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1797 TIMOTHY PICKERING Signed ACT of Congress by President John Adams + Jefferson

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1,400.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,400.00 USD
1797 TIMOTHY PICKERING Signed ACT of Congress by President John Adams + Jefferson
Autographs
1797 ACT of Congress Approved by President John Adams & VP Thomas Jefferson Hand Signed By “Timothy Pickering, Secretary of State “for the Defense of the Ports and Harbours of the United States.”
TIMOTHY PICKERING (1745-1829). Patriot Activist, served as Member of the Board of War and Quartermaster-General of the Continental Army under Washington during the Revolutionary War. Appointed by President George Washington as Secretary of State, he also served under President John Adams (1795-1800).
June 23, 1797-Dated Federal Period, Rare Printed ACT of Congress Document Signed, “Timothy Pickering” as Secretary of State, measuring 7.5” x 9.5”, 1 page, (Washington), Choice Extremely Fine. This is titled, “An Act To provide for the further defence of the ports and harbours of the United States.” Also Signed in print, “John Adams” as President, “Thomas Jefferson” as Vice-President and “Jonathan Dayton” as Speaker of the House. Beautiful in its sharp detail and fresh bold appearance, tipped at its outer edges for preservation and presentation, printed on fresh clean laid period paper. An important historical Act of Congress with the handsome handwritten signature “Timothy Pickering” as Secretary of State, measuring 2.5” long at its conclusion. The overall quality is extremely impressive with excellent eye appeal.
Timothy Pickering (July 17, 1745 – January 29, 1829) was a politician from Massachusetts who served in a variety of roles, most notably as the third United States Secretary of State, serving in that office from 1795 to 1800 under Presidents George Washington and John Adams.

Biographer Gerald Clarfield says he was a "quick-tempered, self-righteous, frank, and aggressive Anglophile," who handled the French poorly. In response the French envoy Pierre Adet repeatedly provoked Pickering into embarrassing situations, then ridiculed his blunderings and blusterings to appeal to Republican Party opponents of the Administration.

Pickering served in the Massachusetts Militia and Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Pickering famously described the country as "The World's last hope - Britain's Fast-anchored Isle" during the Napoleonic Wars. Along with most other Federalists, he opposed the War of 1812. Pickering ruined his political career when he became involved with the Hartford Convention of 1815.