101From Timothy Pickering to Tench Tilghman, 10 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of this date is just received—I know not who has the Direction of the shad fishery; & if I did have no authority to put the Business in a new train. The Pettiaugers I can order to be got ready to sail at a moment’s warning: and for the security of the fish against the accident you mention (which however can scarcely happen) each boat may take & keep on board a barrel or two of...
102To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 19 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honoured with your letter relative to a deputy quarter master for the State of Virginia, and from the information it contained expected Colo. Finnies arrival in Philadelphia before I left it; but I have not seen or heard from him, And as I was so soon going to the Army I suspended my answer till I should have an opportunity of enquiring of the Gentlemen from your State if they could...
103To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 23 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your Excellency’s orders on the 19th inst. to me, to take possession of the enemy’s public stores, pertaining to my department, I went to York myself with my storekeeper; and at the same time desired Colo. Dearborn to go to Glocester with an Assistant of the storekeeper for the purpose of receiving the stores. At Glocester the dragoon horses with their accoutrements, and the...
104To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 10 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that about 60 barrels of shad came down yesterday from Esopus. As this article of provisions is for an immediate supply, I beg leave to suggest the expediency of bringing down daily all that are caught. Two or three pettiaugers may be employed in this service; and with the wind as it is to day, they may run from Esopus to West Point in five or six hours; and if the wind be...
105To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 18 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
General Knox informed me to-day that no artillery was to go from hence. I had previously ordered 50 draught horses to be impressed for transporting the artillery, amunition & tents. I now propose to dispose of them as follows: For the marquis de la Fayette’s waggon—4. a baggage tumbril for the artillery officers 3. three close waggons in which are to be carried from hence eleven horseman’s &...
106To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 26 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
On the receipt of your Excellency’s letter of the 6th instant relative to the measures necessary for taking possession of the posts on the frontiers, I considered the nature of the service, and made such inquiries as appeared necessary to enable me to form an estimate of the expense. The next day I waited on Mr Morris, who desired me particularly to state my ideas on the subject. These I laid...
107To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 18 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency had but just left my quarters, this evening, when a deputy sheriff of Ulster arrested me. He shewed me a writ of which I beg leave to inclose a copy. To prevent any injury to the public, by taking me from my office, I gave bail; and have wrote to an attorney to defend the suit. I thought it my duty to apprize your Excellency of this event. The plaintiff is a Melancton L....
108To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
This moment has been handed to me the inclosed copy of General Heath’s “Garrison orders” issued at West Point, apparently with a design to regulate the public issues at Fishkill; but which, if carried into execution, will unhinge all public business there, & go near to dissolve my department in the state. They were issued, I am warranted to say, at the instigation of Colo. Hazen, whose...
109To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
General Knox has called on me to-day respecting a provision of horses for the light artillery. I have authorized Colo. Hughes to purchase one hundred for that service only , & promised payment by the first of November. He writes me encouragingly that many may be so procured. The essential service to which they are to be applied will, I trust, facilitate a grant of money to enable me to fulfil...
110To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 9 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Justice and the Public Interest require that all Allowances engaged to the Army should be punctually paid; We regret that the precautions which sometimes seem necessary to prevent frauds to the United States, often cause such Delays as eventually deprive the Soldiers of the Benefits promised them; We are led to make these Observations from the present Application of a pay Master in Behalf of...
111To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 21 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 21 Aug. 1780 . Having been appointed by Congress to “an important and at this time a most difficult and ungratefull office,” that of quartermaster general, Pickering is obliged to request the governor and Council of Virginia to appoint a deputy quartermaster general for Virginia. Has consulted the Virginia delegates in Congress and requested them to recommend a proper person, but...
112To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 24 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to the General orders already issued the troops are getting the wood destined for West point, to the different landings, and on board the Vessels procured for its transportation: But if nothing more be done, the business will not be finished before winter. It was with the most extreme difficulty that any vessels were engaged on the terms I could offer. a promise of future payment,...
113To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 18 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Last evening an express arrived here from Charlestown, which place he left the 23d of June. He brought a letter of that date to the honble Mr Laurens, who gave the following extract, viz. “General Lincoln having received such intelligence of the intentions, strength & position of the enemy as rendered it advisable to attack them at Stono Ferry, did so on the 20th inst., about 7 o’clock in the...
114From Timothy Pickering to David Humphreys, 20 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Between the 5th & 13th inst. were loaded at Ringwood fifteen double teams & twenty nine single teams, with 124 barrels of flour 1 barrel of biscuit 33 barrels of beans 2 hogsheads of salt 6 tierces of ditto 23 barrels—do– according to the report of Mr Skidmore the deputy waggon master, who saw them loaded. On his return hither the 14th inst. he met 17 more single teams on their way to Ringwood...
115To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 6 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
As your Excellency required a strict account of the delivery of your order for the army to halt, on the day they marched to this camp, I have inquired into facts, which I beg leave to state. I have asked Odell the guide, the distance between Storm’s bridge & the one on the Dobbs ferry road—"about three miles"—Where were the fallen trees, on passing of which I sent back an express to Colo....