July 8^th 1799 D^r Sir. I am now and always have been of the opinion that Trenton combines more advantages than any other place for the public offices, within the same distance from Philad. I have also always been of opinion, the other gentlemen concurring, that the offices should be moved thither in case held it to be. of necessity; at the same time I thought it improper and expressed myself so (seeing no public reason required I should separate on the question so as to oblige me from my family) to commit myself to go there at all events and before I had grounds to expect they could be accommodated. I discind time only to make the enquiry. I made it immediately on the 10^th of May who and sent to M^r Wolcot for his information. not Trenton a letter from M^r Rhea, advising me of the result which was favourable. This precaution had become [strikethrough: was necessary] to prevent a repetition of the incon: venience my family had experienced the preceding year from a want of my personal attention to the subject. It was also indispensable to my own health to secure quarters near to my office, having found from almost fatal experience, that walking much in the sun during the hot months subjects one to bilious fever of the most dangerous kind. Had any place been fixed on where I could not have found a suitable [strikethrough: convenient or fit] house or lodging I must have resigned or separated my office from the other gentlemen. during the calamity. I am of opinion with M^r Wolcott that a place for the reception of all the offices ought to be fixed, and the requisite accommodations retained. I am also of opinion this determination ought to be signified to the [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] gentlemen connected with [strikethrough: belonging to] the respective departments, that they may make such provision as they may think proper, under the restriction that the offices will not be closed from Philadelphia so long as a regard to personal safety will admit of their being [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] kept open in Philada. I agree to their removal to Trenton, and am very respectfully [undecipherable] Timothy Pickering Es