To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 1 March 1796
From Timothy Pickering
Department of State March 1. 1796.
Sir,
The Director of the Mint has presented the inclosed statement to show at what rate he can probably import ten tons of sheet copper for the mint.1 He can purchase no more here and all that has been purchased has been coined. The rate of exchange being extremely favourable at this moment, he wishes to obtain your approbation of his estimate to enable him to obtain from the Treasury the sum stated, viz. 5540 dollars to purchase the bills necessary to effect the importation on the best terms. I am with the highest respect sir your most obt servt
Timothy Pickering
ALS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB, DNA: RG 59, Domestic Letters; LB, DNA: RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State.
1. A transcript of Elias Boudinot’s statement, dated 1 March, can be found in DNA: RG 104, Letters Sent by the Director of the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia, 1795–1817. The transcript includes GW’s approval on this date (see also 333).