1To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 1 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully lays before the president four draughts of answers to the popular meetings. Of three there are duplicates; Mr Wolcott having formed draughts varying from those of the Secy of War. His reason is mentioned in the inclosed note. The President will choose the forms which shall best correspond with his own ideas. AL , DLC:GW . The note from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., and...
2To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 23 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Since sealing my letter of this date, my servant has brought me an answer from the Mayor, which I enclose. I am surprized at the number of deaths from Oct. 11th to the 22d. I will continue to advise you of the state of the disease, as often as I can obtain any new information. very respectfully yr most obedt servt ALS , DLC:GW .
3To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 12 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully informs the President of the United States, that he has been so much occupied as not to be able absolutely to decide on the question which the President did him the honour to propose yesterday for his consideration; and prays the indulgence of a little more time. AL , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW .
4To 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...
5To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 21 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully returns to the President his report on the claims of the Cohnawagas, or Seven Nations of Canada, with the draught of a letter which he thinks proper to go from the department of war, with the report, to the Governor of New-York. The Secretary also transmits a press copy of the report, to be lodged in the war-Office, which will enable the Secretary of War to...
6To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 17 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter from Mr Paleski, the Prussian Consul being marked “duplicate,” I suppose the Original may have already fallen under your notice. I thought it proper however to lay it before you: at the same time it appears to be so clear a case, that I have written an answer to Mr Paleski, suggesting that the prolonging of a treaty is tantamou[n]t to the making of a treaty, in which the...
7To 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...
8To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 2 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to lay before you the form of a pardon for Mitchell & Vigol, insurgents, for your signature. The petition inclosed for their pardon was received after you had decided to grant it. Some letters from Mr FitzSimons, & from me to Mr Deas are also inclosed for your information. I will wait on you to-morrow morning upon these subjects; and am most respectfully Sir Your obt servt...
9To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 30 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
Two vessels are to sail for England this week—one, as intended, to-morrow, and one on Thursday: by each a set of the dispatches for Mr Pinckney will be forwarded. Supposing that the Chevalier de Freire would be apprized of opportunities for Lisbon, I applied to him. Such direct conveyances rarely occur: He generally sends his letters to the care of his correspondent at Falmouth. I expressed to...
10To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 7 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State with great pleasure lays before the President of the United States the inclosed letters just received from Colo. Talbot, which confirm the utility of his mission, & the good-will of the British naval officers. ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. No reply to Pickering from GW has been found. The letters to Pickering from Silas Talbot, the U.S. agent in the West...
11To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 22 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter came under cover to me from Wm Lithgow Attorney for the district of Maine, which he says contains his resignation. Daniel Davis Esquire of Portland is a lawyer well recommended by the Members of Congress to suceed Mr Lithgow, & I think has been doing the business of the office since Mr Lithgow’s indisposition prevented his attending the courts. The enquiries concerning a...
12To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 20 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter dated the 17th from Judge Benson: He accepts the place of third Commissioner under the fifth article of the British treaty, and was to set out yesterday for Passamaquoddy, to meet there the other Commissioners on the third of October. The trust, he remarks, is not incompatible with his present office; and interfering with it only for a short time, his acceptance...
13To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 14 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
As the carved work for the frigates should be relative to their names, and will require a length of time to accomplish—there being but a single Carver here competent to the work for the frigates building at Philadelphia, Baltimore and Norfolk—the Captains, with Mr Humphreys the Constructor at this place, have represented the necessity of an early designation of the names of the Frigates. To...
14To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 13 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
The subject of the letter dated March 18. 1795, from Harry Innes Esqr. of Kentuckey, to the President of the United States, with the letter of James Smiley inclosed therein, has been considered by the Secretary of War; who now respectfully reports to the President. That by the letters of the late Secretary of War, the accounts of the service of scouts were directed to be certified on oath, by...
15To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 23 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the pleasure to present to the President a letter received this morning from Colo. Humphreys, by which it appears that Capt. OBrien & hands with the treasure are safe at Tripoli—and that the Dey of Algiers has demanded the delivery on pain of making war: there can be little doubt of the recovery of the money, seeing the Dey considers it as the property of the...
16To 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...
17To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 26 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully lays before the President a letter to Mr Adet, in answer to his of the 19th inst. Mr Wolcott approves of it. The Secretary of War will wait on the President at nine o’clock, to receive his orders on the subject. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. The docket states that Pickering wrote the letter “doing the dutyes of the Secrety of State” (see GW to...
18To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 15 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the United States, the letter of resignation of Mr Benjamin Joy, late consul of the United States at Calcutta; and the recommendations of Mr William James Miller late of Philadelphia, now established at Calcutta, as a fit person to succeed Mr Joy in the Consulate. In addition to the testimonies inclosed in favour of Mr Miller,...
19To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 18 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Pittsburg mail is arrived, but no letter from General Wayne. I suspect he has sent dispatches by an officer who is taking the route thro’ the Wilderness. Mr Hodgden this moment mentions the intelligence he had from his neighbour Mr Vanuxem, a mercantile agent for the French, who told him last evening, that the Secretary of the French Legation here said that a national vessel had arrived at...
20To 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,...
21To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 24 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to lay before the President of the U. States this day received from Mr Adams & Mr Deas. Mr Bond informs the Secretary, that neither Major Beckwith nor any other person is coming from Canada on the subject of the posts. ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, GW’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. Pickering likely enclosed...
22To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the U. States the draught of an answer to the Grand Master of Malta. If approved & signed, the Secretary proposes to commit the same to the care of M. Maisonneuve who desires to be Consul at Malta, who forwarded the letter from the Grand Master, and to whom Mr La Colomb (who is settled in Philadelphia) will send the packet by a...
23To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 16 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter from Governor St Clair was received yesterday by post. The proposed visit of the Chiefs of the Sioux, Puans &c. will be postponed of course, at least for one year— unless they come forward without an invitation or consent. Were it otherwise, I should doubt the expediency of the visit. All the means of attaching those numerous Indian nations to the United States it would...
24To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 2 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
At the request of the Chairman of the Committee on the bill for regulating trade with the Indian Tribes, I furnished him with a copy of Governor Blount’s letter mentioning the intended intrusions on the Cherokee lands; and also with a copy of the Attorney General’s letter to me on that subject. The chairman called upon me last evening, and suggested, that if the President officially...
25To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 7 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully informs the President, that if Mr Wolcott has completed the information he undertook to obtain relative to Spanish commerce, there will be nothing to prevent the President’s commencing his journey to-morrow. For it is found impracticable to prepare instructions for further negociations with G. Britain, the instructions & correspondence of Mr Jay being...
26To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 20 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The President will read with pleasure the postscript of the inclosed letter from Robert Montgomery our Consul at Alicante, which I have received this day—excepting what relates to the capture of another American vessel by Tripo⟨li⟩ concerning which however Mr Barlow’s words are consoling. The last sentence broken by the seal I read thus—“I have taken now what I think will be effectual measures...
27To 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...
28To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 12 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the United States, lists of the names of such persons as his enquiries or personal knowledge induce him to think eligible for the respective objects prefixed to the lists. Theophilus Parsons Massachusetts Judge Hobart New-York Edward Tilghman } Pennsylvania Thomas FitzSimons Gunning Bedford (Judge) Delaware Christopher Gore...
29To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 6 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President a letter & inclosure received to-day from the Governor of Virginia, by which it appears that he has given orders to detain the vessels destined to export the horses purchased by the British in Virginia. Seeing the Executive of that state entertains such erroneous ideas on the subject, it seemed to the Secretary expedient to transmit...
30To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President the draught of a letter to communicate to Congress the report of the Director of the Mint. His report last year was laid before each house thro’ the Secretary, by the President’s direction. If approved, the present report will be communicated to-day. ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. Pickering’s draft letter to Congress...
31To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 4 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter from Genl Wayne has just arrived at this office. Peace with the Indians seems no longer doubtful. The act of Congress correcting an error in a former act about the bounty to soldiers who should reinlist, was passed the 29th of January, and on the 31st I forwarded it with that to which it related, to General Wayne, for his information on the subject of recruiting. His letter...
32To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 1 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
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. 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...
33To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 10 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to inform the President of the United States, that having examined the Constitution & the law respecting the President & Vice President of the U. States, he sees no part requiring that the Vice-President elect should come to the Seat of Government to take the oath to support the Constitution of the U.S. which appears to be the only oath required of him....
34To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 18 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor to request the approbation of the President of the United States, of the purchase of copper made by the Director of the mint, agreeably to the inclosed account, amounting to three thousand two hundred & fifty one dollars & seven cents—being nearly 2½ cents per pound cheaper than the preceeding purchase. ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA :...
35To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 11 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
Since closing my letter of this date, arrived a letter from Major Craig at Pittsburg in which is this passage. “The quarter master general by his letter of the 3d ulto (August) informs me a treaty with all the western Indians was concluded on that day.” The hour for closing the mail is past; but I shall request a new mail to be formed, that this intelligence may not be delayed. With the...
36To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 23 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you by Monday’s post. That afternoon I went to see Mr Peters; and had the pleasure to find that your accommodation and a suitable provision for Congress had engaged the attention of him and divers other citizens of Philadelphia who were scattered in the adjacent country. They have had some consultations on the subject; and will continue them until suitable provision shall be made; of...
37To 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...
38To 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...
39To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully presents to the President the name of Mr George Clymer for one of the Commissioners to hold the treaty with the Creek Indians. Mr Fitzsimons, it is understood, will contest Mr Swanwick’s election for the city of Philadelphia. Mr John D. Cox is highly esteemed for his integrity and candour—his law-knowledge and sound judgement: But he is thought to be slow in...
40To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 12 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
General Wayne has requested leave to visit his friends and his home. I wrote to him that your absence from philadelphia prevented a decision on his request. It will be desirable to send him an answer by next Saturday’s post: and lest accident should prevent your arrival here before that time, I send this and a duplicate to meet you either at Baltimore or other place beyond it; requesting to be...
41To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 13 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary respectfully lays before the President of the United States a letter from Governor Blount this moment received by Express, with Genl Robertson’s letter of the 13th of January & the Governor’s answer. Genl Robertson’s letter of Jany 9th mentioned by the Governor in his answer to the General was not inclosed. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . James Robertson’s letter to William Blount...
42To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 31 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the U. States, a letter from Colo. Humphreys dated Octr 6. just received, with inclosures from Mr Barlow. There is but too much reason to fear for the fate of Capt. O’Brien. He sailed from Lisbon the 4th or 5th of August for Algiers, with 225,000 dollars on board. The Secretary has also received to-day another letter from Colo....
43To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 14 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
I submit to your consideration the inclosed draught of instructions for Messrs Ellicott & Freeman, for running the boundary line between the U. States and the Spanish colonies of East & West Florida; and am, most repectfully, your obedt servant I have just heard that Capt. German is arrived, & consequently Mr Pinckney, from Charleston. ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG...
44To 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,...
45To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 14 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a letter from Colo. Lowther to Governor Brooke, and an extract from the Governor’s letter of the 4th relating to it. I have written to the Governor that I should submit the matter to you.: In the mean time informing him that peace was now made with the Indian tribes on all the frontiers of the U. States; & that even Mero District was enjoying perfect tranquility;...
46To 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...
47To 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...
48To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 14 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
Mr FitzSimons has sent me three bills amounting to upwards of five hundred dollars, drawn by the agents in the W. Indies & Halifax for the expences of obtaining copies of the papers in the spoliation cases. I presented them to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment: but to avoid the tediousness of paying such small sums in the form used at the treasury, he desired me to request from the...
49To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the United States the draught of instructions and a seperate letter for Mr Pinckney, relative to further negociations with Great Britain, the Secretary not supposing a formal commission would be necessary. Should he be mistaken, there will be time to prepare a commission, as the ship favourite will not sail till Tuesday. ALS ,...
50To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 31 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War respectfully informs the President that General Rochambeau, who some time ago proposed sailing for France, now expects to depart next Monday, & will gladly take any letters or commands with which the President may have occasion to honour him. AL , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The following Monday was 2 November. Donatien-Marie-Joseph de Vimeur, vicomte de Rochambeau, had come to...