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

TO T. PICKERING, SECRETARY OF STATE. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 9 (Letters and State Papers 1799-1811) [1854]

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. 9.

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

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TO T. PICKERING, SECRETARY OF STATE.

The Attorney-General has left with me, and I now send to you, a project of an explanatory article or treaty, and a project of a letter to Mr. King, desiring an ultimatum. There is no business before the government, at this time, of more importance than this, and I pray you to turn your attention to it, and prepare a draught of a letter to Mr. King, to be considered, if possible, on Monday evening at six o’clock, at my chamber, when I ask the favor of your company, with all the heads of department.2

[2 ]Mr. Wolcott’s memorandum of the advice given by him at the cabinet meetings on this subject, held on the 13th and 14th November, is given by Mr. Gibbs. Vol. ii. p. 306. He recommended that such a letter and project as the one here mentioned should be prepared. Mr. Stoddert had suggested that the Attorney-General should be the person to perform this duty. See page 27. And this suggestion seems to have been adopted.