1Roger Alden to Tobias Lear, 14 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
New York, 14 July 1790. In response to Tobias Lear’s request for copies of state acts ceding lighthouses and related property to the federal government, sends a copy (not found) of an exemplified New York act, the only one transmitted to the Department of State since the receipt of those of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, which have already been forwarded to the president. ALS , DNA : RG 59,...
2Roger Alden to Tobias Lear, 8 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secy of State has given directions, that six copies of the Laws, in sheets, should be delivered to the President of the United States—Agreeably to his orders I have the honor to transmit the Laws passed this session; in future they will be regularly sent from this office, as printed, and at the close of the Session, the same number bound, with marginal Notes and Index. I am—sir your most...
3Alexander Hamilton and John Armstrong, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 23 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Do me the favor to learn from the President, & inform me by the bearer, whether mister Lee’s resignation was purely voluntary on his part, or was occasioned by any circumstance dissatisfactory to the President. The reason to the enquiry is that I may regulate my expressions to him accordingly. I presume no such circumstance has occured; but for greater caution I ask. Yrs &c. LB , DLC:GW . For...
4Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 26 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
The prices of Stocks for Cash in this City on the 1st August last were for 6 ⅌ Cts 21/4 3 ⅌ Cts 12/6 deferred 13/4
5Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 6 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Mr Heineken, Consul from the United Netherlands called on me last evening to request I would ask you if it would be convenient & proper for him to wait on the president, at any time and at what hour tomorrow, to introduce some gentlemen lately arrived & recommended to him from Holland one of whom is a gentleman of fortune, & bein in public offices of respectability there as they leave town on...
6Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 14 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have before me Your favour of the 6th & 10th Int. to answer which I could not do by last Post for want of the Necessary information respecting the Boulting Cloths. Mr Lewis says that he is at a Loss to put up the Boulting Cloth until he knows the size that will suit he says that a Reel which in the whole length is ten feet (the Common size here) requires a Cloth of 8 feet 3 Inches long and...
7Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 10 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 30th Ulto I have had an Opportunity of further Enquiry Concerning Buckwheat and find that it cannot easily be had before the Close of Winter but can be Certainly procured during the winter about the prices mentioned in my last letter. Capt. Carhart is arrived from Alexandria and tells me he shall return immediately to potowmack if he can procure a Freight and in that Case...
8Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 30 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have made further Enquiry Concerning the Buckwheat, and find that altho’ the Crops round Town, which I had observed were favourable that they were not equally so further in the Country and a person who purchased two or three hundred bushels within a few Days past for Shipping was obliged to pay 3/ for it. from the best Information, it may be procured @ 2/6 to 2/9—but will...
9Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 8 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have sent a bale wth 5 pieces of Blankets on board the Brig for Alexandria and will endeavor to get the bill of loading in time for this Evening—I am waiting for the picture frame from McEllwee which he has repeatedly promised & dissappointed me. Yr very Ob. st ALS , DLC:GW . Biddle wrote Lear again the next morning: “I have delayd sending the bill of loading until this morning in hopes of...
10Clement Biddle to Tobias Lear, 22 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
After the Departure of the last post I recd your favour of 17th Instant handed me by major Jackson. I did not expect the return of the president so early or should have lodged Mr Bartram’s Answer which did not reach me til some time after I wrote to him—I waited on Mr Morris to pay him the 32 £s 12 s. 2 d. Balance due to Governeur Morris Esqr. & for the Black Sattin & Floor Matts—Mr Cottringer...
11Samuel Blair to Tobias Lear, 27 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Allow me, Sir, the liberty, which I now assume, of addressing the President of the United States through you in consequence of the unavoidable delay of an answer to his and Mrs Washington’s invitation to Mrs Blair and myself to dine with them on Thursdy next. The delay was owing to my not being able to procure an earlier information from Mrs Blair on the subject. She is very sorry that it is...
12“John A. Dingwell” to Henry Knox or Tobias Lear, 17 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
In The incloased I Send you a letter I did myself the honour to write to the President yesterday in answer to one he honoured me with[.] in mine to him I have incloased a peaper that it or one to the Same purport must be Signed before I make the least discovery as in the peapers I Can lay before him there is that that might indanger the lives of Gentlemen I wou’d Sooner die then hurt who is...
13John Fenno to Tobias Lear, 24 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
[New York] 24 July 1790. Sends two bound volumes of the Gazette of the United States after a delay of two months because of problems at the bindery and notes that one volume is a complimentary copy for GW’s library and the other is to replace issues earlier loaned by Lear. ALS , DLC:GW . John Fenno established the semiweekly Gazette of the United States in April 1789 at the seat of the new...
14Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 4 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 4 Jan. 1793. Presents his compliments and writes that “The Statements went in yesterday, and are copying for the President.” LB , DLC:GW . Hamilton is referring to the four statements that comprised his “Report on Foreign Loans” of 3 Jan. to the U.S. House of Representatives. For the text of Hamilton’s report, see Syrett, Hamilton Papers, Harold C. Syrett et al., eds. The Papers...
15Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 25 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
The proper fund for the payment of the enclosed is the 10,000 Dollars for defraying the contingent Expences of the Government. Will you add a few words directing it to be paid out of that fund. Yours LB , DLC:GW . This enclosure, which has not been found, was from Richard Harrison, auditor of the U.S. Treasury, and concerned the reimbursement of James Seagrove for the expenses he had incurred...
16Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 26 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to you a small account against the United States, for a Seal for the use of the District Court of the State of Vermont. As this article forms a charge against the Fund appropriated for the contingent charges of Government, I will thank you to obtain the President’s permission for paying it out of the said fund. I am, etc: LB , DLC:GW . The enclosure has not been...
17Alexander Hamilton to Tobias Lear, 15 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Supervisor of Massachusetts is desirous of permission to come to Philadelphia on urgent private business. I believe the permission may be given him without injury to the service. Will you mention the matter to the President and inform me by a line whether permission may be notified to him or not. Your’s &ca LB , DLC:GW . Commissioner of the Revenue Tench Coxe wrote Nathaniel Gorham on 18...
18Benjamin Hawkins to Tobias Lear, 26 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
No. 37 N. Carolina 26 novr 1792 On the same day you applied to me, I had a conference wth Mr Johnston and the representatives from N. Carolina the result of which this day is that Thomas Overton of More County or Henry Waters of [New] Hanover is equal to the appointment contemplated by the President. Overton was I believe of the rank of Major in the line of the late Army, and of the State of...
19Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 22 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia, 22 Nov. 1791]. Sends a statement for 1,680 livres, the cost of champagne imported for GW this year, and, since there were insufficient funds deposited abroad to cover GW’s present order for thirty dozen bottles of champagne, requests a bill on Amsterdam for 800 florins. This, with the undervaluation of the previous shipment, will probably total more than 2,000 livres. AL , owned...
20James Keith to Tobias Lear, 15 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Line you did me the favor to drop me from George Town was not delivered untill Fryday Noon, I would have answered it immediately, but The Commissioners had not then taken the Accounts under Consideration, the next day was appointed for the purpose, untill this was done the exact Ballance could not be ascertained, as the Quantum of some Charges still to be made was to be determined by them....
21Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 4 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit the enclosed letter of General Wayne —Two month’s pay will go as soon as the Bank can prepare the notes. The further pay must depend upon the settlement of accounts, or the payments will get into great disorder—As general Wayne has again sent for the cornplanter, the question is shall Col. Procter go upon that business? Please to return the papers after the President shall...
22Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 13 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 13 Dec. 1791. “Mr Kirkland seems desirous that the President . . . should peruse his plan relatively to the Oneida indians, and I therefore send it accordingly.” LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed plan of the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, missionary to the Oneida Indians since 1766, probably was his “Plan of Education for the Indians, Particularly of the Five Nations,” which he...
23Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 27 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
I submit to the President of the United States the enclosed draft of a message to the chickasaw Nation. If approved I propose to enclose it in a letter to General Wayne to go by the post this Morning. Yours ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . GW ordered no alterations to Knox’s message. However, the president’s executive journal states that if given time, GW would have added an appeal for an alliance...
24Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 30 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
I transmit, enclosed, a letter intended for General St Clair, which is submitted for the approbation of the President of the United States; and I will call upon the President, to morrow, after he has returned from riding, about half after twelve, to receive his commands thereon, and upon another subject. I am, Dear Sir, Yours sincerely LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed draft has not...
25Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 11 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 11 July [1791]. Requests that “some information just received by express” be submitted to the president; “After he shall have perused them I will wait upon him to receive his orders.” LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . A docket on the original receiver’s copy and a note at the bottom of the letter-book copy identify the enclosures as dispatches from Maj. Gen. Richard Butler at Fort...
26Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 1 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to submit to the President of the United states, the enclosed from Genl Wayne. Yours sincerely ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . In his letter to Anthony Wayne of 1 Dec., Knox acknowledged receiving on the previous day “your letter of the 23d November with the enclosures of a letter from Capt. Hughes and your correspondence with the Contractors” ( Knopf, Wayne, Richard C. Knopf, ed....
27Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 25 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
½ after ten oClock Xmas Evg My dear Sir [Philadelphia, 25 December 1792 ] Be pleased to submit some letters, or rather copies of Letters received this Evg from Genl Wilkinson. I beleive these are his highly confidential dispatches mentioned to Genl Wayne. In addition there are some returns of stores which I do not send. The Wabash Indians will Arrive tomorrow. Yours sincerely ALS , DLC:GW ; LB...
28Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 28 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit to the President of the United States, a letter from Mr Harrison district attorney of New York, and also the draft of a letter thereon to Governor Clinton —The draft of a letter to Governor Moultrie is also submitted. I am—Dear Sir—Your’s sincerely— LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The letter to Knox from Richard Harison, the U.S. attorney for the District of New York, has not been...
29Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 17 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit the enclosed letters of the 27th ultimo from Genl Chapin, to the President, which I have just received. Yours ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Gen. Israel Chapin’s letters of 27 Jan. 1793, which contained information about “his Journey to Buffaloe Creek” in December 1792, have not been identified ( JPP, Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797...
30Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 19 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
An express has arrived with the enclosed from the Commissioners at Niagra. I send them to night that you may deliver them to the President early in the Morning, as it may be important for orders to go off to Genl Wayne tomorrow by the post. I will wait upon the President at or before eight oClock in the Morning. Yours Sincerely ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . According to GW’s executive journal,...
31Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 19 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Will you be so good as to inform the President of the United States, that French Peter, who was in France with the Marquis, died last night, and that he will be buried to morrow —This event will prevent, according to their customs, their waiting on the President until thursday 12 o’clock. I am Dear Sir, Yours LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia) reported on 28...
32Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 15 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit to the President a letter from Gov. Blount of the 9th of May relatively to the measures he adopted for the defence of Cumberland —the last letters, before the present from Gov. Blount were dated the 15th of May. Yours sincerely ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Southwest Territory governor William Blount wrote Knox on 9 May that “the enclosed copies of letters and orders to General...
33Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 25 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
I omitted to day to ask the President’s approbation of Colo. Pickering, as quarter master of the proposed expedition. Will you mention it to him, and let me know the result! Because, if he should approve the idea, it will be necessary to dispatch an express to Colo. Pickering with the Offer. I am Dear Sir, Your humble Servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Knox apparently met with GW on 25 Feb. to...
34Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 24 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
I will wait upon the President as directed. I now enclose a letter and its enclosure, from Genl Wayne dated the 16th instant, which has been just received. Yours sincerely ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Knox is probably referring to GW’s request for a cabinet meeting on 25 Feb. ( Lear to Cabinet, 24 Feb. 1793 ). For the text of Gen. Anthony Wayne’s letter to Knox, see Knopf, Wayne, Richard C....
35Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 28 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 28 June 1792. Asks Lear to submit to GW “the enclosed letters from Governor Blount, Mr Allison and Judge McNairn, and others, by which the train of affairs with the Cherokees will be discovered.” LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . On 16 May, Southwest Territory governor William Blount wrote Knox that he agreed with the secretary of war that a post should not be established at the mouth...
36Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 18 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit to the President of the United States the enclosed letters from Governor Blount of the 18th 20th and two of the 25th Ultimo, also one from Governor Shelby of the 18 Ultimo, and two from Brigadier General Wilkinson, one dated the 31st of March and the other the 10th of April. I am my dear Sir Your humble servant LB , DLC:GW . The letters from William Blount to Knox of 18, 20,...
37Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 7 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 7 May 1792. Asks Lear “to send me the Map of the tract to be reserved about fort Washington.” ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . On 12 April 1792 GW had approved “An Act for ascertaining the bounds of a tract of land purchased by John Cleves Symmes,” which provided “That the President reserve to the United States such lands at and near Fort Washington as he may think necessary for the...
38Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 6 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit to the President of the United States, the enclosed letters, from Brigadier General Wilkinson and John Belli deputy quarter master—dated Oct: 4th and 8th 1792; which I have just received. Yours sincerely, LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letters from James Wilkinson and John Belli have not been identified.
39Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 19 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
You mention in yours of last evening, the blanks for the commissioners to run the Cherokee line will be filled by the names agreed upon this day. The following characters were mentioned by me to Mr Hawkins yesterday, who seemed to think them entirely suitable for the purpose, to wit, Judge Campbell. Daniel Smith—the Secretary of the territory. and, Colonel Landon Carter. Will you be so good as...
40Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 30 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to submit the enclosed letter just received from the Governor of Georgia. Yours ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Edward Telfair, in his letter to Knox of 8 May, reported that he had called for “immediate preparations of war,” following “horrid barbarities committed” by Indians in Georgia. For the complete text of this letter, as well as Knox’s response of 10 June, see ASP, Indian...
41Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 17 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to Submit the enclosed report from the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the President of the United States. I have the honor to be Sir your humble Servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . In his letter to Knox of 17 Aug., Alexander J. Dallas wrote that the British sloop Hope , from Antigua and a prize to the French privateer Citoyen Genet , and the American sloop St. Alodia ,...
42Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 3 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit the enclosed letter to the President of the U.S. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Lear’s docket indicates that this letter was written on 3 May 1793. In the enclosed letter of 27 April 1793, Gen. Anthony Wayne suggested to Knox that in order to ensure American military success against the Indians of the Northwest Territory, the United States should take possession of Forts Niagara...
43Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 16 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia, 16 June 1792]. Asks Lear “to submit the enclosed letter from Genl Chapin, to the President of the United States. Capt. Brant will be here by tuesday, at furthest, in the judgement of the express who has just arrived.” ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . For the reasons for Joseph Brant’s delay in visiting Philadelphia, see GW to Knox, 25 Feb., source note and note 1 , Timothy Pickering...
44Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 10 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Mr Allison has just arrived from Governor Blount with the enclosed letters. He says he thinks the Governor may be here in about three weeks. Yours sincerely ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . David Allison was often the bearer of messages between William Blount in the Southwest Territory and officials in Philadelphia ( Extracts of Correspondence on Indian Affairs, October 1792, note 21 ). Blount’s...
45Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 31 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Agreably to the directions of the President of the United States I transmit you the minutes of the proceedings on the 29th instant. Please to inform the President that Colonel Willet declines the preferred Mission to the Creeks, on the ground, that his broken leg will not admit his bearing the fatigues of the Journey. I am Dear Sir Your affectionate humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW ....
46Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 25 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit the enclosed letters from Governor Telfair, & Lt Governor Wood, to the President of the United States. Yours sincerely ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Gov. Edward Telfair of Georgia, in his letter to Knox of 9 April, expressed “peculiar satisfaction” that the secretary of war was considering calling up the militia “in the event of general hostility” ( ASP, Indian Affairs, Walter...
47Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 8 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
General Knox presents his compliments to Mr Lear, and begs the favor that he will submit to the President of the United States, the enclosed letters just received from the Governor of Georgia and Major Gaither. L , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter from Georgia governor Edward Telfair was one that he wrote to Knox from Augusta on 20 Nov. 1792. “With respect to some late outrages...
48Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 31 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
War Department, Philadelphia, 31 Jan. 1792. Please submit to the president the enclosed papers, received this day from General St. Clair. “If it should be the judgemt of the President, the letter of Genl St Clair may be published.” ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Tobias Lear replied to Henry Knox on this date, enclosing the monthly returns, noting that the president wished to have an accurate...
49Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 3 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Of the numerous petitions referred by Congress to me, very few on the first blush, have the appearance of equity so strongly as the enclosed. If the President would have the goodness to look at it, as his name is mentioned, he may perchance recollect something, which may be of service to a man, who states, that he did upon the strength of faith, perform good works for the United States, when...
50Henry Knox to Tobias Lear, 11 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit to the President of the United States, two Letters from Govr Blount—one of the 12th and the other of the 15th May—the last letters were of the 28. April. And please also to submit an old letter of Colonel Pickering, enclosing a message purporting to be from the hostile Indians. I am Sir Yours sincerely LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . William Blount’s letters, written at Knoxville...