231From Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering, [21 July 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I communicated your letter to Mr. Jay & now give you our joint sense. Considering the nature of the transaction and what must necessarily have been presumed to be the intent, & that the authority is on a public subject & between two nations, we think that a decision by two out of three commissioners must be sufficient. We know nothing but an immediate personal interest in property which may be...
232From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 25 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private Your private letters of the 19th 19th, and 20th instant have been duly received. The request of Mr J. Jones, to forward his letter to Colo. Monroe, is opposed to the speedy departure of Mr D—— for France; and yet the Gentleman who gave me the information spoke of it as a matter not doubtful: but added indeed (a circumstance I did not mention in my former letter) that it was on Mr Swan...
233From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 25 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 18th and 19th instant were received by fridays Post the 22d. If the answer which you returned to the Minister of the French Republic, to his enquiry relative to the prohibition of the sale of Prizes, brought by French armed Vessels into the Ports of the United States; should, as it ought, preclude any reply, it would be very agreeable: but it has not been found, that where...
234From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 27 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your two letters—both bearing date the 21st instant—with their enclosures, were received by the last Mail to Alexandria. It would have been unfortunate, and much indeed to have been regretted, if the French government had had as great cause of complaint against the conduct of the United States, as they have shewn a disposition to complain. It was natural to expect, tho’ it was not easy to...
235From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 27 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private Your private letter of the 21st instant has been received. Mr Monroe, in every letter he writes, relative to the discontents of the French government at the conduct of our own, always concludes without finishing his story, leaving great scope to the imagination to divine what the ulterior measures of it will be. There are some things in his correspondence, & your letters, which I am...
236From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 1 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 26th and 27th Ulto were received by the Post on friday last. Forwarding without further direction, the Commission appointing Mr Davis Attorney for the District of Massachusetts in place of Mr Otis, after satisfactorily ascertaining those points which had occasioned the hesitation, was perfectly conformable to my intention. I rejoice to find by the account you have given of...
237From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 5 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private Your private letters of the 29th & 30th have been received. If Mr Churchmans account respecting the broken seal of Mr Monroes letter, to the Department of State be true, it bespeaks the man of candour, and does him credit; but I do not see why, when called upon, he should require time to consider whether he should relate the truth—or “give a certificate that might excite suspicions of...
238From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private The last Post brought me the enclosed letter from General Pinckney. It becomes necessary now to prepare Instructions for him without delay. To bring him fully and perfectly acquainted with the conduct and policy of this government towards France &c. and the motives which have induced the recall of Mr Monroe. As this measure will excite, when known, much speculation; and set all the...
239From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 2 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your private letter of this date, & will arrest the talk intended for the Cherokee Indns until it can be further considered. For this purpose I send the one I have just received from you, back again; with a request that you would pursue the remarks you have begun; and let me have them as soon as you can, conveniently, in the morning; that I may be possessed of them before I see...
240From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed is approved, and if there is any Authentic ground to go upon, it ought to be extended to the case of Captn Jessup by strong & solemn expostulation or remonstrance. This conduct of G. Britain cannot, must not be suffered with impunity. ALS , ViMtvL . See Pickering to GW, this date . After receiving GW’s reply, Pickering wrote a second letter to Rufus King, U.S. minister to Great...