Timothy Pickering Letters for the years 1763 thru 1814

Harvard College, MA - 14 February 1763

It is the common opinion of people that to play a game at cards is (almost) an unpardonable crime. But what renders it more odious than other diversions ?

Salem, MA - 8 July 1772

You must, Sir, ere now apprehend the design of this letter, if you have never heard that I am desirous of being appointed joint Clerk with Mr. Bowditch.

Salem, MA - 21 March 1774

When you have informed me of your design in making this request, I shall be able to give you a further answer.

Salem, MA - 25 August 1774

It will he agreeable to you to have an authentic account of the recent transactions in this town.

Salem, MA - 26 April 1775

I am still of opinion that a pacification upon honorable terms is practicable. This opinion I declared in the council of war at Cambridge last Thursday

Salem, MA - 2 May 1775

You as rightly as fully believe that we feel a sincere friendship for each other ; and let it be lasting as our lives. I regret the separation which probably must soon take place ; but God grant it may be a short one.

Salem, MA - 16 October 1775

I cannot forbear expressing my surprise at the principle advanced by a certain gentleman, with respect to the appointment of civil officers.

Salem, MA - 31 January 1776

We were therefore induced to try another method, and the Committee of Safety gave the enlisting orders to a worthy man and good soldier who had served as a Lieutenant in the army the last campaign, and offered a month's pay in advance to all who woul

Danbury, CT - 12 January 1777

I arrived at Danbury on Thursday night, the 2d of January, in company with General Lincoln, who, going on the next day for Peekskill, directed me to tarry here, to forward the militia as they arrived.

Bedford, NY - 14 January 1777

Yesterday I walked from Danbury to this place twenty long miles in company with Mr. Cabot and two other gentlemen.

Salem, MA - 9 April 1777

I esteem it a singular honor done me by your Excellency in offering me the post of Adjutant-General ; and it pains me sensibly that I am obliged to decline it.

Salem, MA - 14 April 1777

I sent, by the express, an answer to your letter respecting the office of Adjutant-General, and gave what appeared to me sufficient reasons to excuse my declining to accept it ; but I have since been uneasy lest you should deem them otherwise

Boston, MA - 7 May 1777

And since, notwithstanding all my objections, tis your Excellency's pleasure, I am happy to declare my acceptance of it. At the same time, I am constrained, from my real feelings, again to express my fears that I shall fall short of your Excellency's

Middlebrook, NJ - 23 May 1777

I embrace the first opportunity since my arrival here to write you. I am very happy in the General's family. His secretaries and aides-de-camp are gentlemen of education, and of the most polite, obliging manners.

Morristown, NJ - 6 July 1777

The enemy having entirely quitted Jersey, and the General suspecting they might go up the North River, the army moved up from Middle Brook, last Thursday, to this place, to be nearer to Peekskill.

Morristown, NJ - 26 July 1777

But, having advanced a dozen miles into the Clove, we halted, having reason to doubt, from the enemy's movements and the best intelligence we could obtain, whether they were bound up the North River or to the eastward, or not.

Philadelphia, PA - 1 August 1777

Last night the General and his family arrived here. Yesterday morn ing, about half after nine o clock, an express came to the General to inform him of the arrival of the enemy's fleet at the Capes of the river.

Potsgrove, PA - 25 September 1777

Although our loss in the battle of Brandywine was not so great as the enemy's, yet since then it has been much larger; I mean by straggling and desertions

Whitemarsh, PA - 4 November 1777

pleased as I am with this proof of your fond affection, I do not wish you to indulge such melancholy thoughts. I know tis difficult to control the mind.

Whitemarsh, PA - 15 November 1777

I was honored with your favor of the 8th instant, en closing a minute of Congress intimating my appointment to the Board of War.

Whitemarsh, PA - 18 November 1777

Colonel Harrison yesterday went to Reading to see General Mifflin, being in some doubt whether to accept or not. I hope ardently that he will, because he is a sensible, a diligent, a most worthy, honest man

Valley Forge, PA - 21 December 1777

You tell me you embraced the opportunity by Mr. Goodhue to write to me, though you had nothing new to acquaint me with ; and yet you filled up nearly three pages.

Valley Forge, PA - 24 December 1777

How many parents hearts have been rent with grief, how many widowed mates, how many spotless virgins (like the drooping lilies), have bowed their heads, oppressed with sorrow, at the loss of children, husbands, lovers !

Philadelphia, PA - 11 August 1780

You will doubtless, ere this reaches you, have been informed that Congress have been pleased to appoint me Quartermaster-General.

Newburg - 18 February 1781

General Knox informed me, to-day, that no artillery was to go from hence. I had previously ordered fifty draught-horses to be impressed for transporting the artillery, ammunition, and tents.

Newburg - 14 April 1781

I had the honor to inform you, on my return from Philadelphia, of what passed there relative to the means of procuring the numerous supplies requisite in my department for the ensuing campaign ; and was unhappy that no prospect was presented of my ob

unknown - 0 July 1781

General Knox has called on me to-day, respecting a provision of horses for the light artillery. I have authorized Colonel Hughes to purchase one hundred for that service only

unknown - 5 October 1781

I immediately waited on the Intendant with Count Chastellux's letter, reciting the agreement he had made with me respecting the future employment of the vessels, and desiring him to pay me two thousand dollars

unknown - 23 October 1781

At Gloucester the dragoon horses, with their accoutrements, and the wagonhorses and wagons, were delivered up that day, and the whole committed by Colonel Dearborn to militia guards.

Philadelphia, PA - 8 February 1782

description

Philadelphia, PA - 23 February 1782

Your Excellency advised that the ox-teams should be assembled by the middle of May last year. I would request your direction for the present year on this head. The longer their assembling is delayed, consistent with the expected operations, the bette

Philadelphia, PA - 29 May 1782

While the Financier held up to my view the prospect of supplies, I presented the same to Colonel Hughes and at my own office, and thereby kept alive the hopes of the public creditors

Newburg - 18 January 1783

Your Excellency had but just left my quarters this evening, when a Deputy-Sheriff of Ulster arrested me. He showed me a writ, of which I beg leave to inclose a copy.

Philadelphia, PA - 31 December 1790

I have this moment received and read your very obliging letter of this date, expressing your entire approbation of my conduct in the conference, which, by your orders, I have lately held with the Seneca Indians.

Philadelphia, PA - 15 January 1791

General Knox informed me, that it would be agreeable to you that I should undertake the Superintendency of the northern Indians ; I mean particularly the Six Nations.

Philadelphia, PA - 27 July 1796

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 citizens

Washington, MD - 19 February 1807

A letter from Cowles Mead (also laid before us by the President) dated January 19th, says Col. Burr had surrendered himself to the Civil authority of the Mississippi Territory. He had with him 9 boats and about 100 men

Washington, MD -

We have our war-days and our peace-days at the seat of Government.

Washington, MD - 2 January 1808

I have come to this deliberate conclusion That Mr. Jefferson has determined not to enter into any treaty of amity and commerce with Great Britain.

Washington, MD - 2 January 1808

Mr. A. [Adams] was vehemently zealous for the embargo. The President had recommended the measure to the " consideration " of Congress.

Washington, MD - 9 January 1808

I have renewed my enquiry concerning the declaration of Mr. Jefferson last Spring, when he was sending back the British treaty.

Washington, MD - 11 January 1808

I have recd, your letter of the 9th. In one of mine to you, I think I stated Mr. Adams's extraordinary zeal to pass the embargo bill

Washington, MD - 15 January 1808

The Negociation in London was broken off because the President had tied up Mr. Monroe's hands, by forbidding him to treat on the affair of the Chesapeake but in connection with the other points in dispute.

Washington, MD - 17 January 1808

Dining abroad yesterday, I met, unexpectedly, Mr. Rose. From a short conversation, I have formed a good opinion as well of his abilities as of his disposition.

Washington, MD - 19 January 1808

If Mr. J. can prevent the clamours of the farmers and soothe the manufacturers by giving them monopolies, will he be persuaded to continue the embargo to the destruction of the navigation of the Northern States?

Washington, MD - 28 January 1808

You know that the direct object of Mr. Rose's Mission was to make reparation for the attack on the Chesapeake : but he will not treat on it, until the President's proclamation is rescinded, which laid the interdict on all British Ships of War.

Washington, MD - 9 February 1808

The number of federalists in the Senate is so small (only 5), and some of these of tender nerves, it is more than ever difficult to take a strong step.

Washington, MD - 19 February 1808

Yesterday we were confidently told that the Negociation with Mr. Rose was broken off. To-day the President nominated William Pinkney to be minister of the United States to the Court of London!

Washington, MD - 24 February 1808

The President talks freely of having Congress pass an act to enable him to remove the Embargo, when the French & British Governments annul their blockading decrees

Washington, MD - 26 February 1808

I wish you were nearer - within the reach of conversation. I give you the best information in my power ; and should be extremely happy to learn your opinions on all important occurrences.

Washington, MD - 4 March 1808

I have long entertained apprehensions ... that Mr. Jefferson had determined to evade a settlement of the Chesapeake affair ; and with the proclamation & embargo, effectually shut our ports against all British vessels

Washington, MD - 13 March 1808

At this moment recurs to me the remark made to me by the late excellent Mr. Hamilton in 1796, when he expressed to me his desire that Mr. King might be sent to London.

Washington, MD - 30 March 1808

To-day we had confidential communications from Mr. Pinkney

Washington, MD - 2 April 1808

For 3 days the opposition members have been engaged to draw forth Champagny's letter.

Washington, MD - 19 November 1808

It is manifestly the intention of Mr. Jefferson & party to continue the embargo, if they think it possible that the people will bear it.

Washington, MD - 8 January 1809

I requested some time ago information about the intrigues of Count Vergennes, when Mr. Jay was negotiating with Mr. Oswald on the terms of the Treaty of Peace.

Washington, MD - 21 January 1809

I have long entertained the opinion that Mr. Jefferson determined, at the outset, not to form a treaty of unity and commerce with G. B., and therefore insisted on some terms which he believed she would never admit.

Washington, MD - 2 February 1809

From the mouth of a reputable gentleman... whose name I am not at liberty to mention, Mr. Jefferson, last Summer, said he would rather the U. States should sink than that any alteration in his system should be made.

Washington, MD - 8 December 1809

Every engine which the views of unprincipled partizans could employ, has been set to work to excite popular odium against the British Minister, Mr. Jackson.

Washington, MD - 20 December 1809

At the same time American vessels were captured & condemned for attempting to carry on the same trade with the Spaniards.

Washington, MD - 2 February 1810

The inclosed copy of Mr. Jefferson's message to the Senate, in nominating Mr. Short minister to Russia, countenances your apprehensions and knowing as you do, the insidious character and bias of the man

Washington, MD - 5 February 1810

Your conjecture of the object of Mr. Adams mission to Russia is now supported by an occurrence in the H. of R. Smiley let the cat out of the bag.

Washington, MD - 9 March 1810

I know not one man of sense who supposes that Mr. Madison (any more than Mr. Jefferson) really wishes an adjustment of our differences with G. B.

Washington, MD - 27 December 1810

I inclose a subscription paper for a treatise on the American Hedge-Thorn by Thomas Main.

Washington, MD - 27 February 1811

I should advise you to plough and cultivate the strip of ground you wish to plant a hedge on ; and next year set the thorns.

Wenham, MA - 6 April 1812

...induces me to present to you my correspondence with Governor Sullivan, in which I have stated the circumstances respecting my conduct on the day of the battle of Lexington, not a syllable of which, to my knowledge, has ever been contradicted

Washington, MD - 22 October 1814

While the proposition respecting an Indian boundary was declared to be a sine qua non, the boundary itself admitted of modification ; and as within it, we are called upon to relinquish only our right of pre-emption