From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 29 June 1796
To Timothy Pickering
(Private)
Mount Vernon 29th June 1796
Dear Sir,
Did Mr Liston furnish the letter you asked of him, in favor of Cap: Talbots agency, to the West Indies?1 Has any representation been made to him, independent of that application, consequent of the evidence you have recd of the Impressment of our Seamen?
When I left Philadelphia, it was expected, & from Mr & Mrs Liston2 themselves, that they were to follow us in ten days; and allowing a few days between, the Chevr & Madam de Friere was to follow them: Since which I have not heard a word of either; and am held in suspence. I gave the French Minister also an Invitation; and understood from Mr la Fayette that he proposed to set out for this place in ten days after they did; which was three days later than my doing it.
As uncertainty with respect to the coming of these Gentlemen and their ladies (the French Minister’s lady I have no reason to expect) and of the time they may be expected, is not very pleasant; some other arrangements being impeded thereby. I would thank you therefore or any of the other Gentlemen, if it can be accomplished indirectly—or at least without formality—to give me some items of their movements, and intentions; that I may know what to rely on, & regulate other matters accordingly.3
Is the Spanish Minister arrived in Philadelphia?4 If so, what do you understand to be his Plan? If he is not, what accounts have you of him? With very great esteem & regard I am—Dear Sir Your affectionate
Go: Washington
ALS, MHi: Pickering Papers. For Pickering’s reply, see his second letter to GW, 4 July.
1. GW is referring to Pickering’s letter to Robert Liston of 25 June (see Pickering to GW, 12 June, n.1).
2. Henrietta Marchant Liston (1751–1828), the daughter of an Antigua planter, married Robert Liston in February 1796 after a lengthy acquaintance (see xiii–xviii). Her husband began his duties as British minister to the United States in May 1796.
3. GW had left Philadelphia on 13 June (see his letter to David Humphreys, 12 June). For reports on visitors expected at Mount Vernon, see James McHenry to GW, 5 and 7 July. The Listons reached Mount Vernon on 20 July (see GW’s first letter to McHenry, 22 July, and n.2 to that document).
4. The new Spanish minister was Don Carlos Martinez de Yrujo y Tacon, later marqués de casa (Irujo; 1763–1824). He retained this post until 1807.
The Gazette of the United States (Philadelphia) for 11 June 1796 reported Yrujo’s arrival at Norfolk, Va., on 3 June. For his stay at Mount Vernon, see GW to Pickering, 4 July.