From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 4 July 1796
To Timothy Pickering
Mount Vernon 4th July 1796
Sir
The Spanish Minister, Mr de Yrujo, spent two days with me, and is just gone.1 I caused it to be intimated to him, that as I should be absent from the Seat of the Government until the middle, or latter end of August, that I was ready to receive his letter of credence at this place. He answered (as I understood it) that his credentials were with his Baggage, on its passage to Philadelphia; and that his reception at that place, at the time mentioned, would be perfectly convenient and agreeable to himself.2
He is a young man, very free and easy in his manners; professes to be well disposed towards the United States; and as far as a judgment can be formed in so short an acquaintance, appears to be well informed.
Enclosed are two letters from the Governor of Pennsylvania, applying for the Aid of the General Government to execute, effectually, the Quarantine he had Proclaimed.3 I left Philadelphia under an impression that circular letters had been written by the Secretary of the Treasury to the Collectors of the different Ports, and by the Secretary of War to the Officers commanding the Garrisons on the Seaboard to pay proper attention to the Act of Congress relative to Quarantine.4
From the application of Govr Mifflin, the presumption is, there has been an omission somewhere. Let me desire that you, and the other two Gentlemen would meet, and see where it lyes; that a remedy may be immediately applied. and I request you will acknowledge the receipt of the Governor⟨s⟩ letters, and inform him of what is, or will be, done.
I desire to be informed also, if any thing is, or can be done relatively to the appointment of an Indian agent, in place of Governor Blount? and others, for carrying on the Trade (authorised by Congress) with those People?5
Go: Washington
ALS, MHi: Pickering Papers; LS (retained copy), DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB, DNA: RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. Pickering responded to GW on 8 July.
1. Spanish minister Carlos Martinez Yrujo wrote GW from Philadelphia on 31 July: “As during my residence at Moùnt Vérnon yoù did allow me to have the hónor to presènt yoù with ã Bóok concerning the cúlture of the Pine Apples & other different fruits on Hot-Hoùses, I do prevaìl of the opportunity of my friend Mr James Barrý going to that part of the country, to forward it to yoù. I dont doùbt that ã man, under whose directìon every thing floùrish & prospèr, wìll be equally succesfùll in making those fine fruits thrive on the mild climate of virginia, & give by those means ã new reputatìon to that Book, that is already considered as ã very gòod one. On having the honòr to present it to yoù, I hope yoù wìll look at it as ã mark of my sincere consideratìon & of that attachement that only rèal merit & vertùe are able to inspire.
“Yoù wìll permit me to prevaìl of that opportunity to exprèss yoù my gratitude for the Kindness & hospitality I met with when at Moùnt Vernon & to remind my respècts to Mrs Washington & Miss Cùstìs” (ALS, DLC:GW). Yrujo presented John Abercrombie, The Hot-House Gardener on the General Culture of the Pine-apple, and Methods of Forcing Early Grapes, Peaches, Nectarines, and Other Choice Fruits, in Hot-Houses, Vineries, Fruit-Houses, Hot-Walls, &c. … (London, 1789), which was in GW’s library at the time of his death (see 1–2).
2. GW’s official reception of Yrujo occurred on 25 Aug. ( 341; see also GW to Pickering, 29 June).
4. The act approved on 27 May authorized the president “to direct the revenue officers and the officers commanding forts and revenue cutters, to aid in the execution of quarantine, and also in the execution of the health laws of the states” ( 474).
5. GW’s concern arose from “An Act to regulate Trade and Intercourse with the Indian Tribes, and to preserve Peace on the Frontiers,” 19 May ( 469–74).