181From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 2d & 5th came to my hands on Saturday morning. Yesterday I allotted to acknowledge the rect of them & to write several letters; but company coming in before breakfast, and from thence till dinner, and an early succession again to day—I can do no more than say they came duly to hand, and approve of your getting the Rooms (mentioned in your letter of the 2d) Painted—The...
182From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 31 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
On the 28th. I wrote you two letters. In one of them I intended (but forgot it) to have made a request that you would enquire after the lad that used to wait at Suter’s (William I think his name was) whose servitude had expired, and if disengaged and his character good, as well as handy, to engage him for me at eight Dollars P. Month, (with the other allowances known to you) being what I am...
183From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 3 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 30th Ulto was received yesterday. As I expect (nothing new & unforeseen happening to prevent it) to commence my journey for Mount Vernon in ten or twelve days, I shall enter into no details respecting any of the matters touched upon in your letter of the above date. The chief design of my writing to you by this Post, is to inform you that your good Mother, and lovely son,...
184From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be handed to you by Captn Myers, of whom I have made mention in a former letter. Being desirous of knowing whether the Directors of the Potomack Compa. are disposed to employ him as an Engineer & Superintendant of their lock navigation, and on what terms, he has resolved to wait upon them for those purposes. The testimonials of his skill as an Architect, and of his knowledge...
185From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 13 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
It is nearly, if not quite a month, since I enclosed you a letter from the Revd Mr Van Vleck, agreeing to take Colo. Ball’s daughter, along with Maria. In that letter, he mentioned his terms; his wishes to know their exact ages; and informed you what necessaries they ought to come provided with. To these I added , that knowing many unsuccessful attempts had been made to get girls admitted to...
186From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 25 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 20th instt was received yesterday, and the principal design of this is to cover the copy of a letter from Mr Van Vleck to me, respecting the reception of Maria at the School for young Ladies in Bethleham. It will be necessary for you to fix (for I presume it will be necessary that Mr Van Vleck should know) precisely, when she will enter; for as he is pressed by others; and...
187From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 23 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
No. 28. Dear Sir, MOUNT VERNON, Septr. 23d. 1791. Your letter of the 18th. with the Gazettes came duly to hand, and I wish you to forward the latter (such as were sent last) by Wednesday’s and Friday’s Post; in which case they will arrive in Alexandria, on Mondays and Fridays when I shall have a messenger at the Post-Office in readiness to receive them. Accompany the papers with occurrencies...
188From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 4 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter and A/c of the 2d Instt and presume it is all right. I wish however you had charged the Scow, & given credit for the articles had from Mr Anderson, as it was my wish to have seen a complete State of it. The thousand dollars lent, was not on usury; and therefore I desire it may be struck out of your A/c, as I shall do it out of mine, when it comes to be entered in my...
189From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 4 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 23d instant came duly to hand. The letters which I write to acquaintances, or friends, are done at no great expence of time, or thought. They are off-hand productions; with little attention to composition or correctness; and even under these circumstances, are rarely attempted when they interfere with my public duties. From what you have written, and from what I have heard...
190From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have almost determined to build the Walls of the House intended for a Distillery (at my Mill) of Stone, for the sake of expedition; as the Carpenters work can be carrying on at the same time. Having this in contemplation, I would thank you for informing at what price foundation Stone from the Falls could be delivered to a Boat as near to my Mill as the Vessel could get and whether any person...
191From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 12 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
I am about to write you another short letter for tomorrow’s post,—although, in the course of the Mail, it cannot reach you before Tuesday night. The intention of it is, to inform you again that I depend upon Page’s Coach, Horses and driver,—for the removal of the children &ca., to Philadelphia, and that I shall not, unless I hear something to the contrary, from you, make any other provision...
192From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 12 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you from Mount Vernon, your letters of the 3d. and 5th. Instant have been recd., the last at this place where I arrived yesterday to dinner. If the case is as you suspect, it is expedient and proper to remove Washington to a School in which he will make some progress in his learning; and that it is so, I have had some suspicions for some time, principally on account of his...
193From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 27 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you (the date I do not recollect, keeping no copies of my letters to you) I have received yours of the 17th and 20th instant, & shall answer such parts of them as require it. I am glad to find that the House, according to Mr Morris’s notification to you, will be ready about the time you had made arrangements for the removal of my furniture—the mode of doing which, is, I am...
194From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 30 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Mr Lear You will proceed to Pittsburgh by the following rout—Leesburgh, Keys’ Ferry, Bath, Old Town and Fort Cumberland. From the latter pursue the new road by the Turkey foot to Colo. John Stephenson (commonly called Stinson) wch is on the road to Pittsburgh. When you are at Bath enquire the way to a piece of Land I have on the river about 14 Miles above the town on the way...
195From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
This is the eve of my departure for George town, & being Sunday, ought to have been a day of rest; but it is not so with me, either from company, or business; the latter, occasioned by a constant succession of company during the whole of last week: wch obliged me to postpone many matters until this day, which ought, & but for that reason, would have been done in the course of it—Such time as I...
196From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 27 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 21st & 23d instant have filled us with pain and anxiety, from which, probably, we shall not be relieved before tuesday; tho’ we shall hope, on that day, to hear that both Fanny and Maria are much better, if not entirely recovered. Upon receipt of the first of the letters abovementioned, I made immediate enquiry in what train the business respecting the arsenal on Potomack...
197From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 14 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th was forwarded to me yesterday morning by the Post-Master in Alexandria (having sent no person to that place the evening before). I am glad of the intimation given of the intentions of the Minister of France; and pleased, tho’ distressed at the same time, at the information that, the 24th instt is the day fixed on for the meeting of Congress. I had no more idea of this...
198From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 27 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
On Sunday last I returned from a twelve days excursion up the Potowmack & found your letters of the 6th & 10th from New York, and 14th & 17th from Philadelphia. I am very glad to hear that you are all arrived at the latter place, safe—and the furniture, as you conceive, in good order. It was very right to give Johns wife the same priviledge that was allowed to others, and Mr & Mrs Hyde’s...
199From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
If nothing happens more than I foresee to prevent it,—I propose to be in the Federal City on Monday or Tuesday in next week; but it will depend on your being there. I request therefore to be informed by the Post if this will be the case; or whether business at that time will call you from it. When that far I shall extend my ride to the little and great falls of the River,—at the last of which...
200From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 22 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
Looking into an old Portfolio, which I had not seen this many a day, I found the papers which accompany this note, relative to the River Potomac. I do not know that any of them will be useful to you; but as well for the purpose of keeping them together as to afford you an opportunity of deciding for yourself, they are now forwarded to you. I also send you the sketch which has been presented to...
201From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 14 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
Immediately upon the receipt of your letter of the 2d instant, I sent a transcript of so much of it as related to Maria, and the daughter of Colo. Ball, to Mr Van Vleck; with a request that he would answer the queries which were propounded therein, under a cover to me. Enclosed is his answer, and of course you will inform Colo. Ball thereof. As I know that many unsuccessful applications had...
202From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 3 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 22d Ulto came safe. I wish the information given by Mr Danl Parker to Doctr Craigee may prove true —No mention of such event is in Morris’s letter to me; but the date is prior to that of Mr Parker’s by Six days. The Declaration & Counter-declaration of the Ministers of Britain & Spain are published with the communication thereof to the Lord Mayor of London; and yet, it...
203From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 17 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
I am just setting off for Alexandria—bad as the day is—to a dinner given by the Citizens of that place to me; —and hope by the mail of this evening to be placed upon some certainty with respect to Page’s Stage Coach, and that my Journey to Philadelphia may, as was intended, commence on Monday next the 22d. Upon examining the Caps of Giles and Paris I find they (especially Paris’s) are much...
204From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 11 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday we arrived at this place in good health, but with horses much worn down. To morrow I expect to reach Mt Vernon —where, even if my horses were able to proceed, I am obliged to remain until the 27th instant—the day appointed by me at the last meeting, to meet the Commissioners at George town, in order to fix on the spot for the public buildings, and for other purposes, arising from the...
205From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 18 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
I recollect no business of sufficient importance to require your return hither, sooner than Doctr Thornton conceives will allow him sufficent time to effect your cure. Were the case however otherwise, far would it be from me, to request this return before so desirable an object is accomplished. I do not therefore wish you to hurry it, on account of my business. Charles takes a horse up for...
206From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 3 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you—from George Town—I have, I believe, received your letters of the 23d, 24th, & 27th ult. Whether a certain Gentleman is the man I conceived him to be, or such a one as is hinted at in the letter you enclosed me, is not yet certain; but, admitting the latter, it is too late to look back. —I cannot be in a less productive situation by the engagement than I was;—the principal...
207From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 2 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, which I think was written on this day week, I have received your letters of the 25th and 27th Ulto. I am not yet enabled to speak decisively with respect to the Blankets. Many have arrived, but are not yet opened, in Alexandria. Mr Wilson, who has imported of them largely, at from 56/. to 75/. Sterg pr piece of 15 blankets; has offered them to me at 70 prCt but as he...
208From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 8 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place at the time appointed—to wit—the 1st inst. but did not receive your letter of the 3d until yesterday for want of a regulr Comn with the P. Office and this too at a time when as you have well suppos’d I was immerced in the consideration of Papers from the different Departments after a seperation from the heads of them almost two Mo. I have, however, run over your...
209From 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 ).
210From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 25 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have not written to you since we parted, but had just sat down to do it when your letter of the 13th instt was brought to me from the Post Office in Alexandria. It gave Mrs Washington, myself and all who knew him, sincere pleasure to hear that our little favourite had arrived safe, & was in good health at Portsmouth—We sincerely wish him a long continuance of the latter—that he may always be...