To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 14 September 1795
From Timothy Pickering
War Office Sept. 14. 1795.
Sir,
I have the honor to inclose a letter from Colo. Lowther to Governor Brooke, and an extract from the Governor’s letter of the 4th relating to it.1 I have written to the Governor that I should submit the matter to you.: In the mean time informing him that peace was now made with the Indian tribes on all the frontiers of the U. States; & that even Mero District was enjoying perfect tranquility; whence I hoped that the militia ordered by Colo. Lowther might speedily be recalled: a few scattered ruffians whom no general pacification could disarm, being the only cause for any precautions whatever.2 With the highest respect I am sir yr obt servt
Timothy Pickering
ALS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
1. William Lowther (1742–1814) was a militia colonel and county lieutenant for Harrison County, Virginia. The extract of his letter of 24 Aug. to Gov. Robert Brooke states: “From the repeated depredations committed by the hostile tribe of Indians I have been under the necessity at sundry times to call out parties of the militia but by the delay occasioned by that round of order, find it still ineffectual; therefore by Counsel of others with myself have thought it best to call out a Lieutenant and company for Harrison, and Ensign and company for Randolph, and have also augmented the number of scouts from Six to Nine for Harrison and Randolph, and keep them stationed in the most exposed part of each County, to be ready at any call, and to continue while necessity may require, or until I have further instructions from your Excellency” (DLC:GW).
The extract of Brooke’s letter to Pickering contained a statement that the governor hoped the action taken “will meet with the approbation of the Executive of the United States as they appear to have been highly necessary to the safety of the exposed Citizens in that Quarter” (DLC:GW).
2. Pickering’s letter to Brooke of this date is in PHi: Dreer Collection.