1From William Pinkney to John Quincy Adams, 27 January 1820 (Adams Papers)
Mr Pinkney presents his Complements to Mr & Mrs Adams and will have the Honour to wait on them at Dinner on Thursday the 3d of February.— MHi : Adams Papers.
2From William Pinkney to John Quincy Adams, 26 February 1821 (Adams Papers)
Mr Pinkney presents his Complements to Mr. & Mrs. Adams and accepts with great pleasure the honour of their invitation to Dinner on Friday this 2d. March. MHi : Adams Papers.
3To Alexander Hamilton from William Pinkney, 18 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
In the absence of the Governor, we have received information from General Smith, that the Spirit of insurrection in the Upper Counties of this State has arisen to so alarming a Heigth, as actually to prompt a part of the misguided Inhabitants to embody for the purpose of marching to Frederic Town, with the object no doubt, of obtaining possession of the State’s armoury and Magazine. The prompt...
4To James Madison from Christopher Gore and William Pinkney, 17 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 February 1802, London. Gore and Pinkney enclose copy of the minutes of the 15 Feb. proceedings of the reassembled Board of Commissioners. Board wishes to have Cabot and Glennie continue their services as assessors. They believe Glennie will “act as heretofore,” but since Cabot went to America “at a time when the functions of the Board were suspended, with our consent, and with the...
5To James Madison from Christopher Gore and William Pinkney, 9 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 March 1802, London. Informs JM that Rufus King “has addressed to the Board an official Notification” of the president’s appointment of George W. Erving to succeed Williams and Cabot. “The general Terms of this Notification … have been explained by an Extract of a Letter of the Secretary of State to Mr. Erving of the 27th. of July last .… Altho’ it will be manifest upon a bare perusal of our...
We have the Honor to transmit herewith enclosed a Copy of a List lately prepared by us of the American Claims depending before our Board, in which the actual State of each Claim in reference to the judicial Remedy, and of course to the extraordinary Title to Redress under the Treaty is explained. To render this List perfectly intelligible it may be proper, after so long a suspension of our...
7To James Madison from William Pinkney, 11 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I had the Honor to receive two Days ago, your Letter of the 3d. of May, with its Enclosures, charging me with the future Management of the Affair of the Maryland Claim; and I beg you to have the Goodness to assure the President that I entertain a just Sense of the high Value of this flattering Mark of his Confidence & of that of the Government of Maryland; and that I shall apply myself without...
8To James Madison from Christopher Gore and William Pinkney, 15 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
We have the Honor to transmit herewith enclosed an alphabetical List of 467 Awards made in 300 Cases by the Board of Commissioners under the Seventh Article of the British Treaty, amounting in the whole to the Sum of £1,083,990.3.8 Sterling. This List comprehends all the Awards against the British Government executed since our re-assembling in February 1802. and will be found to exhibit so...
9To James Madison from William Pinkney, 22 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowledge the Receipt of Your Letter of the 18th. of August with its Enclosures extending in some Degree my Powers on the Subject of the Maryland Claim in this Country. As this Letter came to Hand only on Yesterday it will not be expected that I should at this Moment be in a Situation to determine whether the additional Discretion which it confides to me can be made the...
10To James Madison from William Pinkney, 5 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have delayed writing to you on the Affair of the Maryland Claim in the constant Hope that I shd. soon have it in my power to announce the Transfer of the Stock, which forms the Subject of it, to the Use of the State. Not having yet been able, however, from unforeseen Impediments to procure this Transfer (altho it may be expected very shortly to take place) I ought not perhaps any longer to...
11To James Madison from William Pinkney, 3 November 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have the Honor to inform you, that on the 15th. of August, a few Days previous to my leaving England, I had the Satisfaction to bring to a Conclusion the Affair of the Maryland Bank Stock. The Transfers of the Stocks, & payment of the Cash, (with the Exception of the £10.000 Bank Stock given to Mr. Harford, as heretofore explained,) were made to me on that Day by the Solicitor of the...
12To James Madison from William Pinkney, 24 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Pinkney. 24 April 1806, Baltimore. “I have just had the Honor to receive your Letter of the 23d Instant, by which I am informed that, by a Nomination of the President, with the Concurrence of the Senate, I am united with Mr. Monroe, in a Commission plenepotentiary & extraordinary, for settling all matters of Difference between the United States & the United Kingdom of Great...
13To James Madison from William Pinkney, 9 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Pinkney. 9 May 1806, Baltimore. “I have the Honor to inform you that I have just engaged, for my passage to England, the Cabin of the Ship Diana, bound for Liverpool, to sail on Sunday Week; and that I hope to be able to set out for Washington tomorrow or next day at farthest.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, DD , Great Britain, vol. 15). 1 p.; docketed by Wagner.
14To James Madison from William Pinkney, 18 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Pinkney. 18 May 1806, Baltimore. “I have had the Honor to receive the public Dispatches sent to me under the Care of Mr Forrest. “Our Vessel is ready to sail, and waits only for a Wind. So far as I have been able to ascertain, every paper has been forwarded which can be considered as essential. “I thank you for your kind Wishes.” RC ( DLC : Rives Collection, Madison Papers). 1...
15To James Madison from James Monroe and William Pinkney, 25 July 1806 (Madison Papers)
You will have been surprised at not hearing from us sooner on the business confided to us under the commission with which we are honored by the President. The delay proceeded from a desire to give you some satisfactory information of our progress in it, which it was not in our power to do. It happen’d unfortunately just about the time of mr. Pinkney’s arrival on the 24th. ulto., that mr Fox...
16To James Madison from James Monroe and William Pinkney, 11 August 1806 (Madison Papers)
It was intimated to us by Sir Francis Vincent, soon after the date of our last, that, as the state of Mr. Fox’s health was not likely soon to permit him to attend to us on the subjects of our mission, Lord Grenville would be asked to communicate with us in his stead; and Sir Francis promised that he would endeavour without loss of time to arrange with Lord Grenville to that effect. On the...
17To James Madison from James Monroe and William Pinkney, 15 August 1806 (Madison Papers)
We have the honor to transmit herewith enclosed a duplicate of our last under date of the 11th. instant. Some circumstances have since occurred with which it is proper that you should be made acquainted. On the 13th. we dined with Lord Grenville at his house in Downing Street, where we met the Lord Chancellor, Lord Howick, Lord Auckland, Marquis Wellesley, Lord Holland, Mr Erskine and several...
18To James Madison from James Monroe and William Pinkney, 21 August 1806 (Madison Papers)
We have the pleasure to transmit you a copy of a Note from Mr. Fox of yesterday which announces the appointment of Lords Holland and auckland to meet us on the subjects which are embraced by our joint Commission. We flatter ourselves that we shall enter on this business in the course of a few days, and that we shall be able in a short time afterwards to speak with some confidence of the...
19To James Madison from James Monroe and William Pinkney, 11 September 1806 (Madison Papers)
Our first meeting with Lord Holland and Lord Auckland took place in Downing Street on the 22. of August. This Date is erroneous; the first meeting took place on the 27th. After the usual exchange of powers we stated at their request the objects of our mission, and the general nature of the stipulations by which we expected them to be provided for. They took minutes of what was said by us for...
20To James Madison from William Pinkney, 3 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have had the Honour to receive your Letter of the 17h. of March, and thank you sincerely for your kind Wishes. Permit me to offer you my cordial Congratulations upon the Manner in which you have been called to the Presidency. Such a Majority at such a Time is most honourable to our Country and to you. My Trust is that with the progress of your administration your Friends will grow in...
21To James Madison from William Pinkney, 4 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
Will you permit me to make known to you a young Gentleman (Mr. Robert Walsh Junr. of Baltimore) for whom I have a particular Regard and whose extraordinary Merit will I am sure recommend him to your Notice & Esteem? I can truly say of him that he has the best Heart in the World—that he possesses a superiour Mind cultivated with Care, and informed by the most extensive Knowledge, and enriched...
22To James Madison from William Pinkney, 19 August 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have had the Honour to receive your kind Letter of the 21st. of April; and now send the last Edition of War in Disguise as you request. As we are turning our Attention to Wool, I have added a Tract lately published here on the Merino & Anglo-Merino Sheep, which may be of use. I trust that we shall continue to cultivate such Manufactures as suit our Circumstances. Cottons now, and Woollens...
23To James Madison from William Pinkney, 10 December 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your Letter of the 23d. of October reached me on the 25h. of last Month. That of the 23d. of April was sent to me by Mr. Lee as soon as he arrived in England; and was answered on the 19h. of August. I see with great pleasure the Ground taken by the Secy. of State in his Correspondence with Mr. Jackson, connected with the probability that our people are recovering from recent Delusion, and will...
24To James Madison from William Pinkney, 23 March 1810 (Madison Papers)
I had intended to write you a very tedious Letter; but I have no longer Time to do so—as it is now near 2. OClock in the Morning and Lieut. Elliott leaves Town at 10. A.M. My official Letter of the 21t. Inst. will apprize you of the Course finally taken by this Government in Consequence of Mr. Jackson’s Affair. I do not presume to anticipate your Judgment upon it. It certainly is not what I...
25To James Madison from William Pinkney, 13 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
As Mr. Erving leaves Town early in the Morning and it is now past Midnight I have scarcely Time to do more than acknowledge the Receipt of your kind Letter by Dr Logan. In a few Days I will trouble you with a Letter of some Length. The newspapers will apprize you of the Violence & Injustice of France towards the U. S. I hope it will be found possible (at least until England does us Justice) to...
26To James Madison from William Pinkney, 13 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
I return you my sincere Thanks for your friendly Letter of the 23d. of May. Nothing could have been more acceptable than the Approbation which you are so good as to express of my Note to Ld. Wellesley on Jackson’s Affair. I wish I had been more successful in my Endeavours to obtain an unexceptionable Answer to it. You need not be told that the actual Reply was, in its plan & Terms, wide of the...
27To James Madison from William Pinkney, 3 October 1810 (Madison Papers)
I thought it possible that the Hornet would touch at Cowes—although I gave no order to that Effect. But I did not expect that Mr. Spence wd. come up to Town, or that the Brig wd. be detained a Moment. My Despatches were sent to Mr Auldjo —to be delivered with the least possible Delay to Mr Spence on Board in Case Circumstances should render it proper for the Brig to call. Mr Spence, however,...
28To James Madison from William Pinkney, 24 November 1810 (Madison Papers)
I send by this opportunity a Letter to the Secretary of State, entreating your permission to return to America. I have not thought it necessary to mention in that Letter my Motives for this apparently abrupt Request; but you will I am sure be at no Loss to conjecture them. I ask your Leave at this Time to close my Mission here because I find it impossible to remain. I took the Liberty to...
29To James Madison from William Pinkney, 27 November 1810 (Madison Papers)
I beg Leave to say that I wrote on the 24h. Instant a Letter to you, explanatory of my Motives for a Request, contained in my Letter of the same Date, that I may be permitted to return to America. I mention this because, by an opportunity which now offers I send a Duplicate of my Letter to Mr. Smith, and have not Time to make a Duplicate of my Letter to you. I trust, however, that the original...
30To James Madison from William Pinkney, 17 December 1810 (Madison Papers)
The proclamation of the 2d. of November is doing good here, and may perhaps bring this Ministry to Reason. I enclose Cobbets last Number, which touches upon our Relations with this Country, & Bell’s weekly Messenger of yesterday, which treats of the same Subject. My Letter to Ld. W. of the 10th. Instant wd. have gone into it more fully (though I was straightened for Time) but that I was afraid...
31To James Madison from William Pinkney, 8 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I am not able to tell you how much pleasure I have received from the kind Letter which you did me the Honor to send to me by Mr Forrest. When I have said that I consider it as a full Pledge of the Continuance of your good opinion & Regard, I have said every thing. My professional prospects here are as flattering as I could have hoped or desired; and they assure me that, if I am spared for a...
32To James Madison from William Pinkney, 17 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I had the Honour to receive, late last night , the Letter which you were so good as to write to me on the 12th., and at the same Time my Commission as Atty. General of the U. S. I shall not delay a moment in repairing to Washington after a few importunate Engagements here have been satisfied; and I hope to set out in a few Days. Permit me to thank you again for the great Kindness and Delicacy...
33To James Madison from William Pinkney, 22 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have received a Letter from Mr Dallas (of the 16th.) from which it appears that he had not been applied to by Mr. Gallatin to assist in the Cases in the supreme Court of the US. in which it was thought his Aid would be advisable, and further that he would be willing to assist if applied to. Although I shall be perfectly prepared to argue one of them (the Case of the French National Vessel)...
34To James Madison from William Pinkney, [12 March] 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have received from Mr. Brougham, with whose high Character you are acquainted, the enclosed Letters for you and for myself. Mr Bentham sent me a parcel, which I will deliver in a few Days. Business requires my absence at Baltimore for a short Time—and as the Court is about to a[d]journ I intend to leave Washington Tomorrow. During my Absence I shall hold myself in Readiness to attend to any...
35To James Madison from William Pinkney, 21 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
I regret sincerely that my professional Engagements here are so pressing and importunate as to put out of my power to be where my Duty to you requires. I am sure, however, that you will make Allowances for me—especially when you are aware that I am not unmindful, though absent from the Seat of Government, of what I owe to the Strength and prosperity of your administration. The particular...
36To James Madison from William Pinkney, 14 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
As I know you take an Interest in the Views & opinions of our Friends in England I take the Liberty to enclose a short Letter just received from Alexander Baring. There is not much in it—but it may be worth reading. I hope to be in Washington on Sunday next. With true Attachment I have the Honour to be—Dear Sir, respectfully your faithful & Ob Servant RC ( DLC ). Enclosure not found.
37To James Madison from William Pinkney, 27 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 27 June 1812, Baltimore. Offered for sale in Swann Auction Galleries Catalogue No. 469 (9 May 1957), item 301, which notes that the letter reads in part: “I have read great part of Mr. Jefferson’s Book on Livingston’s claim, and find it, as I had expected, a luminous & masterly production.”
38To James Madison from William Pinkney, 30 June 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 June 1812, Baltimore. Wishes to mention his “young Friend, John Hare Powell, who, now that War has been declared, is extremely anxious to obtain a Commission in the Army.” RC ( DLC : Rives Collection, Madison Papers). 3 pp. Docketed by JM. Powell was appointed inspector general of the U.S. Army on 26 Dec. 1814 ( Heitman, Historical Register Francis B. Heitman, Historical Register and...
39To James Madison from William Pinkney, 5 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
Judge Storey has touched, in the enclosed Letter to me, upon a Subject which I have myself often thought of—and which may soon become of primary Importance. I have not Time at this Moment to say any thing upon it, and I am sure that I could suggest nothing which has not already occurred to you; but I suppose it to be proper to submit the Judge’s Letter to your Perusal. I have the Honour to be,...
40To James Madison from William Pinkney, 17 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
From the enclosed Extract from the “American” it would seem that our Consul at Lisbon has retired from his Station; and it is possible that he may not wish to return to it. If that should be so, will you permit me to mention my eldest Son (William) for your Consideration as his Successor in Case one shd. be appointed. He can have the best Recommendation from Merchants and others of all...
41To James Madison from William Pinkney, 7 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I do not perceive that the General Government could well interfere upon the subject of the Letter, which you did me the Honour to enclose to me even if it were desirable that it should; but I am quite sure that it will be wholly unnecessary. There is no Disposition to Riot here except with a mere Handful of low people, who can and will be restrained by the Authority of the Majistracy of the...
42To James Madison from William Pinkney, [24 February] 1813 (Madison Papers)
The Case of Livingston ag’ Dorgenoy (formerly Marshall of the Territory of orleans) now depending before the Supreme Court of the U.S. involves some Questions of Importance to the Government—and I presume that it will be proper that I should argue them. The Case has been opened on the part of Livingston and the further Argument has been postponed to afford Time to Counsel to look fully into...
43To James Madison from William Pinkney, 3 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have only this Moment seen your obliging Invitation to Dinner for Monday last. It was left in the office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court and was delivered to me upon my coming into Court today. I gave a Sketch of the Clauses, which I undertook to draw, to the Chairman of the Committee of foreign Relations of the Senate, yesterday. The principal Clause will I suppose be offered as an...
44To James Madison from William Pinkney, 25 January 1814 (Madison Papers)
A Bill appears to have been introduced into the House of Representatives, the object of which is to make it the Duty of the Attorney General to be permanently at Washington. I find no fault with this Bill; but, as I am quite sure that my professional pursuits in Baltimore and Annapolis will render it impossible for me to comply with it, I beg Leave to tender to you the Resignation of my...
45To James Madison from William Pinkney, [5 February 1814] (Madison Papers)
I beg your permission to mention to you that Mr. William Kilty calculates upon losing his office of Chancellor of Maryland, on account of federal ascendancy in that State, and that I have reason to believe he would be much gratified by having an opportunity of accepting the Station of Comptroller, which is said to be vacant. I believe Mr. Kilty is well known to you—and consequently that it is...
46To James Madison from William Pinkney and Others, 10 April 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William Pinkney and Others. 10 April 1815, Baltimore. “We beg leave to offer you our sincere Congratulations upon the Conclusion of an honorable Peace between the United States and Great Britain; and at the same time to express our unfeigned admiration of the enlightened Wisdom and patriotic Firmness by which your Conduct has been distinguished, during the extraordinary trials to which...
47To James Madison from William Pinkney, 10 May 1816 (Madison Papers)
It has been mentioned to me as probable that the Gentleman who now holds the office of Marshall for the District of Columbia will on account of the State of his Health resign it, and that my Friend Mr. Tench Ringgold would in that Event wish to fill it. If this should be so I beg your Permission to second Mr. Ringgold’s wishes by an earnest recommendation of him. He has indeed the Honour of...
48To James Madison from James Monroe, 11 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
We flattered ourselves at the date of our last dispatch which was of September the 11th., that we should have been able to have concluded a Treaty with the British Commissioners and to have transmitted it to you before this, on all the interesting topicks which are embraced by our instructions, and on terms that would be approved by our government. The disposition which had been shewn by the...
49To James Madison from James Monroe, 27 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
We have the pleasure to acquaint you that we have this day agreed with the British Commissioners to Conclude a Treaty on all the points which have formed the object of our negotiation, and on terms which we trust our government will approve. It will require only a few days to reduce it to form. When that is done we shall transmit it to you by a special messenger. We hasten to communicate to...
50To James Madison from James Monroe, 3 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
We have the honor to transmit you a Treaty which we concluded with the British Commissioners on the 31st. of December. Altho’ we had entertained great confidence from the commencement of the negotiation, that such would be it’s result, it was not untill the 27th. that we were able to make any satisfactory arrangement of several of the most important points that were involved in it. On the next...