Beschreibung:

2 Autograph Letters Signed (“T. Pickering” and “Tim. Pickering”), 5 pp recto and verso, 4to (conjoining leaves), Philadelphia, December 30, 1784 and November 17, 1785, to Elbridge Gerry, regarding various business affairs, earlier letter with integral autograph address leaf, both docketed on verso most likely by Gerry, earlier letter creased and toned, later letter silked, repaired, tipped at all edges to 11 by 15.5 inch matte. Timothy Pickering participated in the winter campaign of 1776 and 1777, so impressing Washington that he was appointed Adjutant General of the United States Army. During Washington’s administration, he served as Postmaster General, Secretary of War, and Secretary of State. For a brief period of time after the war, Pickering entered the mercantile business in Philadelphia. In the first of two letters, he writes Elbridge Gerry, signer of the Constitution, regarding the delivery of a set of chairs delayed by ice on the Delaware River. In part: “Your chairs are ready: but Capt. Starbuck desires they may not be brought on board till there is a certainty of his sailing. Should he be long detained, there will be time to have a set of chairs made exactly agreeable to your wishes; and considering the present state of the river, and that probably you may not want the chairs until the month of March—perhaps you had better relinquish those now made. If you would chuse this, only signify it, and I will get an elegant new set to be sent you by the first vessels which sail after the river becomes navigable, in February or March.” In the second, Pickering attempts to strike an agreement between Gerry and a litigious client.