To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 18 September 1795
From Timothy Pickering
Philadelphia Sept. 18. 1795.
Sir,
Yesterday I received the inclosed letter from Mr Boudinot. Not knowing Dr Isaac Smith, I thought it would be your wish to have some information of him beyond what is communicated in that letter.1 And there being a connection between Mr Boudinot’s and Dr Rush’s family, I judged that I might make some confidential enquiries of the Doctor, with propriety and safety.
Doctor Rush knew Dr Smith—that his medical education was slender—but by the force of his own mind and application his acquirements in that line are respectable; that in every thing connected with philosophy he is decidedly superior to Mr B.—that he was an early and determined friend to our revolution; and the appointment of Dr Smith would in his opinion meet the approbation of the public. Dr Smith is a little older than Dr Rush. As a proof of his popular fitness for the office, Dr Rush mentioned that at the last election Dr Smith was elected a representative in Congress for the state of New-Jersey: a circumstance that I deemed myself fortunate in learning: for beside the general rule which I have understood you had laid down, to avoid appointing members of either house for permanent offices, it might be peculiarly inconvenient at this time: for Dr Smith it seems is a federal man and a steady supporter of government. The aid of every such man may be highly important at the commencement of the approaching session of Congress: and if Dr Smith should be placed in the mint, several months of the session might elapse before another representative might be chosen in his place; and possibly then he might be of different political sentiments.
I have conversed with Mr Wolcott; we are both of opinion that all things considered the appointment of Mr Boudinot would be most expedient. The various important stations he has filled and his established integrity will attach to the appointment ideas of propriety & respectability. The only circumstance unfavourable is, that he thinks he cannot enter on the office till November. But probably he may give some occasional attention to it in the mean time.
Mr Wolcott thinks the chimical knowledge which Mr B. deems so important, to be of little moment: and Dr Rush observed to me, that he could furnish Mr B. with books and information which would soon qualify him in that respect.
The two ships (Concord & Venus) bound to England have delayed their departure: but yesterday I was assured that they would sail this day. A set of the public dispatches for England goes in each; and one for Mr Munroe, to the care of Mr Deas. Another to Mr Munroe I intend to send to the care of our Consul at Hamburg, from whence I understand there is now a speedy conveyance to Holland & Paris.2 I am most respectfully sir, your obt servt
Timothy Pickering
ALS, DLC:GW; ALS (letterpress copy), MHi: Pickering Papers.
1. Elias Boudinot wrote to Pickering on 16 Sept.: “I have seriously reflected on the subject of the President’s polite & friendly offer made by your favour of the 10th Instt and altho’ I had determined to retire from public business, having no desire to engage in any, from pecuniary Views, yet I had as decidedly determined never to lead an idle life, but to be as active & useful in a private station as possible. I wish always to be employed, but not to be encumbered with business—If therefore I thought I could be useful to my Country in the department proposed, I should willingly do every thing in my power, to fill it with faithfulness & diligence.
“Any hesitation I have, arises from my want of chimical knowledge, which appears to be necessary to this Service—The Employments of my whole Life, have always led me another way, and altho’ this Science may be gained by application, I am almost too far advanced in Life to become a proficient there[i]n. I mention this difficulty to you, with the greater freedom, because I have it in my power to name a Gentleman to you, in this State, whose chimical Knowledge, liberal Education, acknowledged integrity & local Situation in Life, fit him so well for this Office, that duty to my Country, obliges me to bring him to your notice—It is Dr Isaac Smith of Trenton, the second Judge of our Supream Court. I am of opinion he would accept the appointment with pleasure—from a patriotic principle I would give way to him, with great Satisfaction.
“But if the President should decline his appointment, I will endeavour to do the best I can in the Office—If I find on Experience that I am unequal to the Task, I can but resign to some better Man.
“As I am not anxious for the Salary, I hope not to be attached to the Office longer than I can fill it with honor & propriety.
“It will be the begining of November before I could fill the department by a personal Attendance, as it will take some time to move my family to Rosehill, where I shall reside.”
Pickering placed an asterisk after the word “November” and noted at the end of the document: “In my letter to Mr B. I informed him that Mr Desaussure ‘wished to be relieved as soon as possible; tho’ if necessary he would continue to the end of this month’ September” (ALS, DLC:GW).
2. The dispatches for England included ratified copies of the Jay Treaty and probably Pickering’s letters to William Allen Deas of 12, 14, and 15 Sept., and his letter to Samuel Bayard of 15 Sept. (DNA: RG 59, Diplomatic and Consular Instructions, 1791–1801). The dispatches for James Monroe evidently included Pickering’s letters to him of 12 and 14 Sept. (DNA: RG 59, Diplomatic and Consular Instructions, 1791–1801; see also 3:447–55).