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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

T. PICKERING, SECRETARY OF STATE, TO JOHN ADAMS. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 8 (Letters and State Papers 1782-1799) [1853]

Edition used:

The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 8.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

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T. PICKERING, SECRETARY OF STATE, TO JOHN ADAMS.

Trenton, 21 August, 1798.

Sir,—

I inclose a letter which I received last evening under cover from M. Pedro Josef Caro, accompanied by a letter from Mr. King, intended as an introduction to M. Caro; but the latter having missed a passage to the United States, in the British cutter which sailed from Falmouth to New York on the 20th of April, and circumstances requiring his arrival in South America with as little delay as possible, he forwarded the packet to me. A copy of the translation of his letter to me I have the honor to inclose.

Under the same cover to me were inclosed two letters, one for Colonel Hamilton, the other for General Knox, which I forward by this post to those gentlemen.1

I am, with perfect respect, &c.

Timothy Pickering.

[1 ]An extract of the letter to General Hamilton is to be found in the Edinburgh Review, vol. xiii. p. 291. It is quite obvious from the late publication of his works, that he, as well as the members of the cabinet in his confidence, contemplated an offensive war against Spain, both in the West Indies and South America. Hamilton to Gunn, Hamilton’s Works, vol. v. p. 184, at the bottom of the page. McHenry to Hamilton, p. 283, and Hamilton to McHenry, same date, same page. Hamilton to Otis, vi. 391. Wilkinson’s Memoirs of my own Times, vol. i. p. 440.

A remarkable indication of Mr. McHenry’s acquaintance with these projects is seen in his answer to General Hamilton’s letter, recommending General Wilkinson to promotion. Entertaining the suspicion, then common, that that officer was in the interest, if not in the pay of Spain, he declared him not fit to be trusted with the knowledge of any project of attack upon the possessions of that country. McHenry to Hamilton, vol. iv. p. 282.