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Field name | Value |
---|---|
Collection Reference Number | GLC01579.01 |
From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1775 |
Title | Timothy Pickering to Samuel Holton on the qualities necessary to be a judge and the condition of American forces |
Date | 16 October 1775 |
Author | Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829) |
Recipient | Holten, Samuel |
Document Type | Correspondence |
Content Description | 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. |
Subjects | Law Judiciary Revolutionary War President Continental Army Morality and Ethics Death Penalty Patriotism Military History |
People | Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829) Holten, Samuel (1738-1816) |
Place written | Salem, Massachusetts |
Theme | Law; The American Revolution; The Presidency |
Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
Additional Information | Timothy Pickering was a judge who entered the war as a militia colonel. His distinguished service drew George Washington's attention and brought him onto Washington's staff. Later served as adjutant general under Washington, quartermaster general of the Continental Army, and Congressman from Massachusetts. Samuel Holton held a number of local offices, serving as a judge, delegate to the Essex county convention in 1774, served in the Provincial congresses of 1774-'5, was a member of the committee of safety of July, 1776, and of the superior executive council. He was a delegate to frame the confederation of 1777, a delegate to congress in 1778-'83, and again in 1793-'5, and a member of the State constitutional convention of 1789. |
Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
Transcript | Show/hide |