Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829 to Samuel Holton

Online access and copy requests are not available for this item. You may request to be notified of when this becomes available digitally.

Notify me when this becomes available

GLC#
GLC01579.01
Type
Letters
Date
October 16, 1775
Author/Creator
Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829
Title
to Samuel Holton
Place Written
Salem, Massachusetts
Pagination
2 p. : Height: 32 cm, Width: 20 cm
Language
English
Primary time period
American Revolution, 1763-1783
Sub-Era
The War for Independence

Letter written to fellow jurist Samuel Holton discussing the qualifications of a justice, the readiness of the American forces, and George Washington's opinion of his own army. Satirizes another judge who thinks all judges should have "the prime qualities of an executioner." He believes "the proper qualifications of a judge" are "integrity, ability, & knowledge of the law...a discerner between truth & falsehood, right and wrong." Believes that the colonies were not ready for war, and are still unprepared now, but insists in his full patriotism despite these doubts. Says Washington "declared to me last week" that "he is obliged to remain most mortifyingly inactive" because his troops are unprepared.

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources