51To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 17 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
It is not in my power fully to express the pleasing satisfaction which I felt upon perusing your kind favor of the 10th Inst. with which I have been duly honored, to find that the steps which I had taken since your departure from New York meet with your approbation. It is a reward I shall ever prize above all others—and one that it shall always be my study to obtain. Since I had the honor to...
52To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 24 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you on the 17th Instant, we have got all the furniture &ca up to the house; and it is with great satisfaction I can inform you that, sofar as it has been examined, we find it safe and in as good order as when it left New York. The Images for the table, of which I was more apprehensive than of anything else, have not received the smallest injury—they are...
53To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 28 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed paper of this date will give a full account of the present state of the College in this City. It was the expectation of this, which I had been informed was about to be published, that prevented my entering so fully into the subject in former letters as I should otherwise have done. To this I will add, that, so far as I have been able to learn, the abilities and characters of the...
54To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 31 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening honored with your letter of the 27th Inst.—and am happy to hear that you have returned safe and well from your late excursion. When the rooms are finished the furniture shall be arranged according to their uses; and I am sure Mrs Morris will take a pleasure in giving any advice on the occasion. She had before offered her assistance in a very polite manner, and I had promised...
55To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 4–5 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to the directions given in your letter of the 27th of October, I have endeavoured to get the rent of the house in which you are to reside fixed with the Committee; but my endeavours have been ineffectual. The footing upon which they have placed the matter with Mr Morris puts it out of their power to ascertain the rent at present. I am informed by Mr Mires Fisher, one of the most...
56To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 7 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
I was just about closing a letter to you when I had the honor to receive your favor of the 31st of October. I immediately proceeded to make the necessary inquiry respecting the Carriage; but as Mr Page, the Proprietor, was out of town and did not return till late in the night, I could not see him ’till friday morning. The moment I received the information from him I put it in a Post script to...
57To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 14 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your letters of the 7th and 10th Instants. Mr Page’s coach sat off this morning for Mount Vernon; he chose to send it thus early lest the weather or some other cause might delay it a day or two on the road; and in that case there would nevertheless be time for it to reach Mount Vernon on the 20th or 21st. He, however, charges only six days, as before mentioned,...
58To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 21 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
This letter, which will acknowledge the receipt of, and will reply to your favors of the 12th and 14th Insts. with which I have been duly honored, is intended to meet you at Baltimore. Page’s Coach, I presume, reached Mount Vernon on friday or Saturday; as it left this place on Sunday last. Your letter of the 10th was handed to me in due time by Mr Solderstone the Swedish Consul (whose name...
59Tobias Lear to John Field, 7 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States having observed in the papers of this morning that a number of respectable citizens have engaged in a benevolent plan for the relief of such persons as the inclemency of the season and other circumstances had reduced to great distress, he has directed me to transmit ten pounds to you as the Treasurer, to be applied in such a manner as may best answer the...
60Tobias Lear to Daniel Grant, 8 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington requests me to present, and begs your acceptance of her best thanks for the very excellent mutton and pair of canvas-back Ducks which you have been so polite as to send to her. I have delayed acknowledging the receipt of your letter or informing you of the safe arrival of the mutton until we should have an opportunity of judging of its goodness otherwise than by the eye. This...
61Tobias Lear to Francis Bailey, 26 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States has received Mr Bailey’s polite note offering him the perusal of an english translation of Lavater’s treatise on physiognomy and has commanded T. Lear to return his thanks to Mr Bailey for his politeness, and to inform him that the President’s time is so much occupied by business as not to permit him to profit of Mr Bailey’s offer. LB , DLC:GW . Johann Caspar...
62Tobias Lear to John Quincy Adams, 2 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
When I was at Bush Hill this Morning it was my intention to have requested your Company to dine tomorrow at the Presidents, by his desire; but as I did not see you at that time it slipped my recollection, and occasions you the trouble of this letter, which is to make the same request—to which you will be kind enough to give an Answer by the Servant. I am Dear Sir Your most Obedt Servt ALS ,...
63Tobias Lear to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 3 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I will thank you to send me, from time to time, two copies of such bills as may be printed by order of the Senate, previous to their passing into laws; and likewise two copies of your Journals as they are printed. I am induced to make this request from a wish which the President of the United States often expresses to see the bills in this stage. If there are any bills of this description now...
64Tobias Lear to Edmund Randolph, 23 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President has desired me to transmit to you the enclosed containing a copy of a bill exhibited in the High Court of Chancery of Virginia relative to certain lots drawn as prizes in Colonel Bird’s lottery, and to request that you would take some opportunity to remind him of the business, and do the necessary in it before his departure from this place. The President thinks he shall be too...
65Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 28 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President has commanded me to transmit the enclosed to you from Mr Thatcher and request that you will give it the consideration it may merit—The President also requests that you will take occasion to converse with some others of the gentlemen from Massachusetts on this subject—and to mention it likewise to some from New Hampshire. I have the honor to be very respectfully & sincerely Your...
66Tobias Lear to Ebenezer Hazard, 28 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the command of the President of the United States T. Lear has the honor to return to Mr Hazard the enclosed proposals for printing by subscription a collection of State-Papers, which Mr Hazard submitted to the President and which have been subscribed by him. The whole or any part of the money for the President’s subscription will be paid by T. Lear whenever Mr Hazard may chuse to receive...
67Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 1 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command, T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of War the enclosed letter, which has just come to the President’s hands; signed by a number of the Inhabitants of Washington County in the State of Pennsylvania, expressing their apprehensions of the depredations of the Indians in that quarter. The President requests that the secretary will give the subject that...
68Tobias Lear to William Deakins, Jr., 5 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President has directed me to enclose the within advertisement to you—and request that you will be good enough to hand one to the Printer at Georgetown, and forward the other to the Printer at Frederick Town, to be inserted in their papers for six weeks. I am Sir, very respectfully, Your most obedient Servant LB , DLC:GW . The enclosure has not been found. The Georgetown newspaper to which...
69To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 23 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor last evening to receive your commands, through Major Jackson, to deliver the letter for Colo. Clandenen to General St Clair, unless Genl Knox thought Genl Sevier a more direct conveyance or knew of a better, and in obedience thereto I made the inquiry of Genl Knox, who thought Genl St Clair would be most likely to give the letter a direct & speedy conveyance; I therefore...
70To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 24 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letters have been this moment brought to me by the Post Master, who informs thus they have just arrived at the Office in the Western Mail. As they may contain important intelligence I delay not a moment to forward them. Mrs Washington and the family are well. Nothing particular has transpired since your departure. I have the honor to be, with the highest respect & most sincere...
71To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 27 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor to write to you on the 24th Inst. I have been informed that the Indians on the frontier of New York have lately given indications of a hostile disposition—and that the legislature of that State were about to take some measures of a temporary nature for conciliating the Indians—or, if that should prove ineffectual, to defend their frontiers. These measures, however, it was...
72To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 31 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor to write to you on the 27th Instant, nothing of a public nature, worthy notice, has come to my knowledge. I have heard nothing yet from Mr Fraunces, and his son can give me no information relative to his coming. However, no inconvenience is felt at this time from the want of him; for as no large entertainments are now made, such arrangements are taken as render the...
73To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 1 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
I was, by the post of last evening, honored with your letters of the 27th & 28th Ultimo and the enclosures contained in the latter. We have not yet received any account of Fraunces. As measures were taken before your departure, to give him an opportunity of coming again into the family if he chose to accede to the terms & conditions upon which he might return, nothing has since been done...
74To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 3 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
General Knox informed me that in consequence of Colo. Blaine’s letter he had recommended it to Colo. Duer, the Contractor, to employ him in that Country in the way that he wishes, if Blaine will accept of a secondary part in the business of supplying the troops. But whether it will be done or not, was uncertain at the time of General Knox’s mentioning the matter to me. As we have not yet heard...
75To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 5 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter from Mr G. Morris, was yesterday put into my hands by Mr R. Morris, having come under cover to him. I was yesterday asked by the Vice-Presidt if it was true that information had been received of Count Andriani’s having written things to Europe unfavourable to and disrespectful of this Country. I told him that such information had been received—repeating the purport of that...
76To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 10 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of the 5th I have been honored with your favors of the 3d & 6th of the present month, with their enclosures. In Colo. Cannon’s letter to you there appear’d (as you apprehended) an idea that he conceived himself authorized to let your lands on the Ohio and Kanawa; but he does not express an intention of doing anything respecting them until he shall have seen you, which he...
77To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 15 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor to write to you on the 10th Inst. we have had the pleasure of learning that you reached Fredericksburg on the 8th. Mr Jefferson has been so good as to furnish me with a copy of the Stages which you intended to make on your journey southward, and the times at which you expected to be in the principal towns, together with a list of the places through which you would pass on...
78To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 17 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you on the 15th Inst. Young Fraunces has informed me that he has received a letter from his father, in which he mentions his intention of coming on here to take the place of Steward in this family, agreeably to the answer given to his application for that purpose. The reason which he assigns for not having made known his determination on this subject sooner,...
79To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 24 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
On thursday last I had the honor to receive your letter of the 12th Instant with its enclosures. As no vessel has sailed for So. Carolina or Georgia, from this place, since the date of my last letter (the 17th) (altho’ several are up for Charleston, and according to their advertisements shou’d have sailed before this time), I intend this letter to go by the mail to Charleston, with a request...
80To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 1 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
We have not had the pleasure of hearing from you, since I had the honor to write on the 24 of last month; which letter was sent by the mail to Charleston, with a request to the Post Master to convey it by a private opportunity to Augusta or Columbia. As it would reach Charleston by the 12th of may there is no doubt but an opportunity will offer of sending it to either one or the other of those...
81To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 8 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you on the first of this month, nothing of a public nature, sufficiently important to trouble you with a communication, has come to my knowledge. Our domestic Affairs are in the same state they were when I had the honor to write last. The family is in good health. Fraunces has not yet come on; but his son called yesterday to tell me that he would certainly...
82To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 15 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
On thursday last I had the honor to receive your letter of the 21st of April from New burn; and at the same time a letter for Mrs Washington came under cover to me, which she informed me was dated at Wilmington. Yesterday we had the pleasure to see your arrival at Charleston announced in the papers. My letters must certainly have met with some interruption or you would have found at least one...
83To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 22 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you on the 15 instant, the Brigantine Philadelphia has arrived from Charleston, by which Mrs Washington had the pleasure to receive two letters from you, and we were all made very happy by hearing that you had got that far on your tour without any interruption in your health, and without meeting with any material accident. By the same Vessel I had the...
84Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 29 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 29 May 1791. Transmits under the president’s direction the enclosed from John H. Mitchell, which came in a letter from GW, dated Savannah, 13 May, received yesterday. LB , DLC:GW . The enclosure has not been found but was probably drafted c.2–14 May 1791 and concerned the ambitions of John Hinckley Mitchell, a city warden of Charleston, S.C., to provide the U.S. Mint with...
85To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 29 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor, yesterday, to receive your letter of the 13th Instant, with its enclosures, from Savannah. It gives every body great pleasure to hear that you have reached the southern extremity of your journey without any interruption to your health, and their united prayers are offered up for as happy a return. Since the time that I knew you must have reached Charleston, I have directed my...
86To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 5 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you on the 29 of last month, the two Platteaux, which Mr G. Morris sent from France, have arrived. One of them has received a slight fracture in the corner; but it has injured it very little. In my letter of the 22d of may I mentioned that Hercules was to go on to Mount Vernon a few days after that. When he was about to go, somebody, I presume, insinuated to...
87To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 12 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
I flatter myself that this letter will either find you at Mount Vernon, or meet you there in a very few days. In either case, I hope I may be so happy as to congratulat you upon a safe return from your southern excursion. The day before yesterday a Drayman brought 14 Cases of wine here marked G.W. which he said were from on board a vessel which had arrived from Charleston S.C.—There was no...
88To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 19–20 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your letters of the 12th & 15th of this month. The former of which I should have acknowleged by the last post had I not been absent on a journey to New York when it arrived in this City. The cause of my Journey to New York was to attend my mother to this place where she proposes to spend a week or two on a visit to Mrs Lear & myself. She had a favorable...
89To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 23 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
After acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 19th Inst. with which I have been this moment honored, I have to communicate to you the melancholly account of the death of the good and amiable Doctor Jones. He died this morning! He had for two or three days past been so much indisposed as to be confined to his bed; but his friends had no idea of his being in immediate danger. I saw him...
90Tobias Lear to Alexander Hamilton, 9 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 9 July 1791. “The President has received a letter from Mr Rue, who was appointed second Mate of the revenue Cutter on the Delaware station, declining his appointment & returning his commission.” LB , DLC:GW . The letter of resignation from Benjamin Rue to GW has not been found but must have been written between 28 June and this date. Tench Coxe wrote to Tobias Lear on 28 June...
91Tobias Lear to Edmund Randolph, 9 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 9 July 1791. By the president’s command, returns the enclosed letter with the thanks of the president for the attorney generals attention in submitting it for his perusal and notes that “The President expresses his pleasure at its contents.” LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter has not been identified.
92Tobias Lear to Oliver Evans, 29 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President has been informed by his manager at Mount Vernon that the work of his mill is in such a stage as not to admit of any delay in erecting your improvements without stopping the whole progress of the work, which at this time would be a serious inconvenience. The mill-wright who has been employed in repairing the President’s mill has been to view your improvements at the Ochoquan...
93Tobias Lear to Thomas Jefferson, 30 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 30 August 1791. At the request of Attorney General Edmund Randolph, encloses for the office of the secretary of state fifteen patents signed by the president. ALS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . Thomas Jefferson docketed the receiver’s copy: “The Secy of State 30th Augt 1792” and listed on it that the enclosed patents were for Englebert Cruse, James Rumsey,...
94Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 1 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secy of war a letter from Mr Andw Ellicott, to the President, proposing that Mr Joseph Ellicott should proceed immediately to Georgia to explore the head of the Oconee River preparatory to Mr Andw Ellicott’s executing his business of running the line between the territory of the Creeks & the U.S. Should the Secretary of war...
95Tobias Lear to Pierre-Charles L’Enfant, 1 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
The President wishes to have the map of the federal City to shew to some Gentlemen about nine o’clock this morning—and requests you to send it either by the bearer at this time, or if it should be more convenient for you, he shall call for it a little before nine. I am Dear Sir with much esteem Your most Obedt Servt ALS , DLC : Digges-L’Enfant-Morgan Papers. For background to this letter, see...
96Tobias Lear to John Churchman, 10 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter with its enclosure last evening, and agreeably to your request submitted them to the inspection of the President of the United States. There has ⟨been⟩ no other letter for you passed through the Presidents hands, except the one which you mention to have received. The manuscripts, pamphlets & Charts which accompany this, were received by the President some weeks ago, by a...
97To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 18–19 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Instructions, and other papers relating thereto, I returned to General Knox on Thursday forenoon. And immediately on my return home, after accompanying you out of town, I secured your room in a manner agreeable to your wishes, and took the key into my possession; so that before I had the pleasure of receiving Mr Dandridge’s letter from Chester, the directions contained in it had been...
98To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 21 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you on the 18th; since which nothing has transpired among us worth relating. The arrival of a Vessel from Liverpool brings European Accounts down to the 28th of July. I have not learnt that she has brought any other intelligence than what is contained in the enclosed papers. An insurrection of the Negroes in Hispaniola seems to have put the inhabitants and...
99To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 21 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you this morning, I have been making inquiries respecting Blankets, and find that Messrs Sitgreaves have the largest quanty—the best assortment—and the lowest prices that are to be found. I enclose a list of their prices & qualities in order that you may, if you think proper, point out the kind most suitable for your purpose—and likewise have the prices...
100To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 25 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr Dandridge’s letter of the 21st gave us the pleasing information of your safe arrival at Mount Vernon on Tuesday last. Mr Page assures me his carriage shall be at George town on the evening of the 17th, or early in the day of the 18th of next month. Mr Fisher called on me on thursday evening, and informed me, that it was determined your rent should be considered as commencing on the first...