51To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 6 November 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received your letter of last evening; & have written to Mr. King on the subject of a Danish Consul—The letter to go by the British packet, which will not sail till next Saturday. To-day I received a letter from Mr. Winchester, acknowledging the receipt of your commission, constituting him Judge of the Maryland District. He concludes—“Be pleased, sir, to communicate to the President my...
52To 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...
53To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Timothy Pickering, 5 Nov. 1799. GW wrote Pickering on 24 Nov. : “Your favour of the 5th instant came to hand in due course.”
54To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 24 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State presents to the President the inclosed letters received last evening from Morristown, announcing the dissolution of the Circuit Court—with the reasons stated by the Judges. MHi : Adams Papers.
55To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 24 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
(Private) (& Confidential) Sir, Trenton [N.J.] Oct. 24. 1799 I am this evening honoured with your letter of the 20th. When I last wrote you, I had grounds to expect, on the President’s arrival; that the mission to France would be suspended, until the fate of its government should be known. This great question I supposed (& my colleagues had formed the same expectation) would be a subject of...
56To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 9 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
(private) Sir, Trenton [N.J.] Oct. 9. 1799. I received yesterday the inclosed letter from Mr Murray. The President is on his way to this place. Govr Davie has been here a week; and Mr Ellsworth writes me, in a letter recd this morning, that he will arrive himself by Friday morning. The question about the mission to France will, I expect, be then settled. The state of the President’s mind, when...
57To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 29 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
(confidential) The most ⟨satisfactory⟩ communication I have it in my power now to make, is the probability that the mission to France will at least be suspended. This morning I recd a letter dated the 26th from Judge Ellsworth, in which he says—“The following is an extract of a letter I have just ⟨been⟩ honoured with from the President—the convulsions in France, the change of the Directory,...
58To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 24 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
The subject of the proposed mission to France is so important, that whether it proceed or be suspended, your decision will certainly be the result of your mature consideration. But as the idea has occurred to you of coming to Trenton, and you have intimated that you would do it, if judged best; I have consulted my colleagues; and they concur with me in opinion that it will be an eligible step....
59To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 16 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a letter of July 15th. from Mr. Adams at Berlin, with a copy of the treaty which he has concluded with Prussia. The original has since arrived. The former letters from Mr. Adams which I promised to forward, were packed up in a trunk when we were moving from Philadelphia, which has not yet been opened: I will now select them in a day or two and forward them. On...
60To 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.
61To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
The general alarm of the yellow fever in Philadelphia, occasioned the removal of the public offices to this place. This has caused some delay in finishing the draught of instructions for the envoys to the French Republic, which I had the honor of transmitting you yesterday: the draught having been previously examined, altered & amended, conformably to the opinions of the Heads of Departments....
62To 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.
63To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 9 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose the opinions of the attorney general and heads of departments on the petitions of John Fries and others, insurgents in Bucks and Northampton Counties in Pennsylvania; that no pardon should now be granted, nor any answer given. I am revising the draught of instructions for the envoys to France, and making the alterations which have been agreed on: I expect to...
64To 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...
65To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 22 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed I have cut from a New-York paper. It reminds me of what I have repeatedly proposed to different citizens of Philadelphia— That in order to avoid the impurities of docks partly uncovered at low water, and to preserve a sufficient depth of water for vessels to enter, & even lie afloat, the wharfing of the city should be newly arranged. For this end, fixing a curve line which should...
66To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 16 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I inclose a letter from B. H. Phillips the Consul of the U. States at Curacao, which with the three papers accompanying it, exhibit the shameless conduct of the Governor and Council of that Island, in the protection of French pirates, & in their rigorous punishment of Americans for acting in their own defence when assailed by those murderers. The fact not least remarkable is, that a Dutch...
67To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 16 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Upon the receipt of your letter inclosing the letter and deposition of Capt. Ebenr. Giles of Beverly, I turned to some communications I had some time before received from Captain Truxtun, in which he had, and I still think justly, ascribed the beating given to Giles on board the British frigate Daphne, to his own extremely improper and insolent behaviour. This I think will appear from the...
68To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 10 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have just recd your letter of August 3d respecting Mr. Gerry’s accounts; and with it an extract of his letter to you of July 24th, & nothing else: the numbers 1. 2. 3. 4. & 5, and a paper of extracts of letters, which you mention as also inclosed were omitted; which doubtless your Secretary will discover, and forward them by the next mail. I have recd. at the same time your two letters of...
69To 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...
70To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
The day before yesterday I received from Mr. Charles Hall of Northumberland County in this State, a letter concerning a publication by Thomas Cooper, an Englishman, & a connection of Dr. Priestly, addressed to the Readers of the Sunbury and Northumberland Gazette, on the 29th of June. This address has been republished in the Aurora of July 12th which I now inclose. By Mr. Hall’s information,...
71To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 1 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Paleski, formerly Prussian Consul in the U States, has sent me a certified copy of a commission from the King of Prussia to Johann Ernst Christian Schultze, appointing him his Consul at Baltimore, where Mr. Schultze resides. Mr. Paleski called this morning, and expresses no doubt of the authenticity of the appointment, and prays that the exequatur may issue. The original probably may...
72To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 31 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, by the southern mail, I received the inclosed triplicate of Mr. Murray’s letter of May 17th, covering a copy, also inclosed, of the answer of M. Talleyrand, minister of foreign relations of the French Republic, to his letter of May 5th (which I forwarded a day or two since) announcing the appointment of Envoys to negociate with that Republic, in which the Minister declares the...
73To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 30 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a letter dated June 5th. recd. this day from Mr. King, respecting the proposed negociations with the Porte and the Emperor of Russia; and to be / with perfect respect / sir your most obt. servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
74To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 29 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Mr. Murray’s letter of May 5th, acknowledging the receipt of the commission constituting him, Mr. Ellsworth & Mr. Henry, Envoys to the French Republic, and covering a copy of his letter to the French Minister Mr. Talleyrand, announcing the appointment.—As he refers to his instructions on this subject, being by letter of March 6th, I also inclose a copy of the...
75To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 24 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
There is in the Aurora of this city, an uninterrupted stream of slander on the American Government. I inclose the paper of this morning. It is not the first time that the Editor has suggested—that you had asserted the influence of the British Government in the affairs of our own—and insinuated, that it was obtained by bribery. The general readers of the Aurora will believe both.—I shall give...
76To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 18 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The unfortunate mistake referred to in Mr. Liston’s letter of the 13th to Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, has induced me to reprint your proclamation for opening the trade with St. Domingo, and to subjoin an extract of Mr. Liston’s letter, to put into the hands of as many of the Collectors as are within reach, prior to the first of August.—General Maitland’s letter to me of the 23d of May and the 5th...
77To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 18 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
(private) Sir, Philadelphia July 18, 1799. I am honoured with your letter of the 14th. La Fayette will not come to America as a minister : On the 13th instant I received a private letter from Mr Murray dated the 16th of April, inclosing one from Pichon, dated the 12th, written with Talleyrand’s privity, and indeed by his order. Pichon is eager to be the first to announce to Murray the message...
78To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 13 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose copies of three letters from Mr. Liston, copied from his rough draughts which on the 8th instant he put into my hands, supposing them to be the letters which report said had been taken in Bucks County in this State from the man to whom Mr. Liston had entrusted them, and which in my letter of yesterday I said would be forwarded to-day. This morning the Aurora has...
79To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 13 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
By the southern mail of this day I have received the inclosed letter from James Seagrove, late superintendant of Indian affairs for the Creek nation, with Methlogy’s speech and his answer. I have also the honour to inclose the copy of a letter I have just written to Mr. Seagrove on the subject.—What Methlogy says of Colo. Hawkins’s conduct at the close of the conference, I doubt not is utterly...
80To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 13 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Since closing my other letter of this date, I have received a packet from Mr. Pitcairn, with the inclosed note and pamphlet (Le Spectateur du Nord) for you. In his letter to me, he says he sends 1. one large letter for the President & do. for you; both from Mr. Adams. There was none for you, except the pamphlet & P’s note. Mr. Adams was near concluding a commercial treaty with Prussia: I will...
81To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 12 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
There has been much noise made by the presses and persons devoted to France, about some letters of Mr. Liston to the Governors of the Canadas. Mr. Liston has handed me his original draughts of the letters referred to, which are copying, and which copies I will transmit to you to-morrow: you will see that they are quite harmless; and therefore, notwithstanding the threat of publishing them, the...
82To 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...
83To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 11 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Messrs. Willings & Francis of this city have undertaken to prepare a fast sailing vessel, of a moderate size, to go to the Isle of France, with a cargo estimated to defray the expence of the voyage, in order to carry thither a suitable person as the agent of the United States, to propose a renewal of our commercial intercourse with that Island.—They have brought to me a very pointed...
84To 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...
85To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received this morning a letter from the Secretary of the Northwestern Territory, informing that the reports propagated in the news-papers of Indian depredations in the two western counties of the Territory & in Shelby county in Kentuckey, are utterly destitute of foundation. I inclose a letter which came to hand yesterday under a cover from a Christopher McPherson at Norfolk. A letter...
86To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 1 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
The original of the inclosed letter to Genl. Pinckney was written by Major Mountflorence, whose character and situation I presume you know. Last Saturday I recd. a copy from the Genl. which he desired me to communicate to you. I am very sincerely yours I have sent another copy to Genl. Washington. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; copy, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. James...
87To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 1 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
This morning’s mail brought me your letter of the 25th. I will forward the two letters you inclosed for John Trumbull Esqr. & Mr Dandridge, to the care of Mr King, by the Grantham packet, which is to sail this week. Governor Davie of No. Carolina is appointed, and, should the mission proceed, will accept the place of Envoy to the French Republic, in the room of Patrick Henry Esqr. who...
88To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received this morning a letter from the Secretary of the Northwestern Territory, informing that the reports propagated in the news-papers of Indian depredations in the two western counties of the Territory & in Shelby county in Kentuckey, are utterly destitute of foundation. I inclose a letter which came to hand yesterday under a cover from a Christopher McPherson at Norfolk. A letter...
89To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 29 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your letter of the 24th.—During the late session of Congress, Mr. Thatcher spoke to me once or twice, proposing Mr. Savage for the agent of the U. States at Jamaica; and left with me a letter from Mr. Savage on the subject. This letter was mislaid; and the business postponed. However, information of the impress of our seamen on that station, and the suffering of the sick,...
90To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 29 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The southern mail has just brought me a letter from Governor Davie, in answer to mine inclosing his commission as one of the Envoys to the French Republic. He desires me “to assure you, that whenever you shall deem it proper that the Envoys should proceed on the business of their appointment, his acceptance of the commission may be expected.” He also desires me “to present to you his thanks...
91To 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...
92To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 27 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
In the letter in which I submitted the draught of a proclamation, I had the honor to observe, that the arrangements then expected from Doctor Stevens and General Maitland, might render some changes very proper or necessary. A consideration of those arrangements confirmed that opinion, and suggested the alterations which you will notice in the printed copy inclosed in my official letter which...
93To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 26 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Barclay is here, and produces an original letter from Lord Grenville, informing him that His Britannic Majesty had appointed him his Consul General for the Eastern States, in the room of Sir John Temple, and that his commission would be sent to him; desiring at the same time that he would repair to New-York. The letter is dated in January; and as the Commission is not yet arrived, there is...
94To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 24 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
On Saturday the 22d I had the honor to inform you that dispatches had been received the preceeding evening from Dr. Stevens and General Maitland, relative to the opening of trade with St. Domingo; and I now inclose copies of them. They will require some variations or rather additions, in the form of the proclamation, which will be made with the advice of the heads of departments. The idea...
95To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 22 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I was honoured with your letter of the 15th covering the proclamation respecting the St. Domingo trade; and last evening a packet from Doctor Stevens & General Maitland, announcing that the arrangements were to far made as to admit of the opening the ports of Cape Francois & Port au Prince on the first of August. That is, vessels previously sailing from the U. States and Jamaica, may...
96To 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...
97To 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...
98To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 12 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received the inclosed letter from Jacob Lewis, Consul of the U. States at the Isle of France, from whence he has recently returned to Boston with his family. I shall write to him by this mail, and desire him to wait upon you, to give more full information concerning that French Colony; particularly in reference to the anxious wishes of a number of merchants here trading to the East...
99To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 12 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning received from Mr. Liston, the minister of his Britannic Majesty to the U. States, a note of which the inclosed, is a copy. I also inclose a copy of the instructions given to private armed vessels, and of the bond entered into by their owners and commanders, to observe them. The penalty in each of the bonds, in the cases of the ship William and brig. Polly, mentioned in Mr....
100To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 10 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter was handed to me yesterday by Mr. Physick, agent for the late proprietaries of Pennsylvania. The books appear to be two volumes Octavo. I will forward them, or deliver them to your son Thomas, as you shall be pleased to direct. I am with great respect / sir yr. obt. servt MHi : Adams Papers.