Answer to Question About Standard Payment for Indian Commissioners
Document 1796Responding to Governor John Jay's inquiry about the allowance given to Indian commissioners, Pickering states that U.S. policy since 1790 has been $8 a day plus expenses, which he knows from personal experience as an Indian commissioner.
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[T. Pickering,
Jany 13. 1796
Phila — 13 — 1796]
Sir, Philadelphia Jany 13. 1796.
I have been honoured with Your Letter of the 7th enquiring, what allowance was made by the National Government to a commissi-oner holding a Treaty with the Indians?
In the four instances in which I have myself been employed, the allowance was Eight Dollars a day, and my necessary expences. To my knowledge this has been the uniform allowance to the Commissioners of the United States since the Year 1790.
With great &sincere respect
I am, Sir,
Your obt Servant
/Signed/ — Timothy Pickering —
His Excellency
John Jay —
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Description
Responding to Governor John Jay's inquiry about the allowance given to Indian commissioners, Pickering states that U.S. policy since 1790 has been $8 a day plus expenses, which he knows from personal experience as an Indian commissioner.
Date
01/13/1796
Author
Recipient
Sent from
Philadelphia
Repository
Collection
Document number
1796011305000
Page start
1
Note
It is unclear whether Pickering wrote this in his capacity as Sec. of War or of State. He was serving in both capacities on this date.
Notable persons
John Jay
Timothy Pickering
commissioner
Indians
Notable locations
Philadelphia
Notable items
treaty
allowance
expenses