1To James Madison from Timothy Pickering, 4 October 1825 (Madison Papers)
I duly recd. your letter of the 17th ulto. in answer to mine of the 7th; informing me that you had relinquished the presidency of the Albemarle Agricultural Society, & had other demands on your time, and other reading tasks in which you were in arrears, which abridged your reading works on husbandry. I shall nevertheless continue to address to you my letters in relation to the improving of our...
2To James Madison from Timothy Pickering, 7 September 1825 (Madison Papers)
As you are the President of an Agricultural Society, you doubtless read some Agricultural papers, and among them, the “American Farmer,” a paper peculiarly adapted to the husbandry of the Middle States. In that you will have seen the writings of Mr. John Hare Powel, in three numbers, called a “Reply to Colonel Pickering on Native Cattle.” On that subject I wrote four letters, first published...
3To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 13 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
I duly received, and am greatly obliged by your interesting letter of the 6th in answer to mine of the 2d inst. Should any other questions occur on of importance enough to authorize me to interrupt your repose, I shall use the liberty you allow me, to propose them. In recurring to the early opposition to British taxation of the Colonies, you some two or three years since mentioned your own...
4To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 2 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
As no act of the Congress of the Thirteen United American Colonies was so distinguished as that by which their Independence of Great Britain was declared, the most particular history of that transaction will probably be sought for; not merely as an interesting curiosity, but to do substantial justice to the abilities and energy of the leaders in that great measure. By the public journals it...
5Timothy Pickering to Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
You will recollect that Gibbon , in his history of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, treats of the Christian Religion; and that he assigns five secondary causes of its prevalence, & final victory over the established religions of the earth. Among these, one was “ the miraculous powers ascribed to the primitive church .” It seems plain that Gibbon considered the miracles ascribed to...
6To James Madison from Timothy Pickering, 3 August 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have repeatedly applied to the secretary of the navy to obtain the discharge of a minor of the name of Chase, whose father, Aquila Chase, of Massachusetts, demands his release, & has furnished the requisite evidence of his being a minor; but am not informed that the discharge has been directed. The last time I called at the Navy Office, Mr. Jones being absent, his chief clerk promised to...
7To James Madison from Timothy Pickering, 16 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
The two nominations of an associate judge of the supreme court to fill the seat vacated by the death of Judge Cushing, having failed; will you permit me to bring to your recollection a man whom you knew in the House of Representatives, in Philadelphia—Jeremiah Smith of New Hampshire? He is a federalist; but one of great distinction as a lawyer; at the same time, amiable, moderate &...
8To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 5 February 1811 (Jay Papers)
The conduct of the Government towards Spain and her territories has produced animadversions from various quarters; and in divers instances it has been asserted, that of all the European powers, Spain was the first to give us aid in our revolutionary war. I do not know on what authority this assertion inst is made. You, if any one, must know the facts in the case; with which, [if your health...
9To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 17 February 1810 (Jay Papers)
I have just received and read your letter of the 9th. On the 13th I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 7th. I pray you to accept of my thanks for these favours. Should further questions occur, I will use the liberty you give to request your answers. The bill which has passed the House of Representatives, under the name of Macon’s Bill (and which the Government paper here...
10To James Madison from Timothy Pickering, 14 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have just received from your office a letter covering a copy of one dated the 10th instant from the French Minister, relative to the claims of the owners of the vessels detained by the Ship of War L’Eole; by which they are referred to the French Consul at Baltimore to obtain the adjustment of those claims. Having no documents in my possession, I must request you to send me those which were...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 14 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pickering is requested by Major Burnham to present the inclosed bill to Mr. Jefferson, for the Corn-Sheller , and to receive the amount: For that purpose, Mr. P. has signed the receipt. —Mr. P. is informed by Major Burnham that he has sent a letter of advice to Mr. Jefferson. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
12To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 13 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pickering presents his compliments to Mr. Jefferson, and thanks him for the ear of Osage corn. On chewing two or three kernels, Mr. Pickering finds the corn of precisely the same texture, and nearly insipid taste, with what in Pennsylvania is called flour-corn ; only the latter grows into a much larger ear than the present sample of Osage corn; but the latter may perhaps ripen earlier. If...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 24 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Accustomed to act as a sense of duty urges; as most would think, with too little regard to personal consequences: particularly, having sometimes expressed my sentiments to public and to private men, on subjects of public moment, or of their individual interest, at the hazard of giving them offence: and impelled by the dangers of a measure of great national concern , the interdiction of all...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 5 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pickering begs leave to inform Mr. Jefferson, that on returning yesterday to his lodgings, he was told by Mr. Davenport, who had enquired for it, that Knight’s treatise on the culture of the apple & pear was not to be purchased in the city of New-York. If therefore Mr. Jefferson wishes either to read it again, or to recommend the printing of an American edition, Mr. Pickering will, with...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 3 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to the conversation of last Saturday , Colo. Pickering presents for Mr. Jefferson’s perusal, Knight’s treatise on the culture of the Apple & Pear, and on the making of Cider & Perry; persuaded that he will derive some useful information from his facts and practical details, and much pleasure from his ingenious theories. The interesting fact (however to be accounted for) that the old...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 18 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pickering presents his respects to the President, and returns the copy of Crozat’s grant from Louis XIV. with his thanks. The grant is not what Mr. P. supposed, of the province of Louisiana, but a monopoly of its commerce , for 15 years; with some specific property therein, the value of which, and its tenure, were to depend on his labour and expence in cultivation and improvement. But in...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 16 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pickering has the honour to return to the President his memoir on the northern boundary of Louisiana. A close examination of the subject since, has convinced Mr. Pickering that the idea he took the liberty to suggest to the President, which is the basis of the memoir, and which arose in Mr. Pickering’s mind on the perusal of Mr. Hutchins’s observations on the treaty of Utrecht, is...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 16 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pickering presents his respects to the President of the United States, and submits to his consideration the inclosed inquiry concerning the Northern boundaries of Canada & Louisiana. If Mr. Pickering does not extremely mistake the facts, and their necessary consequences, all dispute with Great-Britain concerning boundaries, will be forever closed, by a ratification and execution of the...
19Enclosure: Pickering’s Analysis of the Boundary between Louisiana and Canada, with Jefferson’s Notes, 16 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
An inquiry concerning the Northern Boundaries of Canada & Louisiana By the tenth article of the treaty of Utrecht, (in 1713) Great Britain and France agreed as follows France shall restore to Great Britain “the bay and streights of Hudson, together with all lands, seas, sea coasts, rivers and places situate in the said bay and streights, and which belong thereunto, no tracts of land or of...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 14 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pickering presents his respects to the President, and requests the loan of Crozat’s grant of Louisiana from Lewis XIV. Mr. P. acknowledges the receipt of the President’s observations on the northern boundaries of the U. States & Louisiana; and if any further examination of the subject should present a different view of it, to Mr. Pickering, he will take the liberty to offer the same to the...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 18 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I hoped to have seen you on my way hither; but the distance at which you were from the place of crossing the Hudson, & my engagements with my travelling companions, prevented. I duly received your letter of Septr. 16th. relative to the proposition you made in the General Convention. It was obvious, that those, with the propositions of others, were presented for consideration and discussion, to...
22To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 5 April 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
The assertion of the Jacobins, that you are an aristocrat & a Monarchist, is not new: But at a late meeting of the sect in this town, one of their leaders declared “That General Hamilton proposed (&, it was understood, advocated) in the general Convention, That the President of the United States, and the Senators, should be chosen for life: That this was intended as an introduction to...
23To James Madison from Timothy Pickering, 13 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 June 1801, Easton, Pennsylvania. Forwards a packet of papers pertaining to the claims of the heirs of a French officer who served in the Revolution, Jean-Baptiste de Gouvion. Money is due them from the U.S., but he has advised the heirs not to permit the funds to go to a French government official; Pickering’s recollection is that he suggested the remittance be made through bankers in...
24To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 29 April 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Joseph Dennie, now of Philadelphia, has more than once observed to me, that he had never the happiness of being known to you. He repeated the observation, as I lately passed thro’ that city. And manifesting an earnest desire to be introduced, requested me to write to you for that purpose. Of Mr Dennie’s genius and literary talents, you will judge from his writings. These have appeared...
25To James Madison from Timothy Pickering, 7 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
When in Philadelphia, last winter, Mr. James Yard of that city, reminded me of an assurance given to Edward Stevens Esqr. Consul General for St. Domingo, that he should be indemnified for becoming bail for Mr. Bunel, the Agent of General Toussaint . The facts were these. After General Toussaint took upon himself the administration of the Government of St. Domingo, being desirous of renewing...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 14 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
After an absence of four months in the Woods I returned hither on the evening of the 10th instant; and this is the first opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 13th ult. A few days before I left the Woods , I received from a friend in Philadelphia, your pamphlet concerning the conduct and character of President Adams. You say the press teams with replies. I have yet...
27To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 17 June 1800 (Jay Papers)
Allow me to present to you M r . Williams & M r . Putnam, my relations from Massachusetts, who in returning from their visit to me, contemplate going by the way of Albany; and in that case wished to pay their respects to you. I have conversed with them very fully on the recent proceedings of the President, and furnished them with some facts and observations in writing, for the information of...
28To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 15 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have at this instant received your letter without date, but stamped at the postoffice in NYork May 14. I intended to have done precisely what you suggest, respecting Mr Adams journal &c. (very little of which I had ever read) but there was not time. Last saturday morning I received a summons to resign , and a desire that I would myself name the day. But I did not incline to accept this...
29To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to lay before the President of the United States, letters and voluminous documents relative to calumnies formed and propagated in St. Domingo, chiefly by Jacob Mayer, the American Consul at Cape Francois, against Doctor Edward Stevens the Consul General; connected with which are said Mayer’s base insinuations and open slanders against the President of the...
30To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated last Saturday, stating that “as you perceive a necessity of introducing a change in the administration of the Office of State, you think it proper to make this communication of it to the present Secretary of State, that he may have an opportunity of resigning, if he chooses:” and that “you would wish the day on which his resignation is to...