the lowest grade. I understand he was sometimes disabled by the gout; & am much...
254To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 9 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Since my last letter was forwarded, I have received the inclosed letters from Judge Patterson & Mr. McHenry, mentioning the names and characters of candidates for the office of Treasurer of the mint. Probably more will be presented; and as the prevalence of the fever in Philadelphia will for some time interrupt the operations of the mint, there will be no inconvenience in suspending your...
255To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 9 September 1797 (Jay Papers)
Perhaps you may think the rude and insolent letter of the Chevalier de Yrujo to me, dated the 11th of July, not entitled to an answer, especially as the documents which had been made public proved to every well informed man and attentive reader that his observations were either futile or unfounded. But I thought it would be necessary to make some remarks on his letter, to be eventually...
256To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 8 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have removed my family & office to this place; and we are all very well. I have received your letter inclosing $35 for the rollers of your copying press. The workman spoke of the goodness of the rollers: but I tried them and found one not sufficiently true in the turning, and made him put it in his lathe to turn it more exactly. On fixing them in the frame, I got Mr Taylor to make an...
257To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 7 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
Since my last letter was forwarded, I have received the inclosed letters from Judge Patterson & Mr. McHenry, mentioning the names and characters of candidates for the office of Treasurer of the mint. Probably more will be presented; and as the prevalence of the fever in Philadelphia will for some time interrupt the operations of the mint, there will be no inconvenience in suspending your...
258To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
In my public letter of this date I have inclosed a letter from Mr. Boudinot, in which he suggests that Dr. Rush would accept the director office of Treasurer of the Mint. The Doctor is so perfectly well known to you, it would be impertinent to say one word concerning him. By marriage I think you must know that he is connected with Mr. Boudinot. Dr. David Jackson can have no special claims to a...
259To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 September 1797 (Adams Papers)
I removed my family and office to this place, to avoid the danger from the present contagious fever in Philadelphia; and the progress of the disease since last Thursday (the day of departure) shows that the removal was long enough delayed. A letter from the Director of the Mint dated, and received by me, yesterday, announced the death of the Treasurer, Dr. Way; an event greatly to be lamented,...
260To 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...
261To 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...
262To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 24 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have to-day received from Genl. Kosciusko the inclosed letter, accompanied with two packets understood to be from Sir John Sinclair (President of the English Board of Agriculture) and containing, one a diploma for you as a member of the Society—the other some pamphlets of the proceedings of the board. With one of the packets was tied up a letter which I also inclose. The packets I imagine...
263To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 24 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have to-day delivered to the Attorney General, in one packet, the two bundles of papers of reports & opinions of the Heads of Departments &c. which you left in my hands. I have delivered him another packet from Sir John Sinclair, which I received to-day from General Kosciusko; and now inclose the General’s letter to you, with another which was under the ⟨string⟩ of the packet from Sir John...
264To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed packet was handed to me yesterday by Colo. Moultrie of South-Carolina. I understood him that it contained an offer to convey to the U. States the title to a large tract of land in Georgia. He seemed anxious to obtain a speedy answer. I have the honour to be / with great respect, / sir your most obt. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
265To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 19 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Attorney General just informs me that before your departure you directed him to employ Mr. John Read, if Mr. Hall should decline the office of agent, without waiting any further order from you. Having no knowledge of this determination, I wrote to you yesterday and this morning, mentioning the names of candidates, supposing the matter would remain suspended until your answer should arrive....
266To 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....
267To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
This morning I recieved a letter from Mr. Charles Hall, declining the office of Agent of the United before the Board of Commissioners sitting here in relation to British debts; and covering a letter to you, which I have the honor to inclose. I also inclose a letter from Mr. Coleman to Collinson Read Esqr. advising him that his son-in law, Mr. Hall, had declined the appointment of Agent. This...
268To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 17 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The day before yesterday I received by the way of Alexandria a letter from General Pinckney dated at the Hague the 5th of June, from which I have made the enclosed extracts for your information. Some time ago I mentioned to you my opinion that it would be expedient to send the United States brigantine Sophia to the West Indies, to receive and bring home such of our seamen as were detained in...
269To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 10 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 4th did not come to hand till this day. I lose no time to relieve you from your apprehensions relative to the papers in question. I have the two bundles you left with me; and among them I find the opinion of the Attorney General on Mr Monroe’s recall, of which I will let him take a copy; and then restore the original to its place. I will take a safe opportunity to convey the...
270To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 9 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I put one of your letters for Mr King and the four before received (for Sr John Sinclair & others) on board a vessel bound to London, & which was to have sailed last Sunday or monday; but the continued rainy weather has detained her. Mr Monroe has anticipated me in furnishg you, by his publication in the news-papers, the correspondence between us on the subject of his demanding the reasons of...
271To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 3 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
The letter and deposition of which the inclosed are copies, were received from Judge Sitgreaves the first instant. I answered the Judge, that the papers would be submitted to your consideration; and that perhaps you might think it proper to issue a proclamation to check the evil, and warn the people of their danger. In the mean time, that the measure he proposed for apprehending offenders...
272To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 August 1797 (Adams Papers)
By this day’s mail I send three packets, containing, together, 80 Mediterranean passports, for your signature; which I shall wish to have returned as soon as you can find time to dispatch them. David Howell Esqr. Commissioner on the St. Croix business, expressed to me, last winter, his expectations that his salary of £ 1000. Sterling a year, would continue from the day he accepted the...
273To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 28 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
To day the inclosed arrived from Mr. Gerry. By his letter to me I find he received the dispatches which I sent him, on Sunday the 23d instant. Nothing remarkable has happened since your departure. I am with great respect / sir, your obt. servant MHi : Adams Papers.
274To 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...
275To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State incloses the rough draught of the Instructions to Mr. Adams and a sketch of additional instructions which if approved by the President may be forwarded to-day with the former to Mr. Gerry’s care. An express is engaged to go in the mail stage this day to Cambridge. The Secretary will call presently to take the President’s orders. MHi : Adams Papers.
276To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 17 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
Judge Sullivan has sent me the inclosed copy of a letter he wrote to Governor Jay, requesting him to give his testimony personally to the board of Commissioners to sit at Boston the 1& of August on the St. Croix Boundary. He (Judge Sullivan) conceives your personal testimony alike necessary. But the Commissioners can never think of declaring your presence, or Govr. Jay’s, indispensable, seeing...
277To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 1 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your letter of the 28th ult. by this days post. A copy of the laws neatly bound, and of my letter to General Pinckney with the documents to which it refers, have been some time packed up for you. The workman who undertook to make rollers for your copying press, has been called on many times; and he has often promised to complete them. At the last call, about two days since...
278To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 21 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to lay before you a report respecting the depredations committed on the commerce of the United States since the 1st of October 1796, as far conformable to the Resolve of the House of Representatives of the 10th instant as the materials in my possession would admit. The number of captures will give a tolerably correct idea of the extent of our losses, and the documents will...
279To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 8 June 1797 (Jay Papers)
The manner in which you have noticed my letter to General Pinckney, at its first publication, and recently in your letter of the 27th ult. has given me the truest satisfaction; while the reproaches of the whole body of democrats, of French Devotees , excite no other sensation than that of regret for the mischief their lies and misrepresentations produce thro’ the country. I am well informed...
280To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 6 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose two letters received yesterday from Europe, to your address. I was informed that to-day the House of Representatives concurred with the bill sent down from the Senate to prohibit the exportation of arms and military stores. Notwithstanding the persevering opposition given by nearly half the members of the House to some important sentences in the reported address...
281To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 16 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have made inquiry concerning Colo. Biddle. He is apparently wealthy, at this time, and is building a large house: but he has failed, I am told, three times, and once after paying away, in the course of a year, of the money of his honest creditors, about six thousand pounds to usurers, in enormous interest. You doubtless take some Philadelphia papers: but lest at this interesting moment yours...
282To 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...
283To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
To the Questions proposed by the President of the United States, on the 14th of the last month, the Secretary of State respectfully returns the following answers. 1. Question. Whether the refusal to receive Mr. Pinckney, and the rude orders to quit Paris & the Territory of the Republic, with such circumstances of indignity, insult & hostility, as we have been informed of, are bars to all...
284To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 29 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
In contemplating the idea suggested by you, of arming the merchant vessels of the United States for Defence only , a difficulty at once presented. This measure is incompatible with the right of a belligerent power to visit and examine neutral vessels, to ascertain whether they have on board contraband goods—&, where a treaty does not alter the law of nations, whether they are laden with...
285To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 28 April 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the U. States the copy of a letter sent this morning to the District Attorney of Georgia, & the draughts of letters to the British & Spanish ministers—left open for additions, if any should be thought necessary. Nothing is promised or intimated in either of the letters to the Ministers of the Use of military force to make our...
286To 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...
287To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 21 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
To-day a Jerseyman called on me to enquire whether I knew of any agent of yours in this city, who could receive money for you. He said Colo. Israel Shrieve had formerly purchased some land of you at Red-Stone, which the Colo. sold to the Enquirer’s brother, in whose behalf he had come to pay two hundred pounds. Not knowing of any such agent, I told the man I would inform you of his...
288To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 11 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose another letter from Colo. Humphreys which came in some of his late letters from Lisbon, & which among a mass of dispatches was overlooked. I have yet met with no private conveyance for the case with the buckles mentioned in my last. A letter of January 12 th reed this day from Mr Adams at the Hague, contains his conjectures on the motives of the extraordinary...
289To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 5 April 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your letter of the and accord with your opinion that the proposed publication of the intelligence from Genl. Pinckney should be omitted. The “emigrant” we conclude to be Perigord, formerly bishop of Autun. Sometime since, I was informed that he left this country with signs of enmity towards it; and the Directory would naturally place great confidence in his opinion: and yet it is so...
290To 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...
291To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Of the letters received from Mr King, those which I forwarded this morning were addressed to General Washington: two others, one addressed to the President of the U.S., and one to G.W. President of the U.S., I retained, under the idea that they were official, and presented them to Mr Adams: but he was inclined to think them intended for you personally; and therefore I now do myself the honor...
292To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 30 March 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
I believe I mentioned in my last, that I was going to sketch a state of facts relative to Mr. Pinckney’s mission for publication. I now inclose it. That the facts should be known to our citizens was deemed important. I thought it highly important that the Representatives should come together impressed with the sentiments of their constituents on the reprehensible conduct of the French...
293To 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...
294To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 26 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a copy of the President’s proclamation for convening the Congress of the United States at this city on the 15th of next May; and to be with great respect your most obt. servant RC ( NNPM ); at foot of text: “The Vice-President of the United States.” FC ( Lb in DNA : RG 59, DL ). Recorded in SJL as received 8 Apr. 1797. Enclosure: Proclamation by President Adams...
295To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 21 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
On the 18th I was honoured with your letter of the 14th covering an instrument directing the transfer of the streets and public lots in the City of Washington from Messrs Beall & Gantt to the Commissioners for that city: The seal of the United States has been affixed to it; and by to-morrow’s mail I shall send it to the Commissioners, as you desire. Dr Edwards has handed me the inclosed...
296To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 1 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to lay before the President of the United States the opinion of the Attorney General, that a secretary may be allowed to a Minister Resident, or Chargé des Affaires. The Secretary has considered the situation of our affairs with the Barbary powers, & particularly with Algiers, and the necessity of a consul to reside there. That altho’ Mr Barlow desires to...
297To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 25 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I inclose the form of the summons by Mr. Jefferson on the former occasion, to the Senators to attend on the 4th of March, and that which would seem to me proper on the present occasion; and by the favour of you to make any alterations that shall appear best; also to fill the blank for the hour of assembling at the Senate Chamber. With great respect / your obt. servt MHi : Adams Papers.
298To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 23 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to lay before the President of the United [States] three letters this day received from Mr J.Q. Adams. The note in French inclosed in his No. 88. is directed to the Committee for foreign affairs, to inform them that he was authorized to confer & prepare arrangements for ameliorations of the commercial treaty between the two republics, and desired to be...
299To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 20 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The President will read with pleasure the postscript of the inclosed letter from Robert Montgomery our Consul at Alicante, which I have received this day—excepting what relates to the capture of another American vessel by Tripo⟨li⟩ concerning which however Mr Barlow’s words are consoling. The last sentence broken by the seal I read thus—“I have taken now what I think will be effectual measures...
300To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the U. States the draught of an answer to the Grand Master of Malta. If approved & signed, the Secretary proposes to commit the same to the care of M. Maisonneuve who desires to be Consul at Malta, who forwarded the letter from the Grand Master, and to whom Mr La Colomb (who is settled in Philadelphia) will send the packet by a...