51To James Madison from Timothy Pickering, 19 August 1796 (Madison Papers)
Last week I received the inclosed letter dated Pisa 24th March 1796, addressed to “Edmund Randolph Esqr. Secretary of Congress, Philadelphia,” from Filippo Mazzei, covering one to you, and yours covering one to Mr. Jefferson, of the same date. I opened the first of course, as a public letter; and the other two were not sealed. Not understanding the Italian language, I went in the evening to a...
52To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 16 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Expecting from Mr Blodget an improved design for a mediterranean passport, I delayed putting the one he sent me, & which I had the honor to lay before you, into the hands of the engraver. But receiving nothing more from him, I shewed his original design to Mr Wolcott & Mr McHenry who both approved of it, with some little alterations. The engraving has proved a more tedious work than I had...
53To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 12 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
This week I received letters from Colo. Humphreys dated the 4th and 8th of June. The latter covered an edict of the government of Portugal for opening a free port at Junguara, just at the Entrance of the harbour of Lisbon. Colo. Humphreys embraced this occasion to compliment the Minister on the liberal policy of the government, and to express his hopes that the subject of the free admission of...
54To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 3 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
In my letter of the 30th ulto which was forwarded by post the first instant, I had the pleasure to mention the arrival of the Spanish treaty, ratified by His Catholic Majesty. I now do myself the honor to transmit the treaty itself (being a duplicate original) with a proclamation, for your signature, in order to promulgate the same to the citizens of the U. States. I also inclose for your...
55To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 30 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
With very sincere pleasure I announce to you the ratification of the treaty with Spain. I received the ratified copy this day by the mail from New-York, with a certificate signed by the Prince of Peace and Mr Rutledge of the exchange of the ratifications, as on the 25th of April. I do not know why the certificate and the ratification on the part of Spain bear that date; for the treaty ratified...
56To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 29 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
(private) About noon to-day Mr John Churchman, who has been these two or three years in Europe, on account of his supposed discoveries relative to the variation of the Magnetic Needle, called at the office. He came last from Bourdeaux, and was the bearer of Mr Monroe’s letter of the 2d of May. I told him it had been broken open; & after a few questions, asked him to give me a certificate of...
57To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 29 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honoured with your letter of the 25th and agreeably to your directions have had a commission made out for Samuel Williams to be Consul of the U. States at Hamburg, & now inclose it for your signature. I will take care to advise Mr Monroe of the appointment. The untoward situation of the Cannon foundaries last year, excited apprehensions that the Contractors might fail of...
58To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 27 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
On the 25th I received letters from Colo. Humphreys dated April 30. May 30. & June 1. accompanied by a large packet from Mr Barlow at Algiers. The substance of the information respecting the pending treaty with Algiers is, That Mr Donaldson had gone to Leghorn, with orders from Mr Barlow to transmit two hundred thousand dollars to Algiers, which would procure the redemption of our captive...
59To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 26 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
In the letter with which you honored me, bearing date the 27th of June, your expressed your approbation of John Davis, the late Comptroller, to be appointed to the office of District Attorney of Massachusetts, provided his professional knowledge (of which you had no correct information) should be deemed adequate to the discharge of its duties, and he would place himself in a situation to...
60To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 21 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
(Private) I received this morning your favour of the 18th. The subjects of it shall have all the attention of which I am capable. De la Croix exhibition of the causes of complaint from the French Republic against the “ government ” of the U. States (which you will receive with Colo. Monroe’s answer in my public letter of this date) will place you at ease with respect to that country. The...
61To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 21 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a letter from Colo. Monroe, dated the 2d of May (and which was received late in the evening of last Tuesday) with the papers accompanying it, containing the complaints of the French Republic against the Government of the United States, and Mr Monroe’s answer to those complaints. I have only substituted a translation of the statement of M. De la Croix, the French...
62To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 21 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
On the receipt of your letter directing the mode suggested by the attorney general, of obtaining passports by American seamen, to be carried into effect, I communicated the same to the Secretary of the Treasury. We were both of opinion that the circular letter of instructions to the Collectors of the Customs would more properly be signed & transmitted by him than by me; the collectors being...
63To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 20 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
(private) Last evening, about nine o’clock, when sitting in my office, the Messenger brought me a letter from Mr Monroe. When going to open it, I found it had already been broken open, but the broken edges of the paper had been slightly fastened again by introducing some pieces of wafer. The original sealing, as usual with Colo. Monroe’s letters, was with wax. The wife of the Messenger went to...
64To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
(private) I was honored with your confidential letter of the 13th and showed it to the other two secretaries. Last Friday Mr Dawson called on the Secretary of War, and mentioned his being on a journey to the eastward, to contract for the manufacturing of five thousand stand of arms for the State of Virginia; and requested his information where he might apply without interfering with any...
65To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
(private) This morning I received the inclosed letter from Mr Dayton, expressing fully his opinion of Mr Israel Ludlow, whose application for the office of Surveyor General I had the honor lately to transmit to you. While it must be acknowledged that Mr Dayton is perfectly competent to pronounce accurately on the character of a man so well known to him as Mr Ludlow must be, it is proper for me...
66To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose for your information a copy of the letter I sent this day to the Minister of the French Republic, in answer to his enquiry relative to the prohibition of the sale of prizes brought by French armed vessels into the ports of the United States. I presume the answer will preclude any reply; the rather because similar ideas have been formally reported to the council of...
67To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 18 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
As soon as you had decided on the expediency of substituting a consul in the place of Mr Parrish at Hamburg, I requested Mr FitzSimons at Philadelphia, and Mr King at New-York, to enquire for a suitable person to succeed him. I also wrote to Mr Cabot at Boston making the same request. The two former gentlemen informed me that they found no fit character in Philadelphia or New-York. Last Friday...
68To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 16 July 1796 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Howell, the Commissioner for settling the St. Croix boundary, has been here this week, & started the following questions. 1. “How far will it be proper for Mr. Howell to use his discretion in refusing to draw lots for the third Commissioner, in case the British Commissioner shall persist in proposing a gentleman on his part who may be, in Mr. Howell’s opinion, not an indifferent person?”...
69To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 16 July 1796, enclosing Timothy Pickering to Alexander Hamilton, 16 July 1796 (Jay Papers)
Some doubts having arisen on the mode of executing the 5th article of the British treaty, relative to the river S t . Croix, I wrote this morning a letter to Colonel Hamilton on the Subject, and requested him to converse with you. But he may chance to be absent; and as M r . Howell will in the course of two or three days be returning to Rhode Island through your city, I thought it expedient to...
70To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 15 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received from the Minister of the French Republic an answer to my letter of the 1st instant, and have now the honor to inclose a translation of it. His entire ignorance of any new orders from his government relative to neutral vessels trading with the enemies of the French Republic, may authorize a conclusion, that none have been issued: and that the captures & appropriations (not...
71To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 13 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
(Private) I saw Mr Vaughan last evening, whom I had desired to ascertain Mr Adet’s intentions relative to a journey to Mount Vernon. He had made some indirect enquiries, & is inclined to think the journey will be made, but suspended for four or five weeks. He will endeavour to reduce the matter to a certainty, & give me the earliest information. Last evening a Mr Bird, a London merchant, gave...
72To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 13 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
In your last dispatches were received two patents passed by the Attorney General for your signature, which I now return for that purpose. I have also the honor to inclose a duplicate commission for John Trumbull Esqr. The original went by Mr King; and to be with perfect respect, sir, your most obt servant ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA : RG 59, Domestic Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence...
73To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 11 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to the intimation in your letter respecting a surveyor general, I take the liberty to inclose the application of Israel Ludlow, with the certificates of recommendation which he has this morning delivered to me. He is about twenty nine years of age, of a good person and agreeable manners. I have thought it proper on this occasion to inclose the applications of Mr John Hall & Joseph...
74To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 8 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 1st and 4th instant. On the appointment of a superintendant of Indian Affairs in the room of Governor Blount—and on the running & marking the Cherokee boundary, I expect to be able to report to you on Monday next the opinion of the Heads of Departments. The Secretary of the treasury informs me that he directed the Comptroller...
75To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 4 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
(Secret) I have the honor to inclose the concurrent opinions of the heads of departments on the points stated in your letter of the 24th ulto and I return the confidential copy of Colo. Hamilton’s letter, agreeably to your direction. The letter to Mr Adet was sent to him on Saturday. The paper inclosed by Mr Monroe in his letter to Dr Logan gave a very long detail about French affairs. In the...
76To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 4 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 29th ulto on Saturday. Mr Liston has promised the necessary letters for Colo. Talbot, & to deliver them to me by the ensuing Thursday; and about Friday he proposes to set out for Mount Vernon. The Chevalier de Freire told me ten days ago, that he should regulate his movements by those of Mr Liston, whose departure for Mount Vernon he waited. Mr Liston last evening...
77To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 27 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
In my last I mentioned the arrival of Mr DeWitt. On saturday afternoon he delivered me the inclosed letter, expressing his reason for not accepting the office of surveyor general. The same day, in the forenoon, I received the inclosed letter from Colo. Thomas Tinsley of Virginia, desiring the appointment of Register of the Continental Land-Office; by which he doubtless means the office of...
78To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 22 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a translation of Mr Adet’s letter relative to the capture of the ship Mount Vernon. It seems to be studiously reserved. Besides the case in question, my letter invited a frank & candid communication of any information on the subject. Whatever orders the Directory may have given to their new Commissioners gone to St Domingo, relative to neutrals trading with the...
79To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 12 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
Reflecting on the proposed application to Mr Liston respecting our seamen impressed in the West Indies, I thought a more effectual mode than a conversation, would be to address him by letter. While in the country to-day, I draughted the inclosed for that purpose. I also sketched a letter to Mr Adet on the subject of the piratical privateer which has captured one of our ships, and in effect...
80To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 10 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
I inclose draughts of instructions for Mr Trumbull and Colo. Talbot. The latter will not be able to sail for the West Indies until about the 20th of July. Reflecting on Mr Trumbull’s situation in England, and the nature of the service to be performed there, I have not a doubt but that 2500 dollars will be a satisfactory compensation. I mentioned to his brother Jonathan £500. Sterling, who did...
81To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 8 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has examined with as much attention as the time would permit, the several acts of the late session of Congress, & noted the points requiring the acts or directions of the President of the U. States, which notes are respectfully laid before him. The Secretary also presents the draught of instructions for the person who is to go to London to aid the Commissioners on...
82Enclosure: Acts Requiring Presidential Action, c.8 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
Act may 17th 1796—empowers the President to appoint Superintendants of the Light house to be erected on Cape Cod. Act may 17th 1796—empowers the President to approve of the locations of certain lands granted to Ebenezer Zane. Act may 18th 1796, empowers the President to appoint a Surveyor General—also an agent to join in the direction of the sales of land to be made at Pittsburg—The President...
83To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 6 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed papers were sent to me by the Secretary of the Treasury. The wrapper, on which is written the opinion of Mr Harrison, the Auditor, gives a concise & just statement of the case on which John Skinner Esqr. late Marshall of North Carolina founds his claim of compensation. His demand is for 900 dollars, being a commission of three per cent on 30,000 dollars, the sum illegally taken...
84To John Jay from Timothy Pickering, 4 June 1796 (Jay Papers)
In the last Article of the British Treaty, concluded between you and Lord Grenville on the 19 th : of November 1794, it is agreed that there shall be added to it other Articles which for want of time and other circumstances could not then be perfected. As it is intended to authorize M r . King to enter into further negotiations with Great Britain, I shall feel myself greatly obliged by your...
85To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 3 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the United States a note from Mr Liston, his Britannic Majesty’s Minister plenipotentiary, with copies of two letters, one from Lord Dorchester, the other from the Sheriff of Montreal; and expresses his concurrence with Mr Liston in the opinion, That while the reciprocal delivery of murderers & forgers is expressly stipulated in...
86To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 31 May 1796 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a report on the memorial and petition of William Somarfall & son & John Price, merchants of Charleston, South Carolina, yesterday referred to me by the Senate; and to be with perfect respect, / Sir, / Your most obedient servant DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
87To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 31 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to inclose a letter from our Consul at Cadiz, with one for the President. The secretary recollects a Colo. Tatem’s calling on him last summer. He said he had been formerly in the southwestern territory—talked about very valuable maps of the U. States or some of them which he had made and was making; but needed pecuniary aid to complete & publish his...
88To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 24 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the U. States—the draught of A message to Congress on the subject of Genl St Clair’s letter— Message to the Senate naming a district attorney for Massachusetts— A letter to Mr Pinckney —and A letter to Mr Parrish, Consul of the U. States at Hamburg. ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence...
89To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 21 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
A demand is presented to me for 1868 49/100 dollars for transcripts of proceedings on American Vessels in the Vice Admiralty Court of Dominica, & other expences connected therewith; and some other smaller demands are depending. I have on hand but 1612 26/100 dollars. I therefore request the Presidents order on the Treasury Department for One Thousand Dollars, to enable me to discharge the...
90To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 20 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the U. States three papers of nominations. To that respecting the Spanish treaty he wished to have added a name for a commissioner for the spoliations: but is not satisfied about a suitable character. He has examined the Constitution of Pennsylvania & by that, the office of Mayor of Philadelphia, which comprehends the office of a...
91To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 20 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully returns the papers from Newbern, with the draught of an answer which seemed to him pertinent to the occasion. Mr Smith thinks it would by no means suit Mr Izard to undertake the St Croix business. In conversing afterwards on the subject with Mr King, Mr Cabot & Mr Ames, and looking over all the States eastward of Pennsylvania, no character appeared so...
92To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 18 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the United States a list of names for public offices, in the form of a message to the Senate. The Secretary expected to have added to the list the name of a consul for Bremen: but his doubts as to the person among the candidates entitled to a preference not having been otherwise resolved, he had recourse to Mr R. Morris, who...
93To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 12 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
As far as I have been able, I have stated in the inclosed paper the objects which I conceived you wished to consider, as deducible from various letters from our ministers and consuls abroad. There are others of a subordinate nature, or which respect situations which do not demand instant decision; but which will be resumed & pursued as soon as I find relief from the present anguish of my...
94Enclosure: Report on Foreign Affairs, 12 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
Mr Pinckney having desired to relinquish his mission and return to America, there will be a vacancy for a minister at London. Mr King has intimated that it would be agreeable to him to succeed Mr Pinckney. At all events, without fixing on the time, Mr King contemplates a relinquishment of his seat in the Senate. A minister of his abilities & experience & law-knowledge would seem peculiarly...
95To James Madison from Timothy Pickering, 12 May 1796 (Madison Papers)
I have this morning received a letter from Colo. Monroe, covering the account of the sums paid for books &c. for the department of war, amounting to 2570 livres & 6 deniers. I have sent the letter and account to the Secretary of War, on whom is devolved the duty of making payment. The account transmitted with the books was made out in Assignats. That now received gives the rates of...
96To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 9 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President a letter of March 29th from Governor Blount with the address to him from the General Assembly of Tennessee, which were handed to the Secretary this day by Mr Cocke, a Senator Elect from that government. When the Secretary told Mr Cocke that the letter with its inclosure should be laid before the President, Mr Cocke expressed...
97To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 15 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State begs leave to inform the President of the United States, that the patent for Benjamin Tyler is destined to be carried to him by Mr Strong, who will leave town to-morrow morning by three o’clock. If the President should find time to attend to it before this evening, the Secretary will then have the honor to receive it at the President’s house. ALS , DNA : RG 59,...
98To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 13 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the United States letters from Colo. Humphreys from No. 24. to No. 29th—the numbers 27. 28 & 29 with inclosures, the Secretary has not been able to examine and arrange till now—they were received yesterday. ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. These letters...
99To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 7 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully requests the President of the United States to grant him an order on the Secretary of the Treasury for Two thousand dollars, to enable him to continue the payment of the expences attending the procuring of copies of the proceedings of the British Courts of Vice Admiralty in the cases of captures by the armed vessels of that nation. ALS , DNA : RG 59,...
100To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 7 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honour to lay before the President of the U. States, copies of the estimates relative to the treaties with Great Britain, Spain, Algiers & the Indian Tribes northwest of the river Ohio, and a copy of the letter from the Secretary to the President of the Senate & to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, which accompanied those estimates, when he laid the...