101To 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...
102To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 5 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
In the enclosed letter to Mr Dandridge I have transmitted the Treasurers Rect for the second payment with Interest, on your lots in Square N. 667—Amounting to $405 25/100 which you had the goodness to put into my hands for that purpose. When I had the pleasure to see you in Philadelphia, I expressed a wish to have an inspection of some papers relative to the Potomac Company’s affairs, which I...
103To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 7 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
General Lincoln has favoured me with the perusal of your Letter of the 10th Ulto wherein you mention your acceding to the sum of two Hun[dre]d Dollars in addition to the Stipulations mentioned in your last for my services for a year, and desire that I may come on as soon as is convenient; if I find an opportunity of going by Water I shall embrace it immediately and be with your Excellency in...
104To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 9 November 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Tobias Lear, 9 Nov. 1797. GW wrote Lear on 10 Nov. : “I have received both of your letters dated yesterday.”
105To 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...
106To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 12 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
Having had the honor of writing to you very fully by the Ship Delaware, Capt. Truxon (by whom I sent the watch for Mrs Washington) —and a few days ago by the Ship Peggy of George Town, I shall at present take up no more of your precious time than to inform you that I have put on board the latter ship 5000 white thorn plants for you—and a packet containing Reports made to the Board of...
107To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 3 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have purchased for you five shares in the Bank of Alexandria and one hundred in the Bank of Columbia, all at par. I wished to have obtained more in the Bank of Alexandria, but could not get them at par. They have risen to 3 per Cent above since I purchased the 5 above mentioned. The directors of the Bank of Columbia having permitted the payment of ten dollars on each share, due on the ⟨1st⟩...
108To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 10 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment returned from Berkley, and as business will call me to Philadelphia in the course of next week I shall have the pleasure of communicating to you fully every thing relative to the subject of the Arsenal land &c. At present I have only time to say, that Rutherford’s deed has not yet come to hand, and that Wager’s is in the office to be recorded at the Court of this month. The...
109To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 8 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure to see you last I have contemplated very fully the subject of renting your River Farm, provided you should be disposed to let it upon the terms which I understood you had offered it to a person who was speaking to you on the subject some time ago, which, if I mistake not, was for 1200 bushl Wheat the first year—15 or 1600 the second year and 1800 for the succeeding...
110To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 31 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Mr Peter informs me that you wish to know more particularly respecting the Carpenters engaged for you than what I communicated on Saturday last. Since that time I have seen Frederick, who tells me that the letter from his brother was dated at Amsterdam on the 7th of March, in which he states, that he had engaged for you two very good House Carpenters & Joiners, who would come out in the Ship...
111To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 25 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Afflicted as I am, I have thought it my duty to write the enclosed, which will communicate an event that must be distressing to you, my dear friend, as well as to myself. The partner of my life is no more! And I am too much distressd at this moment to add more than to assure you that tho my life now is not worth preserving, yet as it is, it is most sincerely & devotedly your’s ALS , DLC:GW .
112To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 26 October 1795 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Tobias Lear, 26 Oct. 1795 . In Timothy Pickering’s letter to Lear of 28 Jan. 1796, he referred to “your letter to the President of the 26th of October” ( MHi : Pickering Papers).
113To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 24 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Upon my reaching this place from Mount Vernon a few minutes ago, I had the honor to receive your letter of the 21st instant, and am much gratified to find that my having gone to Mount Vernon was an acceptable act. If you should leave Philadelphia on monday, as you propose, you will not receive the account of poor Whitting’s death (which was sent by the Post of Saturday) before that time. He...
114To 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...
115To 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...
116To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 27 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
By the Post of this day I have been honored with your letter of the 23d instant; and agreeably to the directions therein contained, I shall transmit the papers, and write by every Wednesday’s and friday’s post, as well as monday’s. In my last I mentioned Mr Page’s promise to have his carriage in George Town either on the evening of the 17th, or early in the day of the 18th of October. I have...
117To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 4 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your orders I left Mount Vernon on Monday the 28th of Octr to communicate to Colo. Parker your instructions respecting hutting the Troops at Harper’s Ferry. I reached the Camp at Harper’s Ferry on the eveng of the 29th; and finding that Colo. Parker was gone to Winchester, I sent an Express for him immediately. In the afternoon of the 30th Colo. Parker arrived in Camp, when I...
118To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 13 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
Knowing the deep interest which you take in the progress of the Potomac Navigation, as an object of great public utility, I am led at this time, to intrude on your busy moments when I should not do it from any motives of personal advantage or gratification. Mr Weston has not yet made his appearance here, as from various quarters we were led to expect he would have done early in the present...
119Enclosure: Observations on the Potomac River, 3 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
The River Potomack forms a junction with the Bay of Chesapeak 150 miles from the Sea. From thence to the head of tide-Water is about 160 miles. “This River is 7½ miles wide at its mouth; 4½ at Nomony Bay; 3 at Aquia; 1½ at Hollowing-Point; 1¼ at Alexandria—and the same from thence to the City of Washington, which is within 3 miles of the head of tide Water. It’s soundings are 7 fathoms at the...
120To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 31 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
I received your very obliging favor of the 29th Ulto and feel grateful for the pleasure it gave me by communicating the joy which was felt in your vicinity upon receiving the doubly pleasing intelligence of the accession of New Hampshire & Virginia to the proposed Constitution. Its adoption by the latter State gave peculiar & inexpressible satisfaction to the good people in these parts; for...
121To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 2 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to address you under date of the 26th ultimo, informing of my having closed the business respecting the property at the junction of the Potomac & Shanandoah Rivers &c. Agreeably to my promise at that time, your account current should have been forwarded by the last Post; but I was called to Alexa. on business which prevented its being prepared. It is now enclosed, and I hope...
122To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 8 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
By the post of friday I had the honor to receive your respected favor of the 4th instant: Since which I have had but little opportunity of hearing any opinions expressed on the points mentioned in your letter. I had, however, frequently heard the subject spoken on since the commencement of the misunderstanding between Mr Johnson and the Commissioners; and from what I could observe of the...
123To 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...
124To 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,...
125To 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...
126To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 14 March 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Tobias Lear, 14 March 1796. On 21 March, GW wrote Lear: “Your letter of the 14th Instant did not get to my hands before Saturday.”
127To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 15 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have before me your respected favers of the 9th, 10th & 12th inst. which have been received in due course. The directions contained in these several letters shall be duly attended to & the articles therein mentioned, forwarded. We have been fortunate in getting the things on board the Vessel without any injury and they are well stowed. A few more are to go down this morning (if rain should...
128To 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...
129To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 4 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing a long letter to you on the 26th ultimo by the Ship Delaware, Captain Truxon, to whose particular care I committed the Watch & chain for Mrs Washington, also a profile of the Earl of Buchan, by Tassie, which Lady Buchan committed to my charge with a note for Mrs. Washington. Since which I have received a letter from the Earl with the enclosed packets for you which he...
130To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 5 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
It is my duty to releive you from suspence on the subject which you had the goodness to communicate to me yesterday, when I have no longer any hesitation in determining on it myself. Permit me, therefore, while my heart overflows with gratitude for this new instance of your kind attention to my welfare, to decline the acceptance of the appointment which you had the goodness to offer me. And...
131To 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...
132To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 17 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that I arrived here about an hour since; but am very sorry to add, that Dr Craik, whom I met here, informs me that he conceives Mr Whiting to be at the point of death. The Doctor says he has written to you on the subject by this post, and has, at Mr Whiting’s request, pressed you to send Mr Dandridge, or some other person in whom you can confide, down to Mount...
133To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 2 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but my absence from home (to which place I returned last Evening) could have prevented an immediate acknowledgement of your respected & kind favor of the 25th ultimo. I am pleased to find, by Mr Van Vleck’s letter (of which you had the goodness to enclose me a copy) that my Maria can be admitted into the School at Bethleham; and the time which he mentions for her acception is more...
134To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 7 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
I arrived in this place this morning when I was honored with your kind letters of the 21st of September and 1st of October, which were put into my hands by Mr Fraunces. I was detained in Portsmouth ten days longer than I expected to have been when I had the hononor of writing to you last from that place, in order to settle some affairs for my mother which I happily accomplished in a...
135To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 8 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
I was very happy to learn that you had arrived safe and in good health at Mount Vernon. Your kind remembrance of myself and little family was received by us with gratitude and thankfulness. On saturday a letter was brought here for you from Mr Seagrove: soon afterwards I saw General Knox, and learning from him that he had received no letters from that quarter, I carried your letter to him, and...
136To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 9 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to address you on the 7th inst. acknowledging the receipt of your respected favors of the 30th of Novr & 2d inst. The Assembly of this State have postponed the decision on the Potomac business ’till friday the 11th inst. ’till which the Directors do not feel themselves authorized to make any engagements on account of the Company, as the funds from the first subscription are...
137To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 9 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your respected & acceptable favor of the 4th instant. The balance in my hands, as noted in the account current which I had the honor to transmit to you on the 3d, shall be appropriated as you desire. I should prefer vesting it in Shares of the Alexandria Bank as the property is equally as good as that in the Bank of Columbia, and a dividend is to take place...
138To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 2 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
As I know you feel deeply interested in the fate of the proposed Constitution, considering its adoption or rejection as deciding upon the happiness & prosperity of your fellow-citizens, I shall take the liberty to give you an account of its present situation in this State so far as I have been able to learn it from the best information which I can obtain; beging, at the same time, that you...
139To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 21 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the Legislature of this State has taken 40 Shares in the Potomac Company, and that the other 60 are subscribed by individuals, with a condition to relinquish them or so many of them as the State of Virginia may agree to take. This puts us upon secure ground, and ensures the completion of the navigation of the River and its principle branches. Tomorrow...
140To 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...
141To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 22 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the Constitution was yesterday adopted by the Convention of this State after a Session of four days; the number in favor of the adoption was 57—against it 46. The majority, tho’ small, is very respectable, as it is pretty well ascertained that at least ¾ of the property, & a larger proportion of the abilities in the State are friendly to the proposed...
142To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 17 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 9 Inst. from Baltimore; and in consequence of your suggestion I have written to Mr Morris, requesting him to inform me at what time the house would be ready to receive the furniture. By the Post of last evening I received a letter from Colo. Biddle in which he says one of the Committee had informed him that the house would not be ready before the...
143To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 19 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have just returned from my trip up to the Shanandoah without being able to accomplish the object of securing for the public the property at the junction of that River with the potomac in the manner I wished. I am not, however, without hopes that it may yet be done. I found, on examination into the title, that the ferry tract, which contains about one hundred & twenty acres, by patent, was...
144To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 24 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have now the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your respected favors of the 9th & 12th current; the latter having reached my hands a few moments before I sat off on a trip to Fredericksburgh, from which place I have just returned, having had the pleasure to see Mrs F. Washington so far on her way to Eltham, without any unlucky accident, and with a fair prospect of reaching the end of her...
145To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 3 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose such letters and papers as have come to hand since my last. The British Packet arrived here last evening; but brings no decided accounts as to the War between Great Britain and Spain. She left Falmouth on the 12th of July, at which time the English fleet was lying in Torbay. This contradicts a report in the Philadelphia and Alexandria papers of an engagement having...
146To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 10 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your letter of the 3d inst.—and, agreeably to the intimation therein given, shall not fail to communicate such interesting matters as may come to my knowledge, and are not contained in the news-papers. When I get to Philadelphia I shall make it a particular business to gain the information you request respecting Schools. The College, under the circumstances, and...