Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829) to Rufus King
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06652 Author/Creator: Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 April 1797 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25.1 x 20.1 cm. Order a Copy
References many letters he has received from King and others. Pickering writes as Secretary of State to King as American Minister to Britain. Expresses anger at the French Directory over exclusion of American representatives in XYZ affair. Says French seizures of American ships has taken on a systematic quality. Says there is "one consolation, that they have weaned us from our undue attachment to France." Claims sentiments in America are turning against the French Revolution after recent events. Mentions the scandal with Ira Allen of Vermont, Ethan Allen's younger brother. Ira Allen travelled to various parts of Europe to find funding for various schemes. After the British Government refused to fund a canal he wanted to build in Canada, he travelled to France and received backing to start a revolution in Canada. When he was travelling to Canada in an American ship, he was captured by the British. While imprisoned he wrote articles and pamphlets claiming the weapons on the ship were for the Vermont militia. Pickering and King are skeptical of Allen's claims. Pickering claims Allen received the money for the weapons from a fraudulent land scheme in New York. Says he has more to say in another letter.
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