1William Jay to Timothy Pickering, 24 June 1826 (Jay Papers)
My Father’s health not permitting him to answer your letter of last Month in his own hand, he has desired me to acknowledge the receipt of it, together with D r : Holmes’s Memoir & letter which accompanied it. My Father did not know, till informed by your letter, that your Son Henry was a resident in New York, & he requests you to assure him, that should he find it convenient to visit Bedford,...
2From James Madison to Timothy Pickering, 17 October 1825 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 4th. inst: inclosing a continuation of your printed letters on the improvement of our native breed of Neat Cattle has been duly received. The subject well merits the attention bestowed on it; and I shall cheerfully comply with the request to put the past & the ensuing nos. into the hands of a Gentleman to whom I doubt not they will be acceptable, & whose judgment & public spirit...
3To 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...
4From James Madison to Timothy Pickering, 17 September 1825 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. Sir, your letter of the 7th. instant, inclosing Nos. 5 & 6. of the New England Farmer. I have not now the title which you supposed, to this mark of attention. Finding that I could not attend the Meetings of the Agricultural Society of Albemarle, held at a considerable distance from me, I made way, by resignation, for a successor to the presiding office who might do more justice to...
5To 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...
6To 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...
7From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 6 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 2d instant has prescribed a dismal plan, which I was never very well calculated to execute, but am now wholly incapable. I can write nothing which will not be suspected of personal vanity, local prejudice or Provincial & State partiality. However, as I hold myself responsible, at this age, to one only tribunal in the Universe, I will give you a few hints at all hazards. As...
8To 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...
9Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering, 27 February 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved, Sir, your favor of the 12 th and I assure you I recieved it with pleasure. it is true as you say that we have differed in political opinions; but I can say with equal truth, that I never suffered a political to become a personal difference. I have been left on this ground by some friends whom I dearly loved, but I was never the first to separate. with some others, of politics...
10Timothy 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...
11To 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...
12To 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 &...
13From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 12 February 1811 (Jay Papers)
I have rec d . your Letter of the 5 th Inst. requesting Information respecting the Aids afforded us by Spain in our revolutionary war. These come under two Heads—viz— those which preceded my leaving this Country for Spain in 1779—and those which were afterward rec d. — Your Letter relates only to the former— As to the first— In a Letter to me from the Count de Florida Blanca, dated the 24 Feb,...
14To 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...
15From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 26 February 1810 (Jay Papers)
The last Mail brought me both your obliging Letters — At this Moment I am constrained to write in Haste — When the present Governm t . was organized there were many interesting Papers of the former Congresses in the Hands of their Secretary M r . Thompson— there was a secret Journal as well as a public one— I presume that the Heads of the Departm ts . rec d . from him the papers appertaining...
16To 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...
17From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 9 February 1810 (Jay Papers)
I wrote to you by the last mail — On the 10 Aug t . 1782 Doct r . Franklin & myself waited on C[oun] t . De Vergennes, and a Conference between him and us, on the subject of Oswalds Commission ensued. The Count declared his opinion that we might proceed to treat with M r . Oswald under it— & c .— I observed that it would be descending from the Ground of Independence to treat under the...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering, 30 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States to Timothy Pickering, Senator for the State of Massachusetts. Certain matters touching the Public good requiring that the Senate shall be convened on Saturday, the 4th day of March next, You are desired to attend at the Senate Chamber in the City of Washington on that day; then and there to receive and deliberate on such Communications as shall be made to...
19From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 24 December 1808 (Jay Papers)
Accept my thanks for your friendly Letter of the 10 th . Inst: and for the Papers which you was so obliging to send me; and which I assure you did not “intrude on my Retirement”. When I withdrew from public Life, I carried with me the same cordial attachment to the Honor and Welfare of our Country, by which I had uniformly been activated. From early Youth it was my Desire and Intention to live...
20From Thomas Truxtun to Timothy Pickering, 27 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of the 23d current, accompanied with a report of the committee, on the subject of Gun Boats, in which you desire my opinion of their utility, that part of the message of the President of the United States, which relates to the defence of the sea port towns and harbours. I am now, as I ever have been of opinion, that a great commercial marine, such as the merchants...
21To 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...
22To 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.
23To 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...
24To 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...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering, 6 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments & thanks to mr Pickering for the accomodation offered of his copy of Knight’s book. the bill which he had recieved from the gentleman who was to procure him a copy had expressly stated it was not to be bought in London; and this was all Th:J. knew of the matter when he had the pleasure of seeing mr Pickering: but this morning the gentleman called on Th:J....
26To 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...
27To 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...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to the honble mr Pickering and returns him the paper on the subject of boundary with thanks for the communication. he acknoleges the ingenuity of the views it presents, but thinks they can be combated on very solid ground, and that it is our duty to meet them. he thinks it impossible that an express stipulation that we shall go to the N. Western point of...
29To 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...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Pickering and sends him an office copy of Crozat’s grant, prepared to be sent by mr Bearing, of which he will therefore ask the return. RC ( MHi : Pickering Papers). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: copy of 1714 charter to Antoine Crozat (see TJ to Pickering, 15 Jan. ).
31To 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...
32To 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...
33Enclosure: 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...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Pickering and will send him tomorrow Louis XIVth.’s charter to Crozat , the book having been sent to the Secy. of state’s office to have copies of the charter made out, and the office being closed till tomorrow. he will thank mr Pickering for the return of the paper sent him, when perused, as it was a rough draught & no copy retained, and these...
35To 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...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Pickering and returns him Hutchins’s book with thanks for the use of it. that on Louisiana he had never before seen or heard of, and it has furnished him the first particular information of the line agreed on by the Commrs. under the treaty of Utrecht , he has ever been able to obtain. he had, the last summer, while among his books at Monticello,...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering, 8 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Pickering, and has searched without success in Hutchins’s Topographical Description of the Western country for the passage relative to the Northern boundary of which mr Pickering spoke to him yesterday. he imagines therefore he mistook the pamphlet to which he referred, and therefore asks the favor of the loan of it. RC ( MH ); addressed: “The...
38To 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...
39From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 16 September 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I will make no apology for my delay in answering your inquiry some time since made, because I could offer none which would satisfy myself. I pray you only to believe that it proceeded from any thing rather than want of respect or regard. I shall now comply with your request. The highest toned propositions, which I made in the Convention, were for a President, Senate and Judges during good...
40To 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...
41To 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...
42To 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...
43To 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...
44To 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...
45From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, 13 November 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
You no doubt have seen my pamphlet respecting the conduct and character of President Adams. The press teems with replies, and I may finally think it expedient to publish a second time. In this case I shall reinforce my charges by new anecdotes. My friends will no doubt be disposed to aid me. You probably possess some which are unknown to me. Pray let me have them without delay. You will...
46From John Jay to Timothy Pickering, 19 June 1800 (Jay Papers)
I have just had the pleasure of recieving from M r . Williams your Letter of the 17 Instant. Had the weather been fair, I should now have been on the Road to Albany, and I shall set out the Moment it changes. M r . Williams tells me that he and M r Putnam purpose to go there by Water— they will probably arrive before me, as I shall travel leisurely, & pass a few Days at my Farm in WestChester....
47To 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...
48To 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...
49From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [14 May 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
I perceive that you as well as McHenry are quitting the Administration. I am not informed how all this has been, though I conjecture. Allow me to suggest, that you ought to take with you copies and extracts of all such documents as will enable you to explain both Jefferson & Adams . You are aware of a very curious journal of the latter when he was in Europe, a tissue of weakness and vanity....
50From John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 12 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Diverse Causes and considerations essential to the Administration of the Government, in my Judgment requiring a Change in the Department of State you are hereby discharged from any further Service as Secretary of State. MHi : Timothy Pickering Papers.