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

TO CHARLES PINCKNEY, GOVERNOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA. [PRIVATE.] - George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, vol. XII (1790-1794) [1891]

Edition used:

The Writings of George Washington, collected and edited by Worthington Chauncey Ford (New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890). Vol. XII (1790-1794).

Part of: The Writings of George Washington, 14 vols.

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TO CHARLES PINCKNEY, GOVERNOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

[PRIVATE.]

Philadelphia, 17 March, 1792.

Dear Sir,

I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 8th of January, and their duplicates. That of a public nature, on the subject of a proposed application from yourself to the Governor of East Florida for the redelivery of certain fugitives, charged with having forged the indents assumed by the U. States, will be answered by the Secretary of State.1 To your private favor I shall now reply. And in the first place, let me beg your acceptance of my thanks for the remembrance of, and kind attention to, my wishes in sending the box of seeds, which I have received by Captain Ort.

I am flattered by the regret, which you express at having been absent from Charleston during the stay of Lord Wycombe2 in that city, and being thereby deprived of an opportunity of paying the attention which you wished to that nobleman, to whom I had given a letter for you; and am glad that his intention of returning among you after having visited the Floridas will permit you to do it.

I must say that I lament the decision of your legislature upon the question of importing slaves after March, 1793. I was in hopes, that motives of policy as well as other good reasons, supported by the direful effects of slavery, which at this moment are presented, would have operated to produce a total prohibition of the importation of slaves, whenever the question came to be agitated in any State, that might be interested in the measure.1

Our misfortune at the westward is certainly a circumstance much to be regretted; but it affords consolation to know, that every public loss on that occasion may be readily repaired, except that of the lives of the brave officers and men, who fell in the conflict. I believe with you, that the absence of the Cherokee chiefs from their nation at so critical a moment was a fortunate event; and I trust they have received such impressions here, as will not fail to have a happy influence in their nation with regard to us.

If in the course of our military arrangements, it should be found compatible with the plan, which it is proposed to adopt, to require the services of General Pickens, I shall not be unmindful of your recommendation of that gentleman; and from his talents, knowledge, and influence, should look for the best effects. But I most sincerely join with you in hoping, that the war with the Indians may not extend so far to the southward, as to render your frontiers an object of immediate defence. I beg my best respects may be presented to Mrs. Pinckney and to Colo. Laurens, when you see him. With very great esteem and regard, I am, dear Sir, &c.

[1 ]The project mentioned in the following letter was framed to cover this question:

“The President of the United States has attentively considered the ‘Project of a Convention with the Spanish,’ which was submitted to him by the Secretary of State, and informs the Secretary, that the same meets his approbation. The President, however, thinks it proper to observe, that in perusing the before-mentioned Project, some doubts arose in his mind as to the expediency of two points mentioned therein; the one relative to instituting a civil, instead of a criminal process against forgers, who generally, if not always, are possessed of little property; the other respecting the unlimited time in which a person may be liable to an action.

“By expressing these queries, the President would not be understood as objecting to the points touched upon; he only wishes to draw the Secretary’s further attention to them; and if he should upon reconsideration think it right for them to stand upon their present footing, the President acquiesces therein.”—Washington to Jefferson, 25 March, 1792. The project is printed in Jefferson’s Works, iii., 350. See also, Jefferson to Washington, 17 November, 1791.

[2 ]Eldest son of the Marquis of Lansdowne.

[1 ]From Governor Pinckney’s Letter: “Our legislature among other questions agitated the one respecting the future importation of slaves, as the prohibition expires in March, 1793. Great pains were used to effect a total prohibition; but, upon the question being taken in the Senate, it was lost by so decided a majority, that I think we may consider it as certain this State will, after March, 1793, import as largely as they ever did. It is a decision, upon the policy of which I confess I have my doubts.

“We have been much concerned at the intelligence lately received, respecting the defeat of the army by the northern and western Indians. The gentlemen on our frontiers now think, that it is fortunate the chiefs of the Cherokee nation are absent; as, from their disturbed situation and the successes of their neighbors, it might not have been a difficult thing to render them hostile. I must take the liberty to mention to you, that, if our affairs should still remain in the same unsettled state with the Indians, or their combinations extend to our frontiers, and render a defence there necessary, I know no man whom I ought to recommend to you so soon to be employed as General Pickens; a man at least as well qualified to manage a contest with the Indians as any in the Union. I consider it, as I observed, a duty to mention this gentleman to you, in case it should be necessary to employ any person from this State, in the event of the Indian war extending to the southward; because we are acquainted with his influence among the Indians, and his knowledge of their affairs, and know that his modesty is so great, that he rather wishes to retire from the public view, than court its favors or employments. As he will therefore never solicit or offer himself, it is a duty for us, who know his consequence among the southern Indians, to bring him forward to your view, should his services be necessary, which I hope will not be the case.”—Charleston, January 8th.