George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-20-02-0266

From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 8 July 1796

To Timothy Pickering

(Confidential)

Mount Vernon 8th July 1796

Sir,

My letters to the Secretary of the Treasury of the 4th & 6th Instant, with the present enclosure, conveys fully the sentiments of the Attorney General with respect to the best mode of executing the Act “For the relief and Protection of American Seamen.” He has, since his opinion was transmitted in the above letter of the 6th, consulted two of our most eminent Lawyers, in these parts, and finds an entire accordance of opinion. I request, therefore, that the measure recommended may be pursued.1

Your letters of the 1st and 2d instant, with several enclosures in the latter, came safe, and duly to hand.2 After that serious consideration which the subject deserved,3 I have determined to recall the American Minister at Paris; and am taking measures to supply his place; but the more the latter is revolved, greater the difficulties appear, to do it ably, & unexceptionably. By this, I mean one, who will promote, not thwart the Neutral policy of the government, & at the same time will not be obnoxious to the People among whom he is sent.

Proofs, little short of positive, are already in my possession, that neither Mr Henry, nor Mr Marshall wd accept of such an appointment. The chances against General Pinckney’s doing it are strong, tho’ not quite so great; and with respect to Mr Smith, altho’ it would be a very agreeable choice to me, I am sure it would not concenter those opinions which policy would require. Mr Carroll of Carrolton, tho’ sensible, and attached to Federal measures, would find himself on quite new ground; and besides he has such large concerns of his own to attend to, & is so tenacious of them, that it is morally certain he could not be prevailed on to go.

Having taken this view of the subject, I am, by this days Post, writing to General Pinckney. This letter I shall enclose to Mr Marshall (as he is in the line, Mr Henry being much out of it) to be forwarded—or returned—as he shall decide with respect to himself4—In the meantime, as the offer ends with General Pinckney, other characters should be held in contemplation, in case of his refusal.

The letter to the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, in Philadelphia, appears to be well conceived, and is accordingly approved.5 The transmitted copy of Mr Monroes letter to [ ]6 must be erroneously dated—“Paris June 24th 1796”—I presume it is in the year, and should be 1795.

Go: Washington

Copy (docketed by GW), DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB, DNA: RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. Pickering received GW’s letter on 11 July (see his letter to GW, 12 July, found at Pickering to GW, this date, n.1). A transcript made in 1866 by Octavius Pickering, evidently from the letter received, is in MHi: Pickering Papers. Other than punctuation and the use of ampersands, it has only two differences from GW’s retained copy (see notes 3 and 6 below).

1GW evidently enclosed Attorney General Charles Lee’s letter to him of 4 July. The eminent lawyers have not been identified. For the circular instructing collectors, see Pickering’s third letter to GW, 21 July, n.3.

2GW had docketed Pickering’s first (secret) letter of 4 July with a date of 2 July and evidently is referring to that letter.

3This word is “required” in the transcript.

4For GW’s determination on how to proceed with replacing James Monroe as U.S. minister to France, see his letter to John Marshall, this date.

5For Pickering’s letter of 1 July to French minister Pierre-Auguste Adet, see the Cabinet to GW, 2 July, n.2.

6The transcript gives “Doctr Logan” as the name. For this letter from Monroe to George Logan, see Pickering’s first letter to GW, 4 July, n.2.

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