From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 17 October 1796
To Timothy Pickering
Mount Vernon 17th Octr 1796
Sir,
Your letter of the 11th instant was received by the last Post.1
Expecting to be at the Seat of Government by the first of next Month2 (if my Drivers, who have been sick are able to proceed) I shall be concise in this letter.
My Sentiments relatively to the appointment of Mr Benja. Bourne, to be District Judge for the State of Rhode Island, were communicated to you in my last, and it is with pleasure I find that the subsequen⟨t⟩ opinions from thence concur in the utility of the measure.3
As I am unable to account for the conduct of the French Directory as it respects our Treaty with Great Britain, and believe their ulterior measures depend upon circumstances which are not yet sufficiently developed I shall suspend giving any further sentiments on the subject until I return.4 In the mean time I desire that in this, and every other case, (within your department) requiring, any act of mine, may be in readiness for my decision, against my arrival in that City; as I shall be unwilling that any matters which can be dispatched previously, should interfere with my preparations for, or communications to Congress, at the ensuing Session.5
Go: Washington
LS (retained copy), DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters.
1. GW refers to Pickering’s letter to him of 11–12 October.
2. GW returned to Philadelphia on 31 Oct. (see GW to Hamilton, 2 Nov., and n.1 to that document).
3. For the recess appointment of Benjamin Bourne as U.S. district judge for Rhode Island, see GW to Pickering of 10 Oct., and n.4 to that document.
4. For the the French Directory’s decree to seize ships and goods bound for British ports, see Pickering to GW, 11–12 Oct., and n.12.
5. The second session of the Fourth Congress opened on 5 December. Two days later, GW delivered his annual message to Congress (see GW to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 7 Dec.).