51From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 5 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you Extracts from the Observations of the Auditors and Clerks of Accounts, respecting the Issues of Provisions in your Department (transmitted to me by the Secretary at War), and request you to consider them and give me your Sentiments. I have the Honor to be, Sir, your most obedt Servt DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
52From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 23 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have your favor of this day before me. Altho I am not certain the Teams will be wanted so soon as the Middle of May, yet I think all things considered, it will be expedient to make your Arrangements so as to have them either in Camp at that time, or in such a situation as that they might be brought in immediately if necessary. I am Sir with great regard Your Most Obedt Servant DNA : RG...
53From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 21 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
As I shall have occasion to remove Colo. Rawlins’s Corps from Fort Frederick in Maryland, (where they are guarding the prisoners,) to Fort Pitt, I must request the Board to call upon Governor Johnston of Maryland to furnish a Militia Guard to releive Colo. Rawlins. I wish no time may be lost in making the requisition, and that the Governor may be informed of the necessity of sending the Releif...
54From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I wish to know whether General Du Portail has made any Arrangements with you respecting Planks for Plattforms, and in that case, what Measures have been taken in consequence. General Du Portail will be able to inform what number of feet will be wanted, and General Knox at what Mills, and by what mode they may be favoured. I enclose a Copy of the Estimate of Articles, which will be required...
55From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [5 October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I am directed by The General to inform you in confidence, that the army will march from its present ground as soon as the weather permits. You will make your arrangements accordingly. When the weather clears, if you will call at Head Quarters, you will be informed of the particular disposition. I am D Sir Yr. Obed ser ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library. Pickering had succeeded Major...
56From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [20 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Be so good as to urge the bringing forward the boats; there is no time to be lost. They ought to be with the others by Wednesday evening, if possible. Yr. very hum serv I think I mentioned to you in my first note, that the boats would be by this time at Dobbes ferry. ’Tis there the teams must go. ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. These boats were being assembled for the...
57From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 19 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
If the detachment now forming, pursues its object, it will be a strong additional motive against having deposits at, and upon the Morris Town road to this place; because the Troops now on that communication will be considerably reduced, without the means of replacing them. If therefore my former order on this head is not fully complied with no time should be lost in the completion of it. A...
58From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
To the Quarter Master General, or Deputy Qr Mr with the Army. In all cases on the present march, where the Draught Horses or Cattle of the Army shall fail, or where an addi ti onal number shall be absolutely necessary, & cannot be procured by hire, or in any other way except by Military Force; you are hereby authorised & directed to impress such numbers of Horses or Oxen as shall be required...
59From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to Timothy Pickering, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
By Comand of His Excellency, I give you the followg Extract from a Letter just received from Genl Schuyler—dated Poughkeepsie 25th instant. "As our Boards are all of the Length of 14 feet, I find they will Work to the best Advantage if the Boats are 32 feet instead of 35 feet long—& that each Boat will require 12 lb. of 20d. Nails—14 lb. of 10d.—& 8 lb.—of 8d. Nails. If the Nails & Oakum...
60From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 6 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you from Saratoga on the 26th Ulto to have all the Boats fit to be used in the western Waters repaired for that service; but since my return from the Northward I am informed the number will be very inferior to my expectation, especially as I directed early in the year to have them got in repair, and recollect no Counter-Order since that time. I have therefore to request that One...
61From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [25 October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
You will have the boats at Dodd’s and those now with the army, properly furnished with oars, transported by horses for the sake of expedition—brought to the Notch, tomorrow evening precisely at five O Clock (i e half an hour before sunset) where they will receive further orders. You will have with each set a confidential person on whom you can absolutely rely for punctuality to a moment. The...
62From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
There was never any regular formation of the department of Geographer to the Army, but to the best of my recollection Mr Erskine’s pay was to have been four dollars per day and that of his Assistants two dollars per day—Chain Bearers half a dollar per day and an allowance for the contingent expences of travelling when out of reach of the Magazine of the Army and for the purchase of the...
63XIV. George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 22 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
You have been directed to furnish the Commanding Officer of the Boats with materials for muffling the Oars. to pay particular attention that they are in good order—well provided with oars—mounted on good Carriages and in such a manner that they cannot be injured—that the Horses are with them by Thursday 12 OClock—that they are then removed through the Notch below the Mountain, there to remain...
64From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 29 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
You will please to take immediate measures to dissolve the chain of Dragoons, and discharge the Expresses stationed between this and Boston; assuring them and the People who have furnished Provisions & Forage that the Accounts will be paid as soon as they can be sent to Philadelphia and the Money obtained—Sheldon’s Dragoons are to join their Corps. An accurate state of the Expences properly...
65From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 24 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The bad state of affairs in your Department, is such as makes your presence indispensably necessary with the Army; The complaints of all, from the Major General to the lowest Staff Officer entitled to keep a Horse, are agravated to the highest possible degree, on account of the continual want of Forage—As a specimen of the distress, which has fallen under my own observation, you may be...
66From John Laurens to Timothy Pickering, 4 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General requests that you will give immediate orders, to have twenty five bushels of grain, and five hundred weight of the best long forage; sent down to York—to be embarked on board of the Serpent Cutter, commanded by the Chevalier de Maulevrier—to serve as provision for two horses which are to go by Count de Grasse—The Grain should be in Good barrels if possible—the Cutter is to sail...
67From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering, 21 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
On receipt of your favour by Colo. Mead we offered the office of Deputy quarter master General for the Continent in this state to a Mr. George Divers, a person qualified in every point for exercising it as we wou’d wish it to be. A peculiarity in the present situation of his private affairs has however prevented his acceptance of it. I have this day written to major Foresythe to know if he...
68From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 22 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was honored yesterday with the Boards Letter of the 19th Instant. From the apprehensions of the public of an Indian war in the western department, and the earnest applications of General McIntosh for Troops, I was induced the 15 of the month to detach Durkee’s & Ransom’s companies for that command. I am told by Lt Buck that they are halted at Lancaster. As they are detached from this Army,...
69From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [9 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
The bad condition of my horses and the scarcity of forage in Camp induced me to leave them at Saratoga to recruit against the Campaign. I am shortly to make a journey with the General to Rhode Island for which I shall want horses. I therefore request the favour of you to furnish me with a couple of the best Continental horses that can be found. One for myself—the other for my portmanteau. The...
70From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
A Detachment of about 500 Men is to be sent to garrison the western Posts—A supply of Camp Equipage, also a considerable number of good Axes & Hatchets, with a few setts of Blacksmith’s, Armourer’s & Carpenter’s Tools will be wanted for the Troops, which may be employed on this Service—I must request you will immediately have these things provided, or repaired in the best manner, together with...
71From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 1 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have in contemplation a journey to Rhode Island, but previous to it, stand in need of a few articles from Philadelpa—which if obtained at all, must come soon. Is it in your power therefore, by the Morning, to provide me an Express on whose fidelity & dispatch I can absolutely depend? and can he, for the purpose of dispatch get fresh Horses on the communication? I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Ser....
72From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 28 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The necessity of getting forward what Flour is upon the communication urges me to a measure which I would not wish to adopt could it be avoided. It is, to make use of a part of a sum of Money sent to the pay master General by the State of Massachusetts purposely for the payment of the troops of that line. You will in consequence of this receive a Warrant for 9000 Dollars of the new emission,...
73From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 19 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just received advice from Otis and Henley of Boston that they had, thro’ the interest of the State, procured upwards of forty teams which they had loaded and sent forward with Cloathing. They do not say how far the teams are to proceed, but, in all probability, no farther than Springfeild; at which place there is also a considerable quantity of Cloathing much wanted by the Army. The...
74From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
Upon a view of the difference there will be in the expences between hiring & purchasing Ox Teams for the service of the next Campaign, exhibited in your Estimate; I am cleary of opinion they ought to be purchased if it is practicable—but it will be necessary for you to arrange this matter with the Superintendant of Finances; as well as to take early & effectual Measures to procure the number...
75From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 5 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you a Copy of the Resolution of Congress of the 23d Janry on the subject of remounting the Regiments of Dragoons. It will be necessary to observe, that the Horses purchased for this service ought to be in size, strength, figure, & fleetness, capable of performing the duties for which they are designed. Otherwise the purchase Money will be thrown away, as has sometimes been the Case....
76From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [9 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
The General has anticipated the subject of your letter of this day, by ordering the greater part of the Jersey troops to Morris Town to occupy the huts there. He nevertheless continues in the desire that that place may not be the depositary of any large quantity of stores. The situation of the two artificers can only be pitied not redressed. The families of men in the service cannot be the...
77From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 27 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have to request you will as soon as possible, give me an Estimate of all those things in your Department, (noting the expence of each in the best manner you are able) which will be requisite to enable the Army to take the field and to prosecute vigorous operations, in case the War should continue another Campaign; in this Estimate I would have comprehended particularly, the means of...
78From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [22 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
A working party of fifty men is ordered to parade tomorrow morning eight oClock at your quarters to take your orders. The object is to repair the road & briges for the march of the army to New Windsor by Pompton, Ringwood &c. A party of Artificers must accompany—A special charge to do the business well. Yr hum serv ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives. These preparations were...
79From Tench Tilghman to Timothy Pickering, 10 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency very much approves your plan of bringing down the shad daily—only taking care to give each Cargo as much salt as will secure them against a passage longer than the common calculation. The Magazine at West point is in a more deplorable condition for want of a covering of Boards. The last Storm has damaged the Ammunition considerably and now the Water has found its way in, very...
80From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 15 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 9th instant. I have directed the Blankets to be brought forward to Camp, after the North Carolinians are supplied the remainder shall be distributed among the troops who most want —The draughts from the Army for Teamsters, Mechanics and persons of different occupations are so great, that our return, upon command, amounts to almost half the effective fit for duty....
81From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 10 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have it in charge from the Commander in Chief to acknowledge the receipt of your two letters of this date addressed to him. In the country where the quarters are in general so indifferent, the climate so cold & fuel (within a short distance) so plenty, The Gen’l thinks it would scarcely be necessary or proper to give a limitation to the allowance of wood for the gen’l officers, especially as...
82From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [11 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
There are probably a good many dispatches for Head Quarters in the Post office at Fish Kill, some of which it may be of great importance should not be delayed. The General therefore desires (as he takes it for granted the ferry at New burgh is not practicable) that you will send a trusty person to pass the river at the nearest place above and go to Fish Kill for the letters and return as soon...
83From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 13th instant inclosing a Copy of a letter from Colo. Brodhead with an estimate of the Stores necessary for an expedition against Detroit —As there is no probability of an attempt upon that post at this time, I should not think it prudent to send the Artillery required and necessary Stores just now, but as we do not know what an unlooked for turn in the affairs...
84From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Under the present circumstances of transportation from Connecticut, I should advise, that Mr Pomeroy should be sent immediately back to the several Towns, to announce the distresses of the Army for the want of that provision, the certainty of payment for the transportation, and the approach of a military force to carry into execution the impress of the Civil Majestrate—While this is doing, the...
85From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 1 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of yesterday I received, and am sorry to hear that the Quota of Militia which the Town of Salem was to furnish, by Resolve of the Honorable General Court can not be had. The Generous tender of Services made by you Sir & the rest of the Volunteers, claims a return of my sincere thanks. Should I have an occasion to call upon them, I shall do It; At present I wish them to Continue at...
86From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [24 July 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
My servant informs me, that the saddle he rides has met with an accident that renders it unfit for use. As there are none here to be purchased, I should be glad it could be exchanged. I suppose it may be repaired and made serviceable again; however if like indulgencies are not allowed to other officers, I do not wish it for me. I am with esteem Sir Your most Obed ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous...
87From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering, 2 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of August the second has come duly to hand. We agree with you that the post at fort Pitt may be supplied much more œconomically from the settlements round about it, and these settlements have such a sufficiency of provision for the subsistance of the post that it is a waste of effort and of the public treasure to purchase and remove them from the east side of the Allegany. The...
88From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [7 August 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
In the necessaries delivered for my corps, two days since, there were only two wall tents which were the number mentioned and required for the company officers. The field officers therefore are unprovided for. Will you be so good as to give an explicit order for two more? We also want a Regimental orderly book and some regimental paper. Will you be pleased to include these articles in your...
89From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 7 September 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
I this day received your letter of the 20th. of August. Mr. Morris has advised me of the Bills you desired and directed my purchasing them together with his notes and the bank notes with what money shall come in to my hands on public account. They are now beginning to collect the tax imposed for the use of the United States though I can as yet form no judgment with what success or expedition....
90From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 20 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency wishes to be informed what success has attended the Measures taken for the transportation of the flour from Ringwood—what number of Teams were procured by the last impress &c. He also requests that you will direct the Forage Master Genl to provide Pasture, as convenient as possible to Head Quarters for the Horses which belong to himself & his Family. We shall shortly be much...
91From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of your letter of the 5th Inst. with its inclosures. I have communicated the resolve of Congress respecting the pay of supernumerary officers to the Auditor of accounts for the goverment of his conduct. In case there are any quantity of shoes, at the different manufactories under the direction of the board, I could wish them to be forwarded to camp as soon as possible. as also...
92From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I enclose to you a Letter for Major General Parsons; in which I have mentioned the return of a Detachment of about 80 Continental Troops, now at Danbury, and have suggested their being employed as an Escort to the Provisions to be forwarded from thence. The Commanding Officer will have Orders to afford every possible assistance to facilitate the transportation; and I must desire you will make...
93From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [15 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
The General directs you will send off the inclosed dispatch for Count De Rochambeau very early in the morning with the most positive directions concerning expedition. It is of great importance that it should arrive to him as quick as possible. He wishes you also to write to the Qr. Master at the station of your last express and desire him in case Sheldon should not have taken up the chain...
94From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 25 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
One of my own Horses which I sent from Camp to be wintered—together with the Horses which usually carried my Canteens & Portmanteaus, I am informed are dead. These losses will occasion a call upon you for four, wch I should be glad to receive as soon as convenient. If there is a number to choose out of, two may be natural pacers (Horses or mares) the Canteens going easier on them—one of the...
95From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, [20 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
There are five boats ordered from Kings ferry to Dobbes ferry, which The General directs you will immediately send a proper number of carriages for, and bring them to where the other boats are. Let no delay attend it, if you please. Have you had the four which were already there brought on? Your most obedient serv ALS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives; also ADfS , George...
96From Thomas Jefferson to Timothy Pickering, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you in a former letter that on the recommendation of Gen. Greene we had proposed to Maj. Forsythe the accepting the appointment of Deputy Quartermaster here which you had been pleased to refer to us. This appointment was kept open I think a Month, during which time (and indeed at any time since) we never received any answer from Maj. Forsythe, or intimation through any other channel...
97From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 11 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will take the earliest, and most efficacious Measures for the transportation of all the salted Provisions collected in the Towns westward of Connecticut River, to the Army. To facilitate this, I have written the enclosed Letter to His Excellency Govr Trumbull, requesting his influence, and assistance—which you will be pleased to forward, with the Dispatches for the Count De Rochambeau by...
98From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 19 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief wishes to know, what Teams you have prepared to go with the Canadian Prisoners, how many, how far they are to proceed, and whether, with very little additional expence, the same Teams could not bring on the shirts, or some other Articles of Cloathing from Philadelphia—should that be the case, it will be expedient for you to write to the Quarter Master by the Post & have...
99From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favour’d with yours of last evening; and cou’d wish that the present situation of the River might be improv’d to every advantage. Whatever Boats you think necessary may be order’d to Dobb’s ferry; but particular care must be taken, in the tra n sportation of Stores across the opposite Country, that they come in small convey’s, and no deposits made either at the ferry or on the...
100From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am commanded by His Excellency to forward the enclosed Letters from Genl Heath and Major Reese, and to inform you, that he is utterly averse to a military impress, except on great occasions, and when no other expedients can be devised to answer the end proposed. Because he apprehends it may tends to irritate the minds and alienate the affections of the well disposed people from the Army,...