Autograph Letter Signed

Diplomatic relations between U.S. officers and the British at Canadian posts

Pickering stresses the need for officers to maintain moderate and friendly relations with the British as they and their detachments occupy the posts in Oswego and Niagara.

1796

06

08

James McHenry

Timothy Pickering

James Bruff

Captain

officers

British

military

troops

Posts

Oswego

Niagara

Canada

Detachments

Treaty of Amity

Diplomacy

1796060840101

1

2

Dear Sir,

I have received from a highly respectable source the following observation:

"It certainly is desirable that the officers commanding the detachments who are to occupy the posts should be moderate and discreet men. I have heard that Capt. Bruff is to be one of them – that he is violent & precipitate; and also warm in his resentments to the British. All this may not be accurate; but I mention it as worthy of attention & inquiry; not conceiving myself at liberty to mention whence I had these hints. I mention them in confidence & only as inducement to inquiry."

I am inclined to suspect the character of Capt. B. may warrant the above remark; but if he has been designated, as I suppose is the fact, for that service, I do not see how any change can be made: but a very serious caution may be given to him and every other officer to avoid every cause of contention and on the contrary to study on all occasions to conciliate and establish a friendly intercourse, so far as any intercourse shall arise out of the service; a very familiar intercourse would be too oppressive for the American officer.

Sincerely yours,
T. Pickering