11George Partridge to Tobias Lear, 27 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
New York, 27 July 1789. Recommends William Watson, Ephraim Spooner, William Jackson, Joseph Otis, and Sturgis Gorham for customs posts in Massachusetts and will “be obliged to you to make the above recommendations to the president.” ALS , DLC:GW .
12From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 14 May 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Tobias Lear, 14 May 1791. On 3 June 1791 Lear wrote to David Humphreys: “I had a letter a few days ago from the President dated Savannah May 14th” ( PPRF ).
13Alexander 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...
14From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 25 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed in what manner I am disappointed in receiving the Rent for my house in Alexandria. These things put you, the payer & myself, in an awkward situation; for it must seem strange to demand what has been paid. I must therefore request, in explicit terms, that you will receive no more monies due to me; a⟨nd⟩ I should be glad to have a statement of the a/c as it...
15From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 14 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
The day following the one on which I wrote to you last, your letter of the 10th instt was received. It is to be regretted, exceedingly, that delegated powers are, oftentimes, so little regarded; and that trusts of an important nature, the neglect of wch may be attended with serious consequences, should be suffered to sleep in the hands of those who ought to carry them into activity. such, from...
16William Pearce to Tobias Lear, 11 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I now have my Machinery &c. at Work, and should be glad to be informed when the President of the United States and his Lady, would be pleased to Honor me with their Company, to take a look at them. Mrs Hamilton has likewise a desire to see them, when the President and his Lady, is pleased to fix the time, I will let her know, if it is agreeable to them. Your answer by the bearer, if convenient...
17David Sewall to Tobias Lear, 20 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
From some News paper publications, and which in this instance are probably true, Henry Dearbourn Esqr., the Marshall of this district, is Elected a Member of Congress, and should he accept, as there is no great doubt he will, if he is chose, That office will become vacant. The office is by no means lucrative: yet when offices of almost any kind are vacant, there are generally Persons enough...
18From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 23 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
With some difficulty (from the most infamous roads that ever were seen) we have got to this place, and are waiting dinner; but have no expectation of reaching Baltimore to Night. Dunn has given such proofs of his want of skill in driving, that I find myself under a necessity of looking out for another Coachman. Before we got to Elizabeth Town we were obliged to take him from the Coach & put...
19John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 4 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 4 June 1792. Forwards “in the absence of the Secretary of War . . . the enclosed letter from Governor Blount; which I request you will please to lay before the President of the United States.” ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . John Stagg, Jr. (1758–1803), of New York, who had risen to the rank of major in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War, was appointed a clerk at the...
20From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
Mr Anderson requesting that the boy who was going to the Post Office yesterday, might call & deliver a letter to you, from him, concerning flour—Availing myself of that conveyance, I sat down, and was in the act of writing the hasty lines you received from me by him, when I was summoned to dinner. In my hurry to close and Seal it, I omitted the enclosure then refered to, and which is now...
21Henry 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...
22Henry 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...
23Alexander 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...
24From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 30 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your former letters prepared us for the stroke, which that of the 25th instant announced; but it has fallen heavily notwithstanding. It is the nature of humanity to mourn for the loss of our friends; and the more we loved them, the more poignant is our grief. It is part of the precepts of religion and Philosophy, to consider the Dispensations of Providence as wise, immutable, uncontroulable;...
25Henry 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...
26From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 6 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 31st Ult. and 1st instant have been received—Tomorrow I continue my journey. A request of General Knox’s (consequent of Colo. Lee’s declining his appointment) to name Officers for the Battn of Levies to be raised in Berkeley &ca has prevented its being done sooner. I am perfectly satisfied that every necessary & proper step will be taken to procure a good Steward, and a...
27Henry 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...
28John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 18 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
War Department, Philadelphia, 18 Jan. 1792. Transmits the enclosed letter from the governor of Virginia to the secretary of war, dated 5 Jan. 1792, in order for it to be submitted to the president of the United States. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosure has not been found, but Henry Knox acknowledged its original receipt in a later letter to Gov. Henry Lee. Lee’s letter to the...
29From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 28 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
Mr Johnson & Doctr Stuart having resolved to withdraw themselves as Commissioners of the Federal City, & not to act after the meeting which is proposed to be held on the 15th of next month, it has become necessary to appoint two others in their places—One of whom, it is said, ought to possess a considerable stock of legal abilities; as cases are frequently occurring to render Law knowledge...
30From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 25 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your several letters relative to the state of the applications to the Assemblies of Maryland and Virginia, on the business of the Potomack Company, and the result thereof, have been duly received. The last, dated the 21st, I directed Mr Dandridge to shew to Mr Myers, (knowing the suspence in which he was held) and to add that, if upon the strength of the information therein, he inclined to...
31Henry 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....
32From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 28 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Late this afternoon your letters of the 23d & 24th instant came to hand, and as the Mail is about to be closed (leaving this before sun rise in the morning) I shall, as I must, be short. I return some letters to be filed;—one from Colo Blaine to be given to Genl Knox, to be acted upon as he pleases;—he is as well acquainted with the man as I am, & knows the want of such a character better than...
33Henry 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...
34From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th. Inst. enclosing one from Major Rivardi was delivered to me last night. It gives me pleasure that you are recovering from your lameness, and repeat the wish contained in my last that you would use the means for perfect restoration, and remain as long with Doctr. Thornton as he may conceive advisable. With respect to the letter from Major Rivardi, it would be proper to...
35John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 13 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War requests, that you will please to submit the enclosed letter, from the Governor of Maryland dated 6th instant —and the dispatches from James Seagrove of the 24th ultimo, to the President of the United States —They have just come to hand. Your’s respectfully ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Thomas Sim Lee’s letter to Henry Knox of 6 June 1793, which GW received later on this...
36From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 15 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 3d & 4th instt (in the date of the latter, I presume there is a mistake) with several accounts enclosed in the first, have been duly received; as was the certificate of the shares which were bot in the Banks of Alexandria & Columbia on my behalf. Your preference of the former for the appropriation of the balance which remain in your hands, is accordant with my ideas; and...
37From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 2 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you on Monday, I have seen and conversed with Mr Myers; who is desirous of employment, and of removing from this place; which (having a pretty large family) he finds very expensive. He professes to understand perfectly, the various matters set forth in the card I enclosed you in my last; and was employed, according to his own account, in the Lancashire navigation, in England,...
38John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 23 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of War has directed me to transmit to you, for the President’s perusal, the enclosed dispatches, just received from Brigadier Wilkinson and Governor Blount, dated the 12th ulto. I am Sir, Most respectfully, Your obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The letter from James Wilkinson to Henry Knox of 12 Feb. has not been identified. According to GW’s executive journal, this...
39From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
If Stuart can spare a Steer, you may keep the one you got from thence and pay for him in kine. Fishing, hitherto, has been very unsuccessful at my landing. More were caught last night and this morning (since I have not heard from thence) than in the same space at any time before since it commenced; & unless it continues for some days my expences will not be reimbursed. Have you written to...
40From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 29 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 2d instant came duly to hand, and obliged me by its communications. On friday last, (by the Stage), advice of the decision of the long and warmly (with temper) contested question, in the Convention of this State, was received. 89 ayes—79 Noes, without previous amendments; and in the course of that night, Colo. Henley, Express from New York on his way to Richmond, arrived in...
41Henry 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...
42From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 24 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
You ask what is absolutely out of my power to comply with, unless I was to place myself exactly in the situation you represent yourself to be (without converting Bank stock into Cash, which I am not inclined to do)—that is, unprepared to face my own engagements; which, for Wheat, Rye, Workmens wages &ca &ca are hourly coming upon me, & expected. Three thousand dollars (without going into a...
43Henry 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...
44Henry 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,...
45From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 21 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Not having heard from you since I wrote to you from Richmond, the purpose of this is only to let you know where we are, and to cover the enclosed for Mrs. Washington. We have, all things considered, come on tolerably well, yet, some of the horses, especially the two last bought—are not a little worsted by their journey, & the whole if brought back, will not cut Capers as they did at setting...
46Henry 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...
47From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 12 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
As I ride on matters occur to me and I shall take the chance of mentioning them to you before you may have left Philadelphia. A boat was bespoke, but no direction given either for the payment or mode of getting it round. My credit is at stake as it respects the first, and my interest as it regards the second, and I shall be obliged to you for seeing how both can be promoted. It is incumbent on...
48From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 31 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
If perchance you should happen to see Mr. Blagden before you leave the City, be so good as to get from him a statement of the preparations for my buildings therein. I do not find by inquiry of Mr. Lewis, that there is much show of this on the ground! I advised strongly that the foundation stone and lime, should be laid in last Autumn, when the Roads were good;—had this been done the Work might...
49Henry 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...
50Henry 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...
51Joshua Merryman to Tobias Lear, 15 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
As I trust you will gladly embrace an opportunity to oblige me, so there is no Man to whom I had rather lay myself under an Obligation. I apply to you, therefore, preferably to any body else, for a favor which I am extremely desireous to obtain. To wit, for you to name me to His Excelency the President of the United States as a candidate for the surveyers Office in this Town, which is Vacant...
52John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 24 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
Please to submit to the President, the enclosed letter from general Wayne, received last evening. Your’s respectfully ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . Lear’s docket and the letter-book copy both indicate that this letter was written on 24 Mar. 1793. In his letter to Henry Knox of 15 Mar., Gen. Anthony Wayne announced the arrival at Legionville of Cornplanter and other Iroquois Indians ( Knopf,...
53From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have received both of your letters dated yesterday; & thank you for the information given in them. If Mr Liston’s arrangement to proceed from Alexandria to this place by Water appeared to you to proceed from the want of Carriages (for I do not know in what manner he got to the City) say to him, that you are sure mine would attend upon him at any hour he wd name at that place, to bring as...
54From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 4 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 26th & 29th Ulto have been duly received, but not adverting in time, that the Post returned on Wednesday I could not answer the latter, until this day. I pray you to continue your purchases in either of the Banks of Alexandria, or Columbia, or both; as you shall deem best; so far as the appropriated sums in your hands, belonging to me (to which add the three thousand...
55John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 17 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
By direction of the Secretary of War, I have the honor to transmit you, the enclosed return of the General and Field Officers who served in the late army, for the inspection of the President of the United States. I am Sir, with great respect, Your most obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . In the letter-book copy an asterisk is inserted at this point. A note at the bottom of the letter...
56From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 11 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th instant was given to me yesterday by Mr Jno. Bassett. If you had intimated a wish to Lease my River Farm a month or two ago, all matters might, with ease, have been arranged before this; but as I had heard nothing in that time from the English Farmer who had been in Treaty for it, I had relinquished the idea of letting it next year, & in consequence, have engaged Stuart,...
57Dominick Lynch to Tobias Lear, 4 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
I hope you will excuse the Liberty I take in addressing you on a subject which my Inclination wou’d lead me not to interfere in, but the wish to serve a most respectable friend induces me to intrude upon you. Mr John Street of Fyal who in consideration of his services to American Prisoners &c. was by the Portuguese Senate for the western Islands appointed during the war American agent &...
58John Stagg, Jr., to Tobias Lear, 13 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 13 Jan. 1792. As directed by the secretary of war transmits the enclosed letter, dated 31 Dec. 1791, of Lieutenant Jeffers, commanding officer at Fort Franklin, for submission to the president. ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter from Lt. John Jeffers, presumably to Henry Knox, has not been identified. Tobias Lear returned it directly to Knox on 14 Jan. after...
59Henry 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....
60From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 5 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
From Baltimore I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 29th Ulto; as I am now about to do that of the first instant from hence. I had no idea of your obtaining money from Mr de Barth, if it was even more abundant than you represent it to be—nor do I believe he had any expectation at the time we bargained to make the payments stipulated—It was, I am satisfied, a Speculation on his...