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Timothy Pickering (1745-1829), Revolutionary soldier and quartermaster general, writes to Samuel Holten, delegate of the Continental Congress from Massachusetts, declining an offer to stand as a commissioner of the Treasury, "...In my former letter I expressed a wish to be made acquainted with the intended arrangement of the Treasury, before I determined whether or not to stand a candidate for the office of a commissioner. I learn from your answer that the powers of the board had not been defined. One term will probably be an abjuration of all private business. Of this I was apprehensive, and Mr. Gerry's information confirms it. ...I am highly obliged by your attention to me, & beg your acceptance of my firm thanks; but I also request you to withdraw your nomination of me to the office in question. There is another office to which I should have no objection - that of Secretary of War..." He eventually was appointed to the latter office in 1795, and shortly thereafter moved over to Secretary of State. The letter is accompanied by a 3-page retained copy, in Pickering's hand and signed by him, of a letter from John Adams to the Bey of Tunis, Jan. 15, 1800.