George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-17-02-0306

To George Washington from Thomas Pinckney, 30 January 1795

From Thomas Pinckney

London 30th January 1795

Dear Sir

In a letter which I have lately received from the Secretary of State I am desired to make such arrangements as may be necessary previous to a Mission which you have prepared for me as Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of Spain.1 Although from a knowledge of the extent of your unavoidable correspondence, and of the value of your moments, I have generally avoided addressing you directly, yet while I officially express my readiness to undertake a business in which you think I may be of utility, I can not refrain from thus assuring you that I trust I feel the full import of the kindness and delicacy of this proceeding, as it personally concerns myself, and I beg leave to add the expression of the true respect and gratefu⟨l⟩ attachment with which I am Dear Sir Your faithful & affectionate Ser⟨vant⟩

Thomas Pinckney

ALS, PPRF; LS (duplicate), DLC:GW. Where the ALS is damaged, the text in angle brackets is taken from the LS.

1On 3 Nov. 1794 Edmund Randolph wrote Pinckney that “Mr. Bayard, who sails on Thursday as an Agent for those, who have suffered by British depredation, will be charged with both private and public dispatches from me to you. I drop you this line, to prepare you for a mission, which the President has prepared for you, as Envoy Extraordinary to Madrid.” Upon receipt of the letter, Pinckney was to take immediate steps “to make any arrangements, which may seem expedient before you quit London. The business relates to the Missisippi, will be temporary, and under present circumstances probably not dilatory” (DNA: RG 59, Diplomatic and Consular Instructions, 1791–1801).

On 8 Nov., Randolph sent a second letter to Pinckney in which he explained that he could not send Pinckney’s commission as envoy extraordinary to Madrid because the Senate had failed to convene on the appointed day and “to the very moment of Mr Bayard’s departure” (DNA: RG 59, Diplomatic and Consular Instructions, 1791–1801).

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