Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829) to Henry Knox
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02645 Author/Creator: Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829) Place Written: Newburgh, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 October 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 23.3 x 19.1 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses changing the men rowing the scows (small boats) daily. Mentions hired men working on other boats (pettiaugers and schooners) and their pay. Asks for boatbuilders to do repairs.
Newburgh Oct. 13. 1783.
Dr Sir,
Mr. Denniston informed me that the hands employed in the Scows were daily changed. As the rowing them is laborious, the assigning fresh hands daily may perhaps be best. I mention it, to express my wishes that the reliever may be So ordered as to lose the least time possible: because there is so much business for the Scows, unless they are improved every hour in the day, the whole will not be accomplished before winter. Be So good as to think of this matter, and to make Such regulations as Shall facilitate the execution of the business so necessary to be accomplished.
As the garrison is to continue at least for a time, so numerous, I Suppose it will be easy to furnish hands for every laborious Service, & Save the expense of hired men. I am going to Set the large pettiauger at work in transporting wood: She has two hired men; and the Schooner has three. Their aggregate pay will amount to Sixty dollars a month, besides their rations, which will come to eleven more. If hands can be furnished from the garrison (Sailors of choice) the bulk of that expense may be Saved. I would allow them a dollar [2] dollar and a half or two dollars a month; and discharge the men in the Schooner & pettiauger, except a Skipper for each, acquainted with their management and the navigation of the river. five Soldiers with the Skippers will man both. Be pleased to advise me on this head.
I want a couple of boatbuilders a few days to repair a public boat; and request you will permit them to come up.
Will it not be expedient to determine on the regiment which Shall occupy the Connecticut huts, & detach an officer & party from it to take immediate possession, to prevent any f[a]rther destruction if not to repair them?
I am dear Sir
your most obedt Servt
T. Pickering Q.M.G.
Major General Knox
[address leaf]
The Honble
Major General Knox
West Point
[docket 1]
from Colonel Pickering
13 October 1783
[docket 2]
[Q] Frm Colonel [text loss] Pickering
13 October 1783 -
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.